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Looking for free project management software? Here's our list of the top free tools to help you plan, organize, and execute projects in 2023. The post 10 Best Free Project Management Tools to Boost Team Efficiency in 2025 appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Released today: Startup Righ is proposing a radically different approach to agentic AI. The post World first: ‘RighValor’ platform delivers distributed agentic AI at the edge for personalised home services appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

"If you can’t afford fair salaries, it’s time to fix your machine—not squeeze your people." The Disruptors With Liz Farr Go PRO for members-only access to more Liz Farr. View the full article

"If you can’t afford fair salaries, it’s time to fix your machine—not squeeze your people." The Disruptors With Liz Farr Go PRO for members-only access to more Liz Farr. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. OpenAI added shopping search features to ChatGPT Search...View the full article

SEO is all about optimizing for, well, search. In 2018, I defined SEO as: “The art and science of persuading search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo, to recommend your content to their users as the best solution to their problem.” In 2025 (and beyond), we can define search, answer, and assistive engine optimization as “The art and science of persuading recommendation engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Siri, Alexa, and Copilot to recommend your solution to their users as the best in the market.” The aim is the same – get the conversion. The difference? We have more engines. The recommendation is often further down the funnel. We have two additional foundational technologies to optimize for. 3 technologies powering recommendation engines At the heart of the future of search and research online lie three foundational technologies: Large language model chatbots. Search engines. Knowledge graphs. Every search, answer, and assistive engine uses a unique combination of these three technologies, each blending them differently to deliver its own “flavor” of recommendations. Large language model chatbots The key functionality that LLM chatbots bring to the table is their ability to engage in conversation with people. This means they can directly answer questions, make suggestions, and actively guide the user toward the “best” solution to their problem. Standalone, their weakness is that: They hallucinate (invent facts). They are pretrained on a limited amount of data. The information is never up to date (think: football scores and flight updates). The next two technologies are designed to solve those issues. Dig deeper: Decoding LLMs – How to be visible in generative AI search results Knowledge graphs Knowledge graphs are huge machine-readable encyclopedias full of facts about entities (people, companies, films, topics, concepts, etc.). For example, Google’s Knowledge Graph is currently at least 10,000 times bigger than Wikipedia. Knowledge graphs are great for structuring information and fact-checking. When you add a knowledge graph and a search engine to a chatbot, you solve the first problem: hallucinations. Dig deeper: When and how to use knowledge graphs and entities for SEO Search engines When you add a search engine that the chatbot can summarize, you expand its information source beyond its training data and ensure up-to-date responses. Perplexity does this very well. And, because the LLM chatbot can summarize the search results for the user, the need to rank first is no longer the key to success. Relevancy becomes more important since the engines will cite the most relevant reference from the top results for each piece of information it provides in its summary. Important: Here, even more than in traditional search, ranking applies across all types of results – not just blue links, but also news, videos, maps, books, shopping, images, and more. With a hybrid search / knowledge / LLM chatbot result, the key is to hit one or more of these KPI: Be in the top 10-20 results. Have a presence in the knowledge graph. Be most relevant to the intent of the user. Complementary strengths of the three technologies LLM chatbots provide the ability to converse with the user. Knowledge graphs provide fact-checking and topical context. Search adds breadth and freshness to the information for the conversation. Historically, search engines came first, and Google continues to dominate, so for now, the “flavor” most people use is still search-first. From a user experience perspective, however, the LLM chatbot seems to be the more natural starting point. People are gradually moving toward that, and in a few years, conversational research will almost certainly take over from search. The key point to remember is that all these AI search, answer, assistive, and recommendation engines function fundamentally the same way, so the same strategy works for them all. Dig deeper: 6 easy ways to adapt your SEO strategy for stronger AI visibility Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. How do different recommendation engines use the three technologies? Note: The percentages I provide below are my rule-of-thumb guesstimates for the influence of each as of March. Don’t take these numbers literally; they are simply illustrative based on my experience and a bird’s-eye evaluation of the data we collect. Google Search With Google Search, the kickoff is search, with content from their knowledge graph in the form of: Knowledge panels. Entity lists. Topical filter pills. Other knowledge SERP features. Plus, LLM summaries (AI Overviews) for some queries. Approximate blend: 15% LLM. 25% knowledge graph. 60% search. Bing Search This is also primarily search with content from their knowledge graph in the form of: Knowledge panels. Topical filter pills. A heavier integration of LLM than Google with generative AI content integrated directly into the SERP. Plus, a direct option of using their LLM chatbot, Copilot. Approximate blend: 30% LLM. 15% knowledge graph. 55% search. ChatGPT ChatGPT is an LLM-driven chatbot, supplemented with search results, and limited use of a knowledge graph, if any. Approximate blend: 65% LLM. 0% knowledge graph. 35% search. Perplexity Perplexity is fundamentally an engine that provides LLM-driven summaries of search results Approximate blend: 50% LLM. 0% knowledge graph. 50% search. Google ‘Learn About’ This experimental feature is a clear indicator of where recommendation engines are headed. It’s the engine that is the closest to what I would imagine is the “ideal mix” of the three technologies, providing: LLM-driven summaries of search results. Some fact-checking using their knowledge graph. Directly embedded search results. LLM and search-driven follow-up questions. Contextual topical filter pills on the left-hand side (using both LLM and knowledge graph). It’s designed to be a multimodal, contextually smart learning environment that guides the user toward the best solution (and from a marketing perspective, down the funnel to the perfect click). Approximate blend: 40% LLM. 20% knowledge graph. 40% search. LLM chatbots, search engines, and knowledge graphs share the same data source Optimizing for all three technologies may seem impossible at first. However, LLM chatbots, search engines, and knowledge graphs all get most of their information from one source: the web. LLM chatbots are pretrained on data collected from the web. Search results are generated in real time by information collected from the web. Knowledge graphs are populated with facts extracted from the web. The effectiveness of LLMs in generating accurate and informative responses. The relevance of search engine results. The comprehensiveness of knowledge graphs. All three are intrinsically linked to the quality and structure of the information on the web. That means optimizing your digital footprint is the key to optimizing for all search, answer, assistive, and recommendation engines, whatever the blend of the three foundational technologies now and in the future. You must focus on providing high-quality, accurate, and well-structured content across your entire digital ecosystem. Hyper-optimize your small corner of the web. By doing that, you will improve the probability you’ll: Be included in LLM conversations. Be accurately and confidently understood by knowledge graphs. Rank in search. What you can do to optimize for every flavor of recommendation engine Since they all use the web as their data source, your ability to influence them stems from managing your digital footprint across the web. SEO traditionally focuses primarily on ranking the website in search results. Ranking the website is still valuable, but its primary aim is to provide a hub of clear and detailed information about the entity (company, person, book, film, etc.) that each of the three technologies can use as a reference. Optimizing your entire webwide digital footprint and using your website to “join the dots” is the winning modern SEO strategy. Practical strategies for advanced SEOs Entity optimization (Understandability) The aim here is to ensure that the algorithms behind the LLM, search, and knowledge graphs can represent who you are and what you do. For this, you need to create a clear and consistent set of facts across your entire digital footprint that is perfectly connected. You must implement the “hub, spoke, and wheel” model. The About page on the website is the entity home hub where you state the facts (who you are, what you offer, and who you serve). The external digital footprint is the wheel (that needs to consistently corroborate what you say on the entity home page). You need to link from the hub to the different corroborative resources and back from the corroborative resources to the entity home, where possible. These are the spokes. With that in place, the bots following links will go from the entity home to each corroborative source and back, consistently seeing the same information, and by pure repetition will understand. E-E-A-T / N-E-E-A-T-T (Credibility) You need to start by expressing your credibility (through notability, expertise, experience, authoritativeness, trustworthiness, and transparency) clearly on the entity home website (the hub of your digital presence) and across your entire digital footprint. Take the time to improve how you present your existing credibility signals, such as: Awards. Publications. Certifications. Reviews. Qualifications. Relationships with market leaders. Then, ensure this information is accessible for bots to find. This includes: Your website. Second-party (controlled and semi-controlled) sites, such as: Social media accounts. Crunchbase. Etc. Amplify these signals further by getting them mentioned on relevant third-party sites like news outlets or industry associations. Now, you can start to build additional credibility signals: Get more reviews from clients. Write a book, publish academic papers. Take a certification. Join an industry organization. Build relationships with market leaders. Communicate those on first, second, and third-party websites just as you did with your existing credibility signals. Content (Deliverability) Deliverability is all about your content strategy. Long gone are the days when text-only pages were enough. Today, you need multimedia – images, sound, video, and text. Make sure you help the bots (optimize) by adding textual clues for them, such as: Alt tags. Transcripts. Captions to your images, videos, and audio. Traditional SEO focuses on publishing content on the brand’s website. That approach remains valid but needs to be expanded to second- and third-party sites. Off-site content is incredibly powerful and often overlooked. And don’t ignore user-generated content: Client reviews. Videos about your company or products. Articles. Social media posts. Be active and actively encourage your clients to actively talk about your brand and create content about it. Preparing your SEO / AEO strategy for the future The “secret sauce” is simple: no matter how different recommendation engines may look on the surface – whether it’s Google, ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Bing Copilot – they all rely on the same core ingredients. They use the web as their primary source of information for large language models, search engines, and knowledge graphs, blending these technologies to deliver solutions and answers. By taking control of your digital footprint, you shape the exact information these systems use. You’re not just hoping to be found; you’re ensuring that the content they find is comprehensive, relevant, accurate, consistent, and aligned with your brand. That’s how you safeguard your SEO and AEO strategy, becoming the go-to recommendation in both search and AI. View the full article

The startup playbook that built Uber, Airbnb, and DoorDash is becoming obsolete in real-time. As AI compresses jobs that once required hundreds of employees into algorithms, we’re witnessing the birth of a new company archetype—capital-efficient, immediately profitable, and surprisingly small. With a variety of software to use for all aspects of building a business—from Shopify for e-commerce to Stripe for payments—and low operating costs, innovation just keeps making everything that much more efficient. Advancements in AI are turbocharging this even further. Now, companies not only need less software and less capital for solutions to get off the ground, but they also simply need fewer people. From marketing to design to data management, AI can perform and accelerate many processes that take place in a growing company. Whether it’s automating website copy and social posts, assisting with interface and ad design, or even processing data sets to inform strategic decisions, many are already using AI to do this and more. This means it now takes the least amount of money it ever has to grow and scale a company. As a result, revenue scale is being achieved with the fewest number of employees ever and profitability is soon to follow suit. Acquisitions and IPOs are out of date Starting a company the “old” way was coming up with an innovative idea, followed by creating a minimal viable product and getting users. Raising venture capital to fund additional growth was the traditional next step, with ownership of the company being diluted every step of the way as new and necessary capital came in in which was needed to reach true scale. An ideal outcome would then be an exit through an acquisition or an IPO, but the odds are actually often against the company in that instance. In fact, only 1–1.5 percent of companies actually reach a “good exit” within the first five years. And when they do exit, the team’s ownership has often been so diluted that their stake in a $100M sale could be less than if they raised just a few million and sold for $25M. Sometimes, consistently batting singles and doubles is better than trying to swing for home runs. The $100M company with one employee More and more stories like this are surfacing. Companies are reevaluating the need for venture capital and how much, if any, money to raise. There’s a lot of talk about the first $100M revenue company with just one employee because of AI, and we’re getting closer to that every day. In general, companies utilizing AI to its maximum potential are proving to be extremely efficient in terms of revenue per employee, because there is less needed to achieve the same growth trajectories. The best case study for this may be Midjourney, a company which has raised no outside capital at all but was last projected to be valued at more than $10B, in 2023, if they were to go out and fundraise—a number that is likely even higher now given the company’s continued growth. Because it’s easier than it’s ever been to start, grow, scale, and become profitable, the question now is, How much money companies should be raising? When there’s so many more viable options, some have begun to wonder why raise money at all. New forms of financing All of this raises another fundamental question: What does this mean for the future of the tech ecosystem? The new normal may become financing through debt. If companies can turn a profit sooner than ever and the ability to get there requires far fewer employees, there are a lot more financing options for EBITDA-positive companies, including raising debt from banks, which is relatively inexpensive, or securing financing using revenue as the collateral. Because raising money from VCs requires diluting ownership and answering to shareholders, it is far and away the most expensive capital a company can find. If there’s a world where capital can just come from debt, companies will get the best of both worlds: scaling the business on their terms while retaining ownership the entire way. This is likely going to be one of the most popular options in the AI-first era. Disrupting the conventional VC model VCs, meanwhile, will have to adapt their approach to adjust for a world in which their capital is simply less interesting to a company. Traditionally, their model is to get outsized returns from a handful of investments, which offsets the losses from the majority of the investments that don’t return anything. VCs usually do this by investing and gaining significant ownership stakes in companies over time, reinvesting in round after round of the “winners” in their portfolio. These companies historically have come back for more capital because that was the way it was always done. That looks a lot different now when the companies they want to invest in only need to raise very little capital and in turn they don’t get the ownership stake they need to generate those outsized returns. To keep up, VCs can look to new models and find companies outside of their normal view. It may look a bit less like software, and more like service-based companies that they previously avoided. These businesses are still ripe for disruption and have the potential to experience a dramatic lift from incorporating new technology—specifically AI—into the mix. Investing in these types of businesses gives VCs the chance to capture the traditional types of returns over time, even if it starts to look more like private equity. The model becomes less about picking a handful of big winners, and more about ensuring that the majority of the companies they invest in are successful, even if just modestly. An existential question The next decade won’t just transform what startups build, but it will fundamentally reinvent how they’re built. The companies that thrive won’t necessarily be the ones with the most capital, but those that strategically deploy technology to maximize impact with minimal overhead. For companies and investors alike, adapting isn’t optional—it’s existential. View the full article

S&P 500 on course to lose 8% since inauguration day in weakest start to a presidency since 1970sView the full article

Key Takeaways Understand Monograms: Monograms are personalized designs combining letters, offering a unique branding element that resonates with customers and enhances product appeal. Market Demand: There is a growing demand for personalized products, making it a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. Tailoring offerings to customer preferences can boost acquisition and retention. Research and Planning: Conduct thorough market research to identify your target audience, analyze competitors, and develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your business model and growth strategies. Choose Your Niche: Selecting a specific niche helps differentiate your business in the monogram market, enabling you to focus marketing efforts and optimize product offerings for targeted demographics. Essential Tools and Equipment: Invest in quality sewing and embroidery machines, supplies, and design software to ensure high-quality production and streamline the creative process. Effective Marketing: Build a strong online presence and utilize social media to showcase products, engage with your audience, and drive traffic to your business for increased sales. Starting a monogram business can be an exciting venture that taps into the growing demand for personalized products. With a unique touch, you can transform everyday items into cherished keepsakes and gifts that resonate with customers. Whether it’s custom towels, bags, or home decor, the possibilities are endless. In today’s market, personalization is more than just a trend; it’s a way to connect with your audience. By offering tailored designs, you can carve out a niche that sets your business apart. If you’re ready to turn your creativity into a profitable enterprise, let’s explore the essential steps to launch your monogram business and make your mark in this vibrant industry. Understanding Monograms Monograms have become essential for branding in small businesses, especially for personalized products. They’re distinctive designs that combine letters, often initials, into a single symbol. Customers love monograms for their unique touch on an array of items, such as towels, bags, and home decor. What Are Monograms? Monograms are personalized symbols or designs created by intertwining or overlapping letters. Typically, they feature an individual’s initials or a company’s name. For small business owners, understanding monograms means exploring various design styles—interlocking, circular, block letters, or script. These designs can elevate product appeal, making items feel bespoke and special to the buyer. History of Monograms Monograms date back to ancient Greece, where they served as personal signatures or marks of ownership. They gained popularity during the Renaissance, primarily among nobility, who showcased monograms on clothing, art, and household items. In modern times, monograms have evolved into a popular branding tool for entrepreneurs. They enhance brand identity and promote recognition in the marketplace, thereby boosting customer acquisition and retention. Understanding this rich history supports your ability to promote your monogram business effectively. Benefits of Starting a Monogram Business Starting a monogram business provides unique benefits that can enhance your entrepreneurial journey and contribute to your small business success. Creative Expression Creative expression stands at the forefront of launching a monogram business. Monogramming allows for high levels of customization, enabling you to create personalized products that resonate with your target audience. You can offer embroidered initials on items like t-shirts, bags, towels, and home decor, making them distinctive. Design variability also plays a crucial role; you can incorporate different styles, from traditional to modern, using elements like serifs and swirls. This adaptability caters to diverse customer preferences and highlights your brand’s uniqueness. Market Demand Market demand for personalized products continues to rise, presenting a lucrative opportunity for your startup. Customers increasingly seek meaningful gifts and personalized items that reflect their identity or sentiments. Conducting market research reveals a growing trend in e-commerce, making it essential to establish an effective business model that captures this audience. By focusing on customization, you align with current consumer preferences, enhancing customer acquisition and retention. Additionally, leveraging digital marketing strategies, including SEO and social media campaigns, effectively promotes your unique offerings and drives sales. Establishing strong branding through your monogram designs ensures customer recognition and encourages repeat business, laying the foundation for sustainable growth. Steps to Start a Monogram Business Starting a monogram business involves strategic planning and execution. Focus on your target audience and ensure your offerings resonate with their needs. Follow these essential steps to launch your venture successfully. Research and Planning Conduct thorough market research to understand demand for monogramming services. Identify your ideal customer and determine what products attract them, such as bags, towels, or clothing. Analyze competitors to gauge their strengths and weaknesses. Create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your business model, whether online or in a physical location. Include specific growth strategies, defining measurable goals that facilitate your journey towards success. Choosing Your Niche Selecting a niche is crucial in standing out in the monogram market. Consider targeting specific demographics, such as college students or wedding planners, who are likely to seek personalized items. Evaluate product types that align with your niche, ensuring a clear focus that enhances customer acquisition. This specialization allows you to fine-tune your branding efforts, optimizing marketing strategies that appeal directly to your audience. By offering unique, tailored products, you can solidify your business identity and increase your market share in the growing personalization trend. Tools and Equipment Needed Starting a monogram business requires specific tools and equipment to ensure quality and efficiency. You’ll need to invest in various essential items for successful operations. Essential Equipment Sewing and Embroidery Machine: Invest in a high-quality embroidery machine with automatic thread tension and autopilot functions. This equipment is crucial for efficiently creating monograms on various items, allowing you to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Supplies: Stock up on sufficient thread in various colors, along with stabilizing materials, needles, and other necessary tools. These supplies support diverse monogramming projects and enhance product quality, making your offerings more appealing to customers. Software for Designing You’ll also need effective software for designing monograms. Embroidery Digitizing Software: Consider using tools like Embrilliance Essentials. This versatile software is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems. It allows you to merge, resize, and edit existing embroidery designs while supporting various file formats. Utilizing this software streamlines your design process and enhances creativity in product development, which is vital for your business model. By equipping yourself with the right tools and software, you set a solid foundation for your startup, improve product quality, and enhance customer acquisition strategies. Marketing Your Monogram Business Effective marketing strategies enhance visibility and customer acquisition for your monogram business. Focus on key areas like building an online presence and utilizing social media to connect with your target audience. Building an Online Presence Establishing a solid online presence is crucial for any small business. Your website serves as the primary platform for showcasing products, facilitating e-commerce, and communicating with customers. Optimize your site for SEO to improve search engine rankings and attract organic traffic. Include high-quality images of your monogram products, detailed descriptions, and an easy-to-navigate shopping interface. Consider including a blog section to share insights on monogram trends, providing valuable content that can draw in potential customers. Additionally, ensure your website is mobile-friendly. With over 50% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, a responsive design enhances user experience and increases conversion rates. Don’t forget to secure necessary permits and handle business registration as part of your online setup. Utilizing Social Media Utilizing social media platforms effectively can significantly boost your brand visibility. Focus on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, which prioritize visual content, to showcase your unique monogram products. Regularly post engaging content that resonates with your audience, such as behind-the-scenes looks at your creative process or user-generated content featuring your products. Create targeted social media ads to reach specific demographics, enhancing your marketing efforts. Collaborate with influencers within the customization and handmade niche to expand your audience reach. By establishing partnerships, you expand your visibility and drive traffic to your online store. Monitor engagement metrics to track the effectiveness of your campaigns. Understanding how your audience interacts with your content allows you to innovate your approach continually. Ultimately, an effective social media strategy complements your overall growth strategy, driving sales and brand loyalty. Conclusion Starting a monogram business can be a rewarding venture that taps into the growing demand for personalized products. By focusing on customization and unique branding, you can create items that resonate with your customers and stand out in a competitive market. Investing in the right tools and marketing strategies will lay the groundwork for your success. Embrace your creativity and connect with your audience through tailored designs that tell their stories. With the right approach, your monogram business can flourish and become a beloved source of personalized keepsakes. Frequently Asked Questions What is a monogram business? A monogram business specializes in creating personalized products featuring custom monograms—designs that combine initials into a unique symbol. This niche focuses on items such as towels, bags, and home decor, catering to the growing trend for personalized gifts. Why are personalized products in demand? Personalized products are increasingly popular because they offer a unique touch that resonates with customers. They provide a way to express individuality, making personalized items perfect for gifts and special occasions, contributing to their rising demand in the market. What are the benefits of starting a monogram business? Starting a monogram business allows for creative expression and the opportunity to cater to individual customer needs. Entrepreneurs can develop unique, customized products that stand out, leading to enhanced customer acquisition and retention in a growing market. What tools do I need to start a monogram business? Essential tools for a monogram business include a high-quality sewing and embroidery machine, thread, stabilizing materials, and embroidery digitizing software like Embrilliance Essentials. These tools help improve product quality and streamline the design process. How do I effectively market a monogram business? To market a monogram business effectively, focus on building a solid online presence through an optimized website and engaging social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Use high-quality images, targeted ads, and influencer collaborations to enhance visibility and attract customers. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Guide to Starting a Monogram Business for Creative Entrepreneurs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Yelp announced 15 new features and updates to make it faster and easier for users to hire service professionals and for restaurants to manage their front-of-house operations. Many of these upgrades are powered by AI. Details. Yelp Assistant, launched in 2024, now uses AI-powered photo recognition to identify project needs. Users can simply upload a photo (e.g., a leaking pipe, car damage) and Yelp will quickly match them with the right service pro. Alongside smarter matching, Yelp is debuting AI-driven “response quality badges” to spotlight service providers who give clear, helpful replies. Businesses are rated based on whether they quote pricing, acknowledge project details, and offer thoughtful follow-up, instead of vague responses. To help national service brands manage leads more efficiently, Yelp is integrating its Leads API with Zapier. This no-code solution lets businesses sync Yelp leads into more than 800 CRM tools, cutting down manual work and speeding up customer responses. For restaurants. Yelp’s Guest Manager is getting a major upgrade. Yelp is introducing automated Guest Experience Surveys to gather feedback on food, service, and overall experience. Restaurants can spot trends through a new dashboard, with AI-driven insights coming soon. Reservation management is also getting smarter. Restaurants can now offer guaranteed seating areas – like patios or bars – directly through Yelp. Diners will see real-time updates about their waitlist status on their iPhone lock screens. Enhanced tools for shift scheduling, waitlist automation, and traffic tracking aim to give restaurants more control over their front-of-house flow. Why we care. These updates make it easier to capture and convert high-quality leads. With AI-powered photo recognition and response quality badges, businesses can connect faster with customers who have clearer, more detailed project needs. Plus, new integrations like the Zapier connection streamline lead management, helping advertisers respond quicker, track performance better, and ultimately close more deals with less manual effort. On the restaurant side, new Guest Experience Surveys, smarter reservation tools, and real-time waitlist tracking help businesses deliver a better guest experience and capture more reservations directly from Yelp and social media. Together, these upgrades mean businesses can build stronger customer relationships, operate more efficiently, and drive more revenue from Yelp’s platform. What’s next. Yelp plans to roll out Android and desktop support for AI photo recognition later this year. Nationwide availability for AI-powered response badges is coming soon. AI analytics for Guest Experience Surveys will launch in the coming months. View the full article

Google says AI Overviews are changing search. The data? Not so fast. See what 5 billion queries reveal about user behavior. The post The Data Behind Google’s AI Overviews: What Sundar Pichai Won’t Tell You appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Installing software on Windows can be a pain. You'll find some things for download in the Microsoft Store, sure, but a lot of other applications require you to find the official website and download an executable. It's an annoying process, especially if you have a bunch of software you need to install all at once—a lot of waiting around and clicking "Next." Manually downloading software is also a security risk. The increasing unreliability of Google search results means it's harder to find a legitimate sources for a given app, increasing your odds of downloading malware. Linux users don't have to deal with this cumbersome process—they install software using a package manager, which can automatically download and install software in a couple clicks. And it turns out that Windows has a hidden Windows package manager called Winget, which lets you install software by opening the command prompt and typing the right command. But not everyone likes typing commands, which is where UniGetUI comes in. This application, formerly known as WingetUI, provides a visual interface for Winget and other text-based package managers. Just open the application, type the app you're looking for, and hit enter. Credit: Justin Pot You can double-click any result to read more details. You can search for and check as many applications as you want, then click Install Selected Packages to bulk install multiple applications at once There are a lot to choose from: UniGetUI searches WinGet, which has access to thousands of applications alongside everything in the Microsoft Store. This means you can use it to search and install software from the Microsoft Store without having ever open the Microsoft Store, which is nice. But there's more: package mangers Chocolatey, Scoop, Pip, Npm, .NET Tool, and PowerShell Gallery are also supported. If you don't know what that means, though, don't worry—they're just different sources for software. With everything combined into one app, you should be able to install just about anything using UniGetUI. Credit: Justin Pot You can also update applications from all of these sources, simultaneously, in the Software Updates tab. This is a big deal if you're the kind of person who hates seeing update prompts in all of your individual applications. There's even an optional widget you can install that allows you to trigger updates without opening the application. There are a few more features worth mentioning. You can create a bundle that includes multiple applications and save it for use on future computers, which is handy if you ever need to reinstall Windows and also want to reinstall all of your applications at once. You can even share your bundles of apps with friends, if you want. Not everyone needs an application like this, granted, but if you're the kind of person who installs a lot of software, I can't recommend it enough. View the full article

Google Discover desktop data is already trackable in Search Console. Here's how to prepare ahead of the full rollout. The post Google Discover Desktop Data Already Trackable In Search Console appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

The first 27 satellites for Amazon’s Kuiper broadband internet constellation were launched into space from Florida on Monday, kicking off the long-delayed deployment of an internet-from-space network that will rival SpaceX’s Starlink. The satellites are the first of 3,236 that Amazon plans to send into low-Earth orbit for Project Kuiper, a $10 billion effort unveiled in 2019 to beam broadband internet globally for consumers, businesses and governments—customers that SpaceX has courted for years with its powerful Starlink business. Sitting atop an Atlas V rocket from the Boeing and Lockheed Martin joint-venture United Launch Alliance, the batch of 27 satellites was lofted into space at 7 p.m. EDT pm from the rocket company’s launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Bad weather scrubbed an initial launch attempt on April 9. Kuiper is arguably Amazon’s biggest bet under way, pitting it against Starlink as well as global telecommunications providers like AT&T and T-Mobile. The company has positioned the service as a boon to rural areas where connectivity is sparse or nonexistent. The mission to deploy the first operational satellites has been delayed more than a year—Amazon once hoped it could launch the inaugural batch in early 2024. The company faces a deadline set by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to deploy half its constellation, 1,618 satellites, by mid-2026, but its slower start means Amazon is likely to seek an extension, analysts say. Hours or possibly days after the launch, Amazon is expected to publicly confirm initial contact with all of the satellites from its mission operations center in Redmond, Washington. If all goes as planned, the company said it expects to “begin delivering service to customers later this year.” ULA could launch up to five more Kuiper missions this year, ULA CEO Tory Bruno told Reuters in an interview this month. Amazon said in a 2020 FCC filing that it could begin service in some northern and southern regions at 578 satellites, with coverage expanding toward Earth’s equator as the company launches more satellites. The Web services and e-commerce giant’s Project Kuiper is an ambitious foray into space, with a late start in a market dominated by SpaceX. But Amazon executives see the company’s deep consumer product experience and established cloud computing business that Kuiper will connect with as an edge over Starlink. Amazon launched two prototype satellites in 2023 in tests it said were successful, before de-orbiting them in 2024. It had been relatively quiet about the program’s development until announcing its first Kuiper launch plans earlier this month. ‘ROOM FOR LOTS OF WINNERS’ Elon Musk’s SpaceX, with a unique edge as both a satellite operator and launch company with its reusable Falcon 9, has put more than 8,000 Starlink satellites in orbit since 2019, marking its 250th dedicated Starlink launch on Monday. Its deployment pace has hastened to at least one Starlink mission per week, each rocket with roughly two-dozen satellites on board to expand the network’s bandwidth and replace outdated satellites. That quick pace has helped Musk’s company amass more than 5 million internet users across 125 countries, upend the global satellite communications market and woo military and intelligence agencies that have sought to use Starlink and its manufacturing line for sensitive national security programs. Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos has voiced confidence that Kuiper can compete with Starlink, telling Reuters in a January interview “there’s insatiable demand” for internet. “There’s room for lots of winners there. I predict Starlink will continue to be successful, and I predict Kuiper will be successful as well,” he said. “It will be a primarily commercial system, but there will be defense uses for these LEO constellations, no doubt,” he added, referring to low-Earth orbit. Amazon in 2023 revealed its Kuiper consumer terminals, an LP vinyl record-sized antenna that communicates with Kuiper satellites overhead, as well as a smaller terminal whose size it compares to its e-book Kindle device. The company expects to make tens of millions of the devices for under $400 each. Amazon in 2022 booked 83 rocket launches from ULA, France’s Arianespace and Blue Origin, Bezos’ space company, snagging the industry’s biggest-ever launch deal as it prepared to begin Kuiper deployment. —Joey Roulette, Reuters View the full article

Rumors suggest that Apple is working on ways to make the iPad more like a Mac with iPadOS 19. While the company won't be bringing macOS to the iPad (as much as I'd love that to be the case) there could be upgrades that transform the tablet experience more into a desktop computing experience. The thing is, it isn't just the iPad that appears to be getting desktop features—the iPhone might be getting in on the fun, too. In a post covering the iPadOS 19 rumors, leaker Majin Bu had this to say about the iPhone: "iOS 19 isn’t being left behind. Source say that iPhones with USB-C will support external displays, offering a [Stage Manager-like] interface. While not a full desktop mode, it will allow users to extend their screen space, great for presentations, editing, or enhanced viewing." If true, this would be a huge change for the iPhone. While Apple lets you mirror your iPhone's screen to external displays, it has never offered an extended display option. With extended displays, you are able to have different windows open on different devices: You could use your phone to present a slideshow on a monitor or projector, while still using your phone to reference speaker notes, for example. A mirrored display, on the other hand, is much more limited, as you're only showing what's on your iPhone's screen on the larger display. It can be helpful, but also troublesome, as everything on your iPhone's display is mirrored. Getting to keep your iPhone's display private while controlling what gets displayed on the external screen would be a game changer. Extended displays also respect the dimensions of the screen you're connected. When you mirror your iPhone to a TV, for example, it'll show up vertically. If you're in an app that supports landscape mode, you can flip your iPhone to fill up more of the display, but it still won't match the dimensions of most TVs and monitors (unless you're using a Home button-era iPhone with a 16:9 display). The other exception is media playback, which will render in the original photo or video's dimensions, but the entire setup is far from ideal. All that said, Majin Bu does report that it's possible there will be issues with the resolution or number of apps that can be extended at any given time. Really, this rumor is thin, and doesn't offer us a lot of information to work from at this time. The iPhone would be far from the first mobile device to offer a feature like this. Apple's own iPads are able to extend to other displays via Stage Manager, and many smartphones offer a desktop mode—like Samsung's DeX. Could this "desktop" mode be a sign for a future device?9to5Mac seems to think this rumored feature isn't so much about Apple's vision for the iPhone as it currently exists, but another device entirely: the iPhone Fold. Apple's rumored foldable iPhone is still at least a year out if the leaks are to be trusted, but 9to5Mac sees its influence already. The outlet believes the device will act like an iPhone when folded and an iPad mini when unfolded, so such a device would benefit from a desktop mode. I buy the argument: If a foldable iPhone would benefit from a desktop mode—or at least extended display support—why not beta test that feature on existing iPhones while you continue to work on the foldable? Of course, it's all speculation, and Apple will almost certainly not reveal a foldable phone at WWDC 2025. But if the company does announce an extended display mode as part of iOS 19, it could offer a clue to the company's future plans for the iPhone. View the full article

As a kid, Matt Stevens and his neighbor used to hunker down and get set up for a game of flick football. Stevens was always the Cowboys. His neighbor was always the Steelers. Only problem was, they barely ever got to finish the game itself. “We would oftentimes run out of time, because I would spend so long making the poster for the game,” Stevens says. The North Carolina-based independent designer has long had a knack for using his creative skills to bring fictive worlds to life based on real-world IP—and, well, it tracks that if anyone was going to make an idea as random as Good Movies as Old Books work, it would be him. MID-CENTURY MASH-UP Stevens’s new book—in which he delivers exactly what the title promises across 200-plus fake vintage book covers—is out today. And it works delightfully. As for how he found himself turning the book-to-screen paradigm on its head in the first place, around 2020, he was helping his friend, former NFL player turned entertainment producer Ryan Kalil, pitch a project. Seeking a way to give a potential film project a unique visual spin, Stevens designed an image of it as an old linen-bound book. “I’ve always loved the whole mash-up culture,” he says. “Putting something in a new context and seeing it differently has always been very interesting to me.” After losing his father when he was young, Stevens says cinema offered a cathartic outlet, and he developed a lifelong passion for it. So after creating that first film as book for the pitch, he realized he had stumbled upon a new side project combining the things he loves—and he kept going. He began putting his initial creations on social media, and they resonated. Having initially experimented with early 1900s cover aesthetics, he discovered his sweet spot in mid-century book cover design (he particularly loves Penguin’s work during the era). “Anything where the idea is reduced down to its bare essentials is really satisfying for me,” he says. “And I think a lot of that just showed up in the mid-century stuff where they’re printing in very limited colors, and they’re paring it down to the most bare-bones details.” His chameleonic ability to design across styles and eras is a testament to the small shops and agencies where he worked over the years, where every member of a nimble team was responsible for, well, everything. In the book, that manifests in a Saul Bass–tinged spin on Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything; a veritable Push Pin Studios take on Mad Max: Fury Road; a Terminator cover that feels almost as if it’s a lost paperback history of the Roman empire. At first, he was hesitant to touch IP that had a deep legacy of specific imagery associated with it. But he eventually embraced the thrill of it—such as in the case of, say, his unexpected take on Ghostbusters. Breaking the title typographically immediately sets it on new ground, and the ominous silhouetted figures set against the limerick green background offer a fresh look at a beloved, well-worn property. “It was exciting to me to go, Okay, everybody knows that there are a million iconic images of this thing. How do I come up with something that’s different?” KICK-STARTING A COLLECTION Designing a fake book for a very real movie is not unlike designing an actual cover for a very real book. “I love the medium of book design,” Stevens says. “To me, it’s one of the purest and most satisfying challenges in the way that a poster is.” Sometimes he starts with the idea he wants to explore, and sometimes he starts with a style that he wants to play within. Either way, when he sets out to design a fake cover for a flick, he rewatches it—a process that can reveal the film to him in all-new ways. “It’s just a different way of watching [movies]. You’re looking at themes and iconic images,” he says. “I think it just deepened my love for some of them.” As for his subjects, he says he’s not out to create a “Best Of” cinematic list. Rather, he goes with the films he loves, the films that inspired him, or films that seem fertile ground for a fresh spin. He says the latter is often what resonates with viewers the most, such as his cover for Mad Max: Fury Road. After he reached 100 “books,” in 2020 he launched a Kickstarter campaign to produce a book of them, which brought in $57,000, nearly doubling its initial goal. When he designed 100 more, he Kickstarted a second volume. A literary agent, meanwhile, had been gifted one of Stevens’s prints, and hung it on her wall. Someone in her office asked if she liked Stevens’s book—but the agent had no idea one even existed. So she reached out to him, and that’s why Chronicle is now publishing a new volume collecting the best of his first two, with an additional 60 new covers (and an accompanying box set of 100 postcards). The ironic thing? Designing fake book covers has led Stevens to gigs designing real ones. For the moment, he has taken a break from his fictive jackets—but when someone lands on such a curious mix of passion and side-project success, can they ever really give it up? “I just saw Sinners this weekend, and it’s like, Oh, I’d love to work on that,” he says with a laugh. “So who knows?” View the full article

Most advertisers spend hours managing keywords, bids, and targeting – but overlook the one thing searchers actually notice: the ad itself. If your ads aren’t strong, nothing else in your account can save you. Why ad copy is the heart of your PPC account When I look at how many Google and Microsoft Ads accounts are being managed, I see a lot of time devoted to: Search term management. Complex bid strategies. Keyword research. Inactionable data analysis. In many accounts, the ads are often neglected. However, your ads are the most crucial part of your PPC account. Your ads are the only aspect of your account that a searcher sees. Searchers don’t see or interact with your keywords, bids, audiences, or search terms. Google emphasizes how essential ads are in their naming conventions. Google’s PPC system is called Google Ads. You create ad groups – not keyword groups. The ads come first, and the targeting methods, such as audiences and keywords, are used to determine if the ad is relevant to the searcher. The few characters devoted to your ad copy must resonate with the searcher. Your ads must: Draw the searcher’s attention. Explain your offer. Show why they should interact with your business instead of the myriad other options on a search page. Ultimately, bring qualified traffic to your website. You can have up to 15 headlines in a responsive search ad (RSA). An effective ad uses a variety of ad components to attract a searcher’s attention and convince them to click on your ad. Ads that use a few ad components are often dull and ineffective. Let’s look at the main types of ad components you can use in your headlines. Relevant headline If your ad doesn’t attract someone’s attention, all your carefully chosen words do not matter. The first step to an effective ad is drawing the user’s attention. When someone searches, they are looking for information specific to their topic. Your ad should show that you understand what the user is looking for and can help them accomplish their goal. Relevant headlines reflect the searcher’s intent, which should be the same as the keywords in your ad group. You do not have to just mirror the keywords in your ad group. If you use thematic ad groups, where all the keywords are related to a central theme, then these headlines can reflect the overall theme of the ad group. Your relevancy lines can also be used in ad group organization. If you look at each of your relevancy lines and they do not reflect every keyword in the ad group, you need to move the non-relevant keywords to another ad group so that they can also be reflected in the ad. If you use pinning, these lines are generally pinned to the first headline. In B2B marketing, these lines serve another function – prequalification. With B2B ads, you don’t want to appear to B2C searchers. Use these lines (and sometimes other headlines or ad assets) to appeal to business searchers, but do not show relevance to B2C searchers. These lines are so essential that Google’s responsive search ads serving defaults to these headlines. Google will serve your relevancy lines over every other ad component in your headlines, and these lines usually have the most impressions of all your headlines. Features and benefits Features are bullet point lists of facts about a product or service. They aren’t spicy and are just facts. A benefit is what someone gets out of using the product or service. For instance, a computer might have a 12-hour battery life. That’s a valuable piece of information if someone is comparison shopping and sorting by various product features. However, it lacks the context of what that means to a user. Consider these headlines: No need for plugs – 12-hr battery. Be productive on long flights. Hunt for insights – not power. To turn a feature into a benefit, just look at a feature and ask, “Why does this matter?” and finish the sentence. Then you’ll need to reduce the characters to fit into your headline or use the entire line in your descriptions. As features can be crucial, but boring, they usually make better callout or structured snippet extensions as opposed to headlines. However, we buy products and engaged services based upon what something does for us – that’s a benefit and one of the most crucial aspects of ad creation. Unique selling proposition (USP) There are many options on a search page. Users can interact with ads, AI Overviews, organic listings, and vertical-specific information. They have many options to satisfy their search. Why should they choose you over all these other options? What is unique about your product, service, or company? In niche industries, changing a USP rarely affects your CTRs or conversion rates. However, in highly competitive industries, especially ones where many companies offer the exact same product or service, your USP can set you apart and increase your ad’s effectiveness. Authority statements Authority statements showcase why you are the go-to authority for your industry. 10,000+ 5-star reviews. Over 1,000 patents granted. 150+ years of legal experience. Established in 1897. A+ BBB Rated. These can be worthwhile headlines to test in competitive areas where you are trying to stand out. If they aren’t working well for you or aren’t as powerful as your other headlines, they also double as wonderful callout extensions. Dig deeper: How to benchmark PPC competitors: The definitive guide Pain point solutions Many searchers are trying to solve a problem. Speaking directly to the issue they face can be highly effective as a headline. Consider these headlines: Stop overpaying for insurance. Tired of low investment returns? No more missed appointments. End website downtime. Ditch manual budget tracking. Say goodbye to late fees. Eliminate invoice errors. Stop leads from slipping away. With these ad components, you are showing the searcher that you not only understand their problem, but you can fix it. Users hunting for solutions are often frustrated with their current products and are looking for something new. Addressing and fixing pain points has been a successful marketing tactic for years. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Emotional appeals Humans are emotional. We often buy something because of how it makes us feel rather than its usefulness. This is especially true when spending disposable income on: Self-help. Travel. Weight loss. Other life-affirming or life-improving items. Emotions are powerful to tap into, and can make highly effective headlines when coupled with a relevancy line. For instance, consider these headlines: Make Memories That Last. Freedom to Choose Your Path. Feel Confident About Tomorrow. Love How You Live Again. Turn Dreams Into Plans. Peace of Mind Starts Here. Empower Your Financial Future. These can be substituted for a corporate slogan in your case. If you have a common slogan throughout your advertising, you might also use it as an emotional appeal in your ads. “Just Do It” – Nike “Think Different” – Apple “I’m Lovin’ It” – McDonald’s “Because You’re Worth it” – L’Oréal “A Diamond Is Forever” – De Beers In these instances, you connect the emotional feelings from your video or TV ads with your search ads by using the same lines across various ad formats. Offer or promotions Everyone likes free. Everyone likes to save money. Showcasing specials, offers, or promotions in ads is powerful. These are often straightforward headlines that show your offer. Buy 1 Get 1 Free No Setup Fees – Join Now Sale ends on XX date. This is usually coupled with the countdown customizer. Try it free for 30 Days 25% Off – Limited Time If you test these lines and they don’t improve your metrics, you can still use these offers in your promotion or price asset. Dig deeper: 3 tips for using promotions and discounts in paid search Calls to action (CTA) Arguably, the second most crucial headline type after your relevancy line is calls to action, which tell someone what to do. When someone is searching, they are looking for information. They are not the expert since they need assistance answering a question. The user is looking for direction on how to solve their issue. Telling a user the next step often increases conversion rates. The biggest issue with calls to action is that most are boring or overused. The number of ads that use, “call now,” “buy now,” “shop now,” “subscribe today,” is so overwhelming that we’re blind to these words. Powerful calls to action combine other ad components with a CTA. The most common item combined is a benefit. However, you can do this with most ad components. Help Humanity – Volunteer Today. Subscribe to power marketing tips. Get Leads. Start a free trial. Learn how to cut costs. Discover the majesty of Egypt. Your other consideration with CTAs is the buying funnel. If someone has just started their purchase journey, you don’t want to say “buy now,” as they are still researching. Softer CTAs, such as “discover” or “learn,” are better when a user is higher in the funnel. Conversely, if a user is ready to buy, start a trial, or subscribe, you don’t want to tell them to learn more. You want them to take the next step in their buyer journey. Examine your keywords, consider where someone is in their journey, and then use CTAs that are appropriate for that specific step in the buying process. Combining ad aspects into a single headline Many headlines can address multiple ad components in a single line. For instance, if we look at pain point solutions, we can add calls to action to them. Stop Overpaying – Switch Today. No More Late Fees – Join Free. Cut Tax Stress – Book a Call. Say Bye to Spam – Try It Free. Or they can double as relevancy lines by including keywords. Tax Pros- Eliminate Tax Stress. End Hidden Credit Card Fees. Stop CRM Frustration. In some cases, they can be relevancy lines and calls to action. Ditch Your Outdated CRM. Switch to a No-Fee Credit Card. Get Advice from Expert Lawyers. Not all your ads will use every ad component. However, by combining different ad components into single headlines, we can convey more information with a set number of characters. Build better PPC campaigns by focusing on your ads There are more ad components than can be used in an ad. Not every ad component is going to be best for your messaging. Each ad component has its strengths and weaknesses. This is why you must not just write ads, but test them as well. Your ultimate goal is to improve your account’s goals. The strength of a copywriter is the ability to concisely pack ad elements together while making the ad easy to understand and focused on your business outcomes. Putting too much information into an ad can make the offer convoluted and confusing. Too little information, and your competition’s ads will outshine your own. Simple is more difficult than complex. Can you take complex messages and boil them down into easy-to-comprehend statements? PPC headlines have character limits. They are short, concise, and packed with information that: Speaks to the user. Shows them why they should choose your company over all the other options. Your ads are the only part of your account that a searcher actually sees. Are your ads using a variety of ad components to showcase your company’s offers effectively? Dig deeper: 4 practical ways to use generative AI for ad copywriting View the full article

You’ve been knocking it out of the park. Your projects deliver, your name comes up in leadership meetings, and now you’ve been tapped for the next step: your first management role. It’s exciting. It’s validating. But it’s also a lot like stepping off a cliff with no parachute—especially if no one’s told you what leadership really requires. In fact, nearly half of first-time managers report feeling unprepared when they take on their new roles. Why? Because being a high-achieving individual contributor is a completely different job than managing people. It’s not a promotion—it’s a profession. So, before you accept that new title and the “corner Slack channel” that comes with it, hit pause. Ask yourself these four essential questions, drawn from my work with hundreds of managers at Arrowhead Engineered Products and OTC Industrial Technologies. Each one will help you determine if you’re ready—and what to work on if you’re not. 1. Do You Genuinely Enjoy Empowering Others? Or Do You Prefer Doing the Work Yourself? All too often, I’ve seen rising stars get promoted only to flounder under the weight of delegation. The problem isn’t intelligence or ambition—it’s a mindset mismatch. Management is no longer about what you can do; it’s about what you can enable others to do. Two useful questions to ask yourself are, Do I find satisfaction in helping others succeed? and Am I willing to let go of doing it “my way” in favor of coaching someone through theirs? One high-performing sales rep at one of our subsidiaries had a stellar track record and was promoted to manage a regional team. Six months in, results were stagnant. At a leadership retreat, he realized he’d been micromanaging every deal—unintentionally robbing his team of growth and ownership. With targeted coaching, he transitioned to a mentoring model. The result? Revenue climbed, morale improved, and he built a far more resilient team. If your dopamine still comes from crossing tasks off your own list, management might not be the right move—yet. Instead, look for opportunities to lead informal teams or mentor junior staff before you make the leap. 2. How Comfortable Are You Owning Both Team Wins—and Failures? When things go right, great managers give credit away. When things go wrong, they take responsibility. It’s counterintuitive, and it’s hard—especially if you’re used to being rewarded for your own performance. This isn’t just about accountability. It’s about resilience, emotional intelligence, and setting the tone. Your team will take cues from how you respond to adversity. Do you spiral or solve? Do you blame or build? Try these reflection prompts: How do I react when something goes wrong that’s outside my control? Can I coach someone through a tough performance conversation without making it personal? At OTC, we train managers using scenario planning. One notable case study involves a division leader who faced a serious service failure that caused a major client to threaten walking away from the contract. Rather than deflect blame or point fingers at the team, the leader chose to step up, take full ownership of the situation in front of the client, and offer a clear plan for how the problem would be addressed. This response not only salvaged the client relationship, but it also strengthened it. The client later expanded their contract with OTC. This example underscores one of the key tenets in leadership: Leaders earn trust when they absorb the blame and redirect the credit. When done right, this kind of accountability builds lasting trust within teams and with clients, turning potential crises into opportunities for deeper connections and future success. 3. Are You Prepared to Create Both a Personal—and Team—Development Plan for Growth? Management isn’t a one-and-done skill set. You don’t learn it once and coast. Great managers are obsessed with improvement—for themselves and for their teams. Do you have a plan for how you’ll develop as a leader? Do you know how to identify skill gaps on your team—and help close them? Ask yourself: When was the last time you asked for feedback? What did you do with it? Could you sit down tomorrow and outline growth goals for each of your direct reports? At one of our leadership retreats, a newly promoted engineering manager discovered that she had never asked her team what skills they wanted to develop. When she did, it revealed a strong desire for cross-training and professional growth opportunities. She responded by introducing monthly “learning lunches” where team members could share knowledge and build skills together. The results were immediate—engagement and collaboration skyrocketed, and the team’s performance improved. The best managers don’t just set development goals—they actively ask their team about their aspirations. To put this into practice, try using a simple grid to map out development goals for each person on your team, including timelines, support needs, and growth areas. This exercise helps you align team ambitions with business goals, creating a mutually beneficial development plan. To take it a step further, regularly take part in self-assessments to evaluate your own growth areas as a leader. Self-awareness is key to understanding where you’re excelling—and where you may need more support. 4. Can You Navigate Ambiguity and Prioritize Like a CEO? Finally, one of the most underappreciated skills of a first-time manager is prioritization. Not everything can be done—and not everything should be. You’ll be responsible for choosing what matters most, often with incomplete information and imperfect data. Start thinking now: When faced with 10 tasks, can I confidently identify the top three? Can I say no—or not now—to requests that don’t align with team goals? We teach managers to use an impact-versus-effort matrix to triage tasks. Anything high impact and low effort? Do it immediately. High effort but high impact? Plan for it. Low impact, low effort? Delegate it. Low impact, high effort? Consider eliminating it altogether. One manufacturing site manager used this model to rework his team’s weekly meeting structure. The result: fewer redundant check-ins, more time for coaching, and a 12% uptick in on-time project delivery. A Road Map Becoming a manager is one of the most important transitions of your career—but only if you’re ready. These four questions aren’t just a test; they’re a road map. The more honestly you can answer them, the more successfully you’ll navigate the leap from standout individual to impactful leader. Because at the end of the day, management isn’t about the title. It’s about the trust you build, the growth you spark, and the results you drive—through others. So before you say yes, take a moment to ask: am I ready to lead? View the full article

Fans of the discount retail chain Big Lots will be happy to know that the company is just days away from making the second phase of its comeback. On Thursday, May 1, Big Lots will reopen an additional 54 stores, followed by another 78 stores two weeks later on May 15. Here’s what you need to know about the company’s continued retail revival, including which locations will be opening again soon. Big Lots back from the brink Back in September 2024, Big Lots filed for bankruptcy. Like many big box discount retailers, Big Lots had struggled from falling foot traffic and declining sales for years. In December 2024, the company announced it would go out of business and close all of its 800 stores. But just before the end of the year, the Big Lots brand got a last-minute reprieve. That’s when Variety Wholesalers, the company that owns discount retail chains including Bargain Town, Roses, and Super Dollar, agreed to buy just over 200 Big Lots locations from the liquidation firm Gordon Brothers. Variety Wholesalers said it would continue to operate the locations under the Big Lots brand after closing its newly acquired stores for a short time to prepare them for a new launch with reinvigorated inventory. Variety made good on its plans when it launched the “first wave” of a four-phased store reopenings plan in April. As Fast Company previously reported, the company is continuing its reopening push with its phase 2 reopenings on May 1, followed by phase 3 reopenings on May 15. In other words, many of those stores will open for business on Thursday. Finally, in June, Variety is expected to complete its final phase 4 reopenings, upon which time a total of 219 Big Lots locations will be open and operating again. Big Lots reopenings on May 1 and May 15 Variety says its phase 2 and phase 3 Big Lots reopenings will kick off this Thursday, May 1, with 54 additional store reopenings. Two weeks later, on Thursday, May 15, an additional 78 stores will reopen. First Company has previously published a full list of all the phase 2, 3, and 4 Big Lots stores that are reopening. What follows now is a list of all the 132 Big Lots stores that will reopen in phases 2 and 3 in May. Those stores cover locations in 14 states. North Carolina will see the most store openings in May, with 27 locations total. Ohio will see 14 stores open in May, and Pennsylvania will see 13 locations open their doors. (Note that you can see a list of locations, addresses, and opening dates on the newly updated store locator tool on the Big Lots website.) Alabama (7): Athens, Decatur, Dothan, Guntersville, Jasper, Mobile, Northport Florida (5): Crystal River, Jacksonville, Marianna, Ormond Beach, Panama City Georgia (11): Augusta, Brunswick, Buford, Cornelia, Dallas, Fort Oglethorpe, Marietta, Smyrna, Valdosta, Vidalia, Waycross Indiana (1): Jasper Kentucky (9): Campbellsville, Danville, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Hazard, London, Middlesboro, Richmond, Somerset Michigan (5): Burton, Flint, Port Huron, Shelby Township, Southgate Mississippi (1): Southhaven North Carolina (27): Belmont, Burlington, Clemmons, Dunn, Elizabeth City, Elkin, Fayetteville, Gastonia, Greensboro, Greenville, Hickory, Kinston, Lexington, Lincolnton, Mocksville, Mooresville, Mount Airy, Newton, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Selma, Shelby, Southport, Statesville, Wake Forest, Wilkesboro, Wilson Ohio (14): Alliance, Boardman, Bridgeport, Columbus, Elyria, Fremont, Grove City, Kettering, Lancaster, New Philadelphia, Reynoldsburg, Toledo, Warren, Wintersville Pennsylvania (13): Bloomsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Du Bois, Dunmore, East Stroudsburg, Erie, Eynon, Franklin, Lehighton, Lewisburg, Meadville, New Castle South Carolina (8): Easley, Greenwood, Lexington, Rock Hill, Seneca, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, West Columbia Tennessee (10): Alcoa, Cleveland, Greeneville, Jefferson City, Johnson City, Knoxville, Morristown, Murfreesboro, Rogersville, Sevierville Virginia (10): Chesapeake, Chester, Fredericksburg, Front Royal, Martinsville, North Chesterfield, North Prince George, Waynesboro, Winchester, Yorktown West Virginia (8): Beckley, Bridgeport, Charleston, Elkins, Fairmont, Martinsburg, Oak Hill, Princeton Big Lots phase 4 store reopenings in June Big Lots phase 1 in April saw nine locations reopen. Phase 2, on May 1, will see another 54 locations reopen, followed by the May 15 phase 3 reopening of 78 stores. Variety says it plans to reopen 219 Big Lots stores across four phases, which means that phase 4, which is scheduled for June 2025, will see the final 78 planned store reopenings. The exact date for when the final phase 4 reopenings will occur in June is unknown, but it will likely be earlier in the month. View the full article

Key Takeaways Understanding Copyright: Copyright protects original works, and creators hold exclusive rights over their content. Always ensure proper permissions when using others’ material on social media. Importance of Compliance: Adhering to copyright laws avoids legal complications, protects your intellectual property, and fosters trust with your audience, enhancing your overall online presence. DMCA & Fair Use: Familiarize yourself with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the Fair Use Doctrine to navigate potential copyright issues effectively. Avoiding Infringement: Common forms of copyright infringement on social media include unauthorized sharing of images, videos, music, and texts. Being aware of these can protect your brand’s reputation. Best Practices: Focus on creating original content and always credit creators when sharing. Establish a content policy to ensure compliance with copyright laws and enhance audience engagement. Consequences of Violations: Copyright violations can lead to takedown requests, account suspension, legal action, and damage to your brand’s reputation, emphasizing the need for compliance. Navigating the world of social media can be exciting but it also comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to copyright rules. You might be sharing your favorite memes, reposting stunning photos, or using popular music in your videos without realizing the legal implications. Understanding copyright laws is crucial to protect your content and avoid potential pitfalls. With the rise of user-generated content, knowing what you can and can’t do is more important than ever. Copyright infringement can lead to serious consequences, from account suspension to legal action. Whether you’re a casual user or a brand looking to establish an online presence, grasping these rules will help you create and share confidently while respecting the rights of others. Let’s dive into the essential copyright guidelines you need to know for a smoother social media experience. Understanding Copyright Rules For Social Media Navigating copyright rules for social media is crucial for small business owners. Familiarity with these laws ensures you’re sharing content legally and ethically. Definition of Copyright Copyright protects original works, granting creators exclusive rights over their content. This includes text, images, videos, and music. When you create social media posts, you hold the copyright to your original material, but using others’ content without permission may lead to legal issues. Ensure you understand licensing agreements when utilizing user-generated content, especially for social media marketing efforts. Importance of Copyright on Social Media Copyright plays a vital role in shaping your brand’s online presence. Respecting copyright helps you avoid legal complications, protects your intellectual property, and builds trust with your audience. Engaging with content that respects copyright enhances your community management efforts and strengthens brand consistency. Knowledge of copyright also improves your social media strategy, enabling effective use of storytelling and content creation while promoting your business through platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Always credit creators when sharing content to boost your social media posts’ engagement rate, foster customer interaction, and maintain strong relationships in influencer partnerships. Key Copyright Laws Applicable To Social Media Understanding copyright laws is essential for you as a small business navigating social media platforms. These laws shape how you create and share content while protecting your intellectual property. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) plays a significant role in social media. This law protects copyright owners by criminalizing the unauthorized use of copyrighted material online. For your small business, this means that if you post content without permission, you risk potential takedown requests or account restrictions. To safeguard your online presence, always seek permission before using others’ work. Utilizing the DMCA’s provisions can help clarify user rights and responsibilities when participating in social media marketing efforts. Fair Use Doctrine The Fair Use Doctrine provides a framework for using copyrighted materials without permission under certain conditions. For small businesses, this can apply to content creation for social media posts, such as sharing snippets of music or video if used for commentary or criticism. However, fair use remains a legal gray area that depends on specific factors like purpose, nature, amount used, and market impact. Understand these elements to avoid legal complications. When creating social media content, ensure you balance your brand’s voice and message with respectful content sharing, enhancing brand awareness while remaining compliant with copyright laws. Copyright Infringement on Social Media Copyright infringement on social media occurs when you use someone else’s copyrighted material without permission. Understanding this aspect is essential for small businesses using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for marketing. Examples of Infringement Infringement examples include: Sharing images or videos: Posting photos from a stock library or another user’s account without permission breaches copyright. Using music tracks: Incorporating popular songs in video content or Instagram stories without authorization can lead to copyright claims. Meme sharing: Creating or sharing memes that utilize original artwork or photography without consent constitutes infringement. Repurposing text: Using excerpts from articles or blog posts without credit may violate copyright laws. Awareness of these examples helps protect your small business’s brand consistency and community management efforts. Consequences of Copyright Violations Violations can lead to significant consequences for your business: Takedown requests: Content owners can request removal of infringing material, impacting your online presence and social media engagement. Account suspension: Repeated infringement may result in suspension or termination of your accounts on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or TikTok. Legal action: Copyright holders can pursue legal remedies, which may include financial penalties and legal fees, straining your budget. Damage to reputation: Infringement might harm your brand’s image, affecting customer interaction and trust. Understanding copyright rules helps you avoid these pitfalls and enhances your social media strategy, leading to more effective campaigns that respect intellectual property while fostering organic growth. Best Practices For Complying With Copyright Rules To succeed in small business social media, following copyright rules ensures you build an online presence while avoiding legal issues. Adhering to best practices not only protects your brand but also enhances engagement. Creating Original Content Creating original content is essential for avoiding copyright infringement. Ensure that all images, videos, and text shared on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are your own or properly licensed. Implement policies that require your team to generate original works or obtain written permissions for any external content used. Invest in content creation tools to streamline the process, and apply a content calendar to maintain consistency across postings. Engaging in original storytelling strengthens brand voice and fosters authentic connections with your audience. Properly Crediting and Licensing Content Properly crediting and licensing content significantly boosts your social media strategy. When sharing user-generated content or collaborating with influencers, always provide attribution. This practice not only respects the original creator’s rights but also encourages community management through positive relationships. Utilize tools to track licensing agreements for any assets used in your social media campaigns. Establish guidelines for your content team to reference when deciding how to properly credit creators. By ensuring compliance with copyright laws, you enhance brand awareness and build trust with your audience, leading to higher engagement rates and stronger social media growth. Conclusion Navigating copyright rules on social media is crucial for anyone sharing content online. By understanding these laws you can protect your creative work and avoid potential legal issues. Remember that respecting copyright not only safeguards your content but also fosters trust with your audience. As you engage with your community always prioritize original content or seek permission for external works. This approach not only enhances your brand’s reputation but also strengthens your social media strategy. Embrace copyright compliance as a vital part of your online presence and watch your engagement grow while building meaningful relationships with your audience. Frequently Asked Questions What is copyright and why is it important on social media? Copyright is a legal protection that grants creators exclusive rights over their original works, including text, images, and music. It’s crucial on social media to avoid legal issues and ensure that creators are respected. Understanding copyright helps users share content ethically and build trust with their audience. What are the consequences of copyright infringement? Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses another’s copyrighted work without permission. Consequences can include takedown requests, account suspension, legal action, and damage to reputation. Knowing these risks helps users navigate social media responsibly. What is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)? The DMCA is a U.S. law that protects copyright owners by criminalizing unauthorized use of copyrighted material online. It allows copyright holders to issue takedown requests against users who violate their rights, helping to enforce copyright laws on social media. What is fair use in relation to copyright? Fair use is a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted works without permission under specific conditions, like commentary, criticism, or educational purposes. However, it’s a gray area that depends on factors like purpose and market impact, so caution is advised. How can small businesses avoid copyright issues on social media? Small businesses can avoid copyright issues by creating original content, properly licensing shared works, and obtaining permission before using others’ content. Additionally, always crediting creators enhances relationships and promotes compliance with copyright laws. Why should I credit creators when sharing content? Crediting creators when sharing content fosters strong relationships, enhances trust, and promotes community engagement. It also reflects respect for intellectual property rights, which can lead to increased collaboration and a positive brand image. What are best practices for sharing content on social media? Best practices include creating original content, properly licensing images and videos, implementing policies for permissions, and crediting creators. Following these guidelines boosts engagement, strengthens brand consistency, and promotes ethical content sharing. How can understanding copyright enhance social media strategies? Understanding copyright laws helps users create effective social media strategies that respect intellectual property. This knowledge leads to more engaging content, removed risk of infringement, and fosters authentic relationships with audiences and creators alike. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Copyright Rules for Social Media You Need to Know" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As if it wasn’t already a hard enough concept to grasp, The President tariffs have made understanding the economy even harder, and there are no signs things are going to get less complicated any time soon. Maybe podcasts can help? These 10 shows cover the latest economic news in a thorough, thoughtful way, with sharp reporting, accessible analysis, and even a bit of humor. Hosted by the likes of NPR journalists, finance pros, and academic economists, they break down everything from trade wars to inflation in ways that make sense—even if you slept through econ class. Planet Money Credit: Podcast logo Hosted by a rotating team of NPR journalists, Planet Money is the gold standard for podcasts that make understanding the economy not just feasible, but entertaining. Each episode unpacks a single concept—like tariffs, or interest rates—using real-world stories, interviews, and accessible explanations. It’s especially good at showing the ripple effects of high level economic decisions across everyday life. To get a basic understanding of the key issue of the day, start with "Tariffs: What Are They Good for?" Marketplace Credit: Podcast logo Known for its signature “Let’s do the numbers” segment, Kai Ryssdal’s daily show Marketplace cuts through the noise with clarity and wit, offering updates on the latest news on Wall Street and in Washington. Ryssdal and his team regularly dive into how policy affects jobs, supply chains, and consumer prices. The show is perfect for people who want to stay informed but don’t want a lecture. The Indicator Credit: Podcast logo If you want sharp, snackable insights into the economy, The Indicator delivers episodes under 10 minutes. From the people at Planet Money, it’s fast, informative, and doesn’t assume you’re a finance pro. The show covers everything from economic policy to strange statistics, including how tariffs have affected American businesses. Try “The President’s Trade War, Revisited” for a quick but powerful refresher. Odd Lots Credit: Podcast logo On Odd Lots, Bloomberg’s Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway go deep on the weird yet important corners of the global economy. With top-tier guests and an eye for timely topics, Odd Lots is ideal if you're ready for a slightly more technical (but still accessible) listen. They’ve covered everything from soybean trade disruptions to inflation after tariff hikes. So Money Credit: Podcast logo On So Money, Farnoosh Torabi brings a fresh voice to money talk, bridging the gap between personal finance and macroeconomic trends. She frequently interviews experts on how broader policies can affect people’s money and financial decisions—especially useful for connecting the dots between tariffs, inflation, and your wallet. Her strength lies in accessibility and inclusion. Trade Talks Credit: Podcast logo Trade Talks is a great resource (and has a wonderful, robust archive) for understanding international trade and tariffs. Hosted by economist Chad P. Bown and Soumaya Keynes, Trade Talks explored global trade policy with clarity, wit, and plenty of context. Though the show only recently returned with new episodes, the archive is still highly relevant, explaining how the policies affecting us all evolved—and why we’re still dealing with the fallout. Capitalisn’t Credit: Podcast logo Hosted by economist Luigi Zingales and journalist Bethany McLean, Capitalisn’t dissects how capitalism works—and when it doesn’t. With episodes focused on corporate power, regulation, and economic inequality, the show frequently analyzes the real impacts of trade policy and government intervention. It’s ideal for listeners who want a thoughtful, critical look at the system itself. Brown Ambition Credit: Podcast logo Co-hosted by Mandi Woodruff-Santos and Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, Brown Ambition brings sharp, funny, and insightful commentary to both personal finance and the broader economy. Mandi’s background as a business journalist means you’ll often get informed takes on policy, markets, and how people of color are uniquely affected. It’s a grounded perspective. Freakonomics Radio Credit: Podcast logo Stephen Dubner’s Freakonomics brand is all about digging into “the hidden side of everything,” and that includes economic policy. While it’s less news-driven than others on this list, the show brings big-picture thinking and deep research to topics like tariffs, globalization, and market forces. The storytelling keeps it engaging while the insights hit hard. Money with Katie Credit: Podcast logo On Money with Katie, Katie Gatti Tassin makes the economy relatable, focusing a millennial-friendly lens on everything from inflation to investing. While it’s rooted in personal finance, the show frequently zooms out to explain how policy decisions—like tariffs or tax shifts—affect your everyday financial life. The tone is witty but well-researched. View the full article

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won the federal election, capping a stunning turnaround in fortunes fueled by U.S. President Donald The President’s annexation threats and trade war. Carney’s rival, populist Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, was voted out of his seat in Parliament, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation projected Tuesday. The loss of his seat representing his Ottawa district in Monday’s election capped a swift decline in fortunes for the firebrand Poilievre, who a few months ago appeared to be a shoo-in to become Canada’s next prime minister and shepherd the Conservatives back into power for the first time in a decade. But then The President launched a trade war with Canada and suggested the country should become the 51st state, outraging voters and upending the election. Poilievre, a career politician, campaigned with The President-like bravado, taking a page from the “America First” president by adopting the slogan “Canada First.” But his similarities to The President may have ultimately cost him and his party. The Liberals were projected to win more of Parliament’s 343 seats than the Conservatives. It wasn’t immediately clear if they would win an outright majority — at least 172 — or would need to rely on a smaller party to pass legislation and remain in power. Elections Canada said it has decided to pause counting of special ballots — cast by voters who are away from their districts during the election — until later Tuesday morning. The Liberals were leading or elected in 168 seats when the counting was paused, four short of a majority. Elections Canada estimated that the uncounted votes could affect the result in about a dozen districts. The decision means Canadians won’t know until later in the day whether Carney’s Liberals have won a minority or majority mandate. In a victory speech, Carney stressed the importance of unity in the face of Washington’s threats. He also said the mutually beneficial system Canada and the U.S. had shared since World War II had ended. “We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons,” he said. “As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” Carney added. “These are not idle threats. President The President is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never … ever happen. But we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.” A defeat for the Conservatives Poilievre hoped to make the election a referendum on former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose popularity declined toward the end of his decade in power as food and housing prices rose. But The President attacked, Trudeau resigned and Carney, a two-time central banker, became the Liberal Party’s leader and prime minister. In a concession speech before the race call on his own seat, Poilievre vowed to keep fighting for Canadians. “We are cognizant of the fact that we didn’t get over the finish line yet,” Poilievre told supporters. “We know that change is needed, but change is hard to come by. It takes time. It takes work. And that’s why we have to learn the lessons of tonight — so that we can have an even better result the next time Canadians decide the future of the country.” Poilievre can still lead the Conservative Party. Even with Canadians grappling with the fallout from a deadly weekend attack at a Vancouver street festival, The President was trolling them on election day, suggesting again on social media that Canada should become the 51st state and saying he was on their ballot. He also erroneously claimed that the U.S. subsidizes Canada, writing, “It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!” The President’s truculence has infuriated Canadians, leading many to cancel U.S. vacations, refuse to buy American goods and possibly even vote early. A record 7.3 million Canadians cast ballots before election day. Reid Warren, a Toronto resident, said he voted Liberal because Poilievre “sounds like mini-The President to me.” He said The President’s tariffs are a worry. “Canadians coming together from, you know, all the shade being thrown from the States is great, but it’s definitely created some turmoil, that’s for sure,” he said. Historian Robert Bothwell said Poilievre appealed to the “same sense of grievance” as The President, but that it ultimately worked against him. “The Liberals ought to pay him,” Bothwell said, referring to the U.S. president. “The President talking is not good for the Conservatives.” The Liberal way forward Carney and the Liberals secured a new term, but they have daunting challenges ahead. If they don’t win a majority in Parliament, the Liberals might need rely on one of the smaller parties. The Bloc Québécois, which looked set to finish third, is a separatist party from French-speaking Quebec that seeks independence. Trudeau’s Liberals relied on the New Democrats to remain in power for four years, but the progressive party fared poorly on Monday and its leader, Jagmeet Singh, said he was stepping down after eight years in charge. “This is a dramatic comeback, but if the Liberals cannot win a majority of seats, political uncertainty in a new minority Parliament could complicate things for them,” said McGill University political science professor Daniel Béland. Foreign policy hasn’t dominated a Canadian election this much since 1988, when, ironically, free trade with the United States was the prevailing issue. In addition to the trade war with the U.S. and frosty relationship with The President, Canada is dealing with a cost-of-living crisis. And more than 75% of its exports go to the U.S., so The President’s tariffs threat and his desire to get North American automakers to move Canada’s production south could severely damage the Canadian economy. While campaigning, Carney vowed that every dollar the government collects from counter-tariffs on U.S. goods will go toward Canadian workers who are adversely affected by the trade war. He also said he plans to keep dental care in place, offer a middle-class tax cut, return immigration to sustainable levels and increase funding to Canada’s public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Associated Press reporter Mike Householder contributed to this report. —Rob Gillies, Associated Press View the full article

Explore how brand building can align with your business goals and create lasting value, even if it initially reduces traffic. The post Ask An SEO: How To Convince C-Suite To Support Brand-Based SEO appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

I didn't know it until recently, but apparently boxed cake mixes are a popular store-bought ingredient to experiment with. Thanks to you, the good people reading my food hacks, I’ve been made aware of yet another ingredient that can masquerade as an egg in cake mix. Honestly, who needs eggs when you have soda? Replacing eggs in baking can be trickyEggs continue to be unreasonably expensive, which is especially frustrating for a person like me who used to rely on them for most of my protein. I’ve made some adjustments, though, and now I try to use them only for the recipes that really require them. It might take a few failed attempts, but it's becoming easier and easier to identify when a recipe needs eggs, like a custardy Dutch baby, and when one can do without—like boxed cake mix. I’ve tried plenty of egg replacement ingredients, like applesauce and bananas, in scratch cake mixes with varying degrees of success, and I’ve experimented with omitting the egg measurement from boxed cake mixes too. While the eggless boxed cake mix turns out just fine, in those tests I’ve continued to incorporate the water and oil measurement according to the directions. But as one reader let me know, you can make boxed cake mix with soda, not just as an egg replacement, but to replace the water and oil too. Though I needed to test out this witchcraft, I could already see it working. While eggs typically provide binding, emulsification, and aeration to batters and doughs, commercial boxed cake mixes are designed to be foolproof. (It's almost like they knew we'd be cutting corners.) On my mission to turn boxed mix into black and white cookies, I found that cake mix refuses to change its consistency or texture. If liquid of any kind is added, whether it’s oil, water, soda, juice, or eggs, it will do its darndest to become fluffy cake. However, I did wonder how using soda would affect the flavor and the texture of the cake, especially without oil or egg yolks (a tenderizer). Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Soda outperforms juiceI decided to test out replacing the ingredients with two different liquids: a cola and a fruity juice. In my prior tests, I had omitted the eggs without replacing their volume or weight. I simply erased them from the game and the resulting cake was flatter than one with eggs, but tender and boasting that nostalgic boxed cake flavor. I did the same thing here, leaving out the eggs and replacing the water and oil measurement (a total of 12 ounces) with the juice and cola separately in two tests. I was actually impressed by how much better soda turned out to be than fruit juice. Even after thoroughly whisking, enough of the carbonation remained to lift up the batter so it had a nicer appearance compared to the pomegranate juice cupcake's fallen center. Left: pomegranate juice cupcakes (surprise! they're brown). Right: cola cupcakes. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I used pomegranate juice thinking the fruit flavor would be a nice complement for the cake. Instead, it was a little too sweet (if you can imagine) and the fruit flavor became murky against the yellow cake. The soda however, was actually very tasty. Even though I’m not a soda person, I enjoyed it. This could be a good opportunity to get creative with soda and cake flavor pairings. How to make boxed cake mix with soda1. To make cake mix with soda, start by preheating the oven and getting the pans ready. Mixing the batter takes all of one minute. You need your pan and oven to be ready to go so you don't loose more carbonation than necessary. 2. Once your oven is preheated, simply empty out the dry boxed mix into a large mixing bowl. Look at the box's directions and add the measurement of the oil and water together. If the box says, "1 cup water and 1/2 cup oil" then you'll need 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) of soda. Pour the soda into the bowl and whisk it all until well incorporated. Tiny bits may remain unmixed. 3. Pour the batter into your prepared pans immediately. Bake as directed on the package. How does the texture hold up?Despite the fallen centers on the pomegranate cupcakes, both cakes shared the same texture: light and fully aerated with a slight rubbery skin on the bottom. This likely manifested because of the lack of fat (a shortening agent because fats shorten gluten strands) from the missing oil and egg yolk. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann That said, this texture difference is completely unnoticeable if you’re not looking for it. Any person who crushes a Fanta vanilla cake at a summer picnic is not going to comment on the lack of a shortening agent. I promise. Soda can and should be used as the wet ingredient for boxed cake mix. It’s a fun way to experiment with flavor combinations and while you’re at it, save a bit of money on eggs and oil too. Try orange soda, root beer, ginger beer, or dare to dream with Diet Coke the next time you make a batch of cupcakes. View the full article

The 250 top mortgage originators in 2025 brought in high volumes despite less than ideal conditions. Check back in the following days for the top 50 and the final full list, with further cuts of the data to be published thereafter. View the full article