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Netflix's March slate kicks off with the live stream of the 32nd annual Actors Awards hosted by Kristen Bell—red carpet coverage begins at 7 pm ET on March 1 followed by the show at 9 pm. Netflix will also be hosting a live performance from BTS as part of their comeback tour (March 21 at 7 am ET) as well as the MLB Opening Night matchup between the Yankees and the Giants (March 25 at 7 pm ET). Cillian Murphy reprises his role as British gangster Tommy Shelby in a new feature-length film. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (March 20) is set a few years after the series finale and sees Shelby return to Birmingham when his estranged son (played by Barry Keoghan) gets involved in a Nazi plot. Netflix will also get all four seasons of The Man in the High Castle (March 11), the dystopian drama series—originally created for Amazon Prime Video—set in a parallel universe in which the Axis powers won World War II. The Dinosaurs (March 6) is a new docu-series from the team behind Our Planet that explores the rise and fall of the dinosaurs over the span of 150 million years. The series is executive produced by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman. Finally, Love Is Blind: The Reunion from season 10 will premiere on March 11 at 9 pm ET. Here's everything else coming to Netflix in March, and everything that's leaving. What's coming to Netflix in March 2026Available March 1The Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA—Netflix Live Event Casino Chef Deepwater Horizon Desperado Fifty Shades Darker Fifty Shades Freed Fifty Shades of Grey The Green Knight Goosebumps Jurassic World Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Legion The Lego Movie Matilda Misery Ray Sicario Stephen King's Sleepwalkers The Swan Princess Trolls Zombieland Available March 2Gabby's Dollhouse: Season 13—Netflix Family Hotel Mumbai Jurassic World: Dominion Available March 3The Bling Ring Bruce Bruce: I Ain’t Playin’—Netflix Comedy Special Available March 4Blue Therapy—Netflix Series Street Flow 3—Netflix Film Available March 5A Friend, a Murderer—Netflix Documentary Ginger & Rosa Vladimir—Netflix Series Available March 6A Man Called Ove Boyfriend on Demand—Netflix Series The Dinosaurs—Netflix Documentary Hello Bachchon—Netflix Series Still Shining—Netflix Series Strangers in the Park—Netflix Film The TikTok Killer—Netflix Documentary War Machine—Netflix Film Available March 7BEASTARS FINAL SEASON Part2—Netflix Series Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Nuremberg Available March 9Clifford the Big Red Dog Sesame Street: Volume 2—Netflix Family Available March 10Derrick Stroup: Nostalgic—Netflix Comedy Special Jobs ONE PIECE: Season 2—Netflix Series Available March 11Age of Attraction—Netflix Series Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere—Netflix Documentary Love Is Blind: The Reunion—Netflix Series The Man in the High Castle: Seasons 1-4 Available March 12Love is Blind: Sweden: Season 3—Netflix Series Made in Korea—Netflix Film Virgin River: Season 7—Netflix Series Available March 13Fatal Seduction: Season 3—Netflix Series That Night—Netflix Series Available March 14Nobody 2 Available March 16The Plastic Detox—Netflix Documentary Available March 17Mark Normand: None Too Pleased—Netflix Comedy Special The Ricky Gervais Show: Seasons 1-3 Available March 18Eva Lasting: Season 4—Netflix Series Radioactive Emergency—Netflix Series Season 2: Furies: Resistance—Netflix Series Available March 19Jigsaw Saw Saw II Saw III Saw IV Saw V Saw VI Saw X Saw: The Final Chapter STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure—Netflix Series Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black Season 2 Part 2—Netflix Series Unicorn Academy: Secrets Revealed: Chapter 1—Netflix Family Available March 20Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man—Netflix Film Pokémon Horizons: Season 3—Rising Hope Part 2—Netflix Family The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel—Netflix Documentary Available March 21The Bad Guys 2 BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG—Netflix Live Event Available March 23Anatomy of a Fall Inside: Season 3—Netflix Series Minions: The Rise of Gru Available March 24Jeff Ross: Take a Banana for the Ride—Netflix Comedy Special Ready or Not: Texas—Netflix Series Available March 25Heartbreak High: Season 3—Netflix Series Homicide: New York: Season 2—Netflix Documentary MLB Opening Night: Yankees vs. Giants—Netflix Live Event Available March 26Caterpillar The Conners: Season 7 Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole—Netflix Series Mike & Molly: Seasons 1- 6 The Prosecutor—Netflix Documentary The Red Line—Netflix Film Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen—Netflix Series Available March 2753 Sundays—Netflix Film BTS: THE RETURN—Netflix Documentary The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties: Season 6—Netflix Series Available March 28Anemone Available March 31Aaron Chen: Funny Garden—Netflix Comedy Special Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom—Netflix Documentary What's leaving Netflix in March 2026Leaving March 1A League of Their Own Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls The Amazing Spider-Man The Amazing Spider-Man 2 As Good as It Gets Bad Teacher Battlefield Earth Boyz n the Hood Bram Stoker's Dracula Braveheart Brightburn Dante's Peak Franklin & Bash: Seasons 1-4 Godzilla I Know What You Did Last Summer Little Women Pulp Fiction Stripes This Is 40 The Ugly Truth The Wedding Ringer The Wolf of Wall Street Leaving March 2The Hughleys: Seasons 1-4 Leaving March 5Forrest Gump Leaving March 6Power Rangers Leaving March 11Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Leaving March 12House of Gucci The Hustle Leaving March 13The Talented Mr. Ripley Leaving March 14Miracle in Cell No. 7 Leaving March 16Titanic Leaving March 20Four Brothers Leaving March 25Wrath of Man Leaving March 31The Hurt Locker View the full article

Ten action steps to take NOW, not someday. By Jackie Meyer The Balanced Millionaire: Advisor Edition Go PRO for members-only access to more Jackie Meyer. View the full article

Ten action steps to take NOW, not someday. By Jackie Meyer The Balanced Millionaire: Advisor Edition Go PRO for members-only access to more Jackie Meyer. View the full article

The years didn’t add up. By Ed Mendlowitz Call Me Before You Do Anything: The Art of Accounting Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

I’m an artist, so I can say this: Us artists, we can be super weird sometimes. And when we’re around gallerists, we get even weirder. When I was Fine Art Chairperson of ASMP NY, I produced our annual Portfolio Review. My job was to find gallery owners to volunteer their time reviewing photographers’ portfolios. One afternoon I was sitting at a downtown gallery, chatting with the owner for what could not have been more than twenty minutes. In that time, seven different artists barged in trying to show her their work—one even pulled a painting out from under his arm. She replied as kindly as possible: “Sir, this is a photography gallery.” His answer: “Okay, I’ll email you.” Her response: “No. Don’t email me. Please, just… thank you, have a nice day.” I asked her, “How often does this happen?” She sighed: “Every day, all day. Why do you think we hide in the back?” Is this really how we occur to galleries? Relentless, slightly desperate, and unaware of what they actually need. It got me thinking: how do we stop being that guy and become the artist a gallery actually wants to work with? Think Like a GalleristAs artists we obsess: Is my work good enough? Is this framed right? Will they like me? But when you talk to gallerists, you realize they’re obsessing about something else: money. Can you blame them? Imagine renting a storefront in Chelsea, hiring staff, paying utilities, advertising, painting, installing, and covering personal expenses. You’re staring down $20–30K a month in costs before a single piece of art sells. With a 50% commission model, a gallery has to move $40–60K of art every month just to survive. So when you ask, “Why is it so hard to get a solo show in New York?” The answer isn’t mysterious—it’s math. If you’re already selling $60K a month, you’re in. If not, you need to prove you can “move units”, and that means building an exhibition and sales history. Which leads us to… The Artist’s Catch-22Galleries want artists who are going to sell work. To prove that, you have to have an exhibition and sales history. But to get that you need a gallery. It’s a Catch-22, right? Well, not necessarily. Yes, it is a closed loop. And yes, it's not easy to break into it, but there is a way. And this is part of your job as an emerging artist. In addition to making great art, it's to build momentum and connections with the right people —people who want to champion you. And this is a long game. Let's talk about where to begin. Here’s where I detour into two silly but useful analogies. Relationships, Not One-Night StandsWorking with a gallery is like a marriage. You’re contractually bound, you see each other constantly, and ideally you grow together for years. So when you’re looking for a gallery, you’re not looking for a one-night stand. You’re looking for love. And like dating, finding a gallery can be awkward, emotional, and full of false starts. And if you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll never meet anyone. So how do you meet someone and fall in love? The Meet Cute A “Meet Cute” is that perfect, quirky first encounter between our two main characters that sets them off on their rom-com adventure. And yes, this does happen in real life. Don’t laugh! I pride myself on meeting both my wife, and my first gallery in two separate and unrelated meet cutes. You can’t engineer a meet cute, it would be weird and slightly unethical. But what you can do is make sure you are in the right place, at the right time, with the right people so that it can happen. Step 1: Identify Your Entry Point Start by organizing your understanding of the marketplace. It’s helpful to think of the art world having these four categories: Artist-run galleries: These are often cool, and great if you’re already part of the community. If you are not, don’t spend time trying to break in unless you genuinely want to connect with that specific group of artists, and be a part of their crew. Blue chip galleries: The big names (think Gagosian, Mary Boone) are not entry points for new artists. Don’t waste time here; when you’re ready, they’ll come to you.Low-to-mid tier galleries: Your best bet. Especially the scrappy, lower-end ones. Honorable Mention** Non Traditional Spaces: Also consider coffee shops, bookstores, salons, etc. These venues offer valuable exposure and a chance to build your exhibition history.—better your work be on a wall than under your bed.Step 2: Research and Organize Start with a list of gallery openings. This will give you specific events to target, and shows you active galleries that are actively showing work right now. Use resources like artcards.cc to find ALL of the weekly gallery openings in your city. Second: you need to narrow that list down to only the galleries that might want to see YOU. Only focus on identifying low to mid-tier galleries. Our instinct is often to try and “shoot for the stars and hit the moon,” however this does not apply when you are trying to infiltrate a closed loop system. The only way to do that is by targeting the “weak points” in that closed system. Which is not to say these galleries are “weak.” These galleries are an extraordinary opportunity for you to show and sell your work. And once you show and sell there, the larger operations can take notice. Look for: Recent year of establishment, younger owners, short exhibition history, or any other “questionable” aspects. Third: Find out where your work MIGHT fit in. Pull up your personal website and pull up a gallery's website on the same screen. Look at them and ask “Does my artwork look like it fits in with this artwork?Step 3: Go in Person You must go in person. Art (and love) happens in real life! Once you’ve identified promising galleries, attend their openings. This is crucial. This is the opportunity for you to: See the gallery, see the work, and see what kind of “vibe” the place has. Is it what you thought when you saw it online? Remember a gallery relationship is like a marriage, we spend a lot of time thinking about “will they like me?” But what if you don’t like them? You certainly don't want to get married! The best time to find out what a gallery and its community is like, is during their opening. TIP: Bring friends, make it a social event, maybe make it a date! Make it fun— this is your life, you are an artist, grab some artists friends and make a night out of it. Step 4: When You Find Your People When you walk into a gallery and you feel at home, you will know it immediately. Subscribe to their newsletter, attend all their events. Galleries are community hubs, and being present is the best way to become part of the inner circle. NOTE: all of the hard work is in qualifying the galleries. There are thousands of galleries, almost none of them are right for you. But when you do the work to qualify the galleries before you go based on the tier of gallery they are, and how the work looks, I promise you you will walk in and you will quickly find your people. Step 5: The Meet Cute Don’t force introductions or bring your portfolio to openings. Instead, be open, available, and authentic. If you are open and available, your “meet cute” will naturally happen. It might be with a gallery owner or curator, or even one of the artists represented by the gallery. If you stay open and available, good things will come your way. Turning Connections Into Long Term RelationshipsOnce you meet some folks, and you are invited into the gallery community, these are the next steps to find success. Step 6: Get Into Group Shows Once you’re part of a gallery’s community, you’ll hear about these and meet people and get opportunities to be a part of group shows. These are your auditions—your chance to show your work, demonstrate professionalism, and even sell your work. If you do well at a group show, the gallery will want to go further with you. Step 7: Sell Your Work Group shows are tests for both your art and your ability to engage an audience. Bring supportive friends, encourage sales, and make your work accessible. Selling work at a group show is the next major step toward a three-person show or solo exhibitions and deeper gallery relationships. Final ThoughtsAt the end of the day, breaking into the gallery world takes more than just producing great work. You’ve gotta be out in the world. It takes persistence, strategy, and a little magic. You can’t control when those magic moments will happen, but you can put yourself in the right place, at the right time, with the right people and when you do, just watch how much magic happens! View the full article

I’m an artist, so I can say this: Us artists, we can be super weird sometimes. And when we’re around gallerists, we get even weirder. When I was Fine Art Chairperson of ASMP NY, I produced our annual Portfolio Review. My job was to find gallery owners to volunteer their time reviewing photographers’ portfolios. One afternoon I was sitting at a downtown gallery, chatting with the owner for what could not have been more than twenty minutes. In that time, seven different artists barged in trying to show her their work—one even pulled a painting out from under his arm. She replied as kindly as possible: “Sir, this is a photography gallery.” His answer: “Okay, I’ll email you.” Her response: “No. Don’t email me. Please, just… thank you, have a nice day.” I asked her, “How often does this happen?” She sighed: “Every day, all day. Why do you think we hide in the back?” Is this really how we occur to galleries? Relentless, slightly desperate, and unaware of what they actually need. It got me thinking: how do we stop being that guy and become the artist a gallery actually wants to work with? Think Like a GalleristAs artists we obsess: Is my work good enough? Is this framed right? Will they like me? But when you talk to gallerists, you realize they’re obsessing about something else: money. Can you blame them? Imagine renting a storefront in Chelsea, hiring staff, paying utilities, advertising, painting, installing, and covering personal expenses. You’re staring down $20–30K a month in costs before a single piece of art sells. With a 50% commission model, a gallery has to move $40–60K of art every month just to survive. So when you ask, “Why is it so hard to get a solo show in New York?” The answer isn’t mysterious—it’s math. If you’re already selling $60K a month, you’re in. If not, you need to prove you can “move units”, and that means building an exhibition and sales history. Which leads us to… The Artist’s Catch-22Galleries want artists who are going to sell work. To prove that, you have to have an exhibition and sales history. But to get that you need a gallery. It’s a Catch-22, right? Well, not necessarily. Yes, it is a closed loop. And yes, it's not easy to break into it, but there is a way. And this is part of your job as an emerging artist. In addition to making great art, it's to build momentum and connections with the right people —people who want to champion you. And this is a long game. Let's talk about where to begin. Here’s where I detour into two silly but useful analogies. Relationships, Not One-Night StandsWorking with a gallery is like a marriage. You’re contractually bound, you see each other constantly, and ideally you grow together for years. So when you’re looking for a gallery, you’re not looking for a one-night stand. You’re looking for love. And like dating, finding a gallery can be awkward, emotional, and full of false starts. And if you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll never meet anyone. So how do you meet someone and fall in love? The Meet Cute A “Meet Cute” is that perfect, quirky first encounter between our two main characters that sets them off on their rom-com adventure. And yes, this does happen in real life. Don’t laugh! I pride myself on meeting both my wife, and my first gallery in two separate and unrelated meet cutes. You can’t engineer a meet cute, it would be weird and slightly unethical. But what you can do is make sure you are in the right place, at the right time, with the right people so that it can happen. Step 1: Identify Your Entry Point Start by organizing your understanding of the marketplace. It’s helpful to think of the art world having these four categories: Artist-run galleries: These are often cool, and great if you’re already part of the community. If you are not, don’t spend time trying to break in unless you genuinely want to connect with that specific group of artists, and be a part of their crew. Blue chip galleries: The big names (think Gagosian, Mary Boone) are not entry points for new artists. Don’t waste time here; when you’re ready, they’ll come to you.Low-to-mid tier galleries: Your best bet. Especially the scrappy, lower-end ones. Honorable Mention** Non Traditional Spaces: Also consider coffee shops, bookstores, salons, etc. These venues offer valuable exposure and a chance to build your exhibition history.—better your work be on a wall than under your bed.Step 2: Research and Organize Start with a list of gallery openings. This will give you specific events to target, and shows you active galleries that are actively showing work right now. Use resources like artcards.cc to find ALL of the weekly gallery openings in your city. Second: you need to narrow that list down to only the galleries that might want to see YOU. Only focus on identifying low to mid-tier galleries. Our instinct is often to try and “shoot for the stars and hit the moon,” however this does not apply when you are trying to infiltrate a closed loop system. The only way to do that is by targeting the “weak points” in that closed system. Which is not to say these galleries are “weak.” These galleries are an extraordinary opportunity for you to show and sell your work. And once you show and sell there, the larger operations can take notice. Look for: Recent year of establishment, younger owners, short exhibition history, or any other “questionable” aspects. Third: Find out where your work MIGHT fit in. Pull up your personal website and pull up a gallery's website on the same screen. Look at them and ask “Does my artwork look like it fits in with this artwork?Step 3: Go in Person You must go in person. Art (and love) happens in real life! Once you’ve identified promising galleries, attend their openings. This is crucial. This is the opportunity for you to: See the gallery, see the work, and see what kind of “vibe” the place has. Is it what you thought when you saw it online? Remember a gallery relationship is like a marriage, we spend a lot of time thinking about “will they like me?” But what if you don’t like them? You certainly don't want to get married! The best time to find out what a gallery and its community is like, is during their opening. TIP: Bring friends, make it a social event, maybe make it a date! Make it fun— this is your life, you are an artist, grab some artists friends and make a night out of it. Step 4: When You Find Your People When you walk into a gallery and you feel at home, you will know it immediately. Subscribe to their newsletter, attend all their events. Galleries are community hubs, and being present is the best way to become part of the inner circle. NOTE: all of the hard work is in qualifying the galleries. There are thousands of galleries, almost none of them are right for you. But when you do the work to qualify the galleries before you go based on the tier of gallery they are, and how the work looks, I promise you you will walk in and you will quickly find your people. Step 5: The Meet Cute Don’t force introductions or bring your portfolio to openings. Instead, be open, available, and authentic. If you are open and available, your “meet cute” will naturally happen. It might be with a gallery owner or curator, or even one of the artists represented by the gallery. If you stay open and available, good things will come your way. Turning Connections Into Long Term RelationshipsOnce you meet some folks, and you are invited into the gallery community, these are the next steps to find success. Step 6: Get Into Group Shows Once you’re part of a gallery’s community, you’ll hear about these and meet people and get opportunities to be a part of group shows. These are your auditions—your chance to show your work, demonstrate professionalism, and even sell your work. If you do well at a group show, the gallery will want to go further with you. Step 7: Sell Your Work Group shows are tests for both your art and your ability to engage an audience. Bring supportive friends, encourage sales, and make your work accessible. Selling work at a group show is the next major step toward a three-person show or solo exhibitions and deeper gallery relationships. Final ThoughtsAt the end of the day, breaking into the gallery world takes more than just producing great work. You’ve gotta be out in the world. It takes persistence, strategy, and a little magic. You can’t control when those magic moments will happen, but you can put yourself in the right place, at the right time, with the right people and when you do, just watch how much magic happens! View the full article

The home of the “Mona Lisa” is getting a new boss. Art historian Christophe Leribault, a veteran museum director, is taking over at the Louvre, shouldering the challenge of getting the world’s largest museum out of crisis after the brazen heist in October of the French crown jewels. French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon announced Wednesday that Leribault is taking over from outgoing Louvre director Laurence des Cars, who resigned Tuesday. The difficulties he inherits are formidable. The daylight robbery — among the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory — exposed alarming security holes at the Paris landmark. The former royal palace has also suffered a broad array of other problems that have presented a picture of a treasured national institution spiraling out of control. They include a burst pipe near the “Mona Lisa,” water leaks that damaged priceless books, aging buildings, staff walkouts over overcrowding, understaffing and ticket price hikes for most non-European visitors. Pressure for new leadership deepened in recent weeks when authorities revealed a suspected decade-long ticket fraud operation linked to the museum that investigators say may have cost the Louvre 10 million euros ($11.8 million). Leribault brings a proven track record. He has been running another world-renowned French landmark and tourist attraction, the Versailles Palace, overseeing an annual budget of about 170 million euros ($200 million). The former palace for French royalty west of Paris was the venue for Olympic equestrian sports when Paris hosted the summer games in 2024. Leribault also is a previous head of Paris’ Orsay Museum. “He will be tasked with leading important projects that are crucial for the institution’s future,” Bregeon said as she announced Leribault’s appointment at the Louvre. They include security and modernization upgrades and the pursuit of a sweeping overhaul plan, branded “Louvre New Renaissance,” that President Emmanuel Macron is championing. Unveiled by Macron in January 2025, the renovation, which could take up to a decade, aims to modernize a museum widely seen as overstretched and physically worn down by mass tourism. The plan includes a new entrance near the Seine River to ease pressure on I.M. Pei’s pyramid, new underground spaces and a dedicated room for the “Mona Lisa” with timed access — all intended to improve crowd flow and reduce the daily crush of visitors that has become a symbol of the Louvre’s success and its dysfunction. The project is expected to cost about 1.15 billion euros ($1.35 billion) according to a recent report from France’s court of auditors. It will be partly funded by ticket revenue, state support, donations and income from the Louvre branch in Abu Dhabi. Bregeon described Leribault as “very solid, trusted” and said he’s expected to provide “vision” and “calm” to the museum. In a statement, the Culture Ministry highlighted “his extensive experience at the helm of major institutions” and said Leribault will prioritize strengthening the security and safety of the Louvre’s buildings, its collections and visitors and staff, and “restoring a climate of trust.” —Sylvie Corbet and John Leicester, Associated Press View the full article

If you’re looking to start your business, securing the right personal loan can make a significant difference. Various lenders like Prosper, Upstart, Rocket Loans, and LendingClub offer flexible options customized to different credit profiles. With loan amounts ranging from $1,000 to $75,000, these choices can meet your urgent financial needs effectively. Comprehending how each option works will help you make informed decisions, especially when considering the best fit for your venture’s requirements. Key Takeaways Personal loans offer amounts from $1,000 to $75,000, ideal for starting small businesses with flexible funding needs. Prosper and Upstart provide options for borrowers with varying credit scores, ensuring accessibility for new entrepreneurs. Rocket Loans and LendingClub offer quick funding, often within one business day, to meet urgent startup expenses. Pre-qualification allows comparison of rates without impacting credit scores, helping borrowers find the best loan options. 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Typically, you can borrow between $1,000 and $75,000, which is sufficient for covering startup costs or small expenses. The repayment terms usually range from 2 to 7 years, allowing for manageable payments as your business grows. Unlike traditional business loans, personal loans don’t require a detailed business plan or extensive operational history, making them accessible for new entrepreneurs like you. This means you can secure funding quickly, often within a week or even the next day, to help you launch your venture without delay. Quick Funding Needs Starting a business often comes with unexpected expenses, and having access to quick funding can make all the difference in your ability to seize opportunities. Personal loans are ideal for startups needing immediate financial support, often providing funds within a week or even the next day. You can borrow between $1,000 and $75,000, which is perfect for urgent needs like equipment purchases or marketing campaigns. The pre-qualification process allows you to compare options without affecting your credit score, helping you make informed decisions. With repayment terms ranging from 2 to 7 years, personal loans offer flexibility that aligns with your cash flow. Although they may lack tax-deductible interest benefits, their lower rates compared to credit cards make them a cost-effective choice for urgent financing. Small Loan Amounts Many entrepreneurs find that personal loans are a practical solution when they need small loan amounts for their business. These loans typically range from $1,000 to $50,000, making them accessible for those who mightn’t qualify for traditional business loans. If you face urgent operational needs or startup expenses, personal loans can provide fast funding, often within a week or even the next day. They’re also beneficial for borrowers with limited business history since approvals hinge on personal credit scores and income. Furthermore, these loans offer flexibility in fund usage, covering expenses like equipment, inventory, and marketing. Just remember to reflect on repayment terms, which usually span two to seven years, to guarantee they fit your financial strategy. Alternatives to Personal Loans for Startup Financing Exploring alternatives to personal loans for startup financing can greatly improve your chances of securing the necessary funds for your business. Small-business loans are ideal for established companies, offering larger amounts and better interest rates. If you need flexibility, consider business credit cards, which provide a revolving line of credit for short-term expenses, though they may require a personal guarantee. Equipment financing is another option, particularly for purchasing necessary equipment, often with less documentation and reduced lender risk because of collateral. Grants from government or private organizations can likewise be beneficial; these funds don’t require repayment but come with competition and strict requirements. Finally, a business line of credit allows you to access funds like a credit card, letting you draw on available credit as needed and only pay interest on the amount you utilize. Each alternative has unique benefits, so evaluate which suits your needs best. Frequently Asked Questions Can I Get a Personal Loan to Start My Business? Yes, you can get a personal loan to start your business. These loans typically range from $1,000 to $75,000, offering flexibility for initial expenses like inventory and marketing. The qualification often depends on your credit score and income, which may make it easier to obtain than a business loan. Nevertheless, be aware that missed repayments can impact your credit score and assets, so consider the risks before proceeding. Can I Borrow Money to Start a New Business? Yes, you can borrow money to start a new business through personal loans. These loans typically range from $1,000 to $75,000, depending on your creditworthiness and the lender’s criteria. The terms usually span 2 to 7 years, with fixed interest rates for predictable payments. Although personal loans offer quick funding, keep in mind that interest may not be tax-deductible like traditional business loans, so it’s essential to evaluate your options thoroughly before proceeding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGq_krxCTfE What Credit Score Does an LLC Start Out With? An LLC doesn’t start with a credit score; it must build one over time through financial activities. Initially, your personal credit score may impact the LLC’s financing options. To establish a business credit profile, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a business bank account, separating personal from business finances. Focus on timely payments, keep credit utilization low, and manage obligations wisely to build a strong credit score for your LLC. Can an LLC Get a Loan With No Credit? Yes, an LLC can get a loan with no credit, but it’s often challenging. Lenders typically require personal guarantees from owners, which means your personal credit could still affect the loan. Some lenders offer loans customized for microloans. You might likewise explore secured loans that use collateral to reduce risk. Conclusion In summary, personal loans can be a valuable resource for starting your business, offering flexible options to suit various credit profiles. By exploring lenders like Prosper, Upstart, Rocket Loans, and LendingClub, you can find a loan that aligns with your financial needs. Remember to compare rates through pre-qualification, ensuring you make an informed choice. Moreover, consider alternatives if personal loans don’t meet your requirements. Evaluating all your options is vital for achieving financial success in your new venture. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "7 Best Personal Loans to Start Your Business Today" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In the fast-paced world of content creation, speed and efficiency are paramount for small business owners and independent creators. Adobe has stepped up to the plate with its newly enhanced AI video editing tool, Firefly, which promises to transform how creators bring their ideas to life. Brandon Baum, a popular YouTuber, shared his enthusiasm for Firefly, stating, “I use Adobe Firefly as a thought starter. I like to generate a few things, iterate on my ideas quickly, try, try, try, fail fast, and hopefully find the gold.” This sentiment resonates with many creators who often struggle with the daunting task of starting from scratch. Firefly serves as an all-in-one creative AI studio, integrating advanced AI models from leading tech companies like Adobe, Google, OpenAI, and Runway. This integration allows users to seamlessly transition from conception to final product without switching between different applications. The intuitive, multi-track video editor enables users to create a timeline swiftly, ensuring they can begin crafting their narratives without delay. For small business owners, the implications of Firefly are significant. The tool is designed for rapid iteration, allowing creators to fill their timelines quickly, refine their ideas, and produce high-quality content that resonates with their target audience. Sophia Kianni, a podcaster and entrepreneur, emphasized the tool’s versatility: “My podcast doesn’t just need audio; it needs thumbnails and b-roll. My nonprofit needs tons of images. My startup needs marketing assets. Firefly helps with all of it and more, supercharging my team to work faster and get even more creative.” A standout feature of the latest update is Quick Cut, which enables creators to upload their own footage or generate new content and instantly transform it into a structured first cut. This eliminates the frustration of staring at an empty timeline and instead promotes productivity. Quick Cut allows users to focus on storytelling and strategy, significantly reducing the time spent on the editing process. Small business owners can leverage Quick Cut in various ways: Product reviewers can streamline the editing of long unboxing videos. Reporters can quickly identify key moments within their interviews. Podcasters can efficiently sift through lengthy discussions to extract highlights. Marketers can organize event recaps into coherent narratives. This tool is particularly beneficial for those looking to enhance their content without a steep learning curve. Users simply upload their footage and describe the desired video type—be it an interview, product demo, or travel vlog—and Firefly assembles a narrative-first draft based on that input. Additional customization options, such as aspect ratio selection and pacing preferences, further enhance the user experience. While the advantages of Firefly are clear, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. The reliance on AI for content creation may raise concerns about maintaining authenticity and originality in their work. Additionally, creators must ensure that the AI-generated content aligns with their brand voice and message. As with any tool, there is a learning curve, and users will need to invest some time in mastering Firefly’s features to fully harness its potential. The current offer from Adobe includes unlimited image and video generations up to 2K resolution for users who sign up before March 16. This promotion applies to various subscription plans, making it an opportune time for small business owners to explore the benefits of Firefly without a hefty upfront investment. With tools like Firefly, small business owners can not only keep pace with the demands of content creation but also elevate their storytelling and marketing efforts. The freedom to experiment with infinite ideas and styles, combined with the practicality of Quick Cut, positions Firefly as a valuable asset in the toolkit of any modern creator. As the landscape of digital content continues to evolve, embracing such innovative solutions could be key to standing out in a crowded marketplace. This article, "Adobe Firefly Launches Quick Cut to Transform Video Editing Workflow" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The crypto market got some good news on Wednesday morning, as Circle reported better-than-expected earnings numbers, sending its stock soaring. Circle, a fintech company that issues and regulates stablecoins among other things, reported fourth-quarter and full fiscal year 2025 earnings early Wednesday, which showed that total revenue grew 77% to $770 million during the fourth quarter, and net income for the quarter increased by $129 million. Adjusted EBITDA also grew 412% during the quarter. For the full year, total revenue grew 64% to $2.7 billion. In response, Circle shares took off, skyrocketing more than 15% during pre-trading. By midday Wednesday, the stock was up over 25%. Notably, the stock is down roughly 14% over the past month, and down 51% over the past six months. So, the positive earnings news offered investors some relief. “The fourth quarter marked another step forward in Circle’s mission to build the infrastructure for an open, programmable internet financial system,” said Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder, CEO and Chairman at Circle, in a statement included with the earnings release. “USDC adoption continued to expand globally as more enterprises, developers, and public institutions integrated digital dollars into real-world payments, treasury, and onchain financial workflows. We saw strong engagement across our platform, meaningful progress toward launching Arc mainnet, continued growth in CPN TPV, and growing momentum for EURC and USYC. With increasing collaboration across traditional finance, fintech, and the public sector, Circle is helping build the infrastructure for a more open and resilient global financial system.” The earnings report is also a good signal for the crypto market, which has taken a beating this year. The Nasdaq CME Crypto Index was up nearly 7% midday Wednesday, but remains down almost 30% since the beginning of the year. Another crypto index, the CoinDesk 20, was likewise up over 8%, but down 32% year-to-date. Overall, the crypto market has taken its licks in recent months for several reasons, including de-risking activity by investors, geopolitical concerns, and even changes in the SaaS market, all of which have crypto holders rethinking their positions. However, Circle’s numbers do indicate that the stablecoin business—which differs a bit from other crypto businesses in that stablecoins are backed by fiat—can be profitable. View the full article

The bank announced Tuesday its Blueprint for Housing Opportunity plan, a five-year commitment dedicated to increasing the supply of housing. View the full article

LLMs and their influence on traffic to a brand’s website are a major topic in our client conversations. Everyone wants to know what’s happening, how they can do better, and what the best practices are. My recommendation to brands right now is to start with the data and focus on what they can know for sure. To glean insights into how LLM traffic is influencing key metrics, we analyzed our dataset of LLM prompt referral traffic in Google Analytics across our customer base over the last 13 months (Jan. 1, 2025 to Feb. 7, 2026). We focused on traffic from various LLM models to brand sites and the conversion events closest to true business outcomes. In some cases, that’s a purchase. In others, it’s a generated lead. When we look at this dataset, four major findings rise to the surface: LLM referral traffic is still small. LLM traffic is growing fast. The sources referenced in responses are shifting. LLMs convert at a very high rate compared to other channels LLM referral traffic is still small LLM referral traffic accounts for less than 2% of total referral traffic on average, according to our dataset. In other words, fewer than 2 out of 100 visitors to a site come from an LLM referring source. The range is 0.15%-1.5% of referral traffic coming from various LLMs, including ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude. So while this is a major topic of conversation, it isn’t the highest priority for near-term bottom-line impact for many businesses. Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with LLM traffic is growing fast LLMs, as a referral source, are growing quickly, according to our data. Comparing the first half of 2025 with the second half, we saw an average growth rate of 80% in LLM referral traffic. There was a wide range across the dataset. Some companies saw just 10% growth, while others experienced 300% increases. Below is the aggregate referral traffic by month in 2025. It shows a steady month-by-month increase, building to 3x referral traffic growth from January to December. That means it’s not enough to understand your volume of LLM traffic. You also need to monitor the velocity of that growth. LLMs are expanding as consumer adoption grows, and prompt algorithms keep changing. Between those two variables, you can see dramatic swings that you need to monitor. Dig deeper: LLM optimization in 2026: Tracking, visibility, and what’s next for AI discovery Sources referenced in responses are shifting The sources cited in LLM responses are changing quickly. Here’s a look at our dataset since September of last year. The data comes from monitoring more than 5,000 prompts and their responses across various LLM APIs, including Gemini, ChatGPT, and Perplexity. YouTube links and citations have increased over the last 30 days. Reddit saw similar growth, though that traffic recently leveled off. These shifts in citations and links will affect the traffic that eventually reaches your site, and they may also influence your ad and content strategies. If you don’t monitor this data, you won’t see these changes. LLMs don’t provide this information directly — you can only access it through a third-party tool. LLMs convert at a very high rate compared to other channels This is likely the most interesting and important finding. When you compare conversion rates alongside the total percentage of traffic, the contrast becomes clear. LLM referrals are the highest-converting traffic source across our customer base, with an approximate 18% conversion rate. That’s higher than any other tactic, including paid shopping, SEO, and PPC. However, they account for the lowest percentage of total traffic to a brand’s website, about 25 times less than SEO or direct. Dig deeper: How to better measure LLM visibility and its impact Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. What brands should do next Based on these findings, you should take the following actions to prepare for the evolving LLM landscape. 1. Establish dedicated monitoring While LLM traffic volume is still low, its growth rate and volatility, including shifts between sources like YouTube and Reddit, make monitoring essential. Track velocity: Don’t just look at volume. Monitor the rate of growth in LLM referrals to understand when this channel crosses a meaningful threshold for your business. Monitor citation sources: Use available third-party tools to understand which LLMs and which types of platforms, including forums, videos, and news, are driving the most citations and subsequent traffic. 2. Capitalize on high-value traffic An 18% conversion rate suggests LLM-referred users are highly qualified. They often arrive with clear intent or after their query has already been answered or validated by the LLM. Analyze high-converting journeys: Review the user journey for LLM referrals. What content are they landing on? What queries are being answered that lead to conversion? Optimize for intent: Focus content and landing page optimization on the high-intent needs reflected in the LLM’s citation context. Treat this traffic as a premium audience. 3. Plan for future growth Given rapid LLM adoption, today’s low traffic volume won’t last. Develop a content strategy for AI: Build a strategy that anticipates how LLMs summarize, cite, and reference your material. This isn’t traditional SEO. It’s about being the authoritative source LLMs choose to link to. Allocate budget: While this may not drive immediate bottom-line impact, dedicate a small budget to tools and resources focused on understanding and optimizing the LLM referral channel. This space is evolving fast. Hopefully, this dataset shows how things are progressing and motivates action within your organization. This is a time of change. If you innovate, stay focused, and use data, you have a clear opportunity to outperform your competition. Dig deeper: LLM consistency and recommendation share: The new SEO KPI See the complete picture of your search visibility. Track, optimize, and win in Google and AI search from one platform. Start Free Trial Get started with From emerging channel to strategic signal LLM referral traffic is still a small share of overall volume, but it’s growing fast, shifting where it cites, and driving strong conversions. Don’t overreact. Monitor the trend lines, understand where citations come from, and watch how this audience behaves once it lands. This space is moving fast, and if you stay close to the data, you’ll be better positioned as it evolves. View the full article

A reader writes: A new grad (“Eva”) joined our team about six months ago. She had previously interned with us and had really impressed us with her knowledge, efficiency, and proactive approach. As a seasoned member of the team, I went out of my way to be kind, helpful, and patient with Eva as she learned the ropes. She had tons of questions, which is to be expected at first. However, things started to sour when she began messaging me non-stop about things unrelated to work and excessively badmouthing another coworker, even calling him vulgar names (on the company’s internal messaging platform!). I began to feel that Eva’s messages were crossing a major line and asked her to stop with the name-calling, but she didn’t. Even after several months on the job, she was still calling me three to four times per hour with questions which she could easily look up with company-wide resources. I started lying and saying I was busy on another line, which I hoped would nudge her towards more independent problem-solving, but to no avail. I also asked my other coworkers if they were having similar experiences with Eva, but they all said she barely interacted with them except when absolutely necessary. At this point, I intentionally started to make myself less available. I would ignore most messages Eva sent me at work, as well as her frequent attempts to contact me outside of work via text. She didn’t get the hint and started trying to get my attention by telling me random work-related anecdotes that were outrageously false and completely unrelated to anything we were working on at the time. It was really confusing and just … odd. Recently we were assigned a week-long project, which required us to work in the same room with a few other coworkers instead of in our separate offices. I noticed on the first day that she kept walking behind me to look at my computer screen and read my messages. They were strictly work-related so I had nothing to hide, but it made me uncomfortable. About halfway through the week, she once again tried to strike up a conversation by making a wildly untrue assertion about our workplace closing on certain days (we’re open 24/7). I couldn’t contain my bewilderment at this point, and messaged another coworker across the room, “Why is she telling me about this?” Unbeknownst to me, Eva unfortunately saw that message. Over the next few days, she started having seemingly unprovoked violent outbursts, slamming things on her desk and yelling profanities at other coworkers and even some of our vendors. One coworker was so concerned about this work environment that he brought it to our manager’s attention. Finally, the coworker who I had messaged about Eva’s random anecdote (who I’ve been close with for many years and who had shared his own frustrations about Eva with me before) told me that Eva was telling everyone she saw the message and was calling me “two-faced.” Now she’s requesting a formal face-to-face meeting with me, moderated by our manager, to address it. What is the best way to approach this meeting with a coworker who seems to be showing obsessive tendencies towards me? Won’t it just reinforce her belief that she’s entitled to my time and attention? Given the nature of her outbursts, would it be unreasonable to tell my manager I’m concerned for my own well-being at this point? It would not be unreasonable to tell your manager that you’re concerned for your safety. Eva is displaying what sounds like obsessive behavior toward you, and it’s turning aggressively hostile now that she feels you don’t like her. Talk to your manager privately, before this meeting with Eva happens. Tell her that Eva has been calling you three to four times per hour, texting you outside of work with obviously false anecdotes, and generally paying you an uncomfortable and unwelcome amount of attention, and in the last week it’s transitioned to violence outbursts and yelling profanity. Let her know other coworkers and even your vendors have witnessed this. Tell her you don’t feel safe around Eva, definitely aren’t comfortable participating in a formal meeting with Eva to address her feelings and worry it will exacerbate things further, and in fact are asking your manager to intervene because this has gone beyond anything you can field on your own, and Eva is making everyone’s work environment feel volatile and unsafe. The post my obsessive, volatile coworker is demanding mediation with me appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Retail group pulls plug on venture due to changes in UK economic conditions and property market slowdownView the full article

Google Discover runs on a structured, multi-stage pipeline with hard publisher blocks, strict image requirements, freshness decay, and heavy experimentation shaping what users see, according to new SDK-level research by Metehan Yesilyurt. Why we care. Google Discover can drive massive traffic, but it often feels unpredictable. This research gives you a clearer view of how your content qualifies, gets ranked, or gets blocked — and where things can break before ranking even begins. The details. Yesilyurt analyzed observable signals in Google’s Discover app framework and mapped a nine-stage flow. Google: Crawls and understands your content. Reads key meta tags like your image and title. Classifies your content type (e.g., breaking news or evergreen). Checks whether you’re blocked. Matches your content to user interests. Applies a server-side click-through rate prediction model. Builds the feed layout. Delivers your content. Records user feedback. One key finding. The publisher-level block happens before interest matching and ranking. If a user blocks you, your content never reaches the ranking stage. Publisher blocking is powerful. One “Don’t show content from this site” action can suppress your entire domain. There’s no similar sitewide “boost” mechanism. The ranking model. Your title, image quality, and engagement history are part of the evaluation process. The system uses a predicted click-through rate (pCTR) model on Google’s servers to estimate how likely someone is to click. The model isn’t visible, but the app shows which signals are sent to Google before ranking decisions, including: Your page title (from og:title). Your image size and quality. How new your content is. Past click and impression data for your URL. Whether your images load successfully. Freshness matters. Google Discover groups content into time windows: 1 to 7 days old: strongest boost. 8 to 14 days: moderate visibility. 15 to 30 days: limited visibility. 30+ days: gradual decline. There’s a separate classification for strong evergreen content, but by default, newer content has an advantage. Image and meta tag requirements. Google Discover reads six key page-level tags, including og:image and og:title. No image means no card. To qualify for large, prominent cards, your images must be at least 1200px wide. Smaller images typically appear as thumbnails and often earn fewer clicks. If certain tags are missing, Google Discover looks for backups — for example, it will try the Twitter title tag or the HTML title if og:title isn’t present. Two specific meta tags — “nopagereadaloud” and “notranslate” — can stop your page from entering Google Discover entirely. Personalization layers. Google Discover personalizes content using: Google’s broader interest data tied to user behavior. Publisher signals, including Publisher Center registration. Individual actions like follows, saves, and dismissals. Engagement signals, such as time spent reading. If a user dismisses your story, the system stores that action permanently for that specific URL. It won’t resurface. Experiments everywhere. During one observed session, about 150 server-side experiments were running simultaneously. Another 50+ feature controls affected how cards were displayed. That means two similar users could see noticeably different feeds simply because they’re in different experiment groups. Real-time feed updates. Google Discover isn’t static. The system can add, remove, or reorder content while someone is browsing, without a refresh. The big takeaways. Success in Google Discover depends less on tricks and more on eligibility, trust, strong visuals, and sustained engagement — in a system that can filter you out before ranking even starts. Publisher blocks happen before ranking. Freshness is built into the system. Strong images and clear titles are essential. User dismissals are permanent. Heavy experimentation makes volatility normal. The research. Google Discover Architecture: Clusters, Classifiers, OG Tags, NAIADES – What SDK Telemetry Reveals View the full article

Franchising can be a smart choice for those looking to start a business. It offers significant advantages, such as a lower risk of failure compared to independent startups. With ongoing support from franchisors, you benefit from operational guidance and effective marketing strategies. Furthermore, established brand recognition can improve customer loyalty and drive sales. Curious about how these factors can impact your potential success? Let’s explore the seven key advantages you should know. Key Takeaways Franchises have a significantly lower failure rate (10-20%) compared to independent startups (50%) within five years. Ongoing support from franchisors includes training, marketing guidance, and operational assistance to boost franchisee success. Established brand recognition provides built-in customer loyalty, resulting in faster profitability for new franchisees. Franchisees benefit from collective buying power, leading to better pricing and cost efficiencies on supplies. Higher profit potential and easier access to financing make franchising a more attractive business model compared to independent ventures. Reduced Risk of Failure Franchising offers a significant advantage regarding reducing the risk of failure for new business owners. One of the main advantages of franchising is the benefit of an established brand name, which lowers the risk associated with starting a business. With a proven business model, franchisees often experience lower failure rates compared to independent startups. Research shows that franchises typically have a failure rate of about 10-20%, whereas independent businesses face a staggering 50% failure rate within the first five years. Furthermore, franchisees can see profits more quickly because of existing customer loyalty and brand recognition. In the end, comprehending what’re three advantages of franchising can empower you to make informed decisions in your entrepreneurial expedition. Ongoing Business Support When you become a franchisee, one of the key benefits you’ll experience is ongoing business support from your franchisor. This support includes extensive initial assistance, such as help in securing premises and designing store layouts for a successful launch. Franchisors provide long-term operational support through ongoing training for you and your staff, ensuring high standards are maintained. They additionally guide you in marketing strategies, allowing you to leverage brand recognition effectively. Customized support is customized to your specific needs, addressing challenges unique to your location. Here’s a quick overview of the support you can expect: Type of Support Description Benefit Initial Assistance Securing premises and layouts Successful launch Ongoing Training Staff training Maintain high standards Marketing Guidance Strategy development Attract and retain customers Customized Support Customized assistance Relevant help for challenges Franchise Network Knowledge sharing Improved operational efficiency Market Expertise When you choose to franchise, you gain access to invaluable industry insights that can shape your business decisions. Franchisors provide operational best practices and informed decision-making support, drawing from years of market experience. This guidance helps you navigate complex market dynamics and positions your franchise for success in a competitive environment. Industry Insights Provided Access to market expertise is one of the key advantages franchisees enjoy, as franchisors provide valuable insights into current trends and consumer behavior. This support enables you to make informed decisions in a competitive environment. Franchisors often conduct extensive market research before entering new territories, allowing you to benefit from data-driven strategies customized to local demands. Furthermore, through established networks, you gain access to best practices and industry benchmarks that can improve your operational efficiency and profitability. Franchisors typically share successful marketing strategies and promotional tactics proven to drive sales and customer engagement across various markets. By leveraging the franchisor’s experience and expertise, you can navigate industry-specific challenges more effectively, reducing the learning curve associated with starting from scratch. Operational Best Practices Franchisors equip you with operational best practices that streamline your business processes and improve efficiency. By leveraging valuable market expertise, they provide insights into industry trends and consumer behavior, helping you make informed decisions. Established best practices minimize operational challenges, allowing you to focus on growth. With the franchisor’s reputation and brand recognition, you can access existing customer loyalty, facilitating quicker market penetration. Regular training and updates guarantee you stay competitive and informed about market conditions. Moreover, collaboration with other franchisees cultivates innovation, enabling the entire network to adapt swiftly to market demands. Informed Decision-Making Support Informed decision-making is crucial for your success as a franchisee, especially when you leverage the extensive market expertise offered by your franchisor. Franchisors provide thorough market analysis and insights, allowing you to make decisions based on current industry trends and consumer behavior. This access to established market expertise helps you quickly adopt best practices, saving you time and effort that might otherwise be spent on trial and error. You can benefit from their experience in maneuvering competitive environments, leading to more effective marketing strategies. Furthermore, the knowledge shared by your franchisor enables you to improve product offerings and service enhancements. Brand Recognition & Loyalty When you join a franchise, you tap into an established brand that already has a loyal customer base, making it easier for you to attract customers right from the start. This built-in recognition often leads to increased traffic upon opening, as consumers are more likely to visit a familiar name. As a franchisee, you benefit from this brand loyalty, which can markedly boost your sales and reduce your marketing efforts. Built-in Customer Base A built-in customer base is one of the key advantages of franchising, allowing new business owners to tap into the loyalty and recognition that established brands offer. By leveraging a brand’s existing customer relationships, you can reduce your marketing costs and enjoy quicker profitability. Research shows that customers prefer recognizable names, which boosts foot traffic and increases sales. The established credibility of a franchise can greatly shorten the time needed for customer acquisition. Here’s a summary of some benefits: Benefit Description Immediate Sales Access to a loyal customer base leads to quicker revenue generation. Reduced Marketing Costs Established brands often require less promotional spending. Increased Trust Familiarity nurtures trust, making customers more likely to buy. Repeat Customers Many franchisees report high revenue from returning patrons. Improved Brand Loyalty Strong brand identity encourages customer retention and loyalty. Increased Traffic Upon Opening Opening a franchise often leads to increased customer traffic right from day one, primarily due to the strong brand recognition associated with well-known franchises. Studies show that franchises benefit from a built-in customer base, which can result in up to 20% higher initial sales compared to independent startups. This brand loyalty encourages customers to choose familiar names, leading to increased foot traffic. In fact, about 70% of consumers are more likely to visit a known brand’s location upon opening. Moreover, as a franchisee, you can leverage the franchisor’s marketing strategies and promotional campaigns particularly designed to attract customers. This combination of brand recognition and strategic marketing greatly boosts your initial traffic and customer engagement. Increased Buying Power Franchisees gain considerable advantages in purchasing influence, as they can tap into the collective buying strength of the entire franchise network. By leveraging this collective volume, you can secure better pricing and terms from suppliers, which isn’t typically available to independent businesses. Participating in bulk purchasing agreements often leads to discounts, improving your overall cost structure. The economies of scale achieved through franchising can greatly reduce operational costs, allowing you to pass savings onto your customers. Additionally, franchise systems usually negotiate favorable contracts with suppliers, giving you access to higher-quality products at lower prices than non-franchised competitors. As part of a larger organization, you likewise enjoy improved negotiation leverage, leading to better supplier relationships and advantageous contract terms. Higher Profits One of the most notable advantages of owning a franchise is the potential for higher profits compared to independent businesses. Franchised businesses often achieve profitability within their first year, thanks to established customer bases and brand recognition. Recognizable franchises typically generate profits that exceed those of independent startups, benefiting from proven business models and operational efficiencies. Research shows that franchise systems can experience average annual sales per unit considerably higher than independent businesses, creating greater revenue opportunities. Moreover, franchisees usually face lower marketing costs because of their franchisor’s established brand presence, attracting customers more effectively. The economies of scale in purchasing and operations further improve profit margins for franchisees, reinforcing the financial stability of franchised locations. Better Chance of Finance Achieving higher profits isn’t the only advantage of owning a franchise; securing financing is another significant benefit. Lenders often view franchise businesses as lower risk due to their established brand recognition and proven business models. This perspective leads to a higher likelihood of you securing financing. You may find it easier to access loans since financial institutions are usually more confident in franchises with documented success rates. Moreover, the structured support from franchisors can help you present a solid business plan to potential lenders, increasing your chances of obtaining financing. Many franchisors likewise offer financing assistance or partnerships with lenders, simplifying the funding process. Overall, franchise businesses typically enjoy quicker access to capital, allowing you to focus on growth and operational needs. Frequently Asked Questions What Are Some of the Major Advantages of Franchising? Franchising offers several major advantages. You gain access to an established brand, which can considerably reduce the time needed to build customer loyalty. With a proven business model, your chances of success increase, as around 90% of franchises succeed. You’ll receive ongoing support and training, helping you navigate operational challenges. Furthermore, collective purchasing agreements can lower your costs for supplies, and securing financing is often easier owing to perceived lower risks associated with franchises. What Are the 4 P’s of Franchising? The 4 P’s of franchising are crucial for your business strategy. First, focus on Product, ensuring it meets brand standards and customer expectations. Next, set your Price competitively as you adhere to franchisor guidelines. Then, choose the right Place for your franchise to maximize customer access and sales. Finally, implement effective Promotion strategies to communicate your brand message and offers, often utilizing resources provided by the franchisor for greater impact. What Is Franchising and Why Is It Important? Franchising is a business model where you operate under a franchisor’s established brand and system. This setup’s important as it gives you access to a proven business framework, ongoing support, and a customer base, which can lead to faster profitability. Furthermore, franchisors can expand their brand without considerable debt, as you invest your own capital. Overall, franchising contributes markedly to economic growth and job creation in the U.S. economy. What Are the Key Advantages and Disadvantages of Owning a Franchise Compared to Starting an Independent Business? When you consider owning a franchise versus starting an independent business, you’ll find clear advantages and disadvantages. Franchises typically offer established brand recognition and support, reducing your risk of failure. Nevertheless, they come with fees and less operational control, limiting your ability to innovate. Conversely, independent businesses provide greater autonomy but often face higher risks and challenges in securing funding and achieving profitability. Balancing these factors is essential in your decision-making process. Conclusion In conclusion, franchising presents numerous advantages that can greatly improve your entrepreneurial expedition. By reducing the risk of failure, providing ongoing support, and leveraging established brand recognition, you position yourself for success. The increased purchasing strength and potential for higher profits further contribute to a favorable business environment. With proven business models and easier access to financing, franchising offers a solid pathway for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to build a stable and profitable venture. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "7 Key Advantages of Franchising You Should Know" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. So successful was the first season of Shōgun, based on the 1975 James Clavell novel, that two further seasons have been commissioned to continue the story, even though the adaptation has run out of material. Set at the tail-end of Japan's Warring States period, the series sees ambitious English maritime pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) shipwrecked in Japan and in the power of powerful warlord Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). Each of these two men has something to offer the other, and reluctantly serving as the translator between them is Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), who is loyal to Toranaga but has a complicated past. With analogues from real history, there's a verisimilitude to everything in this (mostly) Japanese-language drama, alongside the Game of Thrones-esque intrigue and drama. Finding a good streamalike is a little tough: There are plenty of films set during the same rough timeframe, and as many jidaigeki period dramas that are a little harder to stream for audiences outside of Japan. Instead, here are suggestions for other dramas that explore the complicated histories of cultures in transition. Stream Shōgun on Hulu. Pachinko (2022 – ) Starting in 1915, this multigenerational saga follows one woman (Youn Yuh-jung and Kim Min-ha) and her family from the Japanese occupation of Korea through the decades of the Korean diaspora. With opportunities limited, Sunja leaves her home and family in Busan to pursue a life in Japan, even as racism and anti-immigrant sentiment are rampant through the war years. In a parallel narrative that begins in 1989, we see what has and hasn't changed for Sunja and her family. It’s as personal as it is epic, with better location cinematography than most movies—and it’s got an opening credits sequence that puts a smile on my face every single time. Stream Pachinko on Apple TV+. Pachinko (2022 – ) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ Into the Badlands (2015 – 2019) A rollicking martial arts drama set in a dystopian future. So, definitely not a historical drama. About 500 years from now, war has eradicated anything resembling civilization and left the planet ravaged, even as some vestiges of technology remain. Still, firearms are largely taboo given the devastation they've caused—allowing for an action apocalypse dominated by kick-ass martial arts combat. The Badlands, Rocky Mountains and Mississippi River are transformed into competing feudal-esque kingdoms, dominated by Marton Csokas's creepy, over-the-top Baron Quinn and, at least initially, his chief lieutenant Sunny (Daniel Wu). Despite the sci-fi trappings, the inspirations here blend wuxia and pre-modern Chinese history, giving the show the feel of history without any strict adherence whatsoever. Stream Into the Badlands on Prime Video. Into the Badlands at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Deadwood (2004 – 2006, 2019) There are no major setpiece battles here, and the setting is centuries ahead of, and half a world away from, that of Shōgun. Still, the stakes here are similar, even if the scale is a bit smaller—both shows deal in the bloody, messy, complicated process of building a community and how, at any scale, outside pressures are inescapable. Deadwood drops us into the thick of what we'd eventually call the Wild West, where many an American fortune would be made. One-time sheriff Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) comes into the tiny but fast-growing Black Hills town in hope of a new life, but finds himself quickly dealing with the growing pains (to put it mildly) of a nascent American community and the machinations of its real leader, local saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane). Grimy gambling parlors are where the power moves in Deadwood happen, and creator David Chase is interested in the small triumphs and huge compromises that gave birth to modern America. Stream Deadwood on HBO Max. Deadwood (2004 – 2006, 2019) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Samurai Champloo (2004 – 2005) Set in early Edo Japan (the era birthed by the real-life events that inspired Shōgun), Samurai Champloo references real events, though it’s not a history lesson by any means, and is filled with wildly anachronistic elements (including a hip-hop score). It opens with the execution ceremony for two samurai, Mugen and Jin, then quickly flashes back to the events of the day previous: a waitress named Fuu is being harassed by the son of the village prefect. Mugen, the more irreverent and mercenary of the two, helps her for the promise of free dumplings. The more stoic and honor-obsessed Jin helps because he can’t abide the injustice. The two samurai wind up traveling the country with Fuu in search of the mysterious Sunflower Samurai, kept together by fate and circumstance.This was director Shinichirō Watanabe’s follow-up to Cowboy Bebop, and it carries on its predecessor’s style of standalone stories shot through with subtle overarching plot threads. Stream Samurai Champloo on Crunchyroll or buy it from Prime Video. Samurai Champloo at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (2021) Despite its composite characters and tweaking of events, Shōgun does a better job at capturing the feel of its era than many a less-fictionalized narrative. Still, it may well leave you with a hunger for more of the real history of late Sengoku period Japan, which is where this documentary series comes in. Age of Samurai uses dramatized recreations (rather than talking heads) to bring the bloody events to life, covering unification of Japan and the decades leading up to the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu (Shōgun's Yoshii Toranaga), and the climactic battle that cemented his dynasty's power for centuries after. Stream Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan on Netflix. Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Chief of War (2025 – ) Jason Momoa co-created and stars in this historical drama set in the late 18th century, when Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi were locked in their own warring states period while navigating relationships with colonial powers. Mamoa plays real-life Kauaʻi Chief Kaʻiana, who joins in the battle for unification under the future Kamehameha the Great before rebelling. It's a deeply complicated bit of history, and the show doesn't shy away from that, but it's all punctuated by bloody battles and impressively mounted action sequences. Benjamin Hoetjes plays John Young, the British subject who becomes a military advisor to Kamehameha, while Luciane Buchanan plays Kaʻahumanu, princess and power broker. Stream Chief of War on Apple TV+. Chief of War (2025 – ) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ Wolf Hall (2015, 2024) Adapting the Hilary Mantel trilogy across two miniseries, Wolf Hall stars here (rather brilliantly) as Thomas Cromwell, who rose from nothing to become the second most powerful person in Henry VIII's England—no small thing under the best of circumstances, but very nearly impossible under the rigid class structure of the time and place. On the surface, it's a quieter drama than many of the others here, but the political machinations are no less intense, and the stakes no less dramatic. It's Cromwell's show, but not far in the background is Claire Foy’s Anne Boleyn, first an ally and then a bitter enemy; it’s one of the finest portrayals of the much-maligned queen in TV or cinema. Each character quickly comes to realize that they're walking tightropes, with power deriving from a deeply fickle king whose enormous hubris would come to shape centuries of history. Stream Wolf Hall on PBS or buy it from Prime Video. Wolf Hall at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Kingdom (2019 – 2021) It’s not exactly a history lesson, but Kingdom does open a window into the middle of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, an era that ran for over 500 years, to nearly the 20th century—overlapping, for much of that time with Japan's Edo period, the origins of which are fictionalized in Shōgun. History doesn't record an actual zombie plague during the early years of the 17th century, though, so a few extra liberties have been taken. As the series opens, rumors are swirling that the king has died, and his son, Crown Prince Lee Chang, is trying to find out the truth. Turns out that the king did, in fact, die—of smallpox—but the Queen Consort and her father, a powerful courtier, have a plan: they’ve given the king a little-known plant that revives him (you can see where this is headed) in the hope of keeping him alive long enough for the queen to bear a son. Since Lee Chang is merely the son of a concubine, he’d lose his claim to the throne in such an event. The show deftly combines horror and medieval-esque political intrigue, making it rather more than the sum of its parts. The show runs for two seasons with a spin-off movie, Ashin of the North. Stream Kingdom on Netflix. Kingdom (2019 – 2021) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix The Last Kingdom (2018 – 2022) Warring kingdoms. Clashing cultures. Internal and external pressures. These themes echo through history, and we see much of it in The Last Kingdom as in Shōgun. Starting in 866, the show follows Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon), a Saxon taken by Vikings as a child and subsequently raised by a Danish warlord. When his adoptive father is killed by another Dane, he enters the service of Saxon King Alfred, hoping that the alliance will allow him to avenge his loss—instead, he's forced to choose between the Saxons of his birth and the Danes he came to identify with. This is all against the backdrop of an England of warring kingdoms while facing conquest by outsiders. Stream The Last Kingdom on Netflix. The Last Kingdom at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Jin (2009 – 2011) Just a time-traveling romance about a modern-day brain surgeon trapped in late Edo-period Japan. Not as weird as it sounds—Japanese pop culture is full of stories of modern people visiting the pre-war Japan, perhaps with a view toward a seemingly simpler time. Takao Osawa stars as the title's Jin Minakata, who's spent two years grieving the fiancee who's been in a vegetative state. A head injury sends him back in time, where he uses his medical knowledge to help people on the sly, even as history unfolds around him. Think Outlander East. Stream Jin on Netflix. Jin (2009 – 2011) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix View the full article

In an era where customer engagement is crucial, small businesses often seek innovative ways to capture their audience’s attention. Threads, a platform designed for real-time engagement, has introduced a powerful new feature called “Dear Algo.” This AI-driven tool aims to refine social media feeds based on users’ immediate preferences—an opportunity small business owners should be quick to explore. Dear Algo allows users to customize their content experience directly. By simply typing “Dear Algo” followed by their content preferences in a public post, users can tailor their Threads feeds to stay aligned with their current interests. For instance, a café owner might request, “Dear Algo, show me more posts about local food trends,” encouraging greater visibility of relevant content within their community. This new feature is not only about personalizing experiences for consumers; it holds actionable potential for small business owners. By leveraging Dear Algo, businesses can better connect with their target audience. If an owner runs a bookstore, engaging with posts that reflect literary challenges, author interviews, or genre trends can drive discussions that enhance foot traffic and online sales. The benefits extend beyond direct engagement. With Dear Algo, businesses can observe which topics resonate most during key moments—such as local events or holidays. They could create content that aligns with these real-time interests, refining their marketing strategies to optimize customer engagement. Availability for Dear Algo has been confirmed in the US, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, with plans for broader distribution in the future. This means small businesses in these regions can act now to tap into an evolving market. However, while the advantages of Dear Algo are clear, small business owners should also be aware of potential challenges. The algorithmic nature of the feature may create an overwhelming influx of new content that could detract from established communication strategies. This aspect requires careful monitoring to align both social media presence and business messaging without overwhelming audiences. “Dear Algo aims to make Threads feel more personal—whether you’re following trending topics or exploring niche interests,” provided a company spokesperson. “It’s another way we’re helping you find the latest conversations that are relevant to you.” This personalization aspect can enhance customer loyalty, yet businesses need to maintain a careful balance between light-hearted engagement and informative content. Moreover, the three-day timeframe for feed adjustments could be a double-edged sword; while it enhances relevance for current trends, it may also create pressure to produce timely updates. For small businesses, maintaining a steady stream of content aligned with shifting preferences can be resource-intensive, especially for teams operating with limited staff. In addition, there could be implications regarding audience analytics. As preferences change rapidly, businesses may find it more challenging to gather consistent data on audience trends. This necessitates the implementation of strategies to gather audience feedback or insights continually, ensuring that efforts remain aligned with customer interests. Small businesses willing to adopt Dear Algo can enhance their online presence, offering tailored experiences that resonate with their clientele. As they explore this dynamic feature, collaboration with audience preferences may lead to more meaningful interactions, setting these businesses apart in a crowded digital landscape. As small business owners adapt to the evolving landscape of social media, it is essential to stay ahead of such developments. Leveraging features like Dear Algo from Threads can be a valuable part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing customer engagement and staying relevant in a fast-paced marketplace. For detailed information about this feature, visit the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Threads Introduces AI Tool “Dear Algo” for Personalized Feeds" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The web has strong opinions about what “AI-written” content looks like, and even stronger ones about what’s supposedly wrong with it. Scroll any content marketer’s LinkedIn feed, and you’ll find confident claims that em dashes and other AI “tells” signal bad, automated writing. The problem with these debates is that they often confuse taste with performance. What counts as “bad writing” will always be subjective. But if the goal for content marketers is to communicate clearly and compete in the information marketplace, the practical question should be: which LLM habits actually turn readers off? To find out, we analyzed a large dataset of content marketing pages to identify which AI writing “tics” we see most often called out to understand which are turning off readers — and the ones we may be calling out for no reason. How we built our ‘AI tics’ study At this point, you’ve probably all seen them, too: “In today’s fast-paced digital landscape…” “It’s important to note that…” “Not only… but also” (repeated over, and over and over…) “In conclusion” (even when nothing has been concluded) The second you notice them, it’s hard not to see them everywhere an LLM has helped produce copy. Many readers report hating these LLM patterns. But how exactly are they impacting user engagement? To find out, we gathered a list of the most common AI writing tells we and others have noticed. These include: “Not only… but also” constructions: “Not only does X do Y, but it also does Z.” Sentence starts with “then,” “this,” or” that”: “Then you should…” “Then the system…” “This shows…” “This means…” Introductory filler: “In this article,” “We’ll explore,” and “Let’s take a look”. “Conclusion” starters: “In conclusion,” or other AI equivalents of clearing your throat. Em dashes: The most infamous punctuation mark in today’s content marketing. From there, we built a dataset of: 10 domains of varied site size and monthly traffic, in a wide array of industries including tech, ecommerce, healthcare, education, analytics, and more 1,000+ content marketing URLs, built from a mix of workflows including posts that were either fully human-written, written collaboratively by humans and AI, or completely AI-generated. Then we standardized our dataset by: Aligning shorter posts and cornerstone content by standardizing every writing tic as occurrences per 1,000 words. Since longer articles naturally contain more of, well, everything, a 3,000-word guide would otherwise look “worse” than a 600-word post simply because it has more sentences. Excluding any page under 500 words. Very short pages don’t give enough room for stylistic patterns to emerge, and their engagement metrics are likely driven more by intent than by engagement alone. Prioritizing engagement rate as the primary performance metric. Engagement rate best captures a reader’s first real decision: “Do I stay, or do I leave?” GA4 registers an engaged session as any lasting 10 or more seconds. While 10 seconds may sound brief to assess whether a post is AI, it’s long enough for a user to skim an introduction, notice awkward or repetitive writing patterns, and scan headings to decide whether the content feels worth continuing. Dig deeper: A smarter way to approach AI prompting Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with Why tracking total AI tics wasn’t enough Our first instinct was to average the number of AI tics per 1,000 words and compare the pages’ performance. At a glance, this seemed like a clean way to separate human writing from AI-influenced writing. But the picture quickly got complicated by one tic in particular — the infamous em dash — which dominated the dataset and heavily skewed the averages. The issue pointed to a larger problem: AI tics are messy by definition. AI is trained on human writing. So if certain patterns show up frequently, that doesn’t mean they’re uniquely “AI.” It may just mean they’re common in English prose. To compare, we ran the same tic counter on two known controls: a novel I published in 2021 (which I could guarantee was written without ChatGPT, Grammarly, or other AI-assisted tools). This scored a startlingly above-average 6.9 tics per 1,000 words. Next, we scored “Hamlet,” the famous Shakespearean play, which scored an even higher ≈11.4 tics per 1,000 words. Shakespeare, it turns out, is more “AI-coded” than many AI-generated blog posts. Ultimately, we assessed that this is almost entirely due to the em dash, which is likely to appear in droves in many human writers’ prose as well as AI-produced copy. With this in mind, we analyzed each “tell” individually, still standardizing per 1,000 words. The story became much clearer — and far more useful for writers trying to decide what’s actually worth avoiding. Dig deeper: How to make your AI-generated content sound more human Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. The AI tics impacting performance Not all posts are the same, and many different factors impact the success or failure of any page of content marketing. That’s perhaps why our data showed that most AI “tells” didn’t correlate strongly with performance or non-performance. Anything smaller than plus/minus .1 correlation is statistically insignificant. However, there were a handful worth noting with a larger impact than others. ‘Not only’ and ‘not just’ structures may be driving users away Phrases built around “not only…” or “not just…but also” stood out with larger-than-average negative correlations with engagement rate. While these constructions, when used occasionally, can add emphasis, the data shows that frequent use is associated with high user bounce rates. AI-assisted writers and editors should take note, as many of the AI-generated posts we reviewed tripped over themselves with these constructions. In one instance, we found a single blog post that used “not only” and “but also” 12 separate times. Starting headers with ‘conclusion’ was the strongest negative signal The strongest negative correlation in the entire dataset was observed in sentences beginning with “Conclusion,” typically section headers preceding a call to action. The clearest AI stylistic red flag we found, posts with headers starting with “Conclusion” had the largest negative correlation (≈ -0.118) with post engagement rate. Since this tic traditionally comes at the conclusion of a post, it’s clear readers may quickly scroll down over the entirety of these posts before bouncing — or else that posts with these final headings tend to be lower-quality on average. Em dashes correlated slightly positively Em dashes were by far the most common stylistic tic in the dataset. They also produced one of the most surprising results: a slight positive correlation with engagement rate. Despite widespread online chatter treating em dashes as an “AI artifact,” this data suggests they’re not hurting performance, and they may even align with better engagement. (As someone who genuinely likes em dashes — this was deeply validating.) A plausible explanation may be that writers who use em dashes tend to write more explanatory, nuanced sentences rather than short, flat declarations. Those kinds of sentences often appear in longer, more thoughtful content that many readers actually engage with. That said, this doesn’t mean em dashes cause engagement. Too much of a good thing is still too much of a good thing. But it does challenge the idea that em dashes are the bugbear content marketers make them out to be. Dig deeper: An AI-assisted content process that outperforms human-only copy 3 practical takeaways for content teams Here’s what content marketers can act on today. 1. Don’t over-optimize for AI detection Google doesn’t issue SEO rankings like a monotonic punishment score for “AI style.” Most phrases we looked at didn’t correlate with engagement at all. Don’t rewrite content just because someone declared a phrase “AI writing.” Write for reader usefulness and clarity above all. 2. Be mindful of how you wrap up Explicit conclusion blocks aren’t bad — but generic, formulaic patterns are likely turning readers away. Consider blending conclusions into analysis, using subtler transitions, or adding new value with headers, instead of signposting obvious structure. 3. Use the punctuation that makes sense If your style calls for em-dashes? In this dataset, they were actually associated with better reader engagement. Use them. Don’t miss the forest for fake plastic trees AI is likely here to stay in content workflows. But the issues with “bad” AI writing aren’t limited to linguistic tics and punctuation. While we all have our stylistic opinions, we should be careful about turning stylistic hot takes into editorial law. Write valuable writing. Think about readers first. And don’t panic every time someone on Twitter or LinkedIn decrees that “X phrase = AI.” View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...View the full article

Anthropic updated its crawler documentation this week, clarifying how its Claude bots access websites and how you can block them. Anthropic’s document explains what each bot does, how it affects AI training and search visibility, and how to opt out through robots.txt. Why we care. If you publish or own content, you want control over how AI systems use it. Anthropic separates training crawlers, user-triggered fetches, and search indexing. Blocking one bot doesn’t block the others. Each choice carries different visibility and training trade-offs. The robots. Anthropic uses three separate user agents: ClaudeBot collects public web content that may be used to train and improve Anthropic’s generative AI models. If you block ClaudeBot in robots.txt, Anthropic said it will exclude your site’s future content from AI training datasets. Claude-User retrieves content when a user asks Claude a question that requires access to a webpage. If you block Claude-User, Anthropic can’t fetch your pages in response to user queries. The company says this may reduce your visibility in user-directed search responses. Claude-SearchBot crawls content to improve the quality and relevance of Claude’s search results. If you block Claude-SearchBot, Anthropic won’t index your content for search optimization, which may reduce visibility and accuracy in Claude-powered search answers. How to block them. The bots respect standard robots.txt directives, including “Disallow” rules and the non-standard “Crawl-delay” extension, Anthropic said. To block a bot across your entire site: User-agent: ClaudeBot Disallow: / You must add directives for each bot and each subdomain you want to restrict. IP blocking may not work reliably because its bots use public cloud provider IP addresses, Anthropic said. Blocking those ranges could prevent the bot from accessing robots.txt. The company doesn’t publish IP ranges. The document. Does Anthropic crawl data from the web, and how can site owners block the crawler? View the full article

President Donald The President started in sales mode, using his State of the Union address to deliver an upbeat vision of the U.S. economy. But that portrayal collides with the sentiment of Americans who remain anxious about their finances and feel they haven’t benefited from The President’s policies. He took the high road to honor the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team and a war hero before pivoting abruptly to a darker tone as he ridiculed Democrats. Here are takeaways from the speech. The President’s ‘roaring’ economy is at odds with sour public sentiment Much of the nation is worried about the direction of the economy, but The President says the good times are here, insisting repeatedly that rising costs are no longer a problem. “The roaring economy is roaring like never before,” he said. He cheered the lower cost of gasoline, mortgage rates, prescription drug prices and the rising stock market: “Millions and millions of Americans are all gaining.” Such optimism, as so many Americans are feeling economic strains, risks painting The President as out of touch. Just 39% of U.S. adults approved of The President’s handling of the economy in February, according to AP-NORC polling. Still, the president focused much of the first hour of his speech on the economy, something Republicans had urged him to do as they head into the midterm elections. The President wraps himself in the flag For a president who always seems to be spoiling for a fight, The President also tried to summon Americans’ innate patriotic impulses. In addition to the hockey team, he singled out war heroes and those who had taken brave stands in other countries, using the moment to bestow numerous presidential medals in an effort to give the address a more positive gloss. It underscored the president’s media savvy and understanding that even if a moment isn’t appreciated completely in real time, it can have an afterlife in the days following speech, especially on social media. Yet in one revealing moment, The President lamented why he couldn’t give a congressional medal to himself. Taking aim at Democrats Tributes to the Olympic hockey team and a World War II veteran didn’t unify the room for long. The Republican president soon took aim at Democrats and blamed them for many of the nation’s ills. The President said rising health care premiums are “caused by you,” suggested Democrats “are not protecting” Social Security and blamed them for the nation’s affordability crunch. “You caused that problem. You caused that problem,” The President said as he glared at the Democratic side of the room. He seemed to get angrier as the speech progressed. “These people are crazy, I’m telling you, they’re crazy,” he said. “Democrats are destroying this country.” The President’s MAGA base loves such aggression. It’s unclear, however, if the rest of the country feels the same. The Supreme Court’s ‘unfortunate’ decision By The President’s standards, he held his tongue when it came to the Supreme Court. After the court struck down his tariff policy last week, The President said the justices who voted against one of his signature issues were an “embarrassment to their families.” By Tuesday, he simply called the ruling “unfortunate.” The President sought to treat the ruling with indifference, insisting that tariff revenues were “saving” the U.S., ignoring the fact that the levies haven’t made a significant dent in government debt. He said the tariffs were paid by foreign countries even as virtually every study concludes that costs have been paid by U.S. firms and consumers. At one point, he seemed to take the long view that history would ultimately vindicate him even if the Supreme Court would not. “As time goes by, I believe the tariffs paid by foreign countries will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern day system of income tax, taking a great burden off the people that I love,” he said. That is unlikely. The federal income tax is authorized by the 16th Amendment to the Constitution and the power to collect revenue is ultimately defined by Congress, not the president. The President vows action on election ‘cheating’ The president also used the speech to reprise his attack on the integrity of U.S. elections. “Cheating is rampant in our elections,” The President said. The President has made such claims for years, focused on his 2020 election loss, claims rejected by dozens of courts and his own attorney general at the time. But the timing of Tuesday’s prime-time claims, less than nine months before voters across America are scheduled to decide control of Congress, was noteworthy. So, too, was The President’s suggestion that he would take action to address a problem that doesn’t appear to exist. “They want to cheat. They have cheated, and their policy is so bad that the only way they can get elected is to cheat,” The President said of Democrats. “And we’re going to stop it. We have to stop it.” The President is calling on Congress to pass a bill requiring voters to show a photo ID before casting ballots. But he also recently vowed to enact an executive order to address the issue, although the White House has not clarified what it might entail. No mention of Minneapolis Sometimes what’s not said is as notable as what is. The President has highlighted immigration since the very first speech in which he announced his 2016 presidential campaign. And on Tuesday night, he revived much of the same language he’s used throughout the past decade, blasting “criminal aliens” and warning of “drug lords, murderers all over our country.” What he didn’t mention: the most aggressive immigration enforcement tactics that threatened to bring the U.S. to the brink earlier this year. He didn’t mention the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month at the hands of federal agents. Indeed, it was Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who shouted that “Alex wasn’t a criminal,” referring to Alex Pretti, one of the U.S. citizens killed in Minneapolis. During her Democratic rebuttal, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said law enforcement must work to build trust in communities and said The President “every minute spent sowing fear is a minute not investigating murders.” The President said nothing of his administration’s shift in tactics, including a drawdown of agents in the Twin Cities. And he made no acknowledgment of the broad concerns in the U.S. about The President’s approach on immigration, as demonstrated by the 60% of U.S. adults who disapproved of his handling of the issue in February, according to AP-NORC polling. Drumbeat for war gets louder The President has already built up the largest U.S. military presence in the Middle East in decades. And in his speech, he outlined a rationale for using those forces to launch a major military strike against Iran. The president said that Iran and its proxies have “spread nothing but terrorism, death and hate,” adding that its leaders killed at least 32,000 protesters in recent weeks, which is at the further end of estimates over the death toll. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency has so far counted more than 7,000 dead and believes the death toll is far higher. Iran’s government offered its only death toll on Jan. 21, saying 3,117 people were killed. The President also warned that the nation has developed missiles that can threaten Europe and is working on missiles “that will soon reach” the U.S. “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy. But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are, by far to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.” On brand, the speech was the longest SOTU ever The president, ever mindful of records that allow him to say he was the first, the best or had done the most, succeeded clearly on one thing: he beat his own record for the longest, clocking in at just under 1 hour, 48 minutes. By STEVEN SLOAN and STEVE PEOPLES Associated Press View the full article

It’s no secret that fast casual restaurants have struggled in recent years, with some companies turning to cheaper options as a way to lure customers back. The latest chain to do so is Panera Bread, which just announced its first-ever value menu. It includes 10 items that are each $4.99. Customers must pick at least two items to use the menu and will get the typical free side of an apple, chips or bread. Anyone who has been to Panera will recognize it as a scaled-down version of the long-standing You Pick Two deal. There are four half sandwiches, three half salads, and three cups of soup. There will be a rotating seasonal item, but to start Panera’s value menu will include: Sandwiches Toasted Italiano Toasted Caprese Focaccia Bacon Turkey Bravo Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Salads Fuji Apple Chicken Ranch Parm BLT Caesar Soups Creamy Tomato Homestyle Chicken Noodle Bistro French Onion Panera’s value menu follows similar offerings that have popped up from restaurant chains like Taco Bell, McDonalds, and more. They’ve come as high inflation caused fast food menu prices to shoot up and customers to revolt. In 2024, McDonalds released its $5 value meal, a move that has proved successful in increasing sales, The New York Times reported earlier this month. Panera has also faced controversies and layoffs of late Alongside changing spending trends, Panera has also been rocked by controversies. In 2023, the company faced multiple lawsuits over deaths allegedly related to its high-caffeine Charged Lemonade drinks. Two deaths were due to cardiac arrest. Panera has since settled the lawsuits and removed the Charged Lemonade drink from its menu, NBC reported. Panera also laid off 72 employees last year after shutting down a production facility in Missouri, USA Today reported. It follows the shutdown of four other facilities in the United States. View the full article

If you order a new smartphone to be delivered to your home, you may be a target for scammers. Fraudsters are impersonating representatives from mobile carriers, calling customers and claiming that they've been sent the wrong device and need to return it. Obviously, if you follow through, scammers get to keep your phone—they may either to sell it or activate it using your information to perpetrate identity fraud. Scams centered on stealing high-value tech aren't anything new. In addition to regular porch pirating, thieves have been known to knock on doors, posing as couriers or company representatives attempting to recover a "wrongly delivered" item. Fraudsters have also used fake Find My alerts to gain access to lost or stolen iPhones. How the phone return scam worksAs an editor at ZDNET experienced, the scam begins shortly after your new phone is delivered. You may receive a call from a spoofed number, and someone claiming to represent your carrier will have specific information like your name, address, and device model. They'll tell you that there's been a mix-up and you need to send your phone back so you can receive a replacement. They may give you instructions to scan a QR code, print a label, and take the package to a shipping drop-off point. In some cases, targets have been promised gift cards for the inconvenience. If you hesitate, scammers may employ a number of pressure tactics to get you to act. They'll tell you that delaying the return could cause issues with your device activation, billing, or warranty. They may continue to call with threats. Like many scams, this one relies on social engineering: it manipulates emotions and instincts to get you to act against your best interest. Fraudsters impersonate a trusted brand and use detailed information about you to make their story more believable. They use timing to their advantage and promote a sense of urgency. The phone return scam also has similarities to the brushing scam, in which victims receive a package containing merchandise they didn't order so that scammers can write a verified review or boost sales numbers or collect personally identifiable information once you scan a QR code (an added component known as quishing) to learn more about the item. What to do if you get a call about your new phoneThe solution here is to simply hang up. If you are concerned about your account or device, call your carrier directly (use the customer service number from a previous bill or go through the official app) and confirm the mix-up. Don't engage with QR codes or any instructions provided on unsolicited calls. It may be alarming that a scammer has specific details about your order and calls right after your new phone is delivered. Unfortunately, a lot of your personal information is out in the open and available to bad actors, whether as the result of a data breach or some other form of compromise (such as malware that can read notifications). This is a good reason to keep an eye out for other indicators of identity theft and act quickly if you find anything suspicious. 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. Getting started with outdoor security cameras can get expensive fast. The refurbished Blink Outdoor 4 (two-pack) with Sync Module 2 keeps things simple and affordable. Right now, this “like-new” bundle is $62.99 on Amazon, down from $164.99, and price trackers show this is its lowest price yet. For context, buying new costs $179.99 for just the cameras without the Sync Module. These units are part of Amazon’s certified refurbishment program, so they’ve been tested and inspected before resale. PCMag gave the Blink Outdoor 4 an “excellent” rating, and our own writer called it a worthwhile entry-level wireless camera. Like-New Blink Outdoor 4 (2-pack) with Sync Module 2 $62.99 at Amazon $164.99 Save $102.00 Get Deal Get Deal $62.99 at Amazon $164.99 Save $102.00 Installation is simple and fully wire-free. Each camera runs on two AA lithium batteries that Blink says can last up to two years, depending on usage. You mount it on a porch, fence, or even indoors, connect it to wifi in the app, and you're set. The cameras record in 1080p, with daytime footage clear enough to recognize faces. Plus, it has a 143-degree field of view, so it captures a wide area of your yard or entryway without needing multiple units for basic coverage. Infrared night vision handles low light, and two-way audio lets you speak to a visitor or delivery driver through the app. Motion alerts are sent straight to your phone, and you can access live view for up to five minutes at a time without a subscription. Storage options are flexible. The included Sync Module 2 supports local video storage through a USB drive (sold separately) and can manage up to 10 Blink cameras at once. Cloud storage is available if you prefer remote backups. Person detection and extended video history require a Blink subscription, with the Basic plan priced at $40 per year for one device and the Plus plan at $120 per year for unlimited cameras. The system integrates well with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT, so you can pull up live feeds on an Echo Show or Fire TV easily. It does not support Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit. Still, for someone building a basic, outdoor security camera setup on a budget, this refurbished two-pack offers long battery life, local storage, and easy installation at a low upfront cost. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $157.90 (List Price $179.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $329.00 (List Price $349.00) Google Pixel 10a 128GB 6.3" Unlocked Smartphone + $100 Gift Card — $499.00 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $299.99 (List Price $599.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Gray) — $379.99 (List Price $499.99) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar — $99.99 (List Price $119.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article