All Activity

In Google AI Overviews and LLM-driven retrieval, credibility isn’t enough. Content must be structured, reinforced, and clear enough for machines to evaluate and reuse confidently. Many SEO strategies still optimize for recognition. But AI systems prioritize utility. If your authority can’t be located, verified, and extracted within a semantic system, it won’t shape retrieval. This article explains how authority works in AI search, why familiar SEO practices fall short, and what it takes to build entity strength that drives visibility. Why traditional authority signals worked – until they didn’t For years, SEOs liked to believe that “doing E-E-A-T” would make sites authoritative. Author bios were optimized, credentials showcased, outbound links added, and About pages polished, all in hopes that those signals would translate into authority. In practice, we all knew what actually moved the needle: links. E-E-A-T never really replaced external validation. Authority was still conferred primarily through links and third-party references. E-E-A-T helped sites appear coherent as entities, while links supplied the real gravitas behind the scenes. That arrangement worked as long as authority could be vague and still rewarded. It stops working when systems need to use authority, not just acknowledge it. In AI-driven retrieval, being recognized as authoritative isn’t enough. Authority still has to be specific, independently reinforced, and machine-verifiable, or it doesn’t get used. Being authoritative but not used is like being “paid” with experience. It doesn’t pay the bills. Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with How AI systems calculate authority Search no longer operates on a flat plane of keywords and pages. AI-driven systems rely on a multi-dimensional semantic space that models entities, relationships, and topical proximity. In that semantic space, entities function much like celestial bodies in physical space, discrete objects whose influence is defined by mass, distance, and interaction with others. E-E-A-T still matters, but the framework version is no longer a differentiator. Authority is now evaluated in a broader context that can’t be optimized with a handful of on-page tasks. In AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Claude, and similar systems, visibility doesn’t hinge on prestige or brand recognition. Those are symptoms of entity strength, not its source. What matters is whether a model can locate your entity within its semantic environment and whether that entity has accumulated enough mass to exert influence. That mass isn’t decorative. It’s built through third-party citations, mentions, and corroboration, then made machine-legible through consistent authorship, structure, and explicit entity relationships. Models don’t trust authority. They calculate it by measuring how densely and consistently an entity is reinforced across the broader corpus. Smaller brands don’t need to shine like legacy publishers. In a semantic system, apparent size and visibility don’t determine influence. Density does. In astrophysics, some planets appear enormous yet exert surprisingly weak gravity because their mass is spread thinly. Others are much smaller, but dense enough to exert stronger pull. AI visibility works the same way. What matters isn’t how large your brand appears to humans, but how concentrated and reinforced your authority is in machine-readable form. Dig deeper: From SEO to algorithmic education: The roadmap for long-term brand authority The E-E-A-T misinterpretation problem The problem with E-E-A-T was never the concept itself. It was the assumption that trustworthiness could be meaningfully demonstrated in isolation, primarily through signals a site applied to itself. Over time, E-E-A-T became operationalized as visible, on-page indicators: author bios, credentials, About pages, and lightweight citations. These signals were easy to implement and easy to audit, which made them attractive. They created the appearance of rigor, even when they did little to change how authority was actually conferred. That compromise held when search systems were willing to infer authority from proxies. It breaks down in AI-driven retrieval, where authority must be explicitly reinforced, independently corroborated, and machine-verifiable to carry weight. Surface-level trust markers don’t fail because models ignore them. They fail because they don’t supply the external reinforcement required to give an entity real mass. In a semantic system, entities gain influence through repeated confirmation across the broader corpus. On-site signals can help make an entity legible, but they don’t generate density on their own. Compliance isn’t comprehension, and E-E-A-T as a checklist doesn’t create gravitational pull. In human-centered search, these visible trust cues acted as reasonable stand-ins. In LLM retrieval, they don’t translate. Models aren’t evaluating presentation or intent. They’re evaluating semantic consistency, entity alignment, and whether claims can be cross-verified elsewhere. E-E-A-T isn’t outdated. It’s incomplete. It explains why humans might trust you. Applying E-E-A-T principles only within your own site won’t create the mass that machines need to recognize, align with, and prioritize your entity in a retrieval system. AI doesn’t trust, it calculates Human trust is emotional. Machine trust is statistical. In practice: LLMs prioritize clarity. Ambiguous writing reduces confidence. They reward clean extraction. Lists, tables, and focused paragraphs are easiest to reuse. They cross-verify facts. Redundant, consistent statements across multiple sources appear more reliable than a single sprawling narrative. Retrieval models evaluate confidence, not charisma. Structural decisions such as headings, paragraph boundaries, markup, and lists directly affect how accurately a model can map content to a query. This is why ChatGPT and AI Overview citations often come from unfamiliar brands. It’s also why brand-specific queries behave differently. When a query explicitly names a brand or entity, the model isn’t navigating the galaxy broadly. It’s plotting a short, precise trajectory to a known body. With intent tightly constrained and only one plausible source of truth, there’s far less risk of drifting toward adjacent entities. In those cases, the system can rely directly on the entity’s own content because the destination is already fixed. The models aren’t “discovering” hidden experts. They’re rewarding content whose structure reduces uncertainty. The semantic galaxy: How entities behave like bodies LLMs don’t experience topics, entities, or websites. They model relationships between representations in a high-dimensional semantic space. That’s why AI retrieval is better understood as plotting a course through a system of interacting gravitational bodies rather than “finding” an answer. Influence comes from mass, not intention. In embedding-based retrieval, entities behave like bodies in space, as demonstrated by Karpukhin et al. in their 2020 EMNLP paper on dense passage retrieval. Over time, citations, mentions, and third-party reinforcement increase an entity’s semantic mass. Each independent reference adds weight, making that entity increasingly difficult for the system to ignore. Queries move through this space as vectors shaped by intent. As they pass near sufficiently massive entities, they bend. The strongest entities exert the greatest gravitational pull, not because they are trusted in a human sense, but because they are repeatedly reinforced across the broader corpus. Extractability doesn’t create that gravity. It determines what happens after attraction occurs. An entity can be massive enough to warp trajectories and still be unusable if its signals aren’t machine-legible, like a planet with enough gravity to draw a spacecraft in but no viable way to land. Authority, in this context, isn’t belief. It’s gravity, the cumulative pull created by repeated, independent reinforcement across the wider semantic system. Entity strength vs. extractability Classic SEO emphasized backlinks and brand reputation. AI search desires entity strength for discovery, but demands clarity and semantic extractability to be included. Entity strength – your connections across the Knowledge Graph, Wikidata, and trusted domains – still matters and arguably matters more now. Unfortunately, no amount of entity strength helps if your content isn’t machine-parsable. Consider two sites featuring recognized experts: One uses clean headings, explicit definitions, and consistent links to verified profiles. The other buries its expertise inside dense, unstructured paragraphs. Only one will earn citations. LLMs need: One entity per paragraph or section. Explicit, unambiguous mentions. Repetition that reinforces relationships (“Dr. Jane Smith, cardiologist at XYZ Clinic”). Precision makes authority extractable. Extractability determines whether existing gravitational pull can be acted on once attraction has occurred, not whether that pull exists in the first place. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Structure like you mean it: Abstract first, then detail LLM retrieval is constrained by context windows and truncation limits, as outlined by Lewis et al. in their 2020 NeurIPS paper on retrieval-augmented generation. Models rarely process or reuse long-form content in its entirety. If you want to be cited, you can’t bury the lede. LLMs read the beginning, but then they skim. After a certain number of tokens, they truncate. Basically, if your core insight is buried in paragraph 12, it’s invisible. To optimize for retrieval: Open with a paragraph that functions as its own TL;DR. State your stance, the core insight, and what follows. Expand below the fold with depth and nuance. Don’t save your best material for the finale. Neither users nor models will reach it. Dig deeper: Organizing content for AI search: A 3-level framework Stop ‘linking out,’ start citing like a researcher The difference between a citation and a link isn’t subtle, but it’s routinely misunderstood. Part of that confusion comes from how E-E-A-T was operationalized in practice. In many traditional E-E-A-T playbooks, adding outbound links became a checkbox, a visible, easy-to-execute task that stood in for the harder work of substantiating claims. Over time, “cite sources” quietly degraded into “link out a few times.” A bad citation looks like this: A generic outbound link to a blog post or company homepage offered as vague “support,” often with language like “according to industry experts” or “SEO best practices say.” The source may be tangentially related, self-promotional, or simply restating opinion, but it does nothing to reinforce your entity’s factual position in the broader semantic system. A good citation behaves more like academic referencing. It points to: Primary research. Original reporting. Standards bodies. Widely recognized authorities in that domain. It’s also tied directly to a specific claim in your content. The model can independently verify the statement, cross-reference it elsewhere, and reinforce the association. The point was never to just “link out.” The point was to cite sources. Engineering retrieval authority without falling back into a checklist The patterns below aren’t tasks to complete or boxes to tick. They describe the recurring structural signals that, over time, allow an entity to accumulate mass and express gravity across systems. This is where many SEOs slip back into old habits. Once you say “E-E-A-T isn’t a checklist,” the instinct is to immediately ask, “Okay, so what’s the checklist?” But engineering retrieval authority isn’t a list of tasks. It’s a way of structuring your entire semantic footprint so your entity gains mass in the galaxy the models navigate. Authority isn’t something you sprinkle into content. It’s something you construct systematically across everything tied to your entity. Make authorship machine-legible: Use consistent naming. Link to canonical profiles. Add author and sameAs schema. Inconsistent bylines fragment your entity mass. Strengthen your internal entity web: Use descriptive anchor text. Connect related topics the way a knowledge graph would. Strong internal linking increases gravitational coherence. Write with semantic clarity: One idea per paragraph. Minimize rhetorical detours. LLMs reward explicitness, not flourish. Use schema and LLMS.txt as amplifiers: They don’t create authority. They expose it. Audit your “invisible” content: If critical information is hidden in pop-ups, accordions, or rendered outside the DOM, the model can’t see it. Invisible authority is no authority. See the complete picture of your search visibility. Track, optimize, and win in Google and AI search from one platform. Start Free Trial Get started with From rocket science to astrophysics E-E-A-T taught us to signal trust to humans. AI search demands more: understanding the forces that determine how information is pulled into view. Rocket science gets something into orbit. Astrophysics navigates and understands the systems it moves through once there. Traditional SEO focused on launching pages—optimizing, publishing, promoting. AI SEO is about mass, gravity, and interaction: how often your entity is cited, corroborated, and reinforced across the broader semantic system, and how strongly that accumulated mass influences retrieval. The brands that win won’t shine brightest or claim authority loudest, nor will they be no-name sites simulating credibility with artificial corroboration and junk links. They’ll be entities that are dense, coherent, and repeatedly confirmed by independent sources—entities with enough gravity to bend queries toward them. In an AI-driven search landscape, authority isn’t declared. It’s built, reinforced, and made impossible for machines to ignore. Dig deeper: User-first E-E-A-T: What actually drives SEO and GEO View the full article

Visibility in AI answers is gated long before ranking, and this article explains how Spam, Safety, Intent, and Trust decide who gets through. The post The Classifier Layer: Spam, Safety, Intent, Trust Stand Between You And The Answer appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Central bank’s research undercuts Donald The President’s claims that foreign companies will pay for levies View the full article

A little known security feature on iPhones is in the spotlight after it stymied efforts by U.S. federal authorities to search devices seized from a reporter. Apple’s Lockdown Mode recently prevented FBI agents from getting into Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s iPhone. Agents seized the phone, as well as two MacBooks and other electronic devices, when they searched Natanson’s home last month as part of an investigation into a Pentagon contractor accused of illegally handling classified information. But the FBI reported that its Computer Analysis Response Team “could not extract” data from the iPhone because it was in Lockdown Mode, according to a court filing. So what is Lockdown Mode? Here’s a rundown of how it works and how to use it: Highest security Apple says Lockdown Mode is an “optional, extreme” protection tool designed to guard against “extremely rare and highly sophisticated cyberattacks.” It’s not for everyone, but instead for “very few individuals” who could be targeted by digital threats because of who they are or what they do. “Most people will never be targeted by attacks of this nature,” Apple’s support page says. It’s available in Apple’s newer operating systems, including iOS 16 and macOS Ventura. It works by putting strict security limits on some apps and features, or even making some unavailable, to reduce the areas that advanced spyware can attack. It also restricts the kinds of browser technologies that websites can use and limits photo sharing. Can Apple turn it off? Apple has previously rejected U.S. government requests to build so-called backdoor access for its devices. In 2016, Apple refused a request by authorities to help bypass lockscreen security for an encrypted iPhone belonging to a shooter who carried out a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. The company also declined to add an ability to input passcodes electronically, which would make it possible to carry out “brute force” attempts to guess the combination using computers. “It would be wrong to intentionally weaken our products with a government-ordered backdoor,” Apple said in explaining its decision. How to turn on Lockdown Mode Make sure your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook has been updated. You’ll have to turn the feature on separately for each of your Apple devices. On your iPhone, go to Settings, then to the Privacy and Security section, scroll down to the bottom and tap on Lockdown Mode. Enter your passcode—not a facial or fingerprint scan—to activate it. The device will restart and then you’ll again have to use your passcode to unlock it. On MacBooks, follow a similar procedure from the System Settings menu. Apple recommends that you switch it on for all of the company’s devices that you own. Better than biometrics You might assume that requiring facial or fingerprint recognition to unlock your phone is good enough to protect it from snooping. But experts say passcodes are better than biometrics at protecting your devices from law enforcement, because they could compel you to unlock your device by holding your phone up to your face or forcing you to put your finger on the scanner. FBI agents told Natanson that they “could not compel her to provide her passcodes,” but the warrant they used to execute the search did give them the authority “to use Natanson’s biometrics, such as facial recognition or fingerprints, to open her devices.” According to a court filing, Natanson said she didn’t use biometrics to lock her devices but agents were ultimately able to unlock her MacBook with her finger. This is how it affects your phone Apple says some apps and features will work differently when Lockdown Mode is on. Some websites might load slowly or not work properly, and some images and web fonts could be missing because they block “certain complex web technologies.” In Messages, most types of attachments are blocked, and links and link previews won’t be available. Incoming FaceTime calls are blocked unless it’s from a number you’ve called in the past month. In Photos, location information is stripped from shared photos and shared albums are removed from the app. Focus mode won’t work normally. There are also tighter restrictions on connecting your phone or computer to unsecure Wi-Fi networks or to other computers and accessories. When I tried it out on my own iPhone, some apps warned me that certain functions might not work. I noticed that one of my news apps started using a different font and photos on some websites didn’t appear, replaced by a question mark. The biggest disruption happened when I went to the gym, which involved using a web-based check-in system to scan a QR code. But my phone camera wouldn’t work so I had to turn off Lockdown Mode in order to get in. To be sure, my iPhone’s standalone Code Scanner app still worked, so the problem seemed to center on using a website to activate the camera. Turn it off Follow the same procedure outlined above that you used to turn on Lockdown Mode. You’ll need to enter your passcode and the phone will perform a restart. Is there a tech topic that you think needs explaining? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your suggestions for future editions of One Tech Tip. —Kelvin Chan, AP Business Writer View the full article

Airport lounges used to be a perk. In 2026, they are a battleground. American Express is refreshing Centurion Lounges and adding faster Sidecar formats. Chase is experimenting with champagne parlors and hyperlocal chef partnerships in its Sapphire Lounges. Citi is back in the ultra-premium card game. And Capital One, the relative newcomer, is making a different bet. Instead of building another lounge at LaGuardia Airport, it built a restaurant. The new Capital One Landing at Terminal B is a 12,500-square-foot, chef-driven dining space created with José Andrés. It has a 2,250-square-foot working kitchen, the largest in the terminal, and a menu built around Spanish tapas cooked from scratch. It looks more like a stand-alone dining destination than a cardholder waiting room. That is the point. From lounges to ‘landings’ Capital One’s airport strategy started with lounges at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Those spaces became known for local partnerships, individually plated food made on site, and drinks from neighborhood breweries and distilleries. The idea was that even if you never left the airport, you would still get a sense of the city. The Landing concept is an evolution of that thinking. Instead of adapting lounge food to feel more local, Capital One asked what would happen if the airport space felt like a real restaurant first and a lounge second. “When we went to the lounge space, we similarly felt that lounges were becoming totally cookie-cutter . . . They were all kind of buffets. The drinks were the same, lounge to lounge,” Matt Knise, SVP of premium products and travel at Capital One, tells Fast Company. The Landing is Capital One’s answer to that sameness. “We felt that there was room for a restaurant type experience, so you could still sit somewhere a little bit more comfortable and put your stuff down and get a really quality restaurant, quality bite of food and still make it to your gate on time,” he says. Why a chef matters in a card war To make that work, Capital One sought out someone who could actually run a restaurant inside an airport. “We needed a partner on the other side of the equation, the hospitality and food side of the equation, who had the same passion about solving what we saw, and we found that with José and team,” Knise says. For Andrés, the project feels personal. “For me, in a way, it’s kind of a dream,” he says. “Capital One helped me build my own kitchen away from home.” That kitchen is not decorative. It is central to the pitch. “What makes this different—this Landing and this place—is that we’re making the food from scratch,” he says. “It’s not sitting there three, four hours in a place waiting for you to arrive.” In fact, Capital One built Andrés a kitchen with top-of-the-line equipment akin to what you would find in a high-end restaurant outside the terminal. Tapas for travelers on a clock The menu leans into Spanish tapas for a reason. “I believe in smaller portions and I believe in in the rainbow of possibilities,” says Andrés. “I don’t know a lot of concepts that are quicker than tapas.” Guests can grab plates from the tapas bar, order via QR code, or take items to go. Dishes like croquetas, the bikini sandwich, cheeses, and flauta bread are designed to be eaten quickly or slowly. Knise says the design balances both. “We felt deeply that a great dining experience and a relatively quick dining experience, those two things did not have to be mutually exclusive,” he says. “It’s a bit of a choose your own adventure.” Capital One is also leaning into what it calls Daily Rituals. At LGA, that includes tableside martinis, vermouth carts with garnishes and pintxos, oysters during select windows, and dessert carts. The airport as the new loyalty showroom In the fight for affluent travelers, the airport has become the most visible showroom for what a premium card actually promises. For Capital One. the space itself is part of the strategy. Skylights, a terrace filled with greenery, floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline, and a 30 foot mural by Queens artist Amrita Marino all reinforce that this is meant to feel like a place, not a waiting area. The thinking is straightforward. If the first memorable part of your trip happens before you even board the plane, and it happens inside a space tied directly to your credit card, the card stops feeling like a payment tool and starts feeling like part of the journey. For years, perks lived on paper. Points multipliers, statement credits, travel portals, concierge access. Useful, but abstract. You only felt the value when you booked a flight or scanned a benefits page. Lounges changed that. They turned benefits into something physical you could walk into, sit inside, and experience before your trip even began. Now that every major card issuer is investing in lounges, the competition has moved past who has a lounge and into what that lounge feels like. Is it a place to grab a snack, or is it somewhere you plan to arrive early for? Does it feel interchangeable with every other airport space, or does it feel like a destination tied to the city you are in? Knise puts it this way: “We want a manifestation of what we stand for as a brand . . . we want them to leave and go, Oh, wow. Capital One is a company that totally has my back and is innovating to make my life easier.” For Andrés, the payoff shows up in a different way. Not in brand metrics or cardholder retention, but in what travelers say as they walk out. “I’ve had people say ‘I cannot wait to travel again so I can come back to eat the croqueta. [That] something like this happens in an airport. It’s very special.” View the full article

Want to use Discord from next month? You’ll have to hand over a photo of your ID or a scan of your face to verify you’re of age. It’s part of a new process introduced by the chat app aimed at ensuring no one underage is using the platform. All new and existing users, the company says, will be given a “teen-appropriate experience” by default, including content filtering and limited access to spaces that host adult content. To regain the experience they previously had, users will need to prove their age through one of several options, including video selfies or sharing a photo of an identity document. (Discord did not immediately respond to Fast Company’s request for comment.) Users have reacted pretty unfavorably toward the proposal, with many saying they’re unhappy about sharing personal data with Discord, which faced a massive data breach reported just months ago. In that instance, ID photos of 70,000 users were potentially leaked after a cyberattack. (Discord said the incident involved a third-party customer support provider, not its own systems.) What worries privacy groups most is not just Discord’s plan, but the precedent it sets for other platforms. “It’s a reflection of growing concerns over the erosion of privacy online, and the slippery slope of mandating identity and age verification across the internet, making these systems a prime tool for surveillance and tracking,” says Rin Alajaji, associate director of state affairs at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). “Mandating age verification on a platform like Discord directly undermines the platform and the internet’s long-standing culture of anonymity.” There are also broader concerns about the growing requirements for users to prove who they are and how old they are to do things they previously did without scrutiny. U.K. polling suggests that while people may support age checks in principle, they are far more reluctant to hand over ID or facial footage in practice. Willingness to comply drops significantly when specifics are involved, and the public is split on the use of face video and photographic ID. Only 23% of Brits say they’d hand over ID to access discussion forums like Discord. That same tension appears in the U.S.: people want children protected online, but are less comfortable when those protections infringe on their own rights. Elinor Carmi, a senior lecturer in data politics and data justice at City St George’s, University of London, argues the backlash isn’t just about biometrics or ID checks in the abstract, but about whether people believe this kind of gatekeeping will actually work. “People just don’t think that age verification actually works,” she says, adding that users see policymakers and platforms reaching for a patch rather than a fix. “The social media platforms and the regulators are basically saying, ‘We have an issue, but let’s not deal with it. And let’s try to solve it in the most technical and easy solution, which is obviously also not working, because you can obviously fake it.’” There’s also fatigue with the concept, with users feeling the burden is being shifted onto them, including teenagers as well as adults, rather than platforms. And beyond that, there are worries about the consequences of a “papers, please” era of the web. “For many users—especially vulnerable groups like LGBTQ+ youth—having a space to connect without revealing their real identities is essential for safety and free expression,” says EFF’s Alajaji. “Age verification puts that at risk, forcing users to choose between privacy and participation.” She calls the decision to ask people to hand over more personal data after some users already lost theirs in last year’s Discord-linked data breach “reckless.” People are wary because they’ve been burned before and know they’re being asked to trade their likeness and other sensitive information simply to participate online. “Many users are understandably alarmed about their data being exposed or misused,” Alajaji says. View the full article

Valentine’s Day may seem romantic, but to candy companies, it’s serious business. Our annual ode to St. Valentine is one of the most important and competitive days on candy company calendars, and every year, confectioners roll out special-edition heart-shaped chocolate bars and other product innovations to capture consumers’ dollars (nevermind hearts). When it comes to speaking to modern courtship, though, one candy brand has a unique leg up on the competition—and it’s built into the candy itself. Sweethearts were designed to be updated. The pastel-colored conversation hearts stay relevant year over year because their embossed messages can be easily and quickly updated, transforming a generic shape into a crunchy candy canvas that’s adaptable to the moment. That makes the face of these tiny hearts some of the most valuable real estate in the Valentine’s Day candy landscape, because the right quip could convert a passerby into a sale. And this year, their newest messages are all about the struggles of dating in today’s economy. Sweethearts’s latest sayings have been dubbed “Love in This Economy” after an online survey that the brand’s owner, the family-owned, Ohio-based Spangler Candy Company, conducted last December of 2,000 Gen Z and millennials who are single, casually dating, or in a serious relationship, making an edible sort of consumer sentiment index. The candy company’s survey found 80% of respondents said the economy was impacting their Valentine’s Day plans. Their new two-line messages, then—”Split Rent,” “Share Logn,” “Car Poll,” “Buy N Bulk,” and “Cook For 2″—reflect the realities of dating and courtship during a time of high prices, persistent inflation, and low consumer confidence. But just because the company has introduced new messages doesn’t mean it’s abandoned more evergreen ones. “We’re careful about evolving the sayings because Sweethearts must be both nostalgic and new,” Spangler Candy Company vice president of marketing Evan Brock tells Fast Company. Classic messages like “Marry Me,” “Cutie Pie,” and “Ooo La La” are included every year, while new sayings reflect how people express affection and connection today, she says. “Our role is to strike a balance between enduring tradition and modern expression.” Wiki Commons Some of the original messages stamped into the first Sweethearts from 1902 were “Be Mine,” “Be True,” and “Kiss Me,” according to Smithsonian Magazine. But over the years, the candy has been updated with the times. “Fax Me” turned into “Text Me,” and in 2024, the candies were purposefully misprinted to symbolize the confusion and mixed messages of situationships. Unlike M&Ms or Skittles, which use the surface of their candy shells to display their visual brands, Sweethearts has more flexibility to adapt to culture. But even so, it’s thoughtful about adding new sayings. Embossing the hearts is a highly coordinated process that involves engraving new phrases onto custom-made printing plates that will stamp the words onto each individual candy. There’s no understating how important Valentine’s Day is for candy sales. Along with Easter, Halloween, and the winter holiday season, the four holidays generate a whopping 62% of annual sales for the $54 billion confectionery industry, according to the National Confectioners Association. For Sweethearts, it’s practically the whole ballgame, since no one’s buying conversation hearts for Christmas. By tapping into current events and changing trends in courtship, the more-than-a-century-old brand is resonating with Valentine’s Day now. 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. The Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS + Cellular, 41mm] is currently going for $299.99 on Woot, which is a solid deal considering the same model starts at $399 new and about $226 refurbished on Amazon. This one’s brand-new and comes with a full one-year Apple warranty. With Prime, you also get free standard shipping (while non-Prime members are levied a $6 shipping fee), and the offer is live for four more days or until it sells out. Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS + Cellular, 41mm] $299.99 at Woot $399.00 Save $99.01 Get Deal Get Deal $299.99 at Woot $399.00 Save $99.01 It’s the model with cellular connectivity, so with an active carrier plan, you can call, message, or stream music even when your iPhone’s not nearby—something the cheaper GPS-only versions can’t do. That’s a big plus if you run without your phone or want to stay reachable while leaving it behind. The Series 9 runs on Apple’s S9 processor, which makes everything feel faster, and the screen gets much brighter. At 2,000 nits, it’s easy to read even when the sun’s beating down on your wrist. It also adds a double-tap gesture, so you can control things like answering a call or scrolling through widgets with just a pinch of your fingers. The onboard Siri lets you start a workout or set a timer with your voice, and it’s the first Apple Watch that’s carbon-neutral (at least in this aluminum and sport band combo). It also has access to the App Store, so apps like Spotify, Strava, and Calm run directly on the watch, notes this PCMag review. Battery life is around 32.5 hours, even with the always-on display enabled, which holds up fine for a full day and night of use, though heavy cellular use will shorten that. Health tracking is comprehensive. You get heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen readings, temperature sensing, sleep tracking, GPS, and fall detection. The watch is also IP6X dust resistant and WR50 water resistant, making it suitable for swimming and gym sessions. At $299.99, this is a strong price for a new cellular Apple Watch, making it one of the better deals for lifestyle smartwatches right now. Our Best Editor-Vetted Presidents' Day Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $139.99 (List Price $179.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones — $229.00 (List Price $349.00) Dell 16 DC16255 (AMD Ryzen 7 250, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $649.99 (List Price $869.99) HP Omen 35L (Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 5080, 2TB SSD, 64GB RAM) — (List Price $3,099.99 With Code "PRESDAYPC100") HP OmniBook X Flip Ngai 16-Inch (AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, Radeon 860M, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — (List Price $649.99 With Code "PRESDAYPC50") Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

When the same information needs to exist in multiple systems, someone has to keep it consistent. Either a person manually updates each system when something changes, or software handles the synchronization automatically. Data synchronization is the process that makes the second option work. Organizations adopt specialized tools for different functions: a CRM for sales, a project management platform for operations, a support system for customer service, a marketing automation tool for campaigns. Each system stores data about customers, projects, or tasks in its own format. Without synchronization, these become isolated databases that require manual effort to keep aligned. The cost of that manual effort compounds quickly. Research shows knowledge workers spend 62% of their time on repetitive work rather than skilled tasks. A significant portion of that time involves moving data between systems that could synchronize automatically. What data synchronization means Data synchronization is the process of establishing consistency between data in different systems and maintaining that consistency over time. When data changes in one system, synchronization ensures the corresponding data updates in connected systems. The core components of data synchronization: ComponentWhat it doesSource identificationDetermines where data originates and which system holds authoritative recordsField mappingDefines how data fields in one system correspond to fields in anotherConflict resolutionEstablishes rules for handling cases where data differs between systemsChange detectionIdentifies when data has been modified and needs synchronizationTransformationConverts data formats, values, or structures between systems Simple synchronization might copy all records from one database to another on a schedule. Complex synchronization maintains bidirectional relationships between records across multiple systems, handling conflicts and transformations in real-time. The goal is data consistency without manual intervention. When a customer’s contact information updates in your CRM, that change should reflect in your marketing platform, support system, and billing software without anyone copying and pasting. Consider what happens without synchronization. A customer calls support to update their phone number. The support agent updates the support system. But the CRM still has the old number. So does the marketing platform. Next week, sales calls the old number wondering why the customer isn’t answering. Marketing sends SMS to a number that no longer works. The billing team has payment issues because the contact information is wrong. One data change should have propagated everywhere, but instead it created inconsistency that causes problems for weeks. Synchronization prevents this by ensuring that a change in one system automatically reflects in connected systems. The support agent updates the phone number once, and every system that needs that information receives the update. Types of data synchronization Different synchronization approaches fit different requirements. Understanding the options helps you choose the right method for each integration. One-way vs two-way synchronization One-way synchronization copies data from a source system to a destination system. Changes in the source update the destination, but changes in the destination don’t flow back. This works when one system is the clear authority and others just need to receive updates. Two-way synchronization maintains consistency in both directions. Changes in either system update the other. This works when different teams work in different systems and both need to modify the same data. Sync DirectionHow it worksBest forOne-waySource → Destination onlyReporting databases, read-only mirrors, data warehousesTwo-waySource DestinationCross-team collaboration, tools where both sides edit The choice matters because many business workflows require two-way sync even when it seems like one-way would suffice. A product manager updating the roadmap in their tool while engineering updates status in Jira needs changes flowing both directions. One-way sync from either system leaves the other outdated. Two-way sync is harder to implement than one-way. It requires conflict resolution logic, careful handling of which system is authoritative for which fields, and more sophisticated change detection. But for collaborative workflows where multiple teams modify the same data, two-way sync is often the only approach that actually works. One-way sync creates a second-class system where changes get overwritten, which defeats the purpose of letting teams work in their preferred tools. For a practical example, see how Airtable sync works with different methods. Real-time vs batch synchronization Real-time synchronization propagates changes immediately or within seconds of detection. When a record updates, connected systems reflect the change almost instantly. Batch synchronization collects changes and processes them on a schedule, whether every few minutes, hourly, or daily. Changes accumulate between sync cycles. Sync TimingHow it worksBest forReal-timeChanges propagate immediatelyCollaborative work, time-sensitive dataBatchChanges processed on scheduleHigh-volume data, systems that don’t need instant updates Real-time sync matters more than many organizations initially expect. When teams collaborate across tools, even a few minutes of delay creates confusion. Someone checks a status that changed two minutes ago and makes decisions based on stale information. For operational data where teams actively work, real-time synchronization eliminates that gap. The practical difference shows up in daily work. An engineer marks a Jira ticket as complete. If sync runs hourly, the product manager checking the roadmap tool won’t see that update for up to an hour. They might ping the engineer for status on something that’s already done. Multiply this by dozens of updates daily across a team, and the overhead from stale data becomes significant. Real-time sync makes this friction disappear. Full vs incremental synchronization Full synchronization compares and updates all records during each sync cycle. This ensures complete consistency but can be slow and resource-intensive with large datasets. Incremental synchronization only processes records that changed since the last sync. This is faster and more efficient for ongoing operations. Most modern synchronization platforms use incremental sync for regular operations with occasional full syncs to catch anything that might have been missed. Common data synchronization challenges Synchronization sounds straightforward until you encounter the edge cases that make implementation complex. Conflict resolution. What happens when the same record changes in both systems between sync cycles? Someone updated the customer phone number in the CRM while someone else updated it differently in the support system. Synchronization needs rules: last write wins, source system wins, or flag for manual review. Data format differences. Systems store data differently. One system might use “Active/Inactive” while another uses “1/0” for the same concept. Date formats vary. Required fields differ. Synchronization must transform data to match each system’s expectations. Relationship preservation. Business data includes relationships: projects have tasks, customers have contacts, tickets have comments. Synchronizing records without preserving these relationships creates orphaned data that loses its context. Historical data. New synchronization setups need to handle existing records, not just future changes. Migrating historical data while establishing ongoing sync adds complexity that many tools handle poorly. Scale and performance. Synchronizing thousands or millions of records requires infrastructure that can handle the volume without degrading system performance or creating bottlenecks. These challenges explain why organizations often settle for manual processes despite the inefficiency. Solving synchronization properly requires tooling designed for the complexity. The build vs buy decision matters here. Custom synchronization code is notoriously difficult to maintain. APIs change, edge cases multiply, and the developer who built the original integration moves to another role. Many organizations have a graveyard of broken sync scripts that nobody wants to touch. Purpose-built synchronization platforms handle these complexities so your team doesn’t have to rebuild solutions that already exist. When data synchronization matters most Not every data relationship requires synchronization. Identifying where sync delivers genuine value helps prioritize integration efforts. Cross-functional handoffs. When work passes between teams using different tools, synchronization ensures context travels with the work. Sales closes a deal in the CRM, and the customer information appears in the project management tool for implementation. No one copies and pastes. No information gets lost in translation. Collaborative work across tools. Different teams legitimately prefer different tools. Product managers live in roadmap software. Engineers live in Jira. Synchronization lets both teams work in their preferred environments while seeing the same priorities and progress. Customer data consistency. Customer information scattered across CRM, support, billing, and marketing systems without synchronization means every team works with potentially stale or conflicting data. Synchronization maintains a consistent customer record everywhere. Reporting and analytics. Accurate reporting requires current data. If the reporting database only updates weekly, decisions rely on week-old information. Synchronization keeps reporting data current. Tool transitions and migrations. When organizations adopt new tools, synchronization enables gradual transitions rather than disruptive switchovers. Teams can work in both old and new systems during the transition period while data stays consistent. This reduces the risk and stress of tool changes. Choosing the right synchronization approach The right approach depends on what you’re synchronizing, who needs access, and how current the data needs to be. Questions to clarify requirements: Does data need to flow one direction or both? If both teams modify records, you need two-way sync. How quickly do changes need to reflect across systems? Real-time for collaborative work, batch for reporting or archival. What happens when data conflicts? Define rules before you need them. How much historical data needs to migrate? Initial sync complexity varies significantly based on data volume. Who will maintain the synchronization? Custom solutions require ongoing development resources. Managed platforms shift that burden to the vendor. What’s the cost of sync failures? If synchronization breaks, how quickly do you need to know, and how severe are the consequences? Important data flows need monitoring and alerting. For work management tools where teams collaborate across Jira, Asana, Salesforce, HubSpot, and similar applications, platforms built for two-way sync handle the complexity of bidirectional updates, conflict resolution, and field mapping without requiring custom development. The goal isn’t synchronizing everything everywhere. It’s ensuring that the data people need stays current in the systems where they work. When your tools stay in sync, your teams can focus on the work itself rather than the overhead of keeping information aligned. The organizations that get synchronization right share a common trait: they invested in proper tooling rather than heroic manual effort or fragile custom scripts. The technology exists to keep your data consistent across systems automatically. The question is whether you’re using it. Two-way sync: The future of data synchronization For teams whose primary need is keeping project management, CRM, and development tools synchronized, two-way sync between work management platforms delivers data consistency without the complexity of building and maintaining custom integrations. View the full article

AI search visibility in beauty is increasingly shaped before a prompt is ever entered. Brands that appear in generative answers are often those already discussed, validated, and reinforced across social platforms. By the time a user turns to AI search, much of the groundwork has been laid. Using the beauty category as a lens, this article examines how social discovery influences brand visibility – and why AI search ultimately reflects those signals. Discovery didn’t move to AI – it fragmented Brand discovery has fragmented across platforms. AI tools influence mid-funnel consideration, but much discovery happens before a user enters a prompt. The signals that determine AI visibility are formed upstream. By the time a user reaches generative search, preferences and perceptions may already be set. If brands wait until AI search to influence demand, the window to shape consideration has narrowed. That upstream influence is increasingly social. Roughly two-thirds of U.S. consumers now use social platforms as search engines, per eMarketer research. This shift extends beyond Gen Z and reflects how people validate information and discover brands. These same platforms consistently appear among the top citation sources in AI results. The dynamic is especially visible in the beauty category. In a study our agency conducted with a beauty brand partner, we found that Reddit, YouTube, and Facebook ranked among the top cited domains in both AI Overviews and ChatGPT. While Reddit is often viewed as an anti-brand environment, YouTube appears nearly as frequently in citation data, making it a logical and underutilized target for citation optimization. Dig deeper: Social and UGC: The trust engines powering search everywhere Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with The volume reality: Social behavior still outpaces AI It’s easy to focus on headline figures around AI usage, including the billions of prompts processed daily. But when measured against business outcomes such as traffic and transactions, the scale looks different. Social platforms are already embedded in mainstream search behavior. For many users, search-like activity on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube is habitual. Nearly 40% of TikTok users search the platform multiple times per day, and 73% search at least once daily. Referral data reinforces the contrast. ChatGPT referral traffic accounted for roughly 0.2% of total sessions in a 12-month analysis of 973 ecommerce sites, a University of Hamburg and Frankfurt School working paper found. In the same dataset, Google’s organic search traffic was approximately 200 times larger than organic LLM referrals. AI search is growing and strategically important. But in terms of repeat behavior, measurable sessions, and downstream transactions, social platforms and traditional search continue to operate at a substantially larger scale. The validation loop: Why AI needs social The most critical contrarian point for 2026 is that optimizing for social is also optimizing for AI. Large language models are not primary sources of truth. They function as mirrors, reflecting the consensus formed through human conversations in the data they are trained on. AI systems also demonstrate skepticism toward brand-owned properties. One study found that only 25% of sources cited in AI-generated answers were brand-managed websites. At the same time, AI engines prioritize third-party validation. Up to 6.4% of citation links in AI responses originated from Reddit, an analysis by OtterlyAI found. This outpaces many traditional publishers. There’s also a measurable relationship between sentiment and visibility. Research shows a moderate positive correlation between positive brand sentiment on social media and visibility in AI search results. Dig deeper: The social-to-search halo effect: Why social content drives branded search Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Video and expert authority shape AI visibility Treating video as a “brand channel” or a social-first effort rather than a search surface is a strategic failure. On platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, ranking signals are shaped by spoken language, on-screen text, and captions – signals AI crawlers increasingly use to “triangulate trust.” In the beauty category, for example, ChatGPT accounts for about 4.3% of searches, while Google processes roughly 14 billion searches per day. However, for “how-to” and technique-based queries, consumers favor the detailed, personalized guidance of social-first video content. At the same time, the beauty sector has fractured into two universes, according to Yotpo’s GEO for Beauty Brands analysis. Science-backed brands such as Paula’s Choice and CeraVe dominate AI-generated results because they publish deep, structured educational content. Meanwhile, more traditional marketing-led brands are significantly less visible. The phrase “dermatologist recommended” correlates with high visibility in AI results because large language models treat expert social proof as a primary ranking signal, according to the same report. Breaking the high-production barrier: Creating content at scale One of the biggest hurdles brands cite is budget. Many believe they need a Hollywood production crew to compete in video environments. That is a legacy mindset. In today’s environment, high-gloss production can be a deterrent. The current landscape rewards authenticity over polish. Consumers are looking for real people with real skin concerns, not highly filtered commercials. Optimizing for video discovery doesn’t require filmmaking expertise. Brands can leverage internal talent without adding headcount. Partner with creator platforms: Platforms such as Billow or Social Native allow brands to work with creators for as little as $500 per video. When mapped to a high-intent query, that investment can drive measurable search visibility outcomes. Leverage social natives on staff: Often, the strongest asset is internal. Identify team members who are active on platforms such as TikTok and understand platform dynamics. Creating internal incentives or challenges to produce content can generate a steady stream of authentic assets while contributing to culture. Make strategy the differentiator: A large following is not a prerequisite for visibility. In one case, a TikTok profile built from scratch with one part-time creator at $2,500 per month generated hundreds of thousands of views within 90 days. The focus was not on viral trends, but on meaningful transactional terms that drive revenue. If a new profile can reach more than 100,000 views per video within three months on a limited budget, the barrier isn’t equipment. It’s clarity on the business case and disciplined execution. Dig deeper: How to optimize video for AI-powered search See the complete picture of your search visibility. Track, optimize, and win in Google and AI search from one platform. Start Free Trial Get started with The new beauty SEO playbook for 2026 The data is clear. Brands can’t win the generative engine if they’re losing the social conversation. AI models function as mirrors, reflecting web consensus. If real users on Reddit, YouTube, and TikTok aren’t discussing a brand, AI systems have little to surface. If marketers wait until a user reaches a ChatGPT prompt to shape perception, the opportunity has already narrowed. Discovery happens upstream. Validation occurs in the loop between social proof and algorithmic citation. Translating this into action requires rethinking team structure and priorities: Stop the silos: Your SEO and social teams shouldn’t speak different languages. Both must focus on search surfaces. Prioritize the “why” before the “what”: Don’t just fix a technical tag. Build the business case for how social sentiment and expert validation drive market share. Embrace scrappy execution: Whether through $500 creator partnerships or internal social-native talent, start building authentic assets now. We’re witnessing a shift from algorithm-driven discovery to community-driven discovery. It’s agile and multidisciplinary, and when executed well, it can meaningfully impact the bottom line. View the full article

In India, domestic tech entrepreneurs are outperforming those who return home after a stint in Silicon Valley View the full article

This morning, shares of two of the largest computer memory companies that trade on U.S. markets are up yet again. The stock prices of Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU) and Sandisk Corporation (Nasdaq: SNDK) rose after a Japanese memory firm issued a surprising outlook. Here’s what you need to know. Stock prices jump as demand continues Shares in several memory chip makers traded on U.S. markets are currently up in premarket trading this morning. The companies include Micron and Sandisk, as well as Western Digital Corporation (Nasdaq: WDC) and Seagate Technology Holdings (Nasdaq: STX). As of this writing, Micron shares are currently up 2.9%, Sandisk shares are up 6.2%, Western Digital shares are up 3%, and Seagate shares are up 2.5%. While all four companies make memory chips, Western Digital and Seagate primarily focus on computer storage, leaving Micron and Sandisk as the two primary memory chip makers traded on U.S. exchanges. And those two companies are getting a lot of attention, not just today, but as of late, due to the memory chip shortage that global supply chains are currently dealing with. As Fast Company previously reported, there is a global memory chip shortage in 2026. Computer memory, also known as RAM, is the component inside a computer that saves and processes short-term memory (as opposed to long-term memory, which is what hard drives and SSDs store). Demand from artificial intelligence (AI) companies is fueling the shortage as they race to get as much RAM as they can get their hands on. These AI companies are currently building many AI data centers, which need powerful servers to run the AI, and those servers require memory to handle instructions. As a result, demand for memory chips is off the charts. And while that is bad for consumers, who are likely to see higher costs for smartphones and laptops this year due to rising memory prices, it’s very good for the companies that make memory, like Micron and SanDisk. Why are memory chip companies seeing their prices rise today? Today’s rise in memory company stock prices isn’t something totally out of the blue. The stock prices of memory companies have been rising for months as news of a memory chip shortage in 2026 spread. However, the stock price jumps in MU and SNDK today seem to be primarily due to a Japanese company called Kioxia. Kioxia is a Japanese flash memory supplier, and today, it reported fiscal third-quarter results. Those results, as noted by Investing.com, slightly exceeded expectations. Q4 guidance, on the other hand, blew past expectations. Most analysts had expected Kioxia to issue Q4 revenue guidance of ¥648.2 billion (about $4.2 billion). Instead, the company said its Q4 guidance is ¥890 billion at the midpoint (about $5.8 billion). That is a massive difference and one that many investors see as evidence that demand for memory chips isn’t going to slow anytime soon. And when demand is high, prices rise, and memory chip companies make more money. And investors seem to believe that if Kioxia is guiding much higher on revenue than analysts expected, that signals good news for memory chip companies on this side of the Pacific, too. Memory chip stocks have had a great 2026 so far Even before today’s Kioxia boost, U.S. memory chip stocks have had a pretty stellar run since the year began. As of yesterday’s market close, Micron was up more than 43% year to date, Sandisk was up 152%, Western Digital was up 58%, and Seagate was up 47%. To put those figures into greater context, the stock market they all trade on, the Nasdaq, has actually declined during the same period. As of yesterday’s close, the Nasdaq Composite was down about 0.7% for the year so far, according to data from Yahoo Finance. Looking back even further—over the past 12 months—the returns on these same four memory chip companies have been even more eye-popping. In the last year, Seagate has risen 316%, Micron has jumped 336%, Western Digital is up 425%, and Sandisk has risen a staggering 1,609%. During the same period, the NASDAQ Composite has risen 17.4% View the full article

History might be repeating itself after the sale of investment banks to bigger US rivalsView the full article

In today’s competitive environment, businesses are increasingly adopting loyalty card programs to improve customer retention. Companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Delta Airlines are setting new standards with their innovative approaches. These programs not just reward frequent customers but likewise personalize the shopping experience, building stronger connections. As you explore how these industry leaders implement their strategies, you’ll uncover valuable insights into what makes a loyalty program effective and how it can be customized to meet diverse customer needs. Key Takeaways Amazon Prime’s diverse benefits and convenience set a standard for retention in subscription loyalty programs. Delta Airlines’ SkyMiles program offers tiered membership and extensive travel-related rewards for frequent flyers. Starbucks enhances customer engagement through personalized rewards and mobile app integration, driving loyalty effectively. Sephora’s Beauty Insider program fosters community and connection through tiered rewards and personalized recommendations. Zappos prioritizes exceptional customer service and generous return policies, significantly boosting customer loyalty and repeat purchases. Amazon Prime: Setting the Standard for Subscription Loyalty Amazon Prime has become a benchmark for subscription loyalty programs, primarily because it effectively combines convenience with a diverse range of benefits. With over 200 million members, it demonstrates how a well-structured loyalty rewards program can encourage customer retention. By offering perks like free two-day shipping and access to exclusive content, Amazon engages users in daily life, making it harder for them to switch to competitors. This model has important implications for restaurant loyalty programs. For instance, a loyalty rewards program for restaurants can adopt strategies similar to Amazon Prime, emphasizing convenience and a variety of benefits. A robust restaurant loyalty platform can provide patrons with rewards that entice them to return, just as Prime members enjoy consistent perks. In the end, by learning from Amazon’s approach, restaurants can improve customer loyalty and drive repeat visits, ensuring long-term success in a competitive market. Starbucks: Personalized Rewards Through Mobile Engagement In the competitive terrain of loyalty programs, Starbucks stands out by utilizing the strength of mobile engagement to create a deeply personalized experience for its customers. Their restaurant loyalty system integrates seamlessly with the mobile app, allowing you to order and pay during earning rewards customized to your preferences. With Starbucks Rewards, you earn stars for every purchase, which you can redeem for free food and drinks, promoting repeat visits. The program furthermore offers personalized incentives, like free items on your birthday and customizable drink options, enhancing your satisfaction. The app tracks your purchasing patterns, allowing Starbucks to deliver targeted promotions that resonate with you. As of 2023, over 30 million active loyalty program members in the U.S. highlight Starbucks as one of the top restaurant loyalty programs. This approach not only drives customer engagement but greatly boosts customer lifetime value, making it a model for effective restaurant loyalty schemes. Sephora: Building Community With Tiered Loyalty Programs Sephora‘s Beauty Insider program exemplifies how tiered loyalty structures can nurture community among customers as well as driving engagement and sales. This loyalty card program offers three tiers—Insider, VIB (Very Important Beauty), and Rouge—where you earn points for every dollar spent. These points can be redeemed for products, exclusive experiences, and beauty classes, cultivating a sense of belonging. Each tier provides escalating benefits, including birthday gifts, early access to sales, and personalized recommendations based on your preferences. By leveraging customer data, Sephora personalizes rewards, boosting satisfaction and loyalty; in fact, 80% of sales come from Beauty Insider members. Furthermore, exclusive events for higher-tier members improve community engagement, encouraging customers to share their beauty experiences. In the end, Sephora’s tiered loyalty program not only incentivizes repeat purchases but transforms transactions into lasting relationships, showcasing how loyalty card program companies can effectively build a community. Delta Airlines: Comprehensive Benefits for Frequent Travelers When you travel frequently, Delta Airlines’ SkyMiles loyalty program offers extensive benefits that improve your flying experience. As a member, you earn miles for every dollar spent on flights, with additional bonuses available for Medallion members based on tier status and spending. The program has four levels—Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion—each revealing benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and complimentary upgrades. You can redeem your accumulated miles for free flights, seat upgrades, or other travel-related rewards. Significantly, your miles won’t expire as long as you have qualifying activity within a 24-month period. Delta likewise partners with various hotels, car rental companies, and other services, allowing you to earn extra miles for everyday spending. With personalized offers and targeted promotions based on your travel habits, Delta continuously improves your experience, making the SkyMiles program a valuable asset for frequent travelers. Zappos: Exceptional Customer Service and Return Policies Zappos stands out in the e-commerce environment primarily due to its exceptional customer service and generous return policies. Their 365-day return policy allows you to return items at any time within a year, boosting your confidence in online shopping. The company invests considerably in customer service training, ensuring representatives embody core values like delivering happiness and creating memorable experiences. Zappos empowers customer service agents to make decisions without needing managerial approval, resulting in quicker resolutions and higher satisfaction rates. This commitment to service is reflected in their net promoter score (NPS), which consistently exceeds 80, indicating strong customer loyalty. Furthermore, about 75% of customers return for repeat purchases, largely thanks to positive experiences. Netflix: Tailoring Content for Enhanced Customer Satisfaction Netflix thrives in enhancing customer satisfaction through personalized viewing recommendations that cater to your unique preferences. By analyzing your viewing history, the platform’s sophisticated algorithms suggest content you’re likely to enjoy, making your experience more engaging. Moreover, Netflix continuously adapts its content delivery system and invests in original programming, ensuring that you always have fresh options that align with your interests. Personalized Viewing Recommendations In today’s digital environment, customized viewing recommendations play a crucial role in enhancing customer satisfaction on streaming platforms. Netflix uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze your viewing history and preferences, offering personalized content suggestions that boost engagement. Remarkably, these recommendations account for over 80% of what users watch, demonstrating their effectiveness in retaining subscribers. By leveraging machine learning, Netflix continuously refines its algorithms to adapt to your changing habits, ensuring relevant content is always available. Furthermore, the company invests in user interface improvements, making it easier for you to discover shows aligned with your interests. Their commitment to producing high-quality original content, informed by viewer data, not only satisfies expectations but also justifies subscription costs, nurturing long-term loyalty. Adaptive Content Delivery With personalized viewing recommendations already enhancing user experiences, adaptive content delivery takes this concept further by ensuring that the content you receive isn’t just customized to your past preferences but also dynamically adjusts to your current interests. Netflix employs proprietary algorithms that analyze your viewing history, generating customized suggestions that resonate with your habits. The platform’s user interface is continuously improved, making content navigation easier and boosting user satisfaction. Furthermore, Netflix’s commitment to high-quality original content is informed by data insights, producing shows that captivate audiences. By refining its content delivery systems, Netflix maintains impressive customer retention rates, with users averaging about three hours of viewing daily, solidifying its position as a leader in personalized entertainment. Apple: Fostering Loyalty Through Customer Education Apple‘s approach to nurturing customer loyalty is exemplified through its commitment to education, offering free in-store workshops and online tutorials designed to help users get the most out of their devices. This focus on customer education not solely improves product comprehension but furthermore cultivates a community of informed users who feel valued. In addition, Apple provides thorough support across multiple channels, including phone, chat, and in-person assistance, emphasizing its dedication to customer experience beyond the initial sale. Walgreens: Integrating Health and Wellness Into Loyalty Programs Walgreens has successfully integrated health and wellness into its loyalty program, Balance Rewards, transforming the traditional concept of customer loyalty into a platform that promotes healthier lifestyles. By allowing members to earn points for activities like exercising and tracking health metrics, Walgreens encourages a proactive approach to wellness. The program’s integration with health tracking devices and partnerships with fitness apps improves its appeal, providing customized challenges and rewards. Here’s a snapshot of the Balance Rewards program: Feature Description Benefit Personalized Incentives Earn points for health-related activities Encourages healthy habits Health Device Integration Syncs with wearables and apps Tracks progress efficiently Data Analytics Refines rewards based on user preferences Keeps the program relevant Community Challenges Join fitness challenges with other members nurtures a sense of community Repeat Engagement Higher likelihood of repeat purchases Boosts customer retention This innovative approach supports a healthier customer base while improving brand loyalty. Marriott: Creating Memorable Experiences With Rewards Marriott’s loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, emphasizes customized reward offerings that cater to your unique travel preferences. By earning and redeeming points, you can access memorable travel experiences, including free nights and exclusive upgrades. This personalized approach not only improves your stay but additionally promotes a deeper connection with the brand, ensuring that each visit is more rewarding than the last. Personalized Reward Offerings In relation to loyalty programs, personalized reward offerings play a vital role in enhancing the guest experience. Marriott Bonvoy tailors rewards based on your preferences and past stays, allowing you to earn points for free nights and room upgrades. As you progress through the program’s tiered structure, you gain additional benefits like late check-out and complimentary breakfast, increasing the program’s value. Marriott utilizes data analytics to track your behavior, enabling targeted offers that resonate with your profile. You can choose from various redemption options, including unique culinary events and concerts, making your rewards meaningful. Additionally, the mobile app allows you to manage bookings and access exclusive deals seamlessly during your travels, enhancing convenience and personalization. Memorable Travel Experiences When you participate in the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, you reveal a world of memorable travel experiences intended to improve your stays. This program offers personalized benefits like exclusive discounts, free nights, and unique experiences customized to your preferences. With over 7,000 properties worldwide, you’ll find flexibility and value for your travel needs. The tiered membership levels encourage frequent engagement, unlocking perks such as late checkout and room upgrades. Furthermore, you can enjoy personalized experiences, including exclusive culinary events and VIP access to concerts, which nurture brand loyalty. The integration of AI and data analytics guarantees you receive relevant offers that align with your travel habits, creating memorable stays that elevate your overall satisfaction with Marriott. Dunkin’: Driving Engagement Through Personalized Offers Dunkin’ has effectively utilized its DD Perks loyalty program to improve customer engagement through personalized offers, which not just boost satisfaction but also drive repeat business. The program allows you to earn points for every purchase, redeemable for free beverages and food items. With over 10 million members, Dunkin’ shows significant engagement and retention in the competitive coffee market. Frequently Asked Questions How Do Loyalty Programs Collect and Use Customer Data? Loyalty programs collect customer data through transactions, sign-ups, and interactions. When you make a purchase, they track items bought, spending habits, and frequency of visits. This data helps them analyze your preferences and behaviors. They often use this information to personalize offers, improve services, and boost customer experiences. Furthermore, aggregated data across users allows companies to identify trends and optimize their marketing strategies, ultimately aiming to increase customer retention and satisfaction. What Are the Costs Associated With Implementing a Loyalty Program? Implementing a loyalty program involves several costs. Initially, you’ll face software and technology expenses for tracking customer purchases and managing rewards. Marketing costs are likewise significant, as you’ll need to promote the program effectively. Furthermore, consider administrative expenses related to staffing and training employees. There may be costs associated with rewards themselves, which can impact your profit margins. Finally, ongoing evaluation and adjustments to the program might incur further costs over time. Can Small Businesses Benefit From Loyalty Programs? Yes, small businesses can greatly benefit from loyalty programs. By rewarding repeat customers, you encourage brand loyalty and increase customer retention. These programs help you gather valuable data on purchasing habits, enabling you to tailor marketing strategies effectively. Moreover, they can boost customer engagement through personalized offers and promotions. Implementing a loyalty program often leads to higher sales and profits, making it a worthwhile investment for small businesses aiming to grow and thrive. How Do Loyalty Programs Impact Customer Spending Habits? Loyalty programs greatly influence customer spending habits by encouraging repeat purchases. When you earn points or rewards, you’re more likely to choose that brand over competitors, which can lead to increased spending. These programs often create a sense of belonging, making you feel valued as a customer. Furthermore, targeted promotions can incentivize higher spending, as you may be motivated to reach a rewards threshold. In the end, loyalty programs improve customer retention and drive sales growth. What Metrics Measure the Success of a Loyalty Program? To measure the success of a loyalty program, you should consider several key metrics. First, track customer retention rates, as this reflects how well your program keeps customers returning. Next, analyze the average transaction value and frequency of purchases to gauge spending habits. Moreover, monitor enrollment rates and active participation levels, which indicate customer engagement. Finally, assess the program’s impact on overall sales growth to understand its effectiveness in driving revenue. Conclusion In summary, innovative loyalty card programs from companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and Delta Airlines are reshaping customer retention strategies. By offering personalized rewards, community engagement, and tiered benefits, these businesses improve customer experiences and encourage repeat patronage. As competition grows, comprehension and implementing effective loyalty programs becomes essential for success. Staying informed about emerging trends in customer loyalty can help businesses adapt and thrive in a dynamic marketplace, finally leading to stronger customer relationships and increased revenue. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "10 Loyalty Card Program Companies Revolutionizing Customer Retention" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As a Customer Service Strategist, you analyze current service practices to spot areas needing improvement. You develop strategies that boost customer satisfaction and loyalty, overseeing onboarding processes to guarantee customers effectively use products. By utilizing customer usage data, you inform decision-making and create churn prevention strategies. Comprehending these roles is essential for nurturing positive customer relationships, but there’s much more to explore about the skills and tools involved in this field. Key Takeaways Analyzes current customer service practices to identify areas for improvement and enhance overall service quality. Develops strategies aimed at increasing customer satisfaction and fostering long-term loyalty. Oversees customer onboarding processes to ensure effective product usage and smooth transitions. Utilizes customer usage data to inform decision-making and create churn prevention strategies. Collaborates with teams using various tools for effective communication and project management of customer initiatives. Responsibilities of a Customer Service Strategist A Customer Service Strategist plays a crucial role in enhancing an organization’s service offerings by analyzing current practices and identifying areas for improvement. You’ll develop and implement strategies that aim to boost customer satisfaction and loyalty, which can greatly affect the organization’s bottom line. A key responsibility involves overseeing customer onboarding processes, ensuring customers receive the required training and support to utilize products or services effectively. Moreover, you’ll analyze customer usage data to inform decision-making, track product adoption, and identify at-risk customers. This helps you formulate churn prevention strategies. Key Skills Required for Success Success as a Customer Service Strategist hinges on a diverse set of key skills that enable effective engagement and problem resolution. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, as they help you convey important information clearly to customers. Your problem-solving abilities will allow you to analyze customer issues, developing effective solutions that improve service quality. Empathy is significant, enabling you to understand customer needs and cultivate trust, which builds lasting relationships. Furthermore, project management skills are important for efficiently handling multiple initiatives simultaneously. Finally, analytical skills are necessary to derive insights from customer data, informing your decisions and identifying trends that can enhance overall service strategies, especially when delivering customer service consulting services. Tools and Technologies Utilized To effectively manage customer interactions and improve service strategies, Customer Service Strategists rely on a variety of tools and technologies. They utilize CRM software like Salesforce or HubSpot to track engagement and manage customer relationships efficiently. Customer success platforms such as Gainsight or ChurnZero help monitor customer health and identify at-risk accounts, ensuring proactive support. For data analysis, analytics tools like Google Analytics or Tableau provide valuable insights into customer behavior and product usage. Communication tools like Slack or Zoom promote collaboration, enhancing communication between team members and customers. Furthermore, project management software like Asana or Trello assists strategists in tracking customer success initiatives and managing multiple projects, integral to effective customer service management consulting services. Career Path and Growth Opportunities As you commence a career as a Customer Service Strategist, comprehension of the various levels of progression can help you navigate your professional path effectively. Entry-level roles often start as Customer Success Associates, where you’ll gain foundational experience in customer interactions. Mid-level positions include Customer Success Managers, responsible for managing relationships and engagement. Level Role Examples Entry-Level Customer Success Associate Mid-Level Customer Success Manager Senior-Level Senior Customer Success Manager Executive Vice President of Customer Success Specialization opportunities exist in onboarding or product adoption. High performers might evolve into executive roles or even explore entrepreneurial ventures within a customer service consulting firm, shaping strategies at a higher level. Best Practices for Effective Strategy Implementation Implementing effective customer service strategies requires a systematic approach that begins with a thorough analysis of your existing practices. Start by identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement, aligning them with customer expectations and business objectives. Establish clear, measurable goals for your initiatives that support overall growth and improve customer satisfaction. Embrace omnichannel support, ensuring consistent communication across various platforms to meet customers where they prefer to engage. Regularly gather and analyze customer feedback to refine your service offerings and adapt strategies, promoting continuous improvement. Moreover, invest in training for your customer service representatives, equipping them with the skills to deliver exceptional service. Consider engaging in customer service consulting to gain expert insights and boost your implementation efforts. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Customer Service Strategist? A customer service strategist focuses on improving service quality and customer satisfaction. You’ll analyze existing practices, pinpoint areas for improvement, and implement effective strategies. By utilizing customer feedback and data analytics, you refine service offerings to better meet customer needs. Collaboration across departments is crucial, ensuring that improvements align with broader business objectives. Furthermore, you’ll provide training and support to customer service teams, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement in service delivery. What Are the 4 P’s of Service Strategy? The 4 P’s of service strategy are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Product refers to the service’s features and benefits that fulfill customer expectations. Price involves setting a cost that reflects the service’s value during being competitive. Place focuses on how the service is delivered, ensuring it’s accessible through preferred channels. Ultimately, Promotion encompasses the marketing tactics used to highlight the service’s advantages, increasing customer awareness and engagement effectively. What Are the 7 Steps to Developing a Customer Service Strategy? To develop a customer service strategy, start by identifying customer needs through surveys and analytics. Set measurable goals aligned with your business objectives. Clearly define your brand voice for consistency in interactions. Utilize technology like CRM systems to improve personalized support. Establish omnichannel communication to cater to diverse customer preferences. Finally, train your team to guarantee they deliver excellent service, continually monitor performance, and adjust strategies based on feedback and metrics. What Are the Five Key Elements of Customer Strategy? When developing a customer strategy, focus on five key elements: grasping customer needs through data analysis, setting measurable goals aligned with business objectives, ensuring a consistent brand voice across interactions, leveraging technology like CRM systems for personalization, and establishing omnichannel communication for accessibility. Conclusion In conclusion, a Customer Service Strategist plays an essential role in enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty through data-driven strategies. By analyzing service practices, overseeing onboarding, and developing churn prevention plans, you can greatly impact customer relationships. Utilizing the right tools and skills guarantees effective implementation of strategies. As you navigate this career path, focusing on best practices will not merely improve customer experiences but will additionally contribute to the organization’s long-term success and growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Does a Customer Service Strategist Do?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Rethink SEO’s role as AI shifts discovery into the answer and reshapes how demand, trust, and preference are formed. The post From Performance SEO To Demand SEO appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Samsung’s fan editions are meant to give you most of the flagship experience without the flagship price—and the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE does just that. Right now, it’s down to $509.99 from $709.99; a price drop that, according to price tracking tools, marks its lowest price yet. That puts it well below the regular Galaxy S25 while keeping much of the same look and software. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 256GB Unlocked Phone (JetBlack) $509.99 at Amazon $709.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $509.99 at Amazon $709.99 Save $200.00 PCMag rated it “excellent,” and after looking at what it offers, that tracks. Its 6.7-inch AMOLED screen is big, bright, and responsive, with smooth 120Hz scrolling and enough brightness to hold its own in most settings, though you might catch some glare under direct sunlight. It includes Samsung’s full Galaxy AI feature set, the same tools found on its pricier siblings. In practice, that means features like live translation, AI photo editing, and writing help are all here. The battery’s a solid performer too, clocking in at 17 hours of video playback in PCMag’s testing. Charging’s fast enough at 45W wired, and you get wireless and reverse wireless charging (handy for earbuds) as well. On the connectivity side, it supports 5G, along with Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC for contactless payments. You can use one physical SIM and one eSIM, or go fully digital with dual eSIMs. The camera setup sticks close to its more expensive siblings with a 50MP main sensor (with OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x zoom. Photos are sharp from the main lens, with Samsung’s typical slightly saturated colors, and the ultra-wide and telephoto lenses are good for social media, though fine detail reportedly falls off when you zoom or crop in. Audio is decent through the stereo speakers, but you’ll want Bluetooth headphones or earbuds for better sound. There’s no headphone jack or microSD card slot, and storage is capped at 256GB—but for the price, that’s not unreasonable. If you want to be in the Samsung ecosystem and try out its newest AI features without spending $800 or more, this is one of the better deals going right now. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $139.99 (List Price $179.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Blink Mini 2 1080p Security Camera (White) — $23.99 (List Price $39.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones — $229.00 (List Price $349.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

An Idaho-based beef processing facility is recalling about 22,912 pounds of raw ground beef over concerns that the products might be contaminated with E. coli O145. The company, CS Beef Packers in Kuna, issued the recall following testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), according to a recall notice published late Wednesday. An FSIS test at a “downstream customer” showed E. coli O415. This strand of the bacteria is a variation of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The USDA has labeled the recalled products as high risk, with the potential to cause adverse health consequences or even death. Here’s what you need to know about the recalled CS Beef Packers items. What products are affected? The recalled products come in cardboard cases and were produced on January 14, 2026. Each case has a time stamp between 7:03 and 8:32 printed on them and a use-by or freeze-by by date of February 4, 2026. Plus, they bear the establishment number “Est. 630” inside the USDA’s inspection mark (available on the outside of the case and the clear packaging of each chub). As that expiration date has passed, the FSIS is worried “that some products may be in food service freezers.” Think you might have some in a freezer? The below cardboard cases of products are included in the recall: Eight 10-pound chubs of “Beef, Coarse Ground, 73 L,” case code 18601 Four 10-pound chubs of “Fire River Farms Classic Beef Fine Ground 73 L,” case code 19583 Four 10-pound chubs of “Fire River Farms Classic Beef Fine Ground 81 L,” case code 19563 You can view images of the product labels here. Where and when was the product sold? According to the FSIS, CS Beef Packers shipped the impacted products to distributors in California, Idaho, and Oregon. However, they were likely then sent to food service locations for further distribution. The recall notice does not include a list of potentially impacted restaurants or food-service establishments. Fast Company has reached out to CS Beef Packers for information on where else the recalled products might have gone. We will update this post if we hear back. What should I do if I have this product? The FSIS states that “Foodservice locations are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.” What E. coli symptoms should I look out for? As of Wednesday, there have been no reported illnesses from consuming the beef. However, people can become sick between two and eight days after exposure to E. coli O145. According to the USDA, symptoms include diarrhea (typically bloody) and vomiting. Diagnosis occurs through a stool sample. In most cases, people feel better within a week through treatments like “vigorous” rehydration, the USDA states. In rare cases, a person might develop a kidney infection known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition is most likely to occur in children under five-years-old, individuals with weakened immune systems, and older adults. Symptoms of HUS include easy bruising, pallor, and reduced urine output. Get medical help immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. View the full article

I'm the latest early-adopter in history. I finally got my hands on an Apple Vision Pro VR/AR headset, two years after launch, and I feel like I'm showing up at a party at 4 a.m., just in time to watch the last stragglers call for Ubers. Back in the more innocent days of 2024, Apple said the Vision Pro would be "the beginning of a new era for computing," but it's become an industry cautionary tale, proof that making a product that's better than everything else on the market (arguably) doesn't guarantee squat. I've had this thing strapped to my face nearly 24/7 for the last week, and it's a frustrating device. It's insanely cool, among the most impressive pieces of hardware I've ever used, but I don't need to have it. It struggles to answer the most basic question: "What would I actually do with this thing?" The same question was asked by many when it launched, and from my late-comer perspective, the answer has yet to arrive. The Apple Vision Pro's design is... astronaut chic Credit: Stephen Johnson I love the design of the Vision Pro. The aluminum grey and orange accent with bubbled-out faceplate screams "NASA moon mission." It looks like it's going to take you into orbit. It's so sleek: A single piece of rounded glass acts as both an optical lens for the cameras and a display for the Eyesight feature where people can see your eyes outside the headset. The aluminum alloy frame curves around your face and the cushy light shield snaps on magnetically. The fit and finish (as they used to say in car magazines) is top-notch too. Nothing rattles. No knob or button feels chintzy. There's a heft and solidness to the Vision Pro that makes it clear that this is equipment, not a toy. But that makes it fairly heavy too. A Vision Pro weighs between 26.4 and 28.2 ounces, about the weight of an iPad Pro and a half. The headband (much improved with the newest version of the Vision Pro) and external battery do a ton to keep it from feeling saggy, but after awhile—maybe an hour or two depending on your neck muscles—you definitely feel the weight. The Apple Vision Pro's technical specs are so good, they almost don't matter Credit: Stephen Johnson I could get into the tech specs of the Vision Pro, the micro-OLED displays and dual-chip architecture, with M2 and R1 processors and all that, but the important part is what the tech does: blow your mind. After a painless set up, the first thing I did with the Vision Pro was check out "Encounter Dinosaurs," a free app that comes with the device. In it, a window opens to a prehistoric world. I'm sitting there enjoying the dinosaur drama on 10-foot tall virtual screen, a little shook at how perfectly defined it is, when the damn Rajasaurus sticks its entire head into my living room. Then it makes eye contact. Genuinely feeling like prey, I said, "holy crap" out loud, and the thing reacted. It all feels entirely real. The lighting matches your room lighting. The sound comes from all around you. It's jaw-dropping. I was ready to go on a full dinosaur adventure in my new space helmet, but then the tech demo ended. It's a few minutes of dazzle. "Encounter Dinosaurs" encapsulates the overall experience of the Vision Pro—it's a tease, the suggestion of space flight, only to find you're the third backup astronaut who might get to go to the moon, if congress doesn't cut Apollo's spending first. But the tech is so good. The eye-scanning, gesture-based UI (no controllers here) is flawless and feels like you're operating a computer with your mind. The spatial audio is pristine. The integration with other Mac gear is seamless. The definition and brightness of the graphics is perfect—no pixels visible at all. You can even use it to do things. What it's like to use the Apple Vision Pro for work and entertainment Credit: Stephen Johnson I'm totally spatially computing right now. I'm looking at a wide-screen version of the display from my laptop floating before me, with a music app open and Olympic skiing in another window. I'm combining my laptop screen with apps from my helmet, sizing and arranging everything in virtual space, and navigating with my eyes and gestures. Everything works great. It's like living in the future. And the future is exhausting. It's not just the weight of the headset becoming more noticeable with each moment or the eyestrain headache I can feel coming on, it's the maximalism of it; it's too much. I'm sure some people dig it, but I feel like I need to escape, maybe to a nice beach or something. But the Vision Pro's streaming is excellent, as good or better than your TV, whether you're watching movies from major streaming services, getting fully immersed in an NBA game or Metallica concert (both amazing, by the way), or just scrolling TikTok. The colors are brilliant. There's no hint of edge-blurriness. The dual micro-OLED displays create a virtual screen that's approximately 3660 x 3200 pixels per eye. That's better than 4K, on a display that can be as big as a movie screen. No notes. Gaming is more of mixed bag. It's clear gamers weren't Apple's primary focus with the Vision Pro. You can link the Vision Pro to your PC or Mac for more complex games, but there aren't any real "AAA" games developed specifically for the device. There are some cool smaller titles, though. I was very impressed with recently released Retrocade, a collection of perfect ports of 1980s arcade games. They're the best ports I've ever played, because you play them on perfect virtual recreation of actual arcade cabinets, detailed down to reflections on the CRT screens. But it's kind of sad that the best gaming use of 2026's most advanced consumer technology is playing Frogger. There's so much possibility here, but the Vision Pro gaming section of the app store is a lonely place. I downloaded some random games—a shooter, a horror game—all glorified tech demoes. Overall, the Vision Pro apps in the App Store are few and mostly forgettable. Two years in, the ecosystem hasn't developed, which is a shame, given the possibilities. I'm not sure what I actually want from the Vision Pro. It's advanced technology that you can use to privately stream movies at extremely high quality, play a few mildly diverting games, or get some work done in a new way. Shouldn't that be enough? Maybe. Mine is borrowed, but if I had dropped $3,500 for a Vision Pro, I would not think, "This was a wise use of my money." It's not just the money, though, it's also the friction. What "augmented reality" is like on the Apple Vision Pro Credit: Stephen Johnson While full-immersion virtual reality is possible with the Apple Vision Pro, the focus has always been on augmented reality—real life, just with digital bells and whistles—but it's not really augmented reality. You can walk around with the headset on, but you're seeing the world through some cameras, with a field of view of 100° X 75°, about half of reality's FOV. And the outward looking cameras aren't nearly as good as the display, so "reality" is blurry around the edges, where "augmented" is clear as day. As good as the tech is, it still feels unsettling and alienating to use, particularly the transition from augmented life to just life. That sense of fakeness plus the strapping-a-heavy-thing-on-your-face factor adds up to it feeling like a chore to use a Vision Pro. It's the kind of device I'd use sparingly—pull it out to show a friend how cool it is or bring it on my next flight—but I haven't seen a killer app that overcomes the pain-in-the-ass factor enough to use it more often than that. Ok, except that dinosaur thing. I want augmented reality to be that, but for longer than a few minutes. I want the transformative, the transcendent, something you couldn't experience any other way to make the weight and digital claustrophobia feel worth it. Sadly, it seems unlikely that Apple will be putting out the Apple Vision 2 any time soon. The future is smart glasses, and it's going to be a few years (if ever) for augmented reality to get closer to reality-reality in a pair of spectacles. Until then, I'll be waiting for the dinosaurs to come back. View the full article

Local search remains one of the strongest drivers of consistent lead flow for service businesses. Outdated SEO tactics are losing impact as Google’s algorithm updates reshape local visibility. Success now depends on disciplined tracking and consistent execution. This 90-day sprint plan shows how to do both. Why local visibility is more volatile in 2026 Many service businesses aren’t current on how local search has changed or how Google Maps now determines visibility. They have a Google Business Profile (GBP) and a website, yet the phone is quiet. If a GBP isn’t visible, local prospects won’t find the business when they search for its services. That may sound obvious, but the rules behind that visibility have changed. Much of that shift traces back to Google’s 2025 spam updates, which significantly cleaned up map results and tightened enforcement. Review spam, keyword-stuffed business names, fake addresses, and profiles that don’t match real-world details are being filtered more aggressively. At the same time, Google is testing sponsored placements in the map pack, and AI-driven features are shaping how results appear. The result? Volatility. Rankings move even when nothing obvious has changed on the site. Business owners and SEOs regularly report drops in GBP impressions and map visibility in public forums. One thread doesn’t prove causation, but it reinforces a broader pattern: local search is less stable than many assume. Shortcuts that once produced temporary lifts now carry long-term risk. Buying reviews, stuffing keywords into a business name, or stretching service areas beyond reality can lead to suspensions or lost visibility — often just as momentum begins to build. That is why local SEO sprints matter. Local performance isn’t driven by one-time actions. Reviews, content, citations, links, and customer experience signals build over time. The businesses that win in 2026 aren’t chasing hacks. They execute consistently. This 90-day sprint plan provides the structure to do exactly that. Dig deeper: Why local SEO is thriving in the AI-first search era Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with 3 lead levers that matter most for local search If local visibility feels unstable, one of three core levers is usually weak. These levers form the foundation of any effective sprint plan and must work together. Fix only one, and results will be inconsistent. Strengthen all three, and you create stability and sustained lead flow. Lead leverWhat it meansWhat it changesRelevanceGoogle clearly understands your services and service area.More map pack visibility.ProminenceReviews, links, mentions, and local trust signals.More stability, more clicks.ConversionYour site and GBP make contacting you frictionless.More leads from the same traffic. Google evaluates local businesses across multiple signals, from proximity and service clarity to reputation and user behavior. Durable relevance comes from real local authority – accurate categories, consistent citations, strong service pages, and steady review growth. The 90-day sprint plan Here’s a structured way to strengthen each of the three lead levers. Sprint warm-up (Days 1-3): Establish your measurement baseline If you don’t track from day one, local SEO becomes guesswork — and guesswork doesn’t generate consistent leads. Without clear attribution, you can’t fix what’s broken or scale what’s working. When you begin working with a service business, start with attribution. Can you trace every call, form fill, and booking to its source? If not, optimization becomes trial and error. Use the table below as a stop sign. If the core tracking elements aren’t in place, pause and fix them before moving forward. Tracking checklist: Mark “yes” or “no.” This is your baseline. ItemWhat “done” meansYes / NoNotesGA4 setupGA4 installed and collecting data.Search ConsoleVerified and connected.GBP InsightsBaseline saved.UTM on GBP linkUTM added in GBP website field.Call trackingTracking number. Source known.CallRail is a solid optionForm trackingForm submit tracked. Source captured.Booking trackingBookings tracked and attributed.Weekly numbersWeekly tracking routine set.Monthly numbersMonthly summary routine set. Baseline snapshot: Complete the table below before making any changes. Save a monthly screenshot as a clear baseline as you run your 90-day sprint. MetricLast 7 daysLast 28 daysGBP callsGBP website clicksForm submissionsBooked jobsGSC impressionsGSC clicks Phase 1 (Days 4-10): Fix GBP fundamentals Start by fixing issues with your GBP. It’s where Google gathers local signals and evaluates what your business offers. If your profile lacks clarity, even a strong website won’t compensate. One basic element people often get wrong is the primary category. If you’re an HVAC contractor, your primary category should be “HVAC contractor,” not “Furnace repair service” or “Contractor.” Be exact. Secondary categories should reflect allied services only. Many businesses add long lists of secondary categories, believing it will generate more calls. In reality, it can dilute relevance and weaken the primary category. What about posts, geotagged images, inflated service areas, or keyword-stuffed business names? These tactics create activity, not impact. GBP areaWhat to doWhat to avoidPrimary categoryPick the closest match to your main money servicePicking a vague category “because it ranks”Secondary categoriesOnly true supporting servicesAdding everything under the sunServicesAdd real services you sellMade up services to chase trafficDescriptionKeep it simple. Service + areas + proofKeyword soupPhotosReal photos. Real jobsStock images and fake “before after” Address and service area reality Don’t try to cover an entire metro area if you can’t serve it. Set service areas based on reality and Google’s rules. If you’re not compliant, your profile faces a higher risk of suspension and video verification. If you’re a service area business, be conservative. Focus on the radius you can serve well. It’s better to rank and convert strongly within your true radius than to look “bigger” on paper and struggle to build real signals. Dig deeper: The local SEO gatekeeper: How Google defines your entity Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Phase 2 (Days 11-35): Build service and location pages This is core relevance work. Your GBP can be perfect, but if your website is thin, you’ll struggle to hold positions long term. Many businesses have only a homepage and a contact page, yet expect Google to understand everything about what they offer. Google needs clear service pages, and so do customers. Each page should focus on one service and explain the process, benefits, and expectations in depth. These pages aren’t just for rankings—they answer questions, reduce hesitation, and drive calls. Start with your highest-value pages: Top 2-3 services you sell most. Top 2-4 areas you truly serve within a two-hour drive. Focus on your actual location and radius. That’s where you can build the right signals. For example, if you’re a plumber in Mississauga, Ontario, and you create thin location pages for every city in the Greater Toronto Area, you may get impressions. But without real proof, real jobs, and real conversion strength, those pages rarely hold. You end up with a bloated site that’s hard to maintain and easy for Google to ignore. What a money service page must include: This isn’t “SEO copy.” This is how you win calls. BlockWhat to includePricing rangeA range. Not “call for quote.” Explain why your pricing differs.ProcessHow do you do the service, step-by-step?ProofLicenses. Accreditations. Awards. Local reviews.FAQsReal answers to real questions customers ask. CTACall. Form. Booking. Make it easy for your potential customers. On pricing, don’t overthink it. You don’t need a perfect quote on the page — just a range and a reason for that range. Why is your pricing different? What is included? What changes the price? What does “emergency” mean? These details turn tire-kicking visitors into qualified calls. Location pages: Do them right or don’t do them at all Copy-paste location pages are a common mistake. You can’t just swap the city name and call it a strategy. Use this checklist to ensure each location page is unique and robust: Location page elementWhat makes it realLocal proofPhotos. Projects. Neighborhood references you actually serveService fitOnly services you provide in that areaLocal FAQs“Do you serve X.” “What’s the travel fee.” “Same-day service”ContactPhone and booking paths that work on mobile A simple and effective internal linking structure Build internal links on your site like they are a map. Because they are, for both site visitors as well as Google. If you leave pages disconnected, you waste the work you put into them. Check that: Service pages link to relevant location pages. Location pages link to top services. Relevant blog posts link to money pages. Phase 3 (Days 36-70): Strengthen reviews and local authority Phase 3 is about cadence. Continuity beats bursts. At this point, many feel tempted to “go hard for two weeks” and then move on to something else. That’s the wrong pattern for reviews and trust signals. A steady flow is safer and more believable. Reviews. Weekly. Forever. Collect reviews every week, not all at once and then radio silence. Put into place practices that regularly solicit reviews from recent customers. Also, make customers aware of what they can mention in reviews. The service you provided. Their location (neighborhood/city). Joy Hawkins has published case studies on review recency and performance, and continues to reinforce the idea that fresh reviews matter. But the bigger point is that this means utilizing a complete review strategy, not just a one-time push. Consider this review cadence plan: StepFrequencyBuild list of satisfied customersWeeklySend SMS review askWeeklySend email follow-upWeeklyRespond to reviews2-3x weekly Dig deeper: Want to win at local SEO? Focus on reviews and customer sentiment NAP consistency and citations Clear, consistent citations won’t fix a bad business. But they reduce confusion and strengthen local trust signals. The goal here is not “more listings.” The goal is “no contradictions.” Your name, address, and phone number (NAP) should match across: GBP. Website. Local citations. Local links that make sense Don’t buy backlinks. Build local authority that is real. What might this look like? Your City’s Chamber of Commerce membership and listing. Supplier and partner pages (real ones). Sponsoring local teams and events. Local causes. PR-worthy local stories. Partner pages built through real value. Spammy link tactics might give your site a short boost. But they’re harmful in the long run. Also, make certain that links are geographically sensible. If you’re a business in Canada, focus on links from Canada and not from random overseas sites. Relevance matters, and locality matters the most. Phase 4 (Days 71-90): Scale what’s working and report results By the end of Month 3, your GSC queries should start to look up. Higher impressions. Better clicks. If not, take a look at your pages that are in Positions 6-20. That’s where you’re getting impressions, but you’re not getting clicks. This is where many businesses make mistakes. A big one is that they keep publishing new pages instead of improving pages that are already close to winning. When you see queries and pages with Positions 6-20 in GSC If you have pages that are ranking in these positions, here are some things you can fix to help them move up: Update page titles to make certain that are relevant. Add answers on those pages to the questions your customers usually ask. Chunk the Q&A so that it’s easier for the crawler to scan. This matches how people consume information today: fast, on mobile, and looking for direct answers. Simple reporting dashboard Here’s a simple dashboard to help you keep track of how you’re doing during the 90-day sprint and beyond. Use it consistently to track growth. MetricThis monthLast monthNotesOrganic leadsGBP callsNew reviewsNew linksTop queries growth (GSC) Dig deeper: GEO x local SEO: What it means for the future of discovery Useful tools for the 90-day sprint There are countless SEO tools available, but this sprint does not require a complex stack. Keep it simple and focused: Tracking: GA4 and Google Search Console for performance data and attribution. Proof, not opinions. Call tracking: CallRail to track GBP-driven calls and clarify lead sources. Local grid tracking: Local Falcon or Whitespark to measure visibility by neighborhood. Citations: BrightLocal Citation Builder and data aggregators, if needed, to ensure consistency. Speed testing: PageSpeed Insights to benchmark and improve mobile performance. See the complete picture of your search visibility. Track, optimize, and win in Google and AI search from one platform. Start Free Trial Get started with An ongoing local SEO plan outperforms one-time optimization Local SEO is no longer something you “set up” and revisit later. Rankings shift. Reviews age. Competitors publish new pages. Google adjusts the map pack. One-time optimization fades faster than most teams expect. A 90-day sprint enforces consistency—tracking before changing anything, fixing core GBP issues, building real service pages, collecting reviews weekly, and improving pages already close to ranking instead of chasing new ones. The gains compound. IIt also keeps you away from the shortcuts that create problems in the first place. No: Keyword-stuffed business names. Fake addresses. Bought reviews. Copy-paste location pages. Random secondary categories. Purchased backlinks. Just as important, no operational gaps. If calls go unanswered or booking paths break, prospects move to the next listing. Over time, that lost engagement shows up in performance. Local SEO in 2026 rewards businesses that operate like real businesses—clear, consistent, responsive. A 90-day sprint builds that rhythm. One-time optimization doesn’t. View the full article

Asad Awan, who is in charge of monetization at OpenAI was interviewed by his own company on "The Thinking Behind Ads in ChatGPT." It is a 25 minute interview and one part he discusses how he would like to see advertisers simply prompt to create ads and ad campaigns and not have to hire an agency or "performance marketers" to run ads on ChatGPT.View the full article

Ineos founder has come under pressure to apologise for claim the UK was being ‘colonised’View the full article

Google is rolling out UCP, Universal Commerce Protocol, powered checkout in AI Mode. This launched as part of the Google Ads news from yesterday, and you can now see it in AI Mode for products from Etsy and Wayfair.View the full article

Google AdSense has added additional triggers for vignette ads. There are now a total of six triggers, three old ones and three new ones. These new triggers took effect on February 9, 2026.View the full article

The multimillion-dollar acquisition boosts PennyMac Financial Services' total portfolio above $1 trillion and adds to a wave of industry consolidation. View the full article