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Microsoft has confirmed it uses schema markup to help its LLMs (large language models) understand your content. There has been a debate around if AI models and LLMs use schema or structured data, and at least Microsoft has confirmed they do. Source. Fabrice Canel from Microsoft’s Bing confirmed this while on stage at SMX Munich the other day. David wrote, “Fabrice Canel confirms that schema markup helps Microsoft’s LLMs understand your content in his excellent SMX – Search Marketing Expo in Munich presentation.” David Mihm posted on LinkedIn these details, which later Fabrice Canel confirmed in the comments area. Fabrice added, “Gen AIs value fresh content in particular, partly as a reference check of their LLM training data. Use the API at indexnow.org to push that information as it’s published or updated.” Other AI engines. It is not clear if Google’s Gemini or other AI engines, like OpenAI, Perplexity and others use schema or not. It would make sense that Gemini uses it in conjunction with AI Overviews in Search, but we do not have official confirmation from Google on that. Why we care. Marking up your content with structured data and schema can help search engines understand your content, and also help their LLMs understand your content. Plus, they help you gain rich results within Google Search, which may improve your click-through rate from the search results. View the full article

To ban or not to ban cellphones in school, that is the perennial question facing parents and educators across the country. A new study published in The Lancet lends credence to the latter camp, finding no evidence that restricting student access to cellphones improved either well-being or grades in reading and math. The study examined 30 schools in the U.K., 20 of which restricted cellphones in some capacity, 10 which did not. “In restrictive schools, phones were not allowed to be used during the school day for recreational purposes, and were required to be kept off inside bags, stored in lockers, kept in a pouch, handed into the school reception, or phones were not allowed onto the school premises altogether,” the authors wrote. “In permissive schools, phones were permitted to be used at any time or at certain times (e.g., breaks/lunch) and/or in certain zones (e.g., outside).” Contrary to popular belief, the researchers found no significant difference in the mental well-being of those students allowed to use their phones compared to those who were not. Importantly, that doesn’t mean cellphones don’t pose problems. The researchers found that the more time students spent on cellphones and social media, the lower their mental well-being. However, banning cellphones and eradicating social media isn’t the answer here. While plenty of research shows the damage phones and social media can do to our mental health and dwindling attention spans, love them or hate them, cellphones aren’t going anywhere. Educators and administrators are better off putting their energy into helping teenagers navigate a world with cellphones and social media. Learning how to focus despite the pull of a phone in their back pocket will serve students better than coming up with ways to circumvent restrictive phone policies. “Reactionary hacks have been pushing the false narrative that social media and smartphones are leading to declining literacy and mental health problems. It’s false, and it’s simply the latest iteration of a long running freak out about the technology and media that young people are using,” writes journalist Taylor Lorenz in User Mag. While no one thinks students should be allowed to scroll on their phones all day in class, banning phones outright won’t magically make all problems disappear. If you’ve ever tried to ban a child from doing literally anything, you’ll understand why. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Over the years, we’ve heard about people who chose some pretty odd hills to die on — people who became so strongly committed to a minor fight that they lost all sight of logic and decorum. To wit: “Our break room has a giant whiteboard calendar in it. Last year the company sent us a new one and asked us to start using it at the first of this year. Not really sure why … the other was perfectly usable and there was no differing info on it, but hey, whatever! The new calendar is slightly smaller than the previous one – as in the previous calendar was 36×48 inches and the new one is 32×44 inches. The woman who updates this calendar was FURIOUS about this change. Oh the campaign this woman has waged to get the old calendar back – she sends emails, complains to every single employee at least once a day, has started tours of our branch in the break room (she points to the board and announces ‘this is the piece of crap calendar they expect us to use’), and holds that fury in her heart. Recently a few big wigs in the company were visiting and she started her tour as usual and then she paused as if expecting them to agree with her. They didn’t, she sighed heavily and moved on with her tour. Before they left she made sure to send them back to the home office with a list outlining why the new calendar sucks. You know they just crumpled that crap up into a ball the second they got into the car.” • • • • • “When I started an office IT job, one of my first assignments was to clean up and update everyone’s computers. The first time I worked with this one coworker’s computer, it was a complete mess. He had some kind of add on for IE that added a little animated Olaf (from the movie Frozen) that would dance around and occasionally have animated snowflakes fall down the screen. Needless to say, it slowed his computer to a crawl, and he was always complaining about how slow his computer was. So, among general scans and cleanup, I removed the add on. He was LIVID. Went to my boss, to HR, to the head boss, because his animated dancing snowman that messed up his computer was gone. Phrases like ‘she has no right’ and ‘how dare she’ were thrown around. He made a big show of downloading some other hideous animated nav bar add on instead, and kept trying to flaunt it whenever I was nearby.” • • • • • “Upon being told that it was now mandatory to wear your badge on a lanyard (no, not a clip, not on your belt, it had to be a lanyard), one woman completely lost it. She stood up (this was a meeting) and ranted about how lanyards were UGLY and they RUINED her outfits and WHY OH WHY was this a rule because EVERYONE hated it (no, the rest of us were fine) and so on. She compared it to ‘papers, please’ and how this was the slippery slope that would lead to robot workers and oh there was so much more but I can’t remember it all. Over the next few weeks she tried wearing her lanyard inside her blouse (no, the point is that the badge is visible) and claiming she just forgot until she got written up… and SHE QUIT. Well, took early retirement, but still.” • • • • • “When I worked at a Scout camp, we would usually get two shirts each summer specific to the year: a polo shirt in that summer’s color, and a t-shirt listing what area of the camp you worked in. For years we wore the polo shirts on Mondays and the area shirts on Wednesdays, when families came to visit. Then one year management decided we should switch that, so campers could see who worked where at the start of the week and we’d all look nice and fancy when Mom and Dad showed up. There was a minor uprising. Yelling arguments. Flat refusal to cooperate. We had staff for YEARS after the change who would wear the wrong shirt and say “oh — you didn’t tell me we were doing it different this week from how we’ve always done it.” We had staff members going so far as to carry two shirts with them all day Monday and Wednesday so they could put on the correct shirt when management was around, then change back to the other shirt when nobody was looking. Some of the worst offenders were our old retired guys (who are like gold, it’s hard to find adults to work at summer camp, so they weren’t disciplined over minor shirt disobedience) and carried the torch for their preferred shirt rotation for a literal decade after the change.” • • • • • In the comment section, let’s discuss the weirdest hills to die on you’ve ever seen at work. View the full article

What Are Deliverables In Project Management? Projects produce deliverables, which are simply the results of project activities. Project deliverables can be big or small, and their number varies depending on the project. They’re agreed upon by the project management team and stakeholders during the project planning phase. Put another way, there are inputs and outputs in any type of project. Inputs are what you put into the project, such as data, resources, etc., and the outcomes are the deliverables. Again, those deliverables vary greatly. For example, a project deliverable can be either a product or service or it can be the documentation that’s part of the project closure. /wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Project-Scope-Template-1.png Get your free Project Scope Template Use this free Project Scope Template for Word to manage your projects better. Download Word File Project Deliverables vs. Project Milestones It’s understandable to confuse a project deliverable with a project milestone. A deliverable, after all, is an outcome and to some extent so is a project milestone. But they’re not the same thing. Let’s define a project milestone to make that clearer. A project milestone is used to mark something big in the project, so a milestone could occur with a deliverable. But milestones are often used to indicate the completion of a project phase. You wouldn’t call moving from project planning to project execution a deliverable, though it’s made up of deliverables, which usually come at the end of a task. Remember, a deliverable is quantifiable. It’s something that was created over time, with resources and effort. A project milestone, while encompassing deliverables, is a marker in time to indicate the transition from one thing to another. Project management tools such as Gantt charts, kanban boards and project calendars can help you track the progress of your team on the completion of project deliverables. In addition to these project management tools, ProjectManager has one-click reporting that captures data on project variance, time, cost and more. These reports can be shared as PDF attachments or printed depending on the stakeholder’s preference. Better yet, every report can be filtered to show only the data stakeholders want to see about project deliverables. Get started for free today. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dashboard_Construction_Wide_Zoom-150-CTA.jpgGet an instant status report on your deliverables with ProjectManager’s real-time dashboard. Learn more Tangible & Intangible Deliverables A tangible deliverable is one of those project outcomes that are concrete. That is, they have form and substance. An example of a tangible deliverable would be things such as a building, the product of a manufacturing line or even a magazine or newspaper. An intangible deliverable is a measurable outcome but one that is conceptual rather than one you can touch or hold in your hands. Some examples of intangible deliverables would be a training program for your project team so that they can learn how to use a new software tool or piece of equipment. How to Identify Project Deliverables Using a Work Breakdown Structure When planning a project, especially its schedule, you need a work breakdown structure (WBS), which is a tool that identifies all the tangible deliverables in a project. From that, you can determine the tasks that’ll produce those deliverables. Use our free work breakdown structure template for Excel to help you identify all the deliverables in your project and ensure you’re creating a thorough and complete schedule. 1. List All Your Project Activities In a WBS, project activities are the “how” of a project. They make up the work packages or steps that you’ll have to take to produce project deliverables. Therefore, you’ll want to list all the tasks that will be needed to deliver the project. 2. Group Tasks By Project Phase At this point, you’ll want to break up the tasks into phases. There are five project phases in project management: initiation, planning, execution, control and closeout. Now, take all the activities you identified and organize them into their corresponding project phases. 3. Determine Which Project Tasks Will Produce Deliverables Deliverables are the outcomes you want from the activities and the tasks that you listed. Using what you collected in step one, determine the deliverable from each of those activities. Here’s some expert advice to further explain the difference between project deliverables and project milestones. In the video below, Jennifer Bridges, professional project manager (PMP) explains what project deliverables are and how they’re created throughout the course of a project. Who Is Responsible for Deliverables? There isn’t one role solely responsible for project deliverables as many team members are involved at various stages throughout the project. The project manager, however, has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all deliverables are completed and meet the needed standards. The project manager helps define and document deliverables, monitoring progress and facilitating communication along the way. Project team members focus on completing specific deliverables. For example, they work to complete tasks according to project specifications and provide regular progress updates to the project manager. Team members will collaborate as needed. The client or the project sponsor is responsible for reviewing and accepting the final deliverables. In some cases, they may provide feedback throughout the project to ensure the deliverables are meeting the needed expectations. When the project wraps up, they will formally approve and sign off on the completed deliverables. What Project Documents Help Define What Your Project Deliverables Are? All projects have one thing in common, documents. It’s no surprise then that there are project management documents that can help you define project deliverables. Here are a couple of examples. Project Charter A project charter is a short document that explains the reason for the project and, once approved, greenlights the project. Part of the project charter is the implementation plan, which is a roadmap for executing the project. This document includes key project deliverables. /wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Project-Charter-Screenshot-600x467.jpgProjectManager’s project charter template. Download now Project Scope Statement The project scope statement lists the final deliverable for the project, whether that’s a product or service. All deliverables in the project will be described in detail in the project scope statement as it helps avoid confusion with stakeholders later in the project. /wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Project-Scope-Screenshot-600x443.jpgProjectManager’s scope statement template. Download now Work Breakdown Structure A work breakdown structure is a project management graph that allows project managers to break down the scope of their project into all the individual tasks and deliverables that must be completed to deliver the project. /wp-content/uploads/2020/09/WES-Screenshot-600x222.jpgProjectManager’s WBS for Excel. Download now Project Deliverables Examples As you might imagine, there are as many deliverables as there are projects. Deliverables aren’t only the final product or service, though that’s often how many think of them. There are deliverables produced throughout the project. Here are a few types of deliverables. 1. Project Documentation Deliverables A project deliverable is an outcome of a task, so project documents such as a project plan, a project charter or a project scope statement can be considered project deliverables. Besides key project documents like those, project management reports like status reports, budget reports or progress reports are also deliverables. 2. Services and Outcomes Deliverables Services and outcomes can be examples of a project deliverable that applies to various industries such as marketing, IT and professional services. Examples of this type of deliverable include training sessions, workshops, consulting services, strategic plans, recommendations and more. 3. Data and Information Deliverables Project deliverables often revolve around data sets. These sets may include collected and analyzed data, compiled market analysis reports or business intelligence reports generated using data analysis. Project vs. Product Deliverables There’s a distinction between project and product deliverables. Project deliverables are such outputs as the project plans, project reports and even meeting minutes. Product deliverables, on the other hand, could be hardware, software, mobile applications, contracts, or even test assessment results. The deliverables that clients and stakeholders expect at the end of the project are the product or service, of course, but there’s also paperwork, as noted. These documents, when completed, are deliverables that clients and stakeholders need to evaluate the progress or completion of the project. This paperwork can include: Signed contracts Finalized expense reports Other types of project reports show how work is proceeding versus project plan estimations Deliverables can vary according to the project’s specifications and the stakeholders’ requirements. But all clients and stakeholders want deliverables that thoroughly wrap up the project at its closure and measure performance against expectations throughout the project. When defining project deliverables, it’s important to use project planning software such as ProjectManager to create a project timeline where you can easily visualize all your project tasks, assign work and track time. 5 Tips & Techniques for Tracking Deliverables It’s impossible to meet the required project standards without tracking deliverables. Here are a few tips and techniques to implement in an upcoming project. Establish Clear Deliverable Definitions and Acceptance Criteria: Before kicking off the project, make sure that each deliverable, including its scope, requirements and acceptance criteria are defined. To do so, create a deliverable definition document outlining the purpose, format, specifications and any relevant standards. This process may require getting stakeholder approval. Use a Deliverable Tracking Matrix or Log: A centralized tracking system can go a long way in tracking project deliverables. For example, a tracking spreadsheet or database can track the deliverable’s name, description, owner, start and due dates, status, acceptance criteria and notes. Update the matrix regularly to ensure accuracy. Conduct Regular Progress Reviews & Status Meetings: Regular meetings are a great way to address any issues and check on the status of each deliverable. Identify any roadblocks and assign action items if a particular deliverable is at a standstill. Visual aids like Gantt charts are especially helpful to visually represent progress. Implement Formal Deliverable Reviews & Acceptance Procedures: A formal review and acceptance process can ensure deliverables meet stakeholder expectations. Formal reviews with stakeholders can assess deliverable quality while acceptance checklists can ensure each deliverable has been thoroughly reviewed. Be sure to document this process. Leverage Project Management Software: Project management software can automate deliverable tracking and reporting without the stress of keeping static documentation updated. For example, software has task management features to assign tasks, set due dates and track progress. Use it to create deliverable milestones and generate progress reports to share with stakeholders. How to Present Project Deliverables to Stakeholders Project managers and project management offices (PMOs) make reports about project deliverables to keep clients and stakeholders updated on their progress throughout the project life cycle. Different stakeholders have different needs, so flexibility and customization are important for effective reporting. To meet their needs, project management software must be able to filter the many data inputs to deliver the proper output. ProjectManager Helps You to Report Progress on Project Deliverables Creating deliverables for project management and reporting on them is easy using these reports: Project status report Variance report Timesheet report Compiling project status reports is a great way to: Illustrate for stakeholders how work is proceeding Show which team members are carrying the heaviest loads and if adjustments need to be made Outline room for improvement as the project moves ahead or at closure Status Report Our project status reports are highly customizable, with options to select a variety of columns and data sets to extract exactly the information you’re seeking on the project’s status and the completion of project deliverables. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Reporting-PROJECT-STATUS-CAR.jpg Below is an example of a project status report that can be generated with several variables including work breakdown structure (WBS), planned start and finish dates, planned hours, percent complete, task assignments, start dates and actual hours: /wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Status-Report-With-Multiple-Options-Selected-1.jpg Variance Report Variance reports can be customized to include only summary tasks, completion percentages and a comparison of the actual progress of the project versus the forecasted progress. The resulting report shows a side-by-side comparison of predicted start and finish dates, predicted hours versus actual hours spent and that difference and the difference in predicted project duration and how long it’s actually taken to date: /wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Full-Variance-Report-With-All-Columns-1.jpg Timesheet Report Timesheet reports provide a bird’s-eye view of each individual’s hours worked on a project. They also show: Assignment of tasks to team members and the importance of those tasks Each individual’s hourly rate Many other factors related to resources, time and cost The timesheet shows the person submitting the time, the date of submission, how many individual hours they worked during the selected timeframe, their WBS and how many hours they have remaining in the selected timeframe: /wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Timesheet-Example-for-a-Person-Working-on-Two-Projects-2.jpg Above is an example of a timesheet for one person working on multiple projects during one timeframe. Consistent use of these three reports helps keep your team on time, under budget and within scope when it comes to the completion of project deliverables. Lessons learned in libraries can also be a great tool to help build upon successes and avoid duplicating mistakes in future projects. Lessons Learned Libraries Creating a lessons-learned library is a great way to compile takeaways from projects. It’s a central place to view work that exceeded expectations and also works that could have been better. As a new project kicks off, project managers use this resource to plan for known roadblocks. ProjectManager acts as an online hub for all your project documents, keeping you organized and everything at your fingertips whether you’re in the office, the field or at home. Use our list view to collect all your reports on deliverables. More than just a to-do list, you can assign, comment and track progress on each item. Save old projects for historical data when planning new ones. Our customized tags make it easy for your to catalog your work so it’s always easy to find. /wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Manufacturing-overlay-LIST-ZOOM-task.jpgCollect your reports on deliverables and all project documents on the list view from ProjectManager.—Try it free! Stakeholders and clients can request deliverables at a moment’s notice. Being able to shift on the fly and produce what your client wants requires a strong project management tool to keep things organized and up-to-date. ProjectManager is all online, so team members can collaborate on deliverables and rapidly prepare the best possible outputs. Try our award-winning software with this free 30-day trial. The post What Is a Project Deliverable? Definition, Examples & More appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

After social media rattled the old gatekeepers of information, new digital ones have emergedView the full article

ICE Mortgage Technology announced additions for its Encompass LOS, while Mortgage Cadence is bringing out a new version of MCP aimed at mid-sized depositories. View the full article

A short-cut for UK debt issuanceView the full article

"We’ve underestimated how quickly AI is changing our profession." Accounting ARC With Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto Center for Accounting Transformation Go PRO for members-only access to more Center for Accounting Transformation. View the full article

"We’ve underestimated how quickly AI is changing our profession." Accounting ARC With Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto Center for Accounting Transformation Go PRO for members-only access to more Center for Accounting Transformation. View the full article

If you've ever sat in front of your Windows PC wondering exactly what is causing it to run so sluggishly, some clarity may be on the way: Microsoft is testing a new FAQ page in Windows 11 that will analyze your system specs and give you some advice about why you might not be seeing top performance speeds. The feature is currently hidden away in the preview release of Windows—it's not even active in the earliest testing version—but developer ‪@phantomofearth.bsky.social‬ has managed to access the relevant screens and find out how they work. The new page will apparently make its home in the System tab of Settings. As per the screens shared online, an example of a frequently asked question is: "Is my GPU sufficient for high end gaming and video experience? How can having a dedicated GPU enhance my experience and productivity?" The answer then explains that less than 4GB of memory for a GPU can lead to lower performance and visual quality. New Frequently Asked Questions list in Settings > System > About hidden in builds 26120.3576 and 22635.5090. Has some questions related to the Windows version and device specs. (vivetool /enable /id:55305888)[image or embed] — phantomofearth ⛄ (@phantomofearth.bsky.social) 17 March 2025 at 23:52 Then there's: "How does having 4-8GB of RAM impact my PC's performance? Can I run modern applications smoothly with this RAM capacity?" The response explains that you'll be fine editing documents and browsing the web, though tasks such as photo and video editing may be more of a challenge for your system. These questions and answers will apparently be tailored to each specific system, so you'll only get information that's relevant to your own setup. This could potentially be pretty useful when it comes to figuring out what's slowing down the performance of your computer, or getting advice on which component needs an upgrade. It's worth bearing in mind that a huge chunk of Windows users aren't even going to know what RAM is, let alone how it impacts the performance of their system. For those users, I could see the FAQ section being helpful—certainly more helpful than a dry list of system specs, which is all that's available right now. Right now, Windows 11 gives you a basic list of system specs. Credit: Lifehacker That said, the responses are a little on the generic side (I really hope Microsoft hasn't given Copilot the job of writing them). Information like "a high-end GPU can provide better graphics, smoother gameplay, and faster processing" isn't exactly a revelation, and doesn't really quantify how much improvement a user might see with a graphics card upgrade—so some estimates on potential performance gains would be welcome. However, the more precise these FAQs get, the greater the risk of inaccuracies: Microsoft wouldn't want a user to be in the situation of buying an expensive GPU upgrade only to see minimal performance boosts because of a slow CPU, for example. Assessing PC speeds and the contribution of each component is a complicated business, which is probably why these FAQs are rather vague at the moment. Hopefully, Microsoft can work in some more specifics before this feature actually launches without running the risk of misleading users. Of course, a lot of the details also might change between now and whenever this gets pushed to all Windows users—if indeed it ever does see the light of day. But it's a potentially useful new addition to the OS that will provide some extra context to your system specs. 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 admitted that if searchers don't use your page in the search results...View the full article

SEO keeps evolving faster than most of us can handle. If you’re finding it hard to keep up with all the changes in search, you’re not the only one. I’ve talked to dozens of marketing teams this quarter, and they all tell me the same thing: the old SEO playbook just isn’t working anymore. Whether you’re running your company’s search strategy or working with clients, you need a smarter approach that puts users first and works across all the places people search online. This guide shows you key areas that are driving SEO success right now in 2025. It’s based on what’s working for the most successful marketing teams I work with. You’ll get practical tips on how to integrate SEO with your other marketing efforts and build the real expertise that search engines now reward. The evolution of search engines in 2025 Search engines have moved way beyond the old days of typing in keywords. They now use smart AI systems and work across many platforms where people find content. Search happens everywhere, from social media to shopping sites to new AI-powered search tools. What to do right now Run an audit of where your traffic actually comes from. Check Google Analytics and look beyond Google Search. Track visibility on YouTube, TikTok, Amazon, and other platforms where your audience might be finding you. Set up tracking for zero-click interactions. Even if users don’t visit your site, brand impressions in featured snippets and knowledge panels still have value. Create a platform-specific visibility report card to identify gaps in your current strategy. You might be invisible on platforms that drive significant traffic in your industry. Google still owns most of the market with 90.15% share, while other search engines make up the rest. But these numbers don’t fully show how search has spread across many different platforms and experiences. Dig deeper: Search everywhere optimization – 7 platforms SEOs need to optimize for beyond Google The rise of AI-generated search results AI is completely changing how search results look through smart content organization and personalized experiences. Today’s search engines group results into clear topic sections with subtopics, which gives more space for shopping and local search results. When you search for something, you usually see AI Overviews at the top that summarize the topic. These summaries pull information from different websites to provide quick answers without requiring you to click through to any specific site. The shift toward answer engines Search engines have basically turned into answer engines that give direct solutions to all kinds of questions. They no longer just handle basic information searches. They also tackle shopping questions and buying decisions with instant, useful information. The quick answers you get without clicking on websites are much better and more accurate now. AI summaries include extra context that tries to guess what you might ask next. Search engines have become adept at telling the difference between someone who is just learning about something and someone who is ready to buy. This evolution means you must optimize for multiple platforms with different content requirements. Social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Reddit have all developed their own search functionalities with unique ranking factors. Ecommerce platforms such as Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, Google Shopping, and Etsy have similarly developed sophisticated discovery algorithms. Dedicated AI search platforms like Perplexity and ChatGPT search have gained significant traction. They offer conversational search experiences that combine web results with AI-generated summaries and analysis. Content strategy and optimization Content marketing in 2025 is all about creating stuff people actually want that also works well with how search engines operate. We’ve moved on from obsessing over keywords to building complete content experiences that show you know your stuff. Actionable content strategy steps Perform a content gap analysis comparing your site to the top 3-5 competitors in your space. Look specifically for topics they cover comprehensively that you’re missing entirely. Develop cornerstone content pieces that can serve as pillar pages for your most valuable topic clusters. Map out supporting content that addresses specific questions and subtopics from different angles. Create a quarterly content refresh schedule, prioritizing high-traffic pages that haven’t been updated in over six months. The days of trying to rank one page for one keyword are over. Winning content strategies now consider a user’s whole journey, creating resources that cover different parts of a topic and help guide people through making decisions. Content relevance and structure Content relevance drives user engagement through targeted information delivery. To achieve this relevance, create topic clusters with clear hierarchies that help search engines understand content relationships. A well-structured topic cluster consists of a pillar page broadly covering a main topic, with multiple supporting pages that dive deeper into specific aspects. For example, a financial services company might create: A pillar page about retirement planning. Supporting content covering specific aspects like: 401(k) options. IRA comparisons. Early retirement strategies. This structure signals to search engines that your site has comprehensive topic coverage, enhancing your perceived expertise. Dig deeper: Topic clustering for SEO: 5 mistakes to avoid Building topical expertise Establishing topical authority requires comprehensive coverage of specific subject areas through interconnected content. When creating content around a topic, consider developing multiple pieces that address related subtopics and questions your audience might have. Structure your content with clear headings and organized information hierarchies that make it easy for users and search engines to navigate. Develop in-depth resources that answer specific user questions, providing valuable information that addresses user needs at different stages of their journey. Regular content updates are also crucial for maintaining relevance. Content that was accurate six months ago may now be outdated, harming your authority and trustworthiness. Implement a regular content audit process to identify pieces that need refreshing with current information. Dig deeper: How to become an industry thought leader by building content pillars Optimizing for E-E-A-T signals E-E-A-T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness) is now at the heart of how search engines judge if your content is any good. It’s not about simple checkboxes anymore. Search engines have gotten really good at telling if your content actually helps people. E-E-A-T action items Create or update author bio pages with specific credentials, experience, and expertise that relates to what they’re writing about. Include links to published work, certifications, and relevant professional experience. Implement a fact-checking process for all content, especially for YMYL (Your Money Your Life) topics. Document this process in your editorial guidelines and mention it on your site’s About page. Add “last updated” dates to evergreen content and set calendar reminders to refresh statistics and examples regularly. Include clear citations with links to primary sources for all statistical claims and research. Create a style guide for how these should be formatted. Reach out to recognized experts in your field for quotes and insights to include in your content. Their endorsement strengthens your own authority. To boost your E-E-A-T, back up what you say with solid sources and links to trusted sites. Make your content easy to navigate with clear headings and give straightforward answers to people’s questions. Who wrote your content matters a lot more now. Having real experts write or review your content makes a huge difference in how search engines see you, especially for anything that could affect someone’s health, money, or safety. I’ve put together a free E-E-A-T website audit checklist (click to create a copy) to help you think critically about how your website demonstrates the qualities that Google’s guidelines highlight when assessing credibility. Dig deeper: Decoding Google’s E-E-A-T – A comprehensive guide to quality assessment signals Adapting to zero-click searches Zero-click searches now account for 60% of Google queries, where users find answers directly in search results without visiting websites. This fundamental shift requires adapting content strategies to maintain visibility in featured snippets and knowledge panels while still driving valuable traffic. The challenge is to provide enough information to be featured in these prominent positions while still giving users a reason to click through to your website for more detailed information. Creating content for AI Overviews AI Overviews display direct answers at the top of Google search results, capturing users’ attention before they see traditional organic listings. When targeting AI Overviews: Structure content in a Q&A format using clear headings with questions as titles to optimize for these valuable positions. Write concise 40- to 60-word answers summarizing key information while hinting at additional value on your website. Use bullet points, numbered lists, and tables to organize data in a way that’s easy for users and search engines to understand. Include relevant statistics and facts supported by authoritative sources, which adds credibility to your content and increases the likelihood of being featured. Format content with proper HTML heading tags to help search engines identify the hierarchical structure of your information. Research the specific questions your audience is asking about your topic. Look at People also ask boxes and related searches to identify opportunities to address common questions in your content. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Focusing on user experience metrics User experience metrics track how people interact with your website and what they think of it. These stats now play a huge role in search rankings; if your site gives people a bad experience, it could lead to a drop in the results. Search engines care a lot about sending people to sites that answer their questions and are easy and pleasant to use. They want happy users, not frustrated ones. Core Web Vitals optimization Core Web Vitals measure three key user experience factors (Largest Contentful Paint, Interaction to Next Paint, and Cumulative Layout Shift). To optimize these metrics: Compress images using modern formats like WebP and AVIF without sacrificing quality. Remove unused JavaScript code that can slow down page processing and interfere with interactivity. Implement lazy loading for below-fold content to prioritize loading what users see first. Minimize third-party script usage, as these can significantly impact performance while being largely outside your direct control. Reserve space for dynamic content like ads or embedded social media to prevent layout shifts as these elements load. Mobile-first indexing requirements Mobile-first indexing prioritizes your website’s mobile version for ranking purposes, reflecting the predominance of mobile search traffic. Important mobile optimization elements include: Responsive design that adapts to screen sizes, providing a consistent experience across devices. Touch-friendly navigation elements with adequate spacing ensure users can easily interact with your site on small touchscreens. Readable font sizes without horizontal scrolling make content accessible without requiring users to adjust their view constantly. Fast loading times on mobile networks are important, as mobile connections are often slower and less stable than desktop connections. Properly sized images for mobile devices help achieve these faster loading times while conserving users’ data allowances. Structured data and semantic SEO Structured data used to be just a bonus optimization, but now it’s essential for good SEO. This code format helps search engines understand your content better, which gives you enhanced search features and helps engines figure out what your content is really about. Structured data action plan Audit your current schema Use Screaming Frog to crawl your site to see what schema you already have and what’s missing or broken on which pages. Prioritize these schema types first For product pages: Product schema with ratings, price, availability, and reviews. For articles: Article schema with author info, dates, and headline. For local businesses: LocalBusiness schema with hours, services. For how-to content: HowTo schema with step-by-step markup. For FAQ sections: FAQPage schema for each question/answer pair. Implementation checklist Add Organization schema to your homepage with your logo, social profiles, and contact info. Mark up your most popular content types first, then expand. Test each implementation with the Schema Markup Validator. Monitor rich results performance in Google Search Console. Use Google’s Rich Results Test tool to preview how your pages might appear. Advanced techniques Implement BreadcrumbList schema for improved site navigation display. Add structured data for videos with VideoObject schema. Use WebPage schema with speakable property for voice search optimization. Remember, properly implemented schema markup can increase CTR by up to 30%, according to case studies from large ecommerce sites. Enhanced search visibility Structured data formats content in a way search engines can easily interpret, enabling rich results that showcase details like ratings, events, or prices. These enhanced listings boost click-through rates by making your content more informative and visually appealing. For example, recipe markup can highlight cooking time, calorie count, and user ratings, helping your content stand out in crowded search results. AI search integration Structured data is crucial for AI-powered search, helping systems understand content context, entity relationships, and webpage attributes. By providing clear signals about your content’s meaning and purpose, structured data improves content categorization and search relevance. This enhanced understanding boosts your chances of appearing in relevant search results. Implementation benefits Clear content organization through schema markup helps both users and search engines navigate and understand your information. Eligibility for enhanced SERP features like knowledge panels, carousel results, and rich snippets provides additional visibility opportunities. Improved content comprehension by search engines leads to more accurate indexing and categorization. Higher visibility in relevant search queries results from better alignment between your content and user intent. Better alignment with semantic search principles ensures your content remains relevant as search technology evolves. Preparing for the future SEO in 2025 must balance adaptability with proven fundamentals. The best strategies combine emerging AI search features with time-tested practices to maintain lasting visibility. While technology will continue to evolve, the core goal remains the same: connecting users with helpful, relevant information. Building an adaptive SEO strategy A smart SEO strategy adapts to user intent, whether they’re researching, navigating to a site, or ready to buy. By aligning content with these needs, you can guide users effectively at every stage. As AI systems improve at understanding intent, creating tailored content becomes even more critical. Regular content performance analysis helps: Identify gaps. Highlight underperforming pages. Uncover opportunities to address emerging topics. This ensures your content stays relevant and effective. SEO’s role in a broader marketing strategy SEO no longer stands alone. It thrives when integrated with other marketing efforts. Consistent messaging across SEO content, social media, and other channels reinforces your brand identity and builds trust. Establishing authority through comprehensive content clusters and expert-backed resources positions your brand as a reliable information source, strengthening SEO and overall marketing impact. Collaborating with PR, social, and marketing teams maximizes content value, while platform-specific optimization ensures your content resonates on each discovery channel. Tailoring content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or LinkedIn expands reach without sacrificing brand consistency. What’s next? Remember that SEO isn’t a quick-fix game anymore. It’s about building something that lasts and can adapt to whatever new technology comes along while always keeping what your users need at the center of everything you do. View the full article

While it's generally useful to get notifications on your phone, there are times when it's too much, too fast, such as after you disable Airplane Mode or when your family text thread is blowing up while you're in the middle of a meeting. On Android, you can turn on silent mode or snooze or disable notifications entirely—or you can rely on the new Notification Cooldown feature, which temporarily lowers the literal and figurative volume on your alerts so you don't have to manage those modes yourself. We've known this feature was coming for a while, and it finally arrived on Android 15 with the March 2025 update. How Notification Cooldown worksNotification Cooldown manages a deluge of alerts that come in over a short period of time by temporarily lowering your device's volume and minimizing on-screen pop-ups. The cooldown can last up to two minutes. Notifications don't disappear entirely when Notification Cooldown is enabled, so you don't need to worry about missing important alerts. You can still view them in the notification shade by pulling down from the top of your phone's screen. Calls, alarms, emergency alerts, and priority conversations will still come through during a cooldown. Unfortunately, there's no option to customize Notification Cooldown—such as the alert threshold that triggers it, how long it lasts, and which apps are cooled—other than turning the feature on or off. How to enable (or disable) Notification CooldownTo turn Notification Cooldown on or off on your Pixel device, open Settings and go to Notifications > Notification cooldown (under General). Use the toggle next to "Use notification cooldown" to enable or disable the feature. Notification Cooldown may be on by default, so you can opt out if you prefer not to use it. If you don't see this option in your phone's settings, make sure you've updated your device to the latest version of Android 15. View the full article

Consulting group says that US government purchases have slowed and global economic uncertainty has risenView the full article

General managers around the National Hockey League are putting some of their old roster and team management tactics on ice. That’s because NHL front offices, through a partnership with software company SAP, are now using the SAP-NHL Front Office App, bringing reams of data and information into a single all-encompassing platform. Given that so much of the sports world is driven by numbers—goals, shots, saves, salaries, and more—all the data and information can be difficult to wrangle. For those working in the front office in the NHL, it could mean “staring at eight computer screens,” and “carrying around a big binder” to make sure it’s all on-hand, as Don Waddell, GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets, tells Fast Company. But the new Front Office app brings it all onto a single dashboard. Waddell says that it was immensely helpful during the recently passed NHL trade deadline, as he was able to look at or access roster information, look at contracts for every player in the league, and even get a quick gauge on which players had no-trade clauses. While SAP has been working with the NHL since 2017, offering on-the-fly insights on the bench and generating in-game insights, the front office staff—the people running the team or organization—have had to cobble together data and information from different sources. The NHL has had that data, and the whole idea behind the Front Office app was to make it easier than ever to access for general managers and others. “It’s been in the hands of the clubs since December,” says Steve McArdle, chief operating officer at the NHL. “We’ve heard very positive feedback on the design and functionality. It’s not just an app for the sake of an app—it’s taking the best of all worlds, and changing the way information is delivered.” ‘One-stop shop’ Given that each and every NHL team relies on data to inform decisions about roster moves, contract negotiations, and more, the league wanted to make sure it was doing its best to make decision-making as efficient as possible. So by leaning into the existing relationship the NHL had with SAP, and then building an app for iPads, which were already being used in various faculties by the clubs, creating the app was a natural next step. Its designers see it evolving and becoming even more useful in the future. “The first iteration, we were focused on pulling the data together to answer core questions that GMs might have,” says Dan Fleetwood, VP of global sponsorships at SAP. “We wanted to get information to their fingertips.” Fleetwood also says that the magic of the app is its simplicity. “It’s a consumer-grade application,” he says, meaning that NHL GMs—many of whom were hockey players themselves, lacking tech-heavy backgrounds—can pick it up and use it with ease. “The beauty of it is that it’s a one-stop shop,” says Waddell. “SAP has been around for a long time,” he adds, “and though we’ve always had smart hockey people,” it’s great to add some “smart technology, too.” View the full article

I've been trying to get back into playing guitar and I've noticed one thing: Both the App Store and Google Play are replete with guitar-tuning apps that are full of either upsells or advertisements. Isn't there any application that helps tune your guitar without bothering you? It turns out, there is. LikeTones, a music-education company, offers a guitar tuner for Android and iPhone that's both free to use and free of ads and upsells. You can open this application, play a string on your guitar, and start tuning. The application automatically detects which string you're trying to play and tells you whether to tune up or down. If you'd rather not use this automated tuning, or find that it doesn't quite work, you can tap a string to tune it specifically. This also plays the note from your phone's speakers, giving you an idea of how the string should sound. Because not every guitar is the same, this application offers support for six, seven, eight, and 12 string guitars in the settings. There's also support for various alternative tunings. You can also configure the reference frequency, if you want—this is useful if you need to tune to a piano or other instrument that isn't quite standard. Credit: Justin Pot It's a well-thought-out application, and the best I could manage to dig up in my capacity as an amateur guitarist and professional app recommender. It even has a built-in metronome. There are other solid options out there. Jon's Tuner for iPhone also works quite well, and is clean, but doesn't offer the same flexibility in terms of alternative tuning schemes. The Android version of Jon's Tuner, which I found reference to online, seems to be missing from Google Play. There is a solid Android alternative, though: Tunerly, which is completely open source. This app offers a simple user interface and settings, allowing you to choose specific tuning schemes. For most people, though, LikeTone Guitar Tuner is currently the best option. It works on both Android and iPhone, it's clean, it works well, and it stays out of your way. Try it if you're even a little unhappy with your current guitar tuning application. View the full article

Reddit’s presence in Google Search has surged over the last year, largely thanks to the Google-Reddit content licensing deal. As a result, Reddit threads are claiming prime real estate in search results, often outranking brand websites and even original content sources. While Reddit isn’t new, its growing influence has put it back in the spotlight. Yet many marketers either overlook Reddit entirely or mishandle it – resulting in missed opportunities or even backlash from its notoriously protective community. This guide covers everything you need to know about leveraging Reddit for SEO – finding ranking opportunities, engaging authentically, and boosting organic visibility without getting flagged as spam. r/Fundamentals: The basics of Reddit Reddit isn’t just “the heart of the internet.” It’s a complex, community-driven platform with its own rules and culture. Here are the basics you need to know. Subreddits Reddit is a network of niche communities, known as subreddits, that thrive on authentic conversation. Think of these as individual forums dedicated to specific topics. From r/SEO to r/cats, there’s a subreddit for almost everything. Each has its own culture, rules, and expectations. Reddiquette These rules and expectations are what’s known as “Reddiquette.” Some of the culture is documented – subreddits have their own list of rules – but much of it is an unwritten code of conduct that emphasizes respect, authenticity, and value. Sidebar The sidebar is found on the right side of subreddit pages and typically outlines community rules, popular posts, and key resources. Always read it before posting to avoid stepping on toes. Mods and admins The subreddit mods (volunteer moderators) enforce subreddit rules. Admins are Reddit employees who manage the platform as a whole. Mods have the power to remove posts, ban users, and shape the tone of their community. Upvotes and downvotes One of Reddit’s more unique features is voting. Every post and comment can be upvoted (boosting its visibility) or downvoted (pushing it lower in the thread). Reddit thrives on this democracy – quality content rises, spam sinks. Karma This is Reddit’s point system for individuals. Users earn karma when their posts or comments get upvoted and lose it when they’re downvoted. High karma signals a user’s credibility and trust within the community. This is one of the tools used to gauge how spammy an account is behaving. AMA (Ask Me Anything) The Ask Me Anything post format is one of the features Reddit is most known for. It is a live Q&A session hosted on Reddit, in which an individual or brand invites users to ask questions in real time. r/Possibilities: Understanding Reddit’s SEO potential Reddit’s ability to dominate search results is based on three key factors: High engagement. Strong domain authority. Natural keyword relevance. And Reddit’s prevalence in the SERPs won’t seem to go away soon. Google’s Danny Sullivan explains: “…actual searchers seem to like it. They proactively seek it out. It makes sense for us to be showing it to keep the search results relevant and satisfying for everyone.” Sullivan’s detailed thread on Reddit’s visibility in SERPs reinforces Google’s view that Reddit is a source of authentic, user-driven discussions packed with real-world insights that people actually care about. Google’s goal is simple: deliver the most relevant, trustworthy, and engaging content to users. Reddit checks all those boxes. Reddit content is created by real users, not marketers, making it feel more unbiased and credible. Unlike traditional branded content, which can be overly sales-y, Reddit discussions provide raw, unfiltered opinions – which Google increasingly prioritizes. A Reddit thread isn’t just a static piece of content – it’s a living, breathing conversation. Users ask follow-up questions, debate perspectives, and refine answers over time, keeping discussions fresh and engaging. This high level of engagement signals to Google that the content is valuable. Furthermore, Reddit threads naturally incorporate keywords that align with real user search behavior in a way traditional articles or website copy simply can’t. Posts and comments often contain long-tail keywords, conversational phrasing, and direct Q&A formats, making them highly relevant for organic search. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. r/BestPractices: Know the rules Before we dive into strategy, here are a couple of quick but crucial caveats and best practices. Reddit has strict rules against using the platform purely for marketing or SEO purposes. They have an entire guide dedicated to the do’s and don’t’s of self-promotion on the platform. You should not use Reddit for spam in any way. You can’t use Reddit simply to post links to your website. These are often removed as spam and can lead to your account being banned from the platform. There are also rules around vote cheating and manipulation, meaning you cannot simply upvote every link/reference to your brand. You cannot create/manage a subreddit simply to share your brand/website. If you aim to push promos rather than join conversations, Reddit ads might be faster for you. TL;DR: Reddit is not the place for self-promotion. So, before diving into Reddit SEO, take a step back and evaluate whether the platform aligns with your brand’s goals and your team’s bandwidth. If done right, Reddit can be a powerful tool, but it’s not a quick win. Advantages of using Reddit for SEO High search visibility: Reddit threads often rank on Page 1 of Google – and take up quite a bit of that page one real estate – for long-tail and question-based queries. Authentic audience insights: Real conversations reveal genuine pain points, trends, and common questions. Keyword-rich content: Natural discussions shed light on search intent and the language your audience actually uses. Evergreen value: Popular threads can continue driving traffic and engagement long after they’re posted. Disadvantages of using Reddit Strict community rules: Redditors quickly downvote or call out anything that feels like spam or self-promotion. Time-intensive: Meaningful participation requires ongoing engagement, not just one-off posts. Unpredictable: Even thoughtful contributions can get buried if they don’t resonate. Reputation risk: A poorly executed Reddit strategy can damage credibility faster than it can build it. Dig deeper: Reddit: Your new online reputation challenge r/SEO: How to leverage Reddit responsibly for SEO Reddit as an extension of on-page The easiest way to include Reddit in your SEO strategy, especially if you’re limited on resources, is to use it to inform your on-page strategies via: Keyword research. Audience research. Journey mapping. Competitor analysis. Identify keywords and search intent Reddit threads often reveal the exact language people use when searching for solutions, making it a powerful tool for supporting keyword research and on-page optimizations. How to find keywords on Reddit: Use site:reddit.com in Google to surface Reddit conversations related to your topic (e.g., site:reddit.com “best project management tools”). Explore relevant subreddits where your audience gathers (e.g., r/SEO, r/smallbusiness, r/parenting). Scan thread titles and comments for common phrases, recurring questions, and keyword patterns. Redditors tend to ask questions in natural language, so prioritize conversational keywords and long-tail queries to match search intent. Uncover your audience’s pain points and desires Reddit threads are full of opinions, frustrations, and wish lists – all invaluable for content strategy. Steps to identify pain points: Search Reddit for phrases like “I’m struggling with…”, “How do I…”, or “What’s the best way to…” in your target subreddits. Read comment threads to understand the deeper challenges behind these questions. Pay attention to upvoted responses – these often reveal solutions your audience values most. By identifying these concerns, you can create content that directly addresses your audience’s needs and fills gaps your competitors may have missed. PainPointy.com is an incredible tool that crawls Reddit and sorts findings into pain points, questions, content ideas, and patterns. Use Reddit to enhance your on-site content Reddit can inspire content ideas, expand your FAQs, and help you build more meaningful resources for your audience. If you search your brand name and see the same questions or topics come up frequently, that’s a clear opportunity to create some content to address them. This is how you create content on your site that truly matches what your audience is searching for or interested in. How to turn Reddit insights into content: Identify relevant questions people are asking repeatedly and build content on your site that answers them. Look for topic ideas that generate a lot of engagement and use them to shape blog posts, guides, or videos. Browse Reddit’s range of questions to uncover angles you hadn’t considered for existing content. For example, if users in r/SEO are frequently debating the best SEO automation tools, that’s a clear signal to create content comparing options, explaining benefits, or addressing common concerns. Monitor brand and competitor mentions The nature of Reddit’s open conversations can reveal how people perceive your brand – and your competitors. These insights can support audience research, journey mapping, and content strategy. How to track brand mentions on Reddit: Search for your brand or product name and competitors’ names on Reddit to see how they’re discussed. Are users praising the products or services? Criticizing key aspects? Asking questions? Use tools like Google Alerts or Mention with site:reddit.com to track mentions of your brand or competitors. If competitors are successfully engaging on Reddit – answering questions, sharing resources, or earning positive mentions – that’s a sign you should consider doing the same. Reddit as an extension of off-page Building a brand presence on Reddit can be a valuable off-page strategy. However, it is worth repeating that Reddit doesn’t tolerate blatant marketing. If you don’t engage authentically and strategically, your content won’t just be ignored; it could harm your brand’s credibility. Show up with value and authenticity, follow the rules, and you’ll earn trust. Build authority through genuine participation Reddit thrives on conversation, not self-promotion. The best way to build credibility is to become a trusted voice by engaging authentically. How to establish trust: Respond to relevant questions and comments thoughtfully without pushing your brand. Share helpful resources – even if they aren’t your own. Offer expertise and insights based on your industry knowledge. Redditors can spot spam instantly. Focus on adding value first – once you’ve built trust, opportunities to share your content will feel natural. Share content strategically Once you’ve earned credibility, you can start sharing content – but only when it’s relevant and genuinely useful. Begin by identifying subreddits that rank for your target keywords in Google SERPs – these are potential communities where your content could resonate. And of course, check the subreddit rules before sharing anything. How to share content the right way: First and foremost, follow Reddit’s guidelines for self-promotion. Post educational resources that solve real problems or answer common questions. Frame your content as a helpful contribution, not a sales pitch. For example, “Here’s a guide I found helpful for mastering X.” rather than, “Check out our product – it’s the best!” Be prepared to engage with comments. Respond to your posts to foster dialogue and build rapport. Be transparent. Leverage a branded username and a brand affiliate tag, if appropriate. Sharing your content as a solution in response to an ongoing conversation is often more effective than starting a new thread. Above all, Reddit is a community. To be truly successful on Reddit, you need to engage with it as a community member first, and as a representative of your brand second. Create a subreddit For brands with strong communities or complex offerings, building your own subreddit can provide a dedicated space for conversation, support, and content sharing. If you are considering whether or not a branded subreddit makes sense for you, ask yourself these questions: Do you have an established audience on Reddit that is already engaging? Do you have a product or service that requires ongoing education or support? Do your competitors have their own branded subreddits? How successful are they? Look at the number of subscribers and the quality of engagement. Unmoderated subreddits are often overrun with bots and spam, so just looking at the number of subscribers, posts, and comments won’t give you an accurate view of how successful the subreddit actually is. Do you have the resources to actively moderate the subreddit and foster discussion? If you answered yes to most of these questions, then a subreddit could be successful! However, as noted above, moderation is key. Not only can bots and spam quickly take over a subreddit without regular moderation, but it’s also necessary to keep the conversation civil and on-topic. Moderators are volunteers and have to be appointed by the creator of the subreddit. Upon creation of the subreddit, the creator will automatically be assigned the top moderator position. To maintain ownership of the subreddit and top moderator position, you should create the subreddit using a Reddit-branded account that multiple employees can access. The level of moderation required will depend on the level of engagement your subreddit receives. If the subreddit gets regular engagement, this could potentially be a full-time position. Reddit has a global audience and bot and spam content can be extremely objectionable. While YAML/Python-based auto-moderating options are available, they won’t catch everything. Ideally, your subreddit moderators can monitor the subreddit around the clock. If that’s not possible, objectionable content may sit on the subreddit for several hours until a moderator can remove it. How to create a subreddit: To create a subreddit, your account must be at least 30 days old and have sufficient positive karma. The exact karma numbers required are not public information. Decide on branding and naming. Note that you cannot change the name of a subreddit once it is created. Update the style and format. Use your business logo as your profile picture. Both the banner and the avatar are customizable. Create an optimized subreddit description. Create rules for the subreddit and a list of links and related subreddits to include in the sidebar. This is a great place to include contact information. Announce your new subreddit in /r/NewReddits and identify relevant lists from larger subreddits where yours can be added. This Reddit moderation guide includes details on how to promote your new subreddit. Decide how much time you will devote to moderating the branded subreddit. Develop a content calendar and create a plan for sharing content. Keep in mind Reddit’s guidelines for self-promotion: “If you run a subreddit that is only your own content or your own links, that’s not okay and seen as linkfarming or using reddit for SEO. Even in your own subreddit, just submitting links to your own site/stuff can get you banned.” Create a plan for engaging with comments and posts in the branded subreddit, and engaging with other subreddits to build trust and authority. Best practices for managing your subreddit: Appoint internal moderators to enforce rules, answer questions, and encourage participation. Focus on creating value and growing the community through natural promotion – think educational resources, FAQs, and behind-the-scenes insights. Promote your subreddit thoughtfully by linking to it on your website, social media, or email campaigns. A well-managed subreddit can become a powerful hub for SEO value, customer engagement, and long-term brand loyalty – but only if you’re prepared to invest the time and effort. Dig deeper: Reddit for SMBs: A hidden SEO and engagement goldmine r/Impact: Measuring success Reddit success may look different depending on which tactics you leverage. In general, focus on engagement, credibility, and brand sentiment on the platform rather than just clicks or conversions. Monitor key metrics like karma growth, engagement on your posts, and referral traffic. Whether you choose to share your content on existing subreddits or create your own subreddit and share it there, use UTM parameters on all links to track and analyze the traffic Reddit brings to your website in Google Analytics. r/NewtoReddit: Engage, don’t enrage With over 100 million daily active users, Reddit offers more than just a place to scroll – it can be a valuable part of your SEO strategy. By tapping into authentic conversations, uncovering audience pain points, and tracking competitor strategies, you can create content that resonates, drives engagement and earns organic visibility. The key? Show up with value, respect the community, and focus on building trust. Do that, and the SEO wins will follow. View the full article

The top five banks had a combined unpaid principal balance of more than $26 billion at the end of Q4 2024. View the full article

Amid rapid technological advancements, return-to-office policies, and political and economic uncertainty, soft-skills like conflict mitigation are rising through the ranks as desirable skills for professionals. Skills needed for jobs are rapidly changing, with LinkedIn estimating that 70% job skills will change by 2030. In response, the social network identified the top 15 fastest-growing skills in the United States with its inaugural Skills on the Rise 2025 report. With a quarter of professionals planning on learning new skills, LinkedIn’s list pinpoints the most popular skills for both professionals and companies hiring. LinkedIn identified growth on skills by measuring various metrics and comparing the findings from 2024 and 2023. The metrics included the increase of a skill mentioned in paid job postings, the rate of new skills added to users’ profiles, and skills of users hired within the past year. Successful collaboration is crucial in a tension-filled world Landing second place on the list, conflict mitigation is set to become popular among various industries like higher education, consulting, and tech. By navigating workplace conflicts effectively, conflict mitigators generate successful collaborative environments. Other soft skills on the list include innovative thinking, public speaking, and adaptability, with professionals prioritizing. “You can teach technical skillsets but if you are unable to work well with others, listen effectively, collaborate with others, be respectful, be open to outside thoughts you will struggle,” one LinkedIn user commented on the list. LinkedIn’s report also notably accounts for the proliferation of AI use in the workplace, with AI Literacy landing the top spot on the list, and large language model (LLM) development and application scoring farther down the list. Here are the full 15 skills in order: AI Literacy Conflict Mitigation Adaptability Process Optimization Innovative Thinking Public Speaking Solution-Based Selling Customer Engagement and Support Stakeholder Management LLM Development and Application Budget and Resource Management Go-to-Market Strategy Regulatory Compliance Growth Strategy Risk Assessment View the full article

Rate-setters are grappling with combination of a sluggish economy and continuing price pressuresView the full article

Author pages can significantly impact trust. Find out how to optimize them for better authority and credibility. The post Ask An SEO: What Should Be On Your Author Pages? appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Hisense 65U6N, a PCMag Editor's Choice winner (that also made it into Lifehacker's "Best 65-inch TVs to Buy in 2025" roundup in the budget category) is currently on sale for $498, down from its regular $734 price tag. This 65-inch 4K QLED TV uses a mini-LED backlight system to deliver solid contrast and color accuracy—something you’d expect from pricier models. It supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG—meaning whatever you stream will look sharp and vibrant. That said, it’s a 60Hz panel, so motion won’t be as smooth as on higher-end 120Hz or 144Hz models. Gamers might also want to think twice—while it does support VRR (variable refresh rate), it lacks AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, which could be a dealbreaker for serious competitive gaming. But at an input lag of just 3.6 milliseconds, casual gaming is still solid, according to this PCMag review. Hisense 65-Inch U6 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K Smart TV (2024 Model) $498.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $734.04 Save $236.04 Get Deal Get Deal $498.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $734.04 Save $236.04 Hisense went with Google TV for the software, which is a win if you like a clean interface and easy access to all major streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and Apple TV. Plus, hands-free Google Assistant support means you can control your 65U6N and compatible smart home devices just by talking. Apple users will appreciate its AirPlay 2 support, making it easy to stream directly from an iPhone or Mac. Android users, of course, get Google Cast. One notable omission is that this TV only has an ATSC 1.0 tuner, meaning it won’t support over-the-air 4K broadcasts with ATSC 3.0. However, if that’s not a dealbreaker, its smart features still make it a strong pick. The remote feels surprisingly premium, with a brushed-metallic plastic design and a shiny navigation pad. Dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube make it easy to jump into your favorite apps, and the built-in mic means you don’t have to shout across the room to give voice commands. Connectivity-wise, you get four HDMI ports (one with eARC), two USB ports, an Ethernet port, an optical audio output, and multiple 3.5mm jacks. It also comes with sturdy metal legs for tabletop placement or VESA compatibility if you want to mount it. If you’re after a step up, the Hisense 65U7N ($698, down from $998) offers a brighter display, 144Hz refresh rate, and ATSC 3.0 tuner; but at this price, the 65U6N is hard to beat for everyday streaming and casual gaming. View the full article

If you’re looking to become an IT project manager, Jennifer Bridges, PMP, explains the job description, skills, qualifications, path and training involved. Then read on to learn even more about starting your IT project manager career. Here’s a screenshot of the whiteboard for your reference! What Is IT Project Management? IT project management consists of applying project management principles to information technology projects. It involves planning, executing, monitoring and closing IT-related initiatives to ensure they align with business objectives. As this industry is constantly changing thanks to rapid technological enhancements, these projects must be completed on time to keep up with the competition. Key aspects of IT project management are scope, schedule, cost, resource and risk management. Common IT project examples include IT system implementations, data center migrations, network infrastructure upgrades, software development or cloud computing deployments. IT Project Manager Job Description, Skills & Qualifications What does a project manager in IT do? Jennifer described an IT project manager as one who oversees the process of planning, executing and delegating responsibilities around an organization’s IT pursuits and goals, often with the help of IT project management software. That sounds a lot like what a project manager does in any industry. For clarification, she went on to note some unique aspects of the job, by detailing the skills and qualifications needed to work as an IT project manager: Technical management skills Technical understanding including hardware, software, network, infrastructure, security, etc. Ability to analyze information and glean insights from data Good at informing others and at communicating with many different teams Capable of staffing many different roles Excellent at problem-solving Strong data center management skills Advanced resource planning, capacity planning and task scheduling skills IT Project Manager Salary and Job Outlook When it comes to an IT project manager’s salary, there is a broad range. In the U.S., this role can earn anywhere from $95,000 to $125,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically earn less while those with specialized skills and experience can earn considerably more. Key salary factors include location, experience, certifications, company size and industry. For example, IT project managers in finance or technology may offer more compensation. The job outlook for IT project managers is overall positive. According to Gartner, worldwide IT spending is expected to grow to $5.74 trillion in 2025, a 9.3 percent increase from 2024. According to Zippia, the technology industry is the highest-paying for project managers, while project manager employment is expected to increase by 7 percent from 2023 to 2033. Career Paths for IT Project Managers If you’re interested in becoming an IT project manager but you’re not sure where to start, consider an entry-level position as a project coordinator or assistant. This is a great way to get hands-on experience supporting IT project managers. Volunteering to manage IT projects for a nonprofit organization can also build your portfolio. Those who already work in IT may want to transition into a project management role. In this case, consider obtaining certifications such as a PMP (Project Management Professional), CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) or agile certifications like a scrum master. These can demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to project management. Don’t be afraid to attend industry events or conferences, or use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with IT professionals. Preparing an IT Project Manager Resume To land your dream job as an IT project manager, ensure your resume is as strong as possible. The top of your resume should include a customized summary for each job you’re applying for. Here, highlight relevant skills, technical expertise and leadership abilities. When showcasing your experience, list them in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position at the top. Quantify your results whenever possible (ex: reduced downtime by 20 percent) instead of using general language. As IT projects are incredibly technical, be sure to emphasize technical skills on your resume. List any relevant hardware, software or programming languages you know and highlight proficiency in areas like cybersecurity or cloud computing. With this knowledge, you can use your resume to showcase your skills and land your next job. IT Project Management Job Plan To get that position as an IT project manager, Jennifer said, you’ll want to first look at what skills, experience and training you already have. Now compare that to the skills, experience and training necessary to land that IT project management position you’re after. Where are the gaps in your skills, experience and training? Once you’ve identified them, you can begin to create a plan and work towards filling those holes in your resume. Related: Using the STAR Method to Crush Your Next Interview What About IT Project Management Training? Training is always helpful for IT positions, especially if you lack real-world experience. Jennifer listed the following training courses that deal with the specific needs of an IT project manager. IT PM: Project management training that deals with technology, such as infrastructure, hardware, software, networks, etc. ITIL: Information Technology Infrastructure Library covers the best practices used to develop and execute IT service management for a company. ITSM: Information Technology Service Management teaches how to deliver end-to-end IT services for a company. What About Scrum, Agile and Other Certifications? Jennifer added that some people ask her how Scrum and Agile or other certifications fit in. She said it often has to do with your organization. While it’s true that Scrum and Agile are often thought of in terms of managing IT projects, that’s not always the case. Those ideas have seeped into project management writ large. But more importantly, not all IT projects use them, so it’s not a deal-breaker. /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IT-eBook-banner-ad-1.jpg Transcription: Today we’re talking about how to become an IT project manager, and IT meaning information technology. And when someone asks me that, I love it because I know they’re intentional, but it really depends on how to get there for their career path. So let’s take a look at some options. It depends on if someone starts in IT. They could be a techie or they could be some other role in IT already, so they have an interest in the project management piece. They could also be non-IT, meaning they could be in a different business unit. Maybe like operations, marketing, or even finance. And they could be a project manager for those type of projects or they could be some other role. So again, they have an interest in becoming a project manager for the IT part of the project. So some people ask, “Well, what about Agile and Scrum? How does that fit in?” And it really depends on your organization, and it really depends on the type of projects you work on. Not every project is managed using the Agile or Scrum methodology, so you may not need it. So let’s look at some…the job description, and let’s look at some common skills and qualifications that companies look for. So the job description is, the project manager oversees the process of planning and executing and delegating responsibilities around the organization’s IT pursuits and goals. So some of the job skills they look for is someone with technical management and a technical understanding. They wanna make sure the project manager has an understanding of how maybe the hardware or the software, the infrastructure, maybe network and security, all fit together. They also wanna make sure that the person can analyze information because, in IT, there’s a lot of data and metrics that go. So they have to be able to take that information and glean insights for the project. They also need to be good at informing others because, typically on IT projects, there are different types of things, again, people working on the infrastructure, the software, the hardware, that have to integrate and communicate. Also, staffing the roles on the project, problem-solving things that come up, data center management. So typically, the technology is in data somewhere. It could be within the company or it could be somewhere outsourced by a third-party vendor. And then also, it’s very important to understand advanced project management tools for resource planning and advanced scheduling feature. Something like a projectmanager. So here are…when you’re looking at the career path, how to get there, so you wanna look at the skills, experience, and training that you have already, and you want to compare that to an IT project manager and the specific type of projects you’re interested in working in. So look at the specific skills, experience, and training that you need or is required. And with that, you find the gaps, and that’s what you use to build your custom plan for you. So let’s talk about some of the training. So with that, you will need project management training. But there’s also a specific IT training dealing with technology, specific understanding how to manage projects around infrastructure, hardware, software, maybe again networks, and now, security is so important. But some people ask about ITIL and ITSM. So what does that stand for? So ITIL is Information Technology Infrastructure Library. It’s not project management. What it is is best practices used to develop and execute IT service management for the company. And so ITSM is, again, Information Technology Services Management, and it’s how you deliver end to end IT services within the company. So hopefully, that helps to delineate what some of the terms mean, understand what the description of the role is, and some of the requirements for that. So if you need a tool that help you become an IT project manager, then sign up for our software now at ProjectManager. The post How to Become an IT Project Manager: Career Paths, Resume Tips & More appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

On a good first date, you want chat about hobbies, and siblings, and dream jobs. Nobody wants to kill the vibe by inquiring how much student debt the other person has. But as a relationship progresses, you'll find yourself assessing a lot about your partner: Their values, emotional management, political leanings, and so much more. The subject of money, however, often gets pushed to the side—sometimes, until it's too late. We all have different relationships with money. Some of us are cautious-minded savers, others are profligate spenders. Some are always padding their rainy day fund; others can’t resist purchasing new stuff every paycheck. When you’re in a relationship, it’s paramount to find out how your partner operates when it comes to money—because if the relationship continues for the long haul, it will come up. A lot. Here’s how to lay the foundation for ongoing financial intimacy. Do it early on (and ramp up gradually)It’s easy to let the subject of money slide due to discomfort. But if you want to avoid a large, emotional misunderstanding down the line, cut to the chase early on. Within your first few weeks or months of dating, start asking questions to uncover their financial situation. It can begin casually with questions like, “Are you more of a saver or a spender?” or “Do you pay attention to the stock market?” or “What’s your favorite thing to splurge on?” to get a glimpse into their general money perceptions, and ramp up to more specific questions about their credit score, salary, and debt as time passes. Keep in mind, disclosure isn’t a one-way street. Be prepared to share your own behaviors, habits, debts, and financial history in due time. Give advance noticeWhile some conversations will arise organically, if they don’t, make it known you want to have a conversation involving money. Rather than ambushing them over sushi with, “So, how much do you contribute to your 401(k) every month?” try something like, “When we have some free time next week, I’d love to touch base on this money goal I’m working towards and get your thoughts.” Ask about their childhoodWe all come with a money “story” or particular set of beliefs and fears around money that we absorbed from our families while growing up. Asking how they were raised is one of the easiest ways to gain insight into their attitudes about money. Some grew up in households where discount shopping reigned, every receipt was saved, and Ziploc bags were washed and re-used. Others were allowed to spend hundreds on trendy clothes for the first day of school and went to a different island every winter break. To find out more about the money attitudes they absorbed, ask questions like: How was money handled when you were growing up? Were you encouraged to save from a young age? Did your parents give you money when you went to the mall, or did you have to use your own? Did your parents fight about money often? Where did your family take vacations? Use a personal financial goal to start the conversationTo make it more subtle and less awkward, use one of your own money goals to get the conversation going. Share your desire to get better at budgeting, save enough that you can quit your job to freelance, pay down debt, or buy a new car. Saying something like, “I’m working towards saving enough to make this down payment. Do you have any suggestions?” can open up a candid conversation and lend insight into their money behaviors without putting them on the spot. This can (and should) eventually segue into questions about their short-term and long-term financial goals. Ask hypothetical “what if” questionsIf it’s early on in a new relationship, or you’re not sure where to start, try framing questions as “what if” scenarios to get an idea of where their financial opinions stand. Things like: What if you won the lottery—what would you do with the money? Would you rather spend your life at a job you don’t love but pays really well, or one you’re passionate about, but will never make you rich? If you had to save 50% of your salary in one year, how would you do it? But also ask real-world questions...Some conversations will revolve around general opinions and attitudes about money, but others should be designed to reveal answers to specific questions you have. Whether you want to know if they save for retirement, ever gamble, have an emergency fund, how often they invest in the stock market, or simply their daily spending habits, devise those questions beforehand. These specifics will round out the more general picture you’re getting of their overall relationship with money. Mention an article or statisticsIf you want to understand where your partner stands financially but you're scared to broach the topic, you can take some of the heat off yourself by foisting the attention on a third party. Try something like, "I read this online article about having a money talk with your partner. Why don’t we just play along and try it out?” Seeing as how money disagreements and “financial incompatibility” are one of the leading causes of divorce, it’s a topic that shouldn’t be ignored. Discuss future real-life scenariosWhile you won’t want to do this in the first month of dating, as you get more serious and begin to broach subjects like marriage and children, don’t leave money talks out. This is the time to get specific on how the two of you would handle money as a long-term team, with questions like: “When you’re married, do you want to keep a joint family account, separate personal accounts, or both?” “If you wanted to make a large purchase, would you consult your spouse beforehand?” “How do you feel about setting joint financial goals?” “If your kids wanted to do an extracurricular or take a trip you couldn’t afford, what would you do?” “What age would you ideally like to retire?” Have regular money talksA couple’s discussion about finances should never be a one-off. Once you’ve laid the foundation for open and honest communication about money, make it a habit. If you’re living together, engaged, or married, set up monthly “money dates” to review bills, budgeting, spending and savings, or large purchases. You can use the time to review current expenditures, air any worries, discuss goals, and create long-term financial plans. Here's how you can take a good, hard look at exactly where your money is going. View the full article

The regulator is reviewing Fannie's operations and those of another government-sponsored enterprise, where there was reportedly a separate executive departure. View the full article