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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The 44mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (LTE) is down to $229.99 at Woot, which is a steep drop from its $429.99 launch price. That also undercuts its current $339.99 price on Amazon, and price trackers suggest this is the lowest it has ever been. Woot's deal runs for another three weeks or until stock sells out, so don't wait too long to make a decision here. Amazon Prime members get free standard shipping (while everyone else pays $6), though shipping is limited to the contiguous U.S. Samsung Galaxy 8 Watch (LTE) $229.99 at Woot $429.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $229.99 at Woot $429.99 Save $200.00 This is Samsung’s most feature-heavy watch, and the LTE connectivity means you can leave your phone at home and still take calls, send texts, and stream music. That alone gives it a strong edge over wifi-only smartwatches, especially for runners, cyclists, or folks trying to spend less time glued to their phones. This model is part of Samsung’s latest Watch 8 lineup, which launched last summer, and it has already earned strong praise, including an “excellent” review from PCMag, which named it the best Android smartwatch of 2025. Its Super AMOLED display is bright enough to read outdoors, even in harsh sunlight, and the interface feels responsive thanks to Samsung’s Exynos W1000 processor paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Health tracking goes well beyond steps, with support for a wide range of fitness and wellness tools, including heart rate, ECG, temperature, blood oxygen, and even antioxidant levels. Google Gemini also comes preloaded for smarter voice control. That said, this watch plays best with Samsung phones. You’ll need any Android 12+ phone to use it, but some of the more advanced features, like snoring detection, are locked to Samsung devices. The trade-off, as with most Samsung watches, is battery life. Real-world usage lands around 26 hours, so daily charging is part of the routine. That won’t work for everyone. On the upside, durability is solid, with IP68 dust and water resistance, a 5ATM swim rating, and MIL-STD-810H certification for tougher conditions. If you’re all-in on Samsung and want a fully independent smartwatch, this deal makes a lot of sense, especially at this price. But, if you’re still weighing options, see how it stacks up against Google’s flagship wearable, the Pixel Watch 4, here. View the full article

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans aim to translate the most up-to-date nutrition science into practical advice for the public as well as to guide federal policy for programs such as school lunches. But the newest version of the guidelines, released on Jan. 7, 2026, seems to be spurring more confusion than clarity about what people should be eating. I’ve been studying nutrition and chronic disease for over 35 years, and in 2020 I wrote “Sugarproof,” a book about reducing consumption of added sugars to improve health. I served as a scientific adviser for the new guidelines. I chose to participate in this process, despite its accelerated and sometimes controversial nature, for two reasons. First, I wanted to help ensure the review was conducted with scientific rigor. And second, federal health officials prioritized examining areas where the evidence has become especially strong—particularly food processing, added sugars and sugary beverages, which closely aligns with my research. My role, along with colleagues, was to review and synthesize that evidence and help clarify where the science is strongest and most consistent. https://youtube.com/watch?v=zo-f0j1E_jY%3Fwmode%3Dtransparent%26start%3D0 The latest dietary guidelines, published on Jan. 7, 2026, have received mixed reviews from nutrition experts. What’s different in the new dietary guidelines? The dietary guidelines, first published in 1980, are updated every five years. The newest version differs from the previous versions in a few key ways. For one thing, the new report is shorter, at nine pages rather than 400. It offers simpler advice directly to the public, whereas previous guidelines were more directed at policymakers and nutrition experts. Also, the new guidelines reflect an important paradigm shift in defining a healthy diet. For the past half-century, dietary advice has been shaped by a focus on general dietary patterns and targets for individual nutrients, such as protein, fat and carbohydrate. The new guidelines instead emphasize overall diet quality. Some health and nutrition experts have criticized specific aspects of the guidelines, such as how the current administration developed them, or how they address saturated fat, beef, dairy, protein and alcohol intake. These points have dominated the public discourse. But while some of them are valid, they risk overshadowing the strongest, least controversial and most actionable conclusions from the scientific evidence. What we found in our scientific assessment was that just a few straightforward changes to your diet—specifically, reducing highly processed foods and sugary drinks, and increasing whole grains—can meaningfully improve your health. What the evidence actually shows My research assistants and I evaluated the conclusions of studies on consuming sugar, highly processed foods and whole grains, and assessed how well they were conducted and how likely they were to be biased. We graded the overall quality of the findings as low, moderate or high based on standardized criteria such as their consistency and plausibility. We found moderate to high quality evidence that people who eat higher amounts of processed foods have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and death from any cause. Similarly, we found moderately solid evidence that people who drink more sugar-sweetened beverages have a higher risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, as well as quite conclusive evidence that children who drink fruit juice have a higher risk of obesity. And consuming more beverages containing artificial sweeteners raises the risk of death from any cause and Alzheimer’s disease, based on moderately good evidence. Whole grains, on the other hand, have a protective effect on health. We found high-quality evidence that people who eat more whole grains have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death from any cause. People who consume more dietary fiber, which is abundant in whole grains, have a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes and death from any cause, based on moderate-quality research. According to the research we evaluated, it’s these aspects—too much highly processed foods and sweetened beverages, and too little whole grain foods—that are significantly contributing to the epidemic of chronic diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease in this country—and not protein, beef or dairy intake. From scientific evidence to guidelines Our report was the first one to recommend that the guidelines explicitly mention decreasing consumption of highly processed foods. Overall, though, research on the negative health effects of sugar and processed foods and the beneficial effects of whole grains has been building for many years and has been noted in previous reports. On the other hand, research on how strongly protein, red meat, saturated fat and dairy are linked with chronic disease risk is much less conclusive. Yet the 2025 guidelines encourage increasing consumption of those foods—a change from previous versions. The inverted pyramid imagery used to represent the 2025 guidelines also emphasizes protein—specifically, meat and dairy—by putting these foods in a highly prominent spot in the top left corner of the image. Whole grains sit at the very bottom; and except for milk, beverages are not represented. Scientific advisers were not involved in designing the image. Making small changes that can improve your health An important point we encountered repeatedly in reviewing the research was that even small dietary changes could meaningfully lower people’s chronic disease risks. For example, consuming just 10% fewer calories per day from highly processed foods could lower the risk of diabetes by 14%, according to one of the lead studies we relied on for the evidence review. Another study showed that eating one less serving of highly processed foods per day lowers the risk of heart disease by 4%. You can achieve that simply by switching from a highly processed packaged bread to one with fewer ingredients or replacing one fast-food meal per week with a simple home-cooked meal. Or, switch your preferred brands of daily staples such as tomato sauce, yogurt, salad dressing, crackers and nut butter to ones that have fewer ingredients like added sugars, sweeteners, emulsifiers and preservatives. Cutting down on sugary beverages—for example, soda, sweet teas, juices and energy drinks—had an equally dramatic effect. Simply drinking the equivalent of one can less per day lowers the risk of diabetes by 26% and the risk of heart disease by 14%. And eating just one additional serving of whole grains per day—say, replacing packaged bread with whole grain bread—results in an 18% lower risk of diabetes and a 13% lower risk of death from all causes combined. How to adopt ‘kitchen processing’ Another way to make these improvements is to take basic elements of food processing back from manufacturers and return them to your own kitchen – what I call “kitchen processing.” Humans have always processed food by chopping, cooking, fermenting, drying or freezing. The problem with highly processed foods isn’t just the industrial processing that transforms the chemical structure of natural ingredients, but also what chemicals are added to improve taste and shelf life. Kitchen processing, though, can instead be optimized for health and for your household’s flavor preferences—and you can easily do it without cooking from scratch. Here are some simple examples: Instead of flavored yogurts, buy plain yogurt and add your favorite fruit or some homemade simple fruit compote. Instead of sugary or diet beverages, use a squeeze of citrus or even a splash of juice to flavor plain sparkling water. Start with a plain whole grain breakfast cereal and add your own favorite source of fiber and/or fruit. Instead of packaged “energy bars” make your own preferred mixture of nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Instead of bottled salad dressing, make a simple one at home with olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, a dab of mustard and other flavorings of choice, such as garlic, herbs, or honey. You can adapt this way of thinking to the foods you eat most often by making similar types of swaps. They may seem small, but they will build over time and have an outsized effect on your health. Michael I Goran is a professor of pediatrics and a vice chair for research at the University of Southern California. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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. Adding more visibility to a driveway or backyard is cheaper than you might think. The Blink Wired Floodlight Camera is currently selling for just $44.99 on Amazon, down from its usual $99.99, and price-tracking tools show that's the lowest it has ever been. It’s a wired camera, so it replaces an existing outdoor light and runs on household power. In exchange, you get a 1080p camera with a wide 143-degree field of view and dual LED floodlights that emit 2,600 lumens. Blink Wired Floodlight Camera $44.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $55.00 Get Deal Get Deal $44.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $55.00 In daylight, this camera's footage looks sharp with natural colors, and the wide-angle camera does a good job covering a driveway or yard on its own. At night, the camera switches to infrared black-and-white video that stays clear up to 30 feet, and when the floodlights activate, you get full color night video, making it easier to recognize faces, animals, or vehicles. You'll also get motion alerts on your phone, and the live view in the Blink app loads fast enough to check what’s happening in real time. You can also use the two-way audio to speak through the camera, turn the lights on manually, or trigger the 105-decibel siren to draw attention via the app, according to PCMag's review. As for the limitations of this floodlight camera, it mostly comes down to subscriptions and ecosystem support. You can view live video and receive motion alerts for free, but recording clips and using person detection requires a Blink subscription. The Basic plan costs $4 per month for one camera, while the Plus plan is $12 per month and covers multiple devices with 60 days of storage. Local storage is possible, but only if you buy the Blink Sync Module 2 ($49.99) and add your own USB drive. Also, while the camera integrates easily with Alexa and IFTTT, there’s no Google Home or Apple HomeKit support, which might matter depending on your smart home setup. Still, for under $50, this is a cost-efficient way to add real lighting and usable security footage in one upgrade. View the full article

Searching for integration solutions surfaces a confusing landscape of acronyms and overlapping categories. EAI, iPaaS, ESB, API management, integration platforms, and sync tools all claim to solve the same fundamental problem: getting your business systems to talk to each other. The confusion isn’t accidental. The integration market evolved rapidly over the past decade, and vendors position their products using whatever terminology resonates with buyers. Understanding what these categories actually mean, and where the boundaries blur, helps you evaluate options without getting lost in marketing language. The practical question isn’t which category is best. It’s which approach fits your specific integration requirements, technical resources, and timeline. Getting this right saves both money and frustration. Getting it wrong means either paying for capabilities you don’t need or struggling with tools that can’t handle your actual requirements. The integration landscape today Integration technology evolved through distinct phases that still coexist in the market. Traditional middleware emerged when enterprises needed to connect on-premises systems like ERP, CRM, and custom applications. This became known as Enterprise Application Integration, built on technologies like Enterprise Service Buses and message brokers. Cloud platforms arrived as organizations adopted SaaS applications. Integration Platform as a Service emerged to connect cloud applications without the infrastructure overhead of traditional middleware. Specialized tools now address specific integration use cases. No-code sync platforms focus on keeping work management and collaboration tools aligned without requiring technical configuration. Most organizations today use some combination of these approaches, whether they planned it that way or not. Legacy integrations often coexist with newer cloud connections. The question is which combination makes sense for your situation going forward. What is EAI? Enterprise Application Integration refers to the technologies and processes that connect disparate business applications within an organization. Traditional EAI relies on middleware, software that sits between applications and handles communication, data transformation, and process orchestration. The architecture typically involves: A central integration hub or Enterprise Service Bus Adapters that connect to specific applications Transformation logic that converts data between formats Routing rules that direct information to appropriate destinations Traditional EAI implementations require significant technical expertise. The platforms from vendors like IBM, Oracle, TIBCO, and SAP offer powerful capabilities but demand specialized skills to configure and maintain. Implementation timelines stretch to months, and ongoing operations require dedicated staff. EAI excels when: Integrating legacy systems built on older technologies Complex data transformations require custom business logic High-volume transaction processing demands enterprise-grade infrastructure Regulatory requirements mandate strict data governance and audit trails For organizations with these requirements, traditional EAI remains the appropriate investment. The complexity and cost are justified when the integration challenges genuinely demand that level of capability. A global manufacturer connecting SAP instances across continents has different requirements than a marketing team trying to keep their CRM and email platform in sync. What is iPaaS? Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) moved integration infrastructure to the cloud. Instead of deploying and maintaining on-premises middleware, organizations subscribe to cloud-hosted platforms that provide integration capabilities as a managed service. iPaaS platforms typically offer: Pre-built connectors for common applications Visual workflow designers for building integrations Managed infrastructure that scales automatically API management capabilities Vendors like Workato, Boomi, Celigo, and MuleSoft dominate this space. Implementation timelines dropped from months to weeks. Technical requirements decreased, though these platforms still require some expertise to configure effectively. For a detailed comparison of options, see this overview of iPaaS solutions and how they compare. iPaaS excels when: Connecting modern SaaS applications Organizations lack dedicated integration specialists Speed of deployment matters more than deep customization The integration landscape includes both cloud and on-premises systems Research indicates that 80% of businesses still build at least some integrations in-house, often because iPaaS platforms don’t cover every use case. But for connecting mainstream business applications, iPaaS dramatically reduces the complexity compared to traditional EAI. The shift to iPaaS reflects broader changes in how organizations buy software. When most enterprise applications lived on-premises, integration meant connecting systems within your data center. Traditional EAI middleware made sense for that environment. As organizations adopted dozens of SaaS applications, the integration problem changed. Now you’re connecting cloud services that live outside your infrastructure, and you need those connections to work without building and maintaining middleware yourself. iPaaS platforms addressed this shift by moving the integration infrastructure to the cloud and providing pre-built connections to popular applications. The trade-off is less customization in exchange for faster deployment and lower operational burden. How EAI and iPaaS differ The distinction between EAI and iPaaS has blurred as traditional vendors added cloud capabilities and iPaaS platforms expanded into enterprise use cases. But fundamental differences remain in architecture, deployment, and ideal use cases. FactorTraditional EAIiPaaSDeploymentOn-premises or private cloudPublic cloud, vendor-managedInfrastructureOrganization owns and maintainsVendor managesSetup time3-12 months typical2-8 weeks typicalTechnical requirementsHigh (developers, architects)Medium (technical admins)CustomizationExtensive, code-level controlLimited to platform capabilitiesCost structureLicense + implementation + maintenanceSubscription-basedBest forLegacy systems, complex transformationsSaaS integration, rapid deploymentControlCompleteDependent on vendor The overlap: Large organizations often use both. Traditional EAI handles core system integration where control and customization matter most. iPaaS connects the growing number of cloud applications where speed and simplicity take priority. IBM notes that in larger organizations, EAI and iPaaS frequently work together across different orchestration layers. The gap: Neither traditional EAI nor enterprise iPaaS platforms address the simplest integration use cases efficiently. Connecting two work management tools shouldn’t require weeks of configuration or technical expertise. Yet this is exactly what many organizations face when they try to keep tools like Jira and Asana synchronized, or when they want CRM data to flow automatically to their marketing platform. The enterprise integration market optimized for complex, high-stakes integrations. That left a gap for the simpler but equally common need: keeping everyday work tools aligned without turning it into an IT project. The third option: No-code sync platforms Below iPaaS in complexity, a category of tools emerged specifically for keeping work management and collaboration tools synchronized. These platforms focus on a narrower problem: maintaining alignment between applications like Jira, Asana, Salesforce, HubSpot, and monday.com. No-code sync platforms differ from iPaaS in scope and simplicity: FactoriPaaSNo-Code SyncSetup timeWeeksHours to daysTechnical skillsTechnical adminsBusiness usersScopeAny application with APIWork management and collaborationConfigurationWorkflow builderField mapping interfaceTypical usersIT and ops teamsProject managers, team leads The trade-off is obvious: narrower capability for faster deployment and lower complexity. A platform built for two-way sync between work management tools won’t replace your ERP integration layer. But it will connect your PM tool to your development tracker without a multi-week implementation project. No-code sync excels when: The integration need is keeping collaborative tools aligned Business teams need the integration faster than IT can deliver Two-way synchronization matters more than complex transformation The tools involved are common work management applications For many organizations, this covers the majority of day-to-day integration needs. The project manager who needs Asana and Jira to stay in sync doesn’t need an enterprise service bus. They need updates to flow bidirectionally so both tools reflect current reality without manual copying. The business case for no-code sync is straightforward. IT teams have limited capacity and must prioritize high-impact, complex integrations. Meanwhile, business teams accumulate a backlog of simpler integration requests that never reach the top of the priority list. No-code platforms let business teams address their own needs without competing for IT resources, freeing IT to focus on integrations that genuinely require their expertise. How to choose the right approach The right integration approach depends on what you’re connecting, who will manage it, and how quickly you need it working. Start with the use case: Connecting legacy systems or mainframes → Traditional EAI Integrating multiple SaaS applications with workflow logic → iPaaS Keeping work management tools synchronized → No-code sync Consider your resources: Dedicated integration team with middleware expertise → EAI is an option Technical ops staff who can configure workflows → iPaaS works well Business teams who need to manage their own tools → No-code sync required Factor in timeline: Core business transformation with flexible timeline → EAI or iPaaS Integration needed this quarter → iPaaS Integration needed this week → No-code sync Evaluate total cost: EAI: High upfront investment, ongoing maintenance iPaaS: Subscription costs that accumulate, some implementation effort No-code sync: Lower subscription costs, minimal implementation A hybrid approach often works best. Traditional EAI or iPaaS for complex, mission-critical integrations where customization and control matter. No-code tools for the dozens of work management connections that teams need day-to-day. Common mistakes to avoid: Overengineering simple integrations. Not every connection needs enterprise middleware. If you’re syncing tasks between two project management tools, the complexity of a traditional EAI or even iPaaS implementation exceeds the benefit. Match the solution to the problem. Underestimating maintenance burden. Integration isn’t a one-time project. Connections require monitoring, updates when applications change their APIs, and troubleshooting when data stops flowing. Factor ongoing maintenance into your evaluation, not just initial setup. Ignoring the business team’s timeline. IT backlogs exist for good reasons, but they create pressure on business teams who need integrations now. If a team can safely configure their own tool sync without IT involvement, that’s often better than waiting months in a queue. Treating all integrations the same. Different integrations have different risk profiles and complexity requirements. The connection between your ERP and billing system deserves more scrutiny than the sync between your team’s Asana board and their Slack channel. Evaluate each integration on its own terms. The goal isn’t adopting the most sophisticated integration architecture. It’s getting data where it needs to go without creating maintenance burdens that exceed the benefits. Two-way sync: The future of work For teams whose primary need is keeping project management, development, and collaboration tools aligned, two-way sync platforms deliver integration benefits without the overhead of enterprise middleware or the configuration complexity of iPaaS. View the full article

PR measurement often breaks down in practice. Limited budgets, no dedicated analytics staff, siloed teams, and competing priorities make it difficult to connect media outreach to real outcomes. That’s where collaboration with SEO, PPC, and digital marketing teams becomes essential. Working together, these teams can help PR do three things that are hard to accomplish alone: Show the connection between media outreach and customer action. Incorporate SEO – and now generative engine optimization (GEO) – into measurement programs. Select tools that match the metrics that actually matter. This article lays out a practical way to do exactly that, without an enterprise budget or a data science team. Digital communication isn’t linear – and measurement shouldn’t be either One of the biggest reasons PR measurement breaks down is the lingering assumption that communication follows a straight line: message → media → coverage → impact. In reality, modern digital communication behaves more like a loop. Audiences discover content through search, social, AI-generated answers, and media coverage – often in unpredictable sequences. They move back and forth between channels before taking action, if they take action at all. That’s why measurement must start by defining the response sought, not by counting outputs. SEO and PPC professionals are already fluent in this way of thinking. Their work is judged not by impressions alone, but by what users do after exposure: search, click, subscribe, download, convert. PR measurement becomes dramatically more actionable when it adopts the same mindset. Step 1: Show the connection between media outreach and customer action PR teams are often asked a frustrating question by executives: “That’s great coverage – but what did it actually do?” The answer usually exists in the data. It’s just spread across systems owned by different teams. SEO and paid media teams already track: Branded and non-branded search demand. Landing-page behavior. Conversion paths. Assisted conversions across channels. By integrating PR activity into this measurement ecosystem, teams can connect earned media to downstream behavior. Practical examples Spikes in branded search following major media placements. Referral traffic from earned links and how those visitors behave compared to other sources. Increases in conversions or sign-ups after coverage appears in authoritative publications. Assisted conversions where media exposure precedes search or paid clicks. Tools like Google Analytics 4, Adobe Analytics, and Piwik PRO make this feasible – even for small teams – by allowing PR touchpoints to be analyzed alongside SEO and PPC data. This reframes PR from a cost center to a demand-creation channel. Matt Bailey, a digital marketing author, professor, and instructor, said: “The value of PR has been well-known by SEO’s for some time. A great article pickup can influence rankings almost immediately. This was the golden link – high domain popularity, ranking impact, and incoming visitors – of which PR activities were the predominate influence.” Dig deeper: SEO vs. PPC vs. AI: The visibility dilemma Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Step 2: Incorporate SEO into PR measurement – then go one step further with GEO Most communications professionals now accept that SEO matters. What’s less widely understood is how it should be measured in a PR context – and how that measurement is changing. Traditional PR metrics focus on: Volume of coverage. Share of voice. Sentiment. SEO-informed PR adds new outcome-level indicators: Authority of linking domains, not just link counts. Visibility for priority topics, not just brand mentions. Search demand growth tied to campaigns or announcements. These metrics answer a more strategic question: “Did this coverage improve our long-term discoverability?” Enter GEO. As audiences shift from blue-link search results to conversational AI platforms, measurement must evolve again. Generative engine optimization (also called answer engine optimization) focuses on whether your content becomes a source for AI-generated answers – not just a ranked result. For PR and communications teams, this is a natural extension of credibility building: Is your organization cited by AI systems as an authoritative source? Do AI-generated summaries reflect your key messages accurately? Are competitors shaping the narrative instead? Tools like Profound, the Semrush AI Visibility Toolkit, and Conductor’s AI Visibility Snapshot now provide early visibility into this emerging layer of search measurement. The implication is clear: PR measurement is no longer just about visibility – it’s about influence over machine-mediated narratives. David Meerman Scott, the best-selling author of “The New Rules of Marketing and PR,” shared: “Real-time content creation has always been an effective way of communicating online. But now, in the age of AI-powered search, it has become even more important. The organizations that monitor continually, act decisively, and publish quickly will become the ones people turn to for clarity. And because AI tools increasingly mediate how people experience the world, those same organizations will also become the voices that artificial intelligence amplifies.” Dig deeper: A 90-day SEO playbook for AI-driven search visibility Step 3: Select tools based on the response sought – not on what’s fashionable One reason measurement feels overwhelming is tool overload. The solution isn’t more software – it’s better alignment between goals and tools. A useful framework is to work backward from the action you want audiences to take. If the response sought is awareness or understanding: Brand lift studies (from Google, Meta, and Nielsen) measure changes in awareness, favorability, and message association. These tools help PR teams demonstrate impact beyond raw reach, If the response sought is engagement or behavior: Web and campaign analytics track key events such as downloads, sign-ups, or visits to priority pages. User behavior tools like heatmaps and session recordings reveal whether content actually helps users accomplish tasks. If the response sought is long-term influence: SEO visibility metrics show whether coverage improves authority and topic ownership. GEO tools reveal whether AI systems recognize and reuse your content. The key is resisting the temptation to measure everything. Measure what aligns with strategy – and ignore the rest. Katie Delahaye Paine, the CEO of Paine Publishing, publisher of The Measurement Advisor, and “Queen of Measurement,” said: “If PR professionals want prove their impact, they need to go beyond tracking SEO to also understand their visibility in GEO as well. Search is where today’s purchasing and other decision making starts, and we’ve known for a while that good (or bad) press coverage drives searches for a brand. Which is why we’ve been advising PR professionals who want to prove their impact on the brand to ‘bake cookies and befriend’ the SEO folks within their companies. Today as more and more people rely on AI search for their answers, the value of traditional blue SEO links is declining faster than the value of a Tesla. As a result, understanding and ultimately quantifying how and where your brand is showing up in AI search (aka GEO) is critical.” Dig deeper: 7 hard truths about measuring AI visibility and GEO performance Why collaboration beats reinvention PR teams don’t need to become SEO experts overnight. And SEO teams don’t need to master media relations. What’s required is shared ownership of outcomes. When these groups collaborate: PR informs SEO about narrative priorities and upcoming campaigns. SEO provides PR with data on audience demand and search behavior. PPC teams validate messaging by testing what actually drives action. Measurement becomes cumulative, not competitive. This reduces duplication, saves budget, and produces insights that no single team could generate alone. Nearly 20 years ago, Avinash Kaushik proposed the 10/90 rule: spend 10% of your analytics budget on tools and 90% on people. Today, tools are cheaper – or free – but the rule still holds. The most valuable asset isn’t software. It’s professionals who can: Ask the right questions. Interpret data responsibly. Translate insights into decisions. Teams that begin experimenting now – especially with SEO-driven PR measurement and GEO – will have a measurable advantage. Those who wait for “perfect” frameworks or universal standards may find they need to explain why they’re making a “career transition” or “exploring new opportunities.” I’d rather learn how to effectively measure, evaluate, and report on my communications results than try to learn euphemisms for being a victim of rightsizing, restructuring, or a reduction in force. Dig deeper: Why 2026 is the year the SEO silo breaks and cross-channel execution starts Measurement isn’t about proving value – it’s about improving it The purpose of PR measurement isn’t to justify budgets after the fact. It’s to make smarter decisions before the next campaign launches. By integrating SEO and GEO into PR measurement programs, communications professionals can finally close the loop between media outreach and real-world impact – without abandoning the principles they already know. The theory hasn’t changed. The opportunity to measure what matters is finally catching up. View the full article

It’s time to become an armchair expert on sports that you only think about every four years. In other words, the 2026 Winter Olympics have arrived. This year’s competition takes place in two Italian cities, Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the surrounding regions. It is not Cortina’s first rodeo, as the city hosted previously in 1956, while the country of Italy has hosted the games three times prior. The action kicked off on Wednesday, February 4, when the world’s best alpine skiers and curlers strutted their stuff. Despite the curling, the official Olympic Opening Ceremony takes place today (Friday, February 6). Here’s everything you need to know so you can comfortably coach the players from your couch. Who is the creative force behind the opening ceremony? Host countries take the duty of putting on a spectacular opening ceremony very seriously. This also means most of the specific details are kept secret until showtime. This year is no exception to the rule. Many creatives have collaborated to create the opening ceremonies. Balich Wonder Studio is producing and Maria Laura Iascone serves as the director of ceremonies for the Milano Cortina Foundation organizing committee. While he can’t get into specifics, creative director Marco Balich explained to Reuters that the theme of the evening is the Greek concept of harmony and, of course, celebrating the host country of Italy. “We want to show that Italy, though small, has influenced global habits through design, fashion and food,” he mused. Audiences should be prepared for a big spectacle, spread out for the first time across multiple locations. The main action will take place at Milan’s historic San Siro Stadium with simultaneous events taking place at Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d’Ampezzo. At the conclusion, two Olympic cauldrons will be ignited at the Arco della Pace in Milan and in Piazza Dibona in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Who is performing at the opening ceremony? A cast of 1,200 volunteer performers, ages ranging from 10 to 70—from 27 different countries—will take the stage. These performers will don 1,400 different costumes and utilize around 1,000 props. Beyond the volunteers, world-famous musicians and actors will lead their talents to the big event. Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli are scheduled to perform. Additionally, The White Lotus’s Sabrina Impacciatore, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, and Italian singer Laura Pausini will do their thing. Let’s not forget Italian actor and film producer Pierfrancesco Favino and mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli. The Law According to Lydia Poet’s Matilde De Angelis will narrate the action. How can I watch or stream the Olympic Opening Ceremony? To see this technological marvel and cheer on your favorite athlete, all you have to do is tune into NBC, the official channel for all things Olympics. If you have traditional cable, you’re all set. Cable subscribers can also watch the action on NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, or the NBC Sports app. And remember you can watch NBC for free with an over-the-air antenna, you are set. You can also watch the ceremony on NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service. If Peacock is not in your streaming arsenal, consider a live-TV streaming service that carries NBC, such as YouTube TV, Hulu+Live TV, or Fubo. Be sure to double-check regional differences before committing to a new monthly charge, as coverage varies. What time does the ceremony begin? The event takes place at 2 p.m. ET. If you’re stuck at work and can’t watch, never fear. NBC and Peacock will re-air the ceremony for a special prime-time event at 8 p.m. ET. View the full article

Managing product returns effectively is crucial for retailers to maintain customer satisfaction and profitability. A clear return policy, streamlined processes, and data analysis can greatly improve this aspect of retail operations. You might wonder how to implement these strategies effectively and what common pitfalls to avoid. Comprehending these best practices can not just minimize returns but also improve overall customer loyalty and operational efficiency. Let’s explore the key elements that will transform your returns management approach. Key Takeaways Analyze return data regularly to identify common issues and improve quality control, reducing future return rates. Create a clear and easily accessible return policy that outlines acceptable return reasons and associated costs. Automate the returns process with technology for generating labels, tracking returns, and processing refunds efficiently. Enhance customer communication by providing regular updates and clear instructions throughout the return process. Utilize return patterns to inform inventory management, removing undesirable items and revising product descriptions as needed. Understanding Returns Management Comprehending returns management is crucial for any business, especially in today’s e-commerce environment where return rates can soar to 20-30%. Returns management, in addition to being known as reverse logistics, involves efficiently processing returned products during the minimization of costs and maximization of customer satisfaction. The process includes several key steps: return authorization, product transportation, inspection, customer resolution, and deciding whether to restock or dispose of the item based on its condition. Utilizing returns management software can streamline these steps, making it easier to manage returns effectively. This software can automate workflows, handle refunds and exchanges, and even assist in recycling or reselling returned items, improving your inventory management. A well-structured returns management process cultivates customer loyalty; after all, 81% of customers switch brands following a poor return experience. By focusing on effective returns management, you can considerably improve your business’s reputation and operational efficiency. The Business Impact of Returns Management Returns management has a significant financial impact on your business, especially considering that returns accounted for $743 billion in 2023, which is 14.5% of all sales. The challenges of managing inventory effectively become clear when you realize that processing returns can cost you between 20% to 65% of an item’s value, directly squeezing profit margins. Financial Implications of Returns Even though it may seem like a routine aspect of retail, managing product returns has profound financial implications that can greatly impact a business’s bottom line. In 2023, returns reached a staggering $743 billion, accounting for 14.5% of all sales. For e-commerce retailers, return rates soar to 20-30%, compared to just 8.89% in physical stores, leading to increased costs. Processing returns can consume 20% to 65% of an item’s value, directly affecting profit margins. Remarkably, 79% of customers avoid retailers that charge return shipping fees, showing how return policies can influence sales. Inventory Management Challenges Managing product returns not only affects customer satisfaction but also presents significant inventory management challenges for retailers. E-commerce return rates can soar to 20-30%, which complicates stock management and operational efficiency. In 2023, returns accounted for $743 billion, burdening retailers financially and impacting profit margins. High return rates lead to increased inventory holding costs, as unsold returned items occupy valuable warehouse space. Furthermore, return processing costs can consume 20% to 65% of the item’s value. Nevertheless, effective returns management strategies can alleviate these issues by improving inventory turnover and reducing excess stock. By identifying trends in return patterns, you can address underlying product issues, ultimately enhancing your inventory management and overall business performance. Common Challenges in Returns Management When customers decide to return products, retailers often face a multitude of challenges that can strain their operations and finances. E-commerce return rates can soar between 20-30%, severely impacting your operational costs and profit margins. A staggering $743 billion in returns were recorded in 2023, accounting for 14.5% of all sales, emphasizing the urgent need for effective returns management strategies. Common reasons for returns, such as sizing issues and inaccurate product descriptions, highlight the importance of quality control and clear information. Financially, return processing can cost retailers 20% to 65% of an item’s value, meaning efficient handling is vital for profitability. Furthermore, fraudulent returns pose a significant risk, leading to substantial losses and complicating inventory management. Addressing these challenges head-on can pave the way for a more streamlined and cost-effective returns process. The Returns Management Process The returns management process starts with a customer initiating a return request, which is then evaluated according to the retailer’s established return policy. If approved, customers receive detailed instructions and a return label to send the product back. Once the returned item arrives at the designated location, it’ll undergo inspection to determine its condition. Here’s what happens next: Assess the product’s state for restocking, refurbishment, or disposal. Document any damages or issues for accurate processing. Decide on the appropriate resolution, such as a refund, exchange, or store credit. Communicate the outcome to the customer swiftly. Guarantee timely processing, as 88% of customers limit future purchases from retailers with slow refund processes. Best Practices for Effective Returns Management After a return request is processed, implementing best practices can greatly improve the returns management experience for both customers and retailers. Start by developing a clear and concise return policy that’s easily accessible. This policy should outline acceptable reasons for returns, timeframes, and any associated costs, setting customer expectations effectively. Next, automate the returns process with digital tools for generating return labels and tracking, which reduces manual errors and speeds up the return experience. Streamline the return process by offering multiple convenient options, such as local drop-off points or carrier pickups, improving customer satisfaction. Furthermore, utilize data analytics to monitor return patterns and reasons, identifying problematic products for future improvements. Finally, implement sustainability practices like encouraging the reuse of packaging and optimizing logistics to reduce carbon footprints. This not only improves brand reputation but likewise contributes to a more responsible returns management approach. Elevating Quality Control to Reduce Returns To effectively reduce product returns, you should focus on enhancing product descriptions and implementing rigorous testing protocols. Clear, detailed descriptions can help customers understand what they’re buying, minimizing mismatched expectations. Meanwhile, thorough testing guarantees that products meet quality standards, considerably decreasing the chances of defects that lead to returns. Enhance Product Descriptions Enhancing product descriptions plays a crucial role in reducing return rates, especially when you consider that customers often rely on these details to make informed purchasing decisions. Accurate and detailed descriptions help set clear expectations. To further improve your product listings, consider these elements: Specific measurements and materials High-resolution images and videos from multiple angles Customer reviews addressing common concerns Accurate size guides and fit information Regular updates based on return data and customer insights Implement Rigorous Testing Effective product descriptions are only part of the equation in minimizing returns; rigorous testing is equally important for ensuring customer satisfaction. By implementing thorough testing protocols before shipment, you can considerably reduce returns, as items will meet quality standards and function as intended. Conducting detailed inspections helps identify defects early, reducing the chances of customer dissatisfaction. Furthermore, utilizing customer feedback during this phase can refine designs and descriptions, addressing issues like sizing inaccuracies or poor quality. Regularly reviewing return data can inform your quality control processes, pinpointing recurring issues that lead to returns. Investing in advanced testing technologies, such as automated checks, improves efficiency and consistency, ultimately lowering return rates and enhancing customer satisfaction. Creating a Clear Return Policy Creating a clear return policy is crucial for any retailer looking to nurture trust and satisfaction among customers. Your return policy should be easy to find on your website, allowing customers to access fundamental information without hassle. Make sure to outline: Acceptable reasons for returns A specified timeframe for returns Any associated costs to manage expectations Instructions on how to initiate the return process Inclusion of hardcopies with shipped products for transparency A well-defined return policy can greatly reduce customer frustration, as studies show that 81% of customers might switch to competitors after a poor return experience. By clearly communicating your return policy, you improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, eventually contributing to enhanced brand trust and repeat business. Automating the Returns Process As customers increasingly demand hassle-free shopping experiences, automating the returns process has become essential for retailers. By utilizing technology to generate return labels and QR codes, you can markedly reduce the manual labor required from your operational teams. Implementing web-based self-service options allows customers to initiate returns easily, improving their experience and efficiency. Automated systems streamline the processing of refunds and inventory tracking, minimizing human error and accelerating the returns workflow. This speed is critical, as 88% of customers limit or stop shopping with merchants that take too long to credit refunds. In addition, automation facilitates real-time tracking of returns, providing customers with updates and reducing inquiries. This not only improves overall customer satisfaction but also nurtures loyalty. Utilizing Data to Improve Returns Management Incorporating data analytics into returns management can greatly improve your ability to address common challenges associated with product returns. By analyzing return patterns, you can pinpoint frequent reasons for returns and identify the products most often sent back. This insight helps you make targeted improvements, enhancing overall product quality. Consider these data-driven strategies: Identify and pull undesirable items from inventory. Address sizing inaccuracies to reduce return rates. Revise misleading product descriptions for clarity. Track return-related metrics by SKU or category. Implement a feedback loop to analyze return data regularly. Using these methods, you can adapt your strategies to changing consumer behaviors, ensuring that your returns management process becomes more efficient. Enhancing Customer Communication During Returns When managing product returns, clear and timely communication is essential for a smooth experience. You should provide regular updates on return status, ensuring customers know where their items are in the process. Furthermore, offering clear return instructions and personalized communication channels can greatly improve customer satisfaction and build trust in your brand. Timely Updates on Returns Effective communication during the returns process is vital for maintaining customer trust and satisfaction. Providing timely updates on returns can greatly improve your customer relationships. Consider implementing automated notifications at each stage of the return process, which can reduce inquiries and boost satisfaction. Incorporating tracking systems allows customers to monitor their return progress and encourages transparency. Regular communication about return statuses can increase loyalty, as slow credit processes deter customers. Make sure you’re delivering prompt updates throughout the returns process, as this is linked to higher customer satisfaction. Automated updates via email or SMS Real-time tracking of return packages Clear timelines for refunds Easy access to return status Personalized messages for customer inquiries Clear Return Instructions Provided How can clear return instructions improve a customer’s experience? By providing straightforward return guidelines, you greatly boost customer satisfaction. In fact, 88% of shoppers are less likely to return if the process is complicated. A well-defined return process should clearly outline how to initiate a return, the timeframe allowed, and any specific conditions that need to be met. Make certain these instructions are included in shipping confirmations and on product pages, as this guarantees easy access to essential information. Utilizing self-service portals can further streamline returns by enabling customers to generate shipping labels and track their return status effortlessly. Regularly reviewing and updating these instructions based on customer feedback helps identify pain points and improves clarity and efficiency. Personalized Communication Channels Offered Offering personalized communication channels during the return process is essential for enhancing customer experience and maintaining trust. Implementing these channels not merely keeps customers informed but likewise encourages a sense of engagement. Here are some effective options to reflect on: SMS updates for real-time tracking of returns. Email alerts that provide timely updates on return status. Chatbots for quick answers to common inquiries. Social media messaging for easy access to support. Tailored messages based on purchase history for potential upselling. Frequently Asked Questions How to Deal With Returns in Retail? To effectively deal with returns in retail, start by establishing a clear return policy that outlines reasons, timeframes, and costs. Automate the returns process to streamline operations and reduce manual tasks. Implement real-time tracking for returned items to maintain transparency. Analyze return data to identify trends, addressing underlying issues. Finally, offer multiple return options, such as in-store or designated drop-off points, to improve customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business. What’s the Big 5 Return Policy? The Big 5 return policy outlines crucial guidelines for customers. It typically includes a return window of 30 to 90 days, specifying acceptable product conditions, such as being unused and in original packaging. You’ll often need to provide proof of purchase, like a receipt, to process your return. Furthermore, be aware of any return fees and shipping costs, as transparency about these expenses can greatly influence your overall satisfaction with the return experience. What Is a Common Practice for Handling Returns Efficiently? A common practice for handling returns efficiently involves establishing a clear return policy that outlines conditions and timelines. You should automate the return process, using technology to generate labels and offer self-service options. Providing multiple return methods, like drop-off points or carrier pickups, improves convenience. Implementing real-time tracking can keep you updated on your return status, encouraging transparency. Finally, analyzing return data helps identify trends, allowing you to make proactive improvements. How to Handle Product Returns? To handle product returns effectively, first, establish a clear return policy that specifies acceptable reasons, timeframes, and costs. Next, streamline the process by offering convenient return options like drop-off points or carrier pickups. Automate returns with technology to generate pre-paid labels and enable tracking. Finally, analyze return data to identify patterns and improve product quality, during incorporating sustainable practices, such as recycling unsellable items to boost environmental responsibility. Conclusion In summary, managing product returns effectively is crucial for retailers to improve customer satisfaction and increase profitability. By implementing a clear return policy, automating workflows, and leveraging data insights, you can streamline the returns process. Furthermore, maintaining open communication with customers throughout their return experience cultivates trust and loyalty. Adopting these best practices not just reduces operational challenges but also positions your business for long-term success in a competitive retail environment. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Best Practices to Manage Product Returns for Retailers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Managing product returns effectively is crucial for retailers to maintain customer satisfaction and profitability. A clear return policy, streamlined processes, and data analysis can greatly improve this aspect of retail operations. You might wonder how to implement these strategies effectively and what common pitfalls to avoid. Comprehending these best practices can not just minimize returns but also improve overall customer loyalty and operational efficiency. Let’s explore the key elements that will transform your returns management approach. Key Takeaways Analyze return data regularly to identify common issues and improve quality control, reducing future return rates. Create a clear and easily accessible return policy that outlines acceptable return reasons and associated costs. Automate the returns process with technology for generating labels, tracking returns, and processing refunds efficiently. Enhance customer communication by providing regular updates and clear instructions throughout the return process. Utilize return patterns to inform inventory management, removing undesirable items and revising product descriptions as needed. Understanding Returns Management Comprehending returns management is crucial for any business, especially in today’s e-commerce environment where return rates can soar to 20-30%. Returns management, in addition to being known as reverse logistics, involves efficiently processing returned products during the minimization of costs and maximization of customer satisfaction. The process includes several key steps: return authorization, product transportation, inspection, customer resolution, and deciding whether to restock or dispose of the item based on its condition. Utilizing returns management software can streamline these steps, making it easier to manage returns effectively. This software can automate workflows, handle refunds and exchanges, and even assist in recycling or reselling returned items, improving your inventory management. A well-structured returns management process cultivates customer loyalty; after all, 81% of customers switch brands following a poor return experience. By focusing on effective returns management, you can considerably improve your business’s reputation and operational efficiency. The Business Impact of Returns Management Returns management has a significant financial impact on your business, especially considering that returns accounted for $743 billion in 2023, which is 14.5% of all sales. The challenges of managing inventory effectively become clear when you realize that processing returns can cost you between 20% to 65% of an item’s value, directly squeezing profit margins. Financial Implications of Returns Even though it may seem like a routine aspect of retail, managing product returns has profound financial implications that can greatly impact a business’s bottom line. In 2023, returns reached a staggering $743 billion, accounting for 14.5% of all sales. For e-commerce retailers, return rates soar to 20-30%, compared to just 8.89% in physical stores, leading to increased costs. Processing returns can consume 20% to 65% of an item’s value, directly affecting profit margins. Remarkably, 79% of customers avoid retailers that charge return shipping fees, showing how return policies can influence sales. Inventory Management Challenges Managing product returns not only affects customer satisfaction but also presents significant inventory management challenges for retailers. E-commerce return rates can soar to 20-30%, which complicates stock management and operational efficiency. In 2023, returns accounted for $743 billion, burdening retailers financially and impacting profit margins. High return rates lead to increased inventory holding costs, as unsold returned items occupy valuable warehouse space. Furthermore, return processing costs can consume 20% to 65% of the item’s value. Nevertheless, effective returns management strategies can alleviate these issues by improving inventory turnover and reducing excess stock. By identifying trends in return patterns, you can address underlying product issues, ultimately enhancing your inventory management and overall business performance. Common Challenges in Returns Management When customers decide to return products, retailers often face a multitude of challenges that can strain their operations and finances. E-commerce return rates can soar between 20-30%, severely impacting your operational costs and profit margins. A staggering $743 billion in returns were recorded in 2023, accounting for 14.5% of all sales, emphasizing the urgent need for effective returns management strategies. Common reasons for returns, such as sizing issues and inaccurate product descriptions, highlight the importance of quality control and clear information. Financially, return processing can cost retailers 20% to 65% of an item’s value, meaning efficient handling is vital for profitability. Furthermore, fraudulent returns pose a significant risk, leading to substantial losses and complicating inventory management. Addressing these challenges head-on can pave the way for a more streamlined and cost-effective returns process. The Returns Management Process The returns management process starts with a customer initiating a return request, which is then evaluated according to the retailer’s established return policy. If approved, customers receive detailed instructions and a return label to send the product back. Once the returned item arrives at the designated location, it’ll undergo inspection to determine its condition. Here’s what happens next: Assess the product’s state for restocking, refurbishment, or disposal. Document any damages or issues for accurate processing. Decide on the appropriate resolution, such as a refund, exchange, or store credit. Communicate the outcome to the customer swiftly. Guarantee timely processing, as 88% of customers limit future purchases from retailers with slow refund processes. Best Practices for Effective Returns Management After a return request is processed, implementing best practices can greatly improve the returns management experience for both customers and retailers. Start by developing a clear and concise return policy that’s easily accessible. This policy should outline acceptable reasons for returns, timeframes, and any associated costs, setting customer expectations effectively. Next, automate the returns process with digital tools for generating return labels and tracking, which reduces manual errors and speeds up the return experience. Streamline the return process by offering multiple convenient options, such as local drop-off points or carrier pickups, improving customer satisfaction. Furthermore, utilize data analytics to monitor return patterns and reasons, identifying problematic products for future improvements. Finally, implement sustainability practices like encouraging the reuse of packaging and optimizing logistics to reduce carbon footprints. This not only improves brand reputation but likewise contributes to a more responsible returns management approach. Elevating Quality Control to Reduce Returns To effectively reduce product returns, you should focus on enhancing product descriptions and implementing rigorous testing protocols. Clear, detailed descriptions can help customers understand what they’re buying, minimizing mismatched expectations. Meanwhile, thorough testing guarantees that products meet quality standards, considerably decreasing the chances of defects that lead to returns. Enhance Product Descriptions Enhancing product descriptions plays a crucial role in reducing return rates, especially when you consider that customers often rely on these details to make informed purchasing decisions. Accurate and detailed descriptions help set clear expectations. To further improve your product listings, consider these elements: Specific measurements and materials High-resolution images and videos from multiple angles Customer reviews addressing common concerns Accurate size guides and fit information Regular updates based on return data and customer insights Implement Rigorous Testing Effective product descriptions are only part of the equation in minimizing returns; rigorous testing is equally important for ensuring customer satisfaction. By implementing thorough testing protocols before shipment, you can considerably reduce returns, as items will meet quality standards and function as intended. Conducting detailed inspections helps identify defects early, reducing the chances of customer dissatisfaction. Furthermore, utilizing customer feedback during this phase can refine designs and descriptions, addressing issues like sizing inaccuracies or poor quality. Regularly reviewing return data can inform your quality control processes, pinpointing recurring issues that lead to returns. Investing in advanced testing technologies, such as automated checks, improves efficiency and consistency, ultimately lowering return rates and enhancing customer satisfaction. Creating a Clear Return Policy Creating a clear return policy is crucial for any retailer looking to nurture trust and satisfaction among customers. Your return policy should be easy to find on your website, allowing customers to access fundamental information without hassle. Make sure to outline: Acceptable reasons for returns A specified timeframe for returns Any associated costs to manage expectations Instructions on how to initiate the return process Inclusion of hardcopies with shipped products for transparency A well-defined return policy can greatly reduce customer frustration, as studies show that 81% of customers might switch to competitors after a poor return experience. By clearly communicating your return policy, you improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, eventually contributing to enhanced brand trust and repeat business. Automating the Returns Process As customers increasingly demand hassle-free shopping experiences, automating the returns process has become essential for retailers. By utilizing technology to generate return labels and QR codes, you can markedly reduce the manual labor required from your operational teams. Implementing web-based self-service options allows customers to initiate returns easily, improving their experience and efficiency. Automated systems streamline the processing of refunds and inventory tracking, minimizing human error and accelerating the returns workflow. This speed is critical, as 88% of customers limit or stop shopping with merchants that take too long to credit refunds. In addition, automation facilitates real-time tracking of returns, providing customers with updates and reducing inquiries. This not only improves overall customer satisfaction but also nurtures loyalty. Utilizing Data to Improve Returns Management Incorporating data analytics into returns management can greatly improve your ability to address common challenges associated with product returns. By analyzing return patterns, you can pinpoint frequent reasons for returns and identify the products most often sent back. This insight helps you make targeted improvements, enhancing overall product quality. Consider these data-driven strategies: Identify and pull undesirable items from inventory. Address sizing inaccuracies to reduce return rates. Revise misleading product descriptions for clarity. Track return-related metrics by SKU or category. Implement a feedback loop to analyze return data regularly. Using these methods, you can adapt your strategies to changing consumer behaviors, ensuring that your returns management process becomes more efficient. Enhancing Customer Communication During Returns When managing product returns, clear and timely communication is essential for a smooth experience. You should provide regular updates on return status, ensuring customers know where their items are in the process. Furthermore, offering clear return instructions and personalized communication channels can greatly improve customer satisfaction and build trust in your brand. Timely Updates on Returns Effective communication during the returns process is vital for maintaining customer trust and satisfaction. Providing timely updates on returns can greatly improve your customer relationships. Consider implementing automated notifications at each stage of the return process, which can reduce inquiries and boost satisfaction. Incorporating tracking systems allows customers to monitor their return progress and encourages transparency. Regular communication about return statuses can increase loyalty, as slow credit processes deter customers. Make sure you’re delivering prompt updates throughout the returns process, as this is linked to higher customer satisfaction. Automated updates via email or SMS Real-time tracking of return packages Clear timelines for refunds Easy access to return status Personalized messages for customer inquiries Clear Return Instructions Provided How can clear return instructions improve a customer’s experience? By providing straightforward return guidelines, you greatly boost customer satisfaction. In fact, 88% of shoppers are less likely to return if the process is complicated. A well-defined return process should clearly outline how to initiate a return, the timeframe allowed, and any specific conditions that need to be met. Make certain these instructions are included in shipping confirmations and on product pages, as this guarantees easy access to essential information. Utilizing self-service portals can further streamline returns by enabling customers to generate shipping labels and track their return status effortlessly. Regularly reviewing and updating these instructions based on customer feedback helps identify pain points and improves clarity and efficiency. Personalized Communication Channels Offered Offering personalized communication channels during the return process is essential for enhancing customer experience and maintaining trust. Implementing these channels not merely keeps customers informed but likewise encourages a sense of engagement. Here are some effective options to reflect on: SMS updates for real-time tracking of returns. Email alerts that provide timely updates on return status. Chatbots for quick answers to common inquiries. Social media messaging for easy access to support. Tailored messages based on purchase history for potential upselling. Frequently Asked Questions How to Deal With Returns in Retail? To effectively deal with returns in retail, start by establishing a clear return policy that outlines reasons, timeframes, and costs. Automate the returns process to streamline operations and reduce manual tasks. Implement real-time tracking for returned items to maintain transparency. Analyze return data to identify trends, addressing underlying issues. Finally, offer multiple return options, such as in-store or designated drop-off points, to improve customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business. What’s the Big 5 Return Policy? The Big 5 return policy outlines crucial guidelines for customers. It typically includes a return window of 30 to 90 days, specifying acceptable product conditions, such as being unused and in original packaging. You’ll often need to provide proof of purchase, like a receipt, to process your return. Furthermore, be aware of any return fees and shipping costs, as transparency about these expenses can greatly influence your overall satisfaction with the return experience. What Is a Common Practice for Handling Returns Efficiently? A common practice for handling returns efficiently involves establishing a clear return policy that outlines conditions and timelines. You should automate the return process, using technology to generate labels and offer self-service options. Providing multiple return methods, like drop-off points or carrier pickups, improves convenience. Implementing real-time tracking can keep you updated on your return status, encouraging transparency. Finally, analyzing return data helps identify trends, allowing you to make proactive improvements. How to Handle Product Returns? To handle product returns effectively, first, establish a clear return policy that specifies acceptable reasons, timeframes, and costs. Next, streamline the process by offering convenient return options like drop-off points or carrier pickups. Automate returns with technology to generate pre-paid labels and enable tracking. Finally, analyze return data to identify patterns and improve product quality, during incorporating sustainable practices, such as recycling unsellable items to boost environmental responsibility. Conclusion In summary, managing product returns effectively is crucial for retailers to improve customer satisfaction and increase profitability. By implementing a clear return policy, automating workflows, and leveraging data insights, you can streamline the returns process. Furthermore, maintaining open communication with customers throughout their return experience cultivates trust and loyalty. Adopting these best practices not just reduces operational challenges but also positions your business for long-term success in a competitive retail environment. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Best Practices to Manage Product Returns for Retailers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to save money, today’s promo codes can help you score significant discounts. From travel deals like 25% off hotel bookings on Expedia to 50% off select activities on Viator, there’s something for everyone. Food lovers can enjoy 20% off orders from Grubhub, whereas Blue Apron offers $30 off your first two meals. Apparel discounts, such as 40% off American Eagle jeans, are likewise available. Stay tuned to discover even more incredible offers that can improve your shopping experience. Key Takeaways Save 25% on hotel bookings with Expedia’s current promo code for affordable travel accommodations. Enjoy 60% off wellness support plans with Weight Watchers, promoting healthier living. Get 70% discount on laser hair removal services at LaserAway, perfect for beauty treatments. Unlock $30 off your first two orders with Blue Apron, making meal prep more affordable. Take advantage of 50% off select activities offered by Viator for exciting experiences. Top Discounts on Travel and Experiences When you’re planning your next getaway, finding ways to save on travel and experiences can make a significant difference in your budget. Consider using platforms like Expedia.com, where you can discover cheap airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises. If you apply a current promo code, you can save 25% on hotel bookings, maximizing your accommodation budget. Moreover, last-minute hotel deals on Expedia can offer savings of up to 60%, ideal for spontaneous trips. For unique experiences, check out Viator, which provides up to 50% off select activities, enhancing your travel savings. You can also save 10% on experiences booked through Tripadvisor, allowing you to enjoy more during your spending less. Don’t forget to look for food discount codes to further stretch your budget, ensuring that you make the most of your getaway without overspending. Unbeatable Health & Beauty Offers After planning your travel and experiences, it’s time to focus on your health and beauty needs without breaking the bank. You can save considerably on health and beauty products with the latest offers. For example, Weight Watchers is currently offering 60% off plans, providing excellent support for your wellness expedition. Furthermore, LaserAway has a fantastic 70% discount on laser hair removal services for select areas, making beauty treatments more affordable. Don’t forget to check Amazon coupons, which can save you up to $200 on various necessities. If you’re looking to stock up on your favorites, grab a 20% discount on all health and beauty products. You can likewise use department store coupon codes and grocery promo codes, like Walmart’s offer of $10 off your first three orders, to improve your health and beauty routine without overspending. Apparel Discounts You Can’t Miss As the holiday season approaches, savvy shoppers can take advantage of substantial apparel discounts that make rejuvenating your wardrobe both easy and budget-friendly. American Eagle Jeans are currently available at a 40% discount, with styles starting as low as $23.97. This is a perfect time to refresh your jeans collection. Lululemon is likewise running a Black Friday Sale, offering popular activewear styles starting from just $29, ensuring you get high-quality fitness gear at a fraction of the price. Additionally, footwear enthusiasts can find HOKA shoes priced at $70, reflecting a 44% discount from their original price of $125. Don’t forget to search for Macy’s department store coupons and current codes that may provide further savings on various apparel items during Black Friday. With many retailers expected to release limited-time offers, now’s the time to score great deals on clothing and accessories you can’t miss. Exclusive Food Deals for Savvy Shoppers With the holiday season in full swing, it’s a great time to explore exclusive food deals that can help you save during your enjoyment of delicious meals. For instance, if you’re a fan of yogurt or ice cream, take advantage of the BOGO deal at Yogurtland on October 27, available for both iOS and Android users. Furthermore, using Grubhub promo codes can save you 20% on your food orders, making it easier to treat yourself. If you prefer cooking at home, Blue Apron offers a $30 discount on your first two orders with an exclusive code, perfect for budget-friendly meal prepping. For parents, Little Spoon provides 50% off your first order, ensuring healthy meals for kids are more accessible. Finally, CVS has a Halloween candy sale where you can buy one item and get another for just $1, a great grocery promo for the season. Must-See Promotions From Popular Stores When you’re looking to maximize your savings, exploring must-see promotions from popular stores can make a significant difference. For instance, Viator is offering up to 50% off select experiences, making it an ideal moment to plunge into new adventures. If you’re planning travel, Expedia has a promo code that grants 25% off hotel bookings, ensuring you save on accommodations. At PacSun, you can refresh your wardrobe with a 20% discount on all products, allowing you to keep up with the latest trends. Kohl’s is running a Black Friday Sale with discounts up to 70% on selected items, including Hamilton Beach Appliances for just $15. Finally, don’t miss out on Blue Apron’s exclusive offer, providing $30 off across two orders. Be sure to check for a current free shipping code to maximize your savings even further, and always search for the best coupon eat and promo codes today. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the GIMME10 Code? The GIMME10 code typically offers a 10% discount on eligible purchases at participating retailers. It’s important to note that this code may only be valid for new customers or specific product categories, so you should check the terms carefully. You can often find it on various coupon websites or through retailer newsletters. To benefit from the discount, make sure you enter the code at checkout and verify its applicability at your chosen store. What Promo Code Sites Actually Work? When searching for promo code sites that actually work, consider Offers.com for a wide range of verified coupons and discounts from numerous retailers. SimplyCodes stands out with its community-driven approach and high verification success rate. Sites like RetailMeNot and Honey likewise provide reliable codes and often feature browser extensions for easy access. Regular updates guarantee you’re informed about the latest promotions, enhancing your shopping experience and maximizing your savings. What Is the TRIPLE10 Promo Code? The TRIPLE10 promo code provides a 10% discount on qualifying purchases at various online retailers. You can often combine it with other promotions to improve your savings during checkout. It’s crucial to check the specific terms and conditions, as some products or categories may be excluded. Keep in mind that this code typically has a limited validity period, so you should use it without delay and verify its applicability with the retailer before purchasing. What Is the Temu $100 off Code for Existing Customers? You won’t find a publicly available Temu $100 off code for existing customers, as these promotions can vary. To discover any personalized discounts, check your Temu account or promotional emails regularly. Temu frequently updates its offers, so staying informed through the app or website is crucial. Be aware that different codes may have specific eligibility requirements, like minimum spending amounts, so always review the terms associated with any code you find. Conclusion To sum up, today’s promo codes offer substantial savings across various categories, from travel to food and apparel. Whether you’re planning a getaway with Expedia’s hotel discounts, exploring activities with Viator, or enjoying meals from Grubhub, there are excellent deals to take advantage of. Don’t overlook the apparel savings at American Eagle and the attractive offers from Blue Apron. By utilizing these codes, you can maximize your budget and enjoy quality products and experiences without overspending. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Best Promo Codes Today for Huge Savings" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to save money, today’s promo codes can help you score significant discounts. From travel deals like 25% off hotel bookings on Expedia to 50% off select activities on Viator, there’s something for everyone. Food lovers can enjoy 20% off orders from Grubhub, whereas Blue Apron offers $30 off your first two meals. Apparel discounts, such as 40% off American Eagle jeans, are likewise available. Stay tuned to discover even more incredible offers that can improve your shopping experience. Key Takeaways Save 25% on hotel bookings with Expedia’s current promo code for affordable travel accommodations. Enjoy 60% off wellness support plans with Weight Watchers, promoting healthier living. Get 70% discount on laser hair removal services at LaserAway, perfect for beauty treatments. Unlock $30 off your first two orders with Blue Apron, making meal prep more affordable. Take advantage of 50% off select activities offered by Viator for exciting experiences. Top Discounts on Travel and Experiences When you’re planning your next getaway, finding ways to save on travel and experiences can make a significant difference in your budget. Consider using platforms like Expedia.com, where you can discover cheap airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises. If you apply a current promo code, you can save 25% on hotel bookings, maximizing your accommodation budget. Moreover, last-minute hotel deals on Expedia can offer savings of up to 60%, ideal for spontaneous trips. For unique experiences, check out Viator, which provides up to 50% off select activities, enhancing your travel savings. You can also save 10% on experiences booked through Tripadvisor, allowing you to enjoy more during your spending less. Don’t forget to look for food discount codes to further stretch your budget, ensuring that you make the most of your getaway without overspending. Unbeatable Health & Beauty Offers After planning your travel and experiences, it’s time to focus on your health and beauty needs without breaking the bank. You can save considerably on health and beauty products with the latest offers. For example, Weight Watchers is currently offering 60% off plans, providing excellent support for your wellness expedition. Furthermore, LaserAway has a fantastic 70% discount on laser hair removal services for select areas, making beauty treatments more affordable. Don’t forget to check Amazon coupons, which can save you up to $200 on various necessities. If you’re looking to stock up on your favorites, grab a 20% discount on all health and beauty products. You can likewise use department store coupon codes and grocery promo codes, like Walmart’s offer of $10 off your first three orders, to improve your health and beauty routine without overspending. Apparel Discounts You Can’t Miss As the holiday season approaches, savvy shoppers can take advantage of substantial apparel discounts that make rejuvenating your wardrobe both easy and budget-friendly. American Eagle Jeans are currently available at a 40% discount, with styles starting as low as $23.97. This is a perfect time to refresh your jeans collection. Lululemon is likewise running a Black Friday Sale, offering popular activewear styles starting from just $29, ensuring you get high-quality fitness gear at a fraction of the price. Additionally, footwear enthusiasts can find HOKA shoes priced at $70, reflecting a 44% discount from their original price of $125. Don’t forget to search for Macy’s department store coupons and current codes that may provide further savings on various apparel items during Black Friday. With many retailers expected to release limited-time offers, now’s the time to score great deals on clothing and accessories you can’t miss. Exclusive Food Deals for Savvy Shoppers With the holiday season in full swing, it’s a great time to explore exclusive food deals that can help you save during your enjoyment of delicious meals. For instance, if you’re a fan of yogurt or ice cream, take advantage of the BOGO deal at Yogurtland on October 27, available for both iOS and Android users. Furthermore, using Grubhub promo codes can save you 20% on your food orders, making it easier to treat yourself. If you prefer cooking at home, Blue Apron offers a $30 discount on your first two orders with an exclusive code, perfect for budget-friendly meal prepping. For parents, Little Spoon provides 50% off your first order, ensuring healthy meals for kids are more accessible. Finally, CVS has a Halloween candy sale where you can buy one item and get another for just $1, a great grocery promo for the season. Must-See Promotions From Popular Stores When you’re looking to maximize your savings, exploring must-see promotions from popular stores can make a significant difference. For instance, Viator is offering up to 50% off select experiences, making it an ideal moment to plunge into new adventures. If you’re planning travel, Expedia has a promo code that grants 25% off hotel bookings, ensuring you save on accommodations. At PacSun, you can refresh your wardrobe with a 20% discount on all products, allowing you to keep up with the latest trends. Kohl’s is running a Black Friday Sale with discounts up to 70% on selected items, including Hamilton Beach Appliances for just $15. Finally, don’t miss out on Blue Apron’s exclusive offer, providing $30 off across two orders. Be sure to check for a current free shipping code to maximize your savings even further, and always search for the best coupon eat and promo codes today. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the GIMME10 Code? The GIMME10 code typically offers a 10% discount on eligible purchases at participating retailers. It’s important to note that this code may only be valid for new customers or specific product categories, so you should check the terms carefully. You can often find it on various coupon websites or through retailer newsletters. To benefit from the discount, make sure you enter the code at checkout and verify its applicability at your chosen store. What Promo Code Sites Actually Work? When searching for promo code sites that actually work, consider Offers.com for a wide range of verified coupons and discounts from numerous retailers. SimplyCodes stands out with its community-driven approach and high verification success rate. Sites like RetailMeNot and Honey likewise provide reliable codes and often feature browser extensions for easy access. Regular updates guarantee you’re informed about the latest promotions, enhancing your shopping experience and maximizing your savings. What Is the TRIPLE10 Promo Code? The TRIPLE10 promo code provides a 10% discount on qualifying purchases at various online retailers. You can often combine it with other promotions to improve your savings during checkout. It’s crucial to check the specific terms and conditions, as some products or categories may be excluded. Keep in mind that this code typically has a limited validity period, so you should use it without delay and verify its applicability with the retailer before purchasing. What Is the Temu $100 off Code for Existing Customers? You won’t find a publicly available Temu $100 off code for existing customers, as these promotions can vary. To discover any personalized discounts, check your Temu account or promotional emails regularly. Temu frequently updates its offers, so staying informed through the app or website is crucial. Be aware that different codes may have specific eligibility requirements, like minimum spending amounts, so always review the terms associated with any code you find. Conclusion To sum up, today’s promo codes offer substantial savings across various categories, from travel to food and apparel. Whether you’re planning a getaway with Expedia’s hotel discounts, exploring activities with Viator, or enjoying meals from Grubhub, there are excellent deals to take advantage of. Don’t overlook the apparel savings at American Eagle and the attractive offers from Blue Apron. By utilizing these codes, you can maximize your budget and enjoy quality products and experiences without overspending. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Best Promo Codes Today for Huge Savings" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The price of Bitcoin has declined dramatically in recent weeks, and cryptocurrency investors are more fearful than ever. In the past 24 hours, the crypto king dipped to the $60,000 range—a low it has not seen since October 2024. While Bitcoin has now recovered slightly to around $66,000, many analysts and investors still think the token may not have bottomed out yet. Here’s what you need to know about Bitcoin’s continued fall, and how low things might go. Why is Bitcoin falling? Like most cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin (BTC) has been steadily falling almost since the year began. As Fast Company previously reported, there were two main drivers for this fall. The first is increased geopolitical uncertainty. Since the year began, America attacked Venezuela, threatened to take Greenland by force from one of its most important European allies, and is now in a standoff with Iran. Military conflict almost always affects markets, but until it happens, no one can predict by how much or in what direction. That uncertainty generally leads investors to pull their money from relatively risky assets, like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, and park it in safe havens, like gold or the U.S. dollar (USD). The second recent driver was President The President’s announcement, in late January, the he has selected Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair. The news caused the U.S. dollar to spike, making it more valuable. And since cryptocurrencies are priced in dollars, the same amount of dollars could buy more crypto, thereby impacting the value of the digital tokens. In recent days, other factors have pushed Bitcoin down to levels not seen in well over a year. Those factors include a bearish run in tech stocks. When tech stocks decline, crypto tends to follow suit. Additionally, there have been significant forced liquidations of Bitcoin in recent days. These selloffs happen automatically when Bitcoin hits a certain price level. These automated selloffs can prompt other investors to sell their shares, too, before the price drops any further. In short, Bitcoin isn’t dropping for any one reason. There are numerous factors working against it right now. Bitcoin isn’t the only cryptocurrency that is falling Without a doubt, Bitcoin is having a bad day. Over the past 24 hours, the token fell as low as $60,074.80. That represented a more than 50% decline from its all-time high of $126,198.07 in October. At its current price of around $66,378, Bitcoin has now lost more than 42% of its value in the past six months alone. But Bitcoin isn’t the only crypto that has suffered a major crash. As Fast Company reported yesterday, XRP has been getting hammered as of late. In the past six months, the popular token has lost more than 54% of its value. Other popular tokens, including Ethereum, BNB, and Solana, have also seen incredible drops during the same period. Crypto greed and fear index hits all-time low In the wake of this recent crypto crash, it should be no surprise that the majority of cryptocurrency investors are experiencing significant dread at this time. Indeed, CoinMarketCap’s Crypto Fear and Greed Index has now reached an all-time low. The index measures investor sentiment in the crypto market. An index value of 80-100 indicates that investors are experiencing “extreme greed,” which often manifests as surging crypto prices. Meanwhile, 60-80 represents “greed,” 40-60 “neutral,” and 20-40 “fear. Today, the index has fallen to 5 on the scale, which puts it in the 0-20 range, which means investors are experiencing “extreme fear.” A rating of 5 is an all-time low for the index, and is 50% lower than its previous all-time low of 10 during a crypto selloff in November 2025. Where is the bottom for Bitcoin? While no one can predict what Bitcoin or any asset will do in the future, what everyone wants to know now is whether Bitcoin has hit its floor or if things are going to get worse. Crypto-watchers with more positive inclinations might point out that while Bitcoin fell to the $60,000 range in the past 24 hours, it did not fall through that barrier. And the coin has now recovered about 10% of its 24-hour low. Bitcoin is currently trading at $66,378 at the time of this writing. However, there are plenty of analysts who think Bitcoin may not have hit the bottom yet. On February 1, Galaxy Asset Management sent a memo to investors warning that the token could trade in the $56,000 to $58,000 in the near term. Meanwhile, 10x Research’s CEO, Markus Thielen, today told CNBC International that Bitcoin could drop to as low as $50,000. If that’s the case, today’s fall is far from the bottom for Bitcoin. View the full article

This week, we covered the first core update of 2026, the February 2026 Discover core update. Meanwhile, there is an ongoing super-heated and volatile Google search rankings. Google has nothing to share about the recent unconfirmed ranking updates...View the full article

This Sunday will see the Seattle Seahawks face off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. The game will also mark the conclusion of the tenth football season featuring Next Gen Stats, the analytics system that delivers detailed data about every game to coaches and broadcasters through a partnership with Amazon Web Services. Next Gen Stats began in 2015, when the National Football League deployed RFID chips in player shoulder pads and even in the football itself, enabling the league to capture location data multiple times per second through sensors installed throughout stadiums. It has since become a mainstay of football broadcasts and training sessions, delivering granular insights to a sport that previously could track only a fraction of the complex movements of 22 players and the ball across the field. “Next Gen Stats is part of the vernacular now,” says Julie Souza, AWS’s global head of sports. Bringing data to the gridiron Behind the scenes, dozens of machine learning models—the same kinds of systems AWS offers to process business data—translate the raw numbers generated by the sensors into understandable stats in real time. With the recent addition of 4K cameras to NFL venues, the system can now capture not just player position on the field but the precise position of shoulders, elbows, knees, and hands, generating 29 data points per player 60 times per second. That data is processed by in-stadium AWS servers in roughly 700 milliseconds, then sent to the cloud to feed machine learning models that run in under 100 milliseconds. The result is analytics delivered to broadcasters within about a second, shorter than the NFL’s typical broadcast delay. Announcers are equipped with dashboards that surface key stats, along with AI systems that allow them to ask natural-language questions based on new and historical data, Souza says, such as, “When was the last time this particular play happened, or that you know, this metric was achieved?” The data is also increasingly used to inform player coaching and off-the-field training, as well as rule changes designed to make the game safer. AWS helped the NFL run thousands of simulated football seasons that informed the Dynamic Kickoff rule, introduced in the 2025 season. The change helped boost returned kickoffs while reducing the play’s historically elevated concussion rate. “What’s amazing about that is everything that we had modeled for them is what has panned out from the results,” Souza says. Analytic dashboards also help teams identify players at risk of injury, allowing coaching and training staffs to intervene before injuries occur. Those changes in play and training led to roughly 700 fewer missed games by players last season, she says. More detailed stats can also help newer fans, including international audiences and younger viewers, understand the game more quickly. Richer player data has enabled new types of broadcasts as well, including animated versions of real games that appeal to families with children, and Amazon Prime Video’s Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats stream of Thursday Night Football. Features tested in the Prime Vision stream, such as highlighting players likely to blitz the quarterback, have since made their way into the main broadcast. “You can do all of these different versions of broadcast to serve different and specific audiences, but it’s all coming from that same set of data,” says Souza. A different kind of bowl game Next Gen Stats data is also used in the NFL’s annual Big Data Bowl, an analytics competition that invites contestants to develop new use cases for the league’s vast trove of data, and in some cases leads to jobs with the NFL or individual teams. Souza, who has served as a judge in the competition, says new judging criteria are being added to evaluate how proposed analytics could be conveyed to fans during a broadcast. The shift reflects a broader recognition that even as sports become more driven by data, storytelling remains central. “Everything we’re talking about right now is the science—the science, and the engineering, and the analytics, and the rigor, and the math,” she says. “It only matters if the art is there, and the art is the storytelling.” View the full article

There’s a dangerous misconception in B2B marketing that video is just a “brand awareness” play. We tend to bucket video into two extremes: The “viral” top-of-funnel asset that gets views but no leads. The dry bottom-of-funnel product demo that gets leads but no views. This binary thinking is breaking your pipeline. In my role at LinkedIn, I have access to a unique view of the B2B buying ecosystem. What the data shows is that the most successful companies don’t treat video as a tactic for one stage of the funnel. They treat it as a multiplier. When you integrate video strategy across the entire buying journey – connecting brand to demand – effectiveness multiplies, driving as many as 1.4x more leads. Here’s the strategic framework for building that system, backed by new data on how B2B buyers actually make decisions. The reality: The ‘first impression rose’ The window to influence a deal closes much earlier than most marketers realize. LinkedIn’s B2B Institute calls this the “first impression rose.” Like the reality TV show “The Bachelor,” if you don’t get a rose in the first ceremony, you’re unlikely to make it to the finale. Research from LinkedIn and Bain & Company found 86% of buyers already have their choices predetermined on “Day 1” of a buying cycle. Even more critically, 81% ultimately purchase from a vendor on that Day 1 list. If your video strategy waits until the buyer is “in-market” or “ready to buy” to show up, you’re fighting over the remaining 19% of the market. To win, you need to be on the shortlist before the RFP is even written. That requires a three-play strategy. Play 1: Reach and prime the ‘hidden’ buying committee The goal: Reach the people who can say ‘no’ Most video strategies target the “champion,” the person who uses the tool or service. But in B2B, the champion rarely holds the checkbook. Consider this scenario. You’ve spent months courting the VP of marketing. They love your solution. They’re ready to sign. But when they bring the contract to the procurement meeting, the CFO looks up and asks: “Who are they? Why haven’t I heard of them?” In that moment, the deal stalls. You’re suddenly competing on price because you have zero brand equity with the person controlling the budget. Our data shows you’re more than 20 times more likely to be bought when the entire buying group – not just the user – knows you on Day 1. The strategic shift: Cut-through creative To reach that broader group, you can’t just be present. You have to be memorable. You need reach and recall, both. LinkedIn data reveals exactly what “cut-through creative” looks like in the feed: Be bold: Video ads featuring bold, distinctive colors see a 15% increase in engagement. Be process-oriented: Messaging broken down into clear, visual steps drives 13% higher dwell times. The “Goldilocks” length: Short videos between 7-15 seconds are the sweet spot for driving brand lift – outperforming both very short (under 6 seconds) and long-form ads. The “Silent Movie” rule: Design for the eye, not the ear. 79% of LinkedIn’s audience scrolls with sound off. If your video relies on a talking head to explain the value prop in the first 5 seconds, you’ve lost 80% of the room. Use visual hooks and hard-coded captions to earn attention instantly. Dig deeper: 5 tips to make your B2B content more human Play 2: Educate and nudge by selling ‘buyability’ The goal: Mitigate personal and professional risk This is where most B2B content fails. We focus on selling capability (features, specs, speeds, feeds) and rarely focus on buyability (how safe it is to buy us). When a B2B buyer is shortlisting vendors, they’re navigating career risk. Our research with Bain & Company found the top five “emotional jobs” a buyer needs to fulfill. Only two were about product capability. The No. 1 emotional job (at 34%) was simply, “I felt I could defend the decision if it went wrong.” The strategic shift: Market the safety net To drive consideration, your video content shouldn’t be a feature dump. It should be a safety net. What does that actually look like? Momentum is safety (the “buzz” effect) Buyers want to bet on a winner. Our data shows brands generate 10% more leads when they build momentum through “buzz.” You can manufacture this buzz through cultural coding. When brands reference pop culture, we see a 41% lift in engagement. When they leverage memes (yes, even in B2B), engagement can jump by 111%. It signals you’re relevant, human, and part of the current conversation. Authority builds trust (the “expert” effect) If momentum catches their eye, expertise wins their trust. But how you present that expertise matters. Video ads featuring executive experts see 53% higher engagement. When those experts are filmed on a conference stage, engagement lifts by 70%. Why? The setting implies authority. It signals, “This person is smart enough that other people paid to listen to them.” Consistency is credibility You can’t “burst” your way to trust. Brands that maintain an always-on presence see 10% more conversions than those that stop and start. Trust is a cumulative metric. Dig deeper: The future of B2B authority building in the AI search era Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Play 3: Convert and capture by removing friction The goal: Stop convincing, start helping By this stage, the buyer knows you (Play 1) and trusts you (Play 2). Don’t use your bottom-funnel video to “hard sell” them. Use it to remove the friction of the next step. Buyers at this stage feel three specific types of risk: Execution risk: “Will this actually work for us?” Decision risk: “What if I’m choosing wrong?” Effort risk: “How much work is implementation?” That’s why recommendations, relationships, and being relatable help close deals. The strategic shift: Answer the anxiety Your creative should directly answer those anxieties. Scale social proof – kill execution risk 90% of buyers say social proof is influential information. But don’t just post a logo. Use video to show the peer. When a buyer sees someone with their exact job title succeeding, decision risk evaporates. Activate your employees – kill decision risk People trust people more than logos. Startups that activate their employees see massive returns because it humanizes the brand. The stat that surprises most leaders. Just 3% of employees posting regularly can drive 20% more leads, per LinkedIn data. Show the humans who’ll answer the phone when things break. The conversion combo – kill effort risk Don’t leave them hanging with a generic “Learn More” button. We see 3x higher lead gen open rates when video ads are combined directly with lead gen forms. The video explains the value, the form captures the intent instantly. Short sales cycle (under 30 days): Use video and lead gen forms for speed. Long sales cycle: Retarget video viewers with message ads from a thought leader. Don’t ask for a sale; start a conversation. Dig deeper: LinkedIn’s new playbook taps creators as the future of B2B marketing It’s a flywheel, not a funnel If this strategy is so effective, why isn’t everyone doing it? The problem isn’t usually budget or talent. It’s structure. In most organizations, “brand” teams and “demand” teams operate in silos. Brand owns the top of the funnel (Play 1). Demand owns the bottom (Play 3). They fight over budget and rarely coordinate creative. This fragmentation kills the multiplier effect. When you break down those silos and run these plays as a single system, the data changes. Our modeling shows an integrated strategy drives 1.4x more leads than running brand and demand in isolation. It creates a flywheel: Your broad reach (Play 1) builds the retargeting pools. Your educational content (Play 2) warms up those audiences, lifting CTRs. Your conversion offers (Play 3) capture demand from buyers who are already sold, lowering your CPL. The brands that balance the funnel – investing in memory and action – are the ones that make the “Day 1” list. And the ones on that list are the ones that win the revenue. View the full article

This week’s SEO Pulse covers ranking volatility inside Discover, expanding AI ad inventory, and growing scrutiny of bot-facing content practices. The post Discover Core Update, AI Mode Ads & Crawl Policy – SEO Pulse appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

We saw Google test follow up questions below the AI Mode responses back in July. Now Google is testing follow up search suggestions, not necessarily in question format, at the bottom of some AI Mode results.View the full article

The Google Ads mixed campaign type experiment beta, which we covered the help document last month, seems to be going live for some advertisers. This feature allows advertisers to test multiple campaign types, budgets, and settings across campaigns in a single experiment.View the full article

We covered how horrific the AI-based Frankenstein recipes can be in Google Search, where it mashes up recipe steps from various publishers and acts like it is a real recipe from a source. Well, Bing had something similar but Jordi Ribas from Microsoft said they are "unshipping" the feature after the feedback was received. View the full article

This week's PPC Pulse recaps Microsoft’s push to rethink content compensation and Google’s latest changes to tagging standards and account protections. The post Microsoft’s Publisher Marketplace, Google Tag Update & Multi-Party Approvals – PPC Pulse appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

The co-founder of America’s biggest predictions market on the ‘wisdom of the crowds’, political polarisation — and the company’s adviser, Donald The President JrView the full article

Hello, and welcome back to Fast Company’s Plugged In. “Programming, as it turns out, is just typing.” Talking at Cisco’s AI Summit in San Francisco on February 3, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang made that pithy observation to sum up the phenomenon of people using AI coding tools to simply describe in plain language software they want to exist, with an algorithm doing the heavy lifting. The comment came during a wild, wide-ranging riff on how AI is changing the world, and Huang kept joking that his chatter might have been influenced by several glasses of wine. (Hey, he was the after-dinner speaker.) But even if alcohol-fueled poetic license was involved, the sentiment captured the present moment. The earliest evidence that AI could transform how people program computers came even before ChatGPT’s arrival, dating to when GitHub released the first version of its Copilot in 2021. At that point, AI was autocompleting snippets of code for humans rather than generating software from scratch. The progress has been radical since then, reflected in the boom for coding agents such as Cursor, Windsurf, Replit, and the industry’s current darling, Anthropic’s Claude Code. Along the way, the act of willing software into reality through AI got a name: vibe coding. At the Cisco event, Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Andreessen Horowitz cofounder Marc Andreessen, and other Silicon Valley luminaries talked about the whole industry having arrived at a crucial juncture in the pivot to AI software generation. Anthropic’s chief product officer, Mike Krieger, whose boss, Dario Amodei, predicted last March that AI would be writing “essentially all of the code” within a year, suggested that’s in the neighborhood of coming true—at least at Anthropic: “Right now, for most products . . . it’s effectively 100%.” Along with potentially upending the entire tech industry, AI’s ability to write programs could have a powerful democratizing effect on how the world uses technology. For the past few decades, most people who use computers have been wholly dependent on software written by trained professionals. What happens when that trained professional might be an algorithm, available to the masses to create whatever pops into their minds? I’ve been exploring that question since last March, when I used Replit to bring my dream note-taking app to life. The experience was amazing enough that I put up with Replit’s many rough edges, including its iffy debugging skills, repeated introduction of security flaws, and sycophantic tendency to tell me my ideas were pure genius. Since then, I have had better luck with new and improved versions of the service. I’ve also dabbled with several other coding platforms with increasingly impressive results. But Claude Code, which I’ve been using recently to reimagine a game I wrote back in high school, is the most uncanny of them all. As a lark, I fed it my 1980s BASIC code, expecting it would have no clue what to do with something written in such an obsolete language. Instead, it roughed out a modern, web-native version in minutes. Since then, we—Claude Code and I—have been collaborating to improve the game and dress up its graphics. I say “we” because it truly feels like we’re working as a team. Claude builds out my ideas without me having to spell them out in excruciating detail, and sometimes comes up with ones of its own. Its ability to understand what I want the game to do, and why, can feel like it borders on the clairvoyant. When I’ve finished fooling around with the new version—soon—I’ll share it here so you can judge the results for yourself. (Full disclosure: I had one bizarre issue with Claude Code. For a few days, it labored under the mistaken understanding that some of my requests were examples of prompt injection—a nefarious third party issuing commands meant to interfere with the project—and kept assuring me that it was ignoring them. Despite that, it continued to code up a storm. I asked Anthropic what was going on, but the company hasn’t yet provided an explanation.) Quirks and all, I’m thoroughly enjoying making AI-generated software. But I do confess that it’s brought out my inner Edsger Dijkstra. A celebrated computer scientist and A.M. Turing Award winner, Dijkstra bristled at the notion that anyone should be able to create software. He maintained that proper programming required an especially deep understanding of mathematics. Mere mortals shouldn’t even try. In a 1975 essay, Dijkstra ripped into BASIC, the language I used to write the original version of my game. Created at Dartmouth in 1964 and initially intended for non-techie liberal arts majors, BASIC emphasized approachability over elegance. Instead of demanding too much from these neophytes, it was simple to learn and tolerated sloppy code. He hated it. As someone who once programmed a fair amount but allowed my skills to atrophy, I am nagged by the fear that vibe coding is a form of cheating. It feels too easy. I’m also bothered by the fact that I don’t fully understand the code Claude wrote, and in fact have barely glanced at it. In short, I haven’t been entirely comfortable with the prospect of software becoming something that anyone can make. Dijkstra, who died in 2002, isn’t around to chime in on Claude Code or other forms of vibe coding. I can’t imagine he’d be thrilled with them, though. In many cases, their algorithms seem to settle for the most expedient approach to a job, resulting in software that may be less than optimal even if it gets the job done. I cheerfully admit to being unqualified to judge Claude’s coding proficiency, but my high school programming buddy Charles, who went on to become a professional developer, took a peek and deemed some of its techniques “cringe-worthy.” Legitimate reasons exist to be skittish about the quality of vibe-coded software, particularly on the security front. Last week, an app called Moltbook—a social network for AI agents—made quite a splash. According to security firm Wiz, it also left its database of user information vulnerable to leaks, due to a misconfigured server. Vibe coding may have been to blame. My reluctance to be responsible for assuring other people’s privacy is the biggest reason why I haven’t shared any of the productivity apps I’ve vibe coded for myself. Presumably, software companies with human engineers in the loop—such as Nvidia and Anthropic—have charged them with vetting the robustness of AI’s handiwork. It’s tough to imagine the day coming when that isn’t essential. Still, I am slowly getting around to the belief that vibe coding is not an alternative to coding, but a legitimate form of it. Even the most gifted programmer typically needs help translating their work into something a computer can understand. Most of them rely on high-level programming languages that break tasks into the reduced set of low-level instructions a processor performs natively. Until now, those high-level languages have had names such as Python, JavaScript, Swift, and C++. Thanks to remarkable tools such as Claude Code, they can now have names like “English.” I’m looking forward to seeing what happens once the floodgates break wide open. You’ve been reading Plugged In, Fast Company’s weekly tech newsletter from me, global technology editor Harry McCracken. If a friend or colleague forwarded this edition to you—or if you’re reading it on fastcompany.com—you can check out previous issues and sign up to get it yourself every Friday morning. I love hearing from you: Ping me at hmccracken@fastcompany.com with your feedback and ideas for future newsletters. I’m also on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads, and you can follow Plugged In on Flipboard. More top tech stories from Fast Company The real reasons Elon Musk merged xAI and SpaceX It’s all about this sci-fi fantasy. Read More → Anthropic takes aim at chatbot ads—with its own Super Bowl ad The company’s tongue-in-cheek spots highlight concerns about advertising inside AI assistants and provoke a sharp response from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Read More → How the Epstein files reignited the rich and powerful’s oldest grudges From Elon Musk and Reid Hoffman to Ben Shapiro and Steve Bannon, the latest Epstein disclosures are giving powerful rivals fresh material to settle old scores. Read More → Celebrating Cultures That Power Innovation Best Workplaces for Innovators celebrates cultures that empower employees to improve, build, and invent. Apply today to be recognized where ideas thrive and innovation drives impact. Apply Today → TikTok is fueling a SoulCycle comeback The boutique spin giant is riding a wave of 2016 nostalgia back into the spotlight, and Gen Zers are on board. Read More → This super simple tripod is designed for the modern age Manfrotto worked with Layer to design an easy-to-use tripod built for the new era of content creation. Read More → AI is about to invade the real world 2026 is the year the technology gets physical. Read More → View the full article

Organizational leaders are witnessing a steep and unprecedented rise in employee healthcare costs that is eroding bottom-line profitability. According to data from the Business Group on Health, these costs are projected to rise by 9% this year, representing a 62% increase since 2017. To put it in perspective, this represents an incremental hit of nearly $1 million to the bottom line for a midsize organization of 500 people. What CFOs are now confronting is a tipping point where the average total cost to insure an employee is nearing $20,000 annually. Notably, it is specifically mental health claims that are driving the spike. PwC’s 2026 Medical Trend report shows that inpatient mental health claims have jumped a staggering 80% in the last 24 months. For years, the corporate world has treated employee mental health as an imported problem—personal struggles that people bring with them into the workplace. But the evidence is now irrefutable that how employers manage their employees is having the greater impact and is often the leading driver of the strain. To be very clear, the way we work today has become a primary manufacturer of incremental stress, burnout, and mental health decline. The Smoking Gun: Work is the Cause Until now, the standard corporate response to employee mental health challenges has been to treat the symptoms rather than address the root causes. This means they’ve offered workers resilience training, yoga and exercise classes, and sleep and meditation apps—all band-aids on a structural wound. The evidence shows that mental health strain is no longer an outlier and is the predictable outcome of employee expectations that exceed the human ability to recover and sustain high levels of productivity. According to the Mental Health America (MHA) data, 84% of workers identified at least one workplace factor—not a personal one—that was actively harming their mental health. This suggests that for the vast majority of people, the mental health crisis isn’t bred at home; it’s being created at their desk. Here are three workplace leadership factors causing the most damage: A Deliberate Lack Of Boundaries: With technology allowing people the ability to remain connected to work at all hours, the clear line between when employees’ workdays start and end has been entirely erased. Not wanting to forfeit productivity, organizations have so far resisted giving people this clarity—and workplace managers too often exploit this by texting and e-mailing employees at odd hours and on weekends. Always being on and expected to respond prevents the human nervous system from ever truly recovering. People never get off the treadmill. The Erosion of Human Connection: A focus on efficiency—and doing more with less—increasingly means workplace leaders are stretched too thin to hold weekly check-in meetings with their teams. Companies are systematically replacing human-to-human coaching with AI systems, providing performance feedback via online dashboards and algorithmic scores. This is a biological disaster; it deprives the human nervous system of the context and connection required to feel safe. It also greatly undermines feelings of belonging, which is known to be the cornerstone of human well-being. The Micromanagement Surge: The rise of digital oversight is slowly creating a pervasive “surveillance culture” in our workplaces. In the 2024 American Psychological Association’s, “Work in America” survey, 43% of employees reported feeling “monitored” at work in some way, and those who felt monitored were significantly more likely to report poor mental health. The lack of trust makes people feel incapable of doing the job they were hired to do and whittles away at their self-esteem. Furthermore, this lack of agency strips away their sense of control, which is another primary driver of human well-being. The Managerial Squeeze The primary source of employee stress isn’t just their draining workloads, it is the person assigning them. The MHA report found that nearly 40% of employees explicitly name their manager as the top cause of their mental health issues. This is further validated by Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace Report, which found that managers report higher levels of daily stress and burnout than the people they lead—a “stress contagion” that inevitably flows downward to their teams. It’s clear that when managers are run thin by layoffs and executive pressure, they often default to transactional and impersonal styles that make people feel devalued and tipped into survival mode. And, whenever human beings feel unsafe—that their job is constantly on the line—they’re naturally more likely to break. In the big picture, research shows many workers feel that their bosses are simply not there for them; they don’t feel known and respected for who they are outside of work or valued for all they contribute. All of this means that workplace leaders have become stressors rather than stress relievers. The Remedies: A Redirection Of Time And Intention Facing both a financial and moral imperative to neutralize these stressors, organizations must now find the courage to sustainably pivot—moving away from what’s effectively been “wellness theater” and toward structural changes explicitly known to elevate employee well-being—and help restore mental health: Re-establish The On/Off Switch Even if companies choose against establishing a one-size-fits-all remedy, workplace leaders should set explicit “dark hours” (e.g., 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.) for their own teams so people can rejuvenate. This will demand that leaders model and respect those boundaries and remove any stigma currently attached to not responding to messages after work. Nothing says people can’t work beyond normal hours if they choose to. It’s the expectation of always needing to be on that is the real pain point. Foster Radical Belonging Human beings aren’t built to handle pressure alone, and feeling connected to one’s team is what supports resilience and personal thriving. Intentionally creating opportunities for employees to connect socially has become essential today. Leaders must also restore weekly check-ins (and coaching) with all direct reports and allow sufficient time to discuss each person’s well-being before focusing on work goals and performance. Look Out For People What people need to flourish are feelings of psychological and emotional safety. So, leaders should ask themselves, “Do my employees have work demands they can reasonably meet?” “Am I available enough to them as a resource and sounding board?” “Do my actions demonstrate that I care about each person on and support them individually? Do people feel they have a voice in how their work gets done and in many of the decisions I make?” The Heart of the Matter If we’re learning anything today, it’s that organizations cannot successfully scale productivity by subtracting humanity. The dramatic rise in healthcare costs and mental health claims reveals the illusion of this, and companies themselves are paying just as great a price as workers. In the end, the most effective mental health support a company can offer is a manager who treats their people humanely. View the full article

Representatives from both the Google Search and Bing Search teams are recommending against creating separate markdown (.md) pages for LLM purposes. The purpose is to serve one piece of content to the LLM and another piece of content to your users, which technically may be considered a form of cloaking and against Google’s policies. The question. Lily Ray asked on Bluesky: “Not sure if you can answer, but starting to hear a lot about creating separate markdown / JSON pages for LLMs and serving those URLs to bots.” Google’s response. John Mueller from Google responded saying: “I’m not aware of anything in that regard. In my POV, LLMs have trained on – read & parsed – normal web pages since the beginning, it seems a given that they have no problems dealing with HTML. Why would they want to see a page that no user sees? And, if they check for equivalence, why not use HTML?” Recently, John Mueller also called the idea stupid, saying: “Converting pages to markdown is such a stupid idea. Did you know LLMs can read images? WHY NOT TURN YOUR WHOLE SITE INTO AN IMAGE?” That is of course, converting your whole site to an MD file, which is a bit extreme, to say the least. I did collect a lot of John Mueller’s comments on this topic, over here. Bing’s response. Fabrice Canel from Microsoft Bing responded saying: “Lily: really want to double crawl load? We’ll crawl anyway to check similarity. Non-user versions (crawlable AJAX and like) are often neglected, broken. Humans eyes help fixing people and bot-viewed content. We like Schema in pages. AI makes us great at understanding web pages. Less is more in SEO !” Why we care. Some of us like to look for shortcuts to perform well on search engines and now the new AI search engines and LLMs. Generally, shortcuts, if they work, only work for a limited time. Plus, these shortcuts can have an unexpected negative effect. As Lily Ray wrote on LinkedIn: “I’ve had concerns the entire time about managing duplicate content and serving different content to crawlers than to humans, which I understand might be useful for AI search but directly violates search engines’ longstanding policies about this (basically cloaking).” View the full article

Last week, Google updated the design for the Google Partner Portal for advertisers. Google said the new look makes it "simpler to understand your goals and to track all your points activity."View the full article

To fuel the debate in the SEO world of the topic of structured data and LLMs and AI engines, we are hearing that once again, AI engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity are not using structured data in any special way. View the full article