HBO Max Tests TikTok-Style Feeds and AI Search to Boost Discovery

The new Shorts interface, accessible via a bottom navigation icon, presents a stream of trailers, clips, and bonus content tailored to individual viewing habits. Behind the scenes, an AI tool parses scene-level metadata to identify high-impact moments, which are then vetted by human editors to ensure quality. Users can jump directly into full-length features from these clips or save them to their watch lists.

Simultaneously, the platform is rolling out an experimental conversational search. Instead of relying on static keyword matching, the tool processes complex requests like "dysfunctional family drama" or mood-based prompts to offer curated suggestions. This functionality is currently limited to select Android users in the U.S., while the vertical feed is undergoing testing with iOS users in the same region. By adopting these features, HBO Max aligns itself with competitors like Netflix and Disney+, which have increasingly turned to algorithmic shortcuts to keep audiences engaged within their respective ecosystems.