Instagram and Facebook are about to be filled with affiliate content
Instagram and Facebook are about to be filled with affiliate content Instagram and Facebook content will soon have shopping links baked into posts, essentially cutting out third-party “link in bio”-style tools. Meta announced Tuesday that it’s adding commerce features on the two platforms, though the functionality will be slightly different for each. On Facebook, content […]
You could be an influencer without even realizing it
You could be an influencer without even realizing it A similar AI shopping feature on TikTok. | The Verge In late February, Puck reported on a strange case: An influencer with more than a million followers was inadvertently promoting products on Instagram. On some of Julia Berolzheimer’s posts, a “Shop the look” button hovered in […]
EU investigates Shein’s ‘addictive design’ and illegal sex dolls
EU investigates Shein's 'addictive design' and illegal sex dolls The European Union has opened a formal investigation into Shein after French regulators found listings for “child-like sex dolls” on the retail platform last year. The investigation will assess whether the systems Shein is using to curb illegal product sales are compliant with the EU’s Digital […]
Microsoft will put buy buttons directly in Copilot
Microsoft will put buy buttons directly in Copilot Microsoft is launching a new feature in Copilot that will allow you to make purchases during conversations with the AI chatbot. Now, when you’re asking for suggestions about what kind of sneakers you should buy, Copilot can surface a checkout option for the product you choose directly […]
Google will let users call stores, browse products, and check out using AI
Google will let users call stores, browse products, and check out using AI Google is infusing artificial intelligence into just about every part of how people shop online — including having an AI tool call local stores on a human’s behalf and purchase items automatically. Beginning Thursday (and ahead of the holiday shopping season) Google […]
Pinterest’s new AI shopping assistant helps you pick a fit
Pinterest's new AI shopping assistant helps you pick a fit Move over Andy Sachs, Pinterest is launching an AI-enabled shopping assistant that aims to suggest your next look. Beginning on Thursday, and over the coming weeks and months, Pinterest users will be able to talk to the visual platform about what they’re shopping or searching […]
The tariff apocalypse is here
The tariff apocalypse is here As President Donald Trump’s August 29th deadline for new tariffs rolled around, the first thing that I thought of was 2026 planners. In July, Trump signed an executive order essentially killing a little-known but highly consequential trade rule, which meant that purchases coming from abroad – like $100 in planners […]
The controversial legal tactic The Trump Organization is using to take down fake merch
The controversial legal tactic The Trump Organization is using to take down fake merch Unauthorized merch promoting Donald Trump – from hats and mugs to signs and T-shirts – is everywhere online. Go to a Trump rally or other MAGA political event and you’re bound to find people hawking their DIY Trump wares. The Trump […]
Temu users face a ‘high risk’ of finding illegal products, EU says
Temu users face a 'high risk' of finding illegal products, EU says Temu users face a ‘high risk’ of finding illegal products, EU says Temu users in the European Union are at “high risk” of coming across illegal products while shopping on the platform, as reported earlier by The Financial Times. Preliminary findings from the […]
The frenzied, gamified chase for Labubus
The frenzied, gamified chase for Labubus On Thursday night, I toggled endlessly between a TikTok Live stream and a shopping app in anticipation of 9:30PM. For 30 minutes, I hunted for an available listing; many expletives were uttered. I exhibited bot behavior and got iced out of the app multiple times. I tapped so many […]