Quick Update: PPoints System + Reward Store + Review Tasks (Testing In Progress) 🚧✨

Hey ToyChats fam,

Just a quick progress update from our team:

We’re currently testing our upcoming points system, points store, and review task system.

Because of that, we’re temporarily pausing approvals for reviews that have already been submitted . Here’s why:

  • Once the points system goes live, any review that gets approved will automatically receive points rewards
  • This helps us transition smoothly into the new system without missing anyone’s rewards

So if you’ve already submitted a review, you didn’t do anything wrong, it’s just in a short holding period while we finish the rollout. Thank you for being patient with us. :yellow_heart:

What’s coming next:

  • You’ll be able to use your points in the Points Store to redeem things like toys and gift cards
  • We’re really excited about this, and we think it’ll make everything cleaner, fairer, and more fun for everyone

If you’ve got questions, drop them below and we’ll answer as much as we can while we’re testing.

Thanks for sticking with us,

ToyChats Team :yellow_heart:

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Hi. So I recently had a review approved that is scheduled to be posted later this month. With the implementation of the new system, will I receive points for that review? I assume not, as it has already been approved and I previously received a gift card for it.

Additionally, I wanted to ask whether I am still on track to receive a new toy to review, as I have not yet received it.

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Hey Lesley.

Still haven’t gotten anything. I replied to your email you sent the same day.

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Approved reviews submitted under the current process will not receive points rewards. We’re issuing gift cards for all reviews that have already been approved.

Toy shipments are also temporarily paused due to the new feature rollout. Once everything is live, you’ll be able to apply for the toys you want to review directly on ToyChats.com. We’ll list available toys in the Review Task Center, so creators can browse and apply based on their preferences.

We believe this will make toy distribution smoother and more structured, while reducing back-and-forth communication.

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When is this change happening?

Sorry for the delay. We’ve been a bit overwhelmed lately, and we also need to notify a large group of creators who still haven’t completed the required form, so gift card payouts will go out a bit later than usual.

Our new features are expected to launch by the end of this month, and we’re currently testing and fixing bugs.

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Exciting updates!:star_struck:

Hi Lesley,

I am excited about the upcoming changes and eager to start using the new point based review system. But I can’t stop thinking about what the tasks will be like—could you provide a little more detail or an example of a task?

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It’s been almost a week since we’ve heard something, and with the holidays and end of the year coming up, I can understand things might slow down. But this forum and reviews has been unusually quiet, and I can’t help but feel concerned about what this means moving forward. I hope we can get back to engaging with each other soon.

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1) Review Task System

We’ll list toys in the Task Center with different requirements. Each task will clearly note whether we’re looking for a video review, an article review, or either option, so applicants can choose what they want to do.

To apply, creators must have at least one approved review on ToyChats first. Some toys may require a higher level of eligibility.

Because some toys are shipped to ToyChats directly by brands, a few tasks may be US-only. Others are selected by ToyChats for review and may be open worldwide.

We’ll also include a deadline for each task. If a task is completed after the deadline, it may affect the creator’s success rate for future task applications.

2) Points System

Super simple: once a review is approved, you’ll automatically receive points.

If it’s not approved, you’ll be asked to revise and resubmit until our editors confirm it’s ready to pass.

3) Points Store

Points can be redeemed for gift cards and different toys. Conceptually it’s the same as the previous $20/$40 gift card approach, but now you’ll also have the option to redeem for toys, and we can manage the whole process in a more structured way.

This also helps reduce back-and-forth emails (for example, chasing missing info or asking people to fill out forms repeatedly).

Starting in 2026, due to accounting requirements, redeeming gift cards will require filling out a W-9 or W-8 form (our CPA has asked us multiple times, so we have to begin enforcing this).

This won’t apply to users redeeming a gift card for the first time.

4) About holiday

Because of the Christmas and New Year holidays, plus testing, updates, and bug fixes, this has taken more time than expected. We’re aiming to begin a soft launch of the full system on January 1–2 2026, so we’ll be a bit cautious with approvals during the initial rollout.

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Thanks Lesley sounds good, looking forward to how this new working style develops here

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From what date to present have submissions been paused pending approval?

Approval are back on, just moving a bit slow right now since we’re a little short on hands :sweat_smile: Thanks so much for your patience and understanding!