eBay Moves to Restrict Agentic Commerce With New AI Ban
eBay has updated its user agreement to prohibit third-party AI shopping agents, particularly with regards to bots powered by large language models that can place orders without human review. The revised policy creates a closed-loop ecosystem in which only approved AI agents are allowed to operate on the platform, effectively blocking rival tools from companies such as Amazon, Anthropic, Google, and Perplexity. Bots capable of searching for products, negotiating prices, and completing transactions autonomously are now explicitly barred, with the new terms taking effect on February 20, 2026.
eBay Chief AI Officer Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov wrote in a January 2025 LinkedIn post that the collaboration introduces a “new paradigm of discovery and shopping online.”
The move marks a notable shift from eBay’s earlier stance. While previous agreements broadly restricted automated tools like scrapers and spiders, they did not explicitly address AI agents or LLM-driven commerce. Notably, eBay continues to permit select partners, including OpenAI, which became a launch collaborator in early 2025 for its Operator shopping agent. The policy change also arrives amid intensifying competition in agentic commerce. Amazon has been testing its own Buy For Me agent and aggressively hiring talent in this space. At the same time, eBay recently rolled out an “any-click” attribution model that charges sellers ad fees if a promoted listing is clicked within a 30-day window, even if a later purchase happens organically.
Read more about eBay’s collaboration with OpenAI here.
Wetzel’s Pretzels Powers Growth with Global Expansion, Bold Flavors, and Playful Partnerships
Wetzel’s Pretzels closed out 2025 on a high note, marking its most expansive year yet. The brand set a company record for new store openings while broadening its reach both domestically and internationally. Wetzel’s entered new U.S. markets, including South Carolina, Kentucky, Missouri, and New Hampshire, while also expanding its presence in high-traffic locations such as Walmart and premier shopping malls. International growth accelerated with new locations in Canada, Ecuador, Mongolia, and Indonesia, introducing the brand’s iconic pretzels to new audiences around the world.
Wetzel’s Pretzels Head of Development, Jon Fischer, said, “This past year marked a pivotal chapter in Wetzel’s Pretzels as we broadened our global reach and introduced the brand to new communities across the U.S. From our West Coast roots to new markets around the world, we’re focused on connecting with more local pretzel lovers through our franchise offering. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re seeking franchise candidates interested in growing in nontraditional formats, all while staying true to our mission of delivering handheld happiness.”
Menu innovation and creative marketing also defined 2025. Limited-time offerings like Mozzarella Stickz and Apple Cinnamon Bitz put a fresh spin on classic pretzels, while a family-friendly partnership with DreamWorks Animation tied into the release of Dog Man, featuring new dips and beverages. The brand also celebrated National Wetzel Day by giving away more than 145,000 pretzels nationwide. Looking ahead to 2026, Wetzel’s will see continued expansion into c-stores and other flexible retail environments as a key priority, allowing the brand to meet fans wherever they are.
Learn about the Wetzel’s Pretzels Rewards program here.
Hudsonville Invites Ice Cream Superfans to Take the Ultimate Scoop in 2026 and Win $3,000
Hudsonville Ice Cream is kicking off 2026 with the return of its Ultimate Ice Cream Fan contest, inviting passionate ice cream lovers to prove they know frozen treats better than anyone. To enter, fans are asked to submit a 30-second video creatively explaining why they deserve the title. Entries are open through February 13, 2026, with submissions accepted via the Hudsonville Rewards platform.
Last year’s 2025 Ultimate Ice Cream Fan, Grace Bremmer, said, “Being the Ultimate Ice Cream Fan this past year was a dream come true. I had the best time creating my own ice cream flavor called Ultimate Salty Sweet Chaos, going behind the scenes to see how Hudsonville Ice Cream is made, and talking about ice cream on TV and with everyone I met. It’s time for me to pass the scoop to the next ultimate fan, and I’m excited to see how that person shares their love of ice cream with the world!”
The selected Ultimate Ice Cream Fan will be awarded a prize package that includes $3,000 in cash, a full year of Hudsonville’s real premium ice cream, and exclusive brand experiences. These perks may include collaborating on a custom flavor at the company’s state-of-the-art headquarters, early access to future flavor launches, and branded ice cream swag. The contest coincides with the launch of Hudsonville Rewards, a new loyalty program designed to engage fans with points, badges, and opportunities to earn free ice cream. It also marks the start of a year-long celebration of Hudsonville’s 100th anniversary, highlighted by the debut of a Limited Edition Birthday Cake ice cream. The new flavor features awhite cake batter ice cream with pound cake pieces, rainbow sprinkles, and a blue frosting swirl.
Learn more about the Hudsonville Rewards program here.
Original Article Links:
eBay Blocks 3rd-Party Agents, Eyes New Attribution Models
Wetzel’s Pretzels Caps 2025 with Record Growth, Menu Innovation, and Global Expansion
Love Ice Cream? Be Crowned the 2026 Ultimate Ice Cream Fan, Win $3,000 from Hudsonville Ice Cream