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Advisor or builder? How agentic vibe coding is redefining what marketing and product work actually means. The post AI Changed My Work. And Yours, Too appeared first on Search Engine Journal. 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. The Beats Studio Buds+ have been around long enough to feel familiar, but this current deal adds a layer that makes them worth a second look. Right now, they are bundled with two years of AppleCare+ and listed at $123.95 (down from $198.95)—price trackers show this is the lowest this bundle has ever been. Wireless earbuds are easy to misplace, drop, or wear down over time. AppleCare+ extends repair coverage and adds accidental damage protection, which can save you from paying full replacement costs if something goes wrong. For a product that lives in your pocket or gym bag, that safety net has real value. Plus, they carry an IPX4 rating, so sweat or a bit of rain is not a concern. Beats Studio Buds+ with AppleCare+ (2 years) $123.95 at Amazon $198.95 Save $75.00 Get Deal Get Deal $123.95 at Amazon $198.95 Save $75.00 The Studio Buds+ are a refinement over the older Studio Buds, and the upgrades show up in small but noticeable ways—battery life now stretches to nine hours on a single charge, with the case pushing the total to 36 hours. That means you can go several days without reaching for a charger. The active noise cancellation is also stronger this time, especially for steady background sounds like traffic or a gym environment. It will not block everything, but it does enough to make podcasts and music easier to focus on. Call quality is another area that sees a bump, with microphones that do a better job isolating your voice in busy surroundings, notes this PCMag review. These earbuds also don't lock you into one type of phone/ecosystem. Apple users get quick pairing and seamless switching, while Android users get support for Google Fast Pair and a dedicated app for controls and updates. You can customize tap functions, switch between noise modes, and even track a misplaced pair. That flexibility makes them easier to recommend across different devices. The main limitation is that while the noise cancellation is strong for the price, it does not match premium models that cost significantly more. Still, at this price, with solid battery life, reliable call performance, and added AppleCare+ coverage, the Studio Buds+ make a great choice for anyone who wants a solid everyday pair of earbuds without spending top-tier money. Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.99 (List Price $249.00) 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) Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch (Black) — $149.95 (List Price $199.95) Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Anker Nano 45W 10,000mAh Compact Power Bank With Retractable Cable — $59.99 (List Price $59.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

When managing finances for a small business, choosing the right offline accounting software is essential. You’ll find various options customized to distinct needs, from those emphasizing security to others focusing on cost-effectiveness. TallyPrime stands out with its perpetual licensing model, whereas Odoo offers a completely free solution. DENALI Business+Accounting shines in security, and Manager.io provides a customizable, free platform. Moneydance prioritizes local data storage, ensuring privacy. Each option has unique strengths worth exploring further. Key Takeaways TallyPrime offers a one-time purchase option starting at $855, providing lifetime access to essential accounting tools like General Ledger and invoicing. Manager.io is completely free and supports offline use, featuring customizable interfaces and essential accounting functions. Moneydance focuses on local data storage for privacy, supports multiple accounts, and requires a one-time purchase without ongoing fees. Odoo provides a free Community Edition with basic accounting tools, allowing unlimited users and offline integration with inventory management. DENALI Business+Accounting includes advanced security features and tools for cash flow management, with customizable options starting at $1,999. TallyPrime – Best Perpetual License Pricing In regard to accounting software for small businesses, TallyPrime stands out with its one-time purchase option, starting at $855 for a lifetime license. This makes it an appealing choice for companies looking for offline accounting software that doesn’t require ongoing fees. TallyPrime provides robust tools like General Ledger, Invoicing, and Accounts Receivable & Payable to help you manage your finances efficiently. Its automated tax compliance features simplify adherence to regulations, saving you time and reducing stress. Additionally, TallyPrime supports multi-currency transactions, making it easier for you to engage with international clients and operate in diverse markets. For those who prefer a flexible approach, cloud-based options are available starting at $81 for three months. Nevertheless, the software’s offline capabilities guarantee that you can maintain reliable financial management without needing constant internet access, making it a top choice in offline accounting software for small businesses. Odoo – Best Free Option Odoo’s Community Edition presents a compelling free option for small businesses seeking efficient accounting solutions without the burden of licensing fees. With this software, you can add unlimited users and access a variety of basic accounting tools at no cost. It’s designed to support multiple languages and currencies, making it particularly useful for businesses operating in diverse markets. Additionally, Odoo integrates seamlessly with inventory management systems, enhancing your overall business operations and efficiency. You can customize financial reports and workflows to better suit your specific accounting needs, ensuring that the software works for you. Moreover, Odoo relies on a global community for support, which means you have access to resources and assistance whenever you need it. This makes it an ideal choice for small businesses looking to streamline their accounting processes while maintaining flexibility and control over their financial management. DENALI Business+Accounting – Best Security System For small businesses that prioritize security in their financial management, DENALI Business+Accounting stands out as a top choice. Its advanced multi-tiered security protocols provide strong protection for sensitive data, making it ideal for companies concerned about compliance and data breaches. Key features include: Tools for cash flow management and inventory tracking Ability to create recurring invoices with ease An unbreakable audit trail for transparency Customizable options starting at $1,999 to fit various business needs User-friendly interfaces that don’t compromise security These robust security measures boost trust and reliability, ensuring your financial data remains safe. With DENALI, you can focus on growing your business, knowing your sensitive information is secure. This software not only safeguards your data but additionally supports operational efficiency, making it a solid investment for security-conscious entrepreneurs. Manager.io – Completely Free Accounting Software If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution for your accounting needs, Manager.io offers a completely free option that supports offline use on desktops and laptops. This software is perfect for small businesses that prioritize local data storage. Its highly customizable interface allows you to tailor your accounting experience to fit your specific needs. Key features include: Feature Description Benefit Investment Recording Track assets and investments easily Better financial management Bank of America Match transactions with bank statements Accurate financial records Payroll Management Manage employee payments effortlessly Simplified payroll processes Reporting Tools Generate detailed reports Informed decision-making Community Support Access resources and assistance Improved software utilization With compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux, Manager.io is a flexible choice for diverse business environments. Moneydance – Best for Privacy and Local Data Storage Moneydance stands out as an excellent option for those who prioritize privacy and local data storage in their financial management. With its focus on local storage, you can keep your sensitive financial data secure on your device, avoiding the vulnerabilities of cloud storage. Here are some key features that make Moneydance a strong choice: Supports multiple accounts for banking, investments, and budgeting. Excels in forecasting, helping track profit and loss effectively. Offers online bill pay capabilities for seamless transactions. Tracks investments and includes cryptocurrency support for modern needs. Features a one-time purchase model, eliminating ongoing subscription fees. This combination of versatility and security guarantees you have control over your financial information as you manage your finances efficiently. With Moneydance, you can confidently navigate your financial environment without compromising your privacy. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Accounting Software for a Small Business? When you’re looking for the best accounting software for your small business, consider options like TallyPrime for its robust tools and one-time payment. Odoo’s Community Edition offers a free solution, whereas AccountEdge provides a solid subscription model. If budget’s a concern, Manager.io is fully free and works offline. For advanced security, DENALI Business+Accounting is an excellent choice. Evaluate your specific needs to find the right fit for your operations. What Accounting Software Does Not Require Internet? If you’re looking for accounting software that doesn’t require internet access, several options are available. TallyPrime and LedgerLite provide solid offline functionality, allowing you to manage finances securely. GnuCash and Manager.io offer open-source solutions ideal for local data storage. Moreover, AccountEdge and DENALI Business+Accounting let you purchase licenses outright, whereas Odoo’s Community Edition can be installed on your system. Moneydance focuses on privacy and provides tools for managing expenses and investments offline. What Is Better and Easier Than Quickbooks? If you’re looking for alternatives to QuickBooks, TallyPrime offers a one-time purchase model with extensive features like automated tax compliance. Odoo’s Community Edition is free and customizable, perfect for small businesses. LedgerLite simplifies finances with an easy interface at $149. Manager.io is completely free and supports offline use, whereas AccountEdge provides robust features for a monthly fee starting at $20. Each option caters to different needs, offering reliability and flexibility. What Is the Best Software to Use for a Small Business? When choosing the best software for your small business, consider factors like cost, features, and ease of use. TallyPrime offers robust features at a reasonable price, whereas Odoo’s free version can help you save money. For security, DENALI provides advanced options, but at a higher cost. If you’re on a tight budget, Manager.io is free and customizable. AccountEdge offers a monthly payment plan, making it accessible for tracking crucial business finances. Conclusion In conclusion, choosing the right offline accounting software for your small business is essential for effective financial management. TallyPrime offers a strong perpetual license, whereas Odoo’s Community Edition is a great free choice. DENALI Business+Accounting stands out in security features, and Manager.io provides a fully free, customizable solution. Finally, Moneydance emphasizes data privacy and local storage. Each option can meet specific needs, ensuring you maintain control over your finances without relying on constant internet access. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 5 Offline Accounting Software for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When managing finances for a small business, choosing the right offline accounting software is essential. You’ll find various options customized to distinct needs, from those emphasizing security to others focusing on cost-effectiveness. TallyPrime stands out with its perpetual licensing model, whereas Odoo offers a completely free solution. DENALI Business+Accounting shines in security, and Manager.io provides a customizable, free platform. Moneydance prioritizes local data storage, ensuring privacy. Each option has unique strengths worth exploring further. Key Takeaways TallyPrime offers a one-time purchase option starting at $855, providing lifetime access to essential accounting tools like General Ledger and invoicing. Manager.io is completely free and supports offline use, featuring customizable interfaces and essential accounting functions. Moneydance focuses on local data storage for privacy, supports multiple accounts, and requires a one-time purchase without ongoing fees. Odoo provides a free Community Edition with basic accounting tools, allowing unlimited users and offline integration with inventory management. DENALI Business+Accounting includes advanced security features and tools for cash flow management, with customizable options starting at $1,999. TallyPrime – Best Perpetual License Pricing In regard to accounting software for small businesses, TallyPrime stands out with its one-time purchase option, starting at $855 for a lifetime license. This makes it an appealing choice for companies looking for offline accounting software that doesn’t require ongoing fees. TallyPrime provides robust tools like General Ledger, Invoicing, and Accounts Receivable & Payable to help you manage your finances efficiently. Its automated tax compliance features simplify adherence to regulations, saving you time and reducing stress. Additionally, TallyPrime supports multi-currency transactions, making it easier for you to engage with international clients and operate in diverse markets. For those who prefer a flexible approach, cloud-based options are available starting at $81 for three months. Nevertheless, the software’s offline capabilities guarantee that you can maintain reliable financial management without needing constant internet access, making it a top choice in offline accounting software for small businesses. Odoo – Best Free Option Odoo’s Community Edition presents a compelling free option for small businesses seeking efficient accounting solutions without the burden of licensing fees. With this software, you can add unlimited users and access a variety of basic accounting tools at no cost. It’s designed to support multiple languages and currencies, making it particularly useful for businesses operating in diverse markets. Additionally, Odoo integrates seamlessly with inventory management systems, enhancing your overall business operations and efficiency. You can customize financial reports and workflows to better suit your specific accounting needs, ensuring that the software works for you. Moreover, Odoo relies on a global community for support, which means you have access to resources and assistance whenever you need it. This makes it an ideal choice for small businesses looking to streamline their accounting processes while maintaining flexibility and control over their financial management. DENALI Business+Accounting – Best Security System For small businesses that prioritize security in their financial management, DENALI Business+Accounting stands out as a top choice. Its advanced multi-tiered security protocols provide strong protection for sensitive data, making it ideal for companies concerned about compliance and data breaches. Key features include: Tools for cash flow management and inventory tracking Ability to create recurring invoices with ease An unbreakable audit trail for transparency Customizable options starting at $1,999 to fit various business needs User-friendly interfaces that don’t compromise security These robust security measures boost trust and reliability, ensuring your financial data remains safe. With DENALI, you can focus on growing your business, knowing your sensitive information is secure. This software not only safeguards your data but additionally supports operational efficiency, making it a solid investment for security-conscious entrepreneurs. Manager.io – Completely Free Accounting Software If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution for your accounting needs, Manager.io offers a completely free option that supports offline use on desktops and laptops. This software is perfect for small businesses that prioritize local data storage. Its highly customizable interface allows you to tailor your accounting experience to fit your specific needs. Key features include: Feature Description Benefit Investment Recording Track assets and investments easily Better financial management Bank of America Match transactions with bank statements Accurate financial records Payroll Management Manage employee payments effortlessly Simplified payroll processes Reporting Tools Generate detailed reports Informed decision-making Community Support Access resources and assistance Improved software utilization With compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux, Manager.io is a flexible choice for diverse business environments. Moneydance – Best for Privacy and Local Data Storage Moneydance stands out as an excellent option for those who prioritize privacy and local data storage in their financial management. With its focus on local storage, you can keep your sensitive financial data secure on your device, avoiding the vulnerabilities of cloud storage. Here are some key features that make Moneydance a strong choice: Supports multiple accounts for banking, investments, and budgeting. Excels in forecasting, helping track profit and loss effectively. Offers online bill pay capabilities for seamless transactions. Tracks investments and includes cryptocurrency support for modern needs. Features a one-time purchase model, eliminating ongoing subscription fees. This combination of versatility and security guarantees you have control over your financial information as you manage your finances efficiently. With Moneydance, you can confidently navigate your financial environment without compromising your privacy. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Accounting Software for a Small Business? When you’re looking for the best accounting software for your small business, consider options like TallyPrime for its robust tools and one-time payment. Odoo’s Community Edition offers a free solution, whereas AccountEdge provides a solid subscription model. If budget’s a concern, Manager.io is fully free and works offline. For advanced security, DENALI Business+Accounting is an excellent choice. Evaluate your specific needs to find the right fit for your operations. What Accounting Software Does Not Require Internet? If you’re looking for accounting software that doesn’t require internet access, several options are available. TallyPrime and LedgerLite provide solid offline functionality, allowing you to manage finances securely. GnuCash and Manager.io offer open-source solutions ideal for local data storage. Moreover, AccountEdge and DENALI Business+Accounting let you purchase licenses outright, whereas Odoo’s Community Edition can be installed on your system. Moneydance focuses on privacy and provides tools for managing expenses and investments offline. What Is Better and Easier Than Quickbooks? If you’re looking for alternatives to QuickBooks, TallyPrime offers a one-time purchase model with extensive features like automated tax compliance. Odoo’s Community Edition is free and customizable, perfect for small businesses. LedgerLite simplifies finances with an easy interface at $149. Manager.io is completely free and supports offline use, whereas AccountEdge provides robust features for a monthly fee starting at $20. Each option caters to different needs, offering reliability and flexibility. What Is the Best Software to Use for a Small Business? When choosing the best software for your small business, consider factors like cost, features, and ease of use. TallyPrime offers robust features at a reasonable price, whereas Odoo’s free version can help you save money. For security, DENALI provides advanced options, but at a higher cost. If you’re on a tight budget, Manager.io is free and customizable. AccountEdge offers a monthly payment plan, making it accessible for tracking crucial business finances. Conclusion In conclusion, choosing the right offline accounting software for your small business is essential for effective financial management. TallyPrime offers a strong perpetual license, whereas Odoo’s Community Edition is a great free choice. DENALI Business+Accounting stands out in security features, and Manager.io provides a fully free, customizable solution. Finally, Moneydance emphasizes data privacy and local storage. Each option can meet specific needs, ensuring you maintain control over your finances without relying on constant internet access. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 5 Offline Accounting Software for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google is trying a new method of bot authentication named Web Bot Auth. Google posted a new help document that explains that Web Bot Auth is a “new cryptographic protocol that helps websites to validate that bots are authentic.” The goal of Web Bot Auth is to help you automate the process of authenticating which AI Agent bots are authentic and which are fraud. Limited test. Google said the search compan is “testing the protocol with some AI agents hosted on Google infrastructure.” Not all Google user agents are using Web Bot Auth and Google is not yet signing every request of agents using the protocol. Thus Google recommends that in addition to Web Bot Auth you continue relying on IP addresses, reverse DNS, and user-agent strings as Google gradually rolls out signed traffic. What is Web Bot Auth. Google defined Web Bot Auth as “Web Bot Auth is an experimental cryptographic protocol used to authenticate requests sent by bots. Instead of relying solely on self-reported headers and IP addresses, Web Bot Auth allows agents to cryptographically sign their requests.” Web Bot Auth can bring the following benefits according to Google: Future-proofing: Help establish a web where agent providers and websites can build mutual trust and make informed access decisions. Cryptographic certainty: Move beyond easily spoofed headers to a verified identity and decouple agent identity from IP addresses. Better observability: Gain clearer insights into how agents interact with your content. Why we care. As AI Agents become more and more common across the web, managing which Agents can access your site and web pages may become more and more of a challenge. This new method of authentication may help you allow authentic AI Agents and block the inauthentic AI Agents. Again, this is an “experimental” feature right now, so keep track of its progress. View the full article

The Iran war risked reigniting after the U.S. tried to force open the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping, though a ceasefire seemed to be holding Tuesday even after the United Arab Emirates said Iran fired missiles and drones at it. Iran’s powerful parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused the U.S. of undermining regional security with the effort to end Iran’s stranglehold on the strait and warned that Tehran will respond. The U.S. military said two American-flagged merchant ships successfully transited the strait on Monday, the first day of the effort, and that it fired on Iranian forces, sinking six small boats that were targeting vessels. Disputing Washington’s claim of sinking six boats, an Iranian military commander said two small civilian cargo boats were hit on Monday, killing five civilians, Iran’s state TV reported. Ship tracking data showed a Panamanian-flagged crude oil tanker heading toward the center of the strait Tuesday morning after leaving an anchorage in the Persian Gulf, though it was unclear if it would try to pass through. The tanker had a stated destination of Singapore, according to the MarineTraffic ship tracking site. Iran’s effective closure of the strait, through which about a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and natural gas typically passes, along with fertilizer and other petroleum-derived products, has sent fuel prices skyrocketing, rattled the global economy and proved a major strategic advantage in negotiations to end the war. Breaking that grip would deny Tehran a major source of leverage. But such efforts risk reigniting the full-scale fighting that erupted when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, prompting it to close the strait. Iran accuses US of ceasefire violation Iran has called the new U.S. effort a violation of the fragile ceasefire that has held for more than three weeks. In a post on X on Tuesday, Qalibaf accused Washington of undermining shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz, and warned that a “new equation” there is taking shape. He signaled that Iran has yet to fully respond to the U.S. attempt to reopen the waterway, saying: “We know full well that the continuation of the status quo is intolerable for America; while we have not even begun yet.” His statement did not mention negotiations with the U.S. that are now in the form of passing messages via Pakistan. The President vows to reopen the strait U.S. President Donald The President on Sunday warned that Iranian efforts to halt passage through the strait “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.” He said the U.S. effort, “Project Freedom,” was intended to aid tens of thousands of stranded seafarers on hundreds of ships stuck in the Persian Gulf since the war began. The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center advised ships on Monday to cross the strait in Oman’s waters, saying it had set up an “enhanced security area.” But shippers remained wary. The UAE bore the brunt of Iran’s retaliation The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry said its air defenses had engaged 15 missiles and four drones fired by Iran. Authorities in the eastern emirate of Fujairah said one drone sparked a fire at a key oil facility, wounding three Indian nationals. The British military reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condemned the attacks, calling the targeting of civilians and infrastructure “unacceptable.” On X, Modi said India stands in “firm solidarity” with the UAE, and stressed the need for safe and uninterrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran did not confirm or deny the attacks but Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi early Tuesday said on X that both the U.S. and the UAE “should be wary of being dragged back into quagmire.” Pakistan and Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes against the UAE. The Saudi condemnation came despite increasingly strained relations between it and the UAE. Strait of Hormuz closure has far-reaching consequences The disruption of the waterway has squeezed countries in Europe and Asia that depend on Persian Gulf oil and gas, raising prices far beyond the region. The U.S. meanwhile has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, telling at least 49 commercial ships to turn back, according to its Central Command. It also has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions if they pay Iran for transit of the strait. The blockade has deprived Tehran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy. U.S. officials have expressed hope the blockade will force Iran to make concessions in talks on its disputed nuclear program and other longstanding issues. Negotiations make little progress Iran’s latest proposal for ending the war calls for the U.S. to lift sanctions, end the blockade, withdraw forces from the region and cease all hostilities including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semiofficial Nour News and Tasnim agencies, which have close ties to Iran’s security apparatus. Iranian officials over the weekend said they were reviewing the U.S. response. Tehran has claimed its proposal does not include its nuclear program and enriched uranium, long a driving force in tensions with the U.S. and Israel. Iran wants other issues resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire. The President expressed doubt over the weekend that the proposal would lead to a deal. Sally Abou AlJoud and Sheikh Saaliq contributed to this report. —Adam Schreck and Elena Becatoros, Associated Press View the full article

Japanese carmaker will also combine its two production lines in UK’s Sunderland plantView the full article

Google previews Meridian GeoX, Meridian Studio, Data Manager updates, and visual Google tag setup ahead of Google Marketing Live. The post Google Previews Meridian GeoX, Data Manager Measurement Updates appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

One of the major reasons PPC practitioners hold onto syntax-oriented keyword strategies is the disconnect between “query intent” and “conversion intent.” For years, you’ve likely relied on keywords to show you understand what your customers want and to prequalify traffic using syntax-oriented signals. As user behavior shifts to more conversational queries and AI becomes an increasingly relevant part of the user journey, the distinction between these two intents becomes even more critical to understand and act on. Here, we’ll define query and conversion intent and explore strategies to apply them effectively. This isn’t prescriptive. You should make decisions based on what will serve your business well. However, it provides a framework for analyzing your data and optimizing for the right humans. Disclosure: I’m a Microsoft employee, and I’ll be sharing some examples that pull from Microsoft tooling. However, most of the strategies reflect platform-agnostic approaches. What are query and conversion intents? Query intent is the underlying need driving the text put into a search function. This search function can be on a SERP (search engine results page), video/social/gaming/email/site search bar, or AI surface. Conversion intent is the human need to achieve some outcome, understood through stated and inferred data points. These range from text entered in various search experiences, content consumed, and tracked actions taken. Different examples of query and conversion intent will have higher or lower rates of confidence based on how explicit text is, as well as patterns in content consumed. For example, if I search “Microsoft ads login,” both query and conversion intent are clear — I want to log in. It’s easy to match ads and organic content to that query. Videos shown in any video query would have to do with logging in, and emails would be focused around login information. Google SERP Bing’s SERP YouTube results The query “Microsoft ads” is more nebulous, as such, needs to draw from other signals like previously engaged content and search history. While I might get a login page, I’d likely also see blog/sales content, third-party advice on Microsoft ads, and potentially competitor info trying to capitalize on the general nature of the query. Google SERP Bing SERP YouTube results Let’s look at a non-branded example as well. “Purple hair dye” has a clear transactional intent. While the user might not have a brand in mind, they know they want a specific color. We don’t know if the user is looking for a semi-permanent or permanent color. We also don’t know the user’s pronouns, so matching them to a specific demographic to entice a purchase is a gamble. Google SERP Bing SERP YouTube results In the query “purple hair dye for long wavy hair,” the transactional intent is maintained. However, the query focuses more on the core needs of the person behind the text. Long, wavy hair means there needs to be enough dye to cover long hair. Additionally, while some men have long wavy hair, the person behind the query is more likely to identify as female. Wavy hair has a different composition than straight or curly hair, so products specifically for wavy hair will be more relevant than those without hair type identifiers. Google SERP Bing SERP YouTube results In all of these examples, there was clear conversion intent. The human behind the query clearly wanted to achieve something. However, if we relied only on the text (i.e., query intent), we might miss a meaningful opportunity to connect with customers. This is why close variants (which have been available on both Google and Microsoft for ~10 years) represent a useful way to unshackle ourselves from syntax alone. Additionally, by limiting our understanding of queries to SERPs, we ignore critical insights from where our customers connect, work, and play. Microsoft’s internal data from March 2024 shows that brands that use both Audience ads (display, native, and video) and Search see a 6x conversion rate. Part of this is brand recognition, and the power of brand media buys influencing performance. Yet there’s also the pragmatic piece that some marketers refuse to engage with video and social. By being where your competitors refuse to be, you can shape and capture desire while they fight over a shrinking share of voice. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. How to optimize for each intent Once you understand the difference between query and conversion intent, you can begin mapping out the actions needed to capitalize on both. Conversion intent is much easier to understand than query intent. This is why AI systems typically run queries in the background to understand human input and get at the conversion intent behind the query. To succeed at shaping queries and capturing conversions, it’s critical to understand the input points for humans and the AI systems that will be serving them results. Let’s revisit the “purple hair dye for long wavy hair” query: Copilot surfaces how it arrived at the output by looking up information and finding the best matches. This is similar to the SEO concept of E-E-A-T. Yet you’ll notice that the results for my personal Copilot are different than the traditional SERP (chiefly that ads aren’t the dominant result — ads serve at the bottom of clearly transactional conversations after organic listings). This is where the “Details” function comes into play and can help you know where to focus content, feed, and messaging functions: This product is pretty flat on price, save for some deep summer dips. If I’m desperate for color, I might buy now, or I might wait for what seems like a regular summer sale. I’m also getting insights into why this product is wonderful (hair conditioning, cruelty-free, vibrant, and customizable color, etc.). These are things I’ve shown interest in through past purchases, conversations with Copilot, and other signals it has access to. Brands that want to optimize for query intent need to make sure the following are in good order: Feed/landing page clarity It should be incredibly easy to map what the product/service is to the query. While there is value in some 1:1 matching of language, it’s much more important that the core offering be understood as aligned with what the human is looking for. For example, DUI and DWI are technically two different charges and have geo implications. However, DUI tends to be the universal legal charge and service. Images adding context Visual content is critical to engage humans. However, if the image isn’t clear or is duplicative of another service/product page, you might confuse the user and the machine attempting to understand and position you for queries. This is why it’s critical to add alt text (even on paid landing pages) for images and videos. A good way to test whether your visuals are serving you well is to put the landing page into a PMax campaign creator. If you see the images and they match the correct service text, you’ve done a good job. Invest time in understanding how humans and AI are querying Free tools like Google Trends, Microsoft Clarity, and Bing Webmaster offer insights into search trends, citations, grounding queries, and which AI systems and humans are successfully engaging with your content. Conversion intent is more straightforward, though debatably harder because it requires more creative and critical thinking: Matching messages to personas The reason one person says yes to you might be completely different from the reason someone else does. Locking in conversion intent includes being mindful of how you’re selling yourself. If you ignore what matters to your customers in reviews, intake from customer success or sales, and other signals, you risk selling yourself badly and losing the customer. This is where AI-powered creative and audience mapping can be helpful, since platforms have access to more insights than a brand does during the auction. Honor the impulse nature of visual content Someone coming to you from a display spot or short video is very different than someone coming from a text-laden SERP. They were inspired to act and need frictionless paths to conversion. One-click checkout (including solutions like Copilot Checkout) ensures humans don’t need to think to do business with you. Ultimately, both query and conversion intent need brand and performance marketing to be successful, and it’s critical to understand how the success metrics manifest. The converging roles of brand and performance For a long time, brand and performance marketing were treated as separate motions, with separate owners, budgets, and success metrics. Brand was about reach, recall, and long-term connection. Performance was about efficiency, conversion rate, and immediate return. That separation made sense when channels, measurement, and user journeys were cleaner than they are today. It’s much harder to maintain in an environment where AI systems infer intent continuously and across surfaces. A user doesn’t experience brand and performance as separate. They experience confidence, familiarity, relevance, and ease. Those signals are created over time through exposure, engagement, and trust, and they often determine whether conversion intent ever materializes, regardless of how “high intent” a query might appear on its own. From a metrics perspective, this convergence is clear. Brand-oriented activity influences performance outcomes even when it isn’t the final touch. Exposure to display, native, or video doesn’t always produce an immediate click, but it changes how humans and systems interpret future behavior. When someone later performs a search, engages with an AI assistant, or compares options on a marketplace, prior brand interactions act as accelerators. They reduce hesitation, shorten decision cycles, and increase the likelihood that a conversion signal will be credited downstream. From a strategy standpoint, this means brand work should no longer be evaluated solely on isolated upper-funnel KPIs, and Performance work can’t be evaluated purely on last-click efficiency. Audience-based formats, contextual placements, and visual storytelling directly shape conversion intent by shaping preferences and expectations before a query even occurs. Search and shopping formats then serve as capture mechanisms, translating that latent intent into action. This is particularly relevant in AI-assisted experiences, where systems synthesize multiple inputs before presenting options or recommendations. Content, feeds, reviews, images, and historical engagement all influence how brands are represented and when they appear. In these environments, strong brand signals don’t compete with performance outcomes. They enable them by making the brand easier to understand, trust, and choose. Brand and performance don’t need to use the same tactics, but they must be planned together. Measurement frameworks should account for assistive value, not just final interactions. Creative strategies should recognize that inspiration and conversion often happen at different moments. Optimization should focus less on forcing intent into rigid buckets and more on supporting the full decision journey. When we recognize that query intent and conversion intent are related but not identical, the convergence of brand and performance becomes less a philosophical debate and more an operational necessity. Success comes from designing systems that reflect how humans actually decide, not just how they type. Key takeaways Query intent describes what is said; conversion intent reflects what the human needs to accomplish. They overlap, but they aren’t interchangeable. Brand activity shapes conversion intent long before a query is expressed and influences how future interactions are interpreted. Performance outcomes improve when Brand signals reduce friction, uncertainty, and choice overload. AI-driven experiences amplify this convergence by relying on cumulative signals rather than single actions. Sustainable optimization requires aligning brand and performance strategies, metrics, and expectations around the same human outcomes. 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. A flagship soundbar rarely comes cheap, but Woot is currently shaving a big chunk off Samsung’s 2025 model. The Samsung HW-Q990F, a premium 11.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar, is marked down to $887.99. That’s nearly half of Samsung's list price for brand-new units, and also the lowest price yet, according to price-trackers. This deal is live for the next three weeks (or until stock runs out). Shipping is free for Prime members (otherwise it's $6 for shipping), though restricted to the lower 48 states. Samsung HW-Q990F Dolby Atmos Soundbar $887.99 at Woot $1,597.99 Save $710.00 Get Deal Get Deal $887.99 at Woot $1,597.99 Save $710.00 The HW-Q990F is essentially an evolution of the older HW-Q990D, keeping the same overall footprint but adding some subtle design tweaks and a redesigned subwoofer. Samsung swapped the old grille-covered look for a dual-driver sub that leaves its eight-inch woofers visible, giving it a more modern aesthetic. Under the hood, you get support for just about every format—Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby TrueHD, and even Samsung’s co-developed Eclipsa Audio, which hasn’t caught on widely yet but could down the line. In practice, that means movies sound cinematic, voices cut through clearly, and games get that extra kick from directional effects. With four up-firing drivers, the system also makes ceiling bounce tricks feel surprisingly convincing if your room is set up for it. The 11.1.4 configuration of this soundbar gives you a soundstage that stretches wide and wraps around, with the rear speaker kit included in the box. And the audio is clear and punchy, with the option to fine-tune it with EQ, voice level, and height channel adjustments to match your setup. That said, the subwoofer reportedly compresses a bit at max volume, so deep bass loses some rumble if you really crank it, but at normal levels, it should keep its clarity. You won’t be short on ways to hook this thing up, either. It handles everything from HDMI 2.1 passthrough and eARC to optical, wifi, and Bluetooth. If you’re in the Apple camp, AirPlay 2 is built in, and Samsung TV owners get the bonus of wireless Dolby Atmos without an HDMI cable, if you’ve got newer models. At just under nine hundred bucks, it’s not exactly budget gear, but compared to buying a traditional AV receiver and speaker package, this is far simpler to set up, and right now, far cheaper than usual. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.99 (List Price $249.00) 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) Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch (Black) — $149.95 (List Price $199.95) Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Anker Nano 45W 10,000mAh Compact Power Bank With Retractable Cable — $59.99 (List Price $59.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Another major food brand is voluntarily recalling products after potential salmonella contamination linked to milk powder. Utz Quality Foods LLC, a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Utz Brands Inc, recalled some varieties of its Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips. The impacted chips’ seasoning contained dry milk powder manufactured by food producer California Dairies, which might be contaminated with salmonella. That’s according to a recall notice posted Monday by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “The affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella prior to use; however, out of an abundance of caution, Utz is recalling the limited varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips identified below,” the company stated in its FDA announcement. The news comes one week after California-based Ghirardelli Chocolate Company recalled a range of powdered beverage mixes. The mixes also contained milk powder from California Dairies that might have salmonella contamination. In both cases, the milk powders were supplied to a third-party manufacturer for inclusion in the products. No related illnesses had been reported at the time of Utz’s or Ghiardelli’s notices. Fast Company has reached out to California Dairies for comment and will update this post if we hear back. Which products are affected? Utz has recalled a limited number of Zapp’s and Dirty brand chips, as detailed below: Zapp’s Brand Bayou Blackened Ranch Potato Chips 1.5 oz, UPC 83791272917 Batchcode 26030070101: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26036070102: Best by August 10, 2026 Batchcode 26043070101: Best by August 17, 2026 Batchcode 26052070103: Best by August 24, 2026 2.5 oz, UPC 83791272924 Batchcode 26029070104: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26044070104: Best by August 17, 2026 Batchcode 26045070104: Best by August 17, 2026 Batchcode 26058070104: Best by August 31, 2026 8 oz, UPC 83791272931 Batchcode 26024070105: Best by July 27, 2026 Batchcode 26024070104: Best by July 27, 2026 Batchcode 26029070104: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26030070104: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26037070105: Best by August 10, 2026 Batchcode 26038070105: Best by August 10, 2026 Batchcode 26044070105: Best by August 17, 2026 Batchcode 26045070105: Best by August 17, 2026 Dirty Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips 2 oz, UPC 83791520148 Batchcode 26030070104: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26031070104: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26031070101: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26038070102: Best by August 10, 2026 Batchcode 26038070103: Best by August 10, 2026 Zapp’s Brand Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips (60 count) 1.5 oz, UPC 83791010144 Batchcode 26030070101: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26031070101: Best by August 3, 2026 Batchcode 26036070102: Best by August 10, 2026 Batchcode 26037070102: Best by August 10, 2026 Dirty Brand Maui Onion Potato Chip 2 oz, UPC 83791520162 Batchcode 26052070103: Best by August 8, 2026 Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chip 2.5 oz, UPC 83791192208 Batchcode 26058070104: Best by August 31, 2026 Zapp’s Brand Big Cheezy Potato Chip 8 oz, UPC 83791192246 Batchcode 26058070104: Best by August 31, 2026 Batchcode 26059070104: Best by August 31, 2026 Dirty Brand Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips 2 oz, UPC 83791520094 Batchcode 26059070104: Best by August 31, 2026 Images of the products are available here. Where was the product sold? The impacted UTZ chips are sold at retail stores nationwide. The notice does not list specific retailers. What should I do if I have this product? You shouldn’t consume any of the recalled products. Discard them and, if you’re interested in a refund, contact Utz’s customer care. What salmonella symptoms should I look out for? Have you already eaten the chips? Just in case, it’s good to have an idea of symptoms of a salmonella infection. It can cause things such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Young children, the elderly, and individuals with weak immune systems are at greater risk of a serious infection. You can find more information on the Cleveland Clinic’s website. View the full article

How PPC strategists can validate bid strategy changes using conversion value by time and CRM data instead of relying on surface-level metrics. The post How To Test A New Bid Strategy In Google Ads appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

This week, Bitcoin (BTC) has been trading above $80,000 per token, and on Tuesday morning, it hit $81,000. That news will be music to the ears of cryptocurrency investors as it marks the first time that Bitcoin has traded above that level since January. But what exactly is driving Bitcoin’s price to rise above the psychologically important barrier? Here are two of the biggest factors impacting BTC’s rise this week. Movement in the Strait of Hormuz Geopolitical tensions have made many assets highly volatile this year, particularly gold, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. The latest geopolitical impact on these assets came from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran in February, which is currently under a fragile ceasefire. That war has led to Iran declaring the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s busiest and most critical supply lanes—closed, which has caused the price of oil to spike. Over the weekend, President The President rejected an Iranian peace proposal, which would have seen the strait reopen. But on Monday, The President announced “Project Freedom,” a plan that will see the U.S. military escort oil tankers and other ships through the strait, thereby getting fuel supply chains moving again. The news sent the price of a barrel of oil down to around $104 as of this writing, from highs of around $127 late last week. As noted by 247WallSt.com, the relief over The President’s plans to resume oil flows through the strait also buoyed investor sentiment in the crypto space. Since the military’s project was announced, Bitcoin has risen by around 3.5%, and, crucially, the news helped send the price of a single token back over the psychologically important $80,000 barrier—a level it has not seen since the end of January. But news about the Strait of Hormuz likely isn’t the only thing boosting crypto this week. Progress on the Clarity Act Over the weekend, news also broke that there was progress on the stalled crypto legislation known as the Clarity Act. As Fast Company previously reported, the Clarity Act is designed to deliver regulatory certainty to the crypto industry. One aspect of the Clarity Act will define which regulatory body oversees the industry, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, the Clarity Act will also determine whether third parties can offer yields on crypto holdings. The banking industry opposes this due to fears that it could effectively pay crypto customers interest on their holdings, prompting people to park their money in crypto assets to earn interest rather than in traditional savings accounts. Yields on crypto assets would be in the range of 3% to 5%—much higher than the few tenths of a percent most banks offer on cash savings. This struggle between what the banking industry wants versus what the crypto industry wants has been one of the main reasons the bill has stalled. But now, lawmakers have apparently reached a compromise. As CNBC notes, updated language in the Clarity Act would prevent crypto companies from paying yields on crypto holdings while allowing them to issue rewards linked to activity like trading or staking. If this resolves the bottleneck that has been one of the primary reasons the legislation has stalled, the Clarity Act is one big step closer to becoming law, giving the crypto industry and crypto investors the regulatory certainty they seek. It seems like Bitcoin investors are already encouraged by the news. Bitcoin’s rough 2026 Despite Bitcoin finally rising above the psychologically important $80,000 barrier, the cryptocurrency is still not in the green for the year. As of this writing, one Bitcoin is worth around $80,977. That represents an 8.25% decline from where BTC was trading at the beginning of the year. Worse, over the past 12 months, BTC is down nearly 15%. And things are even worse for Bitcoin when you look back at its all-time high of around $126,272, which was reached in early October 2025. Since then, Bitcoin has lost nearly 36% of its value. In the near term, it’s likely that Bitcoin will remain somewhat volatile as investors continue watching and digesting geopolitical developments in the Gulf and legislative developments in Washington. View the full article

Bose is rethinking its approach to smart speakers. While the company has released plenty of Wi-Fi-connected speakers over the years, its new Lifestyle Ultra line is a strategic reset, with a new platform that Bose spent the last few years building. (The name is also a nod to Bose’s original Lifestyle systems from the 1990s.) The new Bose offerings include a $299 standalone speaker, a $1,099 soundbar, and an $899 subwoofer, which can also be combined into a surround system. Raza Haider, Bose’s president of premium consumer audio, says these are the first of many speakers that it will launch on the new technology stack. “It’s a completely brand new platform, where we ripped the guts out of the old technology infrastructure,” Haider says. “It’s given us a hardware and software stack on which we can build for the future.” Minimally smart The main thing to know about Bose’s Lifestyle Ultra speakers is that they delegate most of the smart features to other companies. Unlike previous Bose speakers, for instance, the Lifestyle line won’t support music controls through Bose’s mobile app. If you want to launch music from a phone, you’ll have to use Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, or Spotify Connect. Those third-party systems will also handle multi-room audio, as Bose is stripping away the SimpleSync system that it previously used to connect Bose speakers around the home. Bose’s own app will merely handle setup for stereo pairs or surround sound in a single room. That’s a markedly different approach from rival Sonos, which supports AirPlay and Spotify Connect but still emphasizes its own remote control app and multi-room features. And while Sonos has built its own music-focused voice assistant, Bose is leaning on Alexa+ instead, with plans to support other voice agents over time. Although Sonos’ approach allows for tighter integration—for instance, you can use voice commands to move music between speakers—it can also backfire. When the company rushed out an app overhaul in 2024 filled with bugs and feature regressions, the resulting backlash decimated revenues and prompted its CEO to step down. In leaning more on third parties and de-emphasizing Bose’s own app, Haider says the company is just trying to meet customers where they are. “We basically heard from our customers that they want the music where they listen to their music,” Haider says. “They don’t want to go from Spotify Connect or AirPlay or Google Home into another app.” Not getting stranded As someone who’s accumulated and been vexed by a variety of smart speakers from Sonos, Amazon, Google, and Apple, I can see the appeal in Bose’s platform-agnostic approach. My Google Nest speakers only connect with other Google Cast speakers. My Alexa speakers only connect with other Alexa speakers. My Sonos Beam soundbar and Sonos Move speaker sync with each other via AirPlay or the much-maligned Sonos app, but they don’t work with Google’s or Amazon’s multi-room systems. So maybe a speaker like the Lifestyle Ultra is the answer. If there’s a reason for concern, it’s that Bose has walked away from one of its smart speaker platforms before. This month, Bose is discontinuing the SoundTouch platform it launched in 2013, cutting off internet-based features and security updates. Users who invested hundreds or thousands of dollars in SoundTouch speakers felt burned by the decision. (The company initially planned to discontinue AirPlay and Spotify Connect support as well, but later backtracked.) Haider argues that SoundTouch had a good run by internet-connected consumer tech standards, but he hopes the new system will last even longer. Despite the seemingly minimalist strategy, he says a lot of work went into building a modular tech stack with room to grow and adapt to future changes. If Amazon were to rewrite some aspects of Alexa, for instance, it’s now easier to integrate those changes without overhauling the entire system. In other words, by stripping away what wasn’t working, Bose may be able to avoid some of the missteps that have made smart speakers such a mess in the first place. “It’s a reset in terms of a new platform that is future-ready, interoperable with partners, and the most external-friendly platform out there,” Haider says. View the full article

In February 2025, the world watched as a small group of humanoid robots took the stage at the CCTV Chinese New Year show for the very first time. It was a charming performance, even if the steps were shaky and the movements were mostly limited to the arms. Just one year later, at the Spring Festival Gala, the shaky steps were gone and the humanoid robots were able to actually run and do standing somersaults and full kung fu routines with swords and nunchaku. The message was clear: in just one year, we have witnessed a decade’s worth of advancement. The 10-year leap in technology is real and not limited to robotics. Which raises a critical question for every digital marketer eyeing the world’s largest web population: How has search in China progressed in recent years? A parallel in the Chinese search landscape The answer is that we’re witnessing the first, calculated tremors of a massive shift. AI models have not yet replaced traditional search. The evolution isn’t happening through a single “big bang,” but through a constant, iterative pulse. New LLM models are surfacing every few months, each more specialized than the last. Chinese tech giants are increasingly open-sourcing their models, and even industry leaders are hedging their bets. Baidu, for example, is integrating DeepSeek into its search experience, even as its own Ernie (Wenxin) model remains a formidable powerhouse. Let’s look at how users actually search in China today — and what this nuanced shift from links to reasoning means for your 2026 SEO strategy. Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with The great narrative fallacy: Is web search dead in China? In many marketing circles, a specific narrative has been repeated so often it has become an article of faith: “Traditional search on Baidu is dead — and has been for years. Websites are obsolete. In China, everything is WeChat.” This narrative is almost always driven by service providers whose business models depend on WeChat, Douyin, Weibo, or Xiaohongshu marketing. To them, the “open web” is a ghost town. But is this actually true? The social supremacy argument There’s a grain of truth in the hype. The Chinese web is a mobile-first multiverse. Users access and explore the web through super-apps: RedNote (Xiaohongshu / Little Red Book): This is the de facto engine for lifestyle research and travel planning. Pinduoduo and Douyin: These are the juggernauts of social commerce and impulse buying. WeChat: The absolute center of daily life, where everything from a quick message to a utility bill payment via QR code happens. In this environment, social media isn’t just a channel. It’s the air people breathe. For B2C brands, social ads can — and often do — exceed website-driven sales by orders of magnitude. The B2B reality check For those of us working with B2B companies that need real visibility in China, the “Baidu is dead” narrative falls apart the moment you look at the analytics. Clients who invest in Baidu SEO and Baidu search engine advertising (SEA) continue to see a steady, high-volume stream of real human visitors — in many cases generating more qualified leads and higher conversion rates than their counterparts in the UK or Germany. Why? Because when a B2B procurement officer or a technical engineer needs a specific industrial solution, they don’t just scroll until they find it on a social media feed. They search for a verified, authoritative source. In other words, they look for a website. Is the social media narrative a lie? No. But ignoring a channel that — at least in the B2B sector — remains more effective in China than in many search-first Western countries is simply bad business. The goal isn’t to choose one over the other; it’s to understand how they coexist. And just as we’ve settled the debate between web marketing versus app marketing, a new challenger — the LLM — has entered the battleground to disrupt both. Mapping the 2026 landscape: Intent-based specialization To a Google-first marketer, the idea of searching anywhere but a search engine feels like a detour. In China, it’s the standard operating procedure. Users don’t just “Google it.” Instead, they choose the tool that fits the intent. As a Baidu specialist living and working in China, I see this daily. While I might be optimizing a B2B landing page for Baidu, my wife is likely on Pinduoduo, finding household deals, or on Xiaohongshu, planning our next weekend trip. The “everything app” exists, but the “right app” always wins the click. 1. Traditional web search: The authority tier Despite the “death of the web” narrative, traditional web search remains the primary battleground for B2B and high-authority research. If a user needs a technical whitepaper, a government regulation, or a verified corporate headquarters, they go here. Baidu: Still the mobile heavyweight, with a ~70% mobile market share. Its structural advantage is massive: The Baidu app is installed on over 724 million monthly active devices (as of early 2026). It has evolved into an AI-first portal, but for SEOs, it remains the place where the open web lives and breathes. Microsoft Bing: The professional’s sanctuary. It has claimed a massive chunk of desktop search for those seeking a cleaner, international, or technical experience. Haosou (360 Search): The enterprise default, often pre-installed on corporate PCs and known for its security focus. Sogou: Deeply integrated with WeChat, it’s the bridge between the walled garden and the web. Google: Yes, Google. Despite the firewall, a significant population of tech-savvy professionals and researchers use it via VPN for global technical data and academic resources. 2. Social discovery: The inspiration tier This is where search becomes discovery. Users don’t always have a keyword, but they do have an interest. In this context, SEO is about social indexing: ensuring your brand appears when a user looks for proof and not just products. WeChat (Weixin): The internal search for official brand news and private traffic. Xiaohongshu (RED): The ultimate product-discovery engine. If you aren’t on RED, you don’t exist in the lifestyle or luxury sectors. Douyin: Visual, video-first search. Users search Douyin to see how something works. Kuaishou: The powerhouse for lower-tier cities and raw, authentic grassroots content. Weibo: Real-time search — what is happening right now in the public eye. Bilibili: Long-form video search for deep dives, tutorials, and Gen Z subcultures. 3. Ecommerce: The transactional tier In the West, users often start on Google and end on Amazon. In China, the journey frequently starts and ends in the same place. Taobao / Tmall: The grand bazaar. If you want variety and brand stores, this is the first stop. JD.com: The Amazon of China for logistics and high-end electronics. Pinduoduo: The favorite for daily essentials and group-buy deals. Its search logic is entirely driven by value for money. Douyin Mall: The rising star of “impulse search,” merging entertainment with immediate checkout. Xianyu (Goofish): The go-to for the thriving second-hand market and hobbyist niches. 4. Generative AI (LLMs): The reasoning tier This is the newest layer of the map — the “thinking” search. These AI models don’t just produce lists of links. They are assistants that synthesize the web for the user. Doubao (ByteDance): Currently the most popular consumer AI assistant, used for casual, conversational queries. DeepSeek (Domestic): The choice for developers and those in need of “deep thinking” logic. It’s the engine currently getting tested inside WeChat’s search bar. Kimi (Moonshot AI): The king of long-context. Users use Kimi to search through 50-page PDFs or complex financial reports. Qwen (Alibaba): Powerfully integrated into the Alibaba ecosystem for business and coding tasks. Tencent Yuanbao: The “AI brain” for WeChat content. Wen Xiaoyan (Baidu): The AI-facing evolution of Baidu search. 5. Hyper-local and logistics: The utility tier For the physical world, search is about “now” and “near me.” Meituan / Dianping: If you’re hungry or want to see a movie, you don’t use Baidu. You use Dianping for reviews and Meituan for transactions. Amap (Gaode) / Baidu Maps: The “search engines of the real world.” SEO on these platforms is purely about point-of-interest (POI) optimization. Ctrip (Trip.com) / Railway 12306: The specialized gates for the massive domestic travel market. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. From mapping to maneuvering: The Baidu specialist’s edge Baidu SEO isn’t dead; your website just isn’t the sole focus of web search anymore. The ‘walled garden’ SERP: A decade of distraction If you’re a Google-centric SEO, there are some notable differences when working with Baidu: The ad-heavy layout: It isn’t uncommon to see ads claiming the top, middle, and bottom of a Baidu search engine results page (SERP), occupying nearly 50% of the visible real estate. The Baidu monopoly: The most coveted organic positions are almost always reserved for Baidu’s own properties. Baidu Baike (the encyclopedia), Baidu Zhidao (the Q&A hub), and Baijiahao (the news/blogging arm) are the permanent residents of Page 1. The portal giants: High-authority giants like Zhihu (China’s Quora), Bilibili, and Sohu take up whatever space is left. Riding the Chinese SERP dragon In this environment, ranking a corporate homepage for a high-volume keyword is a fool’s errand. Instead, we’ve mastered the art of the “long-tail dragon.” In the West, we talk about the long tail of search as a small, niche opportunity. In China, with its linguistic complexity and massive user base, the long tail is a winding, multi-layered beast that is often more lucrative than the head terms. And we don’t just rank a website; we piggyback on the authority of the platforms Baidu already trusts. If you can’t beat Baidu Baike, you become the verified entry inside it. Interestingly, it is these very platforms — the ones we’ve been using to bypass the “blue link problem” — that have now become the primary focus of the next generation of search. What is changing in Baidu SEO? In China, there is no brand loyalty toward particular AI models, as Westerners have toward platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. The AI-switching reality Chinese users are restless. They don’t stick with one model. They switch — sometimes because a hyped model hits a downtime wall, and sometimes because a new model claims the throne of the “most intelligent AI.” In this cycle of competition and user preference, an SEO can’t just focus on the “big sources.” If you’re following the Western playbook, you’re likely chasing Reddit, Quora, and YouTube as your “sources of truth” for AI training. But in China, that focus is dangerously narrow. To win the reasoning battle, you must understand the investor-source connection. Brainstorming the wisdom platforms If you want to train AIs to see your brand in China, you have to look at the platforms they were built on: Tencent is invested in Sogou. In 2021, Tencent fully privatized Sogou. This means Sogou Baike is no longer just a Baidu alternative — it is now a core training set for Tencent’s Yuanbao. If you ignore Sogou Baike, you’re invisible to the AI search bar inside WeChat. Bytedance owns Baike.com. Bytedance bought Baike.com (formerly Hudong Baike) specifically to fuel its search ambitions. If you want to get cited by Doubao, your content needs to be mirrored here and not just on Baidu. The neutral giants: Keep an eye on Zhihu. Because both Tencent and Baidu are heavy investors in Zhihu, it remains one of the few neutral high-authority sources that almost every Chinese LLM uses for opinionated or expert reasoning. The new SEO commandment We’re no longer just optimizing for a search engine. We’re optimizing for a data pedigree. If your client is B2B, you might still prioritize the Baidu ecosystem. But if your client is in ecommerce and you aren’t feeding the Qwen engine via Alibaba’s ecosystem, or the Doubao engine via Baike.com, you’re limiting your visibility across key AI systems. The 2026 China SEO/GEO blueprint: From keywords to semantic saturation If you’re waiting for a “DeepSeek optimization checklist” or a “Doubao ranking guide,” you’ve already missed the point. Because users switch models as often as they switch takeout apps, you can’t afford to be “Baidu-only” or “WeChat-centric.” Here is what’s actually working for SEO in China in 2026: Optimize for citations and not just clicks While SEO in the West is focused on generative engine optimization (GEO), in China, it’s all about fact density. The logic: When Kimi or DeepSeek performs a reasoning query, the AI looks for verifiable facts. The tactic: Stop writing marketing fluff. Start using the inverted pyramid writing style. Lead with a direct, data-backed answer in your first paragraph. Use hard statistics, expert quotes, and structured lists. If a model can’t extract a fact from your content in 200 milliseconds, it might hallucinate a competitor’s data instead. Build an entity moat across wisdom platforms As we brainstormed earlier, every AI has a “parent” with a preferred data source. But since models are now open-sourcing their weights and distilling each other’s intelligence, your brand must achieve entity consistency. The goal: Your brand name, headquarters, and core product claims must be identical across Baidu Baike (Baidu), Sogou Baike (Tencent), and Baike.com (ByteDance). The result: When these models cross-check their reasoning, they find a consensus. In 2026, consensus is the new authority. Leverage information gain Chinese AI models have a well-observed recency bias — they prefer sources that are roughly 25% fresher than traditional search results. The tactic: Don’t just regurgitate what’s already on Zhihu. Provide a “unique data slice.” If everyone says “The best time to post on Douyin is 6 PM,” and you publish a case study proving “11 AM is better for B2B industrial leads,” the AI will cite you as the “nuanced exception.” That citation is worth more than ten #1 rankings. See the complete picture of your search visibility. Track, optimize, and win in Google and AI search from one platform. Start Free Trial Get started with The era of the entity architect We’ve come a long way from the shaky steps of the 2025 CCTV Gala. In 2026, China’s search ecosystem is no longer a directory of links. It’s a living, reasoning entity. For the Western search specialist, the lesson is clear: The “super app” was a distraction. The real story is the fragmentation of intent. My wife still goes to Pinduoduo for the best price. My colleagues still go to Bing for technical sanctuary. And the “I, Robot” enthusiasts of 2026 are using a rotating door of LLMs to find their answers. As a Baidu specialist, my job has shifted from “ranking a website” to “architecting an entity.” We no longer build for the bot; we build for the source. If you’re the undeniable source of truth across the platforms that shape China’s information ecosystem, it doesn’t matter which model delivers the answer. You’ll be the one they’re cheering for. 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I have a very conflicted relationship with my jute rug. I love the organic, textured aesthetic that makes my dining room feel earthy and relaxed. But over time, I’ve come to resent how scratchy it feels underfoot, how the fibers shed and splinter, and how if my toddler spills yogurt on it, there’s no way to get it out of the nooks and crannies, so it becomes part of the rug forever. Ruggable, the company that launched nearly a decade ago on the premise that rugs should be washable, has been on a mission to reimagine the jute rug. And after nearly two years of development, it is launching a machine-washable rug called Performance Weave that mimics jute so convincingly, you would need to touch it to know the difference. To create it, Ruggable had to embark in a complex process of reverse engineering to give customers all the qualities they love about jute—the complexity of its texture and color—while making it softer to the touch and washable. “There’s so many performance benefits of jute when you think about it as a material, but there are a lot of drawbacks too,” says Nicole Otto, Ruggable’s CEO. “Traditional jute doesn’t have the best foot feel. We set out to fix that.” Building a Jute-AlternativeThe breakthrough starts at the yarn level. Rather than using standard synthetic fibers that are commonly used to make rugs these days, Ruggable’s team engineered a yarn made from a polymer called polypropylene specifically designed to replicate jute’s signature look. To re-create the depth and tonal variation you would see in a natural fiber, they found a way to twist three distinct filaments together that were light, medium, and dark. It’s the same principle behind why our hair looks dimensional, rather than flat: Individual hairs come in different shades that work together to create richness. This makes it different from rugs that are dyed in a single color, which ends up looking flat and synthetic. Many people like having jute rugs in outdoor spaces—particularly in warmer climates in the sun belt. So Ruggable chose to use yarns with a U.V. stabilizer built into the filaments, allowing it to hold up whether it is baking in the sun or in your living room. From there, the yarn is tufted into what Otto calls a “croissant” weave. It is narrower at the base, but gains density as it loops upwards. The structure creates the thick, textured, organic look that makes jute so appealing, while staying soft to the touch. “We’ve actually woven it in a way that it has a lot of give and cushion,” Otto explains. Ruggable found a tufted construction method that allows the rug to be both fully machine washable, while also staying structurally stable. The company promises that the rug won’t warp, wrinkle, or crease when you throw it in the washing machine. The bottom layer of the rug is thin and lightweight, keeping it pliable enough to fit in a standard home washing machine, while giving the rug some grip. Ruggable’s All-in-One PlatformSince launching in 2017, Ruggable has made a business out of solving problems with traditional rugs. Founder Jeneva Bell’s original breakthrough was deconstructing a rug into layers and engineering them to survive a washing machine cycle together—which required understanding the material science of how each layer behaves under pressure. To create a washable rug, Bell created a two-piece system that featured a rug cover attached to a separate non-slip pad. The cover was thin enough that it could easily fit in a washing machine when it needed to be cleaned. But many customers complained about putting the rug back together after the wash, since it was hard to get all the edges lined up perfectly. Last September, Ruggable launched a new “all-in-one” rug design. Within six weeks of launching, Ruggable saw that the majority of its customers moved to the new innovation. It now represents 70% of the business, and it has been responsible for increasing Ruggable’s net promoter score by 20 points. Revenue climbed as well, although the company won’t share specifics. “We’re obsessed [with] our consumers’ feedback,” Otto says. “We feel like we made the platform with our consumers and really addressed all of the hurdles of the two-piece system without compromising either design or functionality.” The original two-piece system still has its devotees, particularly for high-traffic zones like kitchens where weekly washing makes sense, or under office chairs where you need something flat enough that your wheels don’t catch. But for larger rooms where you actually want comfort and texture, Ruggable is betting that washability plus natural-fiber aesthetics will keep driving adoption. Performance Weave represents something the traditional rug industry hasn’t prioritized. Maintaining the design people want while engineering for the chaos of everyday life. It’s one thing to make a rug that looks like jute. It’s another to make one that survives your washing machine, children, or pets. View the full article

Google seems to be suspending Google Business Profiles due to user account restrictions. There may have been a wave of suspensions over the past several days related to this issue and local SEO experts are unclear if this is a bug or some other issue.View the full article

Yields on 30-year gilts hit 28-year high on expectations BoE will raise rates two or three times to counter inflation threatView the full article

Google says a new wave of users are learning that Search can handle more complex questions, changing how they search. The post Google Says A New Wave Of AI Users Is Transforming Search appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Crypto exchange’s CEO says the technology is speeding up its processes, meaning fewer employees are needed View the full article

Microsoft, during its earnings call last week, announced that Bing hit a huge milestone of 1 billion monthly active users. Krishna Madhavan from Microsoft later confirmed these "users" do not include AI agents but are real actual humans.View the full article

Motivation can come in the form of a little treat to help you get through a long work day. Today (Tuesday, May 5, 2026) is Cinco de Mayo, meaning tacos, tequila, and guacamole are happy to help. This Mexican holiday has found a strong foothold in American culture despite it being not as popular in its homeland. It’s a good excuse for a margarita at the company happy hour. Before you indulge, let’s take a look at the history of this day so you can regale your coworkers. Impress them even more by knowing which deals will get you the most bang for your buck. The history of Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo literally translates to “the fifth of May” and marks the day in 1862 that Mexico defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla. Many wrongly assume this is Mexico’s Independence Day, but it is just one battle in the larger Franco-Mexican War. The war broke out the previous year. President Benito Juárez had inherited debt and was forced to suspend foreign loan payments. France, Britain, and Spain didn’t take that too well and sent their respective navies. Britain and Spain cut a deal, but Napoleon III saw an opportunity to take over more land and his troops landed at Veracruz with that intention. Juárez was forced to relocate. The French then set their eyes on Puebla de Los Angeles in central Mexico. It seemed almost certain that General Charles Latrille de Lorencez’s 6,000 men would defeat General Ignacio Zaragoza’s 4,000. Instead, the short battle lasted only from daybreak to early evening and resulted in the deaths of around 500 Frenchmen and only about 100 Mexicans. The French retreated. The Battle of Puebla wasn’t a turning point in the larger war, but the victory became symbolic for Mexicans while they continued to resist French invaders. The Franco-Mexican War ended in 1867, when the French withdrew completely. Now that we know the history, let’s get to the eating and drinking part. Cinco de Mayo deals Alright, alright, alright, Matthew and Camila McConaughey want to make sure you have a great time at Punch Bowl Social. From May 1-5, their tequila brand, Pantalones Organic Tequila, will be popping up at the festive, adult entertainment venue complete with bowling and arcade games. You can order a Pantalones Margarita, complete with a complimentary 2oz extra tequila shot while supplies last. If that’s not your style there will also be $6 house and frozen margaritas to imbibe on. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop wants to keep the party going. On the big day, you can wash down tacos starting at $2.50 with $10 Half Yard Margaritas. The following day rewards members can come back and get free chips and queso with purchase. Speaking of queso, Moe’s Southwest Grill is also offering a free side of cheesiness with an entree purchase on Cinco de Mayo. This works if you order online, in-app, and in-store. Chuy’s has multiple offerings, including $5 queso bowls. In case you need something to drink to go with the cheese there are $6 house margaritas, $9 grande house margaritas, or you can get $1 off Mexican beers. At Chipotle Mexican Grill, your chips have dipping options. If you use the code CINCO26, you can get either free chips and queso or free chips and guacamole when you order an entree online or in the app. Last but not least, Guzman y Gomez will feature $5 burritos and bowls that pair excellently with their $3 frozen margaritas. View the full article

Google has posted an update and emailed advertisers on changes to its Google Ads data retention policy. What changed? Here is what Google said.View the full article

Agreement with the tech groups follows concerns about Anthropic’s latest Mythos modelView the full article

Officials are softening people up for difficult decisions ahead. Also in this newsletter, how oil prices workView the full article