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An influx of copy-and-pasted Christian messages has recently taken over TikTok’s comment sections. Over the past several days, comments about Jesus Christ have surfaced among the top comments on a wide range of unrelated videos. There’s no obvious connection between the accounts posting them, but the pattern is hard to miss. “Jesus died on a cross for you. He defeated death, he defeated your sins. He did this for you, and he gave us the Holy Spirit. Spread the word,” reads one of the most frequently repeated comments. Others follow the same script: Jesus died for our sins, we’ve been given the Holy Spirit, and now it’s our job to evangelize. Some even admit to being copy-pasted, though the origin of the trend remains unclear. Anyone chronically online knows that TikTok’s comment section is part of the fun. But the sudden wave of Christian spam is wearing on some users. “I was just browsing TikTok in bed this morning before waking up and like you said it’s nearly EVERY video that has 10 or so of these comments,” one Reddit user wrote in the r/Christianity subreddit. “I have nothing against anyone who is religious or spiritual in any way but absolutely no one is trying to be preached at while they’re just browsing or walking down the street etc, idk what folks think this accomplishes.” Other Reddit users have attempted to solve the mystery by suggesting possible explanations. However, no one is certain if the religious messages come from bots, Christians, religious organizations or a combination. “Lotta money in the christian right’s been flooding endorsements and advertisers online, you use that money to artificially boost your followers, you appear at the top of youtube. ta daaaaa, you have created a zeitgeist,” one Reddit user theorised. “Bots, shills, paid comments, and bots and bots,” added another. As well as raising questions, the trend has sparked a number of satirical responses. An edited version of the comment, also appearing across viral TikTok videos, references NBA star LeBron James in the same comment format, instead of Jesus Christ. Regardless of where the trend started, religious content is booming across TikTok’s 1.9 billion global users. Videos featuring the app’s top five religious hashtags, including #Jesus, have amassed over 1.2 trillion views. Despite assumptions about waning faith, Gen Z is just as religious as older generations, according to Pew Research’s 2025 study—and on TikTok, the pulpit is louder than ever. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google increased the negative keywords for PMax from 100 keywords to 10...View the full article

Optimized targeting is one default Google Ads feature that gets a ton of vitriol. Sure, it’s not the best choice for everyone. However, there are definite use cases for this automated targeting feature. Let’s explore: is optimized targeting your friend or foe in Google Ads? We’ll cover: What is optimized targeting in Google Ads? Which campaign types are compatible with optimized targeting? Which bid strategies are compatible with optimized targeting? Optimized targeting vs. Audience expansion Optimized targeting vs. Performance Max How to evaluate optimized targeting: is it working? Should you use optimized targeting? What is optimized targeting in Google Ads? The quick answer is this: optimized targeting turns your targeting into signals. The more detailed answer is this: Optimized targeting gives Google Ads permission to show your ads to whomever it thinks is most likely to convert, even if they don’t match your chosen audience or content targeting. While your targeting selections may be a starting point, Google takes those as “suggestions” and uses them as a starting point, but it’s free to roam outside those boundaries if it thinks it’ll find the right people for your business. Which campaign types are compatible with optimized targeting? Optimized targeting is turned on by default in Display campaigns and Demand Gen campaigns. In Display, optimized targeting will go beyond your content targeting (keywords, topics, placements) and/or audience targeting to find users who it thinks are likely to convert. In Demand Gen, optimized targeting will go beyond your audience targeting. Which bid strategies are compatible with optimized targeting? Because optimized targeting is focused on finding likely converters, it only works with conversion-focused smart bidding strategies. That means: Maximize Conversions. Maximize Conversion Value. Target CPA. Target ROAS. If you’re using a reach-focused or engagement-focused bid strategy, like Maximize clicks or Target CPV, then you may see a similar option called Audience expansion. Optimized targeting vs. Audience expansion Optimized targeting is no longer compatible with Video campaigns, since you can no longer run a conversion focused video campaign. Instead, you’ll find a feature called audience expansion. While it sounds similar to optimized targeting, it’s not the same thing. Audience expansion is all about reach. It lets Google show your ads to a broader audience, but it’s focused on views and engagement from that audience, not necessarily conversions. Optimized targeting vs. Performance Max If you’re familiar with Performance Max campaigns, you’ve already got a good grasp of optimized targeting. In Performance Max, you can provide audience signals and search themes, but ultimately, Google’s AI decides who to show your ads to. Optimized targeting works the same way. It’s how you can let Google’s AI find the most likely converters for your campaign. How to evaluate optimized targeting: is it working? If you want to see how your optimized targeting is performing vs your provided signals, head to Audiences, keywords and content > Audiences. You can compare the performance of your initial signals against what Google’s algorithm has found. For a broader view, check out Audience Insights under Insights and Reports > Insights. There, you’ll see which audiences were part of your original signals, which ones optimized targeting discovered, and how they compare. Should you use optimized targeting? For most Google Ads campaigns, you’re going to want to start with optimized targeting off. Make sure you turn it off during the campaign setup process, or go into your ad group settings to turn it off in an existing campaign. If your campaign is not achieving your conversion goals, it could be because: You aren’t reaching the right audience. Your ad creative is not enticing to your audience. Your landing page is not effectively guiding your audience to conversion. Your offer doesn’t match the audience’s wants or needs. Optimized targeting can help you test issue number 1, to see if perhaps you’re just not reaching the right audience with your ads. Turn it on, give it at least 2 weeks or 50 conversions (whichever comes first), and then decide whether it’s helping or hurting performance. In a nutshell, optimized targeting can help you get more conversions and/or get more efficient conversions. It’s not magic, though. In order to work effectively, you’ll still need the Google Ads fundamentals: accurate conversion tracking, standout creative, an excellent landing page, and a compelling offer. This article is part of our ongoing weekly Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. Every Wednesday, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read. View the full article

Individual refunds are up 6 percent. By Beth Bellor Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

Individual refunds are up 6 percent. By Beth Bellor Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is set to slash its workforce by more than half, eliminating over 1,300 positions as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to downsize the federal government. President Donald Trump has characterized the Department of Education as being influenced by “radical zealots and Marxists,” and Education Secretary Linda McMahon has publicly acknowledged that the recent workforce reductions at the department are part of a broader plan to dismantle the department entirely. McMahon claims that the recent workforce reduction aims to enhance efficiency and redirect resources. “Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” she said in a statement. Partisan divide Despite these assurances, the layoffs affect employees in roles crucial to ensuring compliance with federal education laws, handling student loan oversight, and supporting programs for low-income students and those with disabilities. Critics warn that reducing staff at this scale could significantly weaken the department’s ability to uphold equal access to education. A new nationally representative poll commissioned by New America, a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, D.C., and conducted by Voss Research and Strategy found that most Americans oppose eliminating the Department of Education. The survey revealed that 55% of American adults are against the idea, while only 25% support it, and 17 % remain unsure. The poll also highlighted a stark partisan divide: 89% of Democrats oppose eliminating the department while 51%of Republicans support the move. Independents lean against the cuts as well, with 54% opposing the proposal. Uncertain future for education oversight The cuts at the Education Department are part of a broader effort that has impacted multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, with employees reporting increased pressure to accept buyouts. The long-term impact of these cuts remains uncertain. While the administration argues that these reductions will create a leaner, more effective government, many question whether slashing the Education Department’s workforce will hinder its ability to serve students, schools, and borrowers. Surely not the path to greatness? View the full article

The center-right Demokraatit Party won the most votes in a surprising result in Greenland’s parliamentary elections, held in the shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated goal of taking control of the island one way or another. Both Demokraatit, or the Democrats, and the second-place finisher Naleraq, or Point of Orientation, favor Greenland’s independence from Denmark but differ on the pace of change. Demokraatit won nearly 30% of the vote, compared to just 9% in the election four years ago, Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation KNR TV reported. Naleraq came in second with almost 25% of the vote. In the 2021 election, they received just under 12%, according to KNR TV. Demokraatit’s upset victory over parties that have governed the territory for years indicated many in Greenland care just as much about health care, education, cultural heritage and other social policies. “I think this is a historic result in Greenland’s political history,” Demokraatit party leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen said. Nielsen, 33, appeared to be surprised by his party’s gains, with photos showing him sporting a huge grin and applauding at the election party. The Danish Broadcasting Corporation DR reported that Nielsen said his party would reach out to all other parties to negotiate the future political course for Greenland. “We had not expected that the election would have this outcome,” Nielsen said, according to KNR TV. “We are very happy.” Nielsen also said that Greenland needs to stand together “in a time of great interest from outside,” KNR TV reported. Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede had called the early vote in February, saying the country needed to be united during a “serious time” unlike anything Greenland has ever experienced. On Wednesday, after the results were known, Egede thanked voters in a Facebook post for turning out and said the parties were ready to turn to negotiations to form a government. His party, Inuit Ataqatigiit, or United Inuit, received 21% of the vote. This is a significant decline from the last election, when the party came in strongest with 36% of the vote, according to KNR TV. Inuit Ataqatigiit had been widely expected to win, followed by Siumut — two parties which had dominated Greenland’s politics in recent years. Siumut came in fourth with 14% of the vote. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen congratulated the Demokraatit party and said the future Greenlandic government would likely have to “deal with massive pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump,” according to DR. He added that “it’s not the case that you can just take part of the Danish Realm — the future of Greenland is based on what the Greenlandic people and government want,” DR reported. Trump has been outspoken about his desire to control Greenland, telling a joint session of Congress last week that he thought the U.S. was going to get it “one way or the other.” Greenland, a self-governing region of Denmark, straddles strategic air and sea routes in the North Atlantic and has rich deposits of the rare earth minerals needed to make everything from mobile phones to renewable energy technology. A break from Denmark wasn’t on the ballot, but it was on everyone’s mind. The island of 56,000 people has been on a path toward independence since at least 2009, and the 31 lawmakers elected will shape the island’s future as it debates whether the time has come to declare independence. Four of the five main parties in the race sought independence, but disagreed on when and how. Naleraq is the most aggressively pro-independence, while Demokraatit favors a more moderate pace of change. “What approach to independence will win the day will ultimately depend on if Demokraatit decides to form a coalition government, and if so, with which party,” said Dwayne Menezes, managing director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the election “a joyful day and a celebration of democracy” in a statement released Wednesday. Frederiksen congratulated Demokraatit on the win and said the Danish government would await the results of coalition negotiations. —Danica Kirka, Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’re looking for an outdoor security camera that doesn’t need constant battery swaps or a monthly subscription, the Eufy SoloCam S40 might be worth considering—especially now that it's $99.99 (down from its usual $199). This battery-powered camera comes with a built-in solar panel, which, according to Eufy, only needs two hours of direct sunlight daily to stay charged. That’s the kind of low-maintenance setup we want, but as with all solar-powered devices, real-world performance depends on actual sunlight exposure, so if you live somewhere gloomy or have lots of shade, you might run into trouble. Setup is straightforward, with built-in wifi allowing it to connect directly to your router without requiring a base station (but that also means you’ll need a strong signal wherever you install it). Eufy Security SoloCam S40 $99.99 at Walmart $199.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.99 at Walmart $199.99 Save $100.00 Security features are solid. The 90dB siren can be activated remotely if an intruder is spotted, and the two-way audio lets you communicate with visitors—or warn off unwanted ones. AI-powered motion detection helps cut down false alerts by recognizing whether movement is from a person or something else, and custom activity zones allow you to filter notifications to specific areas. Unlike many competing security cameras, the SoloCam S40 doesn’t require a subscription to access past recordings. Instead, it comes with 8GB of built-in storage. However, HomeKit isn’t supported, which might be a dealbreaker if you’re deep into Apple’s ecosystem. On the plus side, Alexa and Google Assistant integration means you can view the live feed on a smart display or include the camera in automation routines. The IP67-rated build of the SoloCam S40 means it can handle rain and dust, while its 130-degree field of view provides decent coverage. When motion is detected, you’ll get instant alerts on your smartphone and access to a 2K video feed through the Eufy Security app. The app also lets you tweak motion settings and review recordings, among other controls. Day or night, footage is recorded in color, thanks to its 600-lumen floodlight, though this light can only be set to trigger on motion detection or be manually turned on via the app—it won’t stay on for general illumination (something to consider if you were hoping to use it as a permanent fixture for illuminating a driveway or entryway). View the full article

A well-funded AI lab with a deep bench of research talent is releasing a powerful new model that generates high-definition video for the film and advertising industries. The company, Moonvalley, on Wednesday launched its first model, named Marey—a nod to early cinema pioneer Étienne-Jules Marey—which could soon help Hollywood studios dramatically speed up production and cut costs. What sets Marey apart—and has caught the attention of risk-averse studios—is its training data. The model was trained exclusively on video content either owned or fairly licensed by Moonvalley, avoiding the copyright gray zones that make much generative content legally fraught. Moonvalley is rolling out Marey to a group of 20 trusted filmmakers, some of whom work for major, household-name studios (whose names haven’t been disclosed), according to cofounder and CEO Naeem Talukdar. The version being released is still early-stage, with regular updates and new features planned. The key differentiator, Talukdar says, is Marey’s native high-definition output—something that’s been notoriously difficult to achieve. “The challenge is that if you want to output in high definition, your inputs have to be in high definition, so you need to be able to train the model on HD footage,” he says. In other words: It demands lots of powerful servers. By contrast, Talukdar says, most other video generation models are trained on lower-quality 480p or 720p video—and even then, they often compress the data before encoding. That compromises the model’s understanding of fine-grained detail, leading to uncanny or distorted outputs (like misrendered fingers). Marey is designed to overcome that. It’s also operated differently. Unlike most consumer-facing video generators that start with text prompts, Marey is tailored for professional workflows. Filmmakers can input storyboards or keyframes; actors can film demo reels on their phones, which producers can then use to generate scenes showing the actor from different angles or performing new movements. The model can make subtle edits, like changing the direction of wind in a character’s hair, or adjusting production-quality scenes—filling in background details or background characters (commonly played by extras). Moonvalley is also running pilot programs with brands looking to train the model on their own imagery and style guidelines. That could allow companies to generate broadcast-quality commercials on demand. “We have a number of smaller boutique brands who suddenly are like, ‘Hey, I can go and make a Super Bowl commercial,’” Talukdar says. The startup raised a $70 million seed round last year, backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, and General Catalyst. Vinod Khosla is described as an “unofficial” member of the board. Beyond the top-tier investors, Moonvalley has serious R&D chops. Cofounders Mateusz Malinowski and Mikołaj Bińkowski previously led video research at DeepMind and helped develop the model that later became Google’s Veo 2 video generator. The team includes six other DeepMind alumni, alongside talent from Meta, Microsoft, Google, TikTok, and Snap. While Talukdar acknowledges that AI tools like Marey could lower production costs, he insists it’s certainly not the beginning of the end for actors—or filmmakers. Budgets, he argues, aren’t likely to shrink; instead, creators will use the savings to pursue bigger, more ambitious ideas. “I think you’re going to see new jobs,” he says. “And more importantly, I think what this is really going to do is empower the creators more than anybody else.” View the full article

For several years now, pharmacies have faced economic challenges, from falling foot traffic to increased online competition. This has led many major pharmacy chains, including Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, to shutter locations and reduce their footprint. As a matter of fact, over the past decade, the United States has lost nearly 30% of its drugstores. But falling foot traffic and increased online competition aren’t the only things leading to a swath of drug store closures across America. New research from the nonprofit American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) shows that in the past three months alone, the United States has seen another 326 pharmacies close. And the report argues that the reason for those closures comes down to Congress’s abandonment of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. What is a pharmacy benefit manager? The term “pharmacy benefit manager,” better known by its acronym PBM, was little known outside of industry circles until last year, despite PBMs being a major part of America’s privatized healthcare system. A PBM is an entity that acts as a middleman between insurance companies and drugmakers. There are three major PBMs in America, run by UnitedHealth Group, Cigna Group, and CVS Health Corporation. PBMs help negotiate drug rebates from manufacturers, which PBM companies argue helps lower the cost of drugs for consumers. But this is often disputed. As Fast Company previously reported, the Center for American Progress (CAP) has noted that because PBMs may retain a portion of the rebate they negotiate and also may receive more money from an insurer than the drug is worth, the involvement of PBMs in the American healthcare system may be actually leading to higher drug costs overall. Fast Company reached out to all three major PBMs for comment on AELP’s report. We’ll update this post if we hear back. Report says PBMs are harming pharmacies PBMs also have a negative impact on pharmacies themselves, according to AELP. The report says that since the three major PBMs control 80% of U.S. prescription drug claims, they are able “to demand untenably lower reimbursement rates from independent pharmacies in exchange for inclusion in their networks.” AELP says many pharmacies choose to accept the lower reimbursement rates “for fear of losing access to a large share of their customer base.” The untenable rates, the nonprofit continues, “are accelerating the pharmacy closure epidemic.” It supports its arguments by providing a list of 326 pharmacies across America that have closed since December 19, when lawmakers effectively abandoned plans for PBM reform. Between December 19, 2024, and February 28, 2025, at least 237 independent pharmacies and 89 chain pharmacies have shut their doors. And since January 1, 2024, when AELP began tracking closures, at least 3,179 pharmacies have closed for good. AELP says that the closures, which it attributes to PBM practices, don’t just impact the pharmacy store owners and workers but the local community as a whole. “As predicted, without Congressional intervention, the Big Three PBMs have continued to abuse their market power, squeezing at least 326 pharmacies—237 of them independent—out of business in fewer than 10 weeks and stranding their most vulnerable patients in pharmacy deserts without access to lifesaving care,” said Emma Freer, AELP’s senior policy analyst for healthcare. PBM reform abandoned The December 19, 2024, date that AELP is using as a starting point for tracking the latest pharmacy closures is a significant one. In 2024, PBMs started coming under increased scrutiny as drug costs in America continued to rise. This scrutiny had bipartisan support, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers introducing legislation to rein in the unchecked operations of PBMs. But then, any bipartisan legislation that was being worked on fell through when, on December 19, “Congress abandoned bipartisan, bicameral PBM reforms as part of a stopgap spending bill,” AELP notes. In the lead-up to December 19, Elon Musk suddenly began tweeting his opposition to PBM reform. As AELP’s Freer notes, “Despite later admitting that he does not know what a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) is, Elon Musk successfully tanked PBM reforms with nearly unanimous House support late last year.” The American Economic Liberties Project is releasing its report about the pharmacy closures in the wake of the abandonment of PBM reform to highlight just how needed such reform is for the survival of independent pharmacies and the ability for Americans to access the drugs they need at a price that is both fair and affordable. As Freer states, “it is critical that Congress stand up to these healthcare monopolist middlemen and pass structural PBM reforms that will save their constituents’ time, money, and lives.” View the full article

Satellite-based disaster monitoring has been a slow and tedious process for decades. The process consists of capturing images, transmitting them back to Earth, and relying on human analysts to interpret the data. This often led to first responders receiving critical information, often too late to act effectively. But AI is now revolutionizing satellite operations in space, aiding real-time image processing and autonomous decision-making. NASA’s latest space venture focuses on AI-powered autonomous satellites that can operate without human oversight. In collaboration with Ireland-based satellite intelligence startup Ubotica, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed Dynamic Targeting, an AI-driven system that allows satellites to process image data onboard, potentially enhancing disaster response. Dynamic Targeting was recently tested in real-world scenarios, including the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles and the Valencia floods. The AI system was integrated in CogniSAT-6 satellite, a 6-unit cubesat developed by Ubotica and NASA JPL, and autonomously processed data onboard and transmitted insights to Earth within minutes. At the core of CogniSAT-6 lies Live Earth Intelligence (LEI)—Ubotica’s onboard processing platform that integrates AI agents into Earth observation satellites. Paired with SPACE:AI, an end-to-end vision processing framework, the architecture transforms conventional satellites into always-connected observers, enabling rapid decision-making. “With LEI, we can quickly deploy and run AI models from third parties directly in orbit. By leveraging Inter-Satellite Links (ISL), these insights reach the right people faster, ensuring critical information gets where it’s needed, exactly when it’s needed,” Fintan Buckley, CEO of Ubotica, told Fast Company. “We’re at an inflection point. Satellites will no longer just observe; they’ll analyse, interpret, and respond in real time.” Dynamic Targeting: The Future of AI-Powered Earth Observation CogniSAT-6’s Dynamic Targeting system can analyze lookahead images in as little as 50 seconds. Buckley added that if one satellite can’t capture the image due to cloud cover, the AI system alerts others to try on their next pass, removing the need for operators to retask satellites manually. In mixed constellations, the system can even switch to radar imaging (SAR) when clouds are an issue, ensuring data is still collected. “With Dynamic Targeting, the satellite first takes a quick, low-resolution ‘look-ahead’ image, and onboard AI analyzes it for cloud cover. If the target area is clear, the satellite locks on and captures a high-resolution image. If not, it discards the request, conserving bandwidth and storage,” explained Buckley. During the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, identifying smoke plumes through autonomous imaging allowed emergency teams to monitor the fire’s spread effectively. Likewise, during the Valencia floods, the AI swiftly estimated that 21% of the observed area near Valencia was flooded, and sent down accurate flood data immediately to Earth. “AI-powered satellites can analyze a scene and deliver insights to the ground within minutes, making Earth observation viable in situations where other imaging methods fall short,” said Buckley. “These satellites will soon be integrated with insights from other sources to create an accurate, up to date, view of the situation on the ground to support the responders to manage the situation.” The partnership between Ubotica and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) began in 2022, when they collaborated to test AI-driven image processing aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Under a $632,000 contract with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in California, Ubotica is currently preparing for the first live in-orbit test of Dynamic Targeting in early 2025 through CogniSAT-6. U.S. vs. China: The Geopolitical Race for Space Intelligence While NASA and Ubotica are pushing the boundaries of satellite technology, they face competition from China. The country has been aggressively deploying its own AI-powered Earth observation satellites, Tiantuo and Zhuhai. Operated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and commercial partner Zhuhai Orbita, has already incorporated AI-driven image processing similar to NASA JPL’s initiatives. The geopolitical implications of this race are profound, as autonomous satellites can also provide strategic intelligence on environmental changes, maritime security, and even military movements. NASA JPL and Ubotica, however, are actively collaborating with defense agencies across the U.S. and Europe, to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness. Their AI-powered satellites are playing a crucial role in securing maritime assets such as underwater cables, offshore wind farms, and detecting suspicious vessel activity. “It is important to safeguard the vast network of underwater high-speed communication cables, as they often subject to accidental or deliberate damage,” Buckley added. “The key is to identify and warn off vessels before any damage occurs, and if an incident happens, track and hold the offending vessel accountable.” However, this leap in technology also raises critical questions about the reliability of AI decision-making in life-or-death situations. Can AI be Trusted Without Human Oversight? Traditionally, Earth observation has relied on human judgment to verify and interpret satellite data. AI-powered autonomous systems could misclassify minor weather shifts as emergencies or overlook critical events due to biased training data. Despite these concerns, Buckley claims that AI autonomy is inevitable. “Human oversight will eventually become obsolete,” Buckley told Fast Company. “But like almost every other disruptive technology, it will take much longer than anticipated for this to happen.” To mitigate AI errors, Ubotica’s Dynamic Targeting system integrates multiple safeguards through its Live Earth Intelligence (LEI) framework. “A built-in Neural Network Supervisor constantly monitors AI outputs, discarding insights that fall outside trained parameters. The system also cross-validates insights by incorporating data from multiple sources rather than relying solely on satellite imagery,” he explained. The system ensures continuous learning and improvement by actively selecting images to enhance future model performance. NASA’s bet on AI is a bold leap into uncharted territory that could redefine how we monitor our planet and respond to crises. As Buckley explained, AI’s role isn’t just about analyzing satellite imagery; it’s about coordinating real-time responses. “With Dynamic Targeting, we can command other satellites in a constellation to provide real-time updates as a fire develops. Could this capability extend to drones responding to wildfires? Absolutely.” View the full article

The British government on Wednesday called the Trump administration’s tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports “disappointing,” but said that it won’t impose retaliatory measures. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, however, did not rule out future tariffs on U.S. imports and said he would “continue to engage closely and productively with the U.S. to press the case for U.K. business interests.” “We will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest,” Reynolds said. Treasury Minister James Murray echoed that, telling Times Radio: “We reserve our right to retaliate.” Britain is not part of the European Union, which Wednesday announced import taxes on American goods, ranging from steel and aluminum to bourbon, peanut butter, and jeans in response to Trump’s move. Center-left U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has worked to build strong ties with President Donald Trump, in hope of avoiding the tariffs levied on many other U.S. trading partners. After a meeting last month at the White House, Trump and Starmer said their governments would work on sealing a long-elusive U.S.-U.K. trade deal. Reynolds said the government remains “focused on a pragmatic approach and are rapidly negotiating a wider economic agreement with the U.S. to eliminate additional tariffs and to benefit U.K. businesses and our economy.” The tariffs are a new blow for Britain’s once-mighty steel industry, which has shrunk dramatically from its 1970s peak and now accounts for 0.1% of the economy. Thousands of jobs are due to be lost at the country’s biggest steelworks, at Port Talbot in Wales, as owner Tata Steel tries to make the unprofitable plant leaner and greener. Trade body UK Steel said that in 2024, Britain exported 180,000 metric tons (198,000 U.S. tons) of steel to the United States, about 7% of the U.K.’s total steel exports by volume and 9% by value. The aluminum industry says the U.S. market accounts for 10% of U.K. exports. —Jill Lawless, Associated Press View the full article

As an agency owner, you need skills to write content that your clients and audiences will love. Luckily, you can learn how to do it with proper steps and helpful tools. Here, we’ll discuss how to plan, write, and optimize the content work for your clients. If you have your process down, you’ll easily create content that aligns with the client’s needs and brings in results. One of the tools we’ll use is the Yoast SEO plugin, which helps your content production. Table of contents Understanding what makes content valuable Strategic planning is the foundation Ideation and content planning Optimize your writing for readability Using Yoast SEO in your content process Inspiring through actionable content Wrapping up Understanding what makes content valuable Good content always has a goal — it could answer questions, solve problems, or offer critical information. If readers find your clients’ content valuable, they will likely feel listened to. They will understand that the advice and ideas are meant for them, which helps you build a bond with them. Writing valuable, high-quality content isn’t just for filling your client’s websites but a way to help and inspire them to improve their business. There are many options to get results from the content you produce for your clients. So, what are some of the more popular goals you can target with your client’s content? Building brand recognition: Share brand stories and values so people understand who your clients are. Teaching the audience: Create articles and videos showing how products and services work. Getting leads: Write content to get people to subscribe, download items, or contact your client. Driving traffic: If your client’s content is valuable, readers will likely click on their site. Increasing engagement: Make content to spark conversations and get feedback. Keep writing focused and clear, with your eyes on the ball. You should focus intently on your clients’ current issues, challenges, and opportunities. Take the time to write well-researched pieces, as these can empower your readers. Once you do this, they will likely see your clients as subject matter experts they can trust. Straightforward, high-quality content can inspire readers and bring much value to you as an agency. Strategic planning is the foundation Much of the writing process is about planning. Before you write for your clients, clearly define the goals for that content piece. Find out what questions your clients’ customers are struggling with and how your answers can help them. Research their target audience to understand their daily struggles. This way, you can make your content much more relevant to readers. It’s advisable to spend plenty of time doing keyword research. This process is very helpful, giving you many insights into your client’s audience and the words they use to find things. Ultimately, these findings will help you build content strategies for your clients. The next step is to create a content plan. First, make a simple calendar or a list of topics your client wants to cover. Your plan will guide them and help them keep track of their audience’s themes and recurring concerns. Don’t forget to use tools that integrate directly into their content. For instance, the Yoast SEO plugin has integrated keyword research features — among many other great features. It can highlight keywords and trends related to current topics, which will help your clients plan the current piece of content but could also inform the next. Ideation and content planning After researching, it’s time to start generating ideas for your client’s content. Don’t tie yourself up too much; brainstorm freely. Write down every topic that pops up and then organize these ideas to match the client’s needs. Mind mapping is a fantastic way to sort and visualize these ideas. Of course, you can always use a simple list or whatever works for you. Seeing these ideas together helps your client see the connection between them. Before starting to write, it’s a good idea to think about the structure of the content. Break down the article into introductions, main sections, and conclusions. This way, it’s easier to structure the content and keep the writing focused and readable. From there, write and edit the first draft — editing helps the content shine. Optimize your writing for readability Good writing is all about clarity. Use direct language and try to avoid passive voice. Vary your sentence length to keep the client’s articles engaging. Start with a bold statement or an inverted pyramid-style intro. In the rest of the article, use detailed explanations to build on and prove the main point. Read more: SEO copywriting: the ultimate guide Format your client’s text to improve readability. Always use headers to introduce new sections and short paragraphs to make it easier for readers to follow the ideas. The same goes for using lists and bullet points to break up walls of text. Make sure that every element of your client’s layout allows the reader to understand your writing quickly. During this phase, you also need to consider on-page SEO optimizations. Watch how you use your focus keywords and logically structure your client’s content. As you might know, Yoast SEO is a fantastic tool for this. It gives you feedback on sentences, passive voice use, and keyword use and distribution. As a result, this feedback helps publish high-quality content, especially under a tight deadline. Read more: What is high-quality content and how do you create it? Using Yoast SEO in your content process Yoast SEO is an SEO plugin/add-on for WordPress, Shopify, and WooCommerce. It’s designed with simplicity in mind while also offering a solid set of SEO features. It also lives within your post editor to give you feedback on your writing. For instance, it offers real-time suggestions on how you use keywords and the structure of your article. Thanks to this, you can focus on the writing part without sacrificing the SEO and technical aspects of making content your clients will love. Yoast SEO is an industry standard for agencies. It’s a helpful tool that guides users in writing engaging, valuable content for all clients. As it’s aimed at ease of use, the feedback is practical and insightful. Also, Yoast SEO Premium comes with AI-powered suggestions that make this process even easier. Using this SEO plugin in your agency helps you build a consistent content process to write, review, and optimize high-quality content. Inspiring through actionable content Help your readers out and show how little things can make a big difference. Don’t forget to give your clients the tools and processes needed to succeed. For instance, share your best practices and guidelines for writing content and creating the valuable material everyone seeks. Share stories of how your agency helped clients reach their content goals, as these insights help potential new clients choose you over the competition. Inspiration can come from many places, but it’s not always a given. When you get inspired, your client’s content can reach a whole new level. Content can also reach new heights when writing with a clear purpose and using tools that support your writing process. This way, you can turn a simple set of ideas into content your clients will love. Wrapping up Creating content your client loves depends on many things, especially having good plans, writing clearly, and regular improvements. As always, everything starts with research to build a solid plan. After that, start creating relevant content for your clients with clear writing and text structure. Finally, optimize your work with helpful tools like the Yoast SEO plugin, which gives relevant feedback and improvements. You should also treat it as a learning process and improve as you go. This way, your clients eventually have a solid foundation that gets more engagement and deeper connections with their audience. Try it out and see how it can change your client’s next project. Every article will strengthen your client relationship while showing your expertise and experience. The post How to write valuable content that your clients will love appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

In a positive sign for the economy, headline inflation slowed in February. But the reading alone likely is not enough to break the Federal Open Market Committee out of its wait-and-see mode. View the full article

Wix introduces new Automations to help businesses turn customer actions into revenue and stronger engagement The post New Wix Automations Makes It Easy To Grow Revenue And Engagement appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Microsoft's released its monthly Patch Tuesday update for March 2025 to fix 57 bugs across Windows, Office, Azure, and other Microsoft systems. Seven of the patches address zero-day vulnerabilities, six of which have been actively exploited. According to Bleeping Computer, this month's update fixes 23 elevation of privilege flaws, three security feature bypass flaws, 23 remote code execution flaws, four information disclosure flaws, one denial of service flaw, and three spoofing flaws. Microsoft also released patches to numerous vulnerabilities in Mariner and Microsoft Edge this month. Patch Tuesday fixes for MarchSeven of the flaws fixed were zero-day vulnerabilities, which allow bad actors to exploit systems before an official patch is released by developers. In this case, six of the seven zero-day vulnerabilities were actively exploited, while one was publicly exposed—so it's only a matter of time before actors exploit this seventh vulnerability, as well. Two of the six active exploits (CVE-2025-24985 and CVE-2025-24993) are remote code execution vulnerabilities, through which attackers trick users into mounting a malicious VHD file to run code remotely. One affects the Windows Fast FAT System Driver, while the other is a flaw in Windows NTFS. Two of the active exploits are information disclosure vulnerabilities, both in Windows NTFS. CVE-2025-24984 allows bad actors with physical access to a device to read memory and steal data when a malicious USB drive is inserted, while CVE-2025-24991 is exploited when a user mounts a malicious VHD file. Finally, there's CVE-2025-24983, a vulnerability in the Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem that allows local attackers to gain system privileges on a device, and CVE-2025-26633, a security feature bypass vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console. Microsoft says most of the exploited zero-days flaws were disclosed anonymously, though CVE-2025-24983 was identified by ESET and CVE-2025-26633 by Trend Micro. The publicly disclosed zero-day—labeled CVE-2025-26630 and discovered by Unpatched.ai—allows remote code execution in Microsoft Office Access if the user opens a file sent via a phishing or social engineering attack. Microsoft also released patches for six other "critical" vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Office, Remote Desktop Client, Windows Domain Name Service, Windows Remote Desktop Services, and Windows Subsystem for Linux Kernel. How to install Microsoft's latest security updatesMicrosoft releases its Patch Tuesday fixes on the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. PT and pushes notifications and security updates to users if needed. Windows and Microsoft security updates generally download and install automatically on your PC. To ensure your PC is updated, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update, and select Check for Windows updates. View the full article

When the rules change, smart players adjust their strategy. Google Ads has changed a lot since it first launched. But shifting PPC strategies isn’t always easy. What happens if the rules change and you don’t know about it? Or you’re too confused by the new rules to take decisive action? Here’s how to adapt to changes in Google Ads while keeping your competitive edge and sanity. Google Ads stacks the deck in its own favor Google Ads constantly makes changes to increase its revenue. If there were a Serenity principle for advertisers, it might be: “Grant me the clarity to accept the Google Ads changes I can’t control, the knowledge to push back on the ones I can, and the insight to recognize when I’m being manipulated.” Here are the three main types of changes you’ll see with Google Ads and how to outsmart the platform at each step. 1. Forced adoption: You don’t have a choice With forced adoption, there’s no workaround or way to opt out. Google makes changes, and advertisers are forced to adapt. Take search term visibility. Advertisers once had access to 100% of their search term data. Now? In the campaign below, 90% of clicks are hidden under Other search terms. There’s no setting to change this. You’re paying for the clicks, but you don’t get to see where they came from. The recently announced “asset flexibility” change would also fall in this category. Don’t want your unpinned headlines to be used as sitelinks or your description lines to vanish entirely? Too bad! What can you do? When you can’t fight the change, you must change how you play. For example, CTR isn’t what it used to be. When Google Ads were limited to three on the right rail, competing for clicks was a different game. Today, an ad can dominate the entire above-the-fold space. If you’re still using CTR as a primary KPI, you may be optimizing for a world that no longer exists. Dig deeper: Google Ads optimization: What to stop, start, and continue in 2025 2. Persuasion tactics: Opting out feels like a mistake With persuasion tactics, you control how you respond to platform changes, but Google makes saying no feel like a mistake. The platform is designed to nudge, pressure, and gamify decisions in Google’s favor. You’ve seen it before: Interface nudges pushing you toward automation and expanded targeting. Warning alerts implying your campaign is failing without Google’s recommended action. Language framing that sells changes as “upgrades” or “best practices” to make them seem like the only smart choice. Then there’s gamification. Ad Strength and Optimization Scores tap into your instinct to “fix” low numbers, even when it doesn’t help performance. Google Ads reps are often incentivized to push automation adoption over actual results. What can you do? Persuasion tactics work because they shift responsibility onto you. If you choose to make a change, you’re less likely to push back when it doesn’t work. But that choice was never as independent as it seemed. Outsmart these tactics by: Ignoring false urgency: Just because an alert appears doesn’t mean something is wrong. Slowing down your decisions: Is this good for my account or just for Google? Second-guessing Google reps: Many are incentivized to push automation, not to improve your performance. The more aware you are, the more confident you can be in making decisions that serve your business, not Google’s. Dig deeper: Google Ads best practices: The good, the bad and the balancing act 3. Deceptive patterns: The real choices are hidden Deceptive patterns in Google Ads rely on unexpected defaults, buried settings, and misleading options that quietly steer you into decisions you wouldn’t make if the choice were obvious. With these changes, you never notice the choice in the first place, and your budget gets wasted without you ever realizing it. The challenge with deceptive patterns is that you don’t know what you don’t know. However, the more familiar you are with Google’s interface and the ways it quietly reshapes your choices, the better equipped you are to take back control. What can you do? Check the defaults: Many settings automatically enroll you in things you wouldn’t knowingly choose, like broad match expansion or automated asset placements. Explore the interface: Google regularly moves or renames settings, making it harder to find what you can control. Take time to see what’s changed. Ask questions: Your coworkers, industry forums, and fellow marketers have likely already spotted things you weren’t aware of. Grab the PDF: Your 22-page companion guide to this SMX session – covering the most common deceptive defaults and where to find them. Dig deeper: Top Google Ads recommendations you should always ignore, use, or evaluate Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Make sense of complex updates and announcements If you’re anything like me, your day is a constant stream of Google alerts, updates, and notifications. Someone’s breaking news on LinkedIn. An email from Google insists on immediate action. A story in your feed begs to be unpacked and interpreted Even if you went on a news diet, you’d still have to deal with the fact that what worked for your Google Ads account last year might not work for you this year. What’s frustrating about updates isn’t just the pace and frequency; it can also be hard to even know what they’re talking about. Say there’s a new campaign type called “Enhanced Max Select for Conversions” that claims to reach new customers at the right moment with the right message. You read the email and follow the links to the press release and blog post, but you’re still left wondering: What action, if any, do I need to take? What happens if I don’t take action? How will this affect my results? What hidden agendas might be driving this change? What do clients and leadership teams care about? You can’t find answers to your basic questions, and you’re stuck wondering how to move forward. To help you combat this analysis paralysis, I created a custom GPT. Meet Nora, the Paid Search Decoder. Nora helps you break down announcements, so you actually know what action to take. Let’s see Nora in action with this Google Ads announcement, “New features and controls for your AI-powered campaigns.” In it, you’ll find the vaguest of headlines like “Media management, your way.” If you ask regular ChatGPT, “What actions can I take from this update?” you’ll get a pile of non-actionable babble. Things like “leverage AI” and “enhance brand control.” Now, let’s ask Nora the same question, “What actions can I take from this update?” Nora gives you a clear breakdown of what’s immediately available and what’s rolling out later. The usual cautions apply. Always verify sources and be on the lookout for AI hallucinations. But with Nora, along with other trusted sources, you can make sense of new rollouts faster and actually know what to do next. Dig deeper: How to tank your Google Ads account in 10 days Stay focused: Let your account goals drive your decisions In any paid search discussion, the same questions always come up: “What’s the best bidding strategy?” “How many keywords should be in an ad group?” These aren’t bad questions, but they’re starting in the wrong place. Great marketing doesn’t come from chasing tactics. And it definitely doesn’t come from chasing every new Google Ads feature. If you want to outsmart Google Ads, get strategic. Instead of starting with which tactics to use, start with your goals. Ask: “What does my account need?” “How do I get it?” Then, choose the tactics that support your strategy. I’ll show you what I mean. Here’s a campaign where CPCs were creeping up, CPA was at an all-time high, and the agency had made 51 budget changes in just eight months. When we took over, we defined clear goals and then built a strategy to match. Objectives Keep CPL low. Increase conversions and conversion rate. Reduce budget changes. Target demand-side interest (not supply-side). Strategy Edit and pin ad copy to clarify demand-side targeting. tCPA with a portfolio bid strategy to limit max bids. The result 50% more conversions. 25% lower CPA. No more budget-whiplash. Will this exact approach work for you? Probably not. And that’s the point. A personalized decision tree can help you focus on what actually drives results for your account without getting distracted by shiny objects. (Download the PDF for access.) [Watch] Outsmarting Google Ads: Insider strategies to navigate changes like a pro Find more insights and strategies for outsmarting Google Ads in my SMX Next session: View the full article

Essential content creation tools include a video editor, a photo editor, and an AI writer. See our top picks. View the full article

City executives have urged chancellor to lower cap on tax-free savingsView the full article

Figure could pave the way for earlier Federal Reserve rate cutsView the full article

The European Union on Wednesday announced retaliatory trade action with new duties on U.S. industrial and farm products, responding within hours to the Trump administration’s increase in tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to 25%. The world’s biggest trading bloc was expecting the U.S. tariffs and prepared in advance, but the measures still place great strain on already tense transatlantic relations. Only last month, Washington warned Europe that it would have to take care of its own security in the future. The EU measures will cover goods from the United States worth some 26 billion euros ($28 billion), and not just steel and aluminum products, but also textiles, home appliances, and agricultural goods. Motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter, and jeans will be hit, as they were during President Donald Trump’s first term. The EU duties aim for pressure points in the U.S. while minimizing additional damage to Europe. The tariffs—taxes on imports—primarily target Republican-held states, hitting soybeans in House speaker Mike Johnson’s Louisiana, but also beef and poultry in Kansas and Nebraska. Produce in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia is also on the list. The EU moves to protect itself European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that the bloc “will always remain open to negotiation.” “As the U.S. are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth 26 billion euros,” she said. The commission manages trade and commercial conflicts on behalf of the 27 member EU countries. “We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs,” von der Leyen said. Trump said his taxes would help create U.S. factory jobs, but von der Leyen said: “Jobs are at stake. Prices will go up. In Europe and in the United States.” “We deeply regret this measure. Tariffs are taxes. They are bad for business, and even worse for consumers. These tariffs are disrupting supply chains. They bring uncertainty for the economy,” she said. American business group urges talks The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU said the U.S. tariffs and EU countermeasures “will only harm jobs, prosperity, and security on both sides of the Atlantic.” “The two sides must de-escalate and find a negotiated outcome urgently,” the chamber said Wednesday. What will actually happen? Trump slapped similar tariffs on EU steel and aluminum during his first term in office, which enraged European and other allies. The EU also imposed countermeasures in retaliation at the time, raising tariffs on U.S.-made motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter, and jeans, among other items. This time, the EU action will involve two steps. First, on April 1, the commission will reintroduce what it calls “rebalancing measures,” which the EU had from 2018 and 2020 but which were suspended under the Biden administration. Then on April 13 come the additional duties targeting 18 billion euros ($19.6 billion) in U.S. exports to the bloc. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič traveled to Washington last month in an effort to head off the tariffs, meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other top trade officials. He said on Wednesday that it became clear during the trip “that the EU is not the problem.” “I argued to avoid the unnecessary burden of measures and countermeasures, but you need a partner for that. You need both hands to clap,” Šefčovič told reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. European steel companies brace for losses The EU could lose up to 3.7 million tons of steel exports, according to the European steel association Eurofer. The U.S. is the second biggest export market for EU steel producers, representing 16% of the total EU steel exports. The EU estimates that annual trade volume between both sides stands at about $1.5 trillion, representing some 30% of global trade. While the bloc has a substantial export surplus in goods, it says that is partly offset by the U.S. surplus in the trade of services. Britain, which isn’t part of the EU, meanwhile said it won’t impose retaliatory measures of its own on the U.S. British Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Wednesday he would “continue to engage closely and productively with the U.S. to press the case for U.K. business interests.” He did not rule out future tariffs on U.S. imports, saying “we will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest.” McHugh reported from Frankfurt. Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report. This story corrects Maroš Šefčovič’s title to EU trade commissioner, not European Commission vice president. —Lorne Cook and David McHugh, Associated Press View the full article

‘Ignored stocks’ outperform as Big Tech and banks slideView the full article

With AI reducing traditional search traffic, expanding SEO efforts into emerging markets can help businesses capture new revenue and stay ahead of competitors. The post Using SEO To Capture Growth Opportunities In Emerging Markets appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

US-based Niantic is selling its games business as part of a pivot to artificial intelligence View the full article

Forget a diamond ring, the latest symbol of commitment now comes in the form of wearable tech. The RAW ring, created by the dating app RAW and Queens Tech, allows couples to track each other’s emotions, both good and bad. Coming as a pair—one for you, one for your partner—the rings track the wearer’s heartbeat, use bio-sensors to track their vitals, and detect voice and emotional cues for changes. Think, a digital mood ring, but for someone else’s emotions. “Keep you and your partner’s hearts beating as one. Feel their emotions, share your vibe, and stay connected in ways that go beyond words,” reads a statement on the RAW website. “Marriage evolves, and so does loyalty. Sacred vows go digital. RAW’s mission? Making true love trackable.” The ring’s makers claim that the device can identify emotional states such as stress, anxiety and arousal. “When something’s up, you’ll know. Simple as that,” adds Marina Anderson, RAW cofounder. Tracking your partner’s emotions comes with some obvious pitfalls. While the company claims that the ring “understands context”—such as telling the difference between a spike in heart rate from exercise versus emotional arousal—things could still get awkward. If your synced ring suddenly flashes purple-red (a signal for arousal) in the middle of the workday, that’s probably not a conversation you’ll be excited to have when you both get home. While for some couples, sharing their location is quickly becoming a modern relationship milestone, is it really healthy to know every tiny fluctuation of your partner’s emotions throughout the day? As technology becomes increasingly woven into our daily lives, the line between convenience and control is growing increasingly blurred. Granting your partner access to your intimate emotions is a recipe for disaster if jealousy is a pre-existing issue in the relationship. In extreme cases, abusers have also been known to use tracking technology to stalk and surveil their partners. For those who are eager to test out the Raw ring, the device has yet to hit the market but is likely to be made available to purchase in late 2025 or early 2026. Details on the price have yet to be announced. View the full article