Affiliate Roundup: PMA Proposes Toolbar Standards, Reddit Drops in ChatGPT Citations, TikTok Settles for $400M, & More

This week in FMTC’s Affiliate Roundup: The PMA proposed a new industry standard for affiliate toolbars and browser extensions. Reddit’s visibility in ChatGPT citations has dropped sharply. TikTok and ByteDance reached a $400 million settlement over children’s privacy allegations.

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• The PMA proposed a new industry standard for affiliate toolbars and browser extensions, with member voting beginning September 1. 

• ShopMy is urging merchants to cancel commissions through competing affiliate networks rather than ShopMy, drawing criticism over attribution practices and whether those reversals comply with network rules. 

• The IAB is developing a framework for measuring and crediting AI’s role in conversions as traditional attribution signals disappear.  

• Reddit’s visibility in ChatGPT citations has dropped sharply, potentially reshaping how publishers and marketers approach content designed for AI search.  

• X is launching its Original Content Rewards Program on September 8 to prioritize high-quality original content, though creators and advertisers remain skeptical that the changes will make the platform more appealing.  

• LinkedIn says more than 1 million users have flagged posts as “AI slop,” while content the platform classifies as AI slop receives 40% fewer views.

• TikTok and ByteDance reached a $400 million settlement with the DOJ over allegations that TikTok violated children’s privacy laws by allowing under-13 users on the platform and collecting their data without parental consent.