HBO Max has launched two new mobile discovery features in the U.S., adding a TikTok-style vertical video feed and an experimental conversational search tool to help subscribers navigate the service’s library of shows and films.

The vertical feed, called “HBO Max Shorts,” surfaces trailers, clips, and bonus content in a scrollable format accessible via a new icon in the app’s bottom navigation menu. Content is personalized to each user’s watch history, and viewers can begin streaming a title or add it to “My List” directly from the feed. The feature is initially rolling out to select iOS users in the U.S., with plans to expand to additional devices, markets, and sports content over time.

The clips are selected with an in-house AI tool that scans scene-level metadata across the library to identify candidate moments, which HBO Max editors then review and select before the clips are rendered for vertical playback. “We’re thrilled to launch this application of AI to accelerate the creation of these clips and look forward to quickly expanding to make even more of our amazing content offering discoverable through this new feature,” said Deepna Devkar, SVP of Machine Learning Engineering.

The second feature, an experimental conversational search tool labeled “Ask HBO Max,” is available to adult subscribers on Android in the U.S. It uses natural language understanding and semantic search to interpret intent behind a query, returning relevant titles even when a user’s search terms do not match a show’s metadata directly. Warner Bros. Discovery gave examples such as “in the mood for a comedy” or “best movie for a girls night in.” The company said the feature will also expand to more devices and markets.

“These new mobile features build on intuitive, familiar behaviors subscribers use every day,” said Liesel Kipp, EVP of Product Management at Warner Bros. Discovery. “Both ‘HBO Max Shorts’ and ‘conversational search’ translate those behaviors into new ways to discover programming across the HBO Max service, making it easier and more seamless for subscribers to find something to watch.”

The moves put HBO Max in line with a broader shift among streaming services toward short-form discovery tools as libraries grow and audiences grow accustomed to feed-based browsing on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. As reported by TechCrunch, Disney+ rolled out its own vertical clip feed, called “Verts,” in March, and Peacock expanded into AI-driven, mobile-first video around the same time. Netflix introduced a generative AI-powered search tool last year, and Amazon has offered an AI voice search experience on Fire TV since 2024.

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