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Over the weekend, rapper Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention, where she praised President Donald The President and Vice President J.D. Vance, mocked California Governor Gavin Newsom, and instructed listeners, “If you are born a boy, be a boy.” On TikTok, her queer fans appear to be overwhelmingly disappointed. The event was hosted by Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative pundit Charlie Kirk, who now serves as the CEO of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA. Kirk took the stage with Minaj, where the two discussed Minaj’s recent alignment with the MAGA movement. During the talk, Minaj called The President and Vance “role models” for young men. For Minaj, the appearance was an official confirmation of a political stance that she’s been hinting at on social media for several months. Back in 2020, the rapper said that she was “not gonna jump on the Donald The President bandwagon.” This November, she signaled otherwise by reposting an official White House TikTok celebrating the administration’s supposed successes, including the claim “Our cities are safer than ever,” which appears to be a reference to the administration deploying the National Guard and ICE officers to multiple major cities, as well as the anti-trans sentiment, “No men in women’s sports.” Now, Minaj’s queer listerners—who have always represented a large portion of her fanbase—are expressing feelings of betrayal on TikTok. Nicki Minaj’s queer fans speak out In past years, Minaj positioned herself as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, offering words of encouragement to her gay fans and, at one point, describing herself as bisexual. By aligning with MAGA, repeatedly promoting anti-trans rhetoric, and working with Turning Point USA (which has an extensive track record of anti-LGBTQ+ animus), she appears to be alienating some of her most dedicated supporters. One of the most-viewed clips from Minaj’s appearance is a TikTok with nearly 300,000 likes in which the rapper states, “If you are born a boy, be a boy,” adding, “boys will be boys, and there’s nothing wrong with that”—apparently discouraging trans women from transitioning. The comments are flooded with negative comments from disappointed fans. “She built her career from the queer community,” one user wrote. “Literally almost half her fandom is part of the LGBTQ community,” another added. A number of commenters noted Minaj’s guest appearance on season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race as further evidence of her shifting support. Others have shared that they plan to revoke support for the rapper after the recent appearance with Kirk. In one TikTok with nearly 50,000 likes, an old clip of Minaj championing her gay fans is overlaid with the caption, “I miss the old Nicki who actually cared about the LGBTQ community. R.I.P. 1982-2019 Nicki, you would’ve hated 2025 MAGA Nicki.” View the full article

Elusive street artist Banksy appeared to confirm Monday that a new mural in London, depicting two children lying down and pointing up at the sky, is his latest work. The artist posted two photos of the artwork on his official Instagram account Monday, hours after its appearance on a wall on the side of a building in Bayswater, west London sparked speculation over whether Banksy was behind it. The black and white mural, painted above a garage, depicts two figures dressed in winter hats and boots lying on the ground, with one of them pointing a finger upwards. An identical image appeared at the foot of a tower in central London on Monday, but the graffiti artist did not post that version on his account. Banksy began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world’s best-known artists. His paintings and installations sell for millions of dollars at auction and have drawn thieves and vandals. While his work is often critical of government policy on migration and war, the latest artwork did not seem to carry an overt political message. In September, he made headlines with a mural showing a judge holding a gavel looming over an unarmed protester holding a blood-splattered placard. That piece, which appeared on an external wall of a Royal Courts of Justice building, was swiftly covered up and authorities said it had to be removed out of consideration of the building’s historical significance. View the full article

A customer experience survey is a structured tool designed to collect feedback on how customers perceive and interact with your brand. It plays an essential role in comprehending satisfaction levels and identifying areas for improvement. By gathering insights, you can make informed decisions that improve customer loyalty and retention. As you explore the components and best practices of effective surveys, you’ll discover how they can greatly impact your business growth and adapt to future trends. Key Takeaways A customer experience survey evaluates customer interactions and feelings across various touchpoints to understand satisfaction trends. It collects important feedback that informs businesses about strengths and weaknesses in their customer experience. Metrics like NPS, CSAT, and CES are used to measure customer loyalty, satisfaction, and effort, guiding strategic improvements. Gathering customer feedback enhances brand loyalty and informs better decision-making, crucial for retaining customers. Effective surveys adapt to evolving customer expectations, driving sustainable growth and competitive advantage through continuous insights. Understanding Customer Experience Surveys Comprehending customer experience surveys is essential for any organization aiming to improve its services and augment customer satisfaction. A customer experience survey is a structured questionnaire that evaluates customer feelings and interactions across various touchpoints. These surveys collect diverse customer feedback, enabling you to understand trends in customer satisfaction and whether expectations are being met. By leveraging metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), and Customer Effort Score (CES), you can effectively measure different aspects of customer engagement. The insights gained from customer experience data analytics reveal both strengths and weaknesses in your customer experience (CX), helping you identify areas that require improvement. This information is critical for enhancing customer loyalty and building a responsive organization. In the end, a well-designed customer experience survey not only captures individual feedback but likewise provides a representative sample that informs your continuous improvement strategies. The Importance of Gathering Customer Feedback Collecting customer feedback is essential for enhancing brand loyalty, as it helps you understand market expectations and drive product improvements. When you actively seek input from customers, you not just identify areas for growth but additionally show that their opinions matter, nurturing a stronger connection with your brand. This informed approach can lead to better decision-making and in the end improve customer satisfaction and retention. Enhancing Brand Loyalty In a competitive marketplace, insight into what your customers think and feel about your brand is crucial for improving loyalty. Gathering customer feedback through surveys plays a critical role in customer experience research, enabling you to identify areas of enhancement in your customer experience strategies. With 52% of consumers abandoning brands because of poor experiences, grasping their sentiments can help you improve customer experience and cultivate customer loyalty. Significantly, there’s a perception gap; whereas 90% of executives believe loyalty is rising, only 40% of consumers agree. Addressing this gap through effective feedback collection can build trust, a foundational component of brand loyalty. By investing in customer loyalty initiatives, you can better respond to evolving customer expectations, ensuring long-lasting relationships. Understanding Market Expectations Grasping market expectations is crucial for any business aiming to thrive in today’s fast-paced environment. Customer experience companies must prioritize gathering customer feedback through surveys to comprehend evolving expectations. Significantly, 52% of consumers stop using a brand because of a bad experience, underscoring the urgency of collecting insights. Executives recognize that customer expectations are changing faster than their companies can adapt, with 70% acknowledging this challenge. By conducting customer experience market research, you can identify gaps in perception, as only 40% of consumers believe customer loyalty has increased. Furthermore, transparent feedback collection is important for maintaining trust, as 93% of consumers would lose faith if their data is mishandled. Ultimately, improving customer experience hinges on comprehending and addressing these market expectations. Driving Product Improvements To drive product improvements effectively, it’s vital that businesses prioritize customer feedback, as it provides insights into consumer preferences and needs. Gathering customer feedback through experience surveys is significant; 57% of consumers stop using a product after a single bad experience. By regularly conducting surveys, you can capture valuable information about customer satisfaction, which helps identify areas for product improvement. The American Customer Satisfaction Index emphasizes measuring product quality, guiding companies to create customized surveys for specific insights. These surveys highlight strengths and weaknesses in customer service, nurturing brand loyalty. Engaging customers through feedback shows you value their opinions, leading to higher retention rates and increased referrals from satisfied customers, eventually enhancing the overall customer experience. Key Components of an Effective Survey To create an effective customer experience survey, you need to start by defining clear goals that guide your questions. Thoughtful question design is essential, as it helps you gather meaningful insights during keeping respondents engaged. Survey Goals Definition Defining the goals of your survey is fundamental, as it guarantees alignment with specific, actionable outcomes that can drive improvements in customer experience. A clear survey goals definition helps you focus on one primary objective, ensuring your customer experience study yields relevant insights. Identifying your target audience is key, whether you survey all customers or a representative sample. This focus allows you to gather data that directly contributes to improving client experience. Crafting concise questions, ideally between 5 to 13, is critical for effective data collection. By doing so, you support creating a positive customer experience and maximize the benefits of customer experience, eventually leading to actionable strategies for enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. Thoughtful Question Design How can thoughtful question design improve the effectiveness of your customer experience survey? By limiting your survey to 5-13 well-crafted questions, you maintain respondent engagement and gather actionable data. Guarantee your questions are clear and unbiased, using quantitative metrics like NPS, CSAT, and CES, alongside qualitative open-ended queries for deeper insights. Mixing formats, such as Likert scales and multiple-choice options, enriches feedback and amplifies your customer experience report. Implementing survey logic, like conditional questions, tailors the experience to previous answers, keeping respondents involved. Regularly refining your questions based on past feedback helps you identify ways to improve client experience, guaranteeing your survey remains relevant and effective in capturing evolving customer service and support experiences. Best Practices for Designing Customer Experience Surveys When designing customer experience surveys, it’s vital to focus on best practices that not merely improve response rates but likewise guarantee the quality of the feedback you receive. Limit your survey to 5-13 questions to maintain engagement and ascertain completion. Use a mix of metric-based questions like NPS, CSAT, and CES alongside open text fields to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights. Organize your questions logically, starting with simpler ones to create a smooth flow and boost the user experience. Clear, unbiased language is fundamental in your questions to avoid confusion and ascertain accurate responses. Furthermore, consider offering incentives for participation; this can greatly increase response rates without skewing the sentiment of the feedback collected. Analyzing Survey Results for Actionable Insights Analyzing survey results is crucial for turning raw feedback into actionable insights that can greatly improve your customer experience strategies. Start by cleaning your data to exclude disengaged participants, ensuring accurate insights for decision-making. Utilize crosstab analysis and predictive analytics to spot key trends and correlations within customer feedback. Regularly reviewing and adapting your survey processes based on findings nurtures continuous improvement in your customer contact experience. Centralizing survey results on accessible platforms boosts collaboration across departments, allowing you to share insights more effectively. To gauge loyalty, satisfaction, and effort, employ diverse metrics like NPS, CSAT, and CES. This approach helps you identify targeted advancements that can positively impact your customer experience digital strategy. Metric Purpose Frequency NPS Loyalty Quarterly CSAT Satisfaction Monthly CES Effort Bi-Annually Trend Analysis Insights Continuous Feedback Review Strategy Ongoing The Role of Customer Experience Surveys in Business Growth Customer experience surveys play a significant role in driving business growth by offering valuable insights into what customers truly think about your products and services. By gathering feedback, you can improve customer satisfaction and boost customer loyalty. Here’s how these surveys contribute to your success: Identify strengths and weaknesses through metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT). Show customers that their opinions matter, which cultivates loyalty and encourages retention. Adapt your strategies quickly to meet evolving customer expectations, as 70% of executives recognize this need. When you leverage the insights from customer experience surveys, you’re not just improving your offerings; you’re likewise informing your marketing strategies. This leads to brand advocacy and referrals, crucial components for sustainable business growth. In the end, prioritizing customer feedback through surveys helps you stay competitive and aligned with your customers’ needs. Future Trends in Customer Experience Surveys As technology continues to evolve, the future of customer experience surveys is poised for considerable transformation. The increased use of AI and machine learning will provide deeper insights and more sophisticated analyses, helping you understand customer behavior and preferences more effectively. Automation will streamline the feedback collection process, allowing for real-time responses and actions based on customer input, thereby enhancing engagement and satisfaction. Conversational feedback methods are emerging to combat survey fatigue, making the feedback process feel more interactive and less tedious. Furthermore, hyper-personalization will allow you to tailor questions and formats to individual customer profiles, which greatly boosts relevance and response rates. To address growing concerns about customer privacy, the adoption of synthetic data will protect sensitive information while ensuring accurate feedback. These trends will redefine how you gather insights, creating a more efficient and secure experience for both you and your customers. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Customer Experience Survey? A customer experience survey’s a tool you use to gather feedback on your interactions with a brand. It measures your satisfaction, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and assesses whether your expectations are met. What Is Customer Experience and Why Is It Important? Customer experience reflects your perception of every interaction with a brand, shaping your feelings and loyalty. It’s essential since positive experiences lead to increased loyalty and engagement, whereas negative experiences can result in lost trust. Research shows that over half of consumers abandon brands after a poor interaction, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt to evolving expectations. Meeting these standards is critical for maintaining competitive advantage and retaining customers in a dynamic market. Why Are Customer Surveys Important? Customer surveys are vital as they provide direct feedback, helping you gauge customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. By regularly collecting insights, you can adapt to evolving customer expectations, which is critical since many customers abandon brands after negative experiences. Surveys likewise show customers that their opinions matter, nurturing loyalty and enhancing your brand’s image. In the end, they contribute to better product quality and increased retention rates, benefiting your organization greatly. What Are the 4 P’s of Customer Experience? The 4 P’s of customer experience are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Product quality and features directly impact satisfaction, as one bad experience can lead to 57% of consumers discontinuing use. Price reflects perceived value, with 69% of buyers comparing costs before engaging with a brand. Place emphasizes accessibility and convenience, essential for shaping initial experiences. Finally, Promotion involves marketing strategies that effectively communicate value, as 70% of executives recognize swiftly evolving customer expectations. Conclusion In summary, customer experience surveys are crucial tools for businesses aiming to understand their customers’ needs and improve satisfaction. By gathering and analyzing feedback, companies can identify strengths and weaknesses, leading to informed decisions that improve brand loyalty. Implementing effective surveys and analyzing the results helps drive business growth and adapt to future trends. In the end, valuing customer opinions not just cultivates better relationships but additionally contributes greatly to retention and overall success in the competitive marketplace. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Customer Experience Survey and Why Is It Important?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A customer experience survey is a structured tool designed to collect feedback on how customers perceive and interact with your brand. It plays an essential role in comprehending satisfaction levels and identifying areas for improvement. By gathering insights, you can make informed decisions that improve customer loyalty and retention. As you explore the components and best practices of effective surveys, you’ll discover how they can greatly impact your business growth and adapt to future trends. Key Takeaways A customer experience survey evaluates customer interactions and feelings across various touchpoints to understand satisfaction trends. It collects important feedback that informs businesses about strengths and weaknesses in their customer experience. Metrics like NPS, CSAT, and CES are used to measure customer loyalty, satisfaction, and effort, guiding strategic improvements. Gathering customer feedback enhances brand loyalty and informs better decision-making, crucial for retaining customers. Effective surveys adapt to evolving customer expectations, driving sustainable growth and competitive advantage through continuous insights. Understanding Customer Experience Surveys Comprehending customer experience surveys is essential for any organization aiming to improve its services and augment customer satisfaction. A customer experience survey is a structured questionnaire that evaluates customer feelings and interactions across various touchpoints. These surveys collect diverse customer feedback, enabling you to understand trends in customer satisfaction and whether expectations are being met. By leveraging metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), and Customer Effort Score (CES), you can effectively measure different aspects of customer engagement. The insights gained from customer experience data analytics reveal both strengths and weaknesses in your customer experience (CX), helping you identify areas that require improvement. This information is critical for enhancing customer loyalty and building a responsive organization. In the end, a well-designed customer experience survey not only captures individual feedback but likewise provides a representative sample that informs your continuous improvement strategies. The Importance of Gathering Customer Feedback Collecting customer feedback is essential for enhancing brand loyalty, as it helps you understand market expectations and drive product improvements. When you actively seek input from customers, you not just identify areas for growth but additionally show that their opinions matter, nurturing a stronger connection with your brand. This informed approach can lead to better decision-making and in the end improve customer satisfaction and retention. Enhancing Brand Loyalty In a competitive marketplace, insight into what your customers think and feel about your brand is crucial for improving loyalty. Gathering customer feedback through surveys plays a critical role in customer experience research, enabling you to identify areas of enhancement in your customer experience strategies. With 52% of consumers abandoning brands because of poor experiences, grasping their sentiments can help you improve customer experience and cultivate customer loyalty. Significantly, there’s a perception gap; whereas 90% of executives believe loyalty is rising, only 40% of consumers agree. Addressing this gap through effective feedback collection can build trust, a foundational component of brand loyalty. By investing in customer loyalty initiatives, you can better respond to evolving customer expectations, ensuring long-lasting relationships. Understanding Market Expectations Grasping market expectations is crucial for any business aiming to thrive in today’s fast-paced environment. Customer experience companies must prioritize gathering customer feedback through surveys to comprehend evolving expectations. Significantly, 52% of consumers stop using a brand because of a bad experience, underscoring the urgency of collecting insights. Executives recognize that customer expectations are changing faster than their companies can adapt, with 70% acknowledging this challenge. By conducting customer experience market research, you can identify gaps in perception, as only 40% of consumers believe customer loyalty has increased. Furthermore, transparent feedback collection is important for maintaining trust, as 93% of consumers would lose faith if their data is mishandled. Ultimately, improving customer experience hinges on comprehending and addressing these market expectations. Driving Product Improvements To drive product improvements effectively, it’s vital that businesses prioritize customer feedback, as it provides insights into consumer preferences and needs. Gathering customer feedback through experience surveys is significant; 57% of consumers stop using a product after a single bad experience. By regularly conducting surveys, you can capture valuable information about customer satisfaction, which helps identify areas for product improvement. The American Customer Satisfaction Index emphasizes measuring product quality, guiding companies to create customized surveys for specific insights. These surveys highlight strengths and weaknesses in customer service, nurturing brand loyalty. Engaging customers through feedback shows you value their opinions, leading to higher retention rates and increased referrals from satisfied customers, eventually enhancing the overall customer experience. Key Components of an Effective Survey To create an effective customer experience survey, you need to start by defining clear goals that guide your questions. Thoughtful question design is essential, as it helps you gather meaningful insights during keeping respondents engaged. Survey Goals Definition Defining the goals of your survey is fundamental, as it guarantees alignment with specific, actionable outcomes that can drive improvements in customer experience. A clear survey goals definition helps you focus on one primary objective, ensuring your customer experience study yields relevant insights. Identifying your target audience is key, whether you survey all customers or a representative sample. This focus allows you to gather data that directly contributes to improving client experience. Crafting concise questions, ideally between 5 to 13, is critical for effective data collection. By doing so, you support creating a positive customer experience and maximize the benefits of customer experience, eventually leading to actionable strategies for enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. Thoughtful Question Design How can thoughtful question design improve the effectiveness of your customer experience survey? By limiting your survey to 5-13 well-crafted questions, you maintain respondent engagement and gather actionable data. Guarantee your questions are clear and unbiased, using quantitative metrics like NPS, CSAT, and CES, alongside qualitative open-ended queries for deeper insights. Mixing formats, such as Likert scales and multiple-choice options, enriches feedback and amplifies your customer experience report. Implementing survey logic, like conditional questions, tailors the experience to previous answers, keeping respondents involved. Regularly refining your questions based on past feedback helps you identify ways to improve client experience, guaranteeing your survey remains relevant and effective in capturing evolving customer service and support experiences. Best Practices for Designing Customer Experience Surveys When designing customer experience surveys, it’s vital to focus on best practices that not merely improve response rates but likewise guarantee the quality of the feedback you receive. Limit your survey to 5-13 questions to maintain engagement and ascertain completion. Use a mix of metric-based questions like NPS, CSAT, and CES alongside open text fields to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights. Organize your questions logically, starting with simpler ones to create a smooth flow and boost the user experience. Clear, unbiased language is fundamental in your questions to avoid confusion and ascertain accurate responses. Furthermore, consider offering incentives for participation; this can greatly increase response rates without skewing the sentiment of the feedback collected. Analyzing Survey Results for Actionable Insights Analyzing survey results is crucial for turning raw feedback into actionable insights that can greatly improve your customer experience strategies. Start by cleaning your data to exclude disengaged participants, ensuring accurate insights for decision-making. Utilize crosstab analysis and predictive analytics to spot key trends and correlations within customer feedback. Regularly reviewing and adapting your survey processes based on findings nurtures continuous improvement in your customer contact experience. Centralizing survey results on accessible platforms boosts collaboration across departments, allowing you to share insights more effectively. To gauge loyalty, satisfaction, and effort, employ diverse metrics like NPS, CSAT, and CES. This approach helps you identify targeted advancements that can positively impact your customer experience digital strategy. Metric Purpose Frequency NPS Loyalty Quarterly CSAT Satisfaction Monthly CES Effort Bi-Annually Trend Analysis Insights Continuous Feedback Review Strategy Ongoing The Role of Customer Experience Surveys in Business Growth Customer experience surveys play a significant role in driving business growth by offering valuable insights into what customers truly think about your products and services. By gathering feedback, you can improve customer satisfaction and boost customer loyalty. Here’s how these surveys contribute to your success: Identify strengths and weaknesses through metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT). Show customers that their opinions matter, which cultivates loyalty and encourages retention. Adapt your strategies quickly to meet evolving customer expectations, as 70% of executives recognize this need. When you leverage the insights from customer experience surveys, you’re not just improving your offerings; you’re likewise informing your marketing strategies. This leads to brand advocacy and referrals, crucial components for sustainable business growth. In the end, prioritizing customer feedback through surveys helps you stay competitive and aligned with your customers’ needs. Future Trends in Customer Experience Surveys As technology continues to evolve, the future of customer experience surveys is poised for considerable transformation. The increased use of AI and machine learning will provide deeper insights and more sophisticated analyses, helping you understand customer behavior and preferences more effectively. Automation will streamline the feedback collection process, allowing for real-time responses and actions based on customer input, thereby enhancing engagement and satisfaction. Conversational feedback methods are emerging to combat survey fatigue, making the feedback process feel more interactive and less tedious. Furthermore, hyper-personalization will allow you to tailor questions and formats to individual customer profiles, which greatly boosts relevance and response rates. To address growing concerns about customer privacy, the adoption of synthetic data will protect sensitive information while ensuring accurate feedback. These trends will redefine how you gather insights, creating a more efficient and secure experience for both you and your customers. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Customer Experience Survey? A customer experience survey’s a tool you use to gather feedback on your interactions with a brand. It measures your satisfaction, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and assesses whether your expectations are met. What Is Customer Experience and Why Is It Important? Customer experience reflects your perception of every interaction with a brand, shaping your feelings and loyalty. It’s essential since positive experiences lead to increased loyalty and engagement, whereas negative experiences can result in lost trust. Research shows that over half of consumers abandon brands after a poor interaction, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt to evolving expectations. Meeting these standards is critical for maintaining competitive advantage and retaining customers in a dynamic market. Why Are Customer Surveys Important? Customer surveys are vital as they provide direct feedback, helping you gauge customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. By regularly collecting insights, you can adapt to evolving customer expectations, which is critical since many customers abandon brands after negative experiences. Surveys likewise show customers that their opinions matter, nurturing loyalty and enhancing your brand’s image. In the end, they contribute to better product quality and increased retention rates, benefiting your organization greatly. What Are the 4 P’s of Customer Experience? The 4 P’s of customer experience are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Product quality and features directly impact satisfaction, as one bad experience can lead to 57% of consumers discontinuing use. Price reflects perceived value, with 69% of buyers comparing costs before engaging with a brand. Place emphasizes accessibility and convenience, essential for shaping initial experiences. Finally, Promotion involves marketing strategies that effectively communicate value, as 70% of executives recognize swiftly evolving customer expectations. Conclusion In summary, customer experience surveys are crucial tools for businesses aiming to understand their customers’ needs and improve satisfaction. By gathering and analyzing feedback, companies can identify strengths and weaknesses, leading to informed decisions that improve brand loyalty. Implementing effective surveys and analyzing the results helps drive business growth and adapt to future trends. In the end, valuing customer opinions not just cultivates better relationships but additionally contributes greatly to retention and overall success in the competitive marketplace. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Customer Experience Survey and Why Is It Important?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As the digital landscape shifts under the weight of burgeoning artificial intelligence technologies, Google Gemini is making strides that could significantly impact small business owners. The tech giant recently announced a new commercial partnership program that aims to leverage AI in a way that enhances audience engagement across its news platforms. One of Gemini’s key initiatives involves testing AI-powered article overviews on its news pages. This feature aims to offer readers a brief, informative snapshot of articles, allowing them to gauge content relevance before clicking through. For small business owners, this could mean higher traffic and better engagement with their content if their articles are featured among those utilizing this AI technology. In tandem with these article overviews, Google is also piloting audio briefings. This is particularly relevant for busy professionals who might not have the time to read articles in full but want to stay informed. The audio feature could provide a convenient way for small business owners to receive industry updates or learn about new marketing strategies while on the go. Google’s partnerships include reputable global publishers such as The Washington Post, The Guardian, and El País. These alliances are designed to enrich the Gemini app with real-time information, making it easier for small business owners to access the latest news and trends relevant to their sectors. Staying informed can be vital for making strategic decisions, and this new functionality offers a streamlined way to gain insights quickly. One of the potential advantages of these updates is increased visibility for small business content. With clear attribution and direct links to articles, small businesses can benefit from greater recognition on a platform that’s frequented by a broad audience. In a competitive marketplace, this added exposure could lead to new clients and partnerships, jumpstarting growth opportunities. However, there are nuances and challenges that small business owners should consider. While the AI capabilities seem promising, the effectiveness of these features largely depends on how well they are integrated and adopted by audiences. There is always the risk that users may not engage with new formats as expected, impacting the expected benefits. Another consideration is the competition for attention in an ecosystem populated by large publishers. Small business content needs to stand out amid articles from well-established media outlets. Creating high-quality, engaging writing becomes even more crucial to capture audience interest against these larger players that often dominate search algorithms. Moreover, small business owners should keep an eye on how these AI tools evolve. Google’s commitment to collaborating with diverse voices means that there will be ongoing updates and refinements. Adapting to these changes swiftly could be critical for maintaining a strong presence on platforms that heavily influence consumer behavior. The evolution of information consumption implies that business strategies must also adapt. As AI and real-time updates become standard features in news consumption, small business owners must continually assess how these tools can enhance their marketing strategies and engagement efforts. In summary, Google Gemini’s new AI initiatives present an array of opportunities for small business owners looking to enhance their visibility and audience connection. The pilot program’s features can offer significant advantages, but they come with challenges that necessitate careful navigation. Engaging with these tools thoughtfully could position small businesses favorably in the rapidly changing digital ecosystem. For further details on Google’s initiatives, you can explore the original press release from Google here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google Launches AI Pilot Program to Enhance News Engagement Globally" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As the digital landscape shifts under the weight of burgeoning artificial intelligence technologies, Google Gemini is making strides that could significantly impact small business owners. The tech giant recently announced a new commercial partnership program that aims to leverage AI in a way that enhances audience engagement across its news platforms. One of Gemini’s key initiatives involves testing AI-powered article overviews on its news pages. This feature aims to offer readers a brief, informative snapshot of articles, allowing them to gauge content relevance before clicking through. For small business owners, this could mean higher traffic and better engagement with their content if their articles are featured among those utilizing this AI technology. In tandem with these article overviews, Google is also piloting audio briefings. This is particularly relevant for busy professionals who might not have the time to read articles in full but want to stay informed. The audio feature could provide a convenient way for small business owners to receive industry updates or learn about new marketing strategies while on the go. Google’s partnerships include reputable global publishers such as The Washington Post, The Guardian, and El País. These alliances are designed to enrich the Gemini app with real-time information, making it easier for small business owners to access the latest news and trends relevant to their sectors. Staying informed can be vital for making strategic decisions, and this new functionality offers a streamlined way to gain insights quickly. One of the potential advantages of these updates is increased visibility for small business content. With clear attribution and direct links to articles, small businesses can benefit from greater recognition on a platform that’s frequented by a broad audience. In a competitive marketplace, this added exposure could lead to new clients and partnerships, jumpstarting growth opportunities. However, there are nuances and challenges that small business owners should consider. While the AI capabilities seem promising, the effectiveness of these features largely depends on how well they are integrated and adopted by audiences. There is always the risk that users may not engage with new formats as expected, impacting the expected benefits. Another consideration is the competition for attention in an ecosystem populated by large publishers. Small business content needs to stand out amid articles from well-established media outlets. Creating high-quality, engaging writing becomes even more crucial to capture audience interest against these larger players that often dominate search algorithms. Moreover, small business owners should keep an eye on how these AI tools evolve. Google’s commitment to collaborating with diverse voices means that there will be ongoing updates and refinements. Adapting to these changes swiftly could be critical for maintaining a strong presence on platforms that heavily influence consumer behavior. The evolution of information consumption implies that business strategies must also adapt. As AI and real-time updates become standard features in news consumption, small business owners must continually assess how these tools can enhance their marketing strategies and engagement efforts. In summary, Google Gemini’s new AI initiatives present an array of opportunities for small business owners looking to enhance their visibility and audience connection. The pilot program’s features can offer significant advantages, but they come with challenges that necessitate careful navigation. Engaging with these tools thoughtfully could position small businesses favorably in the rapidly changing digital ecosystem. For further details on Google’s initiatives, you can explore the original press release from Google here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google Launches AI Pilot Program to Enhance News Engagement Globally" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google‘s corporate parent on Monday announced an agreement to buy data center energy specialist Intersect for $4.75 billion as part of its effort to secure the vast amounts of electricity needed to power artificial intelligence technology. Alphabet, which depends on Google’s search engine and other online services for most of its revenue, is buying out Intersect in its entirety after purchasing a stake in the San Francisco-based startup a year ago. Intersect had previously raised $2.1 billion from Google and other early investors. After the acquisition is completed during the first half of next year, Alphabet intends to allow Intersect to operate independently while continuing its efforts to secure the energy sources needed for the sprawling data centers being built to power the AI services rolling out from Google and rivals such as OpenAI. The power-hungry data centers, which are being likened to AI factories, are fueling a backlash in communities where residents have been interpreting their steadily rising electricity bills as evidence that they are helping foot the boom for a technology boom that could still go bust. Intersect focuses on finding ways to increase and diversify the supply of energy in an effort to keep hold down power costs. It’s already working on a data center for Mountain View, California-based Alphabet in Haskell County, Texas. Google’s inroads with AI have helped increase Alphabet’s stock price by more than 60% so far this year, generating an additional $1.4 trillion in shareholder wealth. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Roku Sticks have useful features that can make your dumb TV smarter (or replace the interface on your smart TV), and they are seeing great discounts right now. In particular, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K with HDR and Dolby Vision is $24.99, the lowest price it has ever been after a 50% discount, according to price tracking tools. It's also my personal favorite option, and the one I would recommend to most people. Roku Streaming Stick HD 2025 $15.99 at Amazon $29.99 Save $14.00 Get Deal Get Deal $15.99 at Amazon $29.99 Save $14.00 Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 $19.00 at Amazon $39.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal Get Deal $19.00 at Amazon $39.99 Save $20.99 Roku Streaming Stick 4K $24.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal Get Deal $24.99 at Amazon $49.99 Save $25.00 Roku Ultra - Ultimate Streaming Player $75.00 at Amazon $99.99 Save $24.99 Get Deal Get Deal $75.00 at Amazon $99.99 Save $24.99 SEE 1 MORE There's a lot to consider when choosing a streaming device for your TV. I've tried many, and Roku is one of the best. It's user-friendly, responsive, organized, simple to navigate, and affordable. Out of all the Roku options, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K with HDR and Dolby Vision is the best bang for your buck—for just $5 more than the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, you'll get support for Dolby Vision, which will deliver more dynamic HDR. It's also much cheaper than the Roku Ultra, which offers WiFi 6, an Ethernet port, and Dolby Atmos for $50 more. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is compatible with Alexa smart devices, Apple AirPlay and HomeKit, Google Home, and with Roku Smart Home, meaning you can mirror your devices, use voice commands, or control them from these respective smart apps. If you have Bluetooth headphones, you can pair them with the Roku so you can watch your shows in silence, and the voice activated remote is a game-changer if you lose your clicker as often as I do. View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your content planning, using effective Excel content calendar templates can make a significant difference. These templates help you stay organized and guarantee that you’re maximizing your engagement across various platforms. From HootSuite‘s customizable calendar to HubSpot‘s user-friendly planner, there are several options available. Each template offers unique features designed to streamline your content management. Let’s explore these crucial tools and how they can boost your strategy. Key Takeaways HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar is a customizable Google Sheet ideal for planning across major platforms with an evergreen content library. HubSpot’s template offers a user-friendly 11×17 planner to track deadlines and engagement metrics efficiently. Smartsheet’s calendar allows for daily content planning with predefined slots and real-time team collaboration features. Buffer’s template simplifies post scheduling and includes built-in analytics for data-driven strategy adjustments. CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar provides a centralized view of all marketing activities to enhance organization and team collaboration. HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their content planning across five major platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This customizable Google Sheet shines as an excel content calendar template, allowing you to adjust it according to your specific needs. With an evergreen content library tab, it helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule, so you’re never scrambling for content at the last minute. The template includes organized fields for tracking post ideas, scheduled dates, and performance metrics, enhancing your overall social media management. Plus, you can download the calendar for immediate use, making it a practical solution for individuals and teams aiming to optimize their social media strategy efficiently. HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar When you’re looking to streamline your social media strategy, HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar offers a thorough solution that helps you organize your posting across various platforms. This detailed spreadsheet serves as an effective 11×17 planner template, allowing you to manage daily posts and monthly campaigns seamlessly. Each section of the calendar is particularly designed for different social platforms, ensuring your content meets each channel’s unique requirements and best practices. You’ll appreciate the user-friendly layout, which simplifies tracking deadlines, post statuses, and engagement metrics. Plus, the calendar is easily downloadable, making it accessible for immediate use. Customize it to fit your precise marketing strategies and avoid scheduling conflicts, enhancing your overall social media effectiveness. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template streamlines your daily content planning by breaking down tasks across five major platforms, plus an “Other” section for added flexibility. With predefined slots for up to six posts daily per platform, you can maintain organized scheduling and guarantee consistent engagement. The template additionally includes fields for social copy, images, links, and engagement data, allowing you to track performance effectively as you collaborate with your team in real-time. Daily Content Planning For anyone looking to streamline their daily content planning, a structured approach can greatly boost efficiency and effectiveness. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template provides a detailed daily breakdown that allows you to schedule and organize content across five social media platforms, plus an “Other” section for additional channels. You can predefine up to six posts per platform daily, ensuring a thorough content distribution strategy. The template includes fields for social copy, images, links, and engagement data, enabling you to track and analyze post performance meticulously. It’s easily downloadable and ready for immediate use, making it an ideal choice for marketing teams seeking to improve their daily planning process, much like a vacation planner template excel helps organize trips. Multi-Platform Support Optimizing your content planning involves not just daily organization but likewise effective management across multiple platforms. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template is designed to help you streamline this process. Here are three key features that improve your multi-platform support: Platform Coverage: Manage content for five major social platforms, plus an “Other” section for any additional networks. Daily Slots: Each platform accommodates up to six daily posts, ensuring you can efficiently schedule and distribute content. Comprehensive Tracking: Input crucial details like social copy, images, links, and track engagement data for each post. This September calendar template allows for easy customization, making it a valuable tool for any content strategy. You’ll find that real-time collaboration boosts team productivity considerably. Engagement Tracking Features Tracking engagement is essential for comprehending how your content resonates with your audience. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template offers robust engagement tracking features to help you monitor important metrics like likes, comments, and shares. With predefined slots for documenting engagement data, analyzing post performance becomes straightforward. You can customize these sections to fit your specific marketing goals, providing customized insights into audience interactions. Metric Definition Importance Likes Number of thumbs up received Indicates basic approval Comments User interactions through text Reveals audience sentiment Shares Content redistribution Measures content value and reach These capabilities allow for trend identification, helping you refine your content strategy effectively. Buffer’s Social Media Content Calendar Buffer’s Social Media Content Calendar simplifies the process of scheduling posts across various platforms, allowing you to manage your content effectively. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily visualize your content plan and track posting times. Here are three key features: Comprehensive Layout: The calendar’s design makes it straightforward to see your content at a glance. Multi-Platform Integration: Seamlessly manage your posts from one dashboard, streamlining your workflow. Built-in Analytics: Analyze your post performance to make data-driven adjustments, enhancing your strategy. This template is downloadable for immediate use, making it a great choice for anyone looking to implement a structured content plan quickly, much like a vacation planner excel helps organize trips efficiently. Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar When you’re looking to streamline your content planning, Content Cal’s Personalized Content Calendar offers an efficient solution that automates the creation of a structured calendar based on your input. This template spans 12 months, providing an extensive framework that helps align your social media strategy with broader marketing goals. You can easily define various content types, which aids in organizing and clarifying your planned posts. While it simplifies the planning process, it also requires you to draft and post actual content, ensuring that your strategy remains actionable. Furthermore, the customizable nature of this calendar allows for personalized content management to meet your specific organizational needs. For a 2025 calendar excel free download, this option is a valuable tool for effective content planning. Google Sheets Geeks Social Media Editorial Calendar If you’re aiming to improve your social media strategy, the Google Sheets Geeks Social Media Editorial Calendar provides an organized framework that simplifies content planning across various platforms. This template allows you to easily customize sections for your needs, helping you keep track of crucial elements. Here are three key features: Customizable Sections: Organize post titles, publication dates, content types, and platforms to align with your marketing goals. Collaborative Tools: Enable team members to contribute ideas in real-time, enhancing communication and coordination. Performance Tracking: Monitor deadlines and performance metrics to guarantee timely publication and engagement. With its user-friendly design, this one week calendar Excel template is readily downloadable, making it easy to implement for both individuals and teams. CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template offers you a centralized view of all your marketing activities, making it easier to organize and plan your content across various channels. With its visual layout, you can quickly assess your content strategy, ensuring that everything aligns seamlessly. Furthermore, its integration with other tools improves your workflow, allowing for a more efficient collaboration with your team. Centralized Marketing Activity Overview A centralized marketing activity overview is essential for any team aiming to streamline their content strategies, and CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template serves this purpose effectively. With this template, you can: Visualize Content Plans: Easily see your marketing activities laid out in a user-friendly interface, enhancing team collaboration. Schedule Across Platforms: Identify and fill posting gaps, ensuring consistency in your content strategy across multiple social media channels. Manage Deadlines Efficiently: The visual layout provides quick access to key deadlines, allowing you to allocate your resources better. Whether you’re looking for a vacation calendar template in Excel or an all-encompassing marketing tool, CoSchedule’s template is downloadable and ready for immediate use, making it an accessible choice for organizing your marketing efforts. Integration With Other Tools Integrating CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template with various tools can considerably improve your marketing workflow. This template seamlessly connects with platforms like WordPress, Google Analytics, and social media channels, making automated posting and performance tracking effortless. You’ll appreciate the drag-and-drop functionality, which allows you to rearrange tasks and deadlines quickly, optimizing your content planning. The visual layout provides a thorough overview of all marketing activities, ensuring your team stays aligned on strategies. Furthermore, CoSchedule offers color-coding and tagging features, helping you organize content and distinguish between different campaigns at a glance. For an easy start, download a free printable 2025 calendar with holidays excel to complement your marketing efforts and keep everything on track. Frequently Asked Questions How to Create a Content Calendar With Excel? To create a content calendar with Excel, start by defining your content goals and identifying your target audience. Use Excel’s features like drop-down lists and color-coding to organize content types and scheduling. Set up a dedicated worksheet for each month, including columns for topics, publication dates, authors, and status. Regularly update your calendar to reflect new trends and feedback, ensuring your content strategy stays aligned with your marketing objectives and remains effective. Does Microsoft Excel Have a Calendar Template? Yes, Microsoft Excel does offer a variety of calendar templates. You can find options for monthly, weekly, and yearly views, which cater to different planning needs. To access these templates, you can search within the Excel application or on the Microsoft Office website. Many templates include features like note sections, to-do lists, and budget trackers, allowing you to customize them according to your specific scheduling and planning requirements easily. What Does a Professional Content Calendar Look Like? A professional content calendar typically looks organized and structured. You’ll find sections for content topics, publication dates, and formats. It often includes deadlines for creation and review, ensuring timely posting. Color-coding helps categorize content by themes or platforms for quick reference. Collaboration fields allow team members to assign tasks and note research. Moreover, it integrates analytics tracking to assess content performance, enabling data-driven adjustments for future strategies and improving overall effectiveness. How to Make a Sample Content Calendar? To create a sample content calendar, start by defining your content goals and identifying your target audience. Use a spreadsheet program to structure your layout, including columns for topics, formats, dates, and assigned team members. Incorporate color-coding and drop-down menus for organization. Set deadlines for content creation and publication to guarantee consistency. Regularly review and adjust the calendar to reflect any strategy changes and to analyze performance for future content improvements. Conclusion Utilizing these seven Excel content calendar templates can greatly improve your content strategy and boost engagement. Each template offers unique features designed to specific needs, whether you require collaboration, deadline management, or a thorough overview of your marketing efforts. By implementing these tools, you can streamline your planning process and guarantee consistent, organized content delivery across platforms. Take advantage of these resources to optimize your content management and achieve your marketing goals effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Excel Content Calendar Templates You Need" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your content planning, using effective Excel content calendar templates can make a significant difference. These templates help you stay organized and guarantee that you’re maximizing your engagement across various platforms. From HootSuite‘s customizable calendar to HubSpot‘s user-friendly planner, there are several options available. Each template offers unique features designed to streamline your content management. Let’s explore these crucial tools and how they can boost your strategy. Key Takeaways HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar is a customizable Google Sheet ideal for planning across major platforms with an evergreen content library. HubSpot’s template offers a user-friendly 11×17 planner to track deadlines and engagement metrics efficiently. Smartsheet’s calendar allows for daily content planning with predefined slots and real-time team collaboration features. Buffer’s template simplifies post scheduling and includes built-in analytics for data-driven strategy adjustments. CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar provides a centralized view of all marketing activities to enhance organization and team collaboration. HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their content planning across five major platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This customizable Google Sheet shines as an excel content calendar template, allowing you to adjust it according to your specific needs. With an evergreen content library tab, it helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule, so you’re never scrambling for content at the last minute. The template includes organized fields for tracking post ideas, scheduled dates, and performance metrics, enhancing your overall social media management. Plus, you can download the calendar for immediate use, making it a practical solution for individuals and teams aiming to optimize their social media strategy efficiently. HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar When you’re looking to streamline your social media strategy, HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar offers a thorough solution that helps you organize your posting across various platforms. This detailed spreadsheet serves as an effective 11×17 planner template, allowing you to manage daily posts and monthly campaigns seamlessly. Each section of the calendar is particularly designed for different social platforms, ensuring your content meets each channel’s unique requirements and best practices. You’ll appreciate the user-friendly layout, which simplifies tracking deadlines, post statuses, and engagement metrics. Plus, the calendar is easily downloadable, making it accessible for immediate use. Customize it to fit your precise marketing strategies and avoid scheduling conflicts, enhancing your overall social media effectiveness. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template streamlines your daily content planning by breaking down tasks across five major platforms, plus an “Other” section for added flexibility. With predefined slots for up to six posts daily per platform, you can maintain organized scheduling and guarantee consistent engagement. The template additionally includes fields for social copy, images, links, and engagement data, allowing you to track performance effectively as you collaborate with your team in real-time. Daily Content Planning For anyone looking to streamline their daily content planning, a structured approach can greatly boost efficiency and effectiveness. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template provides a detailed daily breakdown that allows you to schedule and organize content across five social media platforms, plus an “Other” section for additional channels. You can predefine up to six posts per platform daily, ensuring a thorough content distribution strategy. The template includes fields for social copy, images, links, and engagement data, enabling you to track and analyze post performance meticulously. It’s easily downloadable and ready for immediate use, making it an ideal choice for marketing teams seeking to improve their daily planning process, much like a vacation planner template excel helps organize trips. Multi-Platform Support Optimizing your content planning involves not just daily organization but likewise effective management across multiple platforms. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template is designed to help you streamline this process. Here are three key features that improve your multi-platform support: Platform Coverage: Manage content for five major social platforms, plus an “Other” section for any additional networks. Daily Slots: Each platform accommodates up to six daily posts, ensuring you can efficiently schedule and distribute content. Comprehensive Tracking: Input crucial details like social copy, images, links, and track engagement data for each post. This September calendar template allows for easy customization, making it a valuable tool for any content strategy. You’ll find that real-time collaboration boosts team productivity considerably. Engagement Tracking Features Tracking engagement is essential for comprehending how your content resonates with your audience. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template offers robust engagement tracking features to help you monitor important metrics like likes, comments, and shares. With predefined slots for documenting engagement data, analyzing post performance becomes straightforward. You can customize these sections to fit your specific marketing goals, providing customized insights into audience interactions. Metric Definition Importance Likes Number of thumbs up received Indicates basic approval Comments User interactions through text Reveals audience sentiment Shares Content redistribution Measures content value and reach These capabilities allow for trend identification, helping you refine your content strategy effectively. Buffer’s Social Media Content Calendar Buffer’s Social Media Content Calendar simplifies the process of scheduling posts across various platforms, allowing you to manage your content effectively. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily visualize your content plan and track posting times. Here are three key features: Comprehensive Layout: The calendar’s design makes it straightforward to see your content at a glance. Multi-Platform Integration: Seamlessly manage your posts from one dashboard, streamlining your workflow. Built-in Analytics: Analyze your post performance to make data-driven adjustments, enhancing your strategy. This template is downloadable for immediate use, making it a great choice for anyone looking to implement a structured content plan quickly, much like a vacation planner excel helps organize trips efficiently. Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar When you’re looking to streamline your content planning, Content Cal’s Personalized Content Calendar offers an efficient solution that automates the creation of a structured calendar based on your input. This template spans 12 months, providing an extensive framework that helps align your social media strategy with broader marketing goals. You can easily define various content types, which aids in organizing and clarifying your planned posts. While it simplifies the planning process, it also requires you to draft and post actual content, ensuring that your strategy remains actionable. Furthermore, the customizable nature of this calendar allows for personalized content management to meet your specific organizational needs. For a 2025 calendar excel free download, this option is a valuable tool for effective content planning. Google Sheets Geeks Social Media Editorial Calendar If you’re aiming to improve your social media strategy, the Google Sheets Geeks Social Media Editorial Calendar provides an organized framework that simplifies content planning across various platforms. This template allows you to easily customize sections for your needs, helping you keep track of crucial elements. Here are three key features: Customizable Sections: Organize post titles, publication dates, content types, and platforms to align with your marketing goals. Collaborative Tools: Enable team members to contribute ideas in real-time, enhancing communication and coordination. Performance Tracking: Monitor deadlines and performance metrics to guarantee timely publication and engagement. With its user-friendly design, this one week calendar Excel template is readily downloadable, making it easy to implement for both individuals and teams. CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template offers you a centralized view of all your marketing activities, making it easier to organize and plan your content across various channels. With its visual layout, you can quickly assess your content strategy, ensuring that everything aligns seamlessly. Furthermore, its integration with other tools improves your workflow, allowing for a more efficient collaboration with your team. Centralized Marketing Activity Overview A centralized marketing activity overview is essential for any team aiming to streamline their content strategies, and CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template serves this purpose effectively. With this template, you can: Visualize Content Plans: Easily see your marketing activities laid out in a user-friendly interface, enhancing team collaboration. Schedule Across Platforms: Identify and fill posting gaps, ensuring consistency in your content strategy across multiple social media channels. Manage Deadlines Efficiently: The visual layout provides quick access to key deadlines, allowing you to allocate your resources better. Whether you’re looking for a vacation calendar template in Excel or an all-encompassing marketing tool, CoSchedule’s template is downloadable and ready for immediate use, making it an accessible choice for organizing your marketing efforts. Integration With Other Tools Integrating CoSchedule’s Marketing Calendar Template with various tools can considerably improve your marketing workflow. This template seamlessly connects with platforms like WordPress, Google Analytics, and social media channels, making automated posting and performance tracking effortless. You’ll appreciate the drag-and-drop functionality, which allows you to rearrange tasks and deadlines quickly, optimizing your content planning. The visual layout provides a thorough overview of all marketing activities, ensuring your team stays aligned on strategies. Furthermore, CoSchedule offers color-coding and tagging features, helping you organize content and distinguish between different campaigns at a glance. For an easy start, download a free printable 2025 calendar with holidays excel to complement your marketing efforts and keep everything on track. Frequently Asked Questions How to Create a Content Calendar With Excel? To create a content calendar with Excel, start by defining your content goals and identifying your target audience. Use Excel’s features like drop-down lists and color-coding to organize content types and scheduling. Set up a dedicated worksheet for each month, including columns for topics, publication dates, authors, and status. Regularly update your calendar to reflect new trends and feedback, ensuring your content strategy stays aligned with your marketing objectives and remains effective. Does Microsoft Excel Have a Calendar Template? Yes, Microsoft Excel does offer a variety of calendar templates. You can find options for monthly, weekly, and yearly views, which cater to different planning needs. To access these templates, you can search within the Excel application or on the Microsoft Office website. Many templates include features like note sections, to-do lists, and budget trackers, allowing you to customize them according to your specific scheduling and planning requirements easily. What Does a Professional Content Calendar Look Like? A professional content calendar typically looks organized and structured. You’ll find sections for content topics, publication dates, and formats. It often includes deadlines for creation and review, ensuring timely posting. Color-coding helps categorize content by themes or platforms for quick reference. Collaboration fields allow team members to assign tasks and note research. Moreover, it integrates analytics tracking to assess content performance, enabling data-driven adjustments for future strategies and improving overall effectiveness. How to Make a Sample Content Calendar? To create a sample content calendar, start by defining your content goals and identifying your target audience. Use a spreadsheet program to structure your layout, including columns for topics, formats, dates, and assigned team members. Incorporate color-coding and drop-down menus for organization. Set deadlines for content creation and publication to guarantee consistency. Regularly review and adjust the calendar to reflect any strategy changes and to analyze performance for future content improvements. Conclusion Utilizing these seven Excel content calendar templates can greatly improve your content strategy and boost engagement. Each template offers unique features designed to specific needs, whether you require collaboration, deadline management, or a thorough overview of your marketing efforts. By implementing these tools, you can streamline your planning process and guarantee consistent, organized content delivery across platforms. Take advantage of these resources to optimize your content management and achieve your marketing goals effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Excel Content Calendar Templates You Need" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Once you start down the path of DIY, you'll soon realize that any time you find yourself wishing someone had created a tool to serve a specific purpose, someone probably has—no matter how narrow the use case. Case in point: The cordless blower/inflator. This tool is exactly what it sounds like. Shaped like a power drill, it simply...blows air (though sort of like a handheld leaf blower, these tools typically come with an array of nozzles to give you a bit of precision with the flow of your forced air). You might think this sounds like a tool you’ll never actually need, because you have lungs. But I'm here to convince you that you're wrong: A cordless blower will absolutely be one of the most useful tools you ever acquire. Makita XSA01Z Brushless Cordless High Speed Blower/Inflator $174.99 at Amazon $183.81 Save $8.82 Shop Now Shop Now $174.99 at Amazon $183.81 Save $8.82 One tool, many usesHandheld blowers have a lot of uses that make every DIY job you do a little bit easier and faster: Cleaning. Probably the most common use case for a blower is to quickly clean a work area by blowing away dust, sawdust, clippings, shavings, and other small debris. You can use a blower to quickly clear off a workbench, blow dust out of keyboards, engines, or anywhere else. This is also really useful if you have a tight spot where you can’t fit a tool—the blower can clean it out in a jiffy. It’s also useful for a quick cleanup on outdoor furniture or even my deck—while you might want an actual leaf blower for full-scale yard cleanup, a handheld blower can do an adequate, quickie cleanup on demand. Shortening drying times. If you’re waiting on something to dry out before you can move on to the next stage of your project, a blower can speed up that drying time considerably. Cooling other tools down. There’s nothing more irritating than an overheating tool that forces you to stop and wait for it to return to a safe operating temperature. A blower can speed up that process, acting as a high-powered fan with a very precise, narrow blast of air to cool down hot components. Redirecting dust and debris. When working inside, you often want to use a vacuum to collect dust as you work, but outside, a small, handheld blower can be more convenient. Using it to redirect dust and debris away from you as you work can keep grit out of your eyes and your workspace clean as you go. Inflating stuff. These blowers come with attachments that not only allow you to be as narrow or wide with your airstream as needed, but also fit into standard nozzles. Need to inflate an air mattress, pool ball, or anything else? The blower will make short work of it. Once I started using a blower while I worked, I found myself reaching for it constantly just to keep my workspace clear of dust, and then I started grabbing it literally any time a blast of air seemed helpful. You might not think you need a blower in your tool chest, but you probably do. Choosing a blowerMost cordless blowers are similar in terms of shape and function. The two from major brands you’ll come across most are Milwaukee’s M18 18V Brushless Cordless Precision Blower and Makita’s 18V LXT Brushless Cordless High Speed Blower/Inflator. They’re both solid tools, but I prefer the Makita because, in my experience, its battery life is much better (the Milwaukee has a bit more power, but I’ve never had a scenario where I needed more power). The Makita tends to last 45 minutes to an hour on a single charge, but when I borrowed a Milwaukee it died about a half hour into the job. Obviously, this will depend on a lot of variables, including what you’re using it for, but the Makita wins for me because every time I grabbed it there was enough charge left to finish the job. View the full article

Barnes & Noble is on a roll, and it’s not slowing down in 2026. The bookstore has confirmed plans to open 60 new locations across the country in 2026. For Barnes & Noble, the move is part of a major comeback that’s been years in the works. After the company saw a sales peak in 2008, it spent a decade watching sales dwindle as customers moved to other retailers (especially digital booksellers like Amazon), ultimately leading the retailer to shutter 150 stores. In 2019, the company was acquired by the UK’s Elliott Advisors and taken private. But since 2023, Barnes & Noble has annually added dozens of new locations across the U.S. A post-pandemic boom in the bookstore economy and an influx of new readers from online communities like TikTok’s #BookTok have helped the store crawl its way back to bookselling dominance—and this latest announcement shows that the growth is more than a passing fad. The retailer’s latest expansion plans were reported earlier by USA Today. Where will the new Barnes & Noble locations be? In a statement to Fast Company, a Barnes & Noble spokesperson confirmed that the company is looking to add 60 new stores before June 2026 across 10 locations, though the representative declined to share specific addresses or opening dates. The locations include bookstores in the following states and districts: Ohio Texas Florida Illinois Colorado Washington State California Virgina Georgia D.C. How #BookTok made reading cool This new expansion plan is on par with Barnes & Noble’s annual growth levels over the past few years. In 2023, it opened around 30 new stores, followed by 61 in 2024. According to the spokesperson, 2025 was the company’s most impressive year yet, notching an additional 67 stores. Barnes & Noble’s newfound success is part of a larger return to the stacks—and return to reading as a hobby, more generally—powered, in large part, by readers on TikTok. As younger communities discover popular reads through their #BookTok recommendations, everyone from retailers to libraries are seeing a rise in readership. Back in February, a Barnes & Noble spokesperson told Fast Company, “Since the rise of BookTok during the pandemic, bookstores have seen a significant surge in popularity, especially among young people. Our stores have become popular social spots, offering an experience that online shopping simply can’t match.” BookTok’s popularity is having ripple effects in other areas, too. Some public institutions, like the Milwaukee Public Library and Columbus Metropolitan Library, are riding this wave by building their own presences directly on TikTok. And companies like the book tracking app Goodreads and publisher Harlequin have both recently adopted new branding that’s designed to appeal to the TikTok crowd. While BookTok’s effect on booksellers and libraries might’ve initially seemed like a brief phase, Barnes & Noble’s consistent expansion and strong sales appear to signal that reading is officially cool—and profitable—again. View the full article

The inventory slowdown came as properties sold for 1.6% below asking prices, with some sellers opting to remove their listings altogether, according to Redfin. View the full article

If you’ve sold equity in your company at some point, you’re probably used to keeping track of your cap table and knowing which shareholders have how big of a stake. But how would you feel about the U.S. government taking a sizable chunk of your business too? That’s the increasingly common reality for a growing number of U.S. companies, a new analysis by The New York Times finds—and for all the chatter over the summer about the feds moving to own almost 10 percent of Intel, computer chips aren’t the only sector seeing increased governmental involvement. Instead, it’s the minerals, metals, and mining industry that comes up again and again in the Times’ breakdown of where the The President administration is making money moves. Included on that list are investments made by the Department of Defense ($400 million in the mining company MP Materials; $35.6 million in Trilogy Metals; $80 million in mineral refiner ReElement Technologies; $620 million in rare earth magnet manufacturer Vulcan Elements) as well as the departments of Commerce (another $50 million in Vulcan Elements) and Energy ($182 million in deferred debt service with Lithium Americas). That’s not to mention the government’s “golden share” in U.S. Steel, its option to take a future 8 percent stake in the nuclear power company Westinghouse, or of course, the 9.9 percent stake in Intel, priced at $8.9 billion, that came out of the deal this summer. The companies in which The President is pushing for federal investment tend to be those deemed vital to national security, which is no surprise when you look at the sectors being prioritized: metals and mining, nuclear power, semiconductors. “If business-as-usual policies worked, America would not be reliant on foreign countries for critical minerals, semiconductors, and other products that are key for our national and economic security,” an administration spokesperson said. Still, it’s an unusual move by the typically free market-focused Republicans, with the Times estimating that over $10 billion in taxpayer money has already been dedicated to these investments (with more expected to be on the way). “Some officials are hopeful the equity stakes will generate a windfall for taxpayers, but the likelihood of that is unclear,” the report reads. “Many of the companies are facing financial headwinds, and some could take years to become profitable.” Critics have also raised concerns that these investments could create room for corruption and backroom dealings. The Times analysis did not look at stakes taken by the government’s Development Finance Corporation, which more typically invests in private firms. —Brian Contreras This article originally appeared on Fast Company’s sister publication, Inc. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy. View the full article

Gold and silver prices rose to record highs in early trading on Monday, spurred on by a confluence of a few different political events and economic factors, including tensions over the U.S. seizing of possibly another oil tanker from Venezuela, speculation of future Federal Reserve rate cuts, overall economy insecurity, and bets on U.S. monetary policy in 2026. In 2025, gold has surged by nearly 70%, according to Bloomberg. Here’s what to know. What happened today? At the time of this writing, in midday trading on December 22, gold bullion (GC=F) was up over 1.9% to $4,472.20 and silver (SI=F) was up about 3.4%, heading toward $70 an ounce, making both headed for highest levels since 1979, per Bloomberg. How did the Fed rate cut affect gold and silver prices? Earlier this month, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points, the third cut in 2025, driving federal rates to their lowest in three years and pointing to possible further cuts in the year ahead. Historically, gold prices have risen following U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, with notable gains of 31% in 2000, 39% in 2007, and and 26% in 2019 (all within 24 months). That’s because those rate cuts are often an attempt to jump-start slowing economic growth, and gold is considered a safe haven in times of economic uncertainty. In this case, gold became more appealing as bonds and other fixed-income investments yielded lower investments, according to Investopedia. Will gold hit $5,000 an ounce in 2026? Now the question is, will gold break the $5,000-an-ounce threshold next year? Nobody can say for sure, but as the bullion inches upward, Goldman Sachs is predicting gold will hit $4,900 an ounce by December 2026, and oil prices will decline to a low mid-year. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Who knew that, here in the mid 2020s, a show involving gays in the military (even a relatively pro-army one) would prove its own relevance by drawing a fierce, angry denunciation from the current administration—a response strong enough that it maybe, just maybe, got the show cancelled in spite of high viewership and buzz. But then again, given the precariousness of the streaming landscape, it's best to treat everything like a miniseries these days. Based on a memoir from Greg Cope White, the Netflix series stars Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope, a closeted gay teen who follows his bestie into the Army in the era before "Don't ask, don't tell," and well before serving in the open was a possibility. With no second season coming, it might be tough to figure out what to watch next. I have some suggestions—though given that there aren't a ton of "gay kid joins the army" shows out there, I'm focusing on queer coming-of-age stories in general, not strictly ones that are military-themed. (Growing up queer is kinda like a boot camp all its own.) We Are Who We Are (2020) Director Luca Guadagnino (Challengers, Queer) created this series about two American teenagers, Fraser (Jack Dylan Grazer) and Caitlin (Jordan Kristine Seamón), living with their families on a U.S. military base in Chioggia, Italy. Fraser's two moms are both in the army (something that would have been impossible in the 1990 of Boots, and may be again before long), but he's new to base life. Caitlin, on the other hand, has lived in Chioggia for years with her conservative father. Over the course of a summer, the two gradually bond over their mutual feelings of isolation, as well as their explorations of gender and sexuality. Stream We Are Who We Are on HBO Max. We Are Who We Are (2020) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Overcompensating (2025 – ) Comedian Benito Skinner plays himself, sort of, in this buzzy comedy that sees a former high school jock facing his freshman year in college while desperately trying to convince himself and everyone else that he's as straight as they come (relatable, except for the jock part). Much of the appeal is in its deft blending of tones: It's a frequently raunchy college comedy, but it's simultaneously a sweet coming-of-age story about accepting yourself without worrying about what everyone else thinks. The cast includes Adam DiMarco (The White Lotus) and Rish Shah (Ms. Marvel) and, just as impressively, it's a streaming show with queer characters that's actually been renewed. Stream Overcompensating on Prime Video. Overcompensating (2025 – ) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Heated Rivalry (2025 – ) Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) are professional ice hockey players who compete on rival teams, the Montreal Metros and the Boston Raiders. Even as their public relationship remains contentious over a period of years, the two develop a casual (at least at first) sexual relationship that grows increasingly sweaty, ice notwithstanding. Not to be outdone, this buzzy show also traces the similarly complicated relationship between an American team captain and a smoothie barista. Tonally, its sex-filled fun isn't much of a match for Boots, but it's of the increasingly few shows with gay lead characters to succeed on streaming. Oh, and it's also been renewed for a second season. Stream Heated Rivalry on HBO Max. Heated Rivalry (2025 – ) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Blood & Water (2020 – ) This top-tier teen drama stars Ama Qamata as Puleng Khumalo, a teenage girl who’s lived her entire life in the shadow of a sister that was taken as a baby by human traffickers; Puleng’s parents even hold a birthday celebration for the sister each year. When invited to a party by popular Fikile Bhele (Khosi Ngema), a student at an elite school in Cape Town, Puleng can’t help noticing their similarities. Steeped in the story of her sister, Puleng transfers to the school to get to the bottom of things. There’s plenty of juicy high school drama and family secrets, but the show is elevated by its unexpected dramatic heft and a multitude of queer characters and storylines. Stream Blood & Water on Netflix. Blood & Water (2020 – ) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Young Royals (2021 – 2024) Steamy soap Young Royals follows Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding), the fictional prince of Sweden, as he embarks on a romance with another student, Simon Eriksson (Omar Rudberg), at their elite boarding school (it's not exactly boot camp, but it's all relative). While possessed of all the addictive qualities of the teen drama genre, Young Royals takes itself a bit more seriously than some, and feels remarkably fresh in its commitment to casting age-appropriate actors in all the key roles. Stream Young Royals on Netflix. Young Royals at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Fellow Travelers (2023) Though it's about middle-aged men (Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey) in the 1950s, I'm comfortable calling this one a loose match since, like Boots, it's a period piece set a against a backdrop of era-specific brands of queer existence, beginning amid the McCarthy-inspired Lavender Panic and runs through to the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. Bomer and Bailey generate real sparks (and offer up intense, if not particularly graphic, sex scenes) as they portray decades in the lives of a closeted couple—one a State Department official and the other an idealistic congressional staffer. Stream Fellow Travelers on Paramount+. Fellow Travelers (2023) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ Elite (2018 – 2024) Elite follows a group of working-class friends who wind up with scholarships to Las Encinas, a fictional private school that is, in the show’s universe, the most exclusive in Spain (again, not exactly boot camp, but here we are). What they find there is snobbery, for sure, but also mystery, murder, and lots and lots of sex (among character of various sexual orientations and numerical groupings). The smart but wonderfully trashy show ran for an impressive eight seasons, with Indian and South African variations (Class and Blood & Water, mentioned above) also streaming. Stream Elite on Netflix. Elite (2018 – 2024) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Heartstopper (2022 – ) The repressed, closeted yearning of Boots is all well and good, but Heartstopper is the affirming coming-of-age/queer teen love story that we all kinda need right about now. While it never soft-peddles the dangers of homophobia, it likewise doesn’t wallow in tragedy. Kit Connor and Joe Locke deliver sensitive (and often very funny) performances in a show that’s nearly all smiles without feeling treacly. Stream Heartstopper on Netflix. Heartstopper (2022 – ) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix First Day (2020 – 2022) This Australian import stars Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford, a generally confident 12-year-old whose interests include school politics and taekwondo. She's also, as the series begins, getting a fresh start at a new school while transitioning, presenting herself as female for the first time. She immediately makes new friends, but also faces a bully from her old school who holds her secret over her head just as Hannah is starting to come into her own identity. And if that doesn't sound like a boot camp of its own. First Day skews quite a bit younger than other shows on this list, but it's nevertheless a solid coming-of-age drama about finding meaning and identity. Stream First Day on Hulu. First Day (2020 – 2022) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu It's a Sin (2021) Another period drama set within relatively recent memory, Russell T. Davies' It's a Sin revisits the 1980s through the story of a group of friends living in London during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The miniseries brings an impressive cast to bear on a story that tracks them through the early days of queer liberation through the developing menace of a disease that no one in the broader world was willing to talk about, much less do anything about. Davies (Queer as Folk, Doctor Who) has told queer stories before, but none quite so powerful or affecting. Stream It's a Sin. It's a Sin (2021) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max View the full article

The white dome of Boudhanath rises like a silent guardian over the chaotic sprawl of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, crowned by a golden spire that pierces the sky. Painted on each of the spire’s four sides are the benevolent eyes of the Buddha — wide, calm, and unblinking — said to see all that unfolds below. Those eyes have served as a symbol of sanctuary for generations of Tibetans fleeing the Chinese crackdown in their homeland. But today, Tibetan refugees are also watched by far more malevolent eyes: Thousands of CCTV cameras from China, perched on street corners and rooftops to monitor every movement below. This intense surveillance has stifled the once-vibrant Free Tibet movement that had resonated around the world. Nepal is just one of at least 150 countries to which Chinese companies are supplying surveillance technology, from cameras in Vietnam to censorship firewalls in Pakistan to citywide monitoring systems in Kenya. This technology is now a key part of China’s push for global influence, as it provides cash-strapped governments cost-effective, if invasive, forms of policing — turning algorithms and data into a force multiplier for control. The irony at the heart of this digital authoritarianism is that the surveillance tools China exports are based on technology developed in its greatest rival, the United States, despite warnings that Chinese firms would buy, copy, or outright steal American designs, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. For decades, Silicon Valley firms often yielded to Beijing’s demands: Give us your technology and we will give you access to our market. Although tensions fester between Washington and Beijing, the links between American tech and Chinese surveillance continue today. For example, Amazon Web Services offers cloud services to Chinese tech giants like Hikvision and Dahua, assisting them in their overseas push. Both are on the U.S. Commerce Department’s Entity List for national security and human-rights concerns, which means transactions with them are not illegal but subject to strict restrictions. AWS told AP it adheres to ethical codes of conduct, complies with U.S. law, and does not itself offer surveillance infrastructure. Dahua said they conduct due diligence to prevent abuse of their products. Hikvision said the same, and that they “categorically reject any suggestion that the company is involved in or complicit in repression.” Chinese technology firms now offer a complete suite of telecommunications, surveillance, and digital infrastructure, with few restrictions on who they sell to or how they’re used. China pitches itself as a global security model with low crime rates, contrasting its record with the United States, said Sheena Greitens, a political scientist at the University of Texas at Austin. “It’s got a set of solutions that it’s happy to share with the world that nobody else can offer,” she said. “(But) they’re certainly exporting the tools and techniques that are very important to authoritarian rule.” The AP investigation was based on thousands of Nepali government procurement documents, corporate marketing material, leaked government and corporate documents, and interviews with more than 40 people, including Tibetan refugees and Nepali, American, and Chinese engineers, executives, experts and officials. While thousands of Tibetans once fled to Nepal every year, the number is now down to the single digits, according to Tibetan officials in Nepal. In a statement to AP, the Tibetan government in exile cited tight border controls, Nepal’s warming ties with China and “unprecedented surveillance” as reasons for the drastic plunge. A 2021 internal Nepali government report, obtained by AP, revealed that China has even built surveillance systems within Nepal and in some areas of the border buffer zone where construction is banned by bilateral agreements. In a statement to AP, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied coercing Western companies to hand over technology or working with Nepal to surveil Tibetans, calling it a “sheer fabrication driven by ulterior motives.” “Attempts to use Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs, smear China’s image, and poison the atmosphere of China-Nepal cooperation will never succeed,” the statement said. The Nepali government and the Chinese-controlled Tibetan authorities did not respond to requests for comment. Under pressure, many Tibetans are responding the only way they can: Leaving. The Tibetan population in Nepal has plunged from over 20,000 to half that or less today. Former activist Sonam Tashi gave up protesting years ago. Now 49, today he’s just a father trying to get his 10-year-old son out — before the net pulls tighter. The boy was born in Nepal but has no document proving he is either a refugee or a citizen, a result of Chinese pressure. Tashi described how those considered likely to protest are picked up in advance around key dates — like March 10, which marks the 1959 Tibetan uprising, or July 6, the Dalai Lama’s birthday. In 2018, Nepal’s police magazine confirmed that it was building predictive policing, which allows officers to watch people’s movements, identify in advance who they think will protest, and arrest them preemptively. “There are cameras everywhere,” Tashi said, sitting on a bus winding toward the Indian border. “There is no future.” ‘They gave us all the hardware’ After China crushed a Tibetan uprising in 1959, thousands fled across the Himalayas to Nepal, carrying only what they could: Religious paintings, prayer wheels, and the weight of families left behind. Their exodus, led by the charismatic Dalai Lama, captured the American imagination, with Hollywood films and actor Richard Gere’s congressional appeals putting Tibet in the spotlight. Washington trod a careful line, defending the rights and religious freedom of Tibetans without recognizing independence. Today, the future of the Free Tibet movement is in question. Without refugee cards that grant basic rights, Tibetans in Nepal can no longer open bank accounts, work legally, or leave the country. Cameras are now everywhere in Kathmandu, perched on traffic lights and swiveling from temple eaves. Most link back to a four-story brick building just a few blocks down from the Chinese embassy, where officers watch the country in real time. The building hums with the low breath of cooling fans. Inside, a wall of monitors blinks with feeds from border towns, busy markets and clogged traffic crossings. Officers in crisp blue uniforms and red caps sit in the glow, scanning scenes. Beneath the screens, a photo published in a Nepali daily shows, a sign in English and Chinese reads: “With the compliments of the Ministry of Public Security of China.” Their reach is vast. Operators can track a motorbike weaving through the capital, follow a protest as it forms, or patch an alert directly to patrol radios. Many cameras are equipped with night vision facial recognition and AI tracking — able to pick a single face out of a festival crowd or lock onto a figure until it disappears indoors. The system not only sees but is learning to remember, storing patterns of movement, building a record of lives lived under its gaze. A 34-year-old Tibetan cafe owner in the city watched the city change in quiet horror. “Now you can only be Tibetan in private,” he said. He and other Tibetans in Nepal spoke to AP anonymously, fearing retaliation. The first cameras in Boudhanath were installed in 2012, officially to deter crime. But after a Tibetan monk doused himself in petrol and set himself ablaze in front of the stupa in 2013, police added 35 night vision cameras around it. The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu worked closely with the police, said Rupak Shrestha, a professor at Simon Fraser University in Canada who studied surveillance in Nepal. He said the police received special training to use the new cameras, identify potential symbols associated with the Free Tibet movement, and anticipate dissent. In 2013, a team of Nepal Police officers crossed the northern border into Tibet for a seemingly straightforward mission: Collect police radios from Chinese authorities in Zhangmu, a remote border town, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Kathmandu. A truck was loaded with equipment and a few handshakes later, they were driving back to Kathmandu. The radios — made by the partly state-owned Chinese firm Hytera — looked like walkie-talkies but ran on a digital trunking system, a scaled-down mobile network for police use. Officers could talk privately, coordinate across districts, even patch into public phone lines. The entire system — radios, relay towers, software — was a $5.5 million gift from China. “They didn’t give us the money,” recalled a retired Nepali officer who made the trip. “They gave all the hardware. All Chinese.” He remembered not the border guards but the tech — sleek, reliable, and far ahead of anything they’d used before. He spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive internal discussions. He said Nepal had initially considered buying the technology from the U.S. and only wanted to deploy the system in its two biggest cities. Hytera was a fraction of the cost and performed comparably, but China also wanted coverage near the border with Tibet. Nepal acquiesced. They installed the technology in Sindhupalchowk, a border district with a key road to China used by Tibetan refugees. “We understood their mindset,” the retired officer said. “A secure border.” A police envoy from the Chinese embassy began making regular visits to the Nepal Police headquarters. He’d chat over coffee, flip through brochures from Chinese companies. “He’d say, ‘You want anything?’” the retired officer recalled. China began donating tens of millions in police aid and surveillance equipment, including a new school for Nepal’s Armed Police Force. Hundreds of Nepali police traveled to China for training on policing and border control, according to Chinese government posts. Ahead of a summit of South Asian leaders in 2014, among the goods on offer were ones from Uniview, China’s pitch for an all-seeing eye. The company was the Chinese surveillance business of what was then Hewlett Packard, or HP, before it was spun off in a 2011 deal. Since 2012, Uniview has been selling mass surveillance solutions to the Tibetan police, such as a command center, and developed cameras that track ethnicities such as Uyghurs and Tibetans. Uniview installed cameras in Kathmandu for Nepal’s first “safe city” project in 2016. It started with the city’s roads, then went up across the capital — in tourist areas, religious sites, high-security zones like Parliament and the prime minister’s home. The cameras didn’t just record. Some could follow people automatically as they moved. Others were designed to use less data, making it easier to store and review footage. Hewlett Packard Enterprise, or HPE, a successor company to HP that sells security solutions, has no ownership in Uniview and declined to comment. Hytera and Uniview did not respond to requests for comment. Nearly all the cameras installed in Nepal are now made by Chinese companies like Hikvision, Dahua, and Uniview, and many come bundled with facial recognition and AI tracking software. Hikvision’s website and marketing materials advertise camera systems in Nepal linked via Hik-Connect and HikCentral Connect, cloud products that rely on Amazon Web Services. Hikvision sells to the Nepali police and government, and a template for Nepali tenders indicates CCTV cameras procured for the government are required to support Hik-Connect. In return for Beijing’s support, top Nepali officials have thanked China repeatedly over the years, promising never to allow “anti-China activities” on Nepali territory. The Nepali police head offices aren’t far from the now-forlorn Tibetan reception center, which used to shelter tired, hungry Tibetans fleeing across the border. The building is nearly empty. The gates are locked. Those who do escape, like Namkyi, arrested at 15 for protesting Chinese rule, often have to wait for weeks confined indoors until they’re smuggled out again to the Tibetan capital in exile in India. Silence has become survival. “They know they are being watched,” she said. “Even though we are free, the surveillance cameras mean we’re actually living in a big prison.” From clients to competitors From the start, U.S. companies eager for China’s vast markets exchanged technology for entry. Many were required to start joint ventures and research operations in China as a precondition for being allowed in. Dozens, if not hundreds, complied, transferring valuable know-how and expertise — even in sensitive areas like encryption or policing. Little by little, Chinese companies chipped away at the lead of American tech companies by luring talent, obtaining research, and sometimes plain copying their hardware and software. The flow of technology continued, even as U.S. officials openly accused China of economic espionage and pressuring American companies for their technology. “China is by far the most egregious actor when it comes to forced technology transfer,” Robert D. Atkinson, then-president of a think tank focused on innovation, warned Congress in a 2012 hearing. American tech resistance came to a final, definitive end later that year with Edward Snowden’s revelations that U.S. intelligence was exploiting American technology to spy on Beijing. Spooked, the Chinese government told Western firms they risked being kicked out unless they handed over their technology and provided security guarantees. After companies like HP and IBM agreed, their former partners became their fiercest global competitors — and unlike American firms, they faced few questions about the way their technology was being used. Companies like Huawei, Hikvision, and Dahua have now become global behemoths that sell surveillance systems and gear all over the world. American technology was key to this: – Uniview, the Chinese AI-powered CCTV camera supplier, supplied the first phase of Nepal’s safe city project in 2016, installing cameras in Kathmandu. Uniview was carved out of California-based HP’s China surveillance video business. – Hytera provided data infrastructure for the Nepali police, such as walkie-talkies and digital trunking technology, which enables real-time communication. Earlier this year, Hytera acknowledged stealing technology from U.S. company Motorola in a plea agreement, and had acquired German, British, Spanish, and American tech businesses in their growth phase. – Hikvision and Dahua, China’s two largest surveillance camera suppliers, sell many of the cameras now in Nepal. They partnered with Intel and Nvidia to add AI capabilities to surveillance cameras. Those ties ended after U.S. sanctions in 2019, but AWS continues to sell cloud services to both companies, which remains legal under what some lawmakers call a loophole. AWS has advertised to Chinese companies expanding overseas, including at a policing expo in 2023. – Chinese tech giant Huawei has become one of the world’s leading sellers of surveillance systems, wiring more than 200 cities with sensors. In Nepal, they supplied telecom gear and high-capacity servers at an international airport. Over the years, the company benefited from partnerships with American companies like IBM, and has been dogged by allegations of theft — including copying code from Cisco routers wholesale, a case which Huawei settled out of court in 2004. Huawei said it provides “general-purpose” products “based on recognized industry standards.” Intel has said it adheres to all laws and regulations where it operates, and cannot control end use of its products. Nvidia has said it does not make surveillance systems or work with police in China at present. IBM and Cisco declined to comment. Policing gear maker Motorola Solutions, a successor company to Motorola after it split, did not respond to requests for comment. U.S. technology transfer to Chinese firms has mostly stopped after growing controversy and a slew of sanctions in the past decade. But industry insiders say it’s too late: China, once a tech backwater, is now among the biggest exporters of surveillance technologies on earth. Few realized “the U.S. shouldn’t be selling the software to China because they might copy it, they might use it for these types of surveillance and bad stuff,” said Charles Mok, a Hong Kong IT entrepreneur and former lawmaker now living in exile as a research scholar at Stanford. “Nobody was quick enough to realize this could happen.” ‘The great big eye in the sky’ Inside a 15th-century monastery in Lo Manthang in Nepal’s Mustang district, light slants through wooden slats, catching motes of dust and the faded faces of bodhisattvas. Crumpled notes of Chinese currency lie at the feet of deities in the walled city along the Tibetan border. Here, shops stock Chinese instant noodles and cars with Chinese plates rumble down mountain roads. A gleaming white observation dome just inside Chinese territory looms over the city. Visible from 15 kilometers (9 miles) away, it’s trained on the district that has long been a refuge for Tibetans, including a guerrilla base in the 1960s. The dome is just one node in China’s vast 1,389-kilometer (863-mile) border network with Nepal — a “Great Wall of Steel” of fences, sensors, and AI-powered drones. Chinese forces have barred ethnic Tibetans from accessing traditional pastures and performing sacred rites. They have pressured residents of Lo Manthang to remove photos of the Dalai Lama from shops. And a “China-Nepal joint command mechanism” meets several times a month on border patrols and repatriations, according to a post by the Chinese-run Tibetan government. The result is that the once-porous frontier is now effectively sealed, and China’s digital dragnet reaches deep into the lives of those who live near it. In April 2024, Rapke Lama was chatting with a friend across the border on WeChat when he received an invitation to meet. He set out from his village and crossed into Tibet — only to be arrested almost immediately. Lama believes his WeChat exchange was monitored; Chinese police appeared with unsettling precision, as if they knew where to look. After accusing him — wrongly, he maintains — of helping Tibetans flee into Nepal, the police seized his phone, which had photos of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan music. Then came months in a Lhasa prison, where isolation and inadequate medical care hollowed him out. Lama did not return to Nepal until May 2025, gaunt and shaken. He later said he entered Tibet to harvest caterpillar fungus, valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Another friend who crossed the border remains in custody. “Even now, I’m scared,” Lama says. He wears masks when wandering the streets, he says, “because of that lingering fear.” The Chinese observation dome is a giant symbol of the same fear, towering over the border. “It’s the great big eye in the sky,” said a 73-year-old Tibetan hotel owner in Nepal, who spotted the installation during a trip near the border last year. “For Tibetan refugees, Nepal has become a second China.” __ Associated Press journalists Niranjan Shrestha and Binaj Gurubacharya in Kathmandu, Manish Swarup and Rishi Lekhi in New Delhi, Ashwini Bhatia in Dharamshala, India, and David Goldman in Washington contributed to this report. —Aniruddha Ghosal and Dake Kang, Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. One of the often unspoken truths of being a tech reviewer is you get to test out, recommend—and sometimes even keep!—gadgets that you would never buy for yourself, because you can't justify what they cost. This is why I tend to spend large portions of my reviews talking about price: I love a cutting edge gadget as much as the next nerd, but I have two kids and I live in the most expensive city in America. As much as I admire the Boox Palma 2 Pro, my budget doesn't really have room for a niche $400 e-reader. That's why the Xteink X4 e-reader, a minimalist 4.3-inch e-reader, is my tech upgrade of 2025: Here's a device that has no delusions of grandeur. It doesn't want to replace your phone. It doesn't want to serve up the smoothest screen tech. It doesn't want to run games or apps or seamlessly sync with you phone. It just wants to be a tiny, inexpensive e-reader that works just well enough, and is small enough to carry with you anywhere. Xteink X4 E-Reader $69.00 at Xteink Shop Now Shop Now $69.00 at Xteink The simplicity is the pointAs I make clear in my review, the Xteink X4 can in no way compete with the Palma 2 Pro (or your average Kindle, for that matter). It has an underpowered processor and no screen light. Due to digital rights management, you probably won't be able to use it to read all the Kindle books you already own (though that's really Amazon's fault). It's kind of a pain to load it up with e-books, and once you get them on there, they might not look great, as the current software can't even display paragraph indents or italics. But it also costs less than $50, and once it's all set up, it fulfills the exact same function as a pricier device: It allows me to easily carry my library around with me so I can read a book instead of staring at my phone. But because it's so very tiny—around 25% smaller and thinner than my iPhone 14—it does this better than any other device I've tried. A great communityMore than just functional, though, the Xteink X4 is fun—though admittedly, a lot of that comes from the vibrant community that has sprung up around it online. It has only been available for a few months, but it already has its own active subreddit, filled with geeky users helping each other out with FAQs, troubleshooting, and crowd-sourced galleries of screensaver images. They developed tools and shortcuts to get around the device's limited functionality, from a Calibre plugin that will optimize your EPUB files for the Xteink X4, to an online tool that will automatically convert them into much prettier image files. A few different folks are even working on entirely new firmware to replace the merely functional native software. You don't have to tinker with the Xteink X4—it's perfectly usable out of the box, once you get used to quirks like navigating its slightly confusing menus with its slightly unintuitive physical buttons—but it's fun to be engaged with a bunch of other folks who are excited about making it work better. In their outsized devotion to a niche device, these folks are bringing back the spirit of the old internet, powered by a sense of community rather than an all-knowing algorithm. Like the current retro appeal of cassette tapes, the Xteink X4 makes everything better by being a little bit worse. View the full article

American trade policy is geared towards re-industrialisation — and it’s workingView the full article

In a strategic development for digital marketing, YouTube recently announced the upcoming discontinuation of its Demand Gen program by December 2025. While the news might seem alarming at first glance, it holds essential insights for small business owners looking to maximize their online presence. Demand Gen has been instrumental in building brand awareness and driving conversions. With 68% of conversions stemming from users who didn’t previously engage with the brand, the program enabled businesses to reach untapped audiences while they were streaming, scrolling, or shopping. YouTube’s approach transformed digital marketing for small businesses by introducing a dynamic way to connect with potential customers at various stages of their buying journey. As small business owners evaluate the implications of this change, the primary benefit lies in the invaluable insights gained from the Demand Gen experience. The program significantly contributed to advertisers’ ability to reach new demographics. Leveraging video content in unique ways, it allowed brands to showcase their offerings in an engaging manner, often increasing viewer engagement and brand recall. YouTube’s announcement also echoes a broader trend in the digital advertising landscape, where real-time insights are becoming increasingly crucial. According to YouTube, “Demand Gen conversions came from users who did not see the brand’s traditional ads.” This statistic showcases an evolving consumer behavior landscape, emphasizing the importance of innovative marketing strategies. For small business owners, the takeaway is clear: even as Demand Gen faces a sunset, the lessons learned are invaluable. Businesses must pivot quickly and consider alternative strategies to maintain their reach and engagement. Content marketing that focuses on creating compelling narratives can fill the void left by the program. Engaging video content, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes looks can foster a strong connection with audiences. As the digital space evolves, small businesses also need to stay vigilant about potential challenges. With the discontinuation of Demand Gen, owners might find themselves needing to adapt quickly. The transition away from this program may disrupt campaigns built around its unique capabilities. Additionally, smaller organizations, which typically operate with tighter budgets, may face difficulties finding equally effective alternatives within the same price point. Despite these challenges, opportunities abound for those ready to innovate. Small businesses can tap into other forms of advertising available on YouTube, including traditional ads, influencer partnerships, and interactive content that drives engagement. Building a solid strategy that blends different advertising formats will be key in maintaining visibility across the platform. To successfully transition, small business owners should evaluate their current marketing strategies and explore new ways to reach target audiences. Incorporating data analytics into campaigns will be vital. Understanding audience behavior and preferences can help tailor messages that resonate, therefore ensuring engagement even without the Demand Gen framework. YouTube acknowledges the changing tides in consumer engagement, stating, “as audiences continue to evolve, we must also adapt,” signifying the need for flexibility in marketing efforts. Emphasizing creativity, business owners should look beyond conventional formats. Interactive videos, shoppable ads, and viewer polls can enhance user experience while delivering crucial brand messages. The cessation of Demand Gen may seem daunting, yet it also presents a moment for small businesses to reevaluate their marketing tactics. The digital landscape is ripe for innovation, where boutique strategies can yield significant results. Collaborating with digital marketers and content creators may yield a fresh approach, blending storytelling with promotional strategies effectively. As they navigate this transition, small business owners should monitor performance metrics closely and remain adaptable to changes in consumer behavior. By doing so, they not only mitigate potential challenges but position themselves for ongoing success in the digital marketing arena. For more insights on YouTube’s announcement and the future of digital marketing, refer to the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "YouTube Unveils Demand Gen: Reach New Audiences While They Stream" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In a strategic development for digital marketing, YouTube recently announced the upcoming discontinuation of its Demand Gen program by December 2025. While the news might seem alarming at first glance, it holds essential insights for small business owners looking to maximize their online presence. Demand Gen has been instrumental in building brand awareness and driving conversions. With 68% of conversions stemming from users who didn’t previously engage with the brand, the program enabled businesses to reach untapped audiences while they were streaming, scrolling, or shopping. YouTube’s approach transformed digital marketing for small businesses by introducing a dynamic way to connect with potential customers at various stages of their buying journey. As small business owners evaluate the implications of this change, the primary benefit lies in the invaluable insights gained from the Demand Gen experience. The program significantly contributed to advertisers’ ability to reach new demographics. Leveraging video content in unique ways, it allowed brands to showcase their offerings in an engaging manner, often increasing viewer engagement and brand recall. YouTube’s announcement also echoes a broader trend in the digital advertising landscape, where real-time insights are becoming increasingly crucial. According to YouTube, “Demand Gen conversions came from users who did not see the brand’s traditional ads.” This statistic showcases an evolving consumer behavior landscape, emphasizing the importance of innovative marketing strategies. For small business owners, the takeaway is clear: even as Demand Gen faces a sunset, the lessons learned are invaluable. Businesses must pivot quickly and consider alternative strategies to maintain their reach and engagement. Content marketing that focuses on creating compelling narratives can fill the void left by the program. Engaging video content, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes looks can foster a strong connection with audiences. As the digital space evolves, small businesses also need to stay vigilant about potential challenges. With the discontinuation of Demand Gen, owners might find themselves needing to adapt quickly. The transition away from this program may disrupt campaigns built around its unique capabilities. Additionally, smaller organizations, which typically operate with tighter budgets, may face difficulties finding equally effective alternatives within the same price point. Despite these challenges, opportunities abound for those ready to innovate. Small businesses can tap into other forms of advertising available on YouTube, including traditional ads, influencer partnerships, and interactive content that drives engagement. Building a solid strategy that blends different advertising formats will be key in maintaining visibility across the platform. To successfully transition, small business owners should evaluate their current marketing strategies and explore new ways to reach target audiences. Incorporating data analytics into campaigns will be vital. Understanding audience behavior and preferences can help tailor messages that resonate, therefore ensuring engagement even without the Demand Gen framework. YouTube acknowledges the changing tides in consumer engagement, stating, “as audiences continue to evolve, we must also adapt,” signifying the need for flexibility in marketing efforts. Emphasizing creativity, business owners should look beyond conventional formats. Interactive videos, shoppable ads, and viewer polls can enhance user experience while delivering crucial brand messages. The cessation of Demand Gen may seem daunting, yet it also presents a moment for small businesses to reevaluate their marketing tactics. The digital landscape is ripe for innovation, where boutique strategies can yield significant results. Collaborating with digital marketers and content creators may yield a fresh approach, blending storytelling with promotional strategies effectively. As they navigate this transition, small business owners should monitor performance metrics closely and remain adaptable to changes in consumer behavior. By doing so, they not only mitigate potential challenges but position themselves for ongoing success in the digital marketing arena. For more insights on YouTube’s announcement and the future of digital marketing, refer to the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "YouTube Unveils Demand Gen: Reach New Audiences While They Stream" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Though the Kindle Scribe is already on its third generation, the first-generation model still has a place for anyone looking to nab one of these note-taking e-readers for less. Released in 2022, the original Kindle Scribe is still relevant in 2025 simply for its price. Right now, the 16GB version of the 2022 Scribe with the Premium Pen is discounted to $221.99 (originally $369.99), the lowest price this reader has seen since its release, according to price-tracking tools, and a great opportunity to snatch one for a bargain. The newer 2024 version is also seeing a decent discount, with the 32GB version of the 2024 Scribe going for $279.99 (originally $419.99). Kindle Scribe (16 GB) the first Kindle for reading, writing, journaling and sketching - with a 10.2” 300 ppi Paperwhite display, includes Premium Pen $221.99 at Amazon $369.99 Save $148.00 Get Deal Get Deal $221.99 at Amazon $369.99 Save $148.00 That said, if you are considering the 2024 version, there's not much reason to upgrade—the main difference is that the 2024 version tablet itself is shorter, narrower, and slimmer, but not by much (you can even still use the same case). The 2024 version's new screen also has texture, which will add some resistance when you're writing on it for a more natural feel. The gap between the screen and the outer casing is also smaller. But that's where the differences end. Otherwise, you'll get the same book format compatibility, the same 15.3 oz weight, the same glare-free 300 ppi front-lit display screen, and the same 12-week battery life. Both tablets run the same software. Still, if you don't own a Scribe at all and are considering getting one, the 2022 version is the most affordable option at the current price point—it's over 50% cheaper than the new 2025 model. Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 3-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $74.99 (List Price $189.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Meta Quest 3 512GB Mixed Reality VR Headset with Controllers — $499.00 (List Price $499.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Just when you think you’ve wrapped your mind around computers that can put your dog in front of the Eiffel Tower or chatbots that act like your best friend (or lover), the AI behemoths surprise you with a fully AI-powered TikTok or the ability to virtually bring back your dead relatives. I’ve worked in the AI space for 15 years. I served as an early beta tester for OpenAI in 2020, when I predicted that a little model called GPT-3 had world-changing potential. It was later released as something called “ChatGPT”–perhaps you’ve heard of it? I’ve also called several big AI trends correctly, including the rise of video generators and the “AI Wars” between Google and OpenAI. Based on my experience, here are my six AI predictions for 2026 and beyond. 1. OpenAI goes garlic In late 2025, Google’s Gemini model started to gain ground on OpenAI and its GPT-5.1 system. That apparently really irked Sam Altman and the OpenAI team. Altman reportedly called a “code red,” directing staff to focus all their efforts on besting Google. Rumor had it they were developing a new, fully re-trained thinking model, codenamed Garlic. When OpenAI did a surprise drop of a new GPT-5.2 model in mid December, lots of people thought it might be Garlic coming to market. Based on my own testing, it’s not. Or at least, it’s not the complete model. GPT-5.2 is indeed better than the previous model. It’s faster and more efficient, and makes fewer errors. It’s also notably better at scientific tasks, and practical ones like coding. But now it appears there will be a second new OpenAI release, which I expect to come out in January. That’s most likely the full Garlic model. This new model, I predict, will have a new knowledge cutoff sometime in 2025, a broader context window, and much better image generation capabilities. It will also be faster and more efficient to run, especially on “thinking” tasks. 2. Google’s Gemini continues its march toward domination Whenever it finally arrives, Garlic will enter the world with plenty of competition. Google was very slow to roll up to the generative AI table. For a company that’s been working in deep learning for decades and has some of the most intelligent people in the world working for it, that felt like a big miss. Google had reportedly developed its own ChatGPT years before OpenAI, but chickened out on releasing it. In the beginning of the AI race, that allowed OpenAI to very loudly and publicly eat Google’s lunch. The history of science, though, is littered with examples where early innovators weren’t the ones who successfully commercialized a new technology. Just ask Joseph Swan, the true inventor of the lightbulb. You’ve never heard of him. But you do know Thomas Edison, who made the lightbulb a widely available technology—and did a great job promoting his invention (and himself) in the process. Historically, first-mover advantage has proven surprisingly inconsequential in the tech space. And now that Google has woken up to the importance of AI, they’re aggressively building out their Gemini model and integrating it into almost all their products, including their core search experience. Google has more data, more resources (including its own custom AI chips), more people, and a much broader reach than OpenAI. In 2026, Google will continue to throw its weight around in generative AI. Gemini will go from being an also-ran to one of the most powerful models on the market. Because it will be broadly integrated into products that normal people use on a day-to-day basis, it will immediately have an audience in the billions. The struggle now isn’t for newer companies like OpenAI to create the best product. It’s to create a product better than Google’s. That will be very hard in 2026 and beyond. 3. Chatbots become therapy (and a bit more) Users have already realized that ChatGPT can take the place of a human therapist. In a recent poll by the Economist, 25% of people reported turning to chatbots for mental health support. As cases of AI psychosis and alleged suicides demonstrate, this can go very badly. But for people who can’t afford any kind of psychological support—or simply don’t have access to it in their language or country—using chatbots as cheap therapists is incredibly appealing. Without directly saying so, OpenAI has implied that they’re moving ChatGPT further into this space, with improvements to how the bot handles sensitive medical and mental health conversations. This could be a huge boon for mental health. Many people appear more comfortable discussing their problems with an unthinking bot than with a human. The fact that a session with ChatGPT doesn’t cost $300 per hour is also a big plus! ChatGPT’s capabilities will expand in other ways, too. A rumored “adult mode” will arrive in 2026, allowing ChatGPT to write risqué material. Prepare yourself for a wave of frenzied op-eds about how people are turning to these newly salacious for relationships instead of fellow humans. 4. AI-generated videos take over—and not just on Sora OpenAI’s AI-powered Sora video generator is incredibly powerful, and their Sora-based social network is incredibly fun to use. In 2026 and beyond, expect to see the reach and importance of AI-generated vertical video accelerate. Vertical video is the perfect format for AI. The clips tend to be short, which caters to AI’s ability to generate about 10 seconds of reliable video before things go off the rails. They also tend to be grabby and compelling. Again, AI excels at making videos of things like people falling into wedding cakes or having heated arguments with their roommates. In 2026, expect the reach of AI-powered social networks like Sora to grow dramatically. The biggest growth, though, will come from these videos migrating off the Sora platform and onto other social media. Already, my Facebook Reels feed is dominated by clearly AI-generated videos of things like a cat saving her kittens from a flood or grandmothers fighting grizzly bears. In 2026, AI videos won’t stay put. They’ll travel into every vertical video space on the web—from TikTok to Nextdoor—further blurring the lines between what’s real and what’s imagined. 5. Electricity becomes the limiting factor I have friends who build data centers for a living. They tell me the only thing stopping them from building more data centers is finding enough electrical power to keep up with AI’s demands. Some companies are reportedly even going nuclear, building or recommissioning fully functional reactors to power their electricity-hungry AI chips. The need for more electrical power for AI will start to limit the tech’s growth in 2026. It will also rub up against society’s other needs. In 2026, I expect a populist backlash against the fact that data centers’ voracious energy demands are raising electricity rates for everyday people. Ultimately, the deficiencies of today’s grid–strained as it is by the rise of AI–will drive innovative, new models that are good for everybody. Cheap solar power at midday may be redirected toward data centers, for example, or stored in giant batteries to keep servers running overnight. This demand will create a huge market for green technologies, ultimately benefiting the planet and everyone on it. 6. AI invades the real world No, the robot uprising isn’t here just yet. But AI is increasingly invading the real world. Self-driving cars were once a novelty. In 2026, usage will explode, with Zoox, Waymo and their competitors–including entrants from China–serving more cities. The rise of self-driving vehicles and other physical manifestations of AI technology will surprise people. You’ll blink, and one day it will feel like nearly every car on the road is self-driving—as it currently does in my home city of San Francisco. I expect to see other experiments with physical AI in 2026, from robot baristas to caregiving machines, and plenty of military AI tech, too. Again, though, the self-driving car blitz coming in 2026 will be the most profound and surprising (to everyday people, anyway) implementation of the technology. It will arrive far sooner than you think. A pat on the back So that’s what I anticipate for the year ahead. As someone who’s been in the AI space for a long time, I’ve missed some things. But I also wrote, two years before ChatGPT, that “OpenAI and its founders could easily make billions (and likely challenge the advertising and content recommendation engines of rivals like Google) by throwing caution to the wind and throwing open the doors to GPT-3 to all comers.” I still pat myself on the back for that one. How will my 2026 predictions shape up? Ask me in a year! View the full article

When Spike Jonze's movie Her dropped back in 2013, I thought it was a great work of total fiction. Who would actually befriend an AI bot, let alone fall in love with them? Fast forward 12 years, and I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only do people love chatting with AI bots, they are actually developing deep connections with them. I still don't get it, but I can't deny it: People like these chatbots a lot. Part of what people like about conversations with generative AI is the "personality" of each bot—or, at least, its perceived personality. After all, ChatGPT isn't a monolith: You can adjust the bot to sound wildly different than it does on someone else's app, which raises some questions for me regarding these curated companions. But I digress: This article isn't necessarily a critique of how people are attaching themselves to ChatGPT; rather, I'm sharing the news that OpenAI is now giving you more control over how the bot sounds and responds in your conversations. Curate your perfect AI companion On Friday, OpenAI announced new controls for ChaGPT's "Personalization." In a post on X, the company revealed that users can now adjust their chatbot's "characteristics," or, in other words, its overall personality. These are adjustments to the personality types that OpenAI has already let you choose from, which include one of eight options: "Default" (preset style and tone); "Professional" (polished and precise); "Friendly" (warm and chatty); "Candid" (direct and encouraging); "Quirky" (playful and imaginative); "Efficient" (concise and plain); "Nerdy" (exploratory and enthusiastic); and "Cynical" (critical and sarcastic). But no matter which of these personalities you pick, you now have four "characteristics" to adjust to fine-tune the overall experience. There's "Warm," "Enthusiastic," "Headers & Lists," and "Emoji," with the option to have more or less of each, or the default amount, as OpenAI sees fit. For Warm, you can either have ChatGPT be friendlier and more personable, or more professional and factual. With Enthusiastic, you can choose the bot to have more energy and excitement, or be calmer and more neutral. "Headers & Lists" lets you choose between clear formatting and lists, or more paragraphs. And, of course, you can control whether ChatGPT uses more emoji, or fewer, depending on your sense of fun and joy. As usual, you can take advantage of custom instructions to guide ChatGPT's personality in a direction you like, especially when the presets don't give you those options. For example, if you'd like ChatGPT to talk to you like a pirate, or if you want it to end every response with a certain catchphrase, here's your chance to influence the bot. I'm really not someone who uses ChatGPT outside of testing it for coverage, so I can't speak to whether these additional controls are useful. But if you want to try making your version of ChatGPT your ideal "AI companion," the controls are at your disposal. You'll find these options wherever you access ChatGPT. You can either access it from Settings > Personalization, or from the Personalization shortcut in the ChatGPT menu. View the full article

When you’re considering a commercial mortgage, it’s crucial to evaluate your options carefully. Lenders like Lendio offer connections to multiple funding sources, whereas RCN Capital provides flexible loan terms. U.S. Bank thrives in commercial real estate and SBA loans, and 1West accommodates borrowers with varying credit. Comprehending these lenders can help you make informed decisions. Let’s explore each option in detail to find the right fit for your investment needs. Key Takeaways Lendio connects borrowers with over 75 lenders, offering a quick online application process without affecting credit scores. RCN Capital specializes in non-owner-occupied properties, providing flexible terms and no upfront fees during preapproval. U.S. Bank offers competitive rates for CRE and SBA loans but requires established business qualifications and lacks an online application option. 1West has no minimum gross sales requirement and provides access to over 50 lenders, accommodating those with less-than-perfect credit. SBG Funding focuses on short-term SBA 7(a) financing with no prepayment penalties, catering to applicants with strong cash flow. Lendio: Best Overall for Multiple Options When you’re seeking commercial mortgage options, Lendio stands out as the best overall choice for multiple financing solutions. Acting as a marketplace, Lendio connects you with over 75 commercial mortgage lenders, simplifying the loan application process. You can complete the online application in under 15 minutes, and it won’t impact your credit score. Lendio offers a wide variety of commercial loan types, allowing you to compare options customized to your specific needs. As Lendio maintains general minimum qualification standards, it provides flexibility, accommodating various borrower profiles. Moreover, if you have questions or need assistance, Lendio’s support team is available via phone and email, ensuring you have guidance throughout your financing process, making it a reliable commercial mortgage broker. RCN Capital: Flexible Loan Terms RCN Capital stands out in the commercial mortgage arena by offering flexible loan terms customized to meet a variety of financing needs. They provide some of the lowest starting interest rates and longest repayment terms, ensuring you can find a solution that fits your budget. Furthermore, RCN specializes in loans backed by non-owner-occupied and commercial properties, which can cater to diverse projects, such as: Fix and flip projects Long-term rental investments New construction developments Other commercial ventures Moreover, RCN Capital doesn’t charge upfront lender fees during the preapproval or approval stages, though third-party costs may apply. With an easy online application process, you can conveniently initiate your loan request and explore your options with confidence. U.S. Bank: Best for CRE or SBA Loan Options If you’re considering a loan for commercial real estate or a small business, U.S. Bank offers competitive rates that could suit your needs. Nevertheless, keep in mind that their strict qualification criteria typically favor established businesses with good credit and solid financials. Whereas their flexible underwriting might accommodate various borrower profiles, you’ll need to schedule an appointment or make a call to discuss your options, as they don’t have an online application process. Competitive Rates Offered U.S. Bank stands out for its competitive rates on both Commercial Real Estate (CRE) and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, making it a prime choice for borrowers. Here’s what you can expect: Favorable Financing: Attractive rates help you manage costs effectively. Quick Funding Decisions: As an SBA Preferred Lender, U.S. Bank accelerates the loan process. Flexible Terms: Options cater to various property types, accommodating diverse business needs. Personalized Assistance: Although online applications aren’t available, you’ll receive customized support through in-person or phone consultations. These features enable you to make informed decisions as you steer through the financing environment, ensuring you find a solution that best fits your business objectives. U.S. Bank’s competitive offerings improve your chances of securing the funding you need. Strict Qualification Criteria When considering U.S. Bank for your commercial mortgage needs, be prepared for strict qualification criteria. The bank typically requires borrowers to demonstrate good credit and a robust financial profile, which guarantees a lower risk for them. As an SBA Preferred Lender, U.S. Bank can expedite funding decisions, benefiting those who need quicker access to capital. Nevertheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that there’s no online application process; you’ll need to schedule an appointment or call to discuss your options. Although the bank maintains strict guidelines, some flexibility in underwriting may exist for specific programs, allowing you to explore customized solutions that meet your unique financial situation. 1West: Flexible Credit Requirements When you consider financing options with 1West, you’ll find a loan marketplace that connects you with over 50 lenders, giving you the flexibility to choose what suits your needs. There’s no minimum gross sales requirement, which opens up opportunities for businesses seeking funds for purchasing, renovating, or broadening commercial properties. Plus, with interest-only payment options available, you can manage your monthly costs more effectively, even though your credit isn’t perfect. Loan Marketplace Advantages In the competitive terrain of commercial mortgage lending, 1West stands out by offering a loan marketplace that caters to a diverse range of borrowers, particularly those with flexible credit requirements. By connecting you with over 50 lenders, 1West guarantees you have many financing options available. Key advantages of this marketplace include: No minimum gross sales: This allows more businesses to qualify for loans. Diverse loan purposes: You can secure funding for purchasing, renovating, or broadening properties. Interest-only payment options: These can help reduce your monthly costs and improve cash flow management. Accessibility for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit: This feature opens doors to funding that might otherwise be unavailable. With these benefits, 1West simplifies the borrowing process for you. Varied Property Financing Options Varied property financing options are essential for businesses looking to adapt to their unique needs and circumstances. 1West offers a range of loans that cater to different objectives, whether you’re purchasing a new commercial property, renovating an existing one, or broadening your operations. As a loan marketplace, 1West connects you with over 50 lenders, ensuring flexible credit requirements. You won’t face minimum gross sales requirements, making it easier for various businesses to qualify. This accessibility is particularly beneficial for those with less-than-perfect credit, enhancing your financing opportunities. Loans can be used for different purposes, including expansions or upgrades, giving you the freedom to choose the best option for your business’s growth and development. Interest-Only Payment Flexibility How can interest-only payment options benefit your commercial financing strategy? 1West provides borrowers with the flexibility to choose interest-only payments during the initial repayment period, significantly reducing monthly expenses. This arrangement can be particularly advantageous for businesses looking to manage cash flow effectively. Here are key benefits of interest-only payment options: Lower monthly payments allow for better budget management. Flexibility to utilize saved funds for other business investments. No minimum gross sales requirement broadens eligibility for various businesses. Suitable for purchasing, renovating, or enlarging commercial properties. SBG Funding: Best for Short-Term SBA 7(a) Funding SBG Funding stands out as a premier option for those seeking short-term SBA 7(a) financing, particularly as it offers loan amounts that can reach up to $10 million, considerably higher than typical limits. This flexibility allows you to address various business needs, whether you’re acquiring real estate or covering working capital. One of the advantages of SBG is that there are no prepayment penalties, giving you the freedom to pay off or refinance your loan early without incurring extra costs. Their qualification criteria are likewise accommodating, focusing on applicants with strong cash flow and profitability, which improves your chances of approval. Plus, the online application process is efficient, taking less than 10 minutes to complete, making it accessible for you. JPMorgan Chase: Experienced Investors Recommended In regard to commercial mortgage lending, JPMorgan Chase is often recommended by experienced investors for its extensive range of financing options customized for various property types and investment needs. Here are some key reasons why you might consider them: They offer multifamily lending with loans from $500,000 to over $25 million for apartment buildings. Commercial mortgage lending starts at $1 million, particularly for stabilized industrial and retail properties. Small business financing options begin at $50,000, making them accessible for diverse business needs. Their strong reputation and expertise in the commercial mortgage sector are especially beneficial for larger transactions. Keep in mind that financing availability may be limited to certain states and markets, so checking regional lending options is crucial. How to Choose the Best Commercial Real Estate Lenders Choosing the best commercial real estate lender can greatly influence your financing experience and overall investment success. Start by prioritizing competitive pricing and flexible terms, as these directly affect your total financing costs. Evaluate the lender’s qualification criteria, including credit score and revenue requirements, to guarantee you meet their standards. Next, compare loan amounts and terms from various lenders to find a solution that aligns with your project’s size and goals. Don’t forget to reflect on associated costs like down payments and origination fees, which can vary considerably and impact your budget. Finally, research each lender’s reputation and customer service reviews to ensure you receive reliable support throughout the application and funding process. Frequently Asked Questions Which Bank Is Best for a Commercial Property Loan? When choosing a bank for a commercial property loan, consider your specific needs. JPMorgan Chase offers diverse financing options, whereas Bank of America specializes in SBA loans and veteran rewards. If competitive rates are a priority, U.S. Bank might be a fit, though they’ve stricter qualification criteria. Wells Fargo provides various loan types, and Lendio can simplify your search by connecting you with multiple lenders to compare options effectively. What Type of Loan Is Best for Commercial Property? The best type of loan for commercial property depends on your goals. If you’re purchasing, a traditional commercial mortgage might suit you. For renovations, consider an SBA loan, which can offer favorable terms. If you need quick funding, a bridge loan can provide short-term financing. Keep in mind that interest rates vary between 4% and 11%, influenced by your creditworthiness, and loan terms can range from 12 months to 30 years. Who Are the Big 6 Mortgage Lenders? The Big 6 mortgage lenders are the major players in the commercial mortgage market. They include JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and U.S. Bank. Each lender offers various products customized to different property types and borrower needs. For example, JPMorgan Chase specializes in multifamily loans, whereas Wells Fargo is known for strong commercial and multifamily support. Comprehending these lenders can help you choose the right financing option for your needs. What Is a Good Interest Rate for a Commercial Loan? A good interest rate for a commercial loan usually falls between 4% and 11%. If you have a strong credit profile, you might secure rates closer to 4%. Nonetheless, if your financial situation is riskier, expect higher rates. Loan terms matter; shorter loans typically offer lower rates. Furthermore, fixed-rate loans provide stability, whereas variable rates can change with market conditions, impacting your overall borrowing costs considerably. Always assess your options carefully. Conclusion In conclusion, when selecting a commercial mortgage lender, consider your specific needs and financial situation. Lendio offers diverse options, whereas RCN Capital provides flexibility. U.S. Bank is ideal for CRE and SBA loans, and 1West accommodates various credit scores. If you need short-term funding, SBG Funding is a strong choice, and JPMorgan Chase is suited for larger investments. Carefully evaluate these lenders to find the best fit for your investment goals and financing requirements. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Top Commercial Mortgage Lenders to Consider" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article