Getting Started

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how U.S. consumers search and shop online, according to a new survey released by adMarketplace. The company surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults using a census-balanced sample by age and gender to gauge perceptions and adoption of AI-driven search experiences. The results highlight significant trends for advertisers and publishers as AI becomes more integrated into native search environments. The findings show that 45% of Americans have used AI-powered search tools, including chat-based engines and AI-driven results. That figure nearly doubles the 27% who report not having tried these tools. Meanwhile, 17% of respondents said the…

A recent study by influencer marketing platform Heepsy reveals that YouTube users are more likely than users of any other platform to forget their passwords and request account recovery help. The study, which analyzed password-related search queries across 35 major platforms, found that YouTube leads with the highest volume of password reset activity, both in absolute numbers and per capita. According to the findings, YouTube users request new passwords more than four times a year on average, with a staggering 1.4 billion total password-related searches. This equates to 35,899 searches per 100,000 users, making it the most problematic platform in terms of password memory…

The build-to-rent (BTR) housing market continued its upward surge in 2024, reaching a historic milestone with 39,000 new single-family rentals completed across the United States, according to a new report from Point2Homes. Based on Yardi Matrix data as of March 2025, this figure marks a 15.5% increase over 2023 and underscores the sector’s rapid growth since the pandemic era, when completions hovered around 6,000 to 7,000 units annually. Point2Homes’ analysis highlights how the BTR model—which merges the low-maintenance appeal of rentals with the space and privacy of detached homes—has evolved into one of the fastest-growing segments of single-family home construction. T…

Key Takeaways Understanding profitability is essential for gauging your small business’s financial health and making informed decisions.Effective budgeting techniques and regular expense reviews can maximize profit margins and facilitate growth.Implementing optimal pricing strategies ensures you attract customers while covering costs and achieving desired profit margins.Enhancing sales through upselling and cross-selling, along with leveraging digital marketing, drives customer engagement and increases revenue.Identifying and eliminating unnecessary expenses is critical for cost management, ensuring your funds are directed toward growth initiatives.Streamlining operatio…

Wix has announced the launch of Astro, a new AI-powered business assistant designed to streamline site and business management for users of the Wix and Wix Studio platforms. Astro integrates directly into the Wix dashboard, enabling users to perform various tasks and access essential tools through a chat-based interface. According to the company, Astro is the first in a planned series of AI agents aimed at enhancing user productivity and helping businesses grow. The assistant is designed to simplify operations by offering real-time insights, guiding users to relevant tools and features, and facilitating app installations and package upgrades. “Astro seamlessly integrate…

Key Takeaways Understanding your worth and industry standards is crucial for setting competitive prices that reflect your expertise.Utilize different pricing strategies, such as cost-based and value-based pricing, to determine the best approach for your business.Evaluate your skills, experience, and specializations to establish a solid foundation for your pricing strategy.Factor in market research, client expectations, and geographic influences when calculating your rates to ensure they align with your target audience.Communicate your prices effectively, highlighting the unique benefits and quality of your offerings to justify your rates and build client trust.Be prepar…

Adobe has announced new enhancements to Adobe Firefly Services and Firefly Custom Models, aimed at helping businesses meet the rising demand for personalized content across multiple digital platforms. The announcement was made at Adobe Summit, the company’s flagship digital experience conference. Firefly Services, a suite of generative AI tools for enterprises, now supports video and 3D content, broadening its capabilities in multimedia production. The introduction of Firefly Creative Production provides a no-code interface that automates repetitive content production tasks, streamlining workflows for marketing and creative teams. Additionally, Custom Models now integrat…

Verizon Business has introduced Verizon Business Assistant, a generative AI-powered text messaging solution designed to help small businesses automate customer interactions. This tool provides instant responses to frequently asked questions, learns from interactions, and connects customers to live employees when needed. AI-Powered Customer Support Verizon Business Assistant enables small businesses to enhance customer engagement by automating responses via text messaging 24/7. According to Verizon Business, this tool helps businesses save time, serve more customers efficiently, and gain valuable insights into customer needs and preferences. “Small business owners are co…

Walmart has unveiled Wally, a generative AI-powered assistant developed to enhance the productivity of its merchants by automating key merchandising tasks. The company announced the tool on March 18, describing it as a “productivity multiplier” designed to streamline data analysis, operational support, and reporting processes for Walmart’s sourcing teams. According to the company, Wally was built using Walmart’s proprietary data and is aimed at eliminating the manual effort traditionally required for core merchandising functions. Tasks such as data entry and analysis, root cause identification for product performance, advanced calculations, and how-to support are now han…

A new study by Flatworld Solutions shows that remote work in the United States continues to gain momentum in 2025, even as some major companies reinstate return-to-office (RTO) mandates. The research, which analyzed telework trends across demographics, industries, and regions between 2022 and 2025, paints a complex picture of an evolving workforce adapting to the opportunities and challenges of distributed work. According to the report, overall telework adoption increased from 19.9% in October 2022 to 23.6% in January 2025, an 18.6% rise. As of early 2025, 12.5% of American workers were teleworking some hours, while 11.1% worked remotely full-time. Interest in remote wor…

Key Takeaways Capitalize on Consumer Enthusiasm: The New Year is a prime time to boost sales as consumers are motivated by resolutions and fresh starts, making it essential for businesses to leverage this mindset. Align Offers with Trends: Tailor promotions around seasonal buying patterns, focusing on products related to health, organization, and self-improvement to resonate with customer interests. Implement Effective Promotional Strategies: Use resolution-based promotions, limited-time offers, and engaging year-in-review content to foster a sense of urgency and drive customer engagement. Utilize Targeted Marketing: Deploy targeted social media campaigns and intera…

Adobe has officially launched a suite of new AI-powered tools across its flagship video editing products, including Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Frame.io. Headlining the announcement is Generative Extend, now generally available and powered by Adobe’s Firefly Video Model, which enables editors to instantly generate and extend the length of video and audio clips in 4K and vertical formats. The launch also includes Media Intelligence in Premiere Pro, an AI feature that allows editors to search through terabytes of footage in seconds, and Caption Translation, which instantly localizes captions in 27 languages. These advancements are now available to video professionals …

B2B Stars, an AI-powered business analytics and reputation platform, has officially launched in the United States to help small and midmarket businesses (SMBs) improve corporate visibility, identify trustworthy partners, and attract new clients. Originally launched in Europe in 2024, B2B Stars is now available to U.S. companies and includes data on more than three million firms across the U.S. and Western Europe. Part of the Expandi Group, a global adtech and martech firm, B2B Stars offers what it describes as a level playing field for smaller businesses long overshadowed by larger enterprises in general-purpose search engine rankings. “Traditionally, it has been hard f…

Google has officially launched the Pixel 9a, its latest A-series smartphone, now available in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. starting April 10. With a starting price of $499, the Pixel 9a integrates many of the premium features found in Google’s flagship Pixel 9 lineup while introducing a sleek redesign, upgraded camera, and cutting-edge AI capabilities. Pixel 9a is powered by the Google Tensor G4, the company’s fastest and most efficient chip yet. According to Google, the new phone “comes with everything you expect from our Pixel 9 series,” and is equipped with Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant. Fresh Look and Brighter Display The Pixel 9a features a revamped desig…

Mirage Digital LLC, a digital content studio founded by entrepreneur Griffin Haddrill and partners John Littell and Robin Bigge, has introduced a new content monetization model that has generated over a million dollars for its roster of more than 300 creators. By repurposing and redistributing original content across streaming platforms such as Sling, Roku, and Plex, Mirage Digital is opening new, non-traditional revenue streams for digital creators. Mirage Digital leverages its global syndication network and extensive content library to help creators license, sell, and redistribute content, ensuring indefinite revenue generation. The company’s business model enables cre…

Key Takeaways Product stories are essential narratives that capture the essence of a brand, turning ordinary items into memorable experiences for customers.Compelling storytelling engages customers, differentiates products, and builds a strong brand identity, essential for successful marketing strategies.Notable examples like MailChimp, Patagonia, and Warby Parker showcase how unique product narratives resonate deeply with target audiences and elevate brand perception.Key elements of an effective product story include identifying customer challenges, explaining the journey of product development, and demonstrating how the product provides solutions.Understanding your au…

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging taxpayers to exercise caution when selecting tax professionals, warning that while most preparers are reputable, some engage in fraud, identity theft, and other scams. The agency emphasizes that taxpayers remain legally responsible for their tax returns, even if prepared by someone else. IRS Resources for Selecting a Tax Professional To help taxpayers make informed choices, the IRS offers several tools, including: The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications, which lists preparers who meet high professional standards. A dedicated page on IRS.gov with guidance on choosing a reputabl…

Key Takeaways Utilize multiple monetization options on Facebook, including ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and direct sales of products and services, to maximize your income potential.Create engaging content that resonates with your audience by incorporating storytelling and visually appealing media to foster engagement and loyalty.Develop a strong Facebook presence by focusing on audience growth strategies, such as targeted ads and community engagement through Facebook Groups.Explore sponsored posts and partnerships to create additional revenue streams while maintaining authenticity and aligning with brand guidelines.Offer online courses or webinars to establish your …

Key Takeaways Lucrative Opportunity: Buying a FedEx route presents a viable business prospect thanks to the surge in e-commerce and package delivery demand.Types of Routes: Understand the different FedEx routes—Line Haul, Delivery, and Home Delivery—to align your investment strategy with market demands.Consistent Revenue: Owning a FedEx route offers a proven revenue stream, with potential annual earnings ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, depending on various factors.Established Customer Base: Purchasing a route typically includes an existing customer base, reducing acquisition time and ensuring immediate cash flow from day one.Critical Evaluation: Assess route performa…

Key Takeaways Algorithm Changes: Facebook’s algorithm favors personal connections over business content, significantly reducing organic reach for posts from brands and requiring higher engagement for visibility.Increased Competition: The surge in content shared on Facebook means that businesses must create standout, engaging posts to capture audience attention amidst saturation from ads and user-generated content.Shifts in User Behavior: Users are increasingly drawn to content from friends and family, emphasizing the importance of interactive campaigns and community engagement to maintain visibility.Enhanced Engagement Strategies: Incorporating interactive elements like…

ResponseForce1, a Florida-based IT services firm with experience in disaster response and cybersecurity, has announced the launch of a new suite of compliance and security services designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The new Managed Services solution, branded RF1-TS, is set to go live on April 15, 2025. According to the company, the RF1-TS suite aims to help SMBs achieve and maintain compliance with NIST 800-171 and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), providing customers with the tools necessary to take control of their IT environments. Comprehensive Services and Continuous Support The new offering includes Managed Serv…

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported a decline in its Small Business Optimism Index for March 2025, dropping 3.3 points to 97.4. This places the index below the 51-year average of 98, as small business owners across the country express concern over ongoing policy shifts and economic conditions. “The implementation of new policy priorities has heightened the level of uncertainty among small business owners over the past few months,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Small business owners have scaled back expectations on sales growth as they better understand how these rearrangements might impact them.” The NFIB Uncertainty Index also …

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has issued an advisory urging consumers to be cautious of a growing cyber scam involving fraudulent invoices sent through PayPal. The scam targets email users by sending repeated payment requests that appear urgent, often including a toll-free number directing victims to a scammer posing as customer support. Scammers exploit PayPal’s invoicing system by sending deceptive payment requests to users’ email inboxes. The messages often contain a phone number and a directive to call, leading victims to fraudulent operators attempting to extract personal and financial information. “Scammers are well aware that many Pennsylvanians rely …

Key Takeaways A strong online presence is vital for small businesses, as a well-designed website acts as a digital storefront and a platform for customer engagement.Key elements for a successful website include user-friendly design, mobile responsiveness, and quality content, which collectively enhance customer experience and engagement.Essential features to incorporate are easily accessible contact information, social media integration, and e-commerce capabilities to improve communication and sales.Implementing SEO best practices, such as keyword research and on-page optimization, significantly boosts your website’s visibility in search engine results, attracting more …