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Survey respondents say a new year means new plans. By CPA Trendlines Research Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

Survey respondents say new year = new plans. By CPA Trendlines Research Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

There’s nothing worse than seeing the perfect house and finding out it’s already the object of a bidding war. As mortgage rates remain high and inventory remains low, the competition for homes is only getting more intense. If you’re looking for a house and you’ve been frustrated at how quickly they sell, or you’re struggling to find houses that meet your needs, there’s probably an untapped resource you can take advantage of: pocket listings. What's a "pocket listing"?A “pocket listing” (sometimes called an “off-market” listing) is a property for sale that isn’t listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). That means that while a real estate pro is actively trying to sell the house, it isn’t easily discoverable and doesn’t show up when people search for available properties. There are two main reasons real estate agents do this: One, if the seller doesn’t want their property advertised on the MLS for their own reasons, and signs an opt-out form; and two, in order to sell the property to someone in their network, either because they know it’s the ideal property for their needs or because there’s potential for a higher commission because there won’t be another agent involved. Pocket listings are somewhat controversial in the real estate world. Although they’re 100% legal, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) issued a rule in 2019 that requires licensed real estate agents to list a property on the MLS within one business day of “marketing a property to the public.” It’s still perfectly okay to market the property to other agents or to a specific potential buyer without listing it on the MLS, however, so pocket listings endure—and agents have a few tricks they use to stay within the letter of the NAR rule while getting the advantages of a pocket listing. This means that there’s a relatively small but crucial supply of homes for sale that you might not see if you’re searching online or even if you’re working with an agent, because they’re not yet listed on the MLS. But you can still find them, and that means you can get in early and make an offer before the whole world stampedes in to snag your dream home out from under you. How to find pocket listingsFinding pocket listings can take some legwork. But if you’re in a tight market and have a very specific area you want to buy in, that work can pay off big time. Contact local agents. If there are pocket listings in a neighborhood, a local real estate agent is probably involved. Contact the agents in the area and ask if they have exclusives or off-market listings in the area you’re targeting. Search online. Zillow has a “coming soon” category where agents can list off-market properties up to 30 days before they’re officially listed in the MLS. This is often used as a way to drum up interest in the property, but it also affords you an opportunity to make contact before the listing goes wide. FSBO. Zillow and other real estate listing sites have For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sections, and homeowners going the FSBO route also post on places like Craigslist or For Sale By Owner. These are off-market listings even though a real estate agent isn’t involved. Homeowners. One last option is to contact the folks already living in your desired neighborhood and just ask them if they or someone they know is selling or thinking of selling their house. This is probably your least efficient option, but it might turn up a lead. View the full article

The future may be female, but in economic terms, the present is as well. The gender gap—which references how much more the average man in the United States earns compared to the average woman—has eroded in recent years, largely because women are earning more money, according to new data from the Bank of America Institute. In a report published this month, the data shows that women’s median discretionary spending increased 0.9% year-over-year during November, and that it’s been growing faster than men’s spending over the previous two-year period. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, female workers’ median annual income growth is growing faster than male workers, in large part due to bigger pay jumps when changing jobs. While the past few years have seen wages grow overall in the wake of the pandemic, the important point unearthed in the data is that women are seeing bigger pay increases, and in aggregate, it’s “evidence of a narrowing gender pay gap,” says Taylor Bowley, an economist at Bank of America Institute and author of the publication. While the gender pay gap can vary by a few percentage points depending on the specific data used to calculate it, the most recent numbers from the Department of Labor, published last year, show that the average full-time working woman earns 84% of what men are paid. But again, Bank of America Institute’s numbers show that number creeping up. Not only that, but with women earning more money, and spending more of it, they’ve been something of an economic engine in recent years, too. “Women are helping drive growth,” says Bowley. “Even pre-pandemic discretionary spending for women was up compared to men’s,” she says. “There’s increased potential for women to continue to be key players in the economy’s strength. The data is highly encouraging.” What forces drive women to earn more, fuel the economy, and erode the gender pay gap? There are a lot of variables in the mix, Bowley says, but a good place to start looking is at education numbers. “Public data shows that women’s enrollment in four-year degree programs has been outpacing men’s for a while. More education translates into more opportunities. That also helps drive women’s labor force participation rates,” she says. In all, women are more educated, earning more money, and becoming an increasingly important pillar of economic growth. That, if anything, Bowley says, is the key takeaway from the data: “Women are a key source of strength for the economy, and it’s increasingly important.” View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. When the topic of performance evaluations comes up, you’ll typically hear people say, “Nothing in a performance evaluation should ever be a surprise.” It’s right in theory, but it’s not that simple. At Inc. today, I wrote about why it can be more complicated than that, and what that means for managers (and employees). You can read it here. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. When the topic of performance evaluations comes up, you’ll typically hear people say, “Nothing in a performance evaluation should ever be a surprise.” It’s right in theory, but it’s not that simple. At Inc. today, I wrote about why it can be more complicated than that, and what that means for managers (and employees). You can read it here. View the full article

Beginning your journey with Amazon Lending can be a transformative step towards dynamically scaling your small business. With it, you can harness the power and flexibility that comes with partnering with one of the largest e-commerce platforms globally. With “Sell here, borrow here” as your mantra, unlocking the potential of Amazon Lending becomes a breeze. Once you set up a seller’s account with Amazon, you open the gateway to possibly borrowing up to $750,000, providing a substantial financial cushion to innovate, expand, and excel in your entrepreneurial endeavors. This initiative is designed to fuel your business growth, placing the tools for success right at your fingertips. Read on to find out how you can take full advantage of Amazon Lending’s robust features to elevate your business to new heights. What is Amazon Lending? Amazon launched Amazon Community Lending as a pilot program. Over the course of several years, borrowers received about $710 million in funding. Amazon Lending provides short-term business loans for qualified sellers. The sellers use the funds to get additional inventory. Amazon Lending works in partnership with Goldman Sachs and other third-party lenders. The available products include term loans, interest-only loans, and lines of credit for US-based businesses. How does Amazon Lending Work? You must have an Amazon seller’s account. The loans are by invitation only. There’s no credit check in the traditional style. Amazon automatically looks at select metrics, such as your sales volume and invites you to apply. What’s the payment method? Your monthly payments are automatically deducted from your seller’s account based on a percentage of sales from your Seller’s Account. If there’s not enough money in your Seller’s Account to cover the loan payment on the due date, the funds are withdrawn from the credit card information you provided when you set up the loan. There are various financial programs. You can follow the steps to choose which is best for you. How Does Amazon Financing Help Propel Your Business Growth? Amazon Lending can be an essential resource for effectively scaling your small business. Here’s how it can greatly benefit your enterprise: Enhanced Inventory Management: Acquire a larger variety of inventory to meet customer demands. Implement advanced inventory management systems for efficient operations. Expanding Product Line: Diversify and enlarge your product line to attract a wider audience. Utilize insights and analytics to identify promising product additions. Widened Customer Reach: Increase your marketing efforts to reach more potential customers. Leverage Amazon’s extensive network to tap into new market segments. Strategic Company Positioning: Strengthen your brand presence on the platform. Develop unique selling propositions to distinguish your company from competitors. In short, by taking advantage of Amazon Financing, you can infuse your business with the necessary resources to escalate growth, streamline operations, and establish a stronger foothold in your industry. Here’s a word from FastTrackFBA about how they doubled their revenue with Amazon Lending: Am I Eligible for an Amazon Loan? Once you establish a Seller’s Account on Amazon Marketplace, Amazon will let you know. If you aren’t immediately eligible, you won’t receive an invitation to apply for an Amazon loan. If you get the nod, it is one of the better small business funding options in the market. Amazon wants to enhance and grow businesses owned by historically disadvantaged sellers and those of low to moderate income. During the online application process, Amazon does not consider your credit score a factor when making a loan decision. As you sell on Amazon, you may later become eligible due to sales volume. Eligible sellers may receive an invitation later. How Much Could I Borrow from Amazon Lending? There are minimum and maximum loan amounts for each type of loan. You can borrow from $1,000 to $750,000. The majority of high-dollar loans are lines of credit loans. Does Amazon Financing Have High Loan Payments The lending program has various loan rates. The loan rates are determined by the loan size, the term, and the quality of your credit, as determined by Amazon. As with all small business loans, you’ll pay an additional fee for late payments. The annual interest rates range from 6.99% to 20.99%. For Line of Credit loans, there is an additional maintenance fee if you don’t use 30% of your line of credit amount. The Evolution of Amazon Lending Amazon Lending has significantly evolved since its inception. Initially, it served as a straightforward lending service for Amazon sellers to boost their inventory. Over time, it has expanded to offer diverse financial products, catering to various business needs. Amazon’s lending program reflects the company’s deepening involvement in financial services, targeting the unique needs of e-commerce businesses. This evolution showcases Amazon’s commitment to providing comprehensive support to its seller community, not just in sales and logistics but also in financing growth and expansion. The Global Impact of Amazon Lending Amazon Lending has made a global impact, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses that operate on the Amazon platform. It has become a vital financial lifeline for these businesses, allowing them to scale operations, expand product lines, and enter new markets. Amazon’s lending program is more than just a financial service; it’s a strategic tool that has helped numerous businesses around the world leverage the vast marketplace that Amazon offers. The success stories from different countries highlight the program’s effectiveness in promoting business growth worldwide. Sustainable Practices in Amazon Lending The sustainability of Amazon Lending is evident in its commitment to supporting small businesses, especially those that may lack access to conventional banking services. By providing these businesses with the necessary funds to grow, Amazon Lending helps in creating sustainable economic opportunities. Furthermore, Amazon’s focus on data-driven lending decisions promotes financial responsibility and reduces the risk of over-indebtedness. This sustainable approach ensures that businesses are not just growing but doing so in a manner that is financially sound and viable in the long term. Technology and Innovation in Amazon Lending Amazon Lending is at the forefront of integrating technology and innovation into its financial services. By leveraging its vast data on sellers’ performance and market trends, Amazon can offer tailored financing options that suit individual business needs. This data-driven approach allows for quicker loan approvals and more accurate risk assessment. Moreover, Amazon’s use of technology streamlines the entire lending process, making it more efficient and user-friendly. The integration of advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms is continually enhancing the program, making it adaptable and responsive to the changing needs of Amazon sellers. Amazon Lending Program vs. Traditional Small Business Loan If you choose a bank loan, you’ll most likely make payments from your business bank account. There are other factors that influence this bottom line, such as utility and insurance payments. With Amazon Lending, you’re borrowing money to buy inventory and using inventory sales through the online marketplace to pay the loan. That’s simple to track and analyze compared to other business financing options, making it one of the biggest alternative lenders for small businesses. The only drawback is that you have to be on the Amazon platform. With Amazon Lendin,g early payments aren’t penalized. If you make the full loan payment early, erasing the loan early, there’s no prepayment penalty. That means with early payment, you’ll have interest savings. As a credit option, the Amazon business lending program is fast, with the time from business completed applications to approved loans issued often within 2-5 business days. That’s a huge plus for business financing options. Typically, a small business loan requires a 600 and better score and a requirement that you’ve been in operation for 12 months. Small businesses might get better interest rates on merchant cash advances, business credit cards, or a business line of credit from other lending institutions, but small businesses typically wait 2 or 3 months for a decision. There may be various fees associated with your loan. And even with a short-term loan, you may pay a penalty if you pay your loan balance early, which is one of the main hidden fees in the fine print. If you default on the loan by not making payments and your credit card is declined, Amazon may do a first-seller account disbursement. That means that Amazon can use and sell your remaining inventory to use against your remaining loan payout. 5 Steps to Apply Eligible businesses can create a seller account on Amazon Seller Central. Below is a concise overview of the steps involved: Step 1. Sign in to Your Amazon Sellers Account on Seller Central If you’re new to Amazon Sellers, don’t despair if you don’t receive an invitation for a loan. As your business grows, Amazon will automatically take another look. After opening and running your seller’s account for some time, you may become eligible for a loan. Step 2. Verify Eligibility If you’re eligible for Amazon loans as an Amazon seller, your online business will get an invitation. Step 3. Choose a Financing Option First, carefully determine the loan amount that aligns with your business objectives. Then, navigate through the user-friendly application process. Opt for a financing solution tailored to your enterprise’s unique needs, be it a term loan for long-term investments, an interest-only loan to preserve cash flow, or a flexible line of credit for ongoing expenses. Identifying the option that promotes sustainable growth and enhances your business’s financial health is essential. Step 4. Send Your Application Submit your application for an Amazon loan. Step 5. Wait for Your Application to be Processed You should get a response on your Amazon business loan application in 2-5 business days, with loans issued immediately. Structured Overview for Setting up Your Seller’s Account Business owners can refer to this concise table as a quick reference while working through the Amazon Financing application steps. It’s designed to streamline the process, helping small business owners navigate each phase with clarity and confidence. Step ComponentDescription Sign in to Your Amazon Sellers Account on Seller CentralBegin by logging into your Amazon Sellers account. If you're new, don't worry if you don't receive an immediate invitation for a loan; Amazon will reassess your eligibility as your business grows. It's recommended to actively manage your account as it can increase your chances of qualifying in the future. Verify EligibilityOnce you are deemed eligible, your business will receive an invitation to apply for Amazon loans. This is an acknowledgment of your growing enterprise and a chance to further expand it. Choose a Financing OptionDecide on the loan amount needed, considering your business goals. Navigate the application process and choose a financing option that aligns with your needs, such as a term loan, interest-only loan, or a line of credit. Selecting the right option can foster sustainable growth and financial stability. Send Your ApplicationAfter selecting the most suitable financing option, proceed to fill out and submit your application form for an Amazon loan. This step is crucial as it initiates the official request for funds. Wait for Your Application to be ProcessedOnce your application is submitted, expect a response within 2-5 business days. If approved, the loan will be issued promptly, enabling you to implement your business expansion strategies without delay. Does Amazon financing affect credit? No. If you’re seeking finances from potential lenders outside Amazon, they won’t be able to access information about your Amazon Lending activities. The loan issued and ongoing payments against the remaining balance are internal transactions within Amazon. Does Amazon have 18-month financing? No. The repayment terms are up to one year. You can get 18-month financing on a short-term business loan through a traditional lender. Image: amazon This article, "Amazon Lending: How to Boost Your Small Business Dynamically" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A majority of marketing leaders are diversifying and adjusting their strategies due to AI search, the fragmentation of search, and a potential Google breakup, according to a new survey from enterprise SEO platform Botify. Why we care. SEO continuing to change. Quickly. ChatGPT and other generative/answer engines have the potential to reshape the search paradigm. Meanwhile, more people believe Google’s search quality is in declining (in part due to AI Overviews taking over the most valuable space in search results and brutal algorithm updates). And many sites are seeing the erosion of organic traffic from Google. The big picture. 62% of marketing leaders said they are diversifying and adjusting their strategies. Meanwhile, 31% intend to diversify but haven’t made any adjustments. The remaining marketing leaders are either maintaining strategy or not making any adjustments. Non-Google search platforms. These are the non-Google Search platforms that marketing leaders are considering: YouTube (66%) ChatGPT (56%) Amazon (45%) TikTok (40%) Measuring search. The rise of generative search and generative AI assistants has shifted how marketing leaders measured search performance over the last year significantly (55%) or slightly (36%). The remaining 9% said they haven’t changed how they measure performance. Here’s how some are now measuring success, according to the survey: 52% have shifted from rankings to presence in search snippets and appearing in answers (Google AI Overviews/ChatGPT/Perplexity). 27% have shifted from click-through rate to conversions. 7% shifted from rankings to visits. About the data. Botify partnered with Centiment for this survey of 300 marketing department leaders (directors, VPs, or higher in the retail, ecommerce, tourism, and hospitality industries). It was conducted in December. The survey. Marketing Leaders Want to Meet AI Search Head-On: New Survey Results View the full article

Figures for 2024 topped those of 2023 until it came to refunds. By Beth Bellor Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

Figures for 2024 topped those of 2023 until it came to refunds. By Beth Bellor As the 2025 busy season kicks off and we wait for the first individual income tax return reports to trickle in, let’s take a peek … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

Plus how to automate getting paid. By Jody Padar Radical Pricing – By The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Plus how to automate getting paid. By Jody Padar Radical Pricing – By The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

A growing number of American workers are taking time off for mental and emotional well-being, a practice known as “unhappy leave.” According to a new survey by Sidehustles.com, 60% of employees took unhappy leave in the past year, with support for the policy gaining traction among managers who see it as a tool to improve productivity, job satisfaction, and employee retention. Workers Report Productivity Gains After Unhappy Leave The survey, which included 500 employees and 500 managers, found that employees who take unhappy leave experience significant improvements in their work performance. After stepping away from work for mental health reasons, respondents reported: 72% saw an improvement in overall well-being. 69% experienced better focus. 68% felt lower stress levels. 62% saw increased productivity. 49% reported greater job satisfaction. Despite these benefits, nearly 50% of employees said they would consider switching jobs if another employer offered unhappy leave as a benefit, highlighting its growing role in workplace decisions. Managers See Unhappy Leave as a Retention Strategy Support for unhappy leave is strong among company leadership. The survey found that: 75% of managers support their team members taking unhappy leave. Nearly 2 in 5 managers have taken unhappy leave themselves. 4 in 5 managers believe offering unhappy leave would make their organization more attractive to potential employees. 3 in 4 managers view unhappy leave as an important tool for employee retention. Industries Leading the Way Certain industries have embraced unhappy leave more than others. The top sectors where employees report taking unhappy leave include: Technology Government/Public Administration Education Among employees who took unhappy leave, 20% cited a toxic company culture or negative work environment as a contributing factor. Corporate Concerns and Policy Considerations While interest in unhappy leave policies is rising, many companies remain cautious about implementation. The survey found that 1 in 5 organizations are considering adding an unhappy leave policy, particularly in tech, healthcare, and education. However, managers cited key concerns, including: 55% worry about employee misuse or overuse. 41% are concerned about workload coverage. 40% see challenges in distinguishing unhappy leave from regular sick leave. 40% want clearer guidelines on eligibility. Despite these concerns, companies are increasingly expanding emotional wellness benefits. Nearly 47% of organizations are considering options such as mental health counseling, flexible work hours, and stress management resources. Image: Envato This article, "Workplaces Embrace ‘Unhappy Leave’ as a Tool for Employee Well-Being and Retention" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Eleven steps to better instructions. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

Eleven steps to better instructions. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

Learn how a 1% owner can wield more power than a 99% shareholder under specific agreements. Quick Tax Tip With Art Werner CPE Today Go PRO for members-only access to more Art Werner. View the full article

Learn how a 1% owner can wield more power than a 99% shareholder under specific agreements. Quick Tax Tip With Art Werner CPE Today Go PRO for members-only access to more Art Werner. View the full article

Michael Glavac shared a video of some of the longest and most comprehensive AI Overviews I’ve seen displayed in Google Search to date. These AI Overviews have over 600 works, reference over 60 different sites and are incredibly detailed. What it looks like. Here is a videocast of this that Michael shared on LinkedIn: More details. “Just came across this AIO that’s essentially a full article that referred to 61 sites,” Michael wrote. This AI Overview shows: 628 total words Each line referred to a minimum 4 sites/sources The sites/sources were not all relevant and there were some obscure sites that got pulled in, he added. In this case, the query was [How to build a real estate website] – I personally cannot replicate this myself but the videocast is above. Gemini 2.0 powered? The question is, is this what Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO referenced a couple months ago, around AI Overviews powered by Gemini 2.0 being tested. Back then, Google’s AI Overviews should be able to “tackle more complex topics and multi-step questions, including advanced math equations, multimodal queries and coding,” Google wrote. Google said it is “bringing the advanced reasoning capabilities of Gemini 2.0 to AI Overviews to tackle more complex topics and multi-step questions, including advanced math equations, multimodal queries and coding.” Google already started limited testing this week of this updated model for AI Overviews. Google said they will “be rolling it out more broadly early next year.” “And we’ll continue to bring AI Overviews to more countries and languages over the next year,” Google added. Mike King, on that LinkedIn post, asked if this is “Gemini Advanced Deep Research product in the SERPs”? Why we care. More advanced and detailed AI Overviews can impact the main core web search results, if the searcher gets all the information they need directly in the AI Overview. Of course, your site can be referenced in that AI Overview, amongst the 60+ other sites. This does not seem to be fully rolled out yet and seems to be testing right now. So you should be aware of this test. View the full article

TikTok has had a wild start to 2025. The app was banned in the United States, went dark, then came back online. New users can't download it, since the app hasn't returned to U.S. app stores, but those with existing access to the app (or simply the website) can continue watching videos like the ban never happened—at least, for now. The thing is, ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has owned and operated other apps within the U.S. You might've learned that over the past couple weeks, as other popular apps went dark and disappeared from app stores alongside TikTok. While these apps were not a part of the major discussion around the ban, they all should, in theory, have many of the same concerns that caused the government to go after TikTok. ByteDance is based in China, and, as such, would be beholden to the Chinese government should the latter ask for the data of any American users. In fact, the ban makes it clear no ByteDance app is safe. At the top of the law, it says the act's goal is "To protect the national security of the United States from the threat posed by foreign adversary controlled applications, such as TikTok and any successor application or service and any other application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Ltd. or an entity under the control of ByteDance Ltd." Since then, all the apps on this list have been removed from app stores, and while most allow you to use them if you already had the app on your phone, only one has been added back to marketplaces. TikTokThis is the big one: ByteDance, of course, owns TikTok, the app at the center of all this national security drama. You might be addicted to the app yourself. What you might not know, however, is that the TikTok we know started out life not as a ByteDance property, nor as "TikTok" itself; rather, the app was originally called Musical.ly, and was designed for users to post short videos lip-syncing to popular songs. It amassed a large following, which caught ByteDance's attention, just as it had its sights set on expanding its short-form social media app, Douyin, globally. ByteDance went international with a new version of Douyin, TikTok, in 2017, and almost immediately after, acquired Musical.ly for nearly $1 billion. The rest, of course, is history. TikTok has become a world-wide phenomenon, capturing the attentions of one billion users. 170 million of those users happen to be in the U.S., which makes you wonder how a looming ban of the app will affect TikTok's bottom line. TikTok LiteIf you have an Android device, you might have seen TikTok Lite before. This app is TikTok, only a lighter, more streamlined version. Like other "lite" apps, this one is designed for phones with limited RAM, data, or unstable connections. TikTok Lite is not that popular, especially when compared to TikTok proper. It only has 100,000 downloads compared to TikTok's more than one billion. It wasn't a part of the ban discussion, but it's currently off the Play Store nonetheless. TikTok Studio and TikTok Shop SellerTikTok Studio isn't made for consumers. Rather, it's an app for TikTok creators to manage posts on their accounts. Similarly, there's TikTok Shop Seller Center, an app for users who sell products on TikTok to manage their digital shops. CapCutIn the past, if you wanted to get into video production, you need to spend quite a bit of money: You needed a camera, a computer, and editing software, none of which came cheap, and most of which required a good deal of technical know-how. These days, anyone with a smartphone can make videos. Many of us interested in doing so have turned to CapCut, which just so happens to be owned by none other than ByteDance. To say CapCut is popular is a wild understatement. The app has over a billion downloads on Android alone, and is also available on iOS, Mac, and Windows—assuming you downloaded it before the ban. (It's also available on the web.) Like other video editors, CapCut offers tools for chopping up your clips into content to post on your socials, but there are a number of extra features available as well. That includes templates to get a part of your video started, video effects, AI features, music integration, stock videos, and more. All these features aside, the reason CapCut is so popular has likely just as much (if not more) to do with the fact that it is owned by the same parent company as TikTok. That means a few things: CapCut offers an easy workflow from editing to posting on TikTok; TikTokers use the app and promote it themselves; and ByteDance can advertise CapCut on TikTok as much as it wants. If you missed out and can no longer download CapCut, there are other great alternatives you can try. HypicOn the other side of the editing aisle, there's Hypic, ByteDance's photo editing tool. This app isn't nearly as big as CapCut, but it's still pretty large (over 10 million downloads on the Play Store). The app offers standard photo editing tools, but also other perks: There are AI-powered tools, such as cutouts, background removal, and filters; a feature that lets you add "trending" makeup to images; and other options, like stickers and templates. Lemon8In protest of the government's potential ban on TikTok, users flocked to other Chinese-based social media apps in protest. One of those apps was Lemon8, a "lifestyle" social media platform. Like TikTok, Lemon8 also supports video sharing, but that's not its only focus. Users can also post images, including to carousels, offering an Instagram-like experience. Plus, you can engage with multiple types of content at the same time, akin to Pinterest. As Jessica Maddox, associate professor of digital media technology, tells NBC News, “If those three apps came together and had a baby, it would be Lemon8." It's not clear how popular Lemon8 still is now that isn't not available on app stores, however. Marvel Snap (returned to app stores)Marvel Snap is a popular mobile card game, incorporating character from the Marvel universe. Players draw decks of 12 cards, and play for control of three locations. Whichever player controls at least two locations after six turns wins. While Marvel itself might be an American property, the game is operated by Nuverse, which is a ByteDance subsidiary. As such, Marvel Snap was snapped out of existence (or, at least, from app stores) following the ban. However, as of Jan. 28, the app is back. As The Verge reports, the game developers are working to bring "almost all operational and publishing responsibilities in-house," working Skytone Games, a U.S.-based publisher. It's the first of the ByteDance apps to return to app stores since the ban. Land of EmpiresLand of Empires is another game owned by Nuverse. This title is a strategy game that pits you against an enemy army of demons. Like other strategy games, you fortify your lands, fight enemies in combat, and engage in large battles. It's not quite as popular as Marvel Snap, but it's not all that niche, either, sporting over a million downloads on the Play Store. It, however, has not returned. LarkChances are, you've never heard of Lark. (I certainly hadn't.) Lark offers a collection of business apps and services. The standalone Lark app for iOS and Android is described as a "team collaboration" app, which, for all intents and purposes, means its basically a Microsoft Teams or Slack competitor. Lark has features like in-app messaging and video calling, as well as collaborative document sharing. This probably isn't something you'll ever use on your own, but rather a service you use through your company. It's likely one of the smaller groups affected by the ban. Tokopedia and Tokopedia STARTTokopedia is a shopping service based out of Indonesia, but it had apps available to users in the U.S. prior to the law. Also available from the company was Tokopedia START, an app that appears to have been made for a 2022 tech conference. Tokopedia, as you may have guessed, is a subsidiary of ByteDance. View the full article

A business email is an incredibly important tool. It helps you keep your personal life separate instead of mixing it all together, and it looks more professional overall. Using business email addresses, you can create a better customer experience for others while also keeping things organized. There are plenty of free business email account options available for you to choose from. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best free business email address options out there and how to get started. How to Create a Business Email Address The steps to create a business email address will vary depending on the email client you are using, but the process tends to be pretty straightforward. Here’s how to create a business email address: Purchase your domain name and sign up for a hosting provider, or opt for an email service. Create your business email address, which can include generic email accounts such as contact@yourdomain.com or hello@yourdomain.com. You can also set up your business email inbox with your name if easier. Add an email signature, including your name, title, company’s logo, and an alternative form of contract. Add your business email address to your website and social media so that customers and clients know how to contact you. StepDescription Purchase Domain and Sign Up for HostingChoose and register your domain name through a domain registrar and sign up for hosting service. Create Business Email AddressSet up a custom business email address, like contact@yourdomain.com or yourname@yourdomain.com. Add Email SignaturePersonalize your emails with a signature including your name, title, company logo, and contacts. Integrate Email Address on Website and Social MediaDisplay your business email on your website and social media profiles for easy contact access. What is a Business Email Address? A business email address is essentially just that – an email address connected to your business. It generally shares the same domain name as your business, so @yourbusiness.com rather than @gmail.com or @hotmail.com. Using your own domain keeps it consistent for customers and clients to reach you, and it’s easier to identify when browsing your website. Why You Need a Business Email Address The importance of a professional email address or a business email account can’t be understated in today’s digital ecosystem. It is important for many reasons, such as: Appears professional: A business email with a custom domain presents a more professional image and is more likely to attract customers. Keep things organized: Business email accounts can help streamline your work and ensure that you can keep track of everything in one place. Promotes your brand: Every time you send an email from your business email, it gives you more brand recognition. Enhances discoverability: Customers find it significantly easier to search for and reach out to a professional email rather than a personal one. How to Make a Business Email Professional There are several ways to make your professional business email address look good and gain customer trust. Let’s look at the top things you should consider. Top Things to Include Custom domain with your business name Email client that offers a good hosting plan Online storage such as cloud storage Short and easy emails such as ‘hello@yourbusinessname.com’ or ‘contact@yourbusinessname.com) Email signature with your company name and more details on how to get in touch Additional email aliases if needed to stay organized (i.e., separating customer feedback from general emails) The Best Platforms to Create Business Email Addresses When searching for platforms to learn how to create a business email, there are several factors to consider. It’s important to find a provider that offers custom email domains, allowing you to set up a domain-based email address. Typically, most providers will include a web hosting account along with a custom business email address. Gmail Formerly G Suite, a Google Workspace account, is one of the best options for comprehensive email services. You can access other Google apps alongside Gmail, such as Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and more, so there is a lot of value. Basic plans for Google Workspace begin at $6, and there are numerous hosting options available to accommodate your business as it expands. Bluehost Bluehost email is useful if you have a WordPress website or plan to have one. Bluehost is a hosting provider and offers a web hosting package alongside business emails. With a Bluehost account, you can create business emails with your own domain and tie your mail client with your website to make it easier to manage. GoDaddy GoDaddy is another web hosting provider for a WordPress website, and they also offer free business email accounts with their hosting package. GoDaddy uses its own workspace and email client or a Microsoft email client. Options for email accounts can vary depending on what kind of hosting is purchased. However, it’s one of the easier solutions since you can create a free business email that is tied to your hosting account. Zoho Mail Zoho Mail is an email service provider that can be tied to your domain name. Zoho Mail provides a safe and secure email service for businesses, and you can easily tie your business email to an existing domain name for ease. Zoho Mail also comes with productivity tools similar to Google Workspace for added value. Zoho Mail offers a lot of privacy with its email service, and it can be a great option for smaller teams that are looking to scale. Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Outlook is an excellent choice for a free business email due to its simplicity and user-friendliness. This email service allows you to easily create a free business email. If you are interested in more Microsoft products, you can access them with a paid plan. Microsoft is often regarded as a gold standard in email clients, making it a consistently popular option for a business email address. How to Get a Business Email Address for Free There are quite a few avenues to look at if you’re looking for a free business email address. Many hosting providers tend to have it as a value-add to web hosting, so it’s worth looking at those options for – especially if you have a WordPress site. Email service providers where you can create a free business email address include: GoDaddy (with a domain name or hosting purchase) Bluehost (with a custom domain or hosting purchasing) Microsoft Outlook What is the best way to get a professional email address? There are many platforms available to get a professional email address for your business. For example, you can use platforms such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Outlook, and Zoho Mail to get a business email address for your business using your own domain name to tie it back to your business. Is Gmail for business free? Gmail for business has a variety of paid plans available depending on needs. For a business email address and other G Suite apps, a basic plan starts at $6 per user. Prices go up to $12 or $18 per user, depending on cloud storage needs and other considerations. Integrating Business Email with Other Business Tools Integrating a business email with CRM systems, project management tools, and other business software can significantly streamline workflows. This integration enhances efficiency, reduces manual data entry, and ensures that all business communications are centralized and easily accessible. Maintaining Professionalism in Email Communication To maintain professionalism in email communication, it’s essential to focus on clear and concise language, maintain a respectful tone, and ensure prompt responses. Regularly updating your email signature with relevant contact information and professional credentials also contributes to a positive and professional image. Creating a Business Email for Growth and Professionalism In conclusion, a professional business email address is not just a communication tool but a vital asset for branding and customer trust. Selecting the right email platform, integrating it effectively with other business tools, and adhering to professional email communication standards can significantly enhance a business’s operational efficiency and professional image. Having a professional business email address is essential for any business in today’s digital world. It not only looks more professional but also helps in brand promotion and customer trust. With various free and paid options available, businesses can easily create a custom domain-based email address. Platforms such as Gmail, Bluehost, GoDaddy, Zoho Mail, and Microsoft Outlook provide outstanding options for how to create a business email address. By following simple steps, businesses can set up their email address, add an email signature, and integrate it into their website and social media for easy customer contact. Whether opting for a free or paid service, a professional business email address is a valuable asset that can enhance communication and credibility with customers and clients. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Create a Business Email" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Part-time work is great for increased flexibility, but a significant bummer when it comes to benefits. Luckily, a new rule now opens the door for millions of part-time workers to start building their nest eggs earlier through employer-sponsored retirement plans. This rule—part of the Secure Act 2.0 passed in 2022—reduces the waiting period for part-time employees to join their company's 401(k) or 403(b) plans. Here's what you need to know to take advantage of this change and maximize your savings this year. How part-time workers can save more for retirementUnder the new rules, part-time workers can qualify for their employer's retirement plan after just two years of service, provided they work at least 500 hours in each year. This is down from the previous three-year requirement, making it significantly easier for part-time employees to start saving for retirement through their workplace plans. To put this in perspective, 500 hours per year amounts to roughly 10 hours per week, meaning even those working limited schedules can qualify for these important benefits more quickly than before. Whatever your image of part-time work looks like, this rule benefits a wide range of people: Recent hires who work steady part-time schedules can begin saving a full year earlier than under previous rules. Workers juggling multiple part-time positions can now more quickly access benefits at their longer-term employers. Parents or caregivers working reduced hours can start building retirement savings sooner. Students working part-time while in school can begin their retirement savings journey earlier in their careers. Read the fine printFirst, bit of clarification: Whereas freelancers are self-employed (and eligible for their own types of plans), this rule applies to long-term, part-time workers, who are still considered to be a part of the company and eligible for corporate benefits. Additionally, the new provision comes with several key stipulations: The rule applies to most 401(k) plans and certain 403(b) plans. Collectively bargained plans are exempt from these requirements. Service hours accumulated before 2021 don't count toward the eligibility requirement. Employers must still offer plan participation to those who work 1,000 hours in a single year. Maximizing your retirement savingsFor part-time workers now eligible for retirement plans, consider taking these steps. Review your employer's match program, if available, and try to contribute enough to capture the full match. Calculate how much you can consistently contribute from each paycheck. Consider automatic contribution increases to gradually boost your savings rate. Research your plan's investment options and choose a diversified portfolio aligned with your retirement timeline. Understand any vesting schedules for employer contributions. The bottom line: Part-time employees should check with their HR departments about eligibility and plan details, as employers will need to implement these changes in their retirement plan administration asap. Starting to save earlier, even in small amounts, can make a meaningful difference in long-term retirement. View the full article

Want AI search engines and agents to find and use your content? Traditional SEO isn’t enough. AI systems process information differently. This guide breaks down key optimizations to help your content stay visible and rank in the AI era. TL;DR: Quick AI optimization checklist To optimize for AI search and agents: Make content accessible with clean HTML/markdown and good structure. Allow AI crawlers in robots.txt and firewall rules. Return content fast, with key info high up. Use semantic markup, metadata, and schemas. Create an llms.txt file. Check your content’s AI visibility. Traditional SEO vs. AI search: The key differences Many people ask how to optimize websites for AI search and agents instead of traditional SEO. Through building Andi, an AI search engine, we’ve learned key differences in approach. From the AI side, we process 30–50 million pages daily to find quality content for search, summarization, and question-answering. But accessing and extracting useful information isn’t always easy. Here’s what we’ve learned about making content truly AI-friendly. Speed and simplicity are critical Many AI systems have tight timeouts (1-5 seconds) for retrieving content. Assume long content may be truncated or dropped completely after the timeout. Clean, structured text wins Many AI crawlers don’t handle JavaScript well, if at all. Logical content structure in plain HTML or markdown is ideal. Metadata and semantic matter more Clear titles, descriptions, dates, and schema.org markup help AI systems quickly understand your content. Blocking crawlers can make you invisible In a world of AI agents, overly aggressive bot protection can cut you off entirely. Differentiate AI training vs. AI search access Some AI crawlers collect training data, while others retrieve real-time content. You may want different policies for each. Check your content’s AI visibility AI search engine test: Paste a URL into andisearch.com. If options like Summarize or Explain appear, your page is accessible and useful for AI. AI agent test: Use Firecrawl to see how AI agents perceive and access your content. Dig deeper: How to monitor brand visibility across AI search channels Key optimizations for AI accessibility Configure robots.txt for AI crawlers Add a robots.txt with fairly open access. Allow or disallow crawlers on a case-by-case basis. Here’s an example that allows access for AI search/agents but disallows training data collection: # Allow AI search and agent use User-agent: OAI-SearchBot User-agent: ChatGPT-User User-agent: PerplexityBot User-agent: FirecrawlAgent User-agent: AndiBot User-agent: ExaBot User-agent: PhindBot User-agent: YouBot Allow: / # Disallow AI training data collection User-agent: GPTBot User-agent: CCBot User-agent: Google-Extended Disallow: / # Allow traditional search indexing User-agent: Googlebot User-agent: Bingbot Allow: / # Disallow access to admin areas for all bots User-agent: * Disallow: /admin/ Disallow: /internal/ Sitemap: https://www.example.com/sitemap.xml Avoid overly aggressive bot protection Don’t use aggressive bot protection on Cloudflare/AWS WAF. This will prevent AI crawlers and agents from accessing your content. Instead, allow major U.S. datacenter IP ranges. Dig deeper: 3 reasons not to block GPTBot from crawling your site Optimize for speed Return content as fast as possible, ideally under one second. Keep key content high up in the HTML. Use clear metadata and semantic markup Examples include: Basic SEO tags: <title>, <meta description> and <meta keywords>. OpenGraph tags: This improves previews in AI search results. Schema.org markup: Use JSON-LD for structured data. Proper heading structure: (H1-H6). Semantic elements: <article>, <section> and <nav>. Keep content on a single page where possible Avoid “Read more” buttons or multi-page articles. Provide programmatic access via APIs (with OpenAPI specs) or RSS feeds This allows faster, more structured access for AI tools. Indicate content freshness Use visible dates and <meta> tags to help AI understand when content was published or updated. Create an llms.txt file For documentation or reference content, create an llms.txt file. Use Firecrawl’s generator. Submit a sitemap.xml Use sitemap.xml to guide crawlers to important content. Use a favicon and lead image AI search engines display content visually. Having a simple favicon.ico and clear lead images improves visibility. Dig deeper: Decoding LLMs: How to be visible in generative AI search results Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Major AI crawler user-agents When configuring your robots.txt, consider these major AI crawlers: OpenAI GPTBot (training data). ChatGPT-User (user actions in ChatGPT). OAI-SearchBot (AI search results). Google Google-Extended (AI training). GoogleOther (various AI uses). Anthropic: ClaudeBot (consolidated bot for various uses). Andi: AndiBot. Perplexity: PerplexityBot. You.com: YouBot. Phind: PhindBot. Exa: ExaBot. Firecrawl: FirecrawlAgent. Common Crawl: CCBot (used by many AI companies for training data). For a full, up-to-date list, check Dark Visitors. Optimizing for AI agent computer use AI agents that can use computers, like Browser Use or OpenAI’s Operator, are a new frontier. Some tips: Implement “agent-responsive design.” Structure your site so AI can easily interpret and interact with it. Ensure interactive elements like buttons and text fields are clearly defined and accessible. Use consistent navigation patterns to help AI predict and understand site flow. Minimize unnecessary interactions like login prompts or pop-ups that can disrupt AI task completion. Incorporate web accessibility features like ARIA labels, which also help AI understand page elements. Regularly test your site with AI agents and iterate based on the results. Resources for dev tools startups If you’re building developer tools, optimize for AI visibility: Maintain an up-to-date llms.txt file. Provide easy access to clean HTML or markdown versions of your docs. Consider using documentation tools like Theneo and Mintlify to optimize for AI accessibility. Final insights Optimizing for AI search is an ongoing process, as AI crawlers are far from perfect. Right now: 34% of AI crawler requests result in 404 or other errors. Only Google’s Gemini and AppleBot currently render JavaScript among major AI crawlers. AI crawlers show 47 times inefficiency compared to traditional crawlers like Googlebot. AI crawlers represent about 28% of Googlebot’s volume in recent traffic analysis. As AI indexing improves, staying ahead of these trends will help ensure your content remains visible. Remember, it’s a balance. You want to be accessible to helpful AI tools while protecting against bad actors. For more detailed information, check out these resources: LLMs.txt specification. Dark Visitors AI crawler list. Google’s AI crawler documentation. The old world of blocking all bots is gone. You want AI agents and crawlers to see your content and navigate your sites. Optimize now and stay ahead of the AI revolution! 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. After the release of the Google Pixel 9 last fall, the Pixel 8 lineup dropped in price, as was expected. While the Pixel 8 Pro isn't the latest Pixel, it is still considered one of the best Android phones for 2025, according to CNET. The unlocked 128 GB Pixel 8 Pro is currently $599 (originally $999), a 40% discount. That's matching the lowest price the device has reached, according to price-tracking tools. Google Pixel 8 Pro $599.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $400.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon $999.00 Save $400.00 You'll get about nine hours of battery life from the Pixel 8 Pro; a 50MP, 48MP, 48MP rear camera; and a 10.5MP front-facing camera. The OLED screen is 6.7 inches with a 2,992 by 1,344-pixel resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The peak brightness hits 2,400 nits, a big jump from the previous version. You can read more about it in PCMag's "excellent" review. The Pixel 8 Pro is still a great phone in 2025, with support for tons of AI features that make the phone feel fresh even a year after its release. Google has also been working hard to patch up the vulnerabilities on their Pixel phones as far back as the Pixel 6, meaning the Pixel 8 Pro will be supported with software updates for a while (as long as seven years). Google also keeps dropping new Pixel features every few months, including the “Audio Magic Eraser,” which gets rid of distracting sounds in videos, and the “Best Take” feature, which lets you pick the best shot from a series of photos. While the new Pixel 9 lineup may seem enticing—the most basic model, the 128 GB Pixel 9, starts at $719 (originally $799), also a great price for an excellent phone—if you value performance and the camera over design and features, you're better off saving yourself the money with the Pixel 8 Pro. View the full article

Staying consistent on social media is one of the best routes to success on any platform — though that's easier said than done. Which is why we wanted a way to make this easier (and more fun!). Enter: Streaks! What are streaks? Streaks is more than just a feature — it's your personal trainer for social media content creation. The concept is beautifully simple: share a post every week, and watch your streak count grow. Miss a week, and your streak resets, gently nudging you to stay on track. How streaks workWe've designed streaks with three key motivational elements: Weekly streak counter: A clear, visual representation of your posting consistency. Each consecutive week you post builds your track record, motivating you to keep the momentum going. Achievement milestones: As your streak grows, we’ll celebrate your progress. Gentle reminders: Our smart notifications will alert you when you're at risk of breaking your streak, ensuring you stay connected with your audience. Why consistency mattersDid you know that people who post consistently get up to 5x more likes, comments, and shares than folks who don't? Regular posting also: Keeps your audience engagedBuilds trust and credibilityImproves social media algorithm performanceHelps you develop a reliable content creation habitHere’s what some of our community members shared about the power of scheduling content every week. Consistent social media posting has been everything for my one-person business. I show up, people engage with my content, and I get inbound leads as a result. Even if the actual engagement isn't from my ideal clients, consistency keeps me in their feeds and on their minds for future work.Anna Burgess Yang - Content Marketer and Journalist Buffer allows me to schedule all my social media posts in advance, so I can focus on my customers which gives me peace of mind. Thanks to Buffer, I’ve become more visible on social media and, by extension, in my community. I can confidently say it’s been a vital tool in growing my business and reaching more people. It’s like having an extra set of hands in your businessJoyce Leak - Owner, Dove InnerCity Notary I'm blogging reviews about books and use social media to inform my followers about new articles. With Buffer it is easy to share this information in all channels at the same time. In addition I'm able to choose a different time for each channel.Detlef Knut - Author When it comes to entertainment news and reviews, posting consistently on social media helps us keep our followers up to date with what we are posting and for non-followers to see what we do and follow. Using Buffer to schedule social media updates has been key to growing our social audience and allowing us to post at times we know that our followers will see.Karen Woodham - Founder, Blazing Minds Who is Streaks for? Streaks is designed for anyone who wants to: Build a more disciplined social media presenceTurn content creation into a sustainable habitGrow their online audience organicallyOvercome content creation procrastinationSo if you’re an aspiring content creator, building your personal brand, or growing a small business — consistency is key! Buffer is here to help you every step of the way. View the full article

Consumers seeking jumbo home loans last week encountered the same 7.02% average contract interest rate as 30-year confirming loan borrowers. View the full article