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The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage rose 13 basis points to 6.43% in the week ended March 20, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday. View the full article

The head of the European Central Bank says that businesses may be quicker to raise prices in response to the oil shock from the Iran war due to bitter memories of the inflation spike after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. If oil and gas prices continue to rise, “the response of firms and workers may be faster than last time,” ECB President Christine Lagarde said Wednesday in the text of a speech at a conference in Frankfurt, Germany. “We have a more recent memory of high inflation, which could affect how quickly costs are passed on and compensation is sought,” Lagarde said. Even though the ECB brought the 2022 inflation spike under control with higher interest rates, “that experience has left a mark,” she said. “An entire generation has now lived through its first episode of high inflation — and it may not be as slow to react a second time.” Inflation in the countries that use the euro currency peaked at 10.6% in October 2022 after the invasion led to the cutoff of most Russian natural gas supplies and sent oil prices temporarily higher. Inflation in February was 1.9%, according to EU statistics agency Eurostat. Lagarde pointed out that monetary policy cannot lower oil prices, and that central banks typically look past transitory energy spikes without raising interest rates. Raising rates only makes sense if higher energy prices start being built into prices for other goods and into workers’ wages, producing a price spiral. “If the energy shock is seen to be limited in size and short-lived, the classical prescription of looking through should apply,” she said, because by the time rate hikes take effect with a lag of months, the inflationary spike is already gone. Central banks typically raise rates to fight inflation. That cools price increases by raising borrowing costs for things like house mortgages or building new production facilities. She said there were reasons to think the current jump in oil prices might be less inflationary than feared, because the energy price spike is, so far, smaller than the one Europe experienced in 2021-2022. But if inflation appears to be heading persistently above the ECB’s 2% target, “the response must be appropriately forceful or persistent.” Lagarde said it was “too early to say where in this spectrum we will need to be. … We will monitor developments closely and set monetary policy as appropriate.” The ECB left its key interest rate unchanged at 2% at its last policy meeting March 19. —David Mchugh, AP Business Writer View the full article

The state of behavioral health tells two different stories. On one hand, the crisis is deepening: 62% of U.S. adults now experience mental health challenges, up from 44% just a decade ago. Severe mental illness has climbed from 10% to 15% over that same period, according to third-party research commissioned by Qualifacts (research not available publicly). On the flip side, there are signs of genuine progress. The stigma around seeking care is finally lessening, with treatment rates rising from 45% to 52% between 2014 and 2024. Mental health and substance use spending increased 55% from 2015 to 2022, adding 170,000 critical jobs to the behavioral health workforce during that time, according to the same research. That’s not to say the industry is “fixed.” We’re still facing staffing shortages, clinician burnout, and ongoing hurdles in proving outcomes. However, if you look at the growing investment, the increased willingness to seek care, and the expanding workforce, we’re at least trending in a better direction. At the core of these hurdles is technology. Behavioral healthcare growth has outpaced technology, and that gap is becoming the field’s defining challenge. WHEN TECHNOLOGY BECOMES THE BOTTLENECK As prevalence, staffing, and spending have increased, so has the operational complexity of behavioral healthcare. Providers are expected to coordinate across hospitals, primary care, social services, payers, and state agencies. They’re asked to document more, report more, and prove outcomes more frequently, all while managing caseloads that have grown faster than providers’ capacity to serve patients. Much of the technology underpinning behavioral health was designed for a different era—built 15+ years ago when the federal government’s HITECH Act of 2009 incentivized electronic health record (EHR) adoption. EHR systems helped digitize documentation and standardize billing, but many were built primarily as compliance and reimbursement tools. They captured data effectively but rarely made it easy to use. As a result, organizations invested heavily in collecting information they couldn’t easily access, share, or act on. Clinicians absorbed the cost by performing administrative work layered on top of care delivery. Leaders absorbed it through delayed insights and reactive decision-making. It created a model that doesn’t scale. And in a field where clinician capacity directly determines access to care, inefficiency quickly became a clinical problem. I hear this consistently from leaders running behavioral health agencies across the country. They need intuitive systems that reduce friction and support the work their teams are trying to do. The good news: I believe we’re at the renaissance of modern EHRs that have the capacity to address these exact problems. THE NEXT-GENERATION EHRS Future behavioral health system software should reorient technology around how care is delivered, not how billing departments prefer to capture it. Here are three changes that need to happen. 1. Interoperability needs to be foundational Behavioral health providers can’t operate in isolation if they’re going to treat their patients holistically. They need systems that connect cleanly with hospitals, labs, payers, pharmacies, community organizations, and state agencies. Data needs to move across organizations and platforms without manual workarounds or duplicate entry. Without that connectivity, care coordination breaks down and reporting becomes an exercise in frustration. 2. AI has a critical role to play AI can provide administrative relief. Its greatest potential lies in reducing the time clinicians spend navigating EHRs, writing notes, and completing forms after sessions end. When documentation and workflow support happen in the background, clinicians can focus on the work that definitively requires human judgment and presence. That shift can’t be understated. When technology functions as a clinical tool rather than a billing system with a clinical overlay, it changes how care feels on both sides of the interaction. Clinicians regain time and attention. Patients receive more engaged, present care. 3. Systems need to support outcomes reporting as a capability, not an afterthought As value-based payment models accelerate and grant criteria evolve, the ability to demonstrate impact becomes a necessity. Organizations need systems designed to track progress, identify gaps, and present results in ways that support reimbursement, accreditation, and compliance, without requiring clinicians to become data analysts. WHY TECHNOLOGY MATTERS NOW The field is under pressure from multiple directions. Demand continues to grow. Regulatory requirements keep evolving. Payment models are shifting. And the workforce, despite its growth, remains stretched thin. Technology can finally address these issues. Systems designed for interoperability, reduced administrative burden, and clinician-led workflows can convert today’s growth into sustainable capacity without requiring providers to fundamentally change how they practice. When clinicians spend less time on screens and more time present with patients, both care quality and workforce sustainability improve. When leaders have real-time visibility into operations, they can make proactive decisions instead of reactive ones. When data flows seamlessly across care settings, patients get coordinated care rather than fragmented interventions. Behavioral health is expanding. The technology supporting it needs to do the same to ensure that growth translates into better outcomes for the people who need care most. Josh Schoeller is the CEO of Qualifacts. View the full article

Ultimately consumers will have to flip the bill in the form of substantially higher Wi-Fi equipment costs. The post Our take: FCC’s blanket ban on foreign-made consumer Wi-Fi routers likely to unleash a litany of damaging consequences appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

In business conversations today, there’s generally an eye roll when someone brings up “sustainability” or “ESG.” Once a favorite of investors, boards, and marketers, sustainability has been politicized, deprioritized, and in many cases quietly shelved. At the same time, a new headline dominates: AI. AI is the strategy, the investment thesis, the growth promise. It’s exciting…and it should be. But amid the whiplash, we’ve stopped talking about something far more long-lasting: purpose. Even at the most recent meetings of global leaders in Davos, energy and climate played a role, but purpose took a backseat. And that’s a problem. ESG is not purpose. AI is not purpose. Purpose is a human-centered commitment rooted in vision and values that answers a simple but essential question: Why? It is intentional, strategic, and foundational to trust and longevity. In an era when AI will accelerate everything from content to competition, purpose may just be the most powerful and differentiating commitment a company can make. As a popular saying notes: Digital technologies don’t erase values; they amplify them. So if sustainability has become politically fraught and AI is becoming operationally inevitable, it raises a bigger question: What actually matters long-term? FROM GREENWASHING TO GREENHUSHING Over the past two years, many companies have quietly pulled sustainability out of the spotlight. Teams have shrunk, initiatives have been folded into broader efficiency mandates, and messaging around the efforts has softened. From the outside, it might even look like a full retreat. The reality is more complex. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that most firms have actually continued their sustainability efforts but are choosing to talk about them less publicly, something that analysts are now calling “greenhushing.” Roughly 90% of the Fortune Global 500 still report on ESG annually, and global surveys show that 83% of companies increased sustainability spending in 2025, with a meaningful share raising investment by 20% or more. Performance data is often cited as justification. For example, Kroll found that companies with higher ESG ratings delivered average annual returns of roughly 12.9%, compared with 8.6% for lower-rated peers. But ESG reporting can be noisy, and correlation doesn’t always mean causation. It’s becoming clear that long-term performance depends on something bigger. As AI drives more speed and scale across business (often making things feel more alike), the need for something beyond ESG is only growing. PURPOSE + AI IS THE WINNING COMBINATION As AI dramatically reduces the cost of producing content, experiences, and even entire product catalogs, competition will normalize and differentiation will become harder to sustain. Sameness is inevitable. That makes purpose more important, not less. The companies that succeed over the next decade won’t be the ones shouting the loudest about sustainability or AI. They’ll be the ones using AI to scale missions that actually matter to people. Beyond efficiency gains, AI enables personalization, allowing companies to serve individual tastes, needs, and values at scale. As Simon Sinek famously said, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” AI gives organizations a way to turn their “why” into “why me”—a shift that could shape the next era of consumer engagement. As AI integrates into business systems, it’s boosting traceability, improving efficiency, and spotting fraud—creating real value while building trust. If it’s used carelessly, it commoditizes. If it’s used with purpose, it multiplies. Businesses will win by delivering better products, less waste, more personalization, cleaner value chains, smarter consumption, and greater control over choices. These aren’t environmental ideals. They’re human needs. PURPOSE RUNS DEEPER THAN ESG Purpose isn’t a reporting framework. It’s an intention to solve a real human problem that matters. It answers why. When ESG initiatives don’t drive meaningful value, solve genuine pain points, or reinforce an organization’s core mission, they become performative. Research published in 2024 and 2025 by Kantar, Edelman, Gallup, Deloitte, and NYU Stern shows a common pattern: Companies that embed purpose into products, operations, and incentives outperform those that do not. They demonstrate stronger growth, greater pricing power, lower operating risk, and higher trust with both customers and employees. The real performance opportunity isn’t showy-sustainability. It’s clarity of purpose. If that purpose leads to positive social or environmental outcomes, that’s an excellent result, but ESG alone is not a proxy for success. THE CONSUMER SHIFT FROM “WE” TO “ME” As leaders have said before, purpose has shifted from “we” to “me.” After years of economic uncertainty, cultural fatigue, and global disruption, consumers are focused on meeting their individual needs rather than collective ideals. They still want value alignment, but they’re less interested in saving the world and more interested in saving themselves. For brands, this creates a new challenge. Connection—it needs to be personal. Empathy, relevance, and usefulness now drive purchase decisions more than narratives and flashy content. Consumers also want facts, not fluff. Clear transparency about who made a product, where it came from, and what stands behind it is essential. As AI-generated content and complex supply chains quickly spread, credibility will become harder to earn. And this is exactly where AI changes the stakes. It enhances personalization and skepticism at the same time. In a world where AI can generate anything, trust becomes the thing that sets you apart. And trust is built on purpose. THE REAL RISK OF ABANDONING PURPOSE The biggest risk facing companies today isn’t overcommitting to purpose. It’s abandoning it. When AI makes it faster and cheaper to create products and messaging, sameness is inevitable. Without purpose, loyalty erodes, trust is gone, and employees disengage, particularly as AI reshapes roles and expectations. Research consistently shows that purpose-driven organizations see higher retention, stronger performance, and greater resilience during periods of change. This is why purpose can’t remain a messaging exercise. It has to become operational. Purpose is growing up, from “we” to “me,” and from storytelling to system design. In an AI-accelerated world, leaning into this shift with intention will be the most competitive strategy of an organization. Kristy Caylor is CEO of Trashie. View the full article

Implementing effective sales strategies is essential for any business looking to boost revenue. By setting defined goals and targeting repeat customers, you can create a solid foundation for growth. Furthermore, broadening your market reach and refining your pricing plan play significant roles in attracting new clients and retaining existing ones. As you explore these strategies, consider how plunging into your offerings and optimizing delivery options can further improve your sales performance. What specific tactics will you prioritize? Key Takeaways Set clear, quantifiable revenue growth goals and regularly track performance to adjust strategies effectively. Focus on building strong relationships with repeat customers through loyalty programs and personalized communication. Expand market reach via targeted advertising and e-commerce, while refining pricing strategies based on competitor analysis. Diversify offerings by introducing complementary products and implementing effective upselling techniques to boost average order values. Optimize delivery options by offering free shipping and analyzing customer feedback to enhance satisfaction and retention. Set Defined Goals When you set defined goals for your sales team, you create a roadmap that outlines clear, quantifiable targets for revenue growth. This approach is crucial for a successful b2b sales strategy, as it helps your team focus on specific outcomes. By regularly tracking progress against these goals, you can assess performance and make necessary adjustments to your strategies. Defined goals additionally serve as a motivational tool, promoting accountability among team members and driving performance through clear benchmarks. Utilizing specific metrics, such as conversion rates and average deal size, can refine your sales strategies and align them with overall business objectives. Adjusting your approach based on goal outcomes leads to improved sales performance and identifies which methods are most effective. Target Repeat Customers To boost your revenue, strengthening relationships with repeat customers is crucial. Implementing loyalty programs can greatly increase their spending and encourage consistent purchases, whereas regular communication keeps them engaged. Strengthen Customer Relationships Strengthening customer relationships is essential for driving repeat business, as nurturing these connections can greatly impact your bottom line. Here are some effective b2b sales tips to help you cultivate these relationships: Send personalized emails highlighting promotions and new inventory, boosting engagement by 29%. Communicate regularly with repeat customers, which can increase their likelihood of making additional purchases by 60%. Offer exclusive discounts or rewards to loyal customers, enhancing their average order value by up to 20%. Focus on comprehending customer needs and preferences to tailor your approach effectively. Implement Loyalty Programs Implementing loyalty programs is a strategic move that can greatly improve customer retention and boost your bottom line. By focusing on repeat customers, you can increase retention rates by 5% to 10%. Since repeat customers typically spend 67% more than new ones, this can greatly augment your profits. Tailoring rewards to match customer preferences improves engagement, increasing participation by up to 30%. Strong loyalty programs can drive average revenue up by 10% to 20%, promoting long-term relationships. Consider tiered systems, which can motivate customers to spend more, leading to a 20% increase in average order value. Effective communication about loyalty benefits, like exclusive discounts, can likewise boost customer loyalty by 15% and lower churn rates, crucial in b2b sales strategies. Grow Your Geographic Reach How can broadening your geographic reach greatly impact your business? Expanding your market presence can notably increase your sales and customer base. Implementing a solid b2b sales plan can help you tap into new opportunities. Here are some strategies to explore: Targeted Advertising: Launch campaigns in neighboring areas to boost brand awareness. E-Commerce Platforms: Utilize online sales to reach customers beyond your physical locations. Market Assessment: Analyze demographic data to pinpoint lucrative regions. Delivery Range: Increase your delivery options, as 70% of consumers prefer businesses with convenient services. Refine Your Pricing Plan To boost your revenue, it’s crucial to refine your pricing plan by starting with a competitive pricing analysis. By examining what your competitors charge, you can adjust your prices to remain attractive during the process of reflecting the true value of your offerings. Simplifying your pricing structures can further improve customer comprehension and satisfaction, leading to enhanced sales and retention rates. Competitive Pricing Analysis Competitive pricing analysis serves as a critical tool for refining your pricing plan and improving your market stance. By regularly evaluating competitor prices, you guarantee your pricing remains attractive as you showcase the value of your offerings. Here are some key strategies to reflect upon: Research competitor pricing to identify trends and adjust accordingly. Lower prices strategically to capture market share or raise them to reflect your brand’s value. Use bundling to improve perceived value and make your offerings more competitive. Keep in mind that 70% of consumers compare prices online, emphasizing the need for a strong pricing strategy. Implementing these b2b sales strategy examples can lead to significant revenue growth, attracting new customers and retaining existing ones. Simplify Pricing Structures Simplifying pricing structures can greatly improve customer appeal and drive conversions, as most consumers prefer straightforward pricing without hidden fees. Implementing tiered pricing models lets customers pick options that fit their budgets, increasing average order values by 10-30%. Bundling products or services at discounted rates simplifies buying decisions, with 60% of consumers more likely to purchase when they see clear value propositions. Regularly reviewing competitor pricing helps you stay competitive, ensuring your offerings remain attractive in the market. Clear communication of any pricing changes, like introducing subscription models with transparent terms, boosts customer trust and retention rates. These b2b sales techniques not only streamline the purchasing process but additionally cultivate long-term customer loyalty. Add Products or Services Adding products or services to your business can greatly improve revenue and improve customer satisfaction, especially when you align these offerings with customer needs. By strategically broadening your portfolio, you can implement effective B2B business development strategies. Consider the following approaches: Introduce complementary products that improve the customer experience, like a coffee shop adding gourmet sandwiches. Broaden service offerings based on customer feedback to meet evolving demands, boosting satisfaction and retention. Diversify product lines to capture larger market shares, as wider arrays of options can lead to up to 20% sales growth. Analyze purchase patterns to identify gaps and strategically launch new products that fulfill unmet needs. Regular assessments can as well help refine your offerings for better alignment with customer preferences. Bundle Products or Services Bundling products or services can considerably improve your business’s appeal and profitability, especially when you offer related items in a cohesive package. By promoting bundles as cost-saving options, you can attract price-sensitive customers and boost perceived value. Industry reports indicate that average order values can increase by 20-30% with effective bundling strategies. Research shows that 70% of consumers prefer package deals, making bundles more appealing than individual items. Moreover, bundling can heighten customer satisfaction by addressing multiple needs, improving overall experience and loyalty. In B2B sales methods, you might also find that up to 40% of customers opt for extra products when presented in bundled formats, leading to significant cross-selling opportunities. Upsell Products and Services To effectively upsell products and services, you need to highlight premium offerings that align with your customers’ needs. By showcasing these options and their unique benefits, you can increase the average transaction value greatly. Effective Upselling Techniques Whereas upselling can often be perceived as a pushy sales tactic, it’s actually a strategic approach that benefits both businesses and customers. By implementing effective upselling techniques, you can boost sales productivity and improve customer satisfaction. Here are some strategies to take into account: Train your sales team to highlight unique benefits of premium products. Use displays and marketing materials that emphasize higher-priced options. Monitor upsell success rates and gather customer feedback to refine your approach. Encourage staff to engage with customers, articulating the value of upgrades. These techniques not only increase average order values but can as well lead to revenue increases of 10-30% per transaction. Highlight Premium Offerings Highlighting premium offerings is a potent strategy for maximizing revenue potential in your business. By promoting higher-priced options, you can increase your average transaction value by 10-30% when done effectively. Training your sales staff in upselling techniques can greatly improve their success rates, leading to improved customer satisfaction as clients receive added value. Offering premium versions of your products or services with extra features attracts customers willing to pay more, boosting overall revenue. Utilize attractive displays and provide informational materials to highlight the benefits of these premium options. Furthermore, monitoring your upsell success rates and adjusting strategies accordingly can encourage continuous improvement, eventually driving increased revenue from existing customers. These business to business sales tips can raise your sales approach effectively. Offer Subscriptions and Discounts Subscriptions and discounts are influential tools that can greatly elevate your revenue strategy. In a b2b digital sales strategy, implementing these options can yield significant benefits. Consider the following advantages: Subscriptions can boost customer loyalty, increasing recurring revenue by 20-30%. Discounts for subscriptions attract new customers; 68% of consumers prefer a discount when subscribing. Regular promotion of subscription benefits raises engagement, leading to a 15% increase in long-term retention rates. Automating renewals and offering easy cancellation improves satisfaction; 85% of subscribers appreciate hassle-free management. Change Shipping or Delivery Charges Changing your shipping or delivery charges can greatly impact your online sales performance. For instance, offering free shipping can boost your conversion rates by up to 30%, which is vital when selling business to business. You might consider integrating shipping costs into your product pricing; 70% of consumers prefer clear, all-inclusive pricing. Moreover, implementing a tiered shipping charge system encourages larger orders by providing free shipping for purchases over a certain amount. Analyzing customer feedback shows that 61% of consumers abandon their carts because of high shipping costs, so exploring options like expedited shipping can be beneficial. In fact, 56% of consumers are willing to pay more for faster delivery, which could optimize your overall sales strategy. Survey Customers to Understand Your Market To drive sales effectively, it’s important to comprehend your market, and one of the best ways to gain insights is through customer surveys. By surveying customers, especially when selling to businesses, you can gather valuable information that helps tailor your offerings. Consider the following strategies: Offer discounts or rewards to incentivize feedback, as 70% of customers prefer it. Analyze survey data regularly to identify trends and shifts in customer needs. Engage with customers post-purchase; 85% are willing to share opinions if they know it’ll lead to improvements. Implement changes based on feedback, which can boost customer satisfaction and retention by 10-15%. These steps can greatly improve your comprehension of your market and eventually drive sales. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Strategy to Increase Sales? To increase sales, start by developing detailed buyer personas through market research. This helps you target your audience effectively, as personalization is key. Implement multiple payment options to reduce shopping cart abandonment, which is high. Prioritize excellent customer service, as it’s essential for retaining customers. Furthermore, use upselling and cross-selling techniques to grow average order values, and regularly conduct market analysis to stay updated on trends and customer preferences. How to Increase Revenue by 5%? To increase revenue by 5%, focus on analyzing your current sales channels and identifying which ones perform best. Implement targeted marketing strategies that cater to specific customer segments, and consider introducing loyalty programs to retain customers. Evaluate your pricing strategy, as even a 1% increase can greatly impact profits. Finally, utilize upselling and cross-selling techniques to improve the average order value, ensuring you maximize every customer interaction for better revenue outcomes. What Is the Most Successful Sales Strategy? The most successful sales strategy involves comprehending your target audience deeply. By defining buyer personas, you can increase sales conversions considerably. Implementing a multi-channel approach improves customer engagement and retention. Furthermore, techniques like upselling and cross-selling can boost revenue from existing customers. Personalizing interactions based on data enhances customer satisfaction. Regular analysis of sales metrics allows you to refine your strategies, ultimately resulting in better sales effectiveness and improved overall performance. What Are the Four Methods to Increase Revenue? To increase revenue, you can implement four effective methods. First, consider broadening your product or service offerings to attract more customers. Second, strategically raise prices, ensuring you communicate the added value. Third, focus on retaining existing customers through loyalty programs, which are typically more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. Finally, optimize your sales channels by exploring e-commerce options or partnerships, widening your market reach and enhancing your revenue potential considerably. Conclusion Incorporating these ten proven sales strategies can greatly improve your revenue. By setting clear goals, targeting repeat customers, and broadening your market reach, you create a solid foundation for growth. Diversifying your offerings, optimizing pricing, and refining your shipping options can further enhance customer satisfaction and reduce cart abandonment. Regularly surveying customers provides valuable insights, allowing you to adapt your approach. Implementing these strategies systematically will lead to improved sales performance and long-term business success. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "10 Proven Sales Strategies to Boost Revenue" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Calling all space vendors, scientists, and STEM students: NASA needs even more of your help building the next generations of space stations, lunar infrastructure, and space science. In a sweeping overview on Tuesday, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and space program leaders delivered an urgent and overhauled vision to advance American leadership in space commerce and scientific exploration. After decades of a space agency spread too thin, losing skills, money, and time serving too many stakeholders, the streamlined revamp calls for aligning NASA goals and workflows with commercial and international partners on a clear mission to build a competitive commercial ecosystem in low-Earth orbit and a sustained lunar presence on the moon. A main motive is China. America is launching Artemis II astronauts to a lunar loop next week for the first time in half a century and returning humans to the surface in 2028, barely ahead of China’s plans to land its own explorers on the moon by 2030. “We find ourselves with a real geopolitical rival, challenging American leadership in the high ground of space,” said Isaacman. “Success or failure will be measured in months, not years. This time, the goal is not flags and footprints. This time, the goal is to stay. America will never again give up the moon.” Going back to the Moon Since taking the helm in December, Isaacman has been reviewing old supply chains and initiatives, seeking to cut bureaucracy through sweeping regulatory changes that also empower workers, engage industry feedback, and accelerate execution. Last month, NASA announced its revamped Artemis mission schedule to standardize the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket configuration, and an additional low-Earth orbit (LEO) mission next year for further Orion capsule and spacesuit testing to reduce risk, and push its moon landing to 2028, with an eye toward increased surface landings. “We’re following the proven stepwise approach that was demonstrated by the Apollo missions to methodically reduce risk incrementally and increase the likelihood of mission success,” said Lori Glaze, the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate acting associate administrator. “Each step needs to be big enough to make progress, but not so big that we take unnecessary risks.” NASA now calls for pausing the proposed lunar orbiting Gateway to focus on a Moon Base, expected to cost some $20 billion over seven years, utilizing private and international partners. (NASA might leverage the Gateway architecture for the Moon Base and future missions.) Those plans will roll out over the next decade in three main phases involving more frequent landings to both accelerate learning and deliver science and technology payloads for a semi-permanent habitat, excavation sites, and communications network, followed by heavier infrastructure for a permanent base, mission cargo returns, and sustainable human presence on the moon using extracted oxygen, hydrogen, water, and rare earth elements. “It does look like science fiction, but we’re planning to turn that into reality,” said Moon Base program executive Carlos Garcia-Galan. Next-generation space stations Meanwhile, NASA will shore up its LEO presence by transitioning to a coordinated network of next-generation commercial stations that gradually replace the aging International Space Station (ISS) without a gap in human presence in space. Under this approach, NASA would procure a government‑owned Core Module that attaches to the ISS, followed by approved commercial modules that would later detach into free flight. As one of many customers purchasing commercial services, NASA would stimulate the economy through private astronaut missions, commander seat sales, joint missions, multiple-module competitions, prioritizing research with high commercial potential, and prize‑based awards. “Our objectives in low-Earth orbit have not changed,” said ISS program manager Dana Weigel. Those are to maintain America’s superiority in space, to conduct groundbreaking human research and technology development, and to use LEO as a proving ground for exploration. “We want to expand commercial access to space, stimulate commercial demand, and foster economic growth.” Nuclear power on Mars The event also unveiled NASA’s Space Reactor‑1 Freedom, the first nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft, which launches to Mars in late 2028. A coupled nuclear reactor, power conversion, and electric propulsion thruster system, Freedom provides power where solar arrays are ineffective. On the way, it will demonstrate efficient mass transport and advanced nuclear electric propulsion in deep space. At Mars, Freedom will deploy the Skyfall payload of Ingenuity‑class helicopters for continued exploration, providing high-rate, direct-to-Earth communications, with an eye toward an industrial base for future power systems for long‑duration missions. “Overall, a fission-powered spacecraft carrying science to Mars is not just a tech demo. It is the first freight run on the transcontinental railroad of the solar system,” said Fission Surface Power program executive Steve Sinacore. A Golden Age of discovery NASA is also planning a slate of ambitious scientific missions. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will launch as early as fall to further our understanding of dark energy. Next year, a new Earth science mission will measure how convective storms begin to improve extreme weather predictions up to six hours before storms occur, while the ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) mission is en route to Mars to study how the solar wind impacts the Martian atmosphere. In 2028, the Dragonfly nuclear-powered octocopter will embark on a six-year journey to Saturn’s moon Titan to probe for organic molecules indicating the origins of life. That same year, NASA will launch \the European Space Agency’s Rosalind Franklin ExoMars Rover containing NASA’s Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) mass spectrometer, for the most advanced detection and analysis of organic matter ever conducted on Mars. By the early 2030s, NASA’s DAVINCI mission (Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging) will send a spacecraft and a descent probe to Venus to determine whether it was once habitable. “Many of the technologies that have the most promise for the health and safety of America can only be derived from work done in space, and we cannot afford to fall behind or cede leadership,” said Science Mission Directorate associate administrator Nicola Fox. “We must evolve how we explore.” Increased initiatives NASA will support these efforts through an expanded Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, expediting up to 30 robotic rovers, hoppers, and drones from industry, researchers, and international partners to the lunar and Martian surfaces. To this end, the agency is modernizing its infrastructure and rebuilding its core engineering, technical, and operational competencies, converting thousands of contractors to civil service positions, expanding opportunities for interns and early‑career professionals, and starting initiatives, such as Space Force, to recruit top talent. It will also increase its outreach through grants and public educational programs. “NASA is no longer the only game in town, and we don’t have exclusivity on all the good ideas. So, we welcome industry’s input,” says Isaacman. With industry bringing competitive dynamics, improved capability, and lower costs, “we should then shift our attention to what no one else is capable of—to explore farther out into the solar system.” View the full article

AI doesn’t float in the cloud. It runs on concrete, steel, and electricity in massive physical infrastructure. It is powered by local electricity grids and located in cities across the country. Residents who live and work nearby have a direct stake in how and where that infrastructure is built. That makes community consent the deciding factor in the AI race. Technology alone won’t determine the outcome—trust will. Companies that scale fastest will treat sustainable engineering and trust-building as a core business strategy. The AI race won’t be won in the cloud. It will be won at the fence line. As an official partner of UNESCO’s World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2026, Compass Datacenters is advocating for a new global infrastructure standard that benefits both users and neighbors. This partnership underscores our commitment to earning trust in our home communities, because digital infrastructure succeeds only when it is built responsibly, transparently, and with the confidence of the people it serves. INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDS PROSPERITY History shows how powerful physical infrastructure can be. In the 19th century, railroads determined which towns survived. Where tracks were laid, opportunity followed. Families thrived for generations. Today, digital infrastructure plays a similar role. Data centers are the physical backbone of the AI economy. They deliver foundational assets that will anchor local economies for 100 years. When built responsibly, data centers create long-term economic opportunity by securing generational careers that allow families to stay and grow in the same community. But that kind of impact requires becoming more than boxes on a map. It requires showing up as continual, integrated members of these communities, not walled off from them. The global engineering community has an opportunity to define what responsible infrastructure looks like in the age of AI—one that balances innovation with stewardship. THE “100-YEAR NEIGHBOR” STANDARD Compass builds differently, committing to every project for the long term to ensure communities benefit alongside technology. And also by paying its fair share for critically needed upgrades, like substations or rights-of-way, so the financial burden is not passed on to local communities. Approaching our work as a “100-year neighbor” forces a different set of decisions. When you plan to stay 100 years, you don’t cut corners. Just as we expect excellence in residential development, communities deserve high-quality Class A infrastructure. The goal is long-term alignment: a data center that serves the country while supporting the town it calls home. We minimize disruption to daily life with off-site modular construction and streamlined logistics. We protect local resources by using advanced waterless cooling systems, lower-carbon concrete, and cleaner fuels. We innovate with our partners to build continuous improvement into our plan. And our investments in critical infrastructure stabilize and strengthen the local electric grid. FROM CONSTRUCTION JOBS TO LASTING CAREERS Large-scale data center projects create multi-year construction jobs and long-term operational roles that provide stable income with career-building potential. Partnerships with local trade schools build pathways into technical fields and opportunities that anchor talent and families locally. Over time, these facilities become part of the fabric of the community. A 100-year neighbor provides a permanent tax base that strengthens schools, roads, parks, and public services that families depend on daily. Built right, its value compounds over time. NEIGHBORS BECOME PARTNERS Trust building is the foundation we need for the next century of progress. Companies that earn trust through transparency and by sharing success with home communities will scale while the companies that treat communities transactionally will stall. When communities feel respected, families thrive, and companies gain the long-term stability required to innovate at scale. The next breakthrough in AI will happen when neighbors become partners. When national progress is anchored in local prosperity, everyone wins. Chris Crosby is CEO of Compass Datacenters. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google released the March 2026 spam update yesterday...View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. As a shopping writer for Lifehacker, I've learned many tricks over the years that have helped me become a savvy Amazon shopper. You do not need to be a Prime member for most of these, but becoming one will make your Amazon experience better. And yes, it's worth it—we've done the math. If your shipping is delayed, call Amazon to get free moneyIf your Amazon delivery is late, you can contact customer service and may be eligible for a refund or credit, often proportional to the product's value—especially if the order had a guaranteed delivery date. The status of an order on Amazon changes during different stages of the shipment. If Amazon said a delivery was going to arrive at a specific date and later sent a message that it's delayed, get a hold of someone from customer service (this is the quickest way to get someone from Amazon on the phone). Tell them your order is late and you want to be compensated because you needed the delivery on time for whatever reason you can come up with. Customer service is very likely to offer you an Amazon credit. I've personally received a $20 credit when a laptop was arriving late. Use price tracking tools to get the best prices on Amazon Knowing an item's price history tells you if you're better off waiting a bit; it also ensures you're getting the best price. There are many tracking tools, but if I were to recommend one for Amazon, it's Keepa. Keepa automatically displays the price history under the image of the product. It also lets you track specific products and sends you notifications when they go below a specific price that you set. You can download the extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge, and Safari. Get the most accurate product reviews from Amazon Amazon sometimes combines reviews from multiple versions of a particular product. For example, take the review section of this Apple Watch Series 11 GPS. At the time of this writing, it says there are 1,049 customer reviews. But (and here's the hack): If you click on the "All Variants" dropdown and check the specific variant you're looking at, you'll see there are only 194 matching customer reviews (at the time of writing) for this particular model and version. The rest of the reviews are for other sizes, colors, storage size, cellular vs GPS versions, etc. Credit: Daniel Oropeza Ask Rufus, Amazon's AI, questions about productsLast year, Amazon released Rufus AI, which scraped the internet, each Amazon product page, and even product manuals to gather information on each product, no matter how specific the question. It's much faster and sometime more accurate than looking for the answer by reading the manual or the product page. You can find this search bar right on top of the review section or anywhere you see the "Ask Rufus" banner. Credit: Daniel Oropeza Get credits from Amazon when you don't need rushed delivery Credit: Daniel Oropeza While having two-day delivery is great, it's not always necessary. Sometimes, Amazon will offer you "digital rewards" (essentially free money you can use on Amazon purchases, among other things) to have the shipping not be "Prime" or two days. While the rewards might be small—usually under $2—they quickly add up. Before you know it, you can have a $20 Amazon credit waiting for you on your next checkout payment. You can game Amazon's "subscribe & save" system Credit: Daniel Oropeza Amazon offers a "subscribe & save" program, which incentivizes you to buy the same product periodically by giving you discounts going up to 15%. It's a neat tool if you, say, buy your protein powder through Amazon and you know you'll need it at least every six months. It's less obvious, though, that you can get that $80 protein powder with the 15% subscribe discount and then cancel the subscription right away, saving you 15% pain-free. Take advantage of Amazon's free payment plans Credit: Daniel Oropeza Your money makes more interest sitting in a savings account (ideally a high-yield one) than giving it away to Amazon. So when they offer you a free payment plan with 0% APR and no strings attached, it's a no-brainer. Not all products will have this option, but most big ticket items being shipped directly from Amazon do. Be careful with this, however: It's all too easy to spend more than you should. Which is why our shopping motto is "Don't buy anything you weren't going to buy anyway." If you're a young adult or a student, you can get Prime benefits for lessIf you're between the ages of 18 and 24 or are currently a student, you get all of the Prime benefits at half the price. This is huge for anyone who is at least one of those two categories. Use Amazon Family instead of having two separate accountsI still know many people who share their Amazon accounts, like family, spouses, or roommates. This makes it very hard to keep Secret Santa exciting. People who live in the same household can have a single Prime membership payment, though, while keeping their own accounts private by using Amazon Family. This means your cart won't be full of other people's orders, notifications will only be for your orders, your order history will be showing only your products, etc. Get free e-books on your Kindle every monthIt's not easy to fill a Kindle, but I'm well on my way, thanks to the many free e-books I've gotten through Amazon. If you're a Prime Member, you get two to three free e-books every month through a program called Amazon's First Reads, a curated list of new books handpicked by editors. View the full article

Influencer content isn’t just a brand awareness play. It’s showing up in Google SERPs, Google AI Overviews, and AI answers, making keyword strategy an essential part of every influencer brief. When we brief an influencer, we assign them a keyword. Not as a nice-to-have, but as a required part of the strategy, usually woven into the script, the caption, the on-screen text, and the hashtags. That might sound like an SEO team overreaching into an influencer team’s lane. But in 2026, the lane lines don’t exist. Social content is search inventory. If your influencer marketing program isn’t built around that reality, you’re leaving a significant and measurable share of voice on the table. Search journeys now span platforms, formats, and sources For most of search’s history, optimization meant ranking on Google. That’s still important, but it’s no longer the full story. TikTok Creative Center Keyword Insights Today, nearly half of U.S. consumers (49%) use TikTok as a search engine. Gen Z may lead that adoption, but it cuts across generations. Over a third of consumers now prefer to start their search journey with AI tools like ChatGPT over Google. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest have also become primary discovery engines for product research, how-to queries, and purchase decisions. This is what search everywhere may look like in practice: A user searches “best lightweight running shoes” on TikTok and watches three creator videos. Then they ask ChatGPT for a comparison. Next, they Google for brand reviews to look at Reddit commentary and What People Are Saying content. Then they navigate to a brand’s site. Each of these touchpoints is a search moment, and there’s a strong chance they involve influencer content. The brands showing up at every step are the ones treating influencer marketing content as search content from the beginning. Ross Simmonds, CEO of Foundation Marketing, shared with me: “Influencers exist on practically every platform, whether we’re talking about LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, or TikTok. They’re creating content every day. When people search, whether through Google or directly on these platforms through things like Ask Reddit or TikTok search, they’re coming across content that influencers have created.” “If those influencers understand best practices around search and discoverability, they’re more likely to create content that ranks not only on native platforms, but also directly in the SERP. That’s a marketer’s dream.” Dig deeper: Why creator-led content marketing is the new standard in search 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 Why your influencer’s video is now a SERP result This is where things get concrete. What people are saying SERP feature for “best skin care for moms” Google’s What people are saying SERP feature is a carousel that appears directly in search results and surfaces user-generated and creator content from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Reddit for relevant queries. It’s now a default feature in U.S. search results and consistently shows up for mid- to bottom-of-funnel keywords, exactly where purchase decisions are made. A brand can appear in this SERP feature (either directly or indirectly via an influencer) without ranking in the traditional Top 10 results. “Short videos” SERP feature for “skin routine for moms” Additionally, the Short videos SERP feature is another prime spot for your influencer content to take up shelf space on Google. This means an influencer video optimized with the right SEO keyword can surface in multiple spots on Google for a commercial query your brand’s own site might never rank for. It’s not theoretical. It’s happening now. Google AI Mode referencing TikTok and Instagram content for a hair curling prompt Meanwhile, AI answers are pulling from social content at scale. An analysis of 40 million AI search results found Reddit to be the single most-cited domain across ChatGPT, Copilot, and Perplexity. Ahrefs research confirms that YouTube mentions and branded web mentions are among the top factors correlating with AI brand visibility in ChatGPT, AI Mode, and AI Overviews. Samanyou Garg, CEO of Writesonic, shared with me: “YouTube is the No. 1 cited domain for Gemini. And 35% of the channels getting cited have under 10K subscribers. We checked the correlation between views and citations. It’s basically zero. “What actually correlates? How well the creator describes the topic in their video description. So if an influencer makes a video about your product and writes a lazy two-line description, you’re leaving AI visibility on the table.” The more creators talk about your product with consistent language, the more confident AI becomes in recommending you. So if your influencer content doesn’t contain the SEO keywords your audience is actually searching for, it won’t be surfaced in all the places that matter. Dig deeper: Short-form, big impact: What creators can teach performance marketers Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. The keyword isn’t optional Sample influencer brief with keyword included as a standard Keyword research should be a standard step in every influencer campaign. Start by identifying your target keyword from data across three sources: Existing keyword targets shared by the organic strategists. In platform searches for what’s trending and/or suggested auto completes. AnswerThePublic searches for both brand and non-brand terms related to the campaign theme. Once the keyword is identified, embed it into every element of the creator’s content: Script: Spoken naturally, ideally in the first half of the video, where TikTok’s algorithm is most attentive to audio signals. Caption: Written to open with or include the keyword, supporting both platform and Google indexing. On-screen text: Reinforcing the keyword visually for accessibility and algorithm legibility. Hashtags: Used to connect the content to the broader topic the keyword lives in. Don’t confuse this with keyword stuffing. It’s modern content architecture. There’s a big difference between a creator naturally saying, “If you’re searching for the best running shoes right now…” versus a brand clunkily forcing a phrase into otherwise natural content. The influencer brief sets the requirement, yes, but the creator’s job is to incorporate their unique voice. Ashley Liddell, co-founder and Search Everywhere director at Deviation, shared: “We assign keywords to influencers based on real search behaviour across platforms, not just brand messaging, and map demand from TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and Google, then align specific queries to creators whose content style and audience best fit that intent. “Each brief gives a clear search-led direction, including topic, angles, and format, while leaving room for the creator’s own creativity. The goal is to make influencer content discoverable in-platform search while ensuring it remains engaging in-feed.” Once the content is live, track whether the creator’s post is surfacing for the target keyword across: The native platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, etc.) Google SERP features Videos and Short videos carousel What people are saying Standard organic results Screenshot and log positions immediately (because rankings can quickly shift). This data tells a story clients aren’t used to seeing from an influencer program. Influencers extend your search everywhere footprint Our search everywhere optimization framework There’s a reason this matters beyond any individual campaign. Google organic CTRs have declined dramatically, by as much as 61% on queries where AI Overviews appear. With Google SERP features increasingly highlighting video and social content, traditional web content is losing surface area on the SERPs. Social content, conversely, is gaining traction, and we cannot ignore this. For brands, influencer content has taken on a much stronger value: scalable, authentic, human-first search inventory distributed across platforms where their audiences spend time. It doesn’t replace a traditional SEO program, but it extends reach into channels where creator voices tend to outperform brand-owned content. Younger audiences search socially first. In some categories, a meaningful share of consideration-stage audiences see creator content before they ever search for your brand. If your influencers don’t use the language your audience searches, you’re invisible in the moments that matter most. Search everywhere optimization comes down to one thing: showing up where your audience actually searches with content worth stopping for. Dig deeper: Why social search visibility is the next evolution of discoverability 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 operational reality: Putting things into practice The biggest barrier to building keyword optimization into influencer programs is structural. SEO and influencer teams often sit within different parts of an organization, owned by different teams with different KPIs, and little reason to collaborate. Even when those teams are close, a common hesitation remains: adding a keyword requirement to a creator brief may make the content feel scripted or inauthentic. That concern is valid, but somewhat misplaced. A keyword isn’t a constraint on creativity — it’s a topic signal. Creators integrate talking points, product messaging, and brand language into their content all the time. A search term is no different, as long as the brief gives them room to use it in their own voice. Closing that gap requires a few concrete changes. SEO and influencer strategy should share a brief template. The target keyword, along with guidance on how to integrate it naturally, should be a standard field, not an afterthought. If the influencer lead and the SEO lead aren’t in the same briefing conversation, that’s the first thing to fix. Keyword selection should be platform-specific. What users search on TikTok differs from what they search on Google. TikTok search is more conversational and trend-based. Pull keywords from TikTok’s own autocomplete, not just a traditional keyword tool, then validate on AnswerThePublic, and cross-reference with existing organic targets to find terms that work across surfaces. Approval workflows should include keyword checks. When reviewing a script, a caption, or a live post, include a keyword compliance check. If the keyword is missing, ask the influencer for a revision before the content goes live. This sounds small, but it’s the difference between content that ranks and content that doesn’t. Reporting should include search metrics. Did the post surface on TikTok for the target keyword? Did it appear in one of Google’s video sections or “What People Are Saying”? These are trackable, reportable metrics, and they belong in campaign reports alongside reach, engagement, and conversions. Influencer content has always shaped brand perception. Today, it also shapes search visibility across social platforms, Google’s evolving SERP features, and AI-generated answers. Brands that recognize this apply a search strategy to a channel that, until recently, operated without it. You treat every influencer video as search content — briefing keywords and reporting on search performance as you would for other organic channels. Influencer content is search inventory. The only question is whether you’re optimizing it. View the full article

Iran has received an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East, officials said Wednesday — a proposal sent even as Washington deploys paratroopers and more Marines to the region. Tehran did not confirm receiving the plan and publicly dismissed the diplomatic effort while launching more attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries, including an assault that sparked a huge fire at Kuwait International Airport. Iran also continued to come under attack. Two officials from Pakistan, which delivered the plan to Iran, described the 15-point proposal broadly, saying it addressed sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, limits on missiles and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped. An Egyptian official involved in the mediation efforts said it also includes restrictions on Iran’s support for armed groups. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet released. Some of those points were nonstarters in negotiations before the war: Iran has insisted it won’t discuss its ballistic missile program or its support of regional militias, which it views as key to its security. And its ability to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz represents one of its biggest strategic advantages. Iran’s attacks on regional energy infrastructure along with its restrictions on the strait have sent oil prices skyrocketing and sparked fears of a global energy crisis, in turn putting pressure on the U.S. to find a way to end the chokehold and calm markets. More US troops are on the way to the Middle East At least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division will be sent to the Mideast in the coming days, three people with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans. The paratroopers are trained to jump into hostile or contested areas to secure key territory and airfields. The Pentagon is also in the process of sending about 5,000 more Marines, trained in amphibious assaults, and thousands of sailors to the region. Diplomatic efforts face major challenges The 15-point plan now in Iranian hands is “a comprehensive deal” to reach a ceasefire, according to the Egyptian official. Mediators are pushing for possible in-person talks between the Iranians and the Americans, perhaps as soon as Friday in Pakistan, the Egyptian and Pakistani officials said. The President has said the U.S. is “in negotiations right now” and that the participants included special envoy Steve Witkoff, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. He has not disclosed who from Iran they are in contact with, but said “the other side, I can tell you, they’d like to make a deal.” Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which commands the regular military and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, dismissed that. Iranian leaders have repeatedly denied talks are happening, while acknowledging that the foreign minister is in contact with various countries but not the U.S. or Israel. “Our first and last word has been the same from day one, and it will stay that way: Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you,” Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for the headquarters, said in the video statement aired on state television. “Not now, not ever.” Israeli officials, who have been advocating for The President to continue the war against Iran, were surprised by the submission of a ceasefire plan, according to a person who was briefed on the contours of the proposal and spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Any talks between the U.S. and Iran would face monumental challenges. It’s not clear who in Iran’s government has the authority to negotiate — or would be willing to, as Israel has vowed to continue killing the country’s leaders. Iran remains highly suspicious of the United States, which twice under the The President administration has attacked during high-level diplomatic talks, including with the Feb. 28 strikes that started the current war. “We have a very catastrophic experience with U.S. diplomacy,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told India Today on Tuesday. Israel launches new strikes on Iran — and also comes under attack The Israeli military said Wednesday afternoon it had completed several waves of airstrikes in Tehran. The army also said that as part of its strikes a day earlier it targeted an Iranian submarine development center in Isfahan. “There have been some days when the bombings are so intense you can’t do anything,” a 26-year-old graduate student in Tehran said, adding his friends mostly stayed at home. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of security fears. Missile alert sirens sounded multiple times in Israel as Iran launched its own attacks. Meanwhile, drone and rocket fire from the Iran-back Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon continued unabated. Since entering the fighting, the group has fired rockets into northern Israel around the clock each day, disrupting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Iran also kept up the pressure on its Gulf Arab neighbors, with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry saying it had destroyed at least eight drones in the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Province, and missile alert sirens sounding in Bahrain. Kuwait said it shot down multiple drones but the General Civil Aviation Authority said one hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a fire that sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky. Iran’s death toll has passed 1,500, its Health Ministry has said. Israel says 20 people have died in the war, including two soldiers in Lebanon. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed, along with more than a dozen civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gulf Arab states. Meanwhile, authorities say more than 1,000 people have died in Lebanon, where Israel has targeted the Iran-linked Hezbollah militant group, which has also fired on Israel. In Iraq, where Iranian-supported militant groups have also entered the conflict, 80 members of the security forces have been killed, a top security adviser, Khalid al-Yaqoubi, said. Energy prices fall back but remain high The news of potential negotiations drove down the price of oil. Brent crude oil, the international standard, has neared $120 a barrel during the conflict but was trading below $100 Wednesday. It is still up around 35% from the start of the war. Economists and leaders have warned of far-reaching effects if energy prices remain high — from rising prices on food and other basics to higher rates for mortgages and auto loans. A big driver of the spike in the oil price has been Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has allowed a small number of ships through the strait, but has said no ships from the U.S., Israel or countries seen as linked to them can pass. Asked in the interview with India Today whether Iran was charging ships for passage, Baghaei, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said “absolutely.” He did not elaborate. Associated Press writers Samy Magdy, Natalie Melzer, Qassim Abdul-Zahra, and E. Eduardo Castillo contributed to this report. —Jon Gambrell, David Rising, Munir Ahmed and Aamer Madhani, Associated Press View the full article

When starting a business, comprehension of the different company structures is vital. Each type—like sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, corporations, and benefit corporations—has its own implications for liability, taxation, and management. For instance, sole proprietorships are straightforward but come with personal liability, whereas LLCs offer protection for personal assets. To make informed decisions about your business, it’s fundamental to explore these options and their specific characteristics. Let’s examine each type in detail. Key Takeaways Sole proprietorships are the simplest business structure, operated by an individual with personal liability for debts and obligations. Partnerships involve two or more individuals sharing business responsibilities, with general and limited partnerships offering different liability levels. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) protect personal assets from business debts while allowing pass-through taxation and flexible management. Corporations are separate legal entities providing limited liability to shareholders, with options for C corporations, S corporations, and benefit corporations. Cooperatives focus on member needs, promoting shared decision-making and profit distribution based on service usage, emphasizing social responsibility. Sole Proprietorships A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common form of business organization, where you operate as a single individual without the need for formal registration with the state. In this company structure, you and your business are one legal entity, meaning you’re personally liable for all debts and obligations. This type of organizational structure is often chosen for its low startup costs and minimal paperwork, with the main expense being the registration of a “doing business as” (DBA) name. You report business income on your personal tax returns, which simplifies tax reporting. Nevertheless, the lack of legal protection for personal assets makes it wise to contemplate personal liability insurance, as this administrative structure type carries inherent risks. Partnerships When you form a partnership, you’re entering an agreement with one or more individuals to run a business together, sharing both profits and responsibilities. There are different types of partnerships, such as general partnerships where all partners have unlimited liability, and limited partnerships that include partners with restricted liability based on their investment. Comprehending these structures is essential, as they can impact everything from how you manage the business to how taxes are handled. General Partnerships Overview General partnerships represent a collaborative business structure where two or more individuals join forces to manage a venture during sharing profits and losses equally. This type of organization doesn’t require formal state registration, but having a written partnership agreement is advisable to delineate roles and responsibilities clearly. In a general partnership, you and your partners assume unlimited personal liability, meaning your personal assets could be at risk. Profits and losses are reported on individual tax returns since this structure acts as a pass-through entity. General partnerships exemplify a functional organizational structure within the business management hierarchy, highlighting the importance of clear communication. They’re one of the simplest corporate structure examples, providing flexibility in operations and decision-making. Limited Partnerships Characteristics Limited partnerships (LPs) offer a distinct structure that balances the involvement of general and limited partners, each with differing levels of liability and control. In an LP, the general partner manages the business and bears unlimited liability, whereas limited partners contribute capital but don’t engage in daily operations, ensuring their liability stays limited. This hierarchical structure fits various types of organizational models, particularly in investment settings. Characteristic Description Liability General partners: unlimited; limited partners: limited to their investment Management General partners manage; limited partners do not participate Tax Structure Flow-through entity, profits/losses on personal tax returns Formation Requirement Must file a certificate of formation with the state Usage Commonly used for investment purposes Limited Liability Companies As you explore different business structures, you’ll find that Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) offer a unique blend of flexibility and protection. Here are key features of LLCs: Liability Protection: LLCs shield your personal assets from business debts and obligations. Management Structure: Owners can choose from various management structure types, including functional structure or divisional organizational structure. Tax Benefits: They’re pass-through entities, so profits and losses are reported on members’ personal tax returns, avoiding double taxation. Membership Flexibility: There’s no limit on the number of members, allowing both individuals and other entities to participate. To form an LLC, you’ll need to file articles of organization and create an operating agreement outlining your hierarchical organizational structure. Corporations As many entrepreneurs seek to establish their businesses with limited liability protections, corporations stand out as complex structures that provide distinct legal and financial benefits. A corporation is a separate legal entity, shielding shareholders from corporate debts. There are various types of corporations, including C corporations and S corporations, each with unique tax implications and operational requirements. Type of Corporation Key Feature C Corporation Double taxation on profits S Corporation Pass-through taxation; max 100 shareholders Benefit Corporation Focus on social/environmental goals Understanding the corporate structure chart is crucial, as it influences the types of org structure you might choose. A hierarchical business structure often complements a functional corporate structure, enhancing organizational efficiency. Benefit Corporations Benefit corporations represent a unique structure that blends profit-making with a commitment to social and environmental goals. They’re legally required to contemplate the interests of various stakeholders, which means they focus on more than just shareholder profits. Moreover, whereas they share the same tax treatment as C corporations, their accountability and transparency standards set them apart, making them appealing to socially conscious investors. Purpose and Accountability Despite many companies focus solely on maximizing profits for their shareholders, benefit corporations take a different approach by integrating social and environmental goals into their core mission. This unique structure requires you to contemplate all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Here are four key aspects of their purpose and accountability: Legal Requirement: Benefit corporations must legally assess their social and environmental impact. Third-Party Assessment: They often undergo evaluations by external organizations to guarantee accountability. Hierarchical Organization: Their corporate organizational structure chart reflects a commitment to social good across various levels. Functional Business Structure: Benefit corporations may utilize a divisional organization structure to effectively implement their mission. This framework allows them to attract socially conscious investors during prioritizing public benefits over profits. Taxation and Benefits Even though many corporations focus on profit maximization, benefit corporations find a balance between generating revenue and addressing social and environmental challenges. These company structure types meet specific performance standards, verified by third parties, ensuring accountability. They enjoy legal protection to prioritize social missions without fearing lawsuits from shareholders about profit levels. Regarding taxation, benefit corporations may qualify for tax breaks in some states, enhancing their appeal to socially conscious investors. Although they can adopt various organization structure types, like functional org structure or divisional business structure, their legal status distinguishes them from Certified B Corporations, which aren’t formally recognized. Cooperatives Cooperatives represent a unique business structure where a group of individuals, known as user-owners, collectively owns and operates the organization for their mutual benefit. They emphasize democratic decision-making, ensuring each member has one vote, regardless of investment size. Here are key features of cooperatives: Hierarchy Structure: Members influence decisions, creating a flat hierarchy. Organizational Structure Divisional: They can focus on specific services, tailoring operations to member needs. Functional Department Structure: Responsibilities are divided among departments, ensuring efficiency. Hierarchical Management Structure: Leadership is often fluid, with members participating in governance. Profits are typically distributed based on service usage, promoting social responsibility and community development as well as aligning profit motives with broader social goals. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 4 Types of Business Structures? There are four main types of business structures you can choose from: sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs). Each structure offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. Sole proprietorships are simple and require no formal registration, whereas partnerships involve shared responsibilities. Corporations provide liability protection but face double taxation. LLCs combine features of corporations and partnerships, offering liability protection with pass-through taxation, making them a popular choice for many entrepreneurs. What Are the 4 Types of Organizational Structure? When considering organizational structures, you’ll encounter four main types: functional, divisional, matrix, and flat. Functional structures group employees by their roles, enhancing specialization. Divisional structures focus on specific products or markets, allowing for customized strategies. Finally, flat structures minimize management layers, encouraging collaboration and faster decision-making. Each structure has its unique benefits, catering to various operational needs and business objectives. What Is the Difference Between S Corp and C Corp and LLC? The key differences between an S Corp, C Corp, and LLC lie in taxation and structure. An S Corp avoids double taxation by passing income through to shareholders’ personal tax returns, whereas a C Corp faces double taxation on profits and dividends. An LLC combines features of both, offering limited liability and pass-through taxation. LLCs additionally have fewer formalities, making them easier to manage. Choose the structure that aligns with your financial goals and operational needs. What Are the Three Main Structures of a Business? The three main structures of a business are sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. In a sole proprietorship, you’re the sole owner, bearing full responsibility for debts. Partnerships involve two or more individuals sharing ownership and liability, whereas profits pass through to personal taxes. Corporations, recognized as separate legal entities, offer limited liability protection to shareholders and can raise capital by selling stock. Each structure has unique implications for management, taxes, and liability. Conclusion Grasping the various types of company structures is crucial for making informed business decisions. Each structure—whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, benefit corporation, or cooperative—has distinct implications for liability, taxation, and management. By evaluating your business goals and personal preferences, you can choose the appropriate structure that aligns with your needs. This choice not merely affects daily operations but likewise shapes your long-term success and compliance with legal requirements. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Are the Types of Company Structures?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When starting a business, comprehension of the different company structures is vital. Each type—like sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, corporations, and benefit corporations—has its own implications for liability, taxation, and management. For instance, sole proprietorships are straightforward but come with personal liability, whereas LLCs offer protection for personal assets. To make informed decisions about your business, it’s fundamental to explore these options and their specific characteristics. Let’s examine each type in detail. Key Takeaways Sole proprietorships are the simplest business structure, operated by an individual with personal liability for debts and obligations. Partnerships involve two or more individuals sharing business responsibilities, with general and limited partnerships offering different liability levels. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) protect personal assets from business debts while allowing pass-through taxation and flexible management. Corporations are separate legal entities providing limited liability to shareholders, with options for C corporations, S corporations, and benefit corporations. Cooperatives focus on member needs, promoting shared decision-making and profit distribution based on service usage, emphasizing social responsibility. Sole Proprietorships A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common form of business organization, where you operate as a single individual without the need for formal registration with the state. In this company structure, you and your business are one legal entity, meaning you’re personally liable for all debts and obligations. This type of organizational structure is often chosen for its low startup costs and minimal paperwork, with the main expense being the registration of a “doing business as” (DBA) name. You report business income on your personal tax returns, which simplifies tax reporting. Nevertheless, the lack of legal protection for personal assets makes it wise to contemplate personal liability insurance, as this administrative structure type carries inherent risks. Partnerships When you form a partnership, you’re entering an agreement with one or more individuals to run a business together, sharing both profits and responsibilities. There are different types of partnerships, such as general partnerships where all partners have unlimited liability, and limited partnerships that include partners with restricted liability based on their investment. Comprehending these structures is essential, as they can impact everything from how you manage the business to how taxes are handled. General Partnerships Overview General partnerships represent a collaborative business structure where two or more individuals join forces to manage a venture during sharing profits and losses equally. This type of organization doesn’t require formal state registration, but having a written partnership agreement is advisable to delineate roles and responsibilities clearly. In a general partnership, you and your partners assume unlimited personal liability, meaning your personal assets could be at risk. Profits and losses are reported on individual tax returns since this structure acts as a pass-through entity. General partnerships exemplify a functional organizational structure within the business management hierarchy, highlighting the importance of clear communication. They’re one of the simplest corporate structure examples, providing flexibility in operations and decision-making. Limited Partnerships Characteristics Limited partnerships (LPs) offer a distinct structure that balances the involvement of general and limited partners, each with differing levels of liability and control. In an LP, the general partner manages the business and bears unlimited liability, whereas limited partners contribute capital but don’t engage in daily operations, ensuring their liability stays limited. This hierarchical structure fits various types of organizational models, particularly in investment settings. Characteristic Description Liability General partners: unlimited; limited partners: limited to their investment Management General partners manage; limited partners do not participate Tax Structure Flow-through entity, profits/losses on personal tax returns Formation Requirement Must file a certificate of formation with the state Usage Commonly used for investment purposes Limited Liability Companies As you explore different business structures, you’ll find that Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) offer a unique blend of flexibility and protection. Here are key features of LLCs: Liability Protection: LLCs shield your personal assets from business debts and obligations. Management Structure: Owners can choose from various management structure types, including functional structure or divisional organizational structure. Tax Benefits: They’re pass-through entities, so profits and losses are reported on members’ personal tax returns, avoiding double taxation. Membership Flexibility: There’s no limit on the number of members, allowing both individuals and other entities to participate. To form an LLC, you’ll need to file articles of organization and create an operating agreement outlining your hierarchical organizational structure. Corporations As many entrepreneurs seek to establish their businesses with limited liability protections, corporations stand out as complex structures that provide distinct legal and financial benefits. A corporation is a separate legal entity, shielding shareholders from corporate debts. There are various types of corporations, including C corporations and S corporations, each with unique tax implications and operational requirements. Type of Corporation Key Feature C Corporation Double taxation on profits S Corporation Pass-through taxation; max 100 shareholders Benefit Corporation Focus on social/environmental goals Understanding the corporate structure chart is crucial, as it influences the types of org structure you might choose. A hierarchical business structure often complements a functional corporate structure, enhancing organizational efficiency. Benefit Corporations Benefit corporations represent a unique structure that blends profit-making with a commitment to social and environmental goals. They’re legally required to contemplate the interests of various stakeholders, which means they focus on more than just shareholder profits. Moreover, whereas they share the same tax treatment as C corporations, their accountability and transparency standards set them apart, making them appealing to socially conscious investors. Purpose and Accountability Despite many companies focus solely on maximizing profits for their shareholders, benefit corporations take a different approach by integrating social and environmental goals into their core mission. This unique structure requires you to contemplate all stakeholders, not just shareholders. Here are four key aspects of their purpose and accountability: Legal Requirement: Benefit corporations must legally assess their social and environmental impact. Third-Party Assessment: They often undergo evaluations by external organizations to guarantee accountability. Hierarchical Organization: Their corporate organizational structure chart reflects a commitment to social good across various levels. Functional Business Structure: Benefit corporations may utilize a divisional organization structure to effectively implement their mission. This framework allows them to attract socially conscious investors during prioritizing public benefits over profits. Taxation and Benefits Even though many corporations focus on profit maximization, benefit corporations find a balance between generating revenue and addressing social and environmental challenges. These company structure types meet specific performance standards, verified by third parties, ensuring accountability. They enjoy legal protection to prioritize social missions without fearing lawsuits from shareholders about profit levels. Regarding taxation, benefit corporations may qualify for tax breaks in some states, enhancing their appeal to socially conscious investors. Although they can adopt various organization structure types, like functional org structure or divisional business structure, their legal status distinguishes them from Certified B Corporations, which aren’t formally recognized. Cooperatives Cooperatives represent a unique business structure where a group of individuals, known as user-owners, collectively owns and operates the organization for their mutual benefit. They emphasize democratic decision-making, ensuring each member has one vote, regardless of investment size. Here are key features of cooperatives: Hierarchy Structure: Members influence decisions, creating a flat hierarchy. Organizational Structure Divisional: They can focus on specific services, tailoring operations to member needs. Functional Department Structure: Responsibilities are divided among departments, ensuring efficiency. Hierarchical Management Structure: Leadership is often fluid, with members participating in governance. Profits are typically distributed based on service usage, promoting social responsibility and community development as well as aligning profit motives with broader social goals. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 4 Types of Business Structures? There are four main types of business structures you can choose from: sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs). Each structure offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. Sole proprietorships are simple and require no formal registration, whereas partnerships involve shared responsibilities. Corporations provide liability protection but face double taxation. LLCs combine features of corporations and partnerships, offering liability protection with pass-through taxation, making them a popular choice for many entrepreneurs. What Are the 4 Types of Organizational Structure? When considering organizational structures, you’ll encounter four main types: functional, divisional, matrix, and flat. Functional structures group employees by their roles, enhancing specialization. Divisional structures focus on specific products or markets, allowing for customized strategies. Finally, flat structures minimize management layers, encouraging collaboration and faster decision-making. Each structure has its unique benefits, catering to various operational needs and business objectives. What Is the Difference Between S Corp and C Corp and LLC? The key differences between an S Corp, C Corp, and LLC lie in taxation and structure. An S Corp avoids double taxation by passing income through to shareholders’ personal tax returns, whereas a C Corp faces double taxation on profits and dividends. An LLC combines features of both, offering limited liability and pass-through taxation. LLCs additionally have fewer formalities, making them easier to manage. Choose the structure that aligns with your financial goals and operational needs. What Are the Three Main Structures of a Business? The three main structures of a business are sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. In a sole proprietorship, you’re the sole owner, bearing full responsibility for debts. Partnerships involve two or more individuals sharing ownership and liability, whereas profits pass through to personal taxes. Corporations, recognized as separate legal entities, offer limited liability protection to shareholders and can raise capital by selling stock. Each structure has unique implications for management, taxes, and liability. Conclusion Grasping the various types of company structures is crucial for making informed business decisions. Each structure—whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, benefit corporation, or cooperative—has distinct implications for liability, taxation, and management. By evaluating your business goals and personal preferences, you can choose the appropriate structure that aligns with your needs. This choice not merely affects daily operations but likewise shapes your long-term success and compliance with legal requirements. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Are the Types of Company Structures?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Nearly half of publisher search traffic has disappeared post-AI Overviews, raising urgent questions about how content gets funded next. The post Half Your Traffic Left. The SEO Industry Sent Thoughts and Frameworks 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. Some laptops are performance powerhouses, but work better as a desktop and can be bulky to travel or commute with. If you’re looking for an ultraportable laptop that still offers robust performance but isn’t a headache (or a shoulder ache) to lug around, the MacBook Air remains one of the best lightweight laptops available, with a sleek and modern design to boot. Right now, as part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025, M4) is 21% off at $1,099 (originally $1,399), marking its lowest price ever. Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2025, M4) $1,099.00 at Amazon $1,399.00 Save $300.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,099.00 at Amazon $1,399.00 Save $300.00 The 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch model earned an Editor’s Choice Award from PCMag, which lauded it for its faster M4 processing chip, boosted RAM (even in the base model), quieter, fanless build, and Improved Center Stage camera, as well as Apple Intelligence features. The 15-inch model's starting price is also lower than the previous-generation 15-inch Air, and it comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage and weighs just 2.7 lbs. Apple claims the battery lasts up to 18 hours, and in real-world testing, it actually exceeded that expectation by nearly two hours. That said, some ultraportable Windows laptops outpace it, and the battery life, while impressive, is still about 90 minutes short compared to the 2024 model. Still, it surpasses the MacBook Pro in many areas, according to our reviewer. Much of this is due to the upgraded M4 chip, making it a potent combination of power and affordability. In our tester’s findings on CPU performance, the Pro only performed 5% better, making the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025, M4) a versatile option for a range of users, now priced better than ever at $300 off. If you're looking for the 13-inch model instead, that's also on sale right now for $250 off during the Amazon Big Spring Sale. Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Indoor Cam Plus 2K Wired Security Camera (White) — $39.99 (List Price $59.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

In today’s digital environment, selecting the right free online video collaboration platform is crucial for effective communication. Each option offers distinct features customized to various needs, from Zoom‘s robust functionality to Jitsi Meet‘s accessibility without account requirements. Comprehending these differences can help you choose the platform that best suits your collaborative efforts. Let’s explore these ten platforms and see how they can improve your virtual interactions. Key Takeaways Zoom offers unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants, with a 40-minute limit on free sessions, making it ideal for various discussions. Google Meet provides unlimited meeting durations for up to 100 participants, seamlessly integrating with Google Calendar for scheduling convenience. Microsoft Teams supports 100 participants with unlimited group meetings for 60 minutes, featuring robust collaboration tools suited for teams and educational settings. Jitsi Meet allows unlimited participants without account creation, providing high-quality video and audio for easy access to meetings. Cisco Webex accommodates up to 100 participants in meetings, offering unlimited sessions capped at 50 minutes, along with strong security features. Zoom Zoom is one of the most popular free online video collaboration platforms available today, offering a robust set of features that cater to various meeting needs. With its free plan, you can host unlimited meetings lasting up to 40 minutes with up to 100 participants, making it perfect for small team discussions or larger conferences. The platform thrives in HD video and audio quality, ensuring clear communication, and its seamless screen sharing capabilities improve collaboration. Furthermore, Zoom’s breakout rooms allow you to split into smaller groups for focused discussions. It integrates smoothly with popular productivity tools like Slack and Google Workspace, making it an efficient choice among video conferencing software and other video meeting platforms. Google Meet Another strong contender in the domain of free online video collaboration platforms is Google Meet. This video collaboration software accommodates up to 100 participants in a single meeting, making it ideal for both personal and business interactions. You can host meetings with an unlimited duration, even though sessions are capped at 60 minutes each. Google Meet integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar, allowing you to schedule and join meetings directly from calendar invites. Key features include screen sharing, real-time captions, and a user-friendly interface that improves your experience. Furthermore, it’s accessible across various devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets, ensuring flexibility for remote collaboration. Microsoft Teams Microsoft Teams stands out with its ability to host video calls for up to 100 participants and unlimited group meetings for 60 minutes on the free plan. It integrates smoothly with other Microsoft products, offering 5GB of cloud storage for easy file sharing and collaboration. With features like instant messaging and screen sharing, it’s a practical choice for small teams and educational settings, accessible on various devices for flexible communication. Key Features Overview When you choose Microsoft Teams for your video collaboration needs, you’ll benefit from a range of key features intended to improve productivity and streamline communication. This platform supports video calls with up to 100 participants and allows unlimited group meetings for 60 minutes in the free version. You’ll furthermore get 5GB of cloud storage for easy file sharing and collaboration among team members. Instant messaging alongside video calls improves real-time discussions, making it an effective choice among video collaboration tools. In addition, screen sharing capabilities enable you to present documents and visuals seamlessly during meetings, enriching your experience with this video conferencing app. These features collectively contribute to a more cohesive and efficient team environment. Integration With Other Tools Integration with other tools is an essential aspect of Microsoft Teams, enhancing its functionality and making collaboration more efficient. With seamless integration into Microsoft 365 applications, you can easily work on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents without leaving the platform. The connection with OneDrive allows for easy access to shared files and real-time collaboration during video meetings. Moreover, Teams supports third-party app integrations, including popular video conferencing tools like Zoom and workflow management apps such as Trello and Asana. You can also use Microsoft Planner for task management, enabling progress tracking and task assignment right within Teams. In addition, built-in integration with SharePoint streamlines document sharing across various projects, making teamwork smoother and more organized. Slack Video Calls Slack Video Calls, particularly through Huddles, offer a straightforward way to connect with team members for quick discussions. You can easily switch between video and audio, allowing for flexible communication during sharing messages in real-time. Furthermore, since Huddles integrate with other tools within Slack, you can streamline your collaboration efforts without needing to leave the platform. Benefits of Slack Video Though many communication tools offer video calling features, Slack Video Calls—also known as Huddles—stand out for their simplicity and effectiveness, especially for small team interactions or one-on-ones. You can easily initiate a call with a simple command or by clicking the phone icon within the Slack interface. This allows for seamless switching between video meetings and messaging, improving your communication experience. Plus, there’s no need for downloads, making it hassle-free. The face-to-face interaction encourages better team dynamics and comprehension, a significant boost over traditional text-based messages. Feature Benefit Quick Setup Instant video calls without downloads Integrated Messaging Switch between chat and video easily User Limit Ideal for small team interactions Collaboration Focus Improves remote teamwork Simplicity Streamlined user experience Integrating With Other Tools When teams need to collaborate effectively, leveraging tools that work well together is essential. Slack Huddles allow you to initiate quick video calls directly within the Slack platform, enhancing communication without switching between video conferencing applications. With a simple command or the phone icon, you can start video calls with up to two participants, perfect for one-on-one conversations. Additionally, Slack integrates seamlessly with other collaboration tools, enabling efficient video collaboration by allowing you to share files and messages during calls. This integration helps maintain context, as you can access previous conversations and shared content during discussions. FreeConference FreeConference stands out as a versatile tool for online video collaboration, allowing you to host meetings with up to 100 participants without the need for any downloads. This platform thrives in providing unlimited meetings with HD video quality, ensuring a seamless experience. Moreover, it features screen and document sharing, greatly enhancing collaboration. Here’s a quick comparison of FreeConference’s features: Feature Details Participant Limit Up to 100 Meeting Quality HD Video Moderator Controls Yes, for effective management Accessibility Desktop and mobile devices With FreeConference, you get a robust option among video conferencing programs for free video collaboration online, making it easy to connect from anywhere. Dialpad Meetings Dialpad Meetings offers a practical solution for individuals and small teams looking to conduct video calls seamlessly. This video conference software includes a free version that allows unlimited meetings, though each call is limited to 45 minutes and supports up to 10 participants. This makes it particularly suitable for personal use and smaller meetings. You can join instantly on both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring easy access. Moreover, Dialpad Meetings improves your video calls with features like virtual backgrounds and unlimited audio recordings, adding a polished touch. Its intuitive interface simplifies starting and managing calls, making it user-friendly. Overall, Dialpad Meetings is a strong contender among free meeting apps for efficient communication and collaboration. TrueConf Online TrueConf Online stands out as a versatile platform for video collaboration, particularly with its free plan supporting up to six participants. You’ll appreciate the HD video quality, screen sharing, and remote desktop control features, which improve teamwork and communication. Furthermore, the ability to record calls and use shared virtual whiteboards facilitates interactive discussions, as well as easy file transfers streamline resource sharing, all without requiring any downloads for quick access. Key Features Overview When you’re looking for a reliable video collaboration platform, TrueConf Online stands out with its robust features customized for small teams and individual users. Here’s a quick overview of what makes it one of the best free video conferencing options available: Participant Limit: Free plan supports up to six participants, perfect for small teams. HD Video Quality: Enjoy clear and crisp video during your meetings. Essential Collaboration Tools: Utilize screen sharing and remote desktop control for improved teamwork. File Transfer and Recording: Share files during meetings and easily revisit discussions with recorded calls. With these features, TrueConf Online delivers a solid experience among video conferencing platforms, making it an excellent choice for effective collaboration. Use Cases and Benefits Video collaboration platforms like TrueConf Online offer a variety of use cases and benefits that cater to both small teams and individual users. With a free plan supporting video calls for up to six participants, it’s perfect for small group meetings or one-on-one discussions. The HD video quality improves your online video communication, ensuring clarity. You can boost productivity using collaboration tools such as screen sharing, remote desktop control, and file transfer. The ability to record calls allows you to revisit important discussions later. Moreover, shared virtual whiteboards facilitate interactive brainstorming sessions, making idea sharing more effective. Jitsi Meet Jitsi Meet stands out as a robust and accessible tool for video conferencing, allowing users to connect without the barriers of account creation or software downloads. This free, open-source platform supports unlimited participants and offers high-definition video and audio quality. Here are key features that make it a popular choice among video meeting apps: Screen Sharing: Easily share your screen for presentations or collaboration. Recording Options: Capture your meetings for later reference. Customizable URLs: Create public or private meetings with personalized links. Advanced Security: Benefit from end-to-end encryption for secure communications. With seamless integration into other collaboration tools, Jitsi Meet proves to be an effective solution among various video conferencing platforms, enhancing team communication and productivity. Cisco Webex Cisco Webex is a robust video collaboration platform that caters to small and medium-sized teams with its free plan, accommodating up to 100 participants in meetings. This makes it an ideal choice among video conferencing platforms. You can host unlimited meetings, each lasting up to 50 minutes, which promotes regular communication. Webex offers HD video and audio quality, along with screen sharing capabilities and real-time collaboration tools to improve your meeting experience. It seamlessly integrates with popular productivity tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Salesforce, streamlining your workflow. Furthermore, Webex prioritizes security with features such as end-to-end encryption and compliance with industry standards, ensuring a safe environment for your virtual meetings. Meet Now If you’re looking for a straightforward way to host meetings without the hassle of scheduling, Meet Now is a valuable option. This free feature, integrated into Microsoft Teams, streamlines your web conferencing online meetings. Here are some key benefits: Instant Meetings: Host meetings on-demand without prior scheduling. Participant Capacity: Support up to 100 participants, accommodating both small and large groups. Easy Access: Join via a simple shared link, avoiding complex setup or downloads. Enhanced Collaboration: Utilize screen sharing, background effects, and chat to improve interaction. Meet Now is accessible on various devices, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring flexibility for users in different environments. This makes it a strong contender among video conferencing platforms. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Free Collaboration Tool? When choosing the best free collaboration tool, consider factors like participant limits, meeting duration, and features. For instance, Zoom supports 100 participants with HD video and breakout rooms. Microsoft Teams offers unlimited group meetings for small teams, whereas Google Meet provides seamless integration with Google contacts. If you need quick meetings, Dialpad Meetings limits calls to 45 minutes for 10 participants. Evaluate your specific needs to find the most suitable option for your team. Which Is the Best Online Collaboration Tool? Choosing the best online collaboration tool depends on your specific needs. For video conferencing, Zoom’s free plan supports up to 100 participants and includes features like breakout rooms. If you need secure file sharing, consider Dropbox, which offers 2 GB of free storage. Google Workspace provides a thorough suite for real-time collaboration, whereas Trello shines in visual task management. Finally, Loom allows you to create asynchronous video messages, enhancing communication without lengthy meetings. When You Think About Providers of Team Collaboration and Productivity Software Solutions, Which Providers Come to Mind? When you think about providers of Atlassian team collaboration and productivity software, several key names come to mind. Microsoft Teams stands out for its integration with Office products, whereas Slack is known for its messaging and collaboration features. Zoom is popular for video conferencing, and Asana provides project management tools. Trello offers a visual approach to task organization, and Google Workspace combines various productivity tools, enhancing team efficiency and communication across different platforms. What Is the Best Free Online Meeting Platform? When choosing a free online meeting platform, consider options like Zoom, which allows up to 100 participants for 40 minutes, or Microsoft Teams, which offers unlimited meetings for 60 minutes with cloud storage. Google Meet likewise supports 100 participants but has a 60-minute limit. If you need fewer participants, Dialpad Meetings permits 10 for 45 minutes. FreeConference provides unlimited meetings with HD video and no downloads required, making it user-friendly. Conclusion To conclude, choosing the right free online video collaboration platform depends on your specific needs. Whether you prioritize large participant limits with Zoom and Google Meet, integration with Microsoft Teams and Slack, or accessibility with Jitsi Meet and TrueConf Online, there’s an option for everyone. If security is your main concern, Cisco Webex and FreeConference offer reliable solutions. For spontaneous meetings, Meet Now is an excellent choice. Evaluate these platforms carefully to find the best fit for your collaboration requirements. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Best Free Online Video Collaboration Platforms" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In today’s digital environment, selecting the right free online video collaboration platform is crucial for effective communication. Each option offers distinct features customized to various needs, from Zoom‘s robust functionality to Jitsi Meet‘s accessibility without account requirements. Comprehending these differences can help you choose the platform that best suits your collaborative efforts. Let’s explore these ten platforms and see how they can improve your virtual interactions. Key Takeaways Zoom offers unlimited meetings for up to 100 participants, with a 40-minute limit on free sessions, making it ideal for various discussions. Google Meet provides unlimited meeting durations for up to 100 participants, seamlessly integrating with Google Calendar for scheduling convenience. Microsoft Teams supports 100 participants with unlimited group meetings for 60 minutes, featuring robust collaboration tools suited for teams and educational settings. Jitsi Meet allows unlimited participants without account creation, providing high-quality video and audio for easy access to meetings. Cisco Webex accommodates up to 100 participants in meetings, offering unlimited sessions capped at 50 minutes, along with strong security features. Zoom Zoom is one of the most popular free online video collaboration platforms available today, offering a robust set of features that cater to various meeting needs. With its free plan, you can host unlimited meetings lasting up to 40 minutes with up to 100 participants, making it perfect for small team discussions or larger conferences. The platform thrives in HD video and audio quality, ensuring clear communication, and its seamless screen sharing capabilities improve collaboration. Furthermore, Zoom’s breakout rooms allow you to split into smaller groups for focused discussions. It integrates smoothly with popular productivity tools like Slack and Google Workspace, making it an efficient choice among video conferencing software and other video meeting platforms. Google Meet Another strong contender in the domain of free online video collaboration platforms is Google Meet. This video collaboration software accommodates up to 100 participants in a single meeting, making it ideal for both personal and business interactions. You can host meetings with an unlimited duration, even though sessions are capped at 60 minutes each. Google Meet integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar, allowing you to schedule and join meetings directly from calendar invites. Key features include screen sharing, real-time captions, and a user-friendly interface that improves your experience. Furthermore, it’s accessible across various devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets, ensuring flexibility for remote collaboration. Microsoft Teams Microsoft Teams stands out with its ability to host video calls for up to 100 participants and unlimited group meetings for 60 minutes on the free plan. It integrates smoothly with other Microsoft products, offering 5GB of cloud storage for easy file sharing and collaboration. With features like instant messaging and screen sharing, it’s a practical choice for small teams and educational settings, accessible on various devices for flexible communication. Key Features Overview When you choose Microsoft Teams for your video collaboration needs, you’ll benefit from a range of key features intended to improve productivity and streamline communication. This platform supports video calls with up to 100 participants and allows unlimited group meetings for 60 minutes in the free version. You’ll furthermore get 5GB of cloud storage for easy file sharing and collaboration among team members. Instant messaging alongside video calls improves real-time discussions, making it an effective choice among video collaboration tools. In addition, screen sharing capabilities enable you to present documents and visuals seamlessly during meetings, enriching your experience with this video conferencing app. These features collectively contribute to a more cohesive and efficient team environment. Integration With Other Tools Integration with other tools is an essential aspect of Microsoft Teams, enhancing its functionality and making collaboration more efficient. With seamless integration into Microsoft 365 applications, you can easily work on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents without leaving the platform. The connection with OneDrive allows for easy access to shared files and real-time collaboration during video meetings. Moreover, Teams supports third-party app integrations, including popular video conferencing tools like Zoom and workflow management apps such as Trello and Asana. You can also use Microsoft Planner for task management, enabling progress tracking and task assignment right within Teams. In addition, built-in integration with SharePoint streamlines document sharing across various projects, making teamwork smoother and more organized. Slack Video Calls Slack Video Calls, particularly through Huddles, offer a straightforward way to connect with team members for quick discussions. You can easily switch between video and audio, allowing for flexible communication during sharing messages in real-time. Furthermore, since Huddles integrate with other tools within Slack, you can streamline your collaboration efforts without needing to leave the platform. Benefits of Slack Video Though many communication tools offer video calling features, Slack Video Calls—also known as Huddles—stand out for their simplicity and effectiveness, especially for small team interactions or one-on-ones. You can easily initiate a call with a simple command or by clicking the phone icon within the Slack interface. This allows for seamless switching between video meetings and messaging, improving your communication experience. Plus, there’s no need for downloads, making it hassle-free. The face-to-face interaction encourages better team dynamics and comprehension, a significant boost over traditional text-based messages. Feature Benefit Quick Setup Instant video calls without downloads Integrated Messaging Switch between chat and video easily User Limit Ideal for small team interactions Collaboration Focus Improves remote teamwork Simplicity Streamlined user experience Integrating With Other Tools When teams need to collaborate effectively, leveraging tools that work well together is essential. Slack Huddles allow you to initiate quick video calls directly within the Slack platform, enhancing communication without switching between video conferencing applications. With a simple command or the phone icon, you can start video calls with up to two participants, perfect for one-on-one conversations. Additionally, Slack integrates seamlessly with other collaboration tools, enabling efficient video collaboration by allowing you to share files and messages during calls. This integration helps maintain context, as you can access previous conversations and shared content during discussions. FreeConference FreeConference stands out as a versatile tool for online video collaboration, allowing you to host meetings with up to 100 participants without the need for any downloads. This platform thrives in providing unlimited meetings with HD video quality, ensuring a seamless experience. Moreover, it features screen and document sharing, greatly enhancing collaboration. Here’s a quick comparison of FreeConference’s features: Feature Details Participant Limit Up to 100 Meeting Quality HD Video Moderator Controls Yes, for effective management Accessibility Desktop and mobile devices With FreeConference, you get a robust option among video conferencing programs for free video collaboration online, making it easy to connect from anywhere. Dialpad Meetings Dialpad Meetings offers a practical solution for individuals and small teams looking to conduct video calls seamlessly. This video conference software includes a free version that allows unlimited meetings, though each call is limited to 45 minutes and supports up to 10 participants. This makes it particularly suitable for personal use and smaller meetings. You can join instantly on both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring easy access. Moreover, Dialpad Meetings improves your video calls with features like virtual backgrounds and unlimited audio recordings, adding a polished touch. Its intuitive interface simplifies starting and managing calls, making it user-friendly. Overall, Dialpad Meetings is a strong contender among free meeting apps for efficient communication and collaboration. TrueConf Online TrueConf Online stands out as a versatile platform for video collaboration, particularly with its free plan supporting up to six participants. You’ll appreciate the HD video quality, screen sharing, and remote desktop control features, which improve teamwork and communication. Furthermore, the ability to record calls and use shared virtual whiteboards facilitates interactive discussions, as well as easy file transfers streamline resource sharing, all without requiring any downloads for quick access. Key Features Overview When you’re looking for a reliable video collaboration platform, TrueConf Online stands out with its robust features customized for small teams and individual users. Here’s a quick overview of what makes it one of the best free video conferencing options available: Participant Limit: Free plan supports up to six participants, perfect for small teams. HD Video Quality: Enjoy clear and crisp video during your meetings. Essential Collaboration Tools: Utilize screen sharing and remote desktop control for improved teamwork. File Transfer and Recording: Share files during meetings and easily revisit discussions with recorded calls. With these features, TrueConf Online delivers a solid experience among video conferencing platforms, making it an excellent choice for effective collaboration. Use Cases and Benefits Video collaboration platforms like TrueConf Online offer a variety of use cases and benefits that cater to both small teams and individual users. With a free plan supporting video calls for up to six participants, it’s perfect for small group meetings or one-on-one discussions. The HD video quality improves your online video communication, ensuring clarity. You can boost productivity using collaboration tools such as screen sharing, remote desktop control, and file transfer. The ability to record calls allows you to revisit important discussions later. Moreover, shared virtual whiteboards facilitate interactive brainstorming sessions, making idea sharing more effective. Jitsi Meet Jitsi Meet stands out as a robust and accessible tool for video conferencing, allowing users to connect without the barriers of account creation or software downloads. This free, open-source platform supports unlimited participants and offers high-definition video and audio quality. Here are key features that make it a popular choice among video meeting apps: Screen Sharing: Easily share your screen for presentations or collaboration. Recording Options: Capture your meetings for later reference. Customizable URLs: Create public or private meetings with personalized links. Advanced Security: Benefit from end-to-end encryption for secure communications. With seamless integration into other collaboration tools, Jitsi Meet proves to be an effective solution among various video conferencing platforms, enhancing team communication and productivity. Cisco Webex Cisco Webex is a robust video collaboration platform that caters to small and medium-sized teams with its free plan, accommodating up to 100 participants in meetings. This makes it an ideal choice among video conferencing platforms. You can host unlimited meetings, each lasting up to 50 minutes, which promotes regular communication. Webex offers HD video and audio quality, along with screen sharing capabilities and real-time collaboration tools to improve your meeting experience. It seamlessly integrates with popular productivity tools like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and Salesforce, streamlining your workflow. Furthermore, Webex prioritizes security with features such as end-to-end encryption and compliance with industry standards, ensuring a safe environment for your virtual meetings. Meet Now If you’re looking for a straightforward way to host meetings without the hassle of scheduling, Meet Now is a valuable option. This free feature, integrated into Microsoft Teams, streamlines your web conferencing online meetings. Here are some key benefits: Instant Meetings: Host meetings on-demand without prior scheduling. Participant Capacity: Support up to 100 participants, accommodating both small and large groups. Easy Access: Join via a simple shared link, avoiding complex setup or downloads. Enhanced Collaboration: Utilize screen sharing, background effects, and chat to improve interaction. Meet Now is accessible on various devices, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring flexibility for users in different environments. This makes it a strong contender among video conferencing platforms. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Free Collaboration Tool? When choosing the best free collaboration tool, consider factors like participant limits, meeting duration, and features. For instance, Zoom supports 100 participants with HD video and breakout rooms. Microsoft Teams offers unlimited group meetings for small teams, whereas Google Meet provides seamless integration with Google contacts. If you need quick meetings, Dialpad Meetings limits calls to 45 minutes for 10 participants. Evaluate your specific needs to find the most suitable option for your team. Which Is the Best Online Collaboration Tool? Choosing the best online collaboration tool depends on your specific needs. For video conferencing, Zoom’s free plan supports up to 100 participants and includes features like breakout rooms. If you need secure file sharing, consider Dropbox, which offers 2 GB of free storage. Google Workspace provides a thorough suite for real-time collaboration, whereas Trello shines in visual task management. Finally, Loom allows you to create asynchronous video messages, enhancing communication without lengthy meetings. When You Think About Providers of Team Collaboration and Productivity Software Solutions, Which Providers Come to Mind? When you think about providers of Atlassian team collaboration and productivity software, several key names come to mind. Microsoft Teams stands out for its integration with Office products, whereas Slack is known for its messaging and collaboration features. Zoom is popular for video conferencing, and Asana provides project management tools. Trello offers a visual approach to task organization, and Google Workspace combines various productivity tools, enhancing team efficiency and communication across different platforms. What Is the Best Free Online Meeting Platform? When choosing a free online meeting platform, consider options like Zoom, which allows up to 100 participants for 40 minutes, or Microsoft Teams, which offers unlimited meetings for 60 minutes with cloud storage. Google Meet likewise supports 100 participants but has a 60-minute limit. If you need fewer participants, Dialpad Meetings permits 10 for 45 minutes. FreeConference provides unlimited meetings with HD video and no downloads required, making it user-friendly. Conclusion To conclude, choosing the right free online video collaboration platform depends on your specific needs. Whether you prioritize large participant limits with Zoom and Google Meet, integration with Microsoft Teams and Slack, or accessibility with Jitsi Meet and TrueConf Online, there’s an option for everyone. If security is your main concern, Cisco Webex and FreeConference offer reliable solutions. For spontaneous meetings, Meet Now is an excellent choice. Evaluate these platforms carefully to find the best fit for your collaboration requirements. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Best Free Online Video Collaboration Platforms" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Meta must—quite literally—pay for endangering children across its platforms. A New Mexico jury has found Meta liable for misleading the public, exposing children to sexual exploitation, and fostering adverse mental health. Meta must pay $375 million in civil penalties for about 75,000 violations at the maximum penalty of $5,000 each. This decision marks the first time a U.S. state has successfully defeated a big tech company at trial. “The jury’s verdict is a historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta’s choice to put profits over kids’ safety,” New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in response to the verdict. “Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew. Today the jury joined families, educators, and child safety experts in saying enough is enough.” Torrez added: “The substantial damages the jury ordered Meta to pay should send a clear message to big tech executives that no company is beyond the reach of the law.” A fine of $375 million is certainly significant, but worth putting into perspective when levied against a multibillion dollar company. It represents about 1.65% of the $22.8 billion Meta reported as its net income for 2025 (not to mention its nearly $60 billion in revenue). The owner of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp will face a second phase of the trial in May, sans jury. The judge will rule if Meta has created a public nuisance, potentially making the company pay additional penalties and change aspects of its platforms. The company plans to appeal the initial verdict. “We work hard to keep people safe on our platforms and are clear about the challenges of identifying and removing bad actors or harmful content,” a Meta spokesperson told Fast Company. “We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.” What evidence was brought against Meta at trial? The New Mexico Department of Justice started an investigation into Meta’s protections for children. The trial began early February and lasted seven weeks, as the jury heard from former employees and saw internal documents supporting the argument that Meta misled consumers about safety and enabled child sexual exploitation on its platforms. Testimonies included that of Arturo Béjar, a former Meta employee and whistleblower, the BBC reports. He testified about the disturbing experiences of his young daughter and her friends on the platforms, as well as how his pleas for increased safety went ignored at the company. In contrast, Meta argued it has taken steps toward increasing safety for young people, including the 2024 launch of Teen Accounts. Meta is also in the midst of a lawsuit specifically focused on social media addiction. The California trial accuses Meta and YouTube of exacerbating poor mental health in the defendant, identified only by the initials KGM. View the full article

Military command says it will not ‘come to terms’ with US after Washington presents 15-point plan to end warView the full article

Rycroft recommendations on foreign influence would have an outsized impact on Reform UKView the full article

Seizing Iran’s oil export hub by sea or air would choke regime but risks dragging American troops into open-ended conflictView 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 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (2025, M4, 512GB) is down to $949 for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, a $250 drop from its usual $1,199 and its lowest price yet, according to price trackers. This is Apple’s most accessible laptop, and an easy-to-recommend choice as a long-term machine for everyday use. Reviews back that up, with PCMag giving it an “outstanding” rating and naming it the best ultraportable laptop of 2025. Over at Lifehacker, senior tech editor Jake Peterson has also pointed out in his coverage that this Air is a better value for most buyers than stepping up to a MacBook Pro, especially at a discount like this. Apple MacBook Air (2025) $949.00 at Amazon $1,199.00 Save $250.00 Get Deal Get Deal $949.00 at Amazon $1,199.00 Save $250.00 The M4 chip keeps things feeling quick in everyday use. You can move between a bunch of tabs, documents, and light edits without things getting stuck or slowing down. Apple has also made 16GB of RAM the standard this time, which helps the laptop hold up better over time. It’s the kind of change you notice after a few months, when everything still runs the way it did on day one, even if you’re someone who leaves apps open in the background. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is also easy to like. Text looks crisp, colors feel natural, and it’s bright enough to use comfortably in most lighting. Using it day to day feels straightforward—the keyboard is comfortable enough that you don’t think about it much, and Touch ID makes small things like unlocking or approving downloads faster. You also get Wi-Fi 6E and MagSafe charging, so you can free up the two Thunderbolt 4 ports for accessories. Those ports can also drive up to two external 6K displays, which is more flexibility than older Air models offered. That said, the port selection is limited to two USB-C connections, so using multiple peripherals often means adding a hub. Storage is fixed at 512GB unless you pay more upfront, and upgrades get expensive quickly within Apple’s ecosystem. This also is not built for heavy, sustained workloads like advanced video editing or 3D rendering, where a MacBook Pro is still the better fit. But for everyday use, this covers a wide range of tasks without feeling restrictive, and the combination of performance, display quality, and battery efficiency makes it the best MacBook for most people. Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Indoor Cam Plus 2K Wired Security Camera (White) — $39.99 (List Price $59.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Does schema markup really benefit AI search optimization? Some suggest it can 3x your citations or dramatically boost AI visibility. But when you dig into the evidence, the picture is far more nuanced. Let’s separate what’s known from what’s assumed, and look at how schema actually fits into an AI search strategy. How schema fits into AI search now Search is shifting from surfacing a SERP with blue links to AI Overviews, generative answers, and chat‑style summaries that collate content in addition to links. To get your content to appear in this model, your site has to be understood as entities — singular, unique things or concepts, such as a person, place, or event — and the relationships between them, not just strings of text.​ Schema markup is one of the few tools SEOs have to make those entities and relationships explicit and understandable for an AI: This is a person, they work for this organization, this product is offered at this price, this article is authored by that person, etc.​ For AI, three elements matter the most: Entity definition: Which brands, authors, services, or SKUs exist on the page. Attribute clarity: Which properties belong to which entity (e.g., prices, availability, ratings, job titles).​ Entity relationships: How entities connect (e.g., offeredBy, worksFor, authoredBy, and sameAs schema tags).​ When schema is implemented with stable values (@id) and a structure (@graph), it starts to behave like a small internal knowledge graph. AI systems won’t have to guess who you are and how your content fits together, and will be able to follow explicit connections between your brand, your authors, and your topics.​ Dig deeper: Why entity authority is the foundation of AI search visibility 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 How AI search platforms use schema Two major platforms have confirmed that schema markup helps their AIs understand content. For these platforms, it is confirmed infrastructure, not speculation. Google AI Overviews: In April 2025, the Google Search team said that structured data gives an advantage in search results. Microsoft Bing Copilot: Fabrice Canel, principal product manager at Microsoft Bing, confirmed in March 2025 that schema markup helps Microsoft’s LLMs understand content for Copilot. What about ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI search platforms? We don’t know how these platforms use schema yet. They haven’t publicly confirmed whether they preserve schema during web crawling or use it for extraction. The technical capability exists for LLMs to process structured data, but that doesn’t mean their search systems do. Dig deeper: When and how to use knowledge graphs and entities for SEO Research on schema and AI Here are a few studies that show how schema can benefit AI search. Citation rates A December 2024 study from Search/Atlas found no correlation between schema markup coverage and citation rates. Sites with comprehensive schema didn’t consistently outperform sites with minimal or no schema markup. This doesn’t mean schema is useless, it means schema alone doesn’t drive citations. LLM systems appear to prioritize relevance, topical authority, and semantic clarity over whether content has structured markup. Extraction accuracy A February 2024 Nature Communications study found that LLMs extract information more accurately when given structured prompts with defined fields versus unstructured “extract what matters” instructions. Put differently, LLMs perform best when you give them a structured form to fill out, not a blank canvas. When models are asked to extract into predefined fields, they make fewer errors than when told to simply “pull out what matters.” Schema markup on a page is the web equivalent of that form: a set of explicit entity, brand, product, price, author, and topic fields that a system can map to, rather than inferring everything from unstructured prose. What the research tells us This tells us that LLMs have the technical capability to process structured data more accurately than unstructured text. However, this doesn’t tell us whether AI search systems preserve schema markup during web crawling, whether they use it to guide extraction from web pages, or whether this results in better visibility. The leap from “LLMs can process structured data” to “web schema markup improves AI search visibility” requires assumptions we can’t verify for most platforms. For Microsoft Bing and Google AI Overviews, schema likely improves extraction accuracy, since they’ve confirmed they use it. For other platforms, we don’t have confirmation of actual implementation. Dig deeper: Entity-first SEO: How to align content with Google’s Knowledge Graph Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. What we don’t know about schema and AI search AI search is so new — for example, ChatGPT search only launched in October 2024 — that companies haven’t disclosed their indexing methods. Measurement is difficult with non-deterministic AI responses. There are significant gaps in what we can verify. To date, there are no peer-reviewed studies on schema’s impact on AI search visibility, or controlled experiments on LLM citation behavior and schema markup. OpenAI, Anthropic, Perplexity, and other platforms besides Microsoft or Google haven’t published their indexing methods. This gap exists because AI search is genuinely new (ChatGPT search launched in October 2024), companies don’t disclose indexing methods, and measurement is difficult with non-deterministic AI responses. How schema builds an entity graph In traditional SEO, many implementations stop at adding Article or Organization markup in isolation. For AI search, the more useful pattern is to connect nodes into a coherent graph using @id. For example:​ An Organization node with a stable @id that represents your brand. A Person node for the author who works for your organization. An Article node authoredBy that person and publishedBy that organization, with about properties that declare the main topics. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@id": "https://example.com/#organization", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Example Digital" }, { "@id": "https://example.com/#person-jane-doe", "@type": "Person", "name": "Jane Doe", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://example.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://example.com/blog/schema-markup-ai-search", "headline": "Schema Markup for AI Search", "author": { "@id": "https://example.com/#person-jane-doe" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://example.com/#organization" } } ] } That connected pattern turns your schema from a set of disconnected hints into a reusable entity graph. For any AI system that preserves the JSON‑LD, it becomes much clearer which brand owns the content, which human is responsible for it, and what high‑level topics it is about, regardless of how the page layout or copy changes over time.​ AspectTraditional SEO schemaEntity graph schemaStructureSingle @type object per page@graph array of interconnected nodes ​Entity IDNone (anonymous)Stable @id URLs for reuse across site RelationshipsNested, one‑way (author: “name”)Bidirectional via @id refs (worksFor, authoredBy) ​Primary benefitRich snippets, SERP CTR ​Entity disambiguation, extraction accuracy for AI ​​AI impactMinimal (tokenization often strips) Makes site a unified knowledge graph source if preserved ImplementationEasy, page‑by‑pageRequires site‑wide @id consistency ​ Dig deeper: How structured data supports local visibility across Google and AI Recommendations for implementing schema for AI search For AI search, the best way to position schema right now is to: Make entities and relationships machine-readable for platforms that preserve and use structured data (confirmed for Bing Copilot and Google AI Overviews). Reduce ambiguity around brand, author, and product identity so that extraction, when it happens, is cleaner and more consistent. Complement topical depth, authority, and clear brand signals, not replace them. Use schema markup for: Improving visibility in Bing Copilot. Supporting inclusion in Google AI Overviews. Enhancing traditional SEO. Making content easier to parse (good practice regardless of AI). Maintaining a low-cost implementation with potential upside as platforms evolve. However, don’t expect: Guaranteed citations in ChatGPT or Perplexity. A dramatic visibility lift from schema alone. Schema to compensate for weak content or low authority. Priority schema types (based on platform guidance) include: Organization (brand entity identity). Article or BlogPosting (content attribution and authorship) Person (author authority and entity connections). Product or Service (commercial entity clarity). FAQPage (Q&A content formats). Dig deeper: The entity home: The page that shapes how search, AI, and users see your brand 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 Implement schema for AI search today Schema markup is infrastructure, not a magic bullet. It won’t necessarily get you cited more, but it’s one of the few things you can control that platforms such as Bing and Google AI Overviews explicitly use. The real opportunity isn’t schema in isolation. It’s the combination of structured data with proper entity relationships, high-quality, topically authoritative content, clear entity identity and brand signals, and the strategic use of @graph and @id to build entity connections. View the full article

This marks the eighth year Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators will recognize companies and organizations from around the world that most effectively empower employees at all levels to improve processes, create new products, or invent whole new ways of doing business. Honorees will appear in our Fall 2026 issue as well as on fastcompany.com. The final deadline for applications to this year’s Best Workplaces for Innovators program is fast approaching – Friday, March 27, at 11:59 pm PT. In addition to ranking the world’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, we will recognize companies in 19 different categories, , including a brand new category that focuses on “skilled labor” – companies that depend heavily on talented employees with the kinds of increasingly coveted technical expertise acquired through votech training and trade schools. Other new categories this year include: cybersecurity and enterprise software; industrial and manufacturing; technology and science; advertising, marketing, and PR; biotech, healthcare, and life sciences; financial services and fintech Fast Company editors evaluate every application to determine which companies have created the most comprehensive internal cultures for innovation, based on investment and existing programs that identify and develop promising ideas. For more than a decade, Fast Company has been recognizing outstanding achievement in business innovation with its annual awards programs. In addition to Best Workplaces for Innovators, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, Innovation by Design, World Changing Ideas, Brands That Matter, and the Next Big Thing in Tech lists have celebrated thousands of organizations transforming industries and shaping society through paradigm-shifting products, insights, or services. What differentiates Best Workplaces for Innovators from existing best-places-to-work lists is that it goes beyond benefits, competitive compensation, and collegiality (mere table stakes in today’s brutally competitive talent marketplace) to identify which companies are actively creating and sustaining the kinds of innovative cultures that many top employees value even more than money. Places where they can do the best work of their careers and improve the lives of hundreds, thousands, even millions of people around the world. Start your Best Workplaces for Innovators application here. For more information on applying, see the FAQs. The final deadline to apply isn’t until March 27, but all applications submitted by Friday, February 20, at 11:59 pm receive the preferred rate. To sign up for Best Workplaces for Innovators notifications, register here. View the full article