All Activity

The Long Island-based lender is one of five nonbanks since January to have disclosed a prior hack, with the extent of those incidents remaining unknown. View the full article

When a new song attributed to country singer Blaze Foley, “Together,” appeared on his Spotify profile last year, something didn’t seem right. For starters, Foley had been dead for more than two decades, and the cover art featured AI artwork of a man who wasn’t Foley, and the song wasn’t uploaded by Foley’s longtime distributor. Fake tracks have appeared on various artist profiles, including easy-listening act The Sweet Enoughs, and Australian bands Alpha Wolf and Thy Art Is Murder. Smaller artists are not safe either, with musician Catherine Brennan taking to TikTok saying “in the past two weeks I’ve had two albums released under my name that are not mine.” Spotify on Tuesday unveiled a new effort designed to prevent these incidents from happening. The streaming giant’s Artist Profile Protection service allows artists more control over the content that appears under their name. While sometimes the error might come from bad actors, it can also be the result of less nefarious things like metadata mixups or confusion over artists with the same name. Regardless of the reason, artists can now prevent it altogether with Spotify’s new feature. “We know how frustrating this can be for both artists and fans alike and one of the top requests we’ve heard from artists over the past year is that you want more visibility before music appears under your name,” Spotify said in a press statement. How it works Artist Profile Protection is in limited beta and will allow participating artists to opt in for a review step before content goes live on their profile. As of now, Spotify says it has invited a few thousands of artists to test the feature, with plans to scale it in the coming months. Artists who turn on the feature will be able to accept or decline releases on a dashboard in their Spotify for Artists account. Upon approval, a track will go live on a chosen date, appear under the artist’s profile, and contribute to their statistics. If an artist declines, the track won’t be released. The feature is intentionally optional, as not every artist may benefit from it and it may delay or block legitimate releases. “Artist Profile Protection isn’t necessary for every artist, but could make sense if you’ve experienced repeated incorrect releases, have a common artist name, or want more control over what appears on your profile,” Spotify said. Additionally, artists will be provided with an unique code or “artist key” which they can use to pre-approve a track being uploaded to the service, skipping the approval step. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. As part of an early Amazon Big Spring Sale deal, you can get the Apple iPad (11th Gen, 2025) with wifi and cellular capability for $651 (originally $799)–its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. Available in four colors, this capable tablet won a PCMag Best of the Year Award in 2025. 2025 Apple iPad - 11-inch (A16) $651.20 at Amazon $799.00 Save $147.80 Get Deal Get Deal $651.20 at Amazon $799.00 Save $147.80 The Apple iPad (11th Gen, 2025) comes with 512GB storage and has many of the same specs as its predecessor, with the main difference being a new processor. It has a 5-core CPU A16 for faster performance, and while it doesn’t come equipped with Apple’s AI tools, it handles everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming media, and playing games with ease–better than most competitors in its class. That said, if you want more advanced processing power, you’ll want to upgrade to the pricier iPad Air or iPad Pro, which are also on sale right now. Design-wise, this iPad is similar to the 2022 model, which is typical for Apple’s 11-inch tablets, complete with Touch ID (not Face ID), requiring a fingerprint to unlock. It has a 2,360-by-1,640 resolution, a pixel density of 264ppi, and a 60Hz refresh rate. Compared to the older model, the screen is slightly larger (11 inches vs 10.9 inches), and uses a Liquid Retina display with an LED-backlit panel reaching up to 500 nits of brightness, though it can still show some glare outdoors. Battery life is around 10 hours when using a wifi connection and 9 hours over cellular. The tablet supports Wi-Fi 6 (but not Wi-Fi 6E) as well as Bluetooth 5.3, sub-6GHz 5G, gigabit LTE, and GPS. It has a 12MP rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, up to 5x digital zoom, 4K video recording, and support for Apple's Smart HDR 4 processing. The cameras far outperform cheap or similarly priced tablets from other brands. While this isn’t Apple’s most advanced tablet, it hits the sweet spot in most areas, making it the one that “most people should buy,” according to PCMag, especially at just $651.20. That said, if you need a more powerful processor, a higher-end display, Wi-Fi 6E, or Apple Intelligence features, you may want to upgrade to the iPad Air, which is also 18% off ahead of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $149.00 (List Price $179.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Indoor Cam Plus 2K Wired Security Camera (White) — $39.99 (List Price $59.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

During a lunch with my friend Kurt at the Chicago Club—one of those quietly elegant institutions where history sits comfortably in the room—I arrived with a question. It was one that could only be asked by someone trying to understand the United States from outside its horizon. Kurt’s surname carries enough S’s and K’s to suggest Eastern European roots. I am Brazilian, the grandson of Italians, Portuguese, Ukrainians, and with some Indigenous blood. Our grandparents crossed oceans from similar places, yet our lives unfolded inside different societies. I asked him: If our families had boarded different ships—mine arriving at Ellis Island and his in Brazil—would we have become different people? Was history shaped by conviction, or sometimes merely by direction? Only later did I understand the real question was about perception, how distance changes what a society looks like from within and from afar. In North America, immigrants often gathered within familiar communities. In Brazil, something else happened. Differences dissolved faster. We blend. Identity becomes porous, negotiated daily rather than preserved intact. I grew up in southern Brazil, roughly one degree below the tropics. It’s about 3,000 feet above sea level and nearly 100 miles from the Atlantic coast, a rare climatic equilibrium. We saw neither snow nor extreme heat, neither storms nor violent winds. Life unfolded with minimal disruption, small variations around a predictable center. Stability hides systems. When little changes around you, the structures organizing life become invisible. In the 1980s, we installed antennas on rooftops, searching for distant radio signals and trying to capture BBC broadcasts through atmospheric noise. Vinyl records carried fragments of Anglo culture into our homes. That world existed somewhere else long before we experienced it. A CHANGE IN SCENE In 1999, at 23, I crossed what felt like the nearest door into the United States: Miami International Airport. Two sensations collided: overwhelming heat and unexpected precision. Queues moved with silent coordination; procedures anticipated behavior. The country felt less like a place and more like a standard operating procedure. The United States did not merely function; it executed. During the Bush–Gore election dispute, I witnessed something Brazil would later experience more intensely: the power of social psychology in politics. What appeared to be a legal controversy also revealed how quickly societies divide into camps where interpretation follows identity. I believed I possessed everything needed to pursue the American Dream: youth, freedom, ambition. Yet something in me resisted adaptation—an Italian sense of aesthetics searching for variation, a Mediterranean temperament inclined toward reflection rather than acceleration, and a quietly Camusian instinct questioning efficiency when it became an end. Systems optimized for performance produced extraordinary results, yet seemed to compress the contradictions through which human life often finds meaning. So I left. But I did not truly leave. NEW VIEWS Before departing, I established a defining professional agreement in the U.S. And although I no longer lived there, I continued working under the American branch of a global technology organization. I had run from America while still operating inside one of its institutional extensions. Geography changes faster than systems. Institutions travel through people. Working alongside Asian partners during the early expansion of wireless internet, I helped introduce public connectivity experiments in Brazil. Networks revealed something new: Systems often understand human behavior before humans understand them. The following years unfolded across continents, exposing different assumptions about risk, hierarchy, and trust. Then came South Asia. I spent 7 years moving in and out of Pakistan, and 12 years in total across Asia, including periods in India, Bangladesh, and China. Pakistan dismantled my internal references. Poverty, instability, and political tension forced me back to history books to understand how societies arrive at such different equilibria. During one visa renewal at a U.S. embassy, an officer examined my passport filled with repeated entries into Pakistan and asked why I kept going there. Osama bin Laden had not yet been captured. Geography itself carried suspicion. BETWEEN CULTURES Years later, walking along the coast of New Jersey to escape New York’s intensity, I entered a small restaurant filled with elderly couples. Conversations stopped when my wife and I walked in. She is Chinese-Lebanese, with green eyes and features difficult to categorize. They feared us. And unexpectedly, I realized we feared them too. Societies are not only systems of laws or markets; they are projections of uncertainty. Fear is rarely unilateral; it is symmetrical. Moving between cultures that admired the United States and others that opposed it, my interpretation of America oscillated. Distance did not produce clarity at first. It produced instability, the loss of certainty about one’s assumptions. Over time, perception stretched. Long exposure to incompatible systems allows societies to appear not as fixed identities but as moments within longer historical processes. I began to see the United States differently—not as an ideal or an adversary, but as a configuration of organization and trust. It was a society that behaves, in many ways, like an operating system—resilient because of rules, innovative because of scale, misunderstood by critics and admirers alike. My relationship with the United States is not one of blind admiration. Instead, it has become a place of renovation, somewhere I return regularly for intellectual and professional renewal. There I observe social psychology in motion: how large systems organize cooperation, how groups form narratives, and how leadership emerges from the management of collective perception. In that sense, America functions as a kind of hypermodern school of leadership—less concerned with dismantling structures than with understanding how human systems coordinate trust, conflict, and innovation at scale. Today, when my mother travels to visit my brother there, I sometimes realize that my immediate family could easily end up entirely in the United States. In such moments, the logic of the American Dream seems almost self-evident. Yet my relationship with the country has evolved differently: less a destination than a hub of observation and exchange. I travel frequently, remain professionally engaged, and write for Fast Company. Distance does not automatically make us wiser. It reveals the assumptions we did not know we carried. Rodrigo Magnago is director at R-Magnago Critical Thinking View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Protein shakes can end up chunky or lumpy if you don’t mix them right. That’s why a shaker bottle does a better job of mixing whey into milk than simply stirring with a spoon. A blender works even better, if you’re up for cleaning a blender when you’re done. But there is a better option: a handheld frother. FoodVille MF02 Rechargeable Milk Frother $5.96 at Amazon $7.99 Save $2.03 Shop Now Shop Now $5.96 at Amazon $7.99 Save $2.03 To be clear, this is for drinks where you are mixing a powder into a liquid. (If you want ice and fruit in your protein shake—a smoothie, rather than a simple drink—you’ll still need a blender. But you knew that.) As far as I can tell, it works with any powder and any liquid. I’ve tested the frother, and found it gives excellent results with: Collagen powder and coffee (or tea) Whey powder and water Clear whey and water Hot cocoa and milk Various supplement powders in, well, anything Embarrassingly, I didn’t think of this on my own. Supplement companies like MUD\WTR and Beam include a handheld frother in their starter packs. In fact, the only reason I own a frother in the first place is that MUD\WTR sent me one with some samples once in hopes I would review the product. (My review: I don’t like it.) How to use a frother to mix your protein powderFirst, get yourself a frother. These are simple handheld gadgets that are priced about the same as a shaker bottle, about $7-10 on the low end, and going up to roughly infinity since these are a Fancy Coffee Accessory. The cheap ones will do fine for our purposes. Get one that is powered by AA batteries or that you charge over USB. Next, get your liquid ready. The first time you do this, make sure to use an oversized container. The liquid will rise as you turn the frother on. But if you use, say, eight ounces of liquid in a 16-ounce container, you'll avoid a surprise mess. Add the powder to the liquid, insert the frother, and turn it on. (Unless you’re using clear whey, which tends to gum up the frother; better to insert the frother first and then add the powder.) If you hold the frother in the center of the cup, you’ll get a whirlpool effect that sends the liquid up toward (or over) the rim of the container, hence my warning. Once you’ve done this a few times, you’ll figure out how to do it with less mess. Angling the frother and holding it against the side of the cup tends to keep the waves down. You can also pulse the frother a few times instead of having it on continuously, which cuts down on the waves even further. It only takes five to 10 seconds to mix yourself a smooth, creamy protein shake—or hot cocoa, or whatever else your smooth-beverage-appreciating heart desires. Take a few more seconds to wash the business end of the frother; a brief swish with a soapy sponge under running water is usually all you need. And then enjoy your perfectly mixed drink with nothing besides your cup to clean up later. View the full article

Google updated its Discussion Forum and Q&A Page structured data docs with new properties, including a way to label AI- and machine-generated content. The post Google Adds AI & Bot Labels To Forum, Q&A Structured Data appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

While TSA agents are currently without pay due to the partial government shutdown, some airlines don’t think Congress members deserve special treatment. Delta Air Lines just suspended its Specialty Services perk for Congress members amid the shutdown that has left TSA workers without paychecks. “Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta,” Delta said in a statement to CNBC. “Next to safety, Delta’s no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment,” the airline said. The decision comes as Congress has been criticized for failing to reach a deal and bring an end to the shutdown which has entered its fifth week, causing long lines at airports, safety issues, and financial instability for workers. At least 400 TSA workers, who are essential employees and are required to show up for work regardless of the status of the federal government, have turned in their resignations as a result. Others are opting to stay home from work in high numbers. Delta has traditionally given priority VIP service to congressional members. That special treatment has allowed members of congress to bypass TSA lines, as well as receive courtesy escorts. Per, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who first reported the news, Delta is also suspending its “special congressional desk service” for lawmakers until a resolution has been reached that funds the TSA. Last week, Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC he’s “outraged” by the shutdown, given the major impacts to airport staff, many who work paycheck to paycheck. “It’s inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, that are essential to what we do, are not being paid, and it’s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips,” Bastian said. While republicans have been continuously blaming democrats for the ongoing shutdown, on Monday The President urged republicans not to cave, telling them, “Don’t make any deal on anything unless you include voter ID,” The President said on Monday of the SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Meanwhile, congressional republicans have already blocked eight democrat-led attempts to fund the TSA. On Monday, Senator Cory Booker called the current situation “a national crisis by Donald The President’s making” during a press conference at the Newark Liberty International airport. Delta’s move to suspend specialty services should be as temporary as the partial government shutdown. However, some lawmakers have pitched making the end of such services a permanent change. On Tuesday, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced the End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act. If passed, the legislation which would require members of congress to undergo the same TSA procedures as all other passengers. It would also disallow federal funds “from being used to provide U.S. Senators and House members with expedited or preferential access at airport security checkpoints.” View the full article

Google started rolling out the March 2026 spam update. The update applies globally and to all languages, with rollout taking a few days. The post Google Begins Rolling Out The March 2026 Spam Update appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

More than 42,000, or 13.7%, of home-sale agreements in the United States fell through in February, according to a new Redfin report. View the full article

Creating an effective Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) survey sample is fundamental for evaluating how well your company meets customer needs. A well-structured survey can provide valuable insights into customer experiences. It should include clear questions that allow for various response formats, such as ratings and open-ended feedback. Comprehending the components and best practices can greatly improve your survey’s effectiveness. Let’s explore the key elements that contribute to a successful CSAT survey and how to implement them. Key Takeaways Start with a clear question on customer satisfaction, such as “How satisfied are you with [COMPANY NAME]?” to set the focus. Utilize a rating scale (1 to 5 or 1 to 10) for straightforward feedback collection and easy analysis. Include a mix of question types—Likert scale, multiple choice, and open-ended—to gather diverse insights and enhance engagement. Keep the survey concise with fewer than 10 questions to maintain respondent interest and increase completion rates. Distribute surveys shortly after customer interactions and through various channels to maximize response rates and relevance. Importance of Customer Satisfaction Surveys Customer satisfaction surveys (CSAT) play a fundamental role in comprehending how well your products or services align with customer expectations. By utilizing a csat survey template, you can gather important feedback that reflects customer experiences, helping you identify both strengths and weaknesses in your offerings. Research shows that 62% of customers believe brands should prioritize their needs more, emphasizing the importance of obtaining insights through CSAT surveys. When you actively seek feedback, you can cultivate customer loyalty, as 60% of customers are likely to return to companies that treat them well. In addition, effective CSAT surveys can generate positive word-of-mouth, greatly improving your brand’s reputation. As you create your csat survey sample, keep in mind that a robust feedback mechanism is crucial for making informed decisions that can improve overall customer satisfaction and contribute to long-term business success. Key Components of an Effective CSAT Survey To create an effective CSAT survey, start with a clear and concise question that directly addresses customer satisfaction, such as “How satisfied are you with [COMPANY NAME]?” Using a rating scale from 1 to 5 or 1 to 10 makes it easy for respondents to provide their feedback. Incorporate a mix of question types to gather thorough insights, including: Likert scale questions for nuanced opinions Multiple choice options for quick responses Open-ended questions for detailed feedback Demographic questions to segment data Follow-up questions to explore specific issues Keep your survey short, ideally under 10 questions, to maintain engagement. Timing is essential; send surveys shortly after interactions so feedback is fresh. Finally, always analyze CSAT scores in context, comparing them to industry benchmarks to gauge your performance effectively. This approach will help you understand and improve customer satisfaction more accurately. Best Practices for Survey Design When designing a survey, it’s essential to establish a clear objective that guides the creation of each question, guaranteeing they effectively measure customer satisfaction and provide actionable insights. Keep your survey concise by limiting it to fewer than 10 questions; this helps maintain respondent engagement and reduces survey fatigue, boosting response rates. A mix of question types, including Likert scale, multiple choice, and open-ended questions, captures both quantitative and qualitative feedback, giving you a thorough grasp of customer sentiments. Make sure your questions are simple, clear, and free from jargon to avoid confusion, leading to more accurate responses. Finally, test the survey across different devices and platforms before distribution to guarantee accessibility and functionality. This step is vital for maximizing completion rates, as it ensures that all respondents can easily participate without technical issues affecting their experience. Timing and Distribution Strategies Timing and distribution play crucial roles in the effectiveness of your CSAT survey. To gather accurate feedback, send your surveys shortly after customer interactions, like post-purchase or after support calls. This strategy guarantees that their experiences are fresh in their minds. Here are some key points to reflect on: Use multiple channels (email, mobile apps, website pop-ups) to reach a wider audience. Limit survey requests to once a month to prevent survey fatigue. Automate follow-up reminders to encourage participation. Analyze response patterns to determine the best timing and delivery methods. Continuously improve your strategy based on feedback trends. Analyzing Feedback and Implementing Changes Analyzing customer feedback is vital for businesses aiming to improve satisfaction and loyalty. By identifying trends and patterns in CSAT survey results, you can understand customer satisfaction levels and areas needing improvement. Regularly correlating CSAT scores with other metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Effort Score (CES) offers a thorough view of customer sentiment, helping you pinpoint specific factors affecting satisfaction. Implementing changes based on feedback can greatly boost customer loyalty, as 70% of consumers prefer organizations that effectively address complaints. It’s important to close the feedback loop by communicating to customers how their input has influenced changes, as this cultivates trust and strengthens brand relationships. Moreover, continuous monitoring and analysis of CSAT data allow you to adapt strategies proactively, ensuring you meet evolving customer expectations and maintain a competitive advantage in your market. Frequently Asked Questions What Is an Example of a CSAT Survey? A CSAT survey typically features a key question like, “How satisfied are you with our service?” You’d rate your satisfaction from 1 to 5. It might also include an open-ended question, asking, “What can we do to improve your experience?” This allows for detailed feedback. Companies then calculate the CSAT score by dividing positive responses by total responses, providing a percentage that indicates overall customer satisfaction. A concise survey, under 10 questions, often increases response rates. How to Create a CSAT Survey? To create a CSAT survey, start by defining your main objective, whether it’s measuring overall satisfaction or focusing on specific areas. Use a clear response scale, like 1 to 5, for straightforward feedback. Incorporate a variety of question types, including Likert scale and open-ended questions, to gather diverse insights. Keep it concise, ideally under 10 questions, and guarantee it’s accessible across different devices for a smooth participant experience. Testing is essential for effectiveness. What Are the 3 C’s of Customer Satisfaction? The three C’s of customer satisfaction are Consistency, Communication, and Customer-Centricity. Consistency guarantees you deliver quality products or services reliably, which builds trust. Communication keeps you informed about product updates and changes, setting clear expectations for customers. Customer-Centricity focuses on comprehending and addressing your customers’ needs, leading to personalized experiences. What Are 5 Good Survey Questions? When crafting survey questions, you should consider clarity and relevance. Start with, “How satisfied are you with your recent purchase?” to gauge overall satisfaction. Follow with, “How likely are you to recommend our company?” for loyalty insights. Ask, “What specific aspects did you find most satisfying?” to collect qualitative feedback. Include, “How easy was it to resolve your issue with customer service?” for support effectiveness. Finally, inquire, “What can we improve in your experience?” for actionable suggestions. Conclusion In conclusion, creating an effective CSAT survey involves comprehending its importance, incorporating key components, and following best practices in design. By strategically timing and distributing your survey, you can maximize response rates and gather valuable feedback. Analyzing this feedback allows you to implement changes that improve customer satisfaction. In the end, a well-crafted CSAT survey not just assesses customer sentiment but serves as a tool for continuous improvement, nurturing better relationships with your customers over time. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Creating an Effective CSAT Survey Sample" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Creating an effective Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) survey sample is fundamental for evaluating how well your company meets customer needs. A well-structured survey can provide valuable insights into customer experiences. It should include clear questions that allow for various response formats, such as ratings and open-ended feedback. Comprehending the components and best practices can greatly improve your survey’s effectiveness. Let’s explore the key elements that contribute to a successful CSAT survey and how to implement them. Key Takeaways Start with a clear question on customer satisfaction, such as “How satisfied are you with [COMPANY NAME]?” to set the focus. Utilize a rating scale (1 to 5 or 1 to 10) for straightforward feedback collection and easy analysis. Include a mix of question types—Likert scale, multiple choice, and open-ended—to gather diverse insights and enhance engagement. Keep the survey concise with fewer than 10 questions to maintain respondent interest and increase completion rates. Distribute surveys shortly after customer interactions and through various channels to maximize response rates and relevance. Importance of Customer Satisfaction Surveys Customer satisfaction surveys (CSAT) play a fundamental role in comprehending how well your products or services align with customer expectations. By utilizing a csat survey template, you can gather important feedback that reflects customer experiences, helping you identify both strengths and weaknesses in your offerings. Research shows that 62% of customers believe brands should prioritize their needs more, emphasizing the importance of obtaining insights through CSAT surveys. When you actively seek feedback, you can cultivate customer loyalty, as 60% of customers are likely to return to companies that treat them well. In addition, effective CSAT surveys can generate positive word-of-mouth, greatly improving your brand’s reputation. As you create your csat survey sample, keep in mind that a robust feedback mechanism is crucial for making informed decisions that can improve overall customer satisfaction and contribute to long-term business success. Key Components of an Effective CSAT Survey To create an effective CSAT survey, start with a clear and concise question that directly addresses customer satisfaction, such as “How satisfied are you with [COMPANY NAME]?” Using a rating scale from 1 to 5 or 1 to 10 makes it easy for respondents to provide their feedback. Incorporate a mix of question types to gather thorough insights, including: Likert scale questions for nuanced opinions Multiple choice options for quick responses Open-ended questions for detailed feedback Demographic questions to segment data Follow-up questions to explore specific issues Keep your survey short, ideally under 10 questions, to maintain engagement. Timing is essential; send surveys shortly after interactions so feedback is fresh. Finally, always analyze CSAT scores in context, comparing them to industry benchmarks to gauge your performance effectively. This approach will help you understand and improve customer satisfaction more accurately. Best Practices for Survey Design When designing a survey, it’s essential to establish a clear objective that guides the creation of each question, guaranteeing they effectively measure customer satisfaction and provide actionable insights. Keep your survey concise by limiting it to fewer than 10 questions; this helps maintain respondent engagement and reduces survey fatigue, boosting response rates. A mix of question types, including Likert scale, multiple choice, and open-ended questions, captures both quantitative and qualitative feedback, giving you a thorough grasp of customer sentiments. Make sure your questions are simple, clear, and free from jargon to avoid confusion, leading to more accurate responses. Finally, test the survey across different devices and platforms before distribution to guarantee accessibility and functionality. This step is vital for maximizing completion rates, as it ensures that all respondents can easily participate without technical issues affecting their experience. Timing and Distribution Strategies Timing and distribution play crucial roles in the effectiveness of your CSAT survey. To gather accurate feedback, send your surveys shortly after customer interactions, like post-purchase or after support calls. This strategy guarantees that their experiences are fresh in their minds. Here are some key points to reflect on: Use multiple channels (email, mobile apps, website pop-ups) to reach a wider audience. Limit survey requests to once a month to prevent survey fatigue. Automate follow-up reminders to encourage participation. Analyze response patterns to determine the best timing and delivery methods. Continuously improve your strategy based on feedback trends. Analyzing Feedback and Implementing Changes Analyzing customer feedback is vital for businesses aiming to improve satisfaction and loyalty. By identifying trends and patterns in CSAT survey results, you can understand customer satisfaction levels and areas needing improvement. Regularly correlating CSAT scores with other metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Effort Score (CES) offers a thorough view of customer sentiment, helping you pinpoint specific factors affecting satisfaction. Implementing changes based on feedback can greatly boost customer loyalty, as 70% of consumers prefer organizations that effectively address complaints. It’s important to close the feedback loop by communicating to customers how their input has influenced changes, as this cultivates trust and strengthens brand relationships. Moreover, continuous monitoring and analysis of CSAT data allow you to adapt strategies proactively, ensuring you meet evolving customer expectations and maintain a competitive advantage in your market. Frequently Asked Questions What Is an Example of a CSAT Survey? A CSAT survey typically features a key question like, “How satisfied are you with our service?” You’d rate your satisfaction from 1 to 5. It might also include an open-ended question, asking, “What can we do to improve your experience?” This allows for detailed feedback. Companies then calculate the CSAT score by dividing positive responses by total responses, providing a percentage that indicates overall customer satisfaction. A concise survey, under 10 questions, often increases response rates. How to Create a CSAT Survey? To create a CSAT survey, start by defining your main objective, whether it’s measuring overall satisfaction or focusing on specific areas. Use a clear response scale, like 1 to 5, for straightforward feedback. Incorporate a variety of question types, including Likert scale and open-ended questions, to gather diverse insights. Keep it concise, ideally under 10 questions, and guarantee it’s accessible across different devices for a smooth participant experience. Testing is essential for effectiveness. What Are the 3 C’s of Customer Satisfaction? The three C’s of customer satisfaction are Consistency, Communication, and Customer-Centricity. Consistency guarantees you deliver quality products or services reliably, which builds trust. Communication keeps you informed about product updates and changes, setting clear expectations for customers. Customer-Centricity focuses on comprehending and addressing your customers’ needs, leading to personalized experiences. What Are 5 Good Survey Questions? When crafting survey questions, you should consider clarity and relevance. Start with, “How satisfied are you with your recent purchase?” to gauge overall satisfaction. Follow with, “How likely are you to recommend our company?” for loyalty insights. Ask, “What specific aspects did you find most satisfying?” to collect qualitative feedback. Include, “How easy was it to resolve your issue with customer service?” for support effectiveness. Finally, inquire, “What can we improve in your experience?” for actionable suggestions. Conclusion In conclusion, creating an effective CSAT survey involves comprehending its importance, incorporating key components, and following best practices in design. By strategically timing and distributing your survey, you can maximize response rates and gather valuable feedback. Analyzing this feedback allows you to implement changes that improve customer satisfaction. In the end, a well-crafted CSAT survey not just assesses customer sentiment but serves as a tool for continuous improvement, nurturing better relationships with your customers over time. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Creating an Effective CSAT Survey Sample" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Sleep tracking apps promise better rest through data. But what happens when the pursuit of a perfect score keeps you up at night? For a growing number of people, that Apple Watch, Oura Ring, or whatever device meant to improve your sleep quality may be doing just the opposite. Here’s what to know about how sleep scores really work, and what you can do to make the most of your sleep tracker. The benefits (and accuracy) of sleep trackingSleep is foundational to almost every dimension of health, including “improved mood, heart health, and cognitive function," according to Dr. Rebecca Robbins, Assistant Professor in the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an Associate Sleep Scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. On the flip side, chronic sleep deprivation is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, impaired immune response, and mood disorders. For decades, however, people had a surprisingly poor grasp on how much they were actually sleeping. Self-reporting is notoriously unreliable; we tend to round up, conflate time in bed with time asleep, and forget our nighttime wake-ups entirely. “Consumer sleep tracking has begun to close that gap with significantly increased precision and accuracy in recent years, providing more insights from home," Robbins says. The Oura Ring and Whoop band dominate the scene, but watches like Fitbit or Apple Watch work too. Oura Ring 4 $349.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $349.00 at Amazon According to Robbins, wearables (like wrist- or ring-based devices) are equipped with multiple increasingly precise sensors: a temperature sensor, an accelerometer for movement, light sensors, and photoplethysmography (PPG) technology. (PPG uses pulses of light to detect blood movement beneath the skin, allowing the device to calculate heart rate and approximate blood oxygen saturation). Your device tracks how long you seemed to be asleep, and makes guesses as to how much of that time was spent in light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. Then, it distills it into a single composite score. It's a cool number to have, but it’s important to remember that this number is an approximation, and each company has its own grading system of sorts. There's also the question of what "quality sleep" even means. The clinical definition centers on adequate duration (most adults need between seven and nine hours), sufficient continuity, appropriate sleep stage distribution, and, critically, how you actually feel upon waking and throughout the day. That last part is, ultimately, a subjective experience—in other words, something no wearable can measure. The person who wakes from an uninterrupted eight hours feeling groggy and unrested is not having quality sleep, regardless of what their app says. And conversely, someone who wakes feeling sharp and energized after a night their tracker graded a 65 should probably trust their body over the algorithm. This is why it's impossible for a sleep score to be truly "accurate." Yes, all the data that going into your score (like your heart rate) might be accurate, but it's important to understand that the score itself is a made up number. Different companies have different definitions of "good" sleep, which vary from device to device. For instance, Oura and Apple both give scores ranging from 0-100, but where Oura labels a score of 70-84 as "Good," Apple has a range of 61-80 labeled as "OK." These scores aren't what you'd call clinical precision. Still, for most people, clinical precision isn't the point. If the point is to get some behavioral feedback, then your smartwatch or sleep tracker is a great tool. Whoop 5.0 $239.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $239.00 at Amazon Wearables can be useful to facilitate changes in habitSleep tracking, at its best, functions less like a medical test that you pass or fail, and more as a way to see patterns over time. Maybe you’ll start to notice the creeping effect of a late-night glass of wine on your deep sleep percentage, or the way your resting heart rate climbs after three nights of cutting things short, or perhaps the concrete difference a consistent bedtime makes over weeks. "People are highly motivated by their scores," Robbins says. "Wearables can foster intrinsic motivation for behavior change by providing daily feedback." In other words, your score (good or bad) can prompt you to reflect on your actions: What did I do yesterday? What can I do differently tonight? What matters most here is that you don’t need to “optimize” every little stage of your sleep architecture to benefit from this kind of tracking. "The most powerful use of this data is when people can monitor their progress over time,” Robbins says. Rather than obsessing over your score night-to-night, you should focus on whether you're trending in the right direction. There's also a coaching element in some of these devices, like with the Oura Advisor. In these cases, wearables might go beyond passive monitoring to actively flag inconsistencies, like alerting you to irregular bedtimes (which disrupt the body's circadian rhythm over time). I could see myself genuinely not realizing my weekend schedule is undermining my weekday sleep, and that kind of alert would help me make a necessary change. These devices are particularly powerful "for individuals who are far from a healthy sleep routine, such as those with inconsistent schedules or insufficient sleep, by providing behavioral feedback and personalized recommendations," Robbins says. For people who respond to positive reinforcement, the gamification built into many platforms—streak counters, badges—can also help them resist the small choices that erode sleep quality. Of course, there’s a dark side to gamification. What happens when your obsession with sleep is exactly what keeps you up at night? Orthosomnia and sleep-tracking anxietyNot everyone responds to data feedback with motivation. For some, daily sleep scores lead to something closer to dread. Researchers have given this phenomenon a name: orthosomnia. The term, coined in a 2017 paper published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, describes a preoccupation with achieving perfect sleep data that paradoxically makes sleep worse. (To be clear, this term isn't actually a formal clinical diagnosis.) "This phenomenon typically affects individuals already prone to anxiety about judgment, where receiving daily feedback can trigger a spiral of rumination and worry that ultimately limits their ability to get good sleep the following night,” Robbins says. You slept poorly, your score reflects it, anxiety about the score increases, that anxiety disrupts the next night, which produces another poor score, and so on. The stress from receiving poor scores creates a snowball effect of more poor scores. This is compounded by another issue that I see again and again in the wellness space: information overload. If you’re presented with sleep stages, respiratory rate, HRV, skin temperature deviation, body battery, readiness scores, and more, it’s natural to get overwhelmed. Instead, "the most beneficial metrics for most people are often the most [simple], such as the total amount of sleep and a summary score indicating if it was a good night,” Robbins says. How to actually track your sleepIf you're going to use a sleep tracker, the goal is to look at broad patterns, rather than obsessing over nightly scores. Hey, sleep is variable by nature, and even healthy sleepers have bad nights. What matters is whether your weekly average is moving in the right direction. Use monthly views, not daily ones, as your primary frame of reference. Second, identify the metrics that are actually actionable for you. If you know that your deep sleep tanks when you drink alcohol, that's useful. If you're anxiously refreshing your HRV trend without knowing what to do with it, you're probably stressing yourself out for no real reason. Robbins recommends keeping it simple: total sleep time and an overall score for whether it was a good night are often enough for most people. Another data point to start tracking: Are you lethargic throughout the day? It may be subjective, but it's a clear sign as to whether you’re getting enough quality sleep. Finally, know when to put the device down. "If tracking causes worry, take a break from the device, or avoid looking at the data," Robbins says. Maybe taking a week or two away from your sleep score, or simply not checking the app first thing in the morning, can break the anxiety spiral and let you approach sleep with less psychological warfare. Some tips for getting better sleepIf you have found yourself overly reliant on sleep scores in pursuit of more restful sleep, try some other techniques instead. The fundamentals of sleep hygiene are classic for a reason. Avoid screens before bedWe all know this one by now, but still, it’s a tough habit to break. The blue light emitted by phones and laptops suppresses melatonin production; beyond the light, the mental toll of scrolling or responding to messages keeps the nervous system in an activated state that makes it tough to fall asleep. Replace screens with something genuinely restfulRather than simply eliminating behaviors, adding one or two new habits might help. Robbins suggests "soothing activities such as reading a book, taking a warm shower, or practicing a mindfulness exercise." Build in active relaxationYou don't have to wait to feel tired and hope sleep follows. Instead, try to consciously build in ways to power down. Breathing exercises, light stretching, or perhaps a simple body scan meditation can all work wonders. Stick to your sleep scheduleConsistency around sleep and wake times is one of the strongest predictors of sleep quality, because it keeps the circadian rhythm running smoothly. Be honest with yourself about stimulantsThis is a tough one for me, but a 3 p.m. coffee can meaningfully disrupt your 10 p.m. sleep. Alcohol, meanwhile, may speed sleep onset at first, but it hurts the second half of the night. View the full article

Video game maker Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, announced on Tuesday it is laying off 1,000 employees, or about 20% of its workforce. (In 2023, Epic cut 830 jobs or 16% of its workforce at that time, per Variety.) “I’m sorry we’re here again,” Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said in a note to Epic employees, which the company posted on X. “The downturn in Fortnite engagement that started in 2025 means we’re spending significantly more than we’re making, and we have to make major cuts to keep the company funded.” “This layoff, together with over $500 million of identified cost savings in contracting, marketing, and closing some open roles puts us in a more stable place,” Sweeney continued. Fast Company reached out to Epic, which had no further comment. The note said some of the challenges the company is facing were industry-wide. Those challenges included lower growth, weaker spending, and tougher cost economics; current consoles selling less than last generation’s; and games competing for time against other entertainment. Sweeney said the layoffs are not due to AI. However, some of the challenges are unique to Epic, most notably, the challenges stemming from a long-running legal battle with Google and Apple to return Fortnite back to both app stores, after Epic encouraged Fortnite customers to intentionally break the rules, resulting in Fortnite getting kicked off both phones and tablets. Epic, meanwhile, argued both companies violated antitrust laws by forcing users to pay for apps and in-app purchases through their app marketplaces, while taking a slice of every transaction. With both suits largely concluded, Epic is moving forward with the help of a $1.5 billion investment from Disney. Despite being one of most successful games in the world, Epic said Fortnite “is just in the early stages of returning to mobile and optimizing Fortnite for the world’s billions of smartphones; and in being the industry’s vanguard we have taken a lot of bullets in a battle which is only in the early days of paying off for ourselves and all developers.” What’s next for Epic Games and those employees? The company said it will continue to build “awesome” Fortnite experiences with fresh seasonal content, gameplay, story, and live events as it evolves from Unreal Engine 5 and UEFN to Unreal Engine 6. At the end of the year, Epic plans to kick off the next generation of Epic. This isn’t the only rough patch for Epic. It survived difficulties in 1990’s with the move from 2D to 3D with Unreal 1, and in the 2000’s building console games with Gears of War. Then, it faced difficulties again in 2012, in moving to online gaming with Paragon and Fortnite. However, Epic did concede that this time is different because “market conditions today are the most extreme we’ve seen since those early days, with massive upheaval in the industry accompanied by massive opportunity for the companies that come out as winners on the other side.” Epic said those employees affected by the layoffs will receive a severance package including at least four months of base pay based on tenure, including paid healthcare coverage. U.S. employees will receive paid coverage for 6 months, accelerated stock options vesting through January 2027, and extended equity exercise options for up to two years. View the full article

Google released its March 2026 spam update today at 3:20 p.m. It’s the second announced Google algorithm update of 2026, following the February 2026 Discover core update. This is the first spam update of 2026. Google’s most recent spam update was in August 2025. Timing. This update may only “take a few days to complete,” Google said. On LinkedIn, Google added: “This is a normal spam update, and it will roll out for all languages and locations. The rollout may take a few days to complete.” Why we care. This is the second announced Google algorithm update of 2026. It’s unclear what spam this update targets, but if you see ranking or traffic changes in the next few days, it could be due to it. More on spam update. Google’s documentation says: “While Google’s automated systems to detect search spam are constantly operating, we occasionally make notable improvements to how they work. When we do, we refer to this as a spam update and share when they happen on our list of Google Search ranking updates. For example, SpamBrain is our AI-based spam-prevention system. From time-to-time, we improve that system to make it better at spotting spam and to help ensure it catches new types of spam. Sites that see a change after a spam update should review our spam policies to ensure they are complying with those. Sites that violate our policies may rank lower in results or not appear in results at all. Making changes may help a site improve if our automated systems learn over a period of months that the site complies with our spam policies. In the case of a link spam update (an update that specifically deals with link spam), making changes might not generate an improvement. This is because when our systems remove the effects spammy links may have, any ranking benefit the links may have previously generated for your site is lost. Any potential ranking benefits generated by those links cannot be regained.” View the full article

In an age where online scams and fraud are on the rise, a new initiative aims to unite companies against this growing menace. LinkedIn recently joined the Industry Accord Against Online Scams & Fraud 2026, a collaborative effort designed to combat deceitful schemes that target individuals and organizations alike. This Accord arrives at a critical time, with consumers losing an estimated $442 billion to scammers in just the past year. The pressing need for such a multifaceted response cannot be overstated. Small business owners, who often operate with limited resources and heightened vulnerabilities, may find themselves as prime targets for these illicit activities. The Accord presents actionable strategies that can not only safeguard consumers but also enhance the overall security posture of businesses. This collaborative initiative involves key stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, emphasizing that addressing online scams is a collective responsibility. The Accord outlines four key goals aimed at curtailing the impact of scams: Prevention: The Accord advocates developing proactive measures such as robust security features and AI-powered detection systems. Small business owners can implement similar strategies by investing in technology that can help identify potential fraud attempts on their platforms. Cooperation and Collective Learning: Signatories commit to sharing best practices and encouraging lawful information exchange. This effort can empower small businesses to stay informed about current scams and threats, allowing them to refine their security measures accordingly. Resilience: By leveraging advanced technologies and systematic responses to emerging threats, organizations can bolster their defenses. Small businesses must also consider investing in cybersecurity measures that adapt to the changing landscape of scam tactics. Public Awareness: Educating consumers about scams and safe online practices is essential. Small businesses can play a vital role in this education by providing resources and information on their websites, helping to build a more aware customer base. Significantly, the Accord underscores the importance of a united front. Companies are called upon to work alongside governments and law enforcement agencies. By promoting regulatory clarity and enhanced communication, small businesses can better navigate the complexities of legal frameworks surrounding online security. A pivotal aspect of the Accord is its commitment to implementing and enforcing anti-scam usage policies. Small businesses can adopt similar practices by expressly outlining acceptable use policies for their platforms. Implementing mechanisms that support user security is essential, particularly for businesses that conduct financial transactions online. Real-World Implications for Small Businesses Small business owners can expect a landscape increasingly shaped by these collective efforts. As customers become more educated and vigilant, aligning with the Accord’s goals may diminish reputational risks associated with scams. Furthermore, adopting proactive measures can lead to a more secure online environment, ultimately building consumer trust. However, there are challenges to consider. The resources required to enhance security measures can be a barrier for small businesses already stretched thin. Deciding where to allocate funds—whether in advanced technology, team training, or developing clear policies—can be daunting. Moreover, navigating the legal implications of data sharing and compliance with evolving laws will require diligence. Small business owners must remain informed and prepared to adapt to regulatory changes that might impact how they can share information and collaborate. Quotes from the Initiative The signatories of the Accord emphasize the need for a “shared responsibility requiring a collective response”. The idea is that no single entity can combat the sophisticated tactics of organized crime alone. This communal approach not only empowers businesses but also enriches the overall online landscape, making it safer for everyone involved. The Accord encourages small businesses to view this alliance not merely as a legal obligation but as an opportunity for growth. By understanding the full scope of threats and engaging in this collective effort, small businesses can transform vulnerabilities into strengths. For more details, you can view the original post at LinkedIn News. Engaging with these principles may pave the way for a safer online experience, reinforcing not just individual business security but also the broader digital economy. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Industry Unites to Combat Online Scams with Global Accord for 2026" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an age where online scams and fraud are on the rise, a new initiative aims to unite companies against this growing menace. LinkedIn recently joined the Industry Accord Against Online Scams & Fraud 2026, a collaborative effort designed to combat deceitful schemes that target individuals and organizations alike. This Accord arrives at a critical time, with consumers losing an estimated $442 billion to scammers in just the past year. The pressing need for such a multifaceted response cannot be overstated. Small business owners, who often operate with limited resources and heightened vulnerabilities, may find themselves as prime targets for these illicit activities. The Accord presents actionable strategies that can not only safeguard consumers but also enhance the overall security posture of businesses. This collaborative initiative involves key stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, emphasizing that addressing online scams is a collective responsibility. The Accord outlines four key goals aimed at curtailing the impact of scams: Prevention: The Accord advocates developing proactive measures such as robust security features and AI-powered detection systems. Small business owners can implement similar strategies by investing in technology that can help identify potential fraud attempts on their platforms. Cooperation and Collective Learning: Signatories commit to sharing best practices and encouraging lawful information exchange. This effort can empower small businesses to stay informed about current scams and threats, allowing them to refine their security measures accordingly. Resilience: By leveraging advanced technologies and systematic responses to emerging threats, organizations can bolster their defenses. Small businesses must also consider investing in cybersecurity measures that adapt to the changing landscape of scam tactics. Public Awareness: Educating consumers about scams and safe online practices is essential. Small businesses can play a vital role in this education by providing resources and information on their websites, helping to build a more aware customer base. Significantly, the Accord underscores the importance of a united front. Companies are called upon to work alongside governments and law enforcement agencies. By promoting regulatory clarity and enhanced communication, small businesses can better navigate the complexities of legal frameworks surrounding online security. A pivotal aspect of the Accord is its commitment to implementing and enforcing anti-scam usage policies. Small businesses can adopt similar practices by expressly outlining acceptable use policies for their platforms. Implementing mechanisms that support user security is essential, particularly for businesses that conduct financial transactions online. Real-World Implications for Small Businesses Small business owners can expect a landscape increasingly shaped by these collective efforts. As customers become more educated and vigilant, aligning with the Accord’s goals may diminish reputational risks associated with scams. Furthermore, adopting proactive measures can lead to a more secure online environment, ultimately building consumer trust. However, there are challenges to consider. The resources required to enhance security measures can be a barrier for small businesses already stretched thin. Deciding where to allocate funds—whether in advanced technology, team training, or developing clear policies—can be daunting. Moreover, navigating the legal implications of data sharing and compliance with evolving laws will require diligence. Small business owners must remain informed and prepared to adapt to regulatory changes that might impact how they can share information and collaborate. Quotes from the Initiative The signatories of the Accord emphasize the need for a “shared responsibility requiring a collective response”. The idea is that no single entity can combat the sophisticated tactics of organized crime alone. This communal approach not only empowers businesses but also enriches the overall online landscape, making it safer for everyone involved. The Accord encourages small businesses to view this alliance not merely as a legal obligation but as an opportunity for growth. By understanding the full scope of threats and engaging in this collective effort, small businesses can transform vulnerabilities into strengths. For more details, you can view the original post at LinkedIn News. Engaging with these principles may pave the way for a safer online experience, reinforcing not just individual business security but also the broader digital economy. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Industry Unites to Combat Online Scams with Global Accord for 2026" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley repeated his long-standing criticism of Fair Isaac Corp. in a letter noting the detrimental impact of its prices on home buyers. View the full article

The U.S. government is banning the importation of new routers made overseas, meaning consumers will no longer be able to purchase devices from many popular manufacturers. On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added all consumer-grade routers produced abroad to its "Covered List" of communications equipment that poses an "unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons." The agency specifically cited the exploitation of foreign-made routers in the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon cyberattacks. But the thing is, the vast majority of routers are manufactured overseas. So where does that leave you? What does the FCC router ban cover?The FCC's order bans the import of "all consumer-grade routers produced in foreign countries." While there is no list of specific companies or devices covered by this ban, at least 60% of home routers in the U.S. are estimated to come from China—and almost none are made here, a notable exception being Starlink's Wifi router. (The ban also covers routers designed by U.S. companies but manufactured abroad.) There could be exceptions to the ban in the future, as the federal government will grant "conditional approval" to companies that provide details about their operations, including information about corporate structure, manufacturing and supply chains, and plans to "establish or expand" production in the U.S. But that's all up in the air at this point. This isn't the first step the federal government has taken to ban devices made by companies with foreign ties, including routers. Late last year, several agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, Justice, and Defense, proposed a ban on future sales of TP-Link routers following a review that began during the Biden administration. Other bans include sales of antivirus software made by Russia's Kaspersky Labs and telecom devices from Huawei and ZTE. The FCC also recently banned foreign-made drones for similar security reasons. What the ban means for your routerThe FCC's action does not affect existing routers, so if you have a device made by a foreign company, you can keep using it as normal. If you're currently in the market for a new router, there's no rush—retailers will also continue to be able to sell and import all routers previously approved for sale through FCC's equipment authorization process. However, since the ban covers the majority of companies that make routers U.S. consumers buy, in the future you won't be able to upgrade to a newly released device from foreign manufacturers like TP-Link and Netgear unless those models receive conditional approval from the FCC. View the full article

Tehran tells IMO member nations that vessels must co-ordinate with it to pass through vital waterway View the full article

We at Fast Company spend all year, every year, researching and assessing companies. When it comes time to identify the Most Innovative Companies in the World, there are four key factors we consider: •Innovation. Did the company create something truly original? •Impact. Did this innovation have a measurable impact on the company and its industry? •Timeliness. Did the innovation happen in the past 12 months? Or, if it’s older, did it bear fruit during this time frame? •Relevance. Does the innovation we’re highlighting connect to larger issues facing industry or society? No company clears the bar unless it meets those criteria. From there, there are patterns that emerge, and discovering them is always my favorite part of the process. Sometimes they’re obvious, like when ESG or crypto or the metaverse were on the rise, and companies began experimenting with them. Other times, the threads are subtle. They cross industries in interesting ways and tend to emerge later in the process, after we’ve read the applications, done our research, whittled the field down to our category lists (59 this year), and selected the 50 companies we showcase in this issue. Here are a few themes I noticed in the 2026 edition, expertly overseen by executive editor Amy Farley: •Infrastructure. See: Google, Nvidia, AMD, Anthropic, Databricks, Cloudflare, World Labs, Cyera, Chainguard, Horizon3.ai. These are distinct companies with unique products, but they’ve all laid tracks that others can build upon. •Frontier health and biotech. See: Gilead Sciences, Abridge, eGenesis, Cadence OTC, Cresilon. These companies are creating faster and deeper access to lifesaving treatments and information. •Culture, taste, and storytelling. See: Proximity Media, Reddit, Unwell, Nintendo, Rimas Entertainment, Day Job, TBPN, Untitled, The Onion, Diplo’s Run Club. In a world increasingly flooded with AI slop, these companies testify to the power of human ingenuity when it comes to bringing people together and inspiring them. There’s one more pattern I noticed, and I want to end on it because it contains a cautionary element. There’s a difference between the kind of innovation we celebrate at Fast Company—wholly new products and services that create value for businesses, consumers, and the world—and what economists call “exploitative innovation,” which means squeezing every last drop of value out of existing products in ways that benefit the bottom line but often have negative consequences, especially for consumers and workers. AI magnifies the threat of exploitative innovation in exponential ways. I can say with confidence that every company on this list demonstrates real innovation. But the truth is, many engage in the exploitative kind too, especially the public companies under intense market pressure to show growth at all costs. Any company that aspires to make Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list in the future should keep a close eye on this delicate balance. View the full article

Boosting team spirit during work meetings can be achieved through engaging activities that promote collaboration and connection among colleagues. Games like “Two Truths and One Lie” and “Charades” not only encourage participation but additionally improve communication skills. Other activities, such as “Mood Pictures” and “Back-to-Back Drawing,” promote empathy and clarity. Comprehending how these games work can transform your meetings, making them more enjoyable and productive. Explore how each game can benefit your team dynamics further. Key Takeaways Two Truths and One Lie: Engage participants with fun facts while enhancing listening skills and team bonding in both in-person and virtual meetings. Charades: Foster teamwork and creativity through non-verbal communication by acting out words or phrases, tailored to office-related themes. Mood Pictures: Allow team members to share photos reflecting their mood, promoting emotional expression and deeper connections among participants. Back-to-Back Drawing: Improve communication skills as one person describes an image for another to draw, fostering teamwork and trust. Birthday Line Up: Encourage non-verbal communication and collaboration by having participants line up according to their birthdays without speaking. Two Truths and One Lie “Two Truths and One Lie” is a popular icebreaker game that typically involves three statements shared by each participant: two of these statements are true, whereas one is a fabricated claim. This engaging activity serves as an effective ice breaker for meetings, helping you and your colleagues bond as it reveals fun and unexpected facts about each other. Players take turns sharing their statements, and the rest of the group guesses which one is the lie, promoting active listening and engagement. It’s a versatile choice for various group sizes and time constraints, making it suitable for ice breakers for remote meetings and icebreakers for large groups. As a corporate ice breaker game, it not only improves communication skills but also breaks down barriers within teams. Consequently, “Two Truths and One Lie” stands out among get to know you games for work, making team spirit soar in fun games for work meetings. Charades Charades is a well-known game that promotes teamwork and creativity by challenging players to act out words or phrases without using any spoken language, as their teammates attempt to guess what they’re conveying. This classic game serves as one of the best ice breakers for employee meetings, improving engagement and nurturing camaraderie among employees. You can easily tailor charades to include office-related themes, making it relevant and fun for your team. Whether during in-person gatherings or virtual meeting games, charades encourages participation and boosts team spirit through non-verbal communication skills. It accommodates various group sizes, allowing everyone to join in the fun. As a meeting icebreaker, charades energizes the atmosphere, leading to a more positive and collaborative environment. Incorporating this game into your agenda can greatly improve team dynamics, making meetings not just productive but likewise enjoyable. Mood Pictures After engaging in a lively round of charades, another effective way to cultivate team spirit is through the activity known as Mood Pictures. This engaging game encourages team members to share a photo that reflects their current mood, promoting emotional expression and connection. As participants explain their chosen pictures, open communication flourishes, facilitating deeper comprehension and empathy. Here are some benefits of incorporating Mood Pictures into your meetings: Boosts team spirit Serves as a quick ice breaker for meetings Supports emotional expression among team members Adapts easily for virtual meetings Lightens the atmosphere, making meetings more enjoyable Mood Pictures are one of those fun staff meeting games that can energize your discussions and set a positive tone. Whether in-person or virtual, these activities encourage participation and improve communication, making them ideal for team-building in any setting. Back-to-Back Drawing Back-to-Back Drawing is an engaging team-building activity that promotes communication and collaboration among participants. In this game, two team members sit back-to-back; one describes an image while the other draws it based solely on verbal instructions. This setup improves communication skills, as it requires clear and precise language to convey visual information effectively. Participants must work together, cultivating teamwork and trust, since they can’t see each other’s actions. To make it more relevant, you can customize the images to include office-related objects or company logos. Typically lasting around 15-20 minutes, Back-to-Back Drawing serves as a quick yet impactful icebreaker or energizer during work meetings. Birthday Line Up When you want to improve team dynamics without the need for verbal communication, the Birthday Line Up game offers a unique and engaging solution. This activity requires participants to line up according to their birthdays without speaking, enhancing non-verbal communication skills. In just 10-15 minutes, you can nurture teamwork and collaboration as employees strategize together. Key benefits of the Birthday Line Up include: Encouraging ice breakers for communication Highlighting diversity within the team Strengthening connections and camaraderie in the workplace Providing a quick and engaging activity for work meetings Boosting morale and creating a sense of belonging This simple yet effective game serves as one of the fun games to play at work meetings, ensuring everyone feels included during the process of improving team dynamics. Frequently Asked Questions What Are Some Games That Encourage Teamwork? To encourage teamwork, consider games like “Human Knot,” where participants must untangle themselves without breaking handholds, promoting cooperation and communication. “Two Truths and a Lie” helps team members learn about each other, improving engagement and relationships. An “Office Scavenger Hunt” requires collaboration to find specific items, nurturing creativity. Games like “Pictionary” or “Charades” improve non-verbal communication skills, whereas “Office Trivia” boosts morale through friendly competition, increasing overall team engagement. What Are Team Bonding Activities in Office Fun? Team bonding activities in the office can include various engaging options that promote collaboration and trust among employees. You might participate in icebreakers, problem-solving challenges, or creative brainstorming sessions. These activities not merely improve interpersonal relationships but additionally uncover individual strengths and weaknesses. Which Game Needs Team Spirit? The “Human Knot” game requires strong team spirit as it involves participants physically entangling themselves and then working together to untangle without breaking the chain of hands. This activity emphasizes collaboration and communication, crucial components of successful teamwork. When you engage in this game, you’re not just having fun; you’re additionally enhancing your problem-solving skills and nurturing a deeper connection with your colleagues, which ultimately contributes to a more cohesive team environment. What Can You Do to Promote Team Spirit? To promote team spirit, you can encourage open communication by organizing regular team-building activities. Create opportunities for team members to share personal stories, which nurtures deeper connections. Implement problem-solving challenges that require collaboration, enhancing teamwork. Consider integrating brief energizing sessions to refresh focus and maintain engagement during meetings. Furthermore, recognize individual contributions regularly, as this appreciation helps build morale and encourages a supportive work environment, eventually strengthening overall team dynamics. Conclusion Incorporating games like “Two Truths and One Lie,” “Charades,” “Mood Pictures,” “Back-to-Back Drawing,” and “Birthday Line Up” into work meetings can greatly improve team spirit. These activities not just promote engagement but additionally nurture communication and collaboration among team members. By encouraging creativity, empathy, and active listening, you create a more connected and productive work environment. Utilizing these games regularly can lead to improved relationships and a stronger sense of community within your team. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Fun Games to Boost Team Spirit in Work Meetings" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Boosting team spirit during work meetings can be achieved through engaging activities that promote collaboration and connection among colleagues. Games like “Two Truths and One Lie” and “Charades” not only encourage participation but additionally improve communication skills. Other activities, such as “Mood Pictures” and “Back-to-Back Drawing,” promote empathy and clarity. Comprehending how these games work can transform your meetings, making them more enjoyable and productive. Explore how each game can benefit your team dynamics further. Key Takeaways Two Truths and One Lie: Engage participants with fun facts while enhancing listening skills and team bonding in both in-person and virtual meetings. Charades: Foster teamwork and creativity through non-verbal communication by acting out words or phrases, tailored to office-related themes. Mood Pictures: Allow team members to share photos reflecting their mood, promoting emotional expression and deeper connections among participants. Back-to-Back Drawing: Improve communication skills as one person describes an image for another to draw, fostering teamwork and trust. Birthday Line Up: Encourage non-verbal communication and collaboration by having participants line up according to their birthdays without speaking. Two Truths and One Lie “Two Truths and One Lie” is a popular icebreaker game that typically involves three statements shared by each participant: two of these statements are true, whereas one is a fabricated claim. This engaging activity serves as an effective ice breaker for meetings, helping you and your colleagues bond as it reveals fun and unexpected facts about each other. Players take turns sharing their statements, and the rest of the group guesses which one is the lie, promoting active listening and engagement. It’s a versatile choice for various group sizes and time constraints, making it suitable for ice breakers for remote meetings and icebreakers for large groups. As a corporate ice breaker game, it not only improves communication skills but also breaks down barriers within teams. Consequently, “Two Truths and One Lie” stands out among get to know you games for work, making team spirit soar in fun games for work meetings. Charades Charades is a well-known game that promotes teamwork and creativity by challenging players to act out words or phrases without using any spoken language, as their teammates attempt to guess what they’re conveying. This classic game serves as one of the best ice breakers for employee meetings, improving engagement and nurturing camaraderie among employees. You can easily tailor charades to include office-related themes, making it relevant and fun for your team. Whether during in-person gatherings or virtual meeting games, charades encourages participation and boosts team spirit through non-verbal communication skills. It accommodates various group sizes, allowing everyone to join in the fun. As a meeting icebreaker, charades energizes the atmosphere, leading to a more positive and collaborative environment. Incorporating this game into your agenda can greatly improve team dynamics, making meetings not just productive but likewise enjoyable. Mood Pictures After engaging in a lively round of charades, another effective way to cultivate team spirit is through the activity known as Mood Pictures. This engaging game encourages team members to share a photo that reflects their current mood, promoting emotional expression and connection. As participants explain their chosen pictures, open communication flourishes, facilitating deeper comprehension and empathy. Here are some benefits of incorporating Mood Pictures into your meetings: Boosts team spirit Serves as a quick ice breaker for meetings Supports emotional expression among team members Adapts easily for virtual meetings Lightens the atmosphere, making meetings more enjoyable Mood Pictures are one of those fun staff meeting games that can energize your discussions and set a positive tone. Whether in-person or virtual, these activities encourage participation and improve communication, making them ideal for team-building in any setting. Back-to-Back Drawing Back-to-Back Drawing is an engaging team-building activity that promotes communication and collaboration among participants. In this game, two team members sit back-to-back; one describes an image while the other draws it based solely on verbal instructions. This setup improves communication skills, as it requires clear and precise language to convey visual information effectively. Participants must work together, cultivating teamwork and trust, since they can’t see each other’s actions. To make it more relevant, you can customize the images to include office-related objects or company logos. Typically lasting around 15-20 minutes, Back-to-Back Drawing serves as a quick yet impactful icebreaker or energizer during work meetings. Birthday Line Up When you want to improve team dynamics without the need for verbal communication, the Birthday Line Up game offers a unique and engaging solution. This activity requires participants to line up according to their birthdays without speaking, enhancing non-verbal communication skills. In just 10-15 minutes, you can nurture teamwork and collaboration as employees strategize together. Key benefits of the Birthday Line Up include: Encouraging ice breakers for communication Highlighting diversity within the team Strengthening connections and camaraderie in the workplace Providing a quick and engaging activity for work meetings Boosting morale and creating a sense of belonging This simple yet effective game serves as one of the fun games to play at work meetings, ensuring everyone feels included during the process of improving team dynamics. Frequently Asked Questions What Are Some Games That Encourage Teamwork? To encourage teamwork, consider games like “Human Knot,” where participants must untangle themselves without breaking handholds, promoting cooperation and communication. “Two Truths and a Lie” helps team members learn about each other, improving engagement and relationships. An “Office Scavenger Hunt” requires collaboration to find specific items, nurturing creativity. Games like “Pictionary” or “Charades” improve non-verbal communication skills, whereas “Office Trivia” boosts morale through friendly competition, increasing overall team engagement. What Are Team Bonding Activities in Office Fun? Team bonding activities in the office can include various engaging options that promote collaboration and trust among employees. You might participate in icebreakers, problem-solving challenges, or creative brainstorming sessions. These activities not merely improve interpersonal relationships but additionally uncover individual strengths and weaknesses. Which Game Needs Team Spirit? The “Human Knot” game requires strong team spirit as it involves participants physically entangling themselves and then working together to untangle without breaking the chain of hands. This activity emphasizes collaboration and communication, crucial components of successful teamwork. When you engage in this game, you’re not just having fun; you’re additionally enhancing your problem-solving skills and nurturing a deeper connection with your colleagues, which ultimately contributes to a more cohesive team environment. What Can You Do to Promote Team Spirit? To promote team spirit, you can encourage open communication by organizing regular team-building activities. Create opportunities for team members to share personal stories, which nurtures deeper connections. Implement problem-solving challenges that require collaboration, enhancing teamwork. Consider integrating brief energizing sessions to refresh focus and maintain engagement during meetings. Furthermore, recognize individual contributions regularly, as this appreciation helps build morale and encourages a supportive work environment, eventually strengthening overall team dynamics. Conclusion Incorporating games like “Two Truths and One Lie,” “Charades,” “Mood Pictures,” “Back-to-Back Drawing,” and “Birthday Line Up” into work meetings can greatly improve team spirit. These activities not just promote engagement but additionally nurture communication and collaboration among team members. By encouraging creativity, empathy, and active listening, you create a more connected and productive work environment. Utilizing these games regularly can lead to improved relationships and a stronger sense of community within your team. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Fun Games to Boost Team Spirit in Work Meetings" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Claude really wants to take over your computer for you. Anthropic has released a new feature called Computer Use, which can now take control of your Mac's keyboard and mouse to perform tasks on your behalf. This is finally rolling this out as a Research Preview for Claude Pro and Max subscribers, after first being teased back in 2024. The Computer Use feature builds on recent additions like Claude Cowork and Dispatch. Claude Cowork is a tool that lets you accomplish tasks on your Mac (though, in the background, using native features and macOS integrations), and Dispatch is a new Remote Access feature that lets you control Claude Cowork from your iPhone or iPad (Claude's limited version of OpenClaw), as long as your Mac is online. How Claude's new Computer Use feature worksAs the name suggests, when the Computer Use feature is engaged, Claude takes over the screen completely. Computer Use works in both Claude Cowork and Claude Code, but I tested it only in Cowork (as I'm not a vibecoder, at least, not yet). It can move the cursor, use keyboard input, move and delete files, and, well, do anything it pleases. It can open files, read them, and take action based on the contents of the file. This, of course, is a huge security risk, as it creates the possibility for prompt injection, where a well-hidden malicious line of code can hijack the AI action, risking your personal data. Anthropic says it has created guardrails to prevent prompt injection, but because AI models are so fast-moving and have a tendency to hallucinate, it's difficult to take Anthropic's word for it. Thankfully, Claude will always ask for permission before accessing new apps and before deleting files. The good news is that Claude treats Computer Use as very much the last option. When you give a task in Claude Cowork or Claude Code, it will first try to tackle it using its MCP connectors. Say you ask Claude Cowork to write an email to your boss. It will first use the Gmail connector to draft the email. But the MCP connectors are limited; they can't do everything. For example, Gmail's integration can't actually send the email for you. You have to click the button. Credit: Khamosh Pathak This is where Claude's browser integration comes in. Claude will ask you if it can take things over in Chrome. If you have Claude for Chrome installed and enabled, it will automatically create relevant tab groups, open the right website, take over the tabs (you will see a glowing light around the tabs that are controlled by Claude), and it will press that Send button for you. When done, it can close those tabs for you as well. Credit: Khamosh Pathak I found Claude's Browser Use functionality to be the best use case scenario for me, and it will probably be the best for other heavy computer users, too. In another test, I asked Claude to visit Techmeme, create a summary of the top five news stories, turn it into a Markdown file, and save it locally. It did all this in the background in Chrome while I continued writing in Obsidian. It did a good job of summarizing all posts, and I could read the results and save the file for future reference. Computer Use can be excruciatingly slowThe Computer Use feature, as I said earlier, is the last straw. Say you ask it to create a calendar appointment using Apple's own Calendar app. There's no MCP server here (though there is for Google Calendar). So instead, Claude will ask you if it can just take over the computer for you. Credit: Khamosh Pathak But first, you need to grant Claude access for mouse and keyboard control, and Screen Recording access so it can take screenshots of the screen as it progresses (it's the only way Claude really knows what to do). Next, it will ask you for full access for the particular app. A nice thing is that when this is happening, all other apps and windows are hidden, so there are fewer chances of Claude going rogue and messing up your Word documents, for example. Then Claude will get to work. You'll see the familiar glowing edges and a small window showing all the steps Claude is trying to take. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Given what you're asking Claude to do, this can either be exciting or excruciating to watch. Unlike Claude's browser automation feature, there's nothing for you to do. Claude has taken over the entire screen. This is the biggest limitation of the feature, and perhaps will only get fixed if Claude sets up a virtual environment to perform local tasks. When Claude takes over the computer, it really takes over. You are locked out, a sitting duck. When I asked it to create a new calendar appointment for me. It was quite exciting to see it happen in real time. It took just 30 seconds or so. Of course, a task as simple as that, I could have done it faster myself. In fact, Claude added the task to a random calendar, while I have a dedicated "F1" calendar right there (any self-respecting fan of the sport would). Once I asked Claude to move the event, it obliged, but it took another 30 seconds. Overall, a nice proof of concept, but it's not something that I'm going to use in my day-to-day life. Credit: Khamosh Pathak When I tried using Claude Cowork to move some recent screenshots to a different folder, things went into the excruciating territory. Even after giving full access to my Downloads folder and the Finder app, it just wasn't able to figure out how to actually navigate to the Desktop folder to find the latest screenshots. After a minute or two, it opened the Finder's Go to Folder feature to manually enter the Desktop folder path (at least someone is using this underrated yet useful feature). That is when my patience ran out, and I stopped the task. And this is my core issue with Claude's Use Computer feature. For tasks that I regularly do on my Mac, like moving files, resizing images, converting documents, adding calendar appointments, compiling research, I'm still much faster at it than Claude, which is essentially using an AI model to make decisions by analyzing one screenshot after another. Not only is it resource intensive, it's slow as hell. Now, if I were a corporate employee who needed to analyze data from multiple files throughout the day, things might be different. Still, in that case, I might be using Claude inside Excel or a coding app to interact directly with the data instead of letting Claude play pretend on my Mac. How to enable Computer Use in Claude Credit: Khamosh Pathak The feature is only available for Claude on macOS, and it's only for paying members of Claude Pro ($20/month) and Claude Max ($100/month and up). As mentioned above, it's in Research Preview, so it's very much still a beta feature. Which is why it's not enabled for everyone by default. To enable it, go to Settings > General > Computer Use. To enable the browser-based automation features, enable the Browser Use feature (this will let Claude open and navigate to any website in Chrome without asking you first). While you're here, you can add apps to the Denied Apps list to make sure that Claude can never access them. Apps like 1Password and banking apps, would be a good place to start. You can also grant Accessibility and Screen Recording access from this section. Computer Use is designed for the Mac mini I don't haveUsing this feature a couple of times was enough to realize this feature isn't made for me. At least, not until I buy a Mac mini. The browser feature can still be handy because it can run in the background and perform tasks. But sitting around while Claude tries to figure out where to click in Finder is beyond my patience threshold. This feature, then, is very much designed for people who are into spinning AI agents on their Mac minis using OpenClaw, ones that are online 24/7, processing files, and automating actions (a bad idea, from a security standpoint). You can control what Claude is doing from your phone, or better yet, your other Mac, the one that you're using for work. From the security angle, this is better than OpenClaw because you can see exactly what Claude is doing, and you can stop or take over at any point. But boy, is it slow going. View the full article

The K-shaped economy strikes again. A new report from the Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO), creator of the credit score most lenders use, shows that the average American’s FICO score is now down to 714 – a two point decline over the course of the last year. The current slide in U.S. credit scores began in 2023, when the government ended the temporary pandemic-era freeze on student loan collection. Missed mortgage payments have also ticked up some, contributing to the slide in credit scores. Prior to the latest report, the average American’s credit score had already dropped to 715 between 2024 and 2025, which at the time was the most dramatic decline in scores since the Great Recession took its toll on American borrowers in 2009. There is one bright spot in FICO’s latest report, but like all things in the U.S. economy right now, it’s a mixed bag. The share of Americans with credit scores of 750 and up now sits at 48% – up from just 43% in 2019. The bad news is that the middle has dropped out, as both the high score and low score segments of the credit spectrum are growing. Haunted by the K-shaped economy That story is familiar across the American economy right now. People on the lower income rungs are fighting to keep their heads above water, even as high earners enjoy growing wealth powered by stock market gains. That bifurcation of the American economic experience is known as the K-shaped economy, a term that reflects the wealth gap between the rich and poor – and the growing wealth gap between them. The most obvious engine powering that discrepancy is inflation: Everyone pays more for everything, but while the rich can absorb the cost, rising prices take a disproportionate bite out of a lower earner’s monthly budget. Higher earners can also lean on their investments, which may dip here and there but have continued on a booming upward trajectory since 2020. All of these trends are sure to have a lasting impact on the earning potential of Gen Z. The new FICO report shows that over a quarter of Gen Z consumers with a credit history opened at least one credit card over the last year, the highest rate of any age group, though borrowers between the ages of 30 and 59 weren’t far behind. Members of Gen Z also saw the biggest credit score decrease on FICO’s last big report, dropping three points in 2025 – the largest drop for any age group since 2020. That decline was spurred by resumed student loan delinquency reporting: While only 17% of the broader U.S. population is still paying down a student loan, more than twice as many members of Gen Z carry student loans. “While the average FICO Score remains near historical highs at 714, lower scoring consumers have shown they are more likely to be impacted by higher interest rates, higher prices caused by inflation, and affordability challenges,” the FICO report states, noting the rise in borrowers with high credit scores. “While uncertainty persists for some segments, the economy could benefit others.” View the full article

Reddit is doubling down on commerce, rolling out a suite of new shopping features designed to help retailers capitalise on the platform’s growing role in the purchase journey. Why now. Reddit’s shopping momentum is hard to ignore — the platform has seen a 40% year-over-year increase in shopping conversations, and, according to Reddit, 84% of shoppers say they feel more confident in purchases after researching products on Reddit. Despite this, Fospha’s State of Retail Commerce 2026 study identifies Reddit as the most undervalued channel in the media mix. What’s new. Collection Ads — a new Dynamic Product Ad format that pairs a lifestyle hero image with shoppable product tiles in a single carousel, bridging discovery and purchase. Early adopters following best practices are seeing an 8% ROAS lift. Community and Deal overlays — Reddit-native labels like “Redditors’ Top Pick” and automatic discount callouts that surface social proof and pricing signals without extra work from advertisers. Shopify integration — now in alpha, the integration simplifies catalog and pixel setup for new DPA advertisers, automatically matching products to the right users and context. The numbers. Reddit DPA delivered an average 91% higher ROAS year-over-year in Q4 2025. Liquid I.V. reported that DPA already accounts for 33% of its total platform revenue and outperforms its other conversion campaigns by 40%. Why we care. The new tools, particularly the Shopify integration, significantly lower the barrier to getting started with Dynamic Product Ads on the platform. And with Reddit still identified as an undervalued channel in the media mix, there’s a real opportunity to get in before competition and costs rise. The bottom line. Reddit is becoming more and more a serious performance channel for ecommerce, and these new tools make it significantly easier to get started. For retailers not yet running DPA on Reddit, the combination of undervalued inventory and improving ad formats makes this a good time to test. View the full article