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Key Takeaways Resilience is Key: Successful mom entrepreneurs demonstrate the ability to adapt and persevere through the daily challenges of balancing motherhood and business. Effective Planning is Essential: Creating a solid business plan that includes financial management, market research, and growth strategies is critical for long-term sustainability. Networking Drives Success: Building relationships with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs can open doors to funding opportunities, partnerships, and valuable insights. Master Time Management: Implementing effective time management strategies, including scheduling and task delegation, enables mom entrepreneurs to prioritize both business and family commitments. Embrace Digital Marketing: Leveraging digital marketing techniques such as SEO and social media helps enhance brand visibility and customer engagement, crucial for business growth. Choose the Right Legal Structure: Understanding and selecting an appropriate legal structure is vital for compliance and maximizing financial benefits, significantly impacting business success. Juggling motherhood and entrepreneurship might seem daunting, but many women are thriving in both roles. Mom entrepreneurs are redefining success by blending their passions with the demands of family life. They’re not just building businesses; they’re creating legacies while inspiring others along the way. In today’s fast-paced world, these women are proving that it’s possible to chase your dreams while nurturing your family. From innovative startups to established brands, successful mom entrepreneurs share a unique drive and resilience that sets them apart. Join us as we explore the journeys of these remarkable women and discover the secrets behind their success. Defining Successful Mom Entrepreneurs Successful mom entrepreneurs balance their roles as mothers and business leaders, embodying unique characteristics that drive their achievements. These women not only create thriving small businesses but also establish legacies that can inspire future generations. Characteristics of Successful Mom Entrepreneurs Resilience – Mom entrepreneurs face challenges daily yet adapt and persist in their ventures. Creativity – Innovative thinking helps craft unique business ideas that cater to specific market needs. Effective Planning – They develop comprehensive business plans, integrating market research and financial forecasts to guide their startups. Strong Networking Skills – Building relationships with mentors, fellow entrepreneurs, and potential investors expands opportunities for funding and collaboration. Time Management – Juggling family duties and business demands requires exceptional organization and prioritization. The Importance of Balance Achieving balance is crucial for mom entrepreneurs. This balance ensures that business growth aligns with family commitments. You can implement strategies such as setting clear business hours, delegating tasks, and utilizing tools that streamline marketing and customer acquisition. Emphasizing your target audience allows for effective branding and helps in developing products or services that resonate. By leveraging digital marketing strategies, like SEO and social media, you can maximize your business’s reach while maintaining family time. This balance fosters a healthy work-life dynamic, ensuring both your business and family thrive. Overcoming Challenges Mom entrepreneurs face distinctive challenges while balancing business and family responsibilities. Addressing these challenges directly influences success and reinforces resilience. Time Management Strategies Effective time management remains critical for mom entrepreneurs. Establishing a clear daily schedule not only aids in prioritizing tasks but also ensures dedicated work hours. Implementing tools for task management, such as calendar apps or project management software, streamlines operations and enhances productivity. Consider delegating non-essential tasks, outsourcing certain activities, or even collaborating with other entrepreneurs to free up your schedule. Utilizing digital marketing techniques can also help automate customer engagement, allowing you to focus on business growth and family time without sacrificing the quality of either. Overcoming Financial Hurdles Navigating financial challenges often poses a significant hurdle for mom entrepreneurs. Many rely on funding options like small business loans, crowdfunding, or angel investors to secure capital. A well-structured business plan may attract potential investors, outlining your business model, target audience, and marketing strategies. Keeping an eye on cash flow and budgeting effectively plays a vital role in maintaining financial health. Additionally, understanding the legal structure of your business, whether it’s an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation, ensures compliance and maximizes financial benefits. Engaging with financial mentors or business coaches can provide valuable insights to handle complex accounting and tax issues, securing your business’s long-term viability. Inspiring Success Stories Success stories from mom entrepreneurs highlight their ability to blend business ambitions with family responsibilities. These narratives inspire others pursuing their own ventures. Case Study: A Mom’s Journey to Success Janice Bryant Howroyd exemplifies remarkable entrepreneurial success. She launched her staffing firm, Act-1, using a $900 loan from her mother while caring for her young son. Over thirty years, Act-1 became the largest company of its kind owned by a woman of color, boasting over 70 branches and a net worth of $520 million as of 2018. Howroyd’s journey showcases her business acumen, including effective market research and a strong branding strategy. As the first African-American woman to own a billion-dollar business, she credits her family for their unwavering support. Her story demonstrates the power of resilience, innovation, and strategic networking in achieving business success despite personal challenges. Lessons Learned from Successful Mom Entrepreneurs Successful mom entrepreneurs provide valuable lessons applicable to anyone starting a small business. Resilience: Overcoming obstacles is crucial. Many mom entrepreneurs face unique challenges that require persistence and adaptability. Effective Planning: Establishing a solid business plan is essential. Focusing on financial management, including budgeting and cash flow analysis, ensures sustainability. Networking: Building a network of mentors and partners facilitates connections that can lead to funding options, such as grants or angel investors. Digital Marketing: Emphasizing online presence through SEO, social media, and email marketing can enhance customer acquisition and brand visibility. Legal Structure: Choosing the right legal structure—whether LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship—affects taxes and liability, making informed legal advice critical. Team Building: Hiring the right team boosts your business’s growth strategy. Strong leadership cultivates a productive work environment. These lessons remind you that achieving success as a mom entrepreneur is attainable through strategic decision-making and dedication. Embracing these insights can propel your journey towards a thriving business. Resources for Aspiring Mom Entrepreneurs Aspiring mom entrepreneurs find a wealth of resources to aid their journey in building successful businesses while managing family commitments. Accessing these resources can ease the path toward achieving your business goals. Networking Opportunities Engaging with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry professionals is crucial to your business growth. Networking opportunities abound through local business associations, startup groups, and online forums. Attend workshops, conferences, and meetups to connect with others in your field. Use platforms like LinkedIn and social media to expand your professional network, share insights, and seek advice. By building relationships, you can gain valuable support and mentorship, which can significantly impact your startup’s trajectory. Online Tools and Platforms Leverage online tools and platforms to streamline operations and enhance productivity. Various resources are available for project management, accounting, and marketing. Tools like Asana and Trello help you manage tasks and timelines effectively. Accounting software like QuickBooks simplifies financial management, ensuring accurate tracking of cash flow and expenses. Additionally, consider using e-commerce platforms like Shopify to set up an online store, facilitating customer acquisition and sales. Employ digital marketing strategies such as email marketing, SEO, and content marketing to target your audience effectively and strengthen your brand presence. By utilizing these tools, you can implement a robust business plan, boost innovation, and focus on growth strategies that drive your business forward. Conclusion Embracing the journey of a mom entrepreneur can lead to incredible achievements and personal growth. By harnessing your resilience and creativity you can navigate the challenges of balancing business and family life. Remember that effective time management and strategic planning are your best allies in this pursuit. As you draw inspiration from the success stories of others don’t hesitate to seek out resources and networks that can support your goals. The path may be demanding but with dedication and the right tools you can create a thriving business while nurturing your family. Your journey as a mom entrepreneur is not just about success in business but also about redefining what that success looks like for you. Keep pushing forward and embrace the unique opportunities that lie ahead. Frequently Asked Questions What defines a successful mom entrepreneur? A successful mom entrepreneur is defined by qualities such as resilience, creativity, effective planning, strong networking skills, and excellent time management. These traits help them manage family commitments while building thriving businesses, effectively merging their passions with their responsibilities. What challenges do mom entrepreneurs face? Mom entrepreneurs often face unique challenges, including time constraints, financial hurdles, and the struggle to balance business and family life. Directly addressing these challenges is crucial for their success and resilience as they navigate entrepreneurship. How can mom entrepreneurs manage their time effectively? Effective time management for mom entrepreneurs involves establishing clear daily schedules, utilizing task management tools, and delegating non-essential tasks. This strategy enhances productivity and ensures that both business growth and family commitments are attended to. What funding options are available to mom entrepreneurs? Mom entrepreneurs can explore various funding options such as small business loans, crowdfunding, and grants. A well-structured business plan is essential, and engaging with financial mentors can also help navigate financial challenges. How can networking benefit mom entrepreneurs? Networking offers mom entrepreneurs valuable opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry professionals. Engaging in local business associations or online platforms can significantly impact business growth and provide support in their entrepreneurial journey. What online tools can help mom entrepreneurs? Mom entrepreneurs can leverage online tools like Asana for project management, QuickBooks for accounting, and e-commerce platforms for marketing. These resources streamline operations and enhance productivity, freeing up time to focus on growth strategies. What lessons can aspiring mom entrepreneurs learn from successful ones? Aspiring mom entrepreneurs can learn valuable lessons from their successful counterparts, such as the importance of resilience, effective planning, strong networking, and leveraging digital marketing. Embracing these principles can help them achieve success in their business endeavors. Image Via Envato This article, "Inspiring Stories of Successful Mom Entrepreneurs Balancing Family and Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Chancellor’s comments comes as UK balances trade talks with both regionsView the full article

How is it possible that a company with such huge resources, including artificial intelligence tools, cannot deal with this?View the full article

President Donald The President’s administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to allow enforcement of a ban on transgender people in the military, while legal challenges proceed. Without an order from the nation’s highest court, the ban could not take effect for many months, Solicitor General D. John Sauer wrote, “a period far too long for the military to be forced to maintain a policy that it has determined, in its professional judgment, to be contrary to military readiness and the nation’s interests.” The high court filing follows a brief order from a federal appeals court that kept in place a court order blocking the policy nationwide. At the least, Sauer wrote, the court should allow the ban to take effect nationwide, except for the seven service members and one aspiring member of the military who sued. The court gave lawyers for the service members challenging the ban a week to respond. Just after beginning his second term in January, The President moved aggressively to roll back the rights of transgender people. Among the Republican president’s actions was an executive order that claims the sexual identity of transgender service members “conflicts with a soldier’s commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one’s personal life” and is harmful to military readiness. In response, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a policy that presumptively disqualifies transgender people from military service. But in March, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma, Washington, ruled for several long-serving transgender military members who say that the ban is insulting and discriminatory and that their firing would cause lasting damage to their careers and reputations. The The President administration offered no explanation as to why transgender troops, who have been able to serve openly over the past four years with no evidence of problems, should suddenly be banned, Settle wrote. The judge is an appointee of Republican President George W. Bush and is a former captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps. In 2016, during Barack Obama’s presidency, a Defense Department policy permitted transgender people to serve openly in the military. During The President’s first term in the White House, the Republican issued a directive to ban transgender service members, with an exception for some of those who had already started transitioning under more lenient rules that were in effect during Obama’s Democratic administration. The Supreme Court allowed that ban to take effect. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, scrapped it when he took office. The rules the Defense Department wants to enforce contain no exceptions. Sauer said the policy during The President’s first term and the one that has been blocked are “materially indistinguishable.” Thousands of transgender people serve in the military, but they represent less than 1% of the total number of active-duty service members. The policy also has been blocked by a federal judge in the nation’s capital, but that ruling has been temporarily halted by a federal appeals court, which heard arguments on Tuesday. The three-judge panel, which includes two judges appointed by The President during his first term, appeared to be in favor of the administration’s position. In a more limited ruling, a judge in New Jersey also has barred the Air Force from removing two transgender men, saying they showed their separation would cause lasting damage to their careers and reputations that no monetary settlement could repair. Associated Press writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report. Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court. —Mark Sherman, Associated Press View the full article

There’s Blue Sky and then there’s Bluesky. Blue Sky, a paper goods company founded 16 years ago, appears to be seeing a massive bump in traffic to its website, www.bluesky.com, thanks to the newfound popularity of the social media platform of a nearly identical name. Blue Sky’s website saw 215,100 visitors in March of this year compared to 56,300 visitors in March of 2024, marking a 282% increase in visits, according to data from digital market intelligence firm Similarweb. At the same time, Bluesky, the X competitor hosted at bsky.app, saw a 864% growth in visitors. In March 2025, Similarweb tracked 169.8 million visitors, compared to 17.6 million in March 2024. Bluesky started as a research project at Twitter, but became an independent company in 2021. It launched its platform as an invite-only service in 2023 before opening up public registration in February 2024. The platform really took off, though, after the November presidential election, when X owner Elon Musk gained a large stake in President The President’s campaign and subsequent administration. The company now has more than 35 million users, according to a tracker built by software engineer Natalie Bridgers. With the massive growth, it could be that people are typing in “bluesky.com” to get to the social platform, unaware they’re going to be met with visually appealing planners. Blue Sky didn’t respond to Fast Company‘s requests for comment. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve been eyeing a headset that toes the line between immersive tech and affordability, the Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation is currently down to $89.99 on Woot (for six days or until it's sold out). That’s about $30 cheaper than Amazon’s current price and the lowest it’s ever been, according to price trackers. It ships with a 90-day Woot warranty, but do note: shipping isn’t available to Alaska, Hawaii, or P.O. boxes. Razer Kaira Pro for PlayStation $89.99 at Woot $118.46 Save $28.47 Get Deal Get Deal $89.99 at Woot $118.46 Save $28.47 This model is officially licensed for PS5 and matches Sony’s aesthetic, so if you’re trying to keep a clean look with your console setup, this blends in pretty well. The headset's rotating earcups, plush leatherette memory foam, and metal frame give it a premium feel, though it can reportedly get a bit warm after long sessions. That said, while the materials feel nice overall, the creaky leatherette might bug you if you’re big on silence. Where the Kaira Pro gets interesting is with its HyperSense haptic feedback. Unlike rumble features on basic headsets, this one responds dynamically to the in-game audio and delivers directional vibrations—not just thumps from explosions, but subtle feedback based on where sound is coming from in the game. For example, if there's gunfire from your left? You’ll feel it in your left earcup. That alone makes it a different kind of experience—it's subtle tech that pulls you into the game without needing full surround sound. But even when the haptics are turned off, the headset delivers strong, well-balanced sound with its 50mm titanium drivers, especially when using Tempest 3D AudioTech on PS5, which adds more spatial awareness. Battery life holds up decently, offering around 11 hours with RGB lights and haptics on, or closer to 30 if you keep things toned down. It recharges via USB-C and supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, so you can hop between PlayStation, PC, and mobile devices without much friction. You can’t stream audio from both sources simultaneously, but switching is quick. The detachable mic filters out background noise fairly well, and the companion app gives you access to EQ controls for customizing sound profiles and lighting tweaks, which is nice if you like fine-tuning things. View the full article

By now, you’re almost certainly feeling the effects of the tariff teeter-totter by the U.S. that started earlier this month. Economic instability seems to be a fact of life nowadays. Large shifts in supply chains, along with stock market volatility, can be scary for advertisers. It’s hard to contemplate spending money on advertising when uncertainty rules the day. Here’s how to optimize B2B PPC campaigns in an uncertain economy. How a tough economy impacts B2B businesses B2B advertisers, who are selling products and services to other businesses, can be especially impacted by market swings. When it seems like every business is experiencing difficulties, it feels like your whole pipeline has dried up overnight. B2B advertisers might find that lead volume has dropped, or that velocity has slowed – leads take longer to close. You might find that prospects are moving away from enterprise solutions and choosing smaller or mid-market solutions instead. And tariffs can impact the entire supply chain, forcing a price increase to the end user. Scary stuff. As a business owner, your first impulse is to stop advertising entirely. Don’t fall into this trap! When faced with the need to cut costs, it’s tempting to look at advertising as an unneeded expense. But it is more important than ever in a down market. There is still a market for your product or service. Sure, leads might slow down and take longer to close. But it’s essential to be there when users are searching for you. If you stop advertising, you’ll lose awareness and leads. Then, when things turn around, you’ll have to start from square one. Better to continue advertising, even if you have to reduce budgets, to keep leads flowing. Think of it like investing in the stock market. This is a long-term play. If you sell all your stocks now, you won’t be able to take advantage of market gains when things improve. Advertising is a similar investment. That’s not to say you shouldn’t adjust your strategy. Performance changes are inevitable, and reacting appropriately to them is crucial. Dig deeper: 5 tips for strong media planning during a recession Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Key challenges and tactical responses Here are some changes you might see in your B2B PPC accounts, and how to deal with them. Increased number of competitors as demand softens Across most of our B2B PPC accounts, we’ve seen that competition and ad depth have increased significantly in Q1 and into Q2. Google recently updated its policies so advertisers can run multiple ads for the same business, app, or site on a single search results page, provided they occupy different ad locations. This means that a single deep-pocketed advertiser can appear more than once for the same search query. As advertisers fight for fewer customers, we’re likely to see this happen more and more. What to do As B2B advertisers, be intentional about what keywords you’re bidding on. Drop any vanity terms or overly broad keywords that don’t convert well. Now is not the time to bid on a short-tail term just because you feel you need to show up for it. Be ruthless about what keywords get to stay in your paid search accounts. Higher CPCs due to increased competition As competition rises, CPCs are up nearly across the board in Q1 from Q4 levels. In some of our B2B accounts, CPCs are up 80% or more quarter over quarter. What to do This is no time to set bid strategies and forget about them. Careful monitoring of performance is crucial, now more than ever. When CPCs are up this much, B2B advertisers can’t afford to let poor performing keywords or ad variations run for days or weeks. Fast action is needed. Scripts can really help with performance monitoring, as can creating automated reports or alerts in your accounts. This is also a good time to ensure you’re optimizing for the right customers. If you haven’t set up offline conversions yet, make it a priority to do so as soon as possible. Remember, smart bidding can only optimize for data it can see. If your campaigns are driving a lot of form fills, Google will think that’s good, even if the form fills are all junk. Feeding down-funnel data back into Google Ads is more important than ever to make sure you’re optimizing for quality, not just quantity. Longer lead to sale times I talked about lead velocity above. Skittish buyers are taking longer to make a purchase decision. But that doesn’t mean they’re not doing research. And it doesn’t mean you should pull back on advertising. When prospects are ready to buy, you want to be on their Day 1 list – the first company they call for when they’re ready to act. About 92% of buyers end up buying from their Day 1 List, according to Rishi Dave of Bain. You want to do everything you can to be on that list. What to do When’s the last time you reviewed your ad copy and landing pages? Do they need a refresh? Use your ad copy to weed out lower-quality prospects and tire-kickers. This is always a best practice, but it’s never more important than in tough times when advertisers pay a premium for every click. Ad copy should make it clear that yours is a B2B offering. Use words and phrases like “For Businesses,” “Enterprise Software,” and so on to help discourage consumers from clicking on your ads. Landing pages need to be extra-compelling. User patience for less-than-optimal pages is thin. Pages must: Grab visitor attention right away. Let users know you can solve their problems. Otherwise, visitors will quickly bounce and go visit one of your many competitors. Also, while it’s not strictly a PPC thing, make sure your nurture streams and retargeting strategies are in place and optimized. Take every opportunity to keep users warm and remind them why they should buy from you. Retargeting is especially important, and it needs to be done thoughtfully. If you aren’t investing in B2B retargeting across all paid media channels, now is the time to stand that up. If you are already doing retargeting, double down on optimizing those campaigns. Simply serving a generic ad to previous site visitors won’t cut it anymore. Make sure your targeting, message, and landing pages are as relevant as possible. Lower conversion values Recession-shy business decision makers are rethinking large investments in technology. Businesses that might have been looking for an enterprise solution are now scaling back and looking at lower-cost local or regional vendors. What to do As mentioned earlier, offline conversions will be more important than ever. Measuring results through the sales funnel and assigning values to each step allows B2B advertisers to take advantage of value-based bidding. Using value-based bidding will help the smart bidding algorithm find your business’s highest-value prospects, focusing ad spend on the highest potential ROI. Value-based bidding will help you attract customers willing to pay for the level of service you offer and weed out those looking for a lower-tier option. You might also want to consider competitor conquesting. Create ads and landing pages that describe how your product or service is superior to lower-cost alternatives. Be sure to set specific KPIs for your conquesting campaigns. Although direct lead generation from conquesting is challenging, it can be effective for stealing impression share and building remarketing audiences. Tactically, use brand inclusions and exclusions to ensure your ads serve to the right searchers. Carefully measure to make sure the campaigns are meeting your KPIs. In a tough economy, if the conquesting space gets too crowded, you might need to bow out – but it’s worth testing to find pockets of opportunity. Test lower-cost alternatives If you’ve been putting off testing Microsoft Ads, Reddit, TikTok, or paid social, now would be a good time to test the waters of Google alternatives. Microsoft Ads often sees lower CPCs than Google Ads and can work well for B2B advertisers. Emerging platforms like Reddit are also worth testing, especially if your audience hangs out there. Same for review sites like Capterra. If you’re in the B2B SaaS space, Capterra ads can be highly effective. It’s time to get creative Leave no stone unturned when trying new ideas that could improve efficiency and reduce costs. Stay the course, but be smart. By staying one step ahead of competitors, you can optimize your B2B campaigns for success in an uncertain economy. Dig deeper: PPC survival – Handling inflation and being ready for a recession View the full article

Apple aims to make most of its iPhones sold in the United States at factories in India by the end of 2026, and is speeding up those plans to navigate potentially higher tariffs in China, its main manufacturing base, a source told Reuters. Apple is holding urgent talks with contract manufacturers Foxconn and Tata to achieve that goal, said the person, who declined to be named as the planning process is confidential. Apple, Tata and Foxconn did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Apple sells over 60 million iPhones in the U.S. annually with roughly 80% of them made in China. The tech giant is now looking to move the majority of that production to India, the source said. Apple has already stepped up production in India to beat U.S. President Donald The President’s tariffs, shipping some 600 tons of iPhones worth $2 billion to the United States in March. The shipments from India marked a record for both its contractors Tata and Foxconn, with the latter alone accounting for smartphones worth $1.3 billion, Reuters reported last week. In April, the U.S. administration imposed 26% duties on imports from India, much lower than the more than 100% China was facing at the time. Washington has since paused most duties for three months, except for China. The President’s administration has since signalled openness to de-escalating the trade war between the world’s two largest economies that has raised fears of recession. The Financial Times first reported about Apple’s plan on Friday. As Apple diversifies its manufacturing beyond China, it has positioned India for a critical role. Foxconn and Tata, its two main suppliers there, have three factories in all, with two more being built. —Munsif Vengattil, Akash Sriram, and Disha Mishra, Reuters View the full article

Key Takeaways Role of Health Influencers: Health influencers significantly impact wellness journeys by sharing relatable advice and evidence-based information on various platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Criteria for Selection: When choosing health influencers, consider their engagement rate, content quality, audience alignment, brand voice consistency, and platform presence for effective partnerships. Engagement Strategies: Successful influencers prioritize community engagement by responding to follower comments and fostering discussions, which builds trust and brand loyalty. Impact on Wellness Decisions: Health influencers empower individuals to make informed health and nutrition choices, turning complex topics into accessible content that resonates with their audience. Emerging Trends: The rise of niche health influencers focusing on specific diets, fitness routines, and mental wellness offers unique opportunities for brands to partner and enhance community interaction. Shifting Focus Areas: There is an increasing emphasis on mental health and holistic wellness among health influencers, reflecting growing consumer interests and the need for brands to incorporate these themes into their social media strategies. In today’s digital age, health influencers play a crucial role in shaping our wellness journeys. With countless voices sharing insights on nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being, it can be overwhelming to know who to follow. The right influencers can inspire you to adopt healthier habits and provide valuable tips tailored to your lifestyle. From fitness gurus to nutrition experts, these individuals have built dedicated communities around their passion for health. They offer relatable advice and evidence-based information that can help you navigate your own wellness path. In this article, you’ll discover some of the top health influencers who are making waves and leading the charge toward a healthier you. Overview of Top Health Influencers Health influencers play a significant role in shaping wellness journeys through their strong online presence across various social media platforms. Their relatable advice and valuable insights can guide you toward healthier habits. Importance of Health Influencers Health influencers engage audiences on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, creating content that resonates with followers. Their ability to connect through storytelling and personal experiences fosters trust, which can significantly impact your decision-making regarding health and wellness. You might find that influencer marketing leads to greater brand awareness, especially for health-related products or services. These influencers often share user-generated content and reviews, further enhancing community interaction and customer feedback. Criteria for Selection When choosing health influencers to follow or partner with, consider several criteria: Engagement Rate: Look for influencers with high engagement rates. Higher interactions show that their audience values their content. Content Quality: Assess the quality of social media posts, including video content and storytelling capabilities. Well-produced content often reflects professionalism and dedication. Audience Alignment: Ensure their audience aligns with your target market. Consider demographic factors such as age, interests, and specific health topics. Brand Voice Consistency: Evaluate if the influencer maintains a consistent brand voice that matches your brand’s values and messaging. Platform Presence: Examine their presence on various social media platforms. Influencers excelling on Instagram and TikTok might be particularly effective for visual storytelling, while those active on LinkedIn could better reach a professional audience. By utilizing social media tools and analytics, you can track the success of influencer partnerships and measure the return on investment (ROI) from your social media campaigns. Profiles of Top Health Influencers Explore profiles of influential health experts shaping wellness decisions across various social media platforms. These influencers leverage their knowledge to connect with audiences, enhancing community engagement and promoting healthier lifestyles. Influencer 1: Dr. Mike Name: Dr. Mikhail Varshavski, known as “Doctor Mike.” Expertise: Board-certified family medicine physician. Influence: Dr. Mike engages millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. His content simplifies complex health topics, providing relatable health advice while debunking myths. Through engaging storytelling and interactive posts, he cultivates trust, helping you navigate your health journey. Influencer 2: Dr. Megan Rossi Name: Dr. Megan Rossi, known as “The Gut Health Doctor.” Expertise: Renowned gut health expert and registered dietitian with a PhD and research position at King’s College London. Influence: Dr. Rossi focuses on nutrition’s impact on gut health, empowering followers through informative Instagram stories and posts. Her social media strategy includes evidence-based tips for better dietary choices. By fostering community interaction, she enhances brand awareness around gut health. Influencer 3: [Insert Influencer Name Here] Name: [Insert Influencer Name Here]. Expertise: [Insert area of expertise]. Influence: [Insert description of influence, highlighting their social media platforms, engagement strategy, and approach to health promotion]. Each of these influencers showcases effective content creation and community management strategies, essential for bolstering your brand’s online presence and optimizing social media campaigns. Impact on Health and Wellness Health influencers shape wellness decisions across social media platforms. They empower individuals to make informed choices about health and nutrition. Social Media Reach Health influencers command significant reach on various social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. They leverage storytelling to connect with audiences, boost brand awareness, and create engaging content that resonates with followers. For instance, Dr. Mike’s content encourages audience engagement by simplifying complex health topics and debunking myths. Utilizing relevant hashtags and user-generated content enhances organic reach and fosters community growth. Small businesses can benefit from collaborations with such influencers to maximize their social media strategy. Community Engagement Effective community engagement leads to strong online presence and customer interaction. Health influencers actively communicate with their followers, responding to comments and feedback, which fosters trust and brand loyalty. Dr. Megan Rossi exemplifies this strategy through her focus on gut health, sharing evidence-based tips while engaging her audience in discussions. For small businesses, adopting similar community management practices encourages support and attracts potential customers. Regularly sharing video content, hosting Facebook groups, and utilizing social media analytics improves engagement rates and helps refine your social media campaigns. Trends in Health Influencing Health influencing continues to evolve with emerging influencers and shifting focus areas that impact small businesses using social media. Emerging Influencers You’ll find new health influencers rising to prominence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. These influencers often focus on niche topics that span specific diets, fitness routines, or mental wellness strategies, attracting dedicated followings. Their engagement rates can be higher, offering small businesses unique opportunities for influencer partnerships that yield substantial brand awareness. For instance, you might see collaborations with micro-influencers who create authentic content and share user-generated content, enhancing community interaction and driving organic growth. Shifting Focus Areas Health influencers are increasingly prioritizing areas like mental health and holistic wellness. This shift aligns with growing consumer awareness about stress management and emotional well-being. As you develop your social media strategy, consider utilizing Instagram Stories and Facebook groups to share valuable content around these topics. Content creation should include storytelling techniques to foster deeper connections with your audience, elevating brand consistency and enhancing social media engagement. In doing so, you can leverage social media ads and organic reach to promote wellness programs, encouraging customer feedback and interaction that strengthens your online presence. Conclusion Health influencers play a vital role in shaping your wellness journey. By following the right voices you can access valuable insights and evidence-based advice that inspire healthier choices. Their ability to connect through storytelling fosters trust and encourages informed decision-making. As you navigate the digital landscape of health and wellness it’s essential to choose influencers who align with your goals and values. Engaging with these experts can enhance your understanding of nutrition fitness and mental well-being. Remember to leverage social media tools to track the effectiveness of these partnerships and maximize your engagement. Embracing the guidance of top health influencers can lead to transformative changes in your lifestyle and well-being. So take the time to explore and connect with those who resonate with you. Frequently Asked Questions What is the role of health influencers? Health influencers guide individuals on wellness journeys by providing relatable advice and evidence-based information in areas like nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being. They foster trust through storytelling, helping followers make informed health decisions. How can I choose the right health influencers to follow? To choose the right health influencers, consider their engagement rates, content quality, audience alignment, and consistency of their brand voice. Look for those who provide reliable information and resonate with your personal wellness goals. Why are health influencers important? Health influencers are crucial as they command a significant reach across social media platforms. They help raise awareness about health topics and inspire their followers to adopt healthier habits through relatable content and community engagement. How do health influencers impact social media marketing? Health influencers enhance social media marketing by offering brands authentic connections with engaged audiences. Collaborating with them can improve brand awareness and trust, as their recommendations often have a substantial influence on consumers’ health-related decisions. What are some current trends in health influencing? Current trends include the rise of new influencers focusing on niche topics like specific diets and mental wellness, primarily on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. There’s also an increasing emphasis on holistic wellness and stress management, addressing growing consumer awareness. How can small businesses benefit from health influencers? Small businesses can benefit from collaborating with health influencers to enhance brand awareness and improve engagement. By leveraging influencer partnerships, they can reach a larger audience and utilize effective community management to attract potential customers. What strategies can improve community engagement with health influencers? To improve community engagement, brands should regularly share valuable content, actively communicate with followers, and adopt storytelling techniques. Utilizing tools like Instagram Stories and Facebook groups can foster deeper connections and enhance social media interactions. Image Via Envato This article, "Discover the Top Health Influencers Shaping Your Wellness Journey Online" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Data breaches targeting healthcare and compromising patient information seem to be coming fast and furious, the latest of which occurred at Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS), a massive nonprofit healthcare network in Connecticut. Hackers stole the data of more than 5.5 million individuals during an attack in March 2025. Other major cyber incidents revealed by healthcare organizations in recent weeks include Blue Shield of California's exposure of 4.7 million members' data to Google along with a breach at Maryland's Frederick Health Medical Group, which affected nearly a million patients. What happened at Yale New Haven Health? According to a public notice on the YNHHS website, the organization discovered "unusual activity" on its system on March 8, 2025, which was later identified as unauthorized third-party access that allowed bad actors to copy certain patient data. While the information stolen varies by individual, it may include the following: Name Date of birth Address Phone number Email address Race Ethnicity Social Security number Patient type Medical record number YNHHS says the breach did not include access to medical records, treatment information, or financial data (such as account and payment information). What to do if your records were affectedIf you've been a patient in the YNHHS network, your data may have been compromised. The organization began sending notices to those affected on April 14, so keep an eye out for a letter in the mail. YNHHS is providing complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services to patients whose Social Security numbers were stolen, with directions for taking advantage of these services presumably included in the mailed notices. You can call the support line at 855-549-2678 Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET if you have questions about the incident or how you may be affected. There are also class action lawsuits in the works seeking damages for individuals impacted by the breach, so you can keep an eye out for news on those filings. As always, you can't reclaim stolen data, but you can minimize the potential negative impact on your life. Freeze your credit, place a fraud alert, and request copies of your credit report regularly. Lock down your Social Security number to prevent identity theft. You should also review medical bills and statements from YNHHS and report any discrepancies immediately. Exercise good digital hygiene practices, such as avoiding clicking links in messages you receive. View the full article

A new report has uncovered a community of Roblox players who digitally re-create and “play” through real-life school shootings. Known as “Active Shooter Studios,” or A.S.S., the group has attracted hundreds of fans on Roblox with detailed recreations of horrific mass shootings, including Columbine, Uvalde, and Parkland, according to a report published this week by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism. The disturbing games are created by anonymous users using Roblox’s in-game tools and browser. In one game viewed by Bloomberg, more than 60 players surrounded a school holding pitchforks, chanting the white supremacist phrase “You will not replace us.” The game has since been removed. One of A.S.S.’s most popular maps re-creates the 1999 Columbine shooting, allowing players to take on the roles of mass murderers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Players can maim and dismember others—something nominally prohibited by Roblox’s community standards—fighting to the death or eventually committing suicide when police arrive in the game. The A.S.S. is part of a darker corner of the internet known as the True Crime Community (TCC), an online subculture where followers idolize serial killers and mass murderers. The Columbine shooting is among the events most romanticized by TCC members. A Roblox spokesperson told Fast Company, “Roblox is committed to safety and civility, and our Community Standards explicitly prohibit any content or behavior that depicts, supports, glorifies, or promotes terrorist or extremist organizations in any way.” They confirmed that steps are taken to remove material and accounts that violate these standards. “We have a dedicated team focused on proactively identifying and swiftly removing such content, as well as banning the individuals who create it, and we will continue to diligently enforce our policies,” they added. This is not the first time such re-creations have been found on the platform. The ADL previously discovered re-creations of the 2019 mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. Despite Roblox’s efforts, removing these maps often becomes a game of whack-a-mole. According to the report, A.S.S. members have started hosting games on paid Roblox private servers to evade detection. With over 80 million active users logging onto Roblox daily—many of them children or teens—games that glorify mass violence risk desensitizing players and may serve as a gateway to other extremist content. However, Roblox insisted “the vast majority” of users on its platform do not seek out A.S.S. content and that it is not easily searchable. “Because of the swift, proactive safety measures we have in place, it is very unlikely users would be exposed to such content on our platform,” the spokesperson said. “Combatting content that supports extremist views is an internet-wide challenge, as these individuals constantly try to evade detection,” they continued. “We work closely with other platforms and in close collaboration with law enforcement to keep content that violates our policies off our platform.” View the full article

This week, guess what, we saw more Google search ranking volatility heat up mid-week. Several new studies have come out showing that AI Overviews hurt click-through rates from search results. Google will stop supporting the...View the full article

Discover the essential PPC KPIs, beyond CTR and CPC, to measure profit, incrementality, and real business impact from your paid media. The post The 8 Most Important PPC KPIs You Should Be Tracking appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Doug Duncan may be retired from Fannie Mae, but not from the housing market—his new firm is ramping up with writing, speaking, and advisory work. View the full article

In the world of digital advertising, data is king. Yet, many PPC advertisers underutilize one of their most valuable sources of insights: their CRM data. Whether you’re a B2B or B2C marketer, your CRM is a gold mine of customer information that can significantly enhance your paid media strategy. To boost efficiency and scale, focus on the most impactful CRM data, such as: Job titles, industry, company size, and revenue for B2B. Age, gender, location, product preferences, and customer lifetime value (CLV) for B2C. This article tackles how to use CRM data to refine your targeting, craft compelling ad messaging, and create more relevant website content. Evaluate CRM data through clustering analysis First, you need to know how to organize your data to get the insights you’ll deploy in your paid campaigns. One powerful technique for organizing data is clustering analysis, which helps group similar customers based on shared characteristics. For this, I prefer the k‑modes algorithm, an extension of the k‑means method. The algorithm replaces means of clusters with modes – in other words, it replaces an aggregate average with attributes that appear frequently, which is much better for precise targeting. This allows you to identify primary audience segments that are most valuable to your business. For example: B2B: Clustering leads and opportunities by job role, industry, company size, and annual revenue. B2C: Segmenting customers based on demographics, interests, purchase behavior, CLV, and engagement levels. This analysis will help you uncover actionable insights to shape your advertising approach and ensure you focus on the right audiences. 3 ways to leverage CRM data for PPC advertising Once you’ve identified key audience clusters, apply those insights across Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Meta Ads, and other paid platforms. While there are additional use cases, let’s focus on the three mentioned above. 1. Refine targeting without hyper-fragmenting ad accounts A common mistake is over-segmenting ad campaigns, which can lead to inefficient ad spend, limited insights, and hinder platform algorithms from optimizing performance. Instead, leverage your CRM insights to refine audience targeting strategically: LinkedIn and Facebook audiences: Upload CRM data to create custom audiences and lookalike audiences, ensuring you’re targeting high-value prospects similar to your existing customers. (Note: A few significant new releases from LinkedIn add even more heft to this recommendation.) Keyword themes in Google Ads: Use CRM insights to identify the job titles, industries, or pain points that resonate most with your customers and optimize your keyword strategy accordingly. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. 2. Craft messaging with ads geared toward primary personas Different customer segments respond to different messages. Use your CRM data to create tailored ad copy, imagery, and CTAs that align with the needs and interests of your primary personas: B2B example: If your CRM data reveals that C-suite executives respond best to finesse and expertise-driven content, create ads promoting whitepapers or exclusive webinars. B2C example: If your data shows that younger demographics prefer discounts while older customers value premium quality, adjust your ad messaging accordingly. 3. Creating relevant website content Your paid efforts shouldn’t stop at the ad level – your website must also reflect the personas you’re targeting. By using CRM insights, you can optimize your site to better convert visitors into customers: B2B: If your highest-value customers are from enterprise-level companies, make sure your website has dedicated pages for enterprise solutions and case studies, with messaging tailored to address their specific pain points and needs. A common issue I’ve seen with agency clients is that their landing pages lack depth; often, distinct personas would benefit from pages with more refined messaging. B2C: If a key demographic is young professionals interested in sustainability, highlight eco-friendly product attributes and include social proof from like-minded customers. These insights should extend beyond landing pages. It’s crucial to gather and evaluate whether your brand positioning across the entire site reflects the common themes that emerge when analyzing different personas. Final thoughts Your CRM isn’t just a database – it’s a strategic asset that can transform your paid media performance. You can drive more efficient and effective advertising campaigns by analyzing customer data through: Clustering. Refining targeting. Crafting tailored ad messaging. Ensuring your website content aligns with your audience. One final note here: this is not a one-and-done initiative. Use your judgment based on: How much and how quickly new data is entering your CRM. Any data cleanup projects that might alter the data. New product launches that could require fresh insights. Use this information to schedule regular and ad-hoc updates to your analysis. Don’t let your CRM data go to waste – use it to enhance your paid campaigns and increase your ROI. View the full article

Yesterday was an eventful day for shareholders and employees of Intel Corp. The American chipmaker reported its Q1 2025 results while its new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, confirmed earlier reports that Intel would be laying off employees. Here’s what you need to know about those layoffs and the latest movement in Intel’s stock price. New Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan confirms job cuts The most devastating news to come out of Intel yesterday was that earlier reports were correct and the company would be laying off employees. On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that Intel was preparing to lay off up to 20% of its current workforce. Given that Intel reported having 108,900 employees at the end of 2024, that 20% cut would equate to roughly just under 22,000 people being laid off. The 22,000 layoff figure, if accurate, would be larger than Intel’s last round of mass layoffs in August 2024, when then-Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger announced 15,000 job cuts. Intel’s CEO confirmed the new job cuts in an email he sent to employees on April 24, which Intel then later published on its website. In the email, Tan laid out his desire for Intel to once again become an engineering-focused company so it can better compete in the chip marketplace and begin innovating again. But in order to refocus the company to one that is engineering-first, Tan said Intel will need to find ways to reduce its existing costs. Some of that cost reduction will come from layoffs. In a poorly subtitled section of his email called “Flattening the Organization,” Tan said he was “a big believer in the philosophy that the best leaders get the most done with the fewest people.” In order to refocus the company on engineering, Tan said, Intel would need to remove its organizational complexity and unnecessary bureaucracy. To this end, Tan said there was “no way around the fact that these critical changes will reduce the size of our workforce.” However, Tan didn’t state the size of this workforce reduction—neither in terms of the number of employees that will lose their jobs, nor in the percentage of Intel’s workforce that would be let go. That means it is currently unknown if Bloomberg’s 20% figure was correct. Fast Company has reached out to Intel for comment on the number of upcoming layoffs. What Tan did confirm is that the layoffs would happen in Q2—which is Intel’s current quarter. He also said that the company “will move as quickly as possible [with the layoffs] over the next several months.” Intel stock price sinks after Q1 earnings results But Intel employees weren’t the only ones who got bad news yesterday. Investors did, too. After Intel released its Q1 2025 numbers yesterday, the company’s stock (Nasdaq: INTC) is currently down a significant amount in premarket trading this morning. As of the time of this writing, INTC shares are currently down around 6.7% to just above $20 per share. INTC shares had gained 4.3% yesterday to close at $21.49 before the company revealed its Q1 performance. Unfortunately, investors usually see layoffs as a good thing for a company because when a company lets go of workers, it can save a lot of money. Fewer employees mean fewer associated costs. Yet still, INTC shares are down after the company’s Q1 results and layoffs confirmation. But why? Intel announced that its Q1 revenue was $12.7 billion—essentially flat year-over-year. It also reported a loss equal to 19 cents a share. But those disappointing numbers didn’t seem to bother investors as much as Intel’s quarterly forecast for its current Q2. Intel issued revenue guidance for its Q2 of $11.2 billion to $12.4 billion. But as Reuters notes, the analysts’ average estimate was $12.82 billion. Many investors thus saw the guidance as an admission from Intel that its turnaround effort will take time. The company is largely seen to have fumbled the opportunity to take advantage of the AI boom in the early years of this decade, and thus seeded AI chip dominance to Nvidia. Intel’s Tan is now hoping to make Intel into an AI chip juggernaut, but the company’s guidance suggests that’s not going to happen overnight—and certainly not in the next quarter. Until yesterday, Intel was one of the few major tech companies in America whose shares were up for the year. INTC closed yesterday at $21.49, up 7.18% for the year. But with its nearly 7% premarket decline this morning, INTC shares are now essentially flat for the year to date. Looking out to a longer timeline, INTC shares have performed much more poorly. As of yesterday’s close, INTC shares had fallen nearly 38% over the past 12 months. Over the past five years, INTC shares were down nearly 64% as of yesterday’s close. View the full article

Google's John Mueller pretty much said that using image streaming techniques will not result in an SEO friendly outcome. He actually said, "It's a great way to prevent your images from being found through search engines."View the full article

Scott Bok’s autobiography raises questions about the vast influence of those that have benefited most from a golden age of financeView the full article

Google is testing a new version of the mobile search results snippets where the URL is now blue, still clickable. Also, a variation where they are switching the placement of the URL and the site name.View the full article

Microsoft Advertising has temporarily suspended the ability for agencies to send out client connection requests. Instead, the agency needs to reach out to Microsoft support and wait 5-7 days to hear back to be able to manage their client's ad campaigns on Microsoft.View the full article

Let’s get one thing out of the way right now: If you’re taking photographs with a Polaroid camera in the 21st century, it’s not because pristine image quality is your overarching priority. In the digital age, the dreamy imperfection of Polaroid pictures is part of their appeal. They’re never that sharp, and no two come out exactly the same. Even Fujifilm’s Instax cameras—instant photography’s current market-share giant—produce more consistent results. Still, even people who love Polaroid’s analog soul and tactile immediacy have their limits. Each shot from an eight-photo film pack costs about $2.25, considerably more than Instax shots. That’s less than it did in instant photography’s golden age decades ago, once adjusted for inflation, and you can save by buying multipacks of film. But paying more than two bucks to take a photo is a shock to the wallet—especially given that digital ones are effectively free. So you’d probably like to get the best pictures your Polaroid camera can muster, or at least avoid outright misfires. That’s the idea behind the company’s newest camera, the Polaroid Flip. At $200, it’s pricier than the diminutive Polaroid Go ($95), entry-level Polaroid Now ($120), and slightly above-entry-level Polaroid Now+ ($140). The additional investment buys you several features designed to improve your odds of getting pleasing shots in a variety of shooting environments. (Meanwhile, the high-end Polaroid I-2, with its fancy lens and manual settings, is aimed at the select group of photographers who crave more artistic control and are willing to spend $450 on an instant camera.) The “Flip” in the camera’s name references its most obvious new element, a flippable bar that houses the flash and some LED indicators. Relocating the flash let Polaroid increase its size and distance from the lens, both of which can improve photo quality—just as they did back when original Polaroid models such as the Sun 600 sported a similar design. That is particularly critical given that instant photos benefit from turning the flash on in pretty much any environment except bright sunlight. The Flip upgrades the two lenses used by Polaroid’s cheaper models to a four-lens system capable of sharper results at a wider range of distances. It also has sonar autofocusing, a technology the company first used almost 50 years ago in one of the world’s first autofocus cameras that works equally well regardless of lighting. None of these features transforms the look and feel of the photos you’ll get, but they help eke out better image quality in tough conditions. Along with helping you take better pictures, the Flip has a new feature that prevents you from taking bad ones. If you try to take a photo of a subject that’s too close or insufficiently lit, a red light displays in the viewfinder. In extreme cases, the shutter button won’t fire at all. Stine Bauer Dahlberg, Polaroid’s chief product officer, reminded me that one of the most famous original Polaroid cameras, 1965’s Swinger, did something similar—though I like its approach even better: If its vetting confirmed you could take a good photo, you saw an affirmative YES in all caps. Compared to Fujifilm—which offers several hybrid Instax cameras melding digital sensors and film output—Polaroid seems happy, so far, to stick to its traditional roots. The Flip does connect to Polaroid’s smartphone app via Bluetooth, opening up options such as exposure compensation and manual control of aperture and shutter speed. But even if you adjust some of the settings on your phone, the resulting photos are still analog through and through. Functionally and aesthetically, most 21st-century gadgets bear little resemblance to gear of the 1970s and 1980s, unless they’re going out of their way to embrace a retro vibe. By contrast, a citizen of 1985 transported to 2025 would unhesitatingly identify the Flip as a Polaroid camera. Yet its striking resemblance to the models of yore doesn’t feel like an act of nostalgia. Why mess too much with something that still works? The classic Polaroid design did, and does. Pressing the red shutter button and listening to the whirring as the photo emerges from the slot in front is still a satisfying experience. Take someone’s photo, and they’ll be curious how it turned out in a way that’s less common with smartphone photos. Even a Polaroid camera that’s just sitting on your desk provokes questions and smiles. My biggest quibbles with the current Polaroid experience are with the film, not the camera. The company still hasn’t quite gotten its quality back to where it was before the old Polaroid’s near-death experience early in this century. Nor do photos develop anywhere near as quickly as the old ones did and Fujifilm Instax ones do today. Keeping up with demand for film packs also seems to tax Polaroid’s production capacity: Earlier this week, the classic white-frame version was out of stock on the company’s website. (It’s back as I write this, and usually seems easy enough to find at retail.) Dahlberg told me Polaroid is still working on film improvements: “There are a couple of things that we’re doing right now that are going to be more visible soon.” Now, at some point in every article about Polaroid in the 21st century, it has been obligatory to marvel at the fact that instant photography is still a thing and that the company—which went bankrupt twice and once abandoned camera and film production—remains extant. Such wonderment seems less and less essential. After all, it’s been almost two decades since a band of enthusiasts calling themselves the Impossible Project took over the only remaining Polaroid film factory. That last-moment gambit eventually led to it acquiring the Polaroid brand, launching new cameras, and securing shelf space in places such as Best Buy and Target. Fujifilm’s Instax, meanwhile, never stopped booming. Human beings, it turns out, still like to take instant film photos—including people who weren’t even alive in Polaroid’s heyday. At this point, it’s safe to say the medium isn’t going anywhere. If you want to partake in it, the Flip is one of the best options I’ve seen, and certainly worth the $60 premium over Polaroid’s Now+. It’s available for purchase on the company’s site and will be in stores next month. You’ve been reading Plugged In, Fast Company’s weekly tech newsletter from me, global technology editor Harry McCracken. If a friend or colleague forwarded this edition to you—or if you’re reading it on FastCompany.com—you can check out previous issues and sign up to get it yourself every Friday morning. I love hearing from you: Ping me at hmccracken@fastcompany.com with your feedback and ideas for future newsletters. I’m also on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads, and you can follow Plugged In on Flipboard. More top tech stories from Fast Company 20 years ago, this simple video rewired the way we share our lives online Jawed Karim’s 2005 upload didn’t just launch YouTube—it helped usher in a share-all culture, where even the mundane became content. Read More → Bot farms invade social media to hijack popular sentimentGovernments, financial influencers, and entertainment insiders are using data center-like facilities full of phones to push narratives fabricated through fake social media engagement.Read More → AI coding tools could bring us the ‘one-employee unicorn’ As the tools, and other AI agents, gain functionality, billion-dollar startups with a single human employee–or even none–may become possible. Read More → Microsoft thinks AI colleagues are coming soon Microsoft is dubbing 2025 the year of the ‘Frontier Firm.’ Read More → Adobe releases ‘created without generative AI’ tag to label human-generated art Just as it’s introducing the option to use GenAI models like OpenAI, Runway, and Google, Adobe is letting creators draw a new line in the sand between their work and AI. Read More → How to delete your personal info from the internet for free Hiding your address, phone number, and other details from Google and people search sites is easier than you might think. Read More → View the full article

Job interviews are the fortune cookies of hiring—vague and often misleading. But companies keep using them, despite research suggesting that typical job interviews are mostly unreliable predictors of future job performance, because they give hiring managers the illusion of insight, and a convenient way to validate gut instinct with zero data. It’s not that all interviews are useless; some formats, like structured behavioral interviews with scoring rubrics, including AI-based scoring algorithms that match responses to actual outcomes and future performance, can be moderately predictive. But the typical unstructured interview? Oftentimes, it conveys the illusion of predictability by allowing hiring managers and interviewers to unleash their biases and subjective preferences during the interview, and then reactivate those same biases during their job performance ratings and evaluations of those candidates, once they become employees. It’s mostly a personality contest masquerading as a talent evaluation. The candidates who perform best in interviews are often the ones with the most confidence, charisma, and charm. Unfortunately, these traits are also the calling cards of narcissists, Machiavellians, and the occasional smooth-talking psychopath. What passes for “leadership gravitas” can often be ego dressed in a blazer. In fact, studies show that narcissists are more likely to be seen as competent in interviews—especially by less experienced, trained, or qualified interviewers who confuse bravado with ability.. So how do you stand out in an interview without sounding like you’re auditioning for a TED Talk titled “Why I’m Amazing (and You’re Lucky I’m Here)”? Here are five science-based recommendations: 1. Quantify your brilliance instead of announcing it It’s one thing to say you’re “a strong leader.” It’s another to say you managed a team that increased revenue by 35% in under a year during a hiring freeze. Guess which one gets remembered? Vague self-praise triggers skepticism. Data builds trust. Candidates who provided specific behavioral examples—especially with measurable outcomes—are generally rated significantly higher in competence and hireability. Swap generic lines like “I’m results-oriented” for “I led a cross-functional team that reduced churn by 28% in Q3.” And when you do this, resist the urge to sound smug. If your data is good, it speaks for itself. No need to add a drumroll. 2. Be confident enough to admit what you don’t know Ironically, one of the most confident things you can do in an interview is say, “I don’t know.” Not followed by silence, of course—but followed by “. . . but here’s how I’d go about figuring it out.” This signals humility and problem-solving, a combo that’s far more attractive than pretending you’ve mastered every domain from supply chain to quantum physics. As psychologist and author Tasha Eurich suggests, self-awareness—particularly awareness of one’s own limitations—is a key marker of effective leadership. If you mention a skill you haven’t mastered, follow it with a brief story of how you’ve successfully learned something similar. Now you’re not just self-aware—you’re coachable. In today’s volatile and unpredictable job market, people should care less about what you know, and more about your ability, disposition, and willingness to learn in the future. 3. Show you have empathy Narcissists tend to lack empathy. So, if you want to distance yourself from that ego-obsessed camp, demonstrate that you can see the world through someone else’s eyes. Empathy isn’t just about being “nice” in interviews. It’s about showing an ability to collaborate, manage conflict, and not derail an entire Slack thread with your emotional immaturity or self-centered delusional rants. Same rule applies to the job interview: When you describe past experiences, include others in the narrative. What were their challenges? How did they feel? How did you adapt your approach to help? How did you realize they felt and reasoned? Ask your interviewer thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, not just your potential title. It shows you care about humans, not just your LinkedIn profile. 4. Let your achievements shine, but don’t dwell on them for too long The bigger the accomplishment, the more chill you should be when you mention it. There’s a fine line between “that’s impressive” and “wow, do you talk about anything else?” We’ve all met someone who peaked in high school sports and never got the memo. Think of it this way: if you’re a big deal, you don’t need to say it—your story should do the heavy lifting. Let your success land quietly and let the interviewer be the one who leans in. For example, instead of “I turned around a failing division single-handedly,” try “I was fortunate to be part of a turnaround effort that ended up boosting performance by 40%.” In other words, same data, less ego. 5. Read the room Here’s a wild idea: Focus more on the people interviewing you than on your own performance. Read the room. Listen actively. Make eye contact. Nod (at appropriate times, not like a bobblehead). Pause to check if your answers are clear. It sounds basic, but narcissists are notoriously bad at this. They monologue. They steamroll. They mansplain. They “circle back” to points no one asked about. So if you want to distinguish yourself, be the person who not only speaks well—but listens even better. For example, after you answer a question, try asking, “Did that answer what you were hoping to learn?” or “Would you like more detail on that?” It’s called being a kind and socially skilled human, and it’s rarer than you think. Final thought: Be the antidote to the ego parade The truth is, narcissists can be magnetic in interviews. But so can people who are competent, thoughtful, and self-aware. The latter are just more unusual—and in far greater demand once the honeymoon phase is over and actual work begins. So, the next time you walk into an interview, remember: You don’t have to dazzle with hype. You just have to seem real, competent, and curious enough to connect. Confidence is great, but only if it helps you persuade others that you are competent. In contrast, humility in the face of complexity will make you stand out, because modest competence beats delusional confidence (most of the time). View the full article

Google seems to have added a new section to music knowledge panels named "Behind the music." It seems that this is generated using Google's Gemini AI and gives you a bit of background on the song.View the full article

Microsoft is now showing two rows of shopping ads at the top of the Bing Search results. There is even an option to expand them to show more ads.View the full article

Dubai, the go-to destination for influencers, is now doubling down on its biggest market with the launch of its very own “influencer academy.” Jointly funded by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and a travel content creation agency, the “Beautiful Destinations Academy” offers three months of social media “training” for “students,” aimed at bolstering Dubai’s tourism industry. The academy is still accepting applications for four budding influencers, who will be paid to travel and live in the city starting next month. A promotional video by Beautiful Destinations describes the program as “an elite training environment where we invest in you to support Dubai’s unparalleled vision for the future of tourism.” Successful applicants will typically train five days a week, with modules covering photography and cinematography, editing and color grading, sound effects, AI tools, industry regulations, and professional development as a travel content creator. At the end of the course, students will receive a certificate from Dubai College of Tourism, with “the really special ones” offered a full-time job at Beautiful Destinations. All expenses, including flights and accommodation in a luxury serviced apartment, are covered, along with a livable income for the three-month program. Students will also have access to shoot at some of Dubai’s “most stunning and exclusive locations, normally reserved for celebrities and royalty.” Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and founder of Beautiful Destinations, told The Independent: “I want to share what I’ve learned with the next generation and give others the chance to experience the coolest career in the world. And there’s no better city than Dubai—which has inspired Beautiful Destinations’ creators since our earliest days—to do this in. You don’t need to be an expert to apply—we’re looking for raw, hidden talent.” He added: “We want to equip young people with the skills to build a solid future in travel content creation, to take advantage of this fast-growing sector. You don’t need expensive equipment or formal training – just a desire to turn your social media hobby into a dream career.” Issam Kazim, chief executive of Visit Dubai, told The Times UK that the academy’s launch is “a testament to our commitment to fostering creativity, innovation and ­excellence in the tourism sector.” Dubai welcomed a record 18.72 million international visitors last year and recently introduced the “golden visa” (a new visa that allows influencers to live in the UAE sponsorship-free), along with a Dhs150 million government support fund to aid influencers. Given that over half of Gen Zers aspire to be influencers, where better to make that happen than the influencer hotspot of the world? Applicants must upload a 60-second video on “travel culture or adventure” on Instagram, tag @BeautifulDestinations @VisitDubai #BDacademy, and complete an online form before April 24 to be considered for the first cohort. View the full article