YouTube Tamba, SocialDB Predatory Practices, Twitchcon Sale Struggles, + Druski Hosts SNL

Welcome to this week's newsletter, which has a lot to cover in a short amount of time. I'm going to keep the intro short this week, because next week's post-TwitchCon recap may be a lot longer depending on how the event goes. So, after a brief message from one of my long-term partners, Streamlabs, we'll get right into the recap!

SPONSORED

Twitchcon starts on Friday, and a session you should absolutely attend is How IRL is Reshaping Live Streaming presented by Streamlabs. I expect IRL content to become even more popular than it already is as the last truly authentic content experience (against the backdrop of AI content).

And speaking of IRL events, I'll keep updating my Twitchcon 2026 Events List through Friday (right now, it has ~50 events!).

🟪 TWITCH

• You can now pick the timezone for Stream Events like your Streamiversary.
• Browse Categories is testing Recaps positioned above live content.
• Twitch is developing new over-chat pop-ups for important callouts, such as Stream Anniversaries.
• Twitch is giving away hundreds of tickets to Twitchcon San Diego, likely due to low sales. The number of Partners attending appears to be down 35-40%.
• Twitch had a very impressive year-over-year October. Unfortunately, self-paid sub revenue appears to be down, despite viewership being way up.
• Twitch/Twitchcon is involved in a lawsuit with its former ticket sales provider, TicketFairy.
• New Free Badges: Payday 3
• New Paid Badges: Doom: Dark Ages, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Payday 3, WOW: Forever

🟥 YOUTUBE

• YouTube removed the Subscription button from the lower menu on mobile. It moved to a hidden menu at the top taht you have to drag down to reveal.
• YouTube is testing a secret project called Tamba that seems to have followers, DMs, group chats, and the ability to post content. Early analysis suggests it may be something to compete with Instagram.
• Several major YouTube creators are supporting the Susan Wojcicki Foundation to change the conversation around lung cancer.

⬛ TIKTOK

• TikTok has been accused of promoting the sex industry to girls.
• The EU has charged TikTok with having a harmful 'rabbit hole' algorithm.
• TikTok Shop now has a standalone app in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
• TikTok is enabling creators to build their own AI for their message inbox.
• Story: She made $2.6 million in ONE TikTok livestream; here's what happened next.
• TikTok is testing a new layout on web, leaning into horizontal content.

🟦 OTHER PLATFORMS

• Discord is modernizing its video player.