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The launch of the Google TV Streamer marked a significant shift for the company's streaming lineup, moving away from the behind-the-TV Chromecast dongles it popularized and introducing a pill-shaped set-top box that blends in nicely on a shelf of tchotchkes. It's hiding a worthy processor, double the memory you'd get from a streaming stick, and enough storage to download what you need to run all of your apps. It even acts as a smart hub, with Matter and Thread built in. It's taken me a long time to do anything with the Google TV Streamer. I reluctantly brought it into my home after realizing something more robust, but dated, like the Nvidia Shield, would be too much to manage alongside maintaining a home server. But since then, I've tweaked several things on the set-top box and enabled features I hadn't been using, turning it into a helpful hub in my living room. Enable "Find my remote" to never lose your Google TV Streamer remote againThis sounds like an obvious tip, but I've had the Google TV Streamer since it debuted in 2024, and it wasn't until this week, while writing this piece, that I finally enabled the remote finder. I had skipped it during the initial setup. The option is available in Settings > Remotes & Accessories. You'll see the Find my remote option in there. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker The Google TV Streamer has a physical button on the back of the device that lets you locate your remote if it's stuck somewhere on the couch. But what if you can't reach the streamer behind the TV? Try one of your Google-enabled voice devices instead. If you have a Nest speaker or a Pixel phone nearby, say "Hey Google, find my remote." The remote should start chirping if you've set it up. Set up the Google TV Streamer remote shortcutThe remotes that come with the Google TV Streamer feature a tiny, unregistered button with a star icon right next to the power button. By default, this shortcut does nothing! But you can change that in the device's system preferences. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker In Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Set up remote buttons, select one of three options for customizing the shortcut button. I set it up as my Google Home shortcut so I can easily turn the lights on and off from the couch. You can also set it up as a launcher for another app installed on the set-top box. Or create a shortcut to cycle through device inputs—this button is on legacy Chromecast devices with an included remote. It was removed from this generation of streaming devices, so if you miss it, you can spoof it back. For serious power users, map the shortcut to an app like Projectivity Launcher to make it a more powerful launcher button. Remap other buttons on your Google TV Streamer remote to be more useful What Button Mapper looks like running on Google TV. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker Don't care for the default YouTube or Netflix buttons included on the Google TV Streamer remote? You can remap them with a third-party app, then affix a small sticker to indicate what it does. Install an app like Button Mapper or tvQuickActions. Then go to Google TV Settings > System > Accessibility, and turn on the service. After that, you can head back into the app to adjust what those physical buttons do. You can set them as shortcuts to other apps, or even something cheekier for others to discover when they press the button. Remove the clutter from the Google TV Streamer home screen Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker Can't stand all the recommendations and sponsored content Google TV suggests in the main carousel? You can effectively shut off some of the clutter so it doesn't visually overwhelm you. Go to Settings > Accounts & Sign-In > Your Account. and toggle on Apps only mode. This clears the clutter and "sponsored" content, leaving you with just app icons. Keep in mind that this turns off the "Watchlist" feature that's tied to your account and some Gemini voice search capabilities for specific content. Enable Google TV Streamer "Developer options" for more customization Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker You'll need to enable developer options to enable features like faster animations and side-loading apps. It's easy to set up, and it's just like on an Android smartphone. Head into Settings > System > About, then tap Android TV OS Build 7 times. You'll see a little dialog pop up to let you know you've got developer access. Once enabled, a new menu will appear under Settings > System > Developer options. Limit animations to make navigation fasterThe Google TV interface is organized and functional, but its animations can slow down menu navigation. You can eliminate these animations and tweak other visual elements to speed things up deep within the developer settings. Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker In Developer Options, scroll down to Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale. Change one of these, or all three, from 1x to Animation off to turn off animations completely. You can also go the other way and effectively "overclock" the animations to speed them up, making them appear smoother. Side-load apps or an alternative launcherWith developer options turned on, you can enable USB and wireless debugging to use apps like Send Files to TV and atvTools to sideload APKs. But first, enable the "Allow installs from unknown sources" option in the Developer Options under Security settings. This allows APKs you've transferred over to the device to run on the streamer. Why would you want to go through the fuss of connecting to the Google TV Streamer this way? Because then you could access alternative streaming apps not available in the Play Store, or even an alternative launcher, like LeanbackLauncher. Pair headphones to your Google TV Streamer for private listening Credit: Florence Ion/Lifehacker This is one of my favorite little hacks that comes especially in handy when living in a house occupied by other people. When I do my workouts in the living room, I use a set of Bluetooth earbuds connected to the Google TV Streamer so I can hear the instructor's directions even when I'm face down in a plank and my kid is screaming in the background. The ability is available in the same submenu where you set up your remote. In Settings > Remote & Accessories > Pair Remote/Accessory, put your audio device into Bluetooth pairing mode, then watch it come up on the screen as an option. If you're successful, you can now pop on the buds when you need to. Be aware that audio latency can occur, and you might need to restart the connection—it is Bluetooth, after all. Force your Google TV Streamer to choose the best resolution, regardless of bandwidthIf you don't care about your bandwidth and want full-resolution streaming at all times, you can set the best resolution to display as the default in your Google TV Streamer preferences. Go to Settings > Display & Sound > Resolution. Switch the Resolution from "Automatic" to 4K 60Hz, or whatever your TV's peak is. Once this is enabled, the Google TV Streamer won't downscale to 1080p. If you're a sucker for HDR, this is the same menu where you can turn it on so that it's always in high definition. Use the USB-C port to add accessories and turn your Google TV Streamer into an all-in-one media centerThe USB-C port can do more than charge up the Google TV Streamer. You can plug in a power delivery hub with extra ports to add components like external storage and effectively run your own all-in-one home media center. Those power delivery hubs usually include extra USB ports for peripherals, so you can hook up things like keyboards and game controllers for extra fun. View the full article

U.S. Google searchers are searching far less than a year ago, according to a new Datos/SparkToro report. The data suggests Google isn’t losing users — it’s losing repeat searches. Why we care. Google still dominates search, but it’s changing in significant ways. Fewer searches per user means fewer opportunities for clicks, ads, and traffic — even if total search volume looks steady. By the numbers. Google desktop searches per user fell nearly 20% year over year, based on clickstream data from tens of millions of U.S. users. That drop stands in sharp contrast to Europe, where searches per user declined by just 2% to 3%. Even with fewer searches per person, traditional search still makes up about 10% of all U.S. desktop activity — a share that stayed nearly flat throughout 2025. What’s driving the drop. AI-powered answers and instant results are the most likely cause, according to the report: Users increasingly get what they need without running multiple follow-up searches. Zero-click searches remain high but are no longer accelerating, leveling off in the low-20% range by year-end. Repeat searches and clicks within Google-owned properties show only minor changes, indicating behavior has settled at current levels. AI is reshaping search. AI is being layered into search, not pulling users away from it. Despite constant AI hype, the report found: AI tools still account for less than 1% of total U.S. desktop activity (0.77%), even after strong year-over-year growth. Google AI Mode remains small, at about 0.06% of U.S. desktop events by December, though adoption continues to rise steadily. Queries get longer. One of the clearest behavioral changes is how people search. Per the report: Mid-length queries of six to nine words are growing fastest in the U.S. Very long queries of 15 words or more remain rare but show higher volatility, signaling experimentation. Overall, users seem more comfortable expressing complex needs directly in search. Discovery gets harder. Search-driven discovery is more concentrated — and tougher to break into. Post-search destinations remain largely unchanged, according to the report: YouTube, Reddit, Amazon, Wikipedia, and Facebook still dominate. ChatGPT climbed to No. 7 among U.S. search destinations, making it one of the few meaningful movers. Quora dropped out of the top 15. AI’s dominant few. Traffic from AI tools overwhelmingly flows to established platforms — Google, YouTube, GitHub, and Wikipedia — not to new or independent publishers. Among AI platforms: ChatGPT remains the leading AI tool in the U.S., reaching roughly one-quarter to one-third of desktop AI users. Google’s Gemini emerged as the clear No. 2, growing steadily throughout 2025 and overtaking DeepSeek. Other tools, including Claude, Perplexity, and Copilot, remain niche with no breakout adoption. What they’re saying. Rand Fishkin, co-founder and CEO of SparkToro, said in the report: “The big highlight here is the decline in # of Google searches/searcher from 2024–2025. It’s a nearly 20% decline in the US, though only 2–3% in the EU/UK. Other studies have shown that Google is sending less traffic than in years past, especially to the long-tail of the web, and I suspect that AI answers have dramatically altered the way many users engage with Google, answering their questions before they ever need to click on an organic result or perform a second/third/fourth search.” The report. Q4 State of Search report View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google is exploring ways to let us block our content from being used in AI search...View the full article

Optimism over earnings powers Wall Street rebound from Greenland crisis View the full article

Part of the fun of watching sports is that you don't know what's going to happen. TV shows and movies follow story beats, meaning you can usually get a sense for where things are heading, but sports do not work that way. The totally unexpected can, and does, frequently occur—and that's the reason people keep tuning in, whether their team is dominating or an underdog. Sometimes, though, you can't catch the game live, but still want a bit of that feeling. That's why leagues offer extended highlights, featuring all the key moments, complete with the commentary from the broadcast. These can feel almost like watching the full game, and I love catching up with them the next day alongside my morning coffee. The problem: you'll typically find those videos on sites full of spoilers about who won, whether that's via a scoreboard at the top of the site or headlines blaring the results. If you're hoping for even a fraction of the fun of watching sports live, that's a problem. Don't Tell Me The Score is your solution. This simple website offers highlights for NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA games, with no scores or spoilers of any kind. The site interface shows only a bunch of icons representing all upcoming and recent games. Color logos means there are highlights are already available, and you can click or tap to start watching. Credit: Justin Pot This is my favorite way to catch up on games I missed. The videos, which are sourced from the league's official YouTube channels, tend to be a little over 10 minutes, meaning you'll see the highs and lows, but it won't take up hours of your day, and you won't know who won going in (provided you've also taken care to avoid spoilers via the TV, newspapers, social media, push notifications, or ill-timed texts from friends). This tends to work really well, with one big hiccup: NFL videos can't be watched on the site itself, as the NFL prevents their highlights from being embedded on other sites. This means you'll need to click a link to watch the highlights on YouTube's website. This is a little annoying, but the YouTube pages usually don't include spoilers either, as long as you steer clear of the comments. I wish more leagues were supported—soccer highlights aren't offered at all, for example, and neither are the increasingly popular women's leagues. But if you're a fan of one of the "big four" North American sports, like watching highlights, and don't want to get spoiled first, Don't Tell Me The Score is worth adding to your daily rotation. View the full article

Big Four accounting firm has improved profitability in the UK as part of recovery from a series of scandalsView the full article

The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage rose 8 basis points to 6.24% in the week ended Jan. 23, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday. View the full article

A third round of “No Kings” protests is coming this spring, with organizers saying they are planning their largest demonstrations yet across the United States to oppose what they describe as authoritarianism under President Donald The President. Previous rallies have drawn millions of people, and organizers said they expect even greater numbers on March 28 in the wake of The President’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, where violent clashes have led to the death of two people. “We expect this to be the largest protest in American history,” Ezra Levin, co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, told The Associated Press ahead of Wednesday’s announcement. He predicted that as many as 9 million people will turn out. “No Kings” protests, which are organized by a constellation of groups around the country, have been a focal point for outrage over The President’s attempts to consolidate and expand his power. “This is in large part a response to a combination of the heinous attacks on our democracy and communities coming from the regime, and a sense that nobody’s coming to save us,” Levin said. Last year, The President said he felt attendees were “not representative of the people of our country,” and he insisted that “I’m not a king.” ‘No Kings’ shifts focus after Minneapolis deaths The latest round of protests had been in the works before the crackdown in Minneapolis. However, the killing of two people by federal agents in recent weeks has refocused plans. Levin said they want to show “support for Minnesota and immigrant communities all over” and oppose “the secret police force that is murdering Americans and infringing on their basic constitutional rights.” “And what we know is, the only way to defend those rights is to exercise them, and you do that in nonviolent but forceful ways, and that’s what I expect to see in ‘No Kings’ three,” Levin said. The President has broadly defended his aggressive deportation campaign and blamed local officials for refusing to cooperate. However, he’s more recently signaled a shift in response to bipartisan concern over the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday. Previous ‘No Kings’ protests have drawn millions across the US In June, the first “No Kings” rallies were organized in nearly 2,000 locations nationwide, including cities, towns and community spaces. Those protests followed unrest over federal immigration raids and The President’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, where tensions escalated with protesters blocking a freeway and setting vehicles on fire. They were organized also in large part to protest a military parade in the nation’s capital that marked the Army’s 250th anniversary and coincided with The President’s birthday. “No Kings” organizers at the time called the parade a “coronation” that was symbolic of what they characterized as The President’s growing authoritarian overreach. In response, some conservative politicians condemned the protests as “Hate America” rallies. During a second round of protests in October, organizers said demonstrations were held in about 2,700 cities and towns across the country. At the time, Levin pointed to The President’s sweeping immigration crackdown, his unprecedented promises to use federal power to influence midterm elections, restrictions on press freedom and retribution against political opponents, steps he said cumulatively represented a direct threat to constitutionally protected rights. On social media, both The President and the official White House account mocked the protests, posting computer-generated images of the president wearing a crown. The big protest days are headline-grabbing moments, but Levin said groups like his are determined to keep up steady trainings and intermediate-level organizing in hopes of growing sustainable resistance to the The President administration’s actions. “This isn’t about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about do we have a democracy at all, and what are we going to tell our kids and our grandkids about what we did in this moment?” Levin said. “I think that demands the kind of persistent engagement. “ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP —Meg Kinnard, Associated Press View the full article

Tech founder and provocateur Travis Kalanick made millions betting on key parts of the young adult lifestyle with Uber (transportation) and dining (ghost kitchen startup CloudKitchens). Can he hit a trifecta with a bet on tech-focused, community-driven apartments? Kalanick has partnered with Oliver Ripley, founder of the luxury hospitality company Habitas, to launch Sekra, a bid to tackle the massive multifamily housing market with a firm that will focus on building and managing upscale rental apartments. It’s a market that’s sure to grow: Ripley estimates 80% of people younger than 40 globally rent, and that’s only going to increase as stubborn housing affordability impacts remain a key issue. In the U.S., the number of rental households has grown steadily, hitting more than 46 million last year, according to the Census Bureau, with strong growth in the percentage of Gen Z members renting. The idea is to apply layers of technology and hospitality to create a more profitable brand of rental housing; while Sekra’s tool and tech stack are still under development, other apartment companies have saved money by automating repairs, streamlining operations, cutting energy bills, and making the touring and leasing experience faster, reducing vacancies. “There’s a real opportunity to do something different in the multifamily space, to build a global brand that sits at the cross section of community, culture, and longevity and wellness,” Ripley says. Ripley describes Sekra as taking both a hardware and software approach. The hardware portion includes building a proprietary tech platform for operations and iterating with residents (other tech in the market such as Elise.AI has seen significant growth in recent years). The in-development resident app will incorporate programming, content, and in-unit internet of things functionality—such as the ability to control appliances or lighting—that will “give residents an integrated experience that will command above-market rents.” It also includes building a space that encourages socialization and better sleep, including consulting with sleep experts, installing noise insulation and blackout shades, and using circadian rhythm lighting. The software part means hiring ambassadors for the properties and curating the community and its residents. Ripley says the onboarding for new residents will be done by the Sekra team, the residents themselves, and through the resident app. The application of technology to a branded living experience may be harder than it looks. Evidence exists that tech can save apartment owners money: A survey by the National Apartment Association about AI usage found operators achieved 10% savings in payroll and a 15% increase in retention rates. According to Joel Steinhaus, a former WeWork exec who cofounded a coworking firm called Daybase, there’s a big opportunity: The housing market is huge and there aren’t any dominant brands in the market. But there’s a reason for that. “It’s just hard to contemplate being relevant to someone in their personal space when they want to make it their own,” he says. For context, a 2024 resident survey of 172,000 renters taken by industry group the National Multifamily Housing Council found that the most desired community features are fairly basic, including cell reception, a fitness center, covered parking, and a pool—all sought after by more than 70% of respondents. Features like maker spaces, party rooms, conference rooms, vegetable gardens, dog parks, and others were cited by 50% or fewer renters. Sekra, which has quietly raised $12.5 million from a cadre of tech and real estate VCs and investors, including Fifth Wall, Moinian Group, and Harvey Spevak, the chairman and managing partner of Equinox, seeks to open its locations later this year, zeroing in on sites in coastal U.S. cities as well as in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai. Sekra will both renovate and operate existing buildings and eventually build its own new, ground-up projects. As Ripley says of the gigantic global rental market: “It just felt like an industry ripe for disruption, ripe to be messed with.” Go With The Flow A portmanteau of Sekhmet, the Egyptian goddess of healing and protection, with Ra, the Egyptian sun god, Sekra seeks to combat a few hurdles facing renters and the apartment market: the challenge of buying a home, the lack of socialization and authentic community during a global loneliness epidemic, and the blandness of much of the high-end housing stock. Early renderings show a hotel lobby-esque experience, with a muted color palette, textured materials, and plenty of curved lines. It’s not the first tech-bro-helmed startup seeking to revolutionize the apartment market. WeWork founder Adam Neumann launched Flow, his own rental platform, in 2022, and has quietly built a company valued at $2.5 billion, which includes 1,000 rental units and nearly 500 condo units in South Florida, control of an under-construction 4-million-square-foot riverfront district in Miami, and holdings in Riyadh. Ripley argues that his experience with Habitas in building a hospitality brand suited to young travelers makes him an ideal candidate to change the way apartments operate. Sekra’s seeking to create points of differentiation in areas that have long been puzzles for multifamily operators: creating authentic communities and applying tech to help streamline operations. Both goals have a profit motive. Better community means fewer move-outs and vacancies—key measures of rental housing profitability—and more efficient operations lead to lower operating costs. Ripley claims he’ll be able to double retention rates. Steinhaus says that building community in real estate, as he has in his coworking firm, means being cognizant of the mistake of making too much effort. Creating community means being the host of the party, not the life of the party—too much forced fun and performative programming may make it impossible for organic community development to take root. When asked to define programming for Sekra, Ripley mentions elements empowered by residents, and some familiar concepts: game nights, movie nights, lectures or talks, therapy nights or wellness programming, and book clubs. Brendan Wallace, CEO and cofounder of Fifth Wall, an investor in Sekra, believes Ripley and his team, with their hospitality background, are the ones who can build a single tech ecosystem that addresses all of these challenges and do a better job managing and increasing profits. “Many current owners lack an understanding of the elements of hospitality and community building,” Wallace says. “We see this when we talk to owners. They have big ideas, and even similar notions, but they end up being poorly executed and feel kludgey.” View the full article

Learn how information retrieval impacts SEO strategies, making content easier to understand and retain for users. The post Information Retrieval Part 1: Disambiguation appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Hitting 10,000 steps every day is a bullshit goal. Step counts can feel daunting, especially for people who work desk jobs or have physical limitations. The mere pressure to hit 10,000 steps can become its own source of stress—miss the goal by a few thousand steps, and it's easy to feel like the whole day was a wash. Rather than obsessing over hitting a specific step count, consider shifting your focus to a simpler, more achievable goal: sitting less. This reframing is not only easier to sustain, it could be just as beneficial for your health. Why you should break up sitting time"Spending the bulk of your time seated is a major contributor to increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke," says Pamela Light, a certified personal trainer at Bay Club. And if you think you can't afford to take movement breaks during a busy workday, know that you don't need to transform into a marathon runner or achieve some lofty daily step count to see real health benefits. Simply interrupting your sitting time throughout the day can make a meaningful difference. "Just ten minutes of movement is enough to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while slowing down muscle loss," Light says. And the science backs this up. In fact, a 2022 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that ten minutes of moderate exercise daily would prevent more than 111,000 premature deaths a year. Small changes could have a major impact on your life. How to break up your sitting timeThe beauty of this approach is its simplicity and flexibility, especially compared to the stress of 10,000 steps. You don't need to do jumping jacks in the middle of your office or draw attention to yourself. Instead, try incorporating more movement to things you already do throughout the day. This could look like cleaning up around home, checking in with co-workers, helping with an extra chore, or walking around the block. Even bathroom breaks become opportunities for movement. "Go to a restroom further away or on a different floor and take the stairs. Once inside, do 10 squats," Light says. "They don't have to be huge or perfect, but giving the large muscles of your legs a chance to flex and release will feel great on your joints, boost your mood, and help your body to pull nutrients from the blood and into the muscles." Other ideas include pacing during phone calls and setting timers to remind yourself to take breaks. Besides, I know that when I get a chance to move, the time away from my desk will makes me more productive when I get back to it. The bottom lineInstead of chasing an arbitrary step count number that might feel out of reach, simply commit to stand up and move for a few minutes. Take a lap around the office, do some chair squats, or just stand and stretch for a moment. Instead of feeling guilty about what you didn't do, you can feel good about the small moments of movement you incorporated throughout your day. Plus, achievable goals are the ones we're most likely to stick with. If you're someone recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, working a demanding job, or simply new to thinking about movement, getting up once an hour is an achievable place to start. View the full article

Video is one of the most complex, information-dense marketing assets. For human audiences, it delivers emotional nuance and context far more effectively than the written word. For AI models, it provides a high-density stream of data for more accurate indexing and synthesis. Once upon a time, video was confusing for search crawlers. Now, it’s “watchable” by AI. Models can deconstruct video into parallel visual, auditory, and textual streams. Let’s go through how to optimize video for AI. Why video is important for AI: contextual density optimization In the past, search engines had to read surrounding metadata to understand video. This text – title, description, tags, transcript – was the key to optimization. In the AI-mediated web, the video file itself is the active training data. When an AI model like Gemini 1.5 Pro “watches” a video, it uses a process called discrete tokenization to turn the entire video into a language it understands. The AI performs three tasks at once: Seeing: It takes snapshots of the video at regular intervals to understand what is happening on screen. Hearing: It listens to the audio for more than just words, picking up on tone, emotion, and background noises. Connecting: It matches sound to sight – if it sees someone holding a wrench while saying “wrench,” it creates a link between that object and that sound. Videos with clear, high-quality information that are specific – called content granularity – are more impactful than long ones. AI can now also pick up on “silent” information, including: Text on presentation slides Labels on a product during a demo A presenter’s facial expressions This process converts pixels and sound waves into a language AI can understand. However, if your video is blurry or the audio is muffled, the model may hallucinate or choose a competitor’s clearer source. Dig deeper: How to dominate video-driven SERPs How to prevent AI from making mistakes about your business When an AI model doesn’t have enough specific facts about your brand, it interpolates, filling in the blanks by looking at your competitors. For example, if many of your competitors offer a free trial but you don’t, the AI might simply “guess” that you do, too. It assumes you are just like everyone else in your industry. This is called brand drift. High-quality, authoritative video is one of the best ways to fix this. It provides the ground truth that AI needs to stop guessing. It can provide: Nuance: A video of an expert explaining a complex service captures details that a written blog post might miss. Correction: If an AI has outdated info, fresh video content gives it the “proof” needed to update its understanding of your brand. Trust: Models like GPT-5.2 are less likely to guess if they have high-trust visual signals to rely on. Tip: Use video transcripts and audio to feed RAG systems – the tech AI uses to look up facts. This will help ensure an AI narrates your brand story accurately. How AI watches videos A native multimodal model like Gemini 1.5 Pro is trained to understand text, images, and audio directly and simultaneously. Other AIs rely on separate specialized models to translate audio, text, and visuals separately, with methods like frame sampling and text surrogates. No matter how AI watches your videos, you’ll get better performance if you guide it with structured text: double-check the transcript, optimize the title, and make sure the closed captions are accurate. FYI: Gemini 1.5 pro has such a massive context window that it can ingest entire movies, webinars, and long tutorials without breaking a sweat. A video is tokenized at roughly 300 tokens per second (258 for video + 32 for audio). This one frame-per-second (FPS) sampling rate has massive implications for video editing. Modern smash cuts and jump cuts are designed to eliminate dead air, for example: While popular on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, this style is not ideal for AI readability. If a video features fast-paced editing, AI may miss the visual information. It must remain on-screen for at least one full second, and ideally two to three seconds, to ensure it samples a clear, representative frame. This requires a return to “slow TV” principles for technical content – pans should be slow, text overlays should linger, and scene changes should be deliberate. Dig deeper: YouTube is no longer optional for SEO in the age of AI Overviews Visual layers While advanced AI models sample naturally, older models have to work harder, using tools like facial recognition, object detection, and text scanning (OCR) to figure out what is happening in a video. To make sure an AI doesn’t miss anything, focus on the following elements. Resolution and readability If a video is blurry, the AI won’t be able to read the text on the screen. You don’t need 4K, but avoid low-quality video as OCR accuracy degrades below 360p. While Super-Resolution (SR) techniques can enhance OCR performance by up to 200% on low-quality inputs, creating a new video is more efficient in most cases. For most AI models, crisp 1080p video delivers the best results. Contrast and font selection Use bold, simple fonts, like Arial or Helvetica, for maximum machine readability. Also, use white text on a black background, which provides a 21:1 contrast ratio — the gold standard for OCR reliability. Other combinations, such as yellow on black (18:1), are also highly effective. However, yellow can be a complicated color when it comes to accessibility. Avoid serif fonts or low-contrast combinations, like grey on white. They introduce probabilistic errors during tokenization. When in doubt, use accessibility guidelines. Visual anchors To help the model “understand” the video, include clear visual anchors. If discussing a software interface, ensure the user interface (UI) is clearly visible and not obscured by the presenter’s head. If discussing a physical product, have it rotate slowly in a video so the AI model can generate a 3D understanding from the 2D frames. These anchors help the model build a spatial representation of the subject matter. When working with product packaging, ensure product labels are legible, and face the camera when recording or generating your video. And when it comes to branding, consistent brand codes, specific color palettes, and logo placement all help AI models recognize your brand entity. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Audio layers The way you speak in a video is just as important as what you say. AI looks for patterns and emphasis to figure out what matters most. Gemini’s native audio processing can “hear” video, treating audio tokens with the same weight as text tokens. Audio streams rely on automatic speech recognition (ASR) models like OpenAI’s Whisper or Google’s Universal Speech Model (USM) to convert speech into searchable text transcripts. Advanced models analyze tone, sentiment, and vocal cadence. An authoritative, confident tone serves as a “soft signal” of expertise. Here are some optimization tips for audio layers. Speaker identification: Make sure you identify the speakers multiple times to ensure consolidation occurs. Use “audio bolding”: Think of your voice as a highlighter. To help the AI identify your most important points, use audio bolding – a short pause before and after a main point, which acts like a comma or period for the AI. The cadence of speech influences tokenization. It helps the AI model group your words into logical sentences and understand where one thought ends and another begins. Stay consistent: AI is constantly checking whether what it hears matches what it sees. If you say “Model X is our fastest version” but your video shows a slide for Model Y, you are sending a conflicting signal. When the AI gets confused by these mixed signals, it often chooses to ignore the information. Tip: Your script and visuals should always be saying the same thing at the same time. Dig deeper: The SEO shift you can’t ignore: Video is becoming source material Text layers Even though AI is getting better at “watching” video, you shouldn’t let it do all the work. Transcripts are your safety net Your transcript is the Rosetta Stone for your video. It translates sights and sounds into plain text, the format that LLMs are best optimized to process. Even advanced AI models are faster at reading text than at watching video frame by frame. Transcripts are great for: Speed: They allow an AI to understand your entire video quickly. Accuracy: It’s easy for an AI to mishear a technical term or a brand name – a written transcript removes that guesswork. Compatibility: Not every AI model can “watch” video yet – for those that can’t, a transcript is the only way they will know what your video is about. Want to go the extra mile? Provide a clean, human-verified transcript in the video description or via closed captions (SRT/VTT files). Meet VideoObject schema VideoObject schema is the standard for communicating video metadata to search engines and AI crawlers. Beyond basic name and description properties, several advanced properties are needed: hasPart (Clips/Chapters): This property allows you to define “Clips” or “Chapters” within videos. This is crucial for “Seek-to-Action” capabilities, where an AI can direct a user to the exact second a question is answered. By defining these segments, you are pre-chunking the content for the RAG system. transcript: While models have ASR, providing a human-verified transcript in the schema ensures almost 100% accuracy and removes the risk of mishearing brand names, technical jargon, or acronyms. interactionStatistic: This property, distinct from simple view counts on a player, helps signal authority and engagement. High interaction counts can function as a proxy for quality and engagement. Start optimizing video for AI Video is one of your brand’s strongest defenses against being misunderstood or ignored by AI. Investing in video helps shore up your online reputation. Expert videos provide the ground truth that forces AI to be accurate. Without video as a guide, AI might guess who you are based on what your competitors are doing. Video is also the most effective way to prove to both humans and AI models that you are an authority in your space. Dig deeper: A technical guide to video SEO View the full article

Another day, another announcement of restaurant closures in the casual-dining space. Earlier this week, FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of that process, the restaurant company is seeking to reject leases for a number of shuttered company-owned restaurants, including locations for Johnny Rockets, Smokey Bones, and Yalla Mediterranean, court filings show. FAT Brands owns 18 restaurant chains in total, including Fatburger, Round Table Pizza, Great American Cookies, and more. Most of its more than 2,200 locations worldwide are franchised. FAT Brands said in its bankruptcy filing that owns roughly 150 locations directly. “Our dynamic portfolio of brands has demonstrated tremendous resilience in a challenging restaurant operating environment over the last few years,” Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of FAT Brands, said in a statement when announcing the bankruptcy. “We are well positioned for long-term profitability and growth. The chapter 11 process will provide us with the opportunity to strengthen our capital structure to support our concepts and ensure they remain at the forefront of their sectors.” Which FAT brands locations have shuttered? In its bankruptcy announcement, FAT Brands said it expects restaurants to continue operating normally throughout the process. However, the company disclosed in a bankruptcy filing on Monday that it has shuttered a number of company-owned restaurants: 14 Smokey Bones locations nationwide, along with two Johnny Rockets and five Yalla Mediterranean locations. The latter two’s impacted stores are only in California. Fast Company has reached out to FAT Brands to ask if other stores will be impacted. We will update this post if we hear back. Johnny Rockets closures California Orange: 20 City Blvd E Santa Monica: 1322 Third Street Smokey Bones closures Florida Casselberry: 1430 State Road 436 Fort Lauderdale: 6500 N Federal Hwy Plantation: 809 South University Drive Georgia Buford: 3333 Buford Drive, Site 1000 Illinois Rockford: 6690 E State Street Massachusetts Stoughton: 301 Technology Center Drive Michigan Grand Rapids: 4875 28th Street SE Utica: 45001 Schoenherr Road Ohio Columbus: 3939 Mose Crossing Maumee: 512 West Dussel Drive Pennsylvania North Wales: 252 Montgomery Mall Wilkes-Barre: 265 Mundy Street Virginia Newport News: 12541 Jefferson Avenue Woodbridge: 2601 Prince William County Parkway Yalla Mediterranean closures California Culver City: 5246 Dublin Blvd Dublin: 1781 N. Victory Place Fremont: 12420-A Seal Beach Blvd Seal Beach: 3141 Mowry Avenue Walnut Creek: 1813-A Ygnacio Valley Road Some casual-dining restaurants are struggling Life is continually getting more expensive and fewer people are spending their money at casual-dining restaurants. FAT Brands joins the ranks of Noodle & Company, Outback Steakhouse, and Cracker Barrel‘s Maple Street Biscuit Company—all of which have recently closed locations. Some fellow casual-dining restaurants, such as Red Lobster and TGI Friday, have not only closed stores in recent years but, like FAT Brands, have filed for bankruptcy. However, both of those brands have since plotted out a comeback, and FAT Brands has hinted at one as well. “We plan to use this process to connect with key stakeholders around a value-maximizing plan and will act prudently to remain steadfast in upholding and protecting stakeholder interests,” Wiederhorn said in his statement. Shares of FAT Brands Inc (Nasdaq: FAT) fell 33% on Tuesday following the announcement. The stock was trading at under 25 cents a share in premarket on Wednesday. View the full article

Google says it's exploring new controls that would let websites opt out of AI search features specifically, as the UK CMA opened a regulatory consultation. The post Google May Let Sites Opt Out Of AI Search Features appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Two federal officers fired shots during the encounter that killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti over the weekend in Minneapolis, a Customs and Border Protection official told Congress in a notice sent Tuesday, while Ecuador’s minister of foreign affairs filed an objection saying immigration agents tried to enter the country’s consulate in the city without permission. Officers tried to take Pretti into custody and he resisted, leading to a struggle, according to a notification to Congress obtained by The Associated Press. During the struggle, a Border Patrol agent yelled, “He’s got a gun!” multiple times, the official said. A Border Patrol officer and a CBP officer each fired Glock pistols, the notice said. Investigators from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the analysis based on a review of body-worn camera footage and agency documentation, the notice said. The law requires the agency to inform relevant congressional committees about deaths in CBP custody within 72 hours. Separately, a man was arrested after he sprayed an unknown liquid at U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar while she was speaking at a town hall meeting in Minneapolis. The Democrat had just called for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign when she was sprayed. The President says ‘we’re going to de-escalate a little bit’ The developments came a day after President Donald The President ordered border czar Tom Homan to take over his administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota in the wake of Pretti’s death, which was the second fatal shooting this month of a person at the hands of immigration law enforcement. By sending Homan to Minnesota, “we’re going to de-escalate a little bit,” The President said during an interview on Fox News’ “Will Cain Show.” That’s significant since White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when questioned repeatedly Monday about Homan’s being dispatched to Minnesota, refused to say that doing so was an effort to calm the situation. The president added of Homan, “Tom, as tough as he is, gets along” with governors and mayors, even in Democratic areas. As he left the White House on Tuesday, the president was asked whether Pretti’s killing was justified. He responded by saying that a “big investigation” was underway. In the hours after Pretti’s death, some administration officials sought to blame the shooting on the 37-year-old intensive care nurse. Stephen Miller, The President’s deputy chief of staff who had initially called Pretti “an assassin,” issued a statement suggesting CBP officers in Minneapolis “may not have been following” protocol. He said the Homeland Security Department’s initial statements about what transpired on Saturday was “based on reports from CBP on the ground.” Ecuador files a protest with the US Embassy A video of the Ecuadorian consulate entry attempt posted on social media shows a staffer running to the door to turn the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents away, telling them, “This is the Ecuadorian consulate. You’re not allowed to enter.” One ICE officer can be heard responding by threatening to “grab” the staffer if he touched the agent before agreeing to leave. International law generally prohibits law enforcement authorities from entering foreign consulates or embassies without permission, though sometimes permission may be assumed granted for life-threatening emergencies, like fires. “Consulate officials immediately prevented the ICE officer from entering the consular building, thus ensuring the protection of the Ecuadorians who were present at the time and activating the emergency protocols issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility,” the ministry wrote on X. A “note of protest” was filed with the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador so that similar attempts aren’t made at other consulates, the ministry said. The State Department, Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The President says of sending Bovino to Minneapolis: ‘Maybe it wasn’t good here’ Immigration enforcement activity witnessed by journalists in Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs on Tuesday appeared comparable with recent weeks. As before, most didn’t result in major confrontations with agents. Activists say they continue to monitor enforcement operations through social media and chats on messaging apps. The White House had tried to blame Democratic leaders for the protests of immigration raids. But after Pretti’s killing and videos suggesting he was not an active threat, the administration tapped Homan to take charge of the Minnesota operation from Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. The President said Bovino, the go-to architect for the president’s large-scale city-by-city immigration crackdowns, was “very good” but added “he’s a pretty out-there kind of a guy” and “maybe it wasn’t good here.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, along with the city’s police chief, met with Homan on Tuesday and agreed to keep talking. Homan posted on social media that the discussions “were a productive starting point.” Courts weigh in on detained immigrants In Texas, a federal judge issued a temporary order prohibiting the removal of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father who were detained last week in Minnesota in an incident that further inflamed divisions on immigration. U.S. Judge Fred Biery ruled Monday that any removal or transfer of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, is on hold while a court case proceeds. Also in Texas, federal immigration authorities released an Ecuadorian man whose detention led the chief federal judge in Minnesota to order the head of ICE to appear in his courtroom, the man’s attorney said. Attorney Graham Ojala-Barbour said the man was released in Texas. The lawyer said in an email to The Associated Press that he was notified in an email from the U.S. attorneys office in Minneapolis that his client had been freed. In an order dated Monday, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz expressed frustration with the The President administration’s handling of immigration cases. He took the extraordinary step of ordering Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, to personally appear in his courtroom Friday. Schiltz had said in his order that he would cancel Lyons’ appearance if the man was released from custody. “This Court has been extremely patient with respondents, even though respondents decided to send thousands of agents to Minnesota to detain aliens without making any provision for dealing with the hundreds of habeas petitions and other lawsuits that were sure to result,” he wrote. Schiltz’s order followed a federal court hearing Monday on a request by the state and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul for a judge to halt the immigration enforcement surge. The judge in that case said she would prioritize the ruling but did not give a timeline for a decision. Schiltz wrote that he recognizes ordering the head of a federal agency to appear personally is extraordinary. “But the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed,” he said. The Associated Press left messages Tuesday with ICE and a DHS spokesperson seeking a response. Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey and Karnowski from Minneapolis. Associated Press writers Tim Sullivan in Minneapolis, Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, and Michelle Price in Washington contributed to this report. —Seung Min Kim, Mike Catalini and Steve Karnowski, Associated Press View the full article

When you’re looking to obtain business licenses for multiple locations, it’s essential to understand the specific requirements for each area. Each jurisdiction has its own rules, and compliance is key to your success. You’ll need to gather documentation and complete separate applications for each location. Knowing the steps involved can make the process smoother. But how do you guarantee you’re not missing any important details along the way? Key Takeaways Research the specific business license requirements for each location, including general and industry-specific licenses, as regulations vary by jurisdiction. Gather and prepare all necessary documentation, such as identification, business formation documents, and proof of address for each location. Complete and submit separate applications for each location, ensuring all details are accurate and aligned with local standards to avoid processing delays. Keep track of application statuses and renewal dates using a centralized system or business management software to maintain compliance. Regularly review local regulations and stay informed about changes that may impact licensing through government websites and local business associations. Understanding Business Licenses When you start a business, comprehension of the various types of business licenses required for legal operation is crucial, as each jurisdiction has its own set of regulations. In Pennsylvania, for instance, a general business license is often necessary, but you might likewise need industry-specific licenses depending on your services. If you’re wondering, “Does a business have the same license for multiple locations?” the answer typically is no; each location may require its own license. To determine what type of business license you need, you’ll gather vital documents like tax identification numbers and business formation papers. Keeping these documents accurate and up-to-date guarantees a smoother application process and helps you avoid potential legal issues down the line. Researching Licensing Requirements by Location When you’re researching licensing requirements for your business locations, it’s crucial to understand both local regulations and state-specific differences. Each area may have unique rules governing general business licenses, zoning permits, and any industry-specific licenses you’ll need to operate legally. Make certain to gather this information carefully to guarantee compliance across all your locations. Local Regulations Overview Steering through the terrain of local regulations is crucial for successfully obtaining business licenses for multiple locations, as each jurisdiction may impose unique requirements. Start by researching specific licensing needs for every location. Check local government websites or offices for necessary permits, like zoning or health permits, especially if you’re asking, “Do I need a business license in Florida?” or looking into a Pennsylvania business permit. Furthermore, understand the renewal processes for licenses, as these can differ greatly. Location Required License Extra Permits Florida Business License Zoning Permit Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Business Permit Health Permit California Business License Sign Permit Stay updated through resources like the SBA. State-Specific Licensing Differences As you expand your business to multiple locations, it’s essential to recognize that licensing requirements can vary widely from state to state. Each state may require different licenses, such as a general business license or specific permits based on your operations, like health permits for food services or zoning permits for construction. You’ll need to research each state’s regulations thoroughly. To find out how do I find my business license number, consult the state’s government website or contact local regulatory offices. Verify your existing licenses are valid in new locations, as some states may have reciprocity agreements, whereas others require separate applications. Staying informed about these differences can prevent costly fines and verify compliance across all your locations. Identifying Necessary Documentation To successfully obtain business licenses for multiple locations, it’s crucial to gather specific documentation customized to each site. Start by compiling local business names and addresses, noting any unique regulations that apply in those areas. You’ll furthermore need identification documents, such as driver’s licenses and tax identification numbers, for each business entity to streamline the process. In addition, prepare business formation documents like articles of incorporation or LLC registrations to demonstrate compliance with local laws. Don’t forget to include proof of business address, such as lease agreements or utility bills, to verify operational legitimacy. Always verify that all documentation is current and accurately reflects operations at each location, as this can prevent delays or complications in the licensing process. Completing Application Forms for Each Location When you commence the process of completing application forms for each location, it’s vital to pay attention to the specific details required by local authorities. Each application must accurately reflect the address and operational details of the respective site to comply with local regulations. Be aware that different locations may have unique permits or licenses based on their jurisdiction, so thorough research is imperative. Remember to submit separate applications for each location, regardless of whether they share the same business name, to avoid delays. It’s also significant to track the status of each application independently, as processing times can vary. Maintain organized records for each location’s licensing documents, including application forms and fees paid, to facilitate ongoing compliance and future renewals. Submitting Applications and Fees When you’re ready to submit your business license applications, it’s essential to understand the specific process for each location, as requirements can differ. Each application typically comes with its own fee, which can vary greatly depending on the municipality and the type of license you’re seeking. To keep everything organized, maintain a record of your submitted applications and fees, so you can easily track their status and follow up as needed. Application Submission Process Submitting applications for business licenses across multiple locations requires careful attention to local regulations and requirements, as each jurisdiction may have its own specific criteria that must be met. Tailor each application to fit these local standards to avoid delays or rejections. Be prepared to pay separate application fees for each location, which can vary greatly, so budgeting is crucial. Keep a detailed record of all submitted applications and their payment receipts, as this documentation helps track the status of each license and facilitates future renewals. If available, utilize online submission portals to streamline the process. After submitting, follow up with the respective regulatory offices to confirm receipt and inquire about typical processing timelines, as they can differ by location. Fee Structure Overview Comprehending the fee structure for business licenses across multiple locations is vital for effective budgeting and planning. When you apply, each location typically requires a separate application and fee, which can vary based on jurisdiction and business type. Fees might range from as low as $50 to several hundred dollars. Some local governments offer discounts for bulk applications, so it’s wise to ask about these options. Furthermore, you need to budget for renewal fees that occur periodically, as these can likewise differ by location. Tracking Application Status How can you effectively track the status of your business license applications for multiple locations? After submitting your applications, regularly check the online portal or contact the relevant government office for updates. Keeping a detailed log of all submitted applications is essential; note submission dates, fees paid, and reference numbers to monitor progress. Set calendar reminders for follow-ups, typically two to four weeks after submission, depending on local processing times. Be ready to respond quickly to any requests for additional information from licensing authorities, as delays can arise. Finally, maintain copies of all applications and receipts, as this documentation might be necessary for future reference or audits related to your business licenses. Tracking Renewal Dates Tracking renewal dates for business licenses across multiple locations is crucial for maintaining compliance and avoiding costly fines. Start by creating a centralized tracking system, either digital or physical, to record renewal dates for all your licenses. Utilize calendar alerts or reminder apps to notify you of upcoming deadlines at least 30 days in advance, giving you ample time for paperwork. Regularly check local government websites for each location to stay informed about any changes in renewal processes or requirements. Maintain a dedicated file for each location, including copies of all licenses and their respective renewal dates. Finally, consider using business management software that offers licensing tracking features, which can automate reminders and organize relevant information in one place. Staying Informed About Local Regulations To effectively manage business licenses across multiple locations, you need to stay updated on local licensing requirements and regulatory changes. Regularly visiting government websites, subscribing to newsletters, and engaging with local business associations can provide valuable insights. Furthermore, attending community meetings and utilizing social media platforms can help you connect with other business owners, ensuring you’re informed about compliance issues that may arise in each jurisdiction. Local Licensing Requirements As you expand your business to multiple locations, staying informed about local licensing requirements becomes crucial, since these regulations can vary widely between jurisdictions. Here are three key steps to help you navigate the intricacies: Research Local Regulations: Investigate the specific licensing requirements for each jurisdiction where you plan to operate, as they can differ considerably. Utilize Online Resources: Many local governments provide detailed information online regarding licensing requirements, zoning regulations, and necessary permits customized to your business type. Engage with Local Authorities: Consult with local government offices to clarify unique regulations or additional licenses that may apply to your business activities. Regulatory Compliance Updates Keeping up with regulatory compliance updates is vital for businesses operating in multiple locations. Regularly check local government websites and subscribe to newsletters from regulatory agencies to stay informed about changes to business licensing requirements. Furthermore, leverage industry-specific associations, as they often provide alerts and resources about regulatory changes relevant to your sector. Creating a compliance calendar can help you track renewal dates and deadlines for licenses and permits. Consider attending local business forums or workshops that focus on regulatory compliance, where you can connect with other business owners facing similar challenges. Finally, engaging a compliance consultant or legal expert can provide customized advice and updates that are important for your operations across different locations. Community Engagement Strategies Engaging with your local community can greatly improve your comprehension of regulatory changes that impact your business. By actively participating, you can stay informed and connected. Here are three effective strategies: Join local business associations or chambers of commerce. These organizations provide timely updates on licensing requirements and regulatory changes affecting multiple locations. Attend community meetings and workshops. Local government agencies often host events where you can gain insights into upcoming regulations and network with fellow business owners facing similar challenges. Subscribe to newsletters from local government websites. This guarantees you receive essential information on laws, permits, and licensing requirements relevant to your business. Managing Multiple Licenses Effectively Managing multiple business licenses effectively requires a clear comprehension of the distinct licensing requirements that may apply to each location. Each site might’ve unique regulations, so thorough research is vital. Establish a centralized system to track expiration dates, renewal timelines, and compliance deadlines for all licenses, preventing lapses in legal operation. Consider utilizing software designed for multi-location businesses, which can streamline documentation and keep paperwork organized. Designate a compliance officer or team responsible for monitoring requirements and addressing changes in laws swiftly. Regular communication with local government offices is important to stay informed about updates that may impact your licenses. Common Challenges in Obtaining Licenses Maneuvering the process of obtaining business licenses for multiple locations can be challenging, especially since each site may face different state and local regulations. Here are some common challenges to take into account: Varying Requirements: Each location may need different licenses and permits based on local laws, which can lead to confusion and compliance issues. Time-Consuming Applications: The application process often requires unique documentation for each site, such as proof of business address and local zoning compliance, making it labor-intensive. Processing Delays: Local government backlogs or missing paperwork can delay applications, impacting your ability to operate smoothly across all locations. Being aware of these challenges helps you prepare and navigate the licensing environment more effectively. Tips for Streamlining the Licensing Process When you’re maneuvering through the intricacies of obtaining business licenses for multiple locations, implementing a few strategic tips can greatly streamline the process. First, create a thorough checklist of all licenses and permits needed for each location, as regulations vary across jurisdictions. Next, utilize a centralized system to track application statuses and renewals, which reduces administrative burdens. Consult local government websites for specific regional requirements, and consider hiring a licensing consultant to navigate complex regulations. Finally, set up a timeline for each location’s licensing process, including submission deadlines and renewal reminders. Tip Action Needed Benefit Create a Checklist List required licenses for each area Guarantees nothing is overlooked Centralized Tracking Use a tracking system Streamlines communication Set Up a Timeline Schedule submissions and reminders Maintains organization Legal Implications of Non-Compliance Grasping the legal implications of non-compliance with business licensing regulations is crucial for any entrepreneur. Ignoring these regulations can lead to severe consequences that jeopardize your business. Here are three key risks you should be aware of: Financial Penalties: Hefty fines and penalties can drain your resources, putting your financial stability at risk. Operational Disruptions: Operating without necessary licenses may result in suspension or closure, causing significant revenue loss during downtimes. Legal Liability: Some jurisdictions impose criminal charges for unlicensed operations, which could tarnish your personal and professional reputation. Resources for Business Licensing Support Understanding the legal implications of non-compliance with business licensing regulations highlights the importance of seeking reliable resources for obtaining the necessary licenses for your locations. Local government websites are excellent starting points, as they provide thorough guidelines customized to specific locations and business types. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) likewise offers valuable tools to help you understand licensing requirements and navigate the application process for multiple locations. Furthermore, business associations and local chambers of commerce can provide insights and networking opportunities. Consulting with legal professionals or licensing specialists guarantees accurate application completion and identification of all necessary permits. Finally, online platforms streamline the licensing process, offering checklists, application tracking, and expert advice to facilitate compliance. Future Considerations for Business Expansion As you consider broadening your business to multiple locations, comprehending the unique licensing requirements for each area is essential, since regulations can vary greatly between jurisdictions. To guarantee a smooth expansion, keep these future considerations in mind: Research Local Regulations: Investigate the specific licensing needs, zoning laws, and health and safety requirements for each new area. Centralized Documentation: Develop a system to organize necessary paperwork, helping you maintain compliance and reduce legal risks. Budget for Licenses: Include application fees and ongoing compliance costs in your expansion budget to avoid financial surprises. Frequently Asked Questions How to Structure a Business With Multiple Locations? To structure a business with multiple locations, you need to choose the right entity type, like an LLC or corporation, for liability protection and flexibility. Each location requires comprehension of local regulations and obtaining necessary licenses. Implement a centralized management system to guarantee consistency in operations and compliance. Consider appointing regional managers to oversee multiple sites. If growing swiftly, a franchise model might likewise work well, allowing for local adaptation in the process of maintaining operational standards. Do I Need Multiple Business Licenses for Multiple Locations? Yes, you typically need multiple business licenses for each location. Licensing requirements vary by city, county, or state, meaning each site may face different regulations and zoning laws. You’ll usually need a general business license and any specific permits relevant to your industry. Although some states might allow a single license for multiple locations, this is uncommon. Always confirm with local authorities to avoid fines or operational issues that could affect your business. How to Operate a Business in Multiple States? To operate a business in multiple states, you need to register your business in each state where you’ll operate. This often involves obtaining a foreign qualification or a state-specific business license. Each state has unique requirements, so it’s crucial to research the necessary permits and regulations. Keep track of licensing and renewal dates for compliance. Consulting a legal professional or utilizing resources like the SBA can simplify managing these multi-state requirements effectively. Can an LLC Have Multiple Business Licenses? Yes, an LLC can have multiple business licenses, as each license typically pertains to specific activities or locations. You’ll need to apply for separate licenses for each location, depending on local regulations. This often involves submitting specific documentation and paying associated fees. It’s essential to comply with the licensing requirements of each jurisdiction where you operate, so keep track of renewal dates to maintain uninterrupted business operations and avoid penalties. Conclusion In conclusion, obtaining business licenses for multiple locations requires careful planning and attention to detail. By researching local regulations, gathering required documentation, and submitting accurate applications, you can navigate the licensing process effectively. Staying organized and proactive will help you manage renewals and remain compliant with local laws. Engaging with local authorities and utilizing available resources can further simplify the path, ensuring your business is well-positioned for future expansion and success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How to Obtain Business Licenses for Multiple Locations: A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When you’re looking to obtain business licenses for multiple locations, it’s essential to understand the specific requirements for each area. Each jurisdiction has its own rules, and compliance is key to your success. You’ll need to gather documentation and complete separate applications for each location. Knowing the steps involved can make the process smoother. But how do you guarantee you’re not missing any important details along the way? Key Takeaways Research the specific business license requirements for each location, including general and industry-specific licenses, as regulations vary by jurisdiction. Gather and prepare all necessary documentation, such as identification, business formation documents, and proof of address for each location. Complete and submit separate applications for each location, ensuring all details are accurate and aligned with local standards to avoid processing delays. Keep track of application statuses and renewal dates using a centralized system or business management software to maintain compliance. Regularly review local regulations and stay informed about changes that may impact licensing through government websites and local business associations. Understanding Business Licenses When you start a business, comprehension of the various types of business licenses required for legal operation is crucial, as each jurisdiction has its own set of regulations. In Pennsylvania, for instance, a general business license is often necessary, but you might likewise need industry-specific licenses depending on your services. If you’re wondering, “Does a business have the same license for multiple locations?” the answer typically is no; each location may require its own license. To determine what type of business license you need, you’ll gather vital documents like tax identification numbers and business formation papers. Keeping these documents accurate and up-to-date guarantees a smoother application process and helps you avoid potential legal issues down the line. Researching Licensing Requirements by Location When you’re researching licensing requirements for your business locations, it’s crucial to understand both local regulations and state-specific differences. Each area may have unique rules governing general business licenses, zoning permits, and any industry-specific licenses you’ll need to operate legally. Make certain to gather this information carefully to guarantee compliance across all your locations. Local Regulations Overview Steering through the terrain of local regulations is crucial for successfully obtaining business licenses for multiple locations, as each jurisdiction may impose unique requirements. Start by researching specific licensing needs for every location. Check local government websites or offices for necessary permits, like zoning or health permits, especially if you’re asking, “Do I need a business license in Florida?” or looking into a Pennsylvania business permit. Furthermore, understand the renewal processes for licenses, as these can differ greatly. Location Required License Extra Permits Florida Business License Zoning Permit Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Business Permit Health Permit California Business License Sign Permit Stay updated through resources like the SBA. State-Specific Licensing Differences As you expand your business to multiple locations, it’s essential to recognize that licensing requirements can vary widely from state to state. Each state may require different licenses, such as a general business license or specific permits based on your operations, like health permits for food services or zoning permits for construction. You’ll need to research each state’s regulations thoroughly. To find out how do I find my business license number, consult the state’s government website or contact local regulatory offices. Verify your existing licenses are valid in new locations, as some states may have reciprocity agreements, whereas others require separate applications. Staying informed about these differences can prevent costly fines and verify compliance across all your locations. Identifying Necessary Documentation To successfully obtain business licenses for multiple locations, it’s crucial to gather specific documentation customized to each site. Start by compiling local business names and addresses, noting any unique regulations that apply in those areas. You’ll furthermore need identification documents, such as driver’s licenses and tax identification numbers, for each business entity to streamline the process. In addition, prepare business formation documents like articles of incorporation or LLC registrations to demonstrate compliance with local laws. Don’t forget to include proof of business address, such as lease agreements or utility bills, to verify operational legitimacy. Always verify that all documentation is current and accurately reflects operations at each location, as this can prevent delays or complications in the licensing process. Completing Application Forms for Each Location When you commence the process of completing application forms for each location, it’s vital to pay attention to the specific details required by local authorities. Each application must accurately reflect the address and operational details of the respective site to comply with local regulations. Be aware that different locations may have unique permits or licenses based on their jurisdiction, so thorough research is imperative. Remember to submit separate applications for each location, regardless of whether they share the same business name, to avoid delays. It’s also significant to track the status of each application independently, as processing times can vary. Maintain organized records for each location’s licensing documents, including application forms and fees paid, to facilitate ongoing compliance and future renewals. Submitting Applications and Fees When you’re ready to submit your business license applications, it’s essential to understand the specific process for each location, as requirements can differ. Each application typically comes with its own fee, which can vary greatly depending on the municipality and the type of license you’re seeking. To keep everything organized, maintain a record of your submitted applications and fees, so you can easily track their status and follow up as needed. Application Submission Process Submitting applications for business licenses across multiple locations requires careful attention to local regulations and requirements, as each jurisdiction may have its own specific criteria that must be met. Tailor each application to fit these local standards to avoid delays or rejections. Be prepared to pay separate application fees for each location, which can vary greatly, so budgeting is crucial. Keep a detailed record of all submitted applications and their payment receipts, as this documentation helps track the status of each license and facilitates future renewals. If available, utilize online submission portals to streamline the process. After submitting, follow up with the respective regulatory offices to confirm receipt and inquire about typical processing timelines, as they can differ by location. Fee Structure Overview Comprehending the fee structure for business licenses across multiple locations is vital for effective budgeting and planning. When you apply, each location typically requires a separate application and fee, which can vary based on jurisdiction and business type. Fees might range from as low as $50 to several hundred dollars. Some local governments offer discounts for bulk applications, so it’s wise to ask about these options. Furthermore, you need to budget for renewal fees that occur periodically, as these can likewise differ by location. Tracking Application Status How can you effectively track the status of your business license applications for multiple locations? After submitting your applications, regularly check the online portal or contact the relevant government office for updates. Keeping a detailed log of all submitted applications is essential; note submission dates, fees paid, and reference numbers to monitor progress. Set calendar reminders for follow-ups, typically two to four weeks after submission, depending on local processing times. Be ready to respond quickly to any requests for additional information from licensing authorities, as delays can arise. Finally, maintain copies of all applications and receipts, as this documentation might be necessary for future reference or audits related to your business licenses. Tracking Renewal Dates Tracking renewal dates for business licenses across multiple locations is crucial for maintaining compliance and avoiding costly fines. Start by creating a centralized tracking system, either digital or physical, to record renewal dates for all your licenses. Utilize calendar alerts or reminder apps to notify you of upcoming deadlines at least 30 days in advance, giving you ample time for paperwork. Regularly check local government websites for each location to stay informed about any changes in renewal processes or requirements. Maintain a dedicated file for each location, including copies of all licenses and their respective renewal dates. Finally, consider using business management software that offers licensing tracking features, which can automate reminders and organize relevant information in one place. Staying Informed About Local Regulations To effectively manage business licenses across multiple locations, you need to stay updated on local licensing requirements and regulatory changes. Regularly visiting government websites, subscribing to newsletters, and engaging with local business associations can provide valuable insights. Furthermore, attending community meetings and utilizing social media platforms can help you connect with other business owners, ensuring you’re informed about compliance issues that may arise in each jurisdiction. Local Licensing Requirements As you expand your business to multiple locations, staying informed about local licensing requirements becomes crucial, since these regulations can vary widely between jurisdictions. Here are three key steps to help you navigate the intricacies: Research Local Regulations: Investigate the specific licensing requirements for each jurisdiction where you plan to operate, as they can differ considerably. Utilize Online Resources: Many local governments provide detailed information online regarding licensing requirements, zoning regulations, and necessary permits customized to your business type. Engage with Local Authorities: Consult with local government offices to clarify unique regulations or additional licenses that may apply to your business activities. Regulatory Compliance Updates Keeping up with regulatory compliance updates is vital for businesses operating in multiple locations. Regularly check local government websites and subscribe to newsletters from regulatory agencies to stay informed about changes to business licensing requirements. Furthermore, leverage industry-specific associations, as they often provide alerts and resources about regulatory changes relevant to your sector. Creating a compliance calendar can help you track renewal dates and deadlines for licenses and permits. Consider attending local business forums or workshops that focus on regulatory compliance, where you can connect with other business owners facing similar challenges. Finally, engaging a compliance consultant or legal expert can provide customized advice and updates that are important for your operations across different locations. Community Engagement Strategies Engaging with your local community can greatly improve your comprehension of regulatory changes that impact your business. By actively participating, you can stay informed and connected. Here are three effective strategies: Join local business associations or chambers of commerce. These organizations provide timely updates on licensing requirements and regulatory changes affecting multiple locations. Attend community meetings and workshops. Local government agencies often host events where you can gain insights into upcoming regulations and network with fellow business owners facing similar challenges. Subscribe to newsletters from local government websites. This guarantees you receive essential information on laws, permits, and licensing requirements relevant to your business. Managing Multiple Licenses Effectively Managing multiple business licenses effectively requires a clear comprehension of the distinct licensing requirements that may apply to each location. Each site might’ve unique regulations, so thorough research is vital. Establish a centralized system to track expiration dates, renewal timelines, and compliance deadlines for all licenses, preventing lapses in legal operation. Consider utilizing software designed for multi-location businesses, which can streamline documentation and keep paperwork organized. Designate a compliance officer or team responsible for monitoring requirements and addressing changes in laws swiftly. Regular communication with local government offices is important to stay informed about updates that may impact your licenses. Common Challenges in Obtaining Licenses Maneuvering the process of obtaining business licenses for multiple locations can be challenging, especially since each site may face different state and local regulations. Here are some common challenges to take into account: Varying Requirements: Each location may need different licenses and permits based on local laws, which can lead to confusion and compliance issues. Time-Consuming Applications: The application process often requires unique documentation for each site, such as proof of business address and local zoning compliance, making it labor-intensive. Processing Delays: Local government backlogs or missing paperwork can delay applications, impacting your ability to operate smoothly across all locations. Being aware of these challenges helps you prepare and navigate the licensing environment more effectively. Tips for Streamlining the Licensing Process When you’re maneuvering through the intricacies of obtaining business licenses for multiple locations, implementing a few strategic tips can greatly streamline the process. First, create a thorough checklist of all licenses and permits needed for each location, as regulations vary across jurisdictions. Next, utilize a centralized system to track application statuses and renewals, which reduces administrative burdens. Consult local government websites for specific regional requirements, and consider hiring a licensing consultant to navigate complex regulations. Finally, set up a timeline for each location’s licensing process, including submission deadlines and renewal reminders. Tip Action Needed Benefit Create a Checklist List required licenses for each area Guarantees nothing is overlooked Centralized Tracking Use a tracking system Streamlines communication Set Up a Timeline Schedule submissions and reminders Maintains organization Legal Implications of Non-Compliance Grasping the legal implications of non-compliance with business licensing regulations is crucial for any entrepreneur. Ignoring these regulations can lead to severe consequences that jeopardize your business. Here are three key risks you should be aware of: Financial Penalties: Hefty fines and penalties can drain your resources, putting your financial stability at risk. Operational Disruptions: Operating without necessary licenses may result in suspension or closure, causing significant revenue loss during downtimes. Legal Liability: Some jurisdictions impose criminal charges for unlicensed operations, which could tarnish your personal and professional reputation. Resources for Business Licensing Support Understanding the legal implications of non-compliance with business licensing regulations highlights the importance of seeking reliable resources for obtaining the necessary licenses for your locations. Local government websites are excellent starting points, as they provide thorough guidelines customized to specific locations and business types. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) likewise offers valuable tools to help you understand licensing requirements and navigate the application process for multiple locations. Furthermore, business associations and local chambers of commerce can provide insights and networking opportunities. Consulting with legal professionals or licensing specialists guarantees accurate application completion and identification of all necessary permits. Finally, online platforms streamline the licensing process, offering checklists, application tracking, and expert advice to facilitate compliance. Future Considerations for Business Expansion As you consider broadening your business to multiple locations, comprehending the unique licensing requirements for each area is essential, since regulations can vary greatly between jurisdictions. To guarantee a smooth expansion, keep these future considerations in mind: Research Local Regulations: Investigate the specific licensing needs, zoning laws, and health and safety requirements for each new area. Centralized Documentation: Develop a system to organize necessary paperwork, helping you maintain compliance and reduce legal risks. Budget for Licenses: Include application fees and ongoing compliance costs in your expansion budget to avoid financial surprises. Frequently Asked Questions How to Structure a Business With Multiple Locations? To structure a business with multiple locations, you need to choose the right entity type, like an LLC or corporation, for liability protection and flexibility. Each location requires comprehension of local regulations and obtaining necessary licenses. Implement a centralized management system to guarantee consistency in operations and compliance. Consider appointing regional managers to oversee multiple sites. If growing swiftly, a franchise model might likewise work well, allowing for local adaptation in the process of maintaining operational standards. Do I Need Multiple Business Licenses for Multiple Locations? Yes, you typically need multiple business licenses for each location. Licensing requirements vary by city, county, or state, meaning each site may face different regulations and zoning laws. You’ll usually need a general business license and any specific permits relevant to your industry. Although some states might allow a single license for multiple locations, this is uncommon. Always confirm with local authorities to avoid fines or operational issues that could affect your business. How to Operate a Business in Multiple States? To operate a business in multiple states, you need to register your business in each state where you’ll operate. This often involves obtaining a foreign qualification or a state-specific business license. Each state has unique requirements, so it’s crucial to research the necessary permits and regulations. Keep track of licensing and renewal dates for compliance. Consulting a legal professional or utilizing resources like the SBA can simplify managing these multi-state requirements effectively. Can an LLC Have Multiple Business Licenses? Yes, an LLC can have multiple business licenses, as each license typically pertains to specific activities or locations. You’ll need to apply for separate licenses for each location, depending on local regulations. This often involves submitting specific documentation and paying associated fees. It’s essential to comply with the licensing requirements of each jurisdiction where you operate, so keep track of renewal dates to maintain uninterrupted business operations and avoid penalties. Conclusion In conclusion, obtaining business licenses for multiple locations requires careful planning and attention to detail. By researching local regulations, gathering required documentation, and submitting accurate applications, you can navigate the licensing process effectively. Staying organized and proactive will help you manage renewals and remain compliant with local laws. Engaging with local authorities and utilizing available resources can further simplify the path, ensuring your business is well-positioned for future expansion and success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How to Obtain Business Licenses for Multiple Locations: A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Those of us who only have on-street parking know the frustration of waking up on a snowy morning to find our vehicle completely buried in snow—a situation often made worse by passing snowplows that block it in even more. Digging your car out can be a challenge, but taking a few precautions and having the right tools ready can make it easier. Here’s everything you need to dig your car out when it is buried by snow. Digging your car out from the snow actually begins before the storm hits. Prepping the car ahead of time will make it a lot easier to extract from snow drifts. Here's what you need: Battery blankets. Your battery won’t be exposed to the snow, but it will be exposed to temperature extremes. Car batteries start to lose capacity when the temperatures reach freezing, and things just get worse from there—so if it’s cold enough to snow, it’s cold enough to stress your battery. A battery blanket can help by insulating your battery and keeping it warm enough to start your car, which is an essential part of getting it out of a snow-packed spot. Car covers. If you know snow is coming, you can save yourself some trouble by covering your car in some way. Even throwing a standard blue tarp and securing it with some twine or elastic straps can make it a lot easier to de-snow your car (you could also buy one of these enormous plastic bags, instead of a tarp). Other options include windshield covers that will make snow removal easier while also protecting your side-view mirrors. Grille covers. Ice and snow can get into your car’s ventilation system via the front grille, so buying a grille cover for your specific car make and model isn’t a bad addition to your snow prep. Battery Insulation Kit, Car Battery Insulation Blanket ,Car Battery Wrap for Cold Weather, ‌Preserve Against Radiant Heat, Acid Neutralization, and Easy Installation, 40"x7" (Thickness 3mm, 1) $9.99 at Amazon $12.99 Save $3.00 Learn More Learn More $9.99 at Amazon $12.99 Save $3.00 After the universe has dumped several feet of snow on your car and the local snowplows have made the situation worse, you’ll need some tools to free the vehicle. A shovel, of course, is going to be necessary at a minimum, but a few more gadgets will make the job a lot easier and quicker: A remote starter. If your car doesn’t have a remote start feature, consider adding an aftermarket product. This will allow you to start the car before you even head out into the snow, ensuring that it’s warmed up and melting snow and ice off of itself before you even lift a shovel. A Snow Joe. The Snow Joe is a terrific tool—it’s a scraper and a finish-safe broom in one, with optional lights if you bother to pop batteries into it. If you don’t cover your car, or if your cover slipped and you still have snow to clear, the Snow Joe will make it easy. A cordless blower. Using your muscles to clear snow off your car is one way to do it. Another is to invest in a cordless blower, or, in a pinch, to drag your leaf blower out there to just blow the snow off. Whatever you do, don’t use a hair dryer or a heat gun—watching the snow melt off your car might be satisfying, but you can crack your windshield and harm your car’s finish by using heat in cold weather like that. De-icer. If the ice that has formed a shell on your car is thick and difficult to scrape, having some de-icer to safely melt it off will be a godsend. You can buy some to keep in the trunk, or make your own by mixing up two-thirds isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and one-third water. Adding a dash of dish soap will make it easier to spread so it sits on the ice to work instead of just draining off. Traction mats. Digging your car out is often just step one of getting it out of an iced-up spot. Some traction mats in the trunk will ensure you have enough friction to get off the ice sheet that has formed under your vehicle. Tow straps. Finally, if you’ve been out there for two hours and your car remains immobile despite your best efforts, you might ask someone to give you a quick tow, and for that you’ll need some tow straps. Having these in the trunk might just save the day when all the gadgets and products in the world can’t get that car out of the snow. Tire Traction Mat, Recovery Track Portable Emergency Devices for Pickups Snow, Ice, Mud, and Sand Used to Cars, Trucks, Van or Fleet Vehicle (2pcs*39in) $61.74 at Amazon $64.99 Save $3.25 Learn More Learn More $61.74 at Amazon $64.99 Save $3.25 View the full article

Social Channel Insights in GSC point to a broader shift where search validation increasingly follows social-driven discovery. The post Social Channel Insights In Search Console: What It Means For Social & Search appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Marie Haynes explains why Google’s AI ranking systems prioritize user satisfaction over vector optimization, based on insights from the DOJ vs. Google trial. The post What If User Satisfaction Is The Most Important Factor In SEO? appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

If you're going to go with Android rather than an iPhone for your smartphone, then Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy handsets are the two most high-profile options you've got. There are other Android phones worth considering—from the likes of OnePlus and Nothing, for example—but Google and Samsung are the most well-known. While the fundamental operating system on Pixel and Galaxy phones is the same, there are numerous differences between these two flavors of Android. They're not all obvious, though, unless you spend every day with these handsets, and that can make it tricky to decide whether you're better off going with Google or Samsung. As it happens, I use Pixel and Galaxy phones every day, more or less—not because tech journalists are particularly wealthy, but because we have to write a lot of reviews, news stories, and how-to guides for our jobs. Here's what I've learned along the way, and how you can choose between Pixel phones and Galaxy phones. Customization and clutterIn the old days we used to talk about "stock" Android on Google's Nexus or Pixel phones, but that doesn't really exist any more: Even Google puts its own twists and tweaks on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) that every Android manufacturer has access to. Samsung adds even more on top of the AOSP foundation, and markets its own take on Android as One UI. There's no doubt that One UI on Galaxy phones is busier and more complex than Android on Pixel phones—which can either be a positive or a negative, depending on how you like your mobile software. Samsung offers more settings, customizations, and configurations than Google, so One UI is going to appeal to power users. Samsung's One UI gives you a lot of customization options. Credit: Lifehacker Galaxy phones offer more in the way of theming options, for example, which completely transform the look of the software—though Pixels have caught up to some extent with features like icon theming in recent updates. You can do more on the lock screen with Samsung phones too, tweaking frames, widgets, and effects as needed. Google takes a simpler approach to the user interface—which you could praise as uncluttered or criticize as basic, depending on your perspective and taste. The Pixel version of Android has gotten a bit more polished over time, and has borrowed a few tricks from Samsung, but it's still not as customizable overall. Apps and ecosystem With Pixel phones, Google's apps are front and center. On a Galaxy phone, you get all of Google's key apps, and all of Samsung's equivalents, installed by default: So again, Galaxy phones are the more cluttered of the two. There's nothing wrong with Samsung's apps for photos, calendars, contacts, web browsing, and so on, but it's likely that most of the time you're going to prefer the Google option. That might change depending on what else you own: If you have a Galaxy Watch strapped to your wrist, then Samsung Health becomes far more useful and interesting. If you've gone for a Pixel Watch, then you're going to prefer the Google-owned Fitbit. As with most tech purchases these days, from TVs to smart speakers to laptops, you'll need to consider what else you own from Google or Samsung. Pixels offer easier access to Google's many and varied apps. Credit: Lifehacker Google does keep some features as exclusives for Pixel phones, though they often trickle out to the wider Android ecosystem over time. At the moment, they include Call Screen (for putting a barrier between you and spam calls), the real-time Scam Detection feature, Pixel Screenshots for analyzing your screengrabs, a Now Playing widget for the home screen, and photo features such as Night Sight. In some cases, Samsung has counterparts for those Pixel exclusives, and it has a few exclusives of its own that you don't get with Pixel phones. There's also the suite of Good Lock modules that take phone customization and tweaking to the next level: You can set different volume levels for different apps, design your own themes, and take more control over your home screen, for example. Hardware differences and updatesI don't want to talk too much about hardware differences, because these change regularly with each passing year (or even every six months), but there's no doubt that hardware design comes into play when you're choosing a smartphone—and broadly speaking, I think most people will agree that Samsung's phones are more sleek and stylish. Aesthetics are subjective, but the Samsung Galaxy series look closer to the polish and refinement of the iPhones, whereas Google takes a more simplified and industrial approach to its Pixels: Look at that chunky rear camera bar for example (which to be fair does help when a phone is laid flat). Handsets like the Galaxy S25 are easy on the eye. Credit: Samsung Performance is difficult to gauge, but it's fair to say that the Snapdragon (and even Exynos) chipsets that Samsung uses have a better reputation than the Tensor CPUs that Google puts in its Pixel phones. That said, there's an argument to be made that Google wins on camera lens quality, which is something the Galaxy series hasn't really moved the needle much on in recent years. What's indisputable is that Android updates roll out to Google phones several months before Samsung phones: Samsung needs time to adapt the AOSP code for its own One UI release, and so if you want to get the latest Android features before anyone else, the Pixel series is your best bet. My personal preferencesIf I'm buying a new Android phone for myself, I'll still usually go with a Google Pixel. The software interface is a little more rudimentary, but I don't mind that, and I use so many Google apps so regularly—Gmail, Google Chat, Google Maps, Google Keep—that I want the most friction-free and seamless access to them possible. I don't want or need a bunch of Samsung apps too. That's not to say Galaxy phones don't have their appeal, and I like tinkering around with some of the extra features and hacks you don't get with Pixels—like the secret wifi menu, for example, or the built-in easy mode. Ultimately, though, Pixels feel more intuitive and easier to use for me, and I absolutely want to be first in the queue for Android updates. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold showing off Google's distinctive design language. Credit: Google Admittedly, part of this is down to familiarity. I've been using Google phones more regularly for across a longer span of time than Samsung phones, and I'm used to them and the way they work—if you're a seasoned Galaxy phone owner, then the benefits of a Pixel probably won't have as much appeal, considering you're going to have to get used to a different set of options and menus. View the full article

When Meta launched advertising nearly two decades ago, performance was driven by manual inputs – targeting rules, account structure, and incremental optimization. Success depended on carefully defined audiences, granular budget control, and frequent testing. That operating model eroded over time as privacy changes and signal loss made deterministic targeting less reliable. Over the last two years, Meta responded by fundamentally rebuilding its advertising platform around AI. That rebuild began with Andromeda, a personalized ads retrieval engine, and expanded into Meta’s Generative Ads Recommendation Model (GEM). Together, these systems now determine how ads are selected, ranked, and delivered across Meta’s ecosystem. Meta Ads is no longer an open, manual optimization environment. Performance now depends on understanding how the system evaluates inputs and learns over time. This article breaks down how Andromeda and GEM work, how they changed ad delivery, and what it takes to align strategy with Meta’s AI-first advertising system in 2026. Andromeda: Meta’s first major AI overhaul Andromeda is Meta’s AI-driven ads retrieval system that decides which ads are eligible to be shown to a user. Instead of starting with advertiser-defined audiences, it works in reverse, by first evaluating historical engagement, ad copy, creative, and format. This helps Andromeda predict which users are most likely to engage with the ad and contribute to your campaign optimization goals. This AI system began rolling out in late 2024. In 2025, Andromeda became a core component of Meta’s updated infrastructure. Advertisers saw changes firsthand as: Broad targeting began to outperform previous top-performing interest stacks. Simplified account structures started to win. Creative fatigue accelerated. These were blatant signals that ad retrieval had changed. What Andromeda changed With the rollout of Andromeda, Meta shifted away from audience-first advertising to creative-first matching. Targeting became less deterministic as interests and lookalikes no longer performed as strongly as they once did. Instead, creatives became the primary signal as the system evaluated creative elements like visuals, themes, hooks, and language to determine relevance. AI drives better performance when it has a larger opportunity pool to draw from. Broader campaigns with more creative inputs give the system more options to match ads to users to achieve campaign goals. Source: Engineering at Meta Enter GEM: Meta’s central AI brain GEM is Meta’s large-scale generative AI system that acts as the ad platform’s central intelligence. It identifies patterns across organic interactions and ad sequences, formats, and messaging, synthesizing engagement, behavioral, and conversion data. Most importantly, GEM feeds predictions into Andromeda. These insights help predict what works best, for whom, and when, at scale, while continuously learning. GEM began rolling out in mid-2025, with broad impact by Q4 2025. It’s now “4x more efficient at driving ad performance gains” compared to original ads recommendation ranking models, according to Meta. Why GEM is a bigger shift than Andromeda Andromeda decides what can be shown, while GEM determines what should be shown next. Think about it like this: Andromeda decides which ads make it onto the shelf, while GEM learns what shoppers buy and shapes what gets featured next. CAP Source: Engineering at Meta Advertisers who have become accustomed to fast testing cycles and frequent edits will require a bit of a mindset shift in 2026 as long-term patterns matter more than short-term performance fluctuations. Ads are increasingly evaluated within broader contextual journeys. Dig deeper: Rethinking Meta Ads AI: Best practices for better results Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. What Meta’s AI stack means for advertisers in 2026 Advertisers can position themselves for stronger performance this year by shifting efforts toward creative strategy and diversity, simplifying account structure, and embracing patience and stability. Consider creative strategy the core lever This year, lean into signaling by serving Meta a buffet of variables. Test creative angles tailored to various personas – not just micro-variations. Create clear video hooks with strong statements and questions that communicate value quickly. Implement a diverse selection of formats that include images, videos, carousels, user-generated content (UGC), and testimonials. Focus on creating more creative variations and setting up a scalable system. These tactics will give Meta’s AI more to work with and thus deliver more results. Dig deeper: How to test UGC and EGC ads in Meta campaigns Simplify structure for better performance The days of hyper-segmentation are gone. Instead, consolidate campaigns and ad sets. With this tactic, we’ve already seen tremendous improvement in client accounts. In some accounts, it’s now become typical to see only one or two campaigns. Having fewer campaigns, broader targeting, and consolidated budgets allows Andromeda and GEM to learn faster and identify winning patterns. It may be challenging to relinquish that control, especially if you’ve been working on the platform for years. But you’ll slow down learning if you avoid applying these best practices or if you prioritize the manual boundaries that are still available (for now). Embrace learning stability Refrain from adjusting ad elements too often, as frequent edits reset the learning phase and can interrupt pattern recognition. Patience is a competitive advantage given the current state of the system. Early volatility is common and doesn’t necessarily signal failure. Before launching new campaigns or assets, decide on a minimum no-touch window. This may be a week or 50-75 conversions (whichever comes first), where you commit to not making any changes unless something is truly broken. Looking at rolling performance windows, such as three- to seven-day trends, instead of daily spikes. This can help you understand how the system spends, performance, and evaluates success. Treat your budget as a signal As with most advertising platforms, more budget helps you learn faster, get more results, and optimize more quickly. You could get by with a lower budget in Meta Ads. But it may be more challenging, as low spend limits learning ability. Meta performs best when budgets allow campaigns to generate consistent conversion data, creating enough volume for the system to detect trends. Ensure that your daily budget is realistic and aligned with the ad set’s conversion event. High-intent events, such as purchases or qualified leads, require more ad spend per learning cycle than upper-funnel actions, such as engagements or clicks. Rethink your role as an advertiser With hand-picked targeting strategies now a thing of the past, we’re no longer manual optimizers. Instead, we should level up as strategists and creative architects. This way, we can help our brands and clients: Define clear brand positioning. Create strong creative inputs. Collaborate with design teams to build scalable creative development processes. Set guardrails for brand integrity. As humans, it’s our responsibility to provide judgment and develop novel ideas while Meta’s AI handles better targeting and optimization with the data it has. Dig deeper: 3 PPC myths you can’t afford to carry into 2026 How to win in Meta’s AI-first ecosystem From what we’ve seen transpire on the platform in the last few years, Meta has made its direction unmistakably clear: AI is now the foundation of Meta Ads. If you embrace it and complement it with human guidance, you can succeed and scale. Trusting the system now is more important than ever because Meta’s AI is a determining factor of success. Succeeding with Meta Ads in 2026 comes down to feeding the platform diverse, high-quality inputs and creating strategies and content that align with how Meta’s AI learns and optimizes. The tools have changed, but the opportunity to get creative and find success hasn’t. View the full article

After three years of Yahoo dropping hints at its return to search, Yahoo has announced Yahoo! Scout - its new AI search engine feature that is embedded within Yahoo Search, Yahoo Mail, Yahoo News, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo Sports and so on - as well as at scout.yahoo.com.View the full article

It’s been a brutal week when it comes to layoffs. On Monday, shoe giant Nike announced it would lay off 775 employees, and on Tuesday, Pinterest announced it would lay off around 15% of its workforce. The same day, UPS announced 30,000 job cuts. Now Amazon is also joining their ranks with the announcement today of mass layoffs. Here’s what you need to know. What’s happened? On Wednesday, Amazon announced that it was eliminating 16,000 positions across its workforce. The company has around 1.5 million workers worldwide. In an unfortunate event, on Tuesday, Amazon accidentally sent an email to employees referencing the layoffs before they had been communicated to staff. But now the company has made the layoff announcement official. In a blog post on its website, Amazon’s senior vice president of people experience and technology, Beth Galetti, reposted the message sent to Amazon employees earlier in the day. In that message, Galetti said the layoffs “will impact approximately 16,000 roles” at the company. Galetti did not state which divisions would be most impacted by the layoffs. However, the senior VP did note that Amazon will be offering most U.S.-based employees who are affected by the layoffs a chance to look for a new position within the company for the next 90 days. Galetti also stated that Amazon will “continue hiring and investing in strategic areas and functions that are critical to our future.” Why is Amazon laying off so many workers? Galetti didn’t go into detail as to the exact reasons why Amazon is laying off so many workers, other than stating that the company is looking to strengthen itself “by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy.” However, she did reference the company’s earlier mass layoffs. In October 2025, Amazon announced an earlier round of job cuts, eliminating 14,000 corporate roles at the company. At the time, Galetti said those cuts were the result of CEO Andy Jassy’s September 2024 directive to strengthen Amazon’s culture and teams. “The reductions we’re sharing today,” Galetti wrote when announcing the 2025 layoffs, “are a continuation of this work to get even stronger by further reducing bureaucracy, removing layers, and shifting resources to ensure we’re investing in our biggest bets and what matters most to our customers’ current and future needs.” At the time, Galetti also stated that Amazon needed to become a leaner company with “fewer layers”—an outlook apparently reached in part due to the rise of artificial intelligence. “The world is changing quickly,” Galetti wrote in October. “This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet, and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before (in existing market segments and altogether new ones).” Galetti again echoed the theme of a rapidly changing world in her memo today. “Just as we always have, every team will continue to evaluate the ownership, speed, and capacity to invent for customers, and make adjustments as appropriate,” she stated. “That’s never been more important than it is today in a world that’s changing faster than ever.” Amazon also closing stores But Amazon isn’t stopping with just layoffs this week. Yesterday, the company announced it was shutting down two of its physical retail store chains. On Tuesday, the company said it would close all of its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go grocery stores. “After a careful evaluation of the business and how we can best serve customers, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh physical stores, converting various locations into Whole Foods Market stores,” the company said. As with the layoffs, the closure of its Go and Fresh stores signifies Amazon is being relentless in its pursuit of cost-cutting and reallocating portions of its business in order to cut operational costs and boost its bottom line. How has Amazon’s stock reacted? After announcing the closure of its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores yesterday, Amazon.com, Inc. stock price (Nasdaq: AMZN) closed up about 2.6% for the day, with AMZN shares finishing at $244.68. As of this writing, AMZN shares seem relatively unaffected by the layoff announcement. Currently, Amazon’s stock is up about three-tenths of a percent in premarket trading. The company’s stock price has already had a small but healthy return in 2026 so far. As of yesterday’s close, AMZN shares were up 6% for the year. But over the past 12 months, Amazon’s stock has underperformed the broader Nasdaq Composite, which is up over 23% since this time last year, according to Yahoo Finance. By contrast, Amazon shares are up less than 4% over the same period. Investors will be eagerly awaiting the results of Amazon’s all-important holiday quarter when it reports its Q4 2025 earnings on February 5. View the full article

Prosecutors search lender’s Frankfurt headquarters and a site in Berlin View the full article