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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. We are seeing some big chatter over the weekend...View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve been thinking about getting a budget-friendly robot vacuum with mopping capabilities, you might want to check out the iRobot Roomba Combo Essential. This PCMag Editor's Choice-winning robot vacuum is currently $149 (down from $274.99), its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. iRobot Roomba Combo Essential $149.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $274.99 Save $125.99 Get Deal Get Deal $149.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $274.99 Save $125.99 It offers two cleaning modes: vacuum-only and vacuum-and-mop. Switching to the latter requires manually attaching the mop pad, which is then dragged along by the vacuum as it moves. If you’re hoping for some scrubbing power, this isn’t it—it won’t lift dried-on spills or heavy grime. That said, while it doesn’t have the suction power for a deep clean, it reportedly handles pet hair well, leaving no dust bunnies behind and avoiding major tangles in its brush roll. The Combo Essential comes with wifi support (specifically for 2.4GHz networks), so you can control it not just with the physical buttons on the vacuum but also through the iRobot Home app or with voice commands if you have Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. Setting it up is simple: Download the iRobot Home app, create an account, and follow the step-by-step instructions. Once connected, the app lets you adjust suction power and water usage, set up a cleaning schedule (though keep in mind it doesn’t create a customizable map), put a time limit on cleaning sessions, check its run history, and enable voice controls. Unlike many budget robot vacuums, the Combo Essential has a battery life of over 120 minutes and rarely gets stuck on common obstacles like chair legs or flooring thresholds (though it does bump into things as it tries to free itself from tight spots), notes this PCMag review. And since it costs a fraction of what high-end robot floor cleaners do, it lacks premium features like AI-powered obstacle avoidance or self-maintenance. Instead, it navigates using a combination of a gyroscope and infrared sensors. This allows it to clean in somewhat orderly rows, but it can occasionally get confused and re-cover the same area from a different angle. That said, it does a solid job of vacuuming and mopping small spaces. View the full article

The head of the U.N. AIDS agency said Monday the number of new HIV infections could jump more than six times by 2029 if American support of the biggest AIDS program is dropped, warning that millions of people could die and more resistant strains of the disease could emerge. In an interview with the Associated Press, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said HIV infections have been falling in recent years, with just 1.3 million new cases recorded in 2023, a 60% decline since the virus peaked in 1995. But since President Donald Trump’s announcement the U.S. would freeze all foreign assistance for 90 days, Byanyima said officials estimate that by 2029, there could be 8.7 million people newly infected with HIV, a tenfold jump in AIDS-related deaths—to 6.3 million—and an additional 3.4 million children made orphans. “We will see a surge in this disease,” Byanyima said, speaking from Uganda. “This will cost lives if the American government doesn’t change its mind and maintain its leadership,” she said, adding that it was not her place to criticize any government’s policy. Byanyima pleaded with the Trump administration not to abruptly cut off funding, which she said has resulted in “panic, fear, and confusion” in many of the African countries hardest hit by AIDS. In one Kenyan county, she said 550 HIV workers were immediately laid off, while thousands of others in Ethiopia were terminated, leaving health officials unable to track the epidemic. She noted that the loss of U.S. funding to HIV programs in some countries was catastrophic, with external funding, mostly from the U.S., accounting for about 90% of their programs. Nearly $400 million goes to countries like Uganda, Mozambique, and Tanzania, she said. “We can work with (the Americans) on how to decrease their contribution if they wish to decrease it,” she said. Byanyima described the American withdrawal from global HIV efforts as the second biggest crisis the field has ever faced—after the yearslong delay it took for poor countries to get the lifesaving antiretrovirals long available in rich countries. Byanyima also said the loss of American support in efforts to combat HIV was coming at another critical time, with the arrival of what she called “a magical prevention tool” known as lenacapavir, a twice-yearly shot that was shown to offer complete protection against HIV in women, and which worked nearly as well as for men. Widespread use of that shot, in addition to other interventions to stop HIV, could help end the disease as a public health problem in the next five years, Byanyima said. She also noted that lenacapavir, sold as Sunlenca, was developed by the American company Gilead. International aid, Byanyima said, “helped an American company to innovate, to come up with something that will pay them millions and millions, but at the same time prevent new infections in the rest of the world.” The freeze in American funding, she said, didn’t make economic sense. “We appeal to the U.S. government to review this, to understand that this is mutually beneficial,” she said, noting that foreign assistance makes up less than 1% of the overall U.S. budget. “Why would you need to be so disruptive for that 1%?” Byanyima said that so far, no other countries or donors have stepped up to fill the void that will be left by the loss of American aid, but that she plans to visit numerous European capitals to speak with global leaders. “People are going to die because lifesaving tools have been taken away from them,” she said. “I have not yet heard of any European country committing to step in, but I know they are listening and trying to see where they can come in because they care about rights, about humanity.” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —Maria Cheng, AP Medical Writer View the full article

Bond traders anticipate that yields will remain elevated — and range bound — until there's a lot more clarity on where the economy is heading. View the full article

Chess.com has a new subscription option for chess families and tight-knit players: a friends and family plan. The site, where players around the world can face off against live opponents, play bots, and solve chess puzzles, introduced its group tier in January, offering a players a discount on its top-tier offerings with the aim of winning the long-term loyalty game. For $199.99 a year, Chess.com’s “Friends and Family” Diamond Premium plan offers up to four people access to feature’s like an ad-free site experience, chess lessons, game reviews, and insights into how to improve their skills that would run an individual subscriber $120 a year. “It’s good for consumers, because it brings down the average cost of the membership,” says Erik Allebest, founder and CEO of Chess.com. “But then it’s also good for the business and for retention, because people tend to stick together and stay members together. Who wants to cancel a membership and then have all their friends lose their benefits?” Squaring the economics Chess.com’s subscriptions are more easily compared to music streamers that video platforms—with companies like Netflix and Max taking action to curb password sharing. Like an avid music fan who doesn’t want a friend or family member’s taste throwing off their recommendations, Chess.com users guard their rating—and passwords—fiercely. “Nobody wants to share their chess login—[someone could] play a game and mess up their rating,” Allebest says. “It becomes more important to have a friends and family plan, because you don’t just get to share your password and do it that way.” Music streamers also offer an example of how the group subscription economics could play out. In 2016, Spotify delighted customers by dropping their family plan’s price to just $14.99 per month. The move kept them competitive with Apple, but over time, the price has crept up—it now sits at $19.99 per month. That hasn’t had a negative affect on the number of people signing up for it, though. On its most recent quarterly earnings call, Spotify co-president and chief business officer Alex Nordstrom noted that its family plan is “making up a big proportion of [our] subscriber base.” Allebest estimates that with its current “all-time high” of approximately 1.5 million paying subscribers, Chess.com’s premium accounts make up about 80% of the site’s revenue. The new friends and family plan could eat into that bottom line in the short term, but sees long-term loyalty as something worth an early revenue hit. “If it’s $199 for up to four people, maybe six people in the future, you’re getting fewer dollars per person,” Allebest says. “The bet is that you’ll get lower dollars-per-user, but you’ll get a longer lifetime subscription.” Seeing what works Allebest says the site is no stranger to experimenting with different ways to attract and retain players. The company offers gift subscriptions—an effort he calls “moderately successful”—and micro-tests a variety of new features among Chess.com’s “Beta Club” of power users. “We’re not innovating dramatically here,” Allebest says. “But we are testing it. We tried a lower price. We’re going to try adding more seats to it.” Their metric of success will be subscriber turnover, or “churn” rates. Allebest says that he’s “constantly monitoring” the company’s churn, though he declined to share a specific churn rate. It’ll take a year, he estimates, until they know just how successful the program is. But Allebest is confident that the program will work out, as they continue to fine-tune it to be the best value. “I feel like paying a subscription for a service that provides utility in your life is fair,” he says. “[We’re] trying to find the right balance.” View the full article

ONS figures ‘in development’ highlight challenge facing government in improving health service performance View the full article

Saving money at the grocery store is easy on paper, but when I step into the aisles a new brain takes over. “Don’t you need chocolate?” and “Ooh, maybe chicken strips?”—the word “budget” has disappeared from my mind. For me, the best money-saving trick is to make a proper checklist of ingredients that are budget-friendly and that ideally can be used for multiple meals. Below, you'll find my budget-friendly grocery shopping list that keeps me afloat during crappy economic times—maybe it'll help you, too. I’ve broken down the list into main sections to clarify how I build my grocery list. However, everyone has their own way of cooking and eating so even if my list isn’t perfect for you (I'd be surprised if it was), you can still use these guidelines to save a few bucks. If you’re thinking, “just give me the list!” Then here you go. I keep mine as a checklist like this on my phone so I can easily check things off in the store. It keeps my eyes from roaming to the snack aisle. Feel free to make a copy and personalize it. Starches Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Starches are a big-time belly filler. They’re often one of the cheapest items in our grocery stores because they can be dried and sold in bulk. Cereal grains, etc. Rice, pastas, instant noodles, quinoa, oats—these dried items are affordable and can make multiple meals. For example, a 16-ounce box of pasta has eight servings. A 42-ounce canister of oats can serve 30. That’s a lot of breakfast for $7.50. Beans and legumes. Another bulk purchase, dry beans and legumes are shelf-stable, packed with fiber, and one bag can make many meals. I often buy hydrated beans in a can, but if you can get used to soaking your beans in advance then you’ll save money with dry beans. Potatoes. Potatoes are an old friend, but what I’m still surprised by is how full they make me. Two red potatoes is enough for a four-person serving of this lentil soup and one large russet potato can make enough mashed potatoes for two people. Bread. Bread can turn a humble egg into a whole sandwich or make a handful of tomatoes and onions into a filling panzanella salad. Divide a loaf of bread into bite-sized pieces and use them as a bulking agent in quiches, soups, and salads. Cheap mains Check the unit price on cuts of meat to see which gives you the cheapest option. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann The main event of a meal is often meat and that's jumping in price, too. Here are some ways to keep proteins in your diet without ruining your budget. Cheap meat. Instead of buying premium cuts of beef, opt for sausage (here's my sausage and beans recipe) or different cuts of pork. If you are buying beef, check for cheaper cuts by looking at the unit price on the packaging. You can see the difference in the picture above. Don't sleep on canned meat either, like tuna and SPAM. Seafood. Frozen shrimp is one of my favorite money-saving proteins. Look for medium-sized shrimp and toss them into rice dishes, soups, or pastas. Cheese. You might think of cheese as a topping, but an ounce or two of cheese can be a satisfying main component of a dish. Try pan frying a slab for your next salad or sandwich. Fats and flavoringIf there is any lesson that cauliflower steak has taught me, it’s that if you have enough seasoning and enough fat, anything can taste good. Stretching your budget might mean you buy less bougie food, but it doesn’t have to mean your food lacks flavor. Vegetable oil. Somewhere along the line we became bewitched with olive oil and forgot that there are other cooking oils. Olive oil and butter are at a premium at the moment, so grab a bottle of canola, corn, or vegetable oil for a much cheaper price. They’re actually better for higher cooking temperatures anyway. Save the extra virgin olive oil for finishing touches. Bullion flavoring. I’ve been relying on soups and stews this winter. Not only is it comforting but all that broth is filling. Instead of buying one container of chicken stock for each pot of soup, buy some concentrated bullion, or a jar of Better Than Bullion (they have a whole line with meatless options too), so you can make nine or 10 pots of soup for nearly the same price. Fruits and vegetables Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann There’s no doubt that getting in your fruits and veggies is key to a balanced diet, and fresh produce is often affordable. The problem in my house is waste. If I buy too much, then that’s money wasted. Try not to bulk buy fresh produce unless you have a plan for it, like an actual meal you know you’ll be making in the next few days. Fresh and seasonal. Fruits and vegetables that are in season or local often cost less than produce that’s out of season or was shipped a great distance. Buy asparagus and berries in the summer, and squashes in the winter. Stick to your year-round allies whenever you’re at a loss, like apples, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and peppers. Canned and frozen. When it’s not berry season or the price of fresh spinach is getting you down, look to the frozen section. Not only will you be able to get a decent variety of fruit or veg but keep them frozen and you won’t have to worry about waste. Check out the canned section too. You can often find some cheaper gems there, like cans of sliced mushrooms for a dollar, canned beets, crushed tomatoes, and even potatoes. (By the way, canned mushrooms and potatoes are perfect for air frying.) Sticking to the store-brand options can help you save a few bucks, too. If you're looking for money-saving recipes to inspire your next grocery shop, try these. View the full article

If you’re starting a small business or developing a new product, you need to give it a name. That name will serve as your brand name and has the potential to become highly valuable. It is essential to choose something remarkable. However, picking an amazing brand name isn’t enough to position your business or product for success. Before you invest time and money into developing a brand reputation around that amazing name, there are some critical brand name legal questions you need to answer to avoid getting into big and expensive trouble later. Ask These Brand Name Legal Questions First Do You Want to Protect Your Brand Name? Do you want to ensure that no one else in your industry can use the same brand name? Consider the confusion that could arise for consumers if both you and a competitor share the same brand name. What happens if the competitor’s products are of lower quality than yours? You certainly wouldn’t want consumers to mistakenly believe that those inferior products originated from your company. The sole way to completely safeguard your brand name and prevent this issue is to register it as a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Is the Brand Name Also Your Business Name? If you’ve registered your business name in your state, you can start doing business. However, registering your business name (or “trade name”) is not the same as registering the brand name as a trademark. Yes, your business name and brand name could be the same, but a trade name identifies the commercial entity while a trademark identifies intellectual property that can be protected under U.S. trademark laws. Make sure you protect your business name as a brand name, too. Is the Brand Name Descriptive and Obvious? Does your brand name clearly describe the products or services it represents? Is it immediately apparent to consumers what your business, product, or service offers based on its brand name? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, protecting your brand name will be challenging, even if you are able to obtain a federal trademark. The less descriptive your brand name is, the stronger it becomes, leading to greater protection for it. For example, The Pool Store is extremely descriptive. If this store sells pool supplies and related goods and services, it would be nearly impossible to trademark this name. However, a pool supply business named Pulique, which doesn’t directly and obviously describe the products or services being offered, might be trademarkable and protectable. Does the Brand Name Include a Person’s Name or Surname, Geographic Location, or Generic Term? If your brand name features a person’s name or surname (including your own), a geographic location, or any generic term (such as “pool” or “store” from the previous example), obtaining trademark protection will be more challenging. In some cases, you may not be able to secure protection for the brand name at all. For example, The Pool Store couldn’t simply change the brand name to Johnson’s Pool Store or Newtown Pool Store and expect to be able to trademark it. The name would still be considered too descriptive and generic to trademark. Is the Brand Name Distinctive? Distinctiveness is the contrary of descriptiveness. A brand name that is descriptive lacks distinctiveness, and even if you manage to obtain a trademark registration, the protection for your mark will be limited. To secure the maximum protection for your brand name, select a name that does not in any way describe the goods or services offered. Here are three ways to choose a strong and distinctive mark: Use a suggestive name that takes some thought to figure out what it represents, like Greyhound or Chicken of the Sea. Use an arbitrary name that isn’t related to your industry at all, like Apple or Amazon. Use a fanciful or coined name that you make up, like Google or Exxon. Does the Brand Name Give You a Competitive Advantage in the Market (or Could It Do So in the Future)? One of the main reasons people trademark and protect their brand names is because those names give them competitive advantages in the marketplace. For example, there is no doubt that having the Apple name on a product gives it a competitive edge. Even if your brand name has not yet established a reputation in the marketplace, the goal of brand building is to create that reputation. Protecting your brand from the very beginning is crucial; otherwise, you risk wasting your hard work and losing your competitive advantage. Does the Brand Name have Commercial Value (or Potential Commercial Value)? Your brand name is like an energy source for your business. Digging back into science class, you might remember learning about potential energy (i.e., stored energy). Similar to that concept, your brand name is bursting with potential commercial value. If you don’t trademark and protect your brand, you’re not giving it a chance to store and later use that potential commercial value. Are You Willing to Protect the Brand Name? Here’s a hint: Your response to this question should be affirmative. Although trademark registration can be costly for small businesses, you will maintain your trademark rights indefinitely, provided you file the required renewal documents and continue to use your mark in commerce as it was originally registered. Federal trademark filing fees start at just $225. You should also conduct a comprehensive search before you file a trademark application (see #10), which can cost anywhere from $500 and up. Spread that cost over multiple years that you’re in business, and you’ll see that trademarks are actually very affordable. It’s hard to argue against getting trademark protection as soon as possible when you consider that protecting your brand could save you thousands or millions of dollars in the future if you’re accused of infringement. Are You Willing to Enforce Your Right to Protect Your Brand Name in the Future? If you’re not willing to enforce your trademark rights and protect your brand name in the future, then there is little reason to trademark it. The value of a trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your mark in specific lines of business. Trademark registration is intended to reduce consumer confusion so there is no question of who and where goods and services come from. If none of that matters to you, then trademark registration isn’t necessary. However, you can bet that it matters to other businesses. Unfortunately, your entire business is probably in trouble if none of that matters to you, so registering your trademarks is probably the least of your worries. Is Anyone Else Using the Brand Name? Being first is not always sufficient in branding. U.S. trademark law grants rights to the initial individual or entity that uses a mark (including a brand name) in commerce. Therefore, do not assume that you can use your brand name without facing potential trademark issues later on. In other words, clearing your business name as a trade name or doing a Google search or a search of the USPTO database to make sure no one else is using your brand name isn’t good enough. You need to conduct a comprehensive search of active and inactive trademarks, business names in all 50 states, social media profiles, domain names, common law, and more. This is a crucial area where you should invest both time and money, as someone else may already be using your brand name. If they have used it before you, they will hold the trademark rights to it. The lesson to learn is simple. Don’t fall in love with a brand name until you answer the critical brand name legal questions above. You just might have to change that amazing name. Phone Call Image via Shutterstock This article, "Essential Brand Name Legal Questions to Ask Before Picking One" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re starting a small business or developing a new product, you need to give it a name. That name will serve as your brand name and has the potential to become highly valuable. It is essential to choose something remarkable. However, picking an amazing brand name isn’t enough to position your business or product for success. Before you invest time and money into developing a brand reputation around that amazing name, there are some critical brand name legal questions you need to answer to avoid getting into big and expensive trouble later. Ask These Brand Name Legal Questions First Do You Want to Protect Your Brand Name? Do you want to ensure that no one else in your industry can use the same brand name? Consider the confusion that could arise for consumers if both you and a competitor share the same brand name. What happens if the competitor’s products are of lower quality than yours? You certainly wouldn’t want consumers to mistakenly believe that those inferior products originated from your company. The sole way to completely safeguard your brand name and prevent this issue is to register it as a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Is the Brand Name Also Your Business Name? If you’ve registered your business name in your state, you can start doing business. However, registering your business name (or “trade name”) is not the same as registering the brand name as a trademark. Yes, your business name and brand name could be the same, but a trade name identifies the commercial entity while a trademark identifies intellectual property that can be protected under U.S. trademark laws. Make sure you protect your business name as a brand name, too. Is the Brand Name Descriptive and Obvious? Does your brand name clearly describe the products or services it represents? Is it immediately apparent to consumers what your business, product, or service offers based on its brand name? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, protecting your brand name will be challenging, even if you are able to obtain a federal trademark. The less descriptive your brand name is, the stronger it becomes, leading to greater protection for it. For example, The Pool Store is extremely descriptive. If this store sells pool supplies and related goods and services, it would be nearly impossible to trademark this name. However, a pool supply business named Pulique, which doesn’t directly and obviously describe the products or services being offered, might be trademarkable and protectable. Does the Brand Name Include a Person’s Name or Surname, Geographic Location, or Generic Term? If your brand name features a person’s name or surname (including your own), a geographic location, or any generic term (such as “pool” or “store” from the previous example), obtaining trademark protection will be more challenging. In some cases, you may not be able to secure protection for the brand name at all. For example, The Pool Store couldn’t simply change the brand name to Johnson’s Pool Store or Newtown Pool Store and expect to be able to trademark it. The name would still be considered too descriptive and generic to trademark. Is the Brand Name Distinctive? Distinctiveness is the contrary of descriptiveness. A brand name that is descriptive lacks distinctiveness, and even if you manage to obtain a trademark registration, the protection for your mark will be limited. To secure the maximum protection for your brand name, select a name that does not in any way describe the goods or services offered. Here are three ways to choose a strong and distinctive mark: Use a suggestive name that takes some thought to figure out what it represents, like Greyhound or Chicken of the Sea. Use an arbitrary name that isn’t related to your industry at all, like Apple or Amazon. Use a fanciful or coined name that you make up, like Google or Exxon. Does the Brand Name Give You a Competitive Advantage in the Market (or Could It Do So in the Future)? One of the main reasons people trademark and protect their brand names is because those names give them competitive advantages in the marketplace. For example, there is no doubt that having the Apple name on a product gives it a competitive edge. Even if your brand name has not yet established a reputation in the marketplace, the goal of brand building is to create that reputation. Protecting your brand from the very beginning is crucial; otherwise, you risk wasting your hard work and losing your competitive advantage. Does the Brand Name have Commercial Value (or Potential Commercial Value)? Your brand name is like an energy source for your business. Digging back into science class, you might remember learning about potential energy (i.e., stored energy). Similar to that concept, your brand name is bursting with potential commercial value. If you don’t trademark and protect your brand, you’re not giving it a chance to store and later use that potential commercial value. Are You Willing to Protect the Brand Name? Here’s a hint: Your response to this question should be affirmative. Although trademark registration can be costly for small businesses, you will maintain your trademark rights indefinitely, provided you file the required renewal documents and continue to use your mark in commerce as it was originally registered. Federal trademark filing fees start at just $225. You should also conduct a comprehensive search before you file a trademark application (see #10), which can cost anywhere from $500 and up. Spread that cost over multiple years that you’re in business, and you’ll see that trademarks are actually very affordable. It’s hard to argue against getting trademark protection as soon as possible when you consider that protecting your brand could save you thousands or millions of dollars in the future if you’re accused of infringement. Are You Willing to Enforce Your Right to Protect Your Brand Name in the Future? If you’re not willing to enforce your trademark rights and protect your brand name in the future, then there is little reason to trademark it. The value of a trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your mark in specific lines of business. Trademark registration is intended to reduce consumer confusion so there is no question of who and where goods and services come from. If none of that matters to you, then trademark registration isn’t necessary. However, you can bet that it matters to other businesses. Unfortunately, your entire business is probably in trouble if none of that matters to you, so registering your trademarks is probably the least of your worries. Is Anyone Else Using the Brand Name? Being first is not always sufficient in branding. U.S. trademark law grants rights to the initial individual or entity that uses a mark (including a brand name) in commerce. Therefore, do not assume that you can use your brand name without facing potential trademark issues later on. In other words, clearing your business name as a trade name or doing a Google search or a search of the USPTO database to make sure no one else is using your brand name isn’t good enough. You need to conduct a comprehensive search of active and inactive trademarks, business names in all 50 states, social media profiles, domain names, common law, and more. This is a crucial area where you should invest both time and money, as someone else may already be using your brand name. If they have used it before you, they will hold the trademark rights to it. The lesson to learn is simple. Don’t fall in love with a brand name until you answer the critical brand name legal questions above. You just might have to change that amazing name. Phone Call Image via Shutterstock This article, "Essential Brand Name Legal Questions to Ask Before Picking One" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

TD has been adjusting its balance sheet to comply with a cap on its U.S. retail banking assets, imposed last year as part of its money-laundering plea. View the full article

Website migrations are one of the most challenging aspects of SEO. No matter how much experience you have in technical SEO, how detailed your plan is, or how thorough your checklist may be, unexpected issues can still arise. That’s why post-migration monitoring is just as crucial as the migration itself – especially in the first month when hidden problems are most likely to surface. This article tackles some of the most surprising post-launch errors I’ve encountered, along with practical tips on how to identify and resolve them before they cause serious damage. Random 404 pages This issue drove me crazy. It’s a nightmare for SEO testing because it skews every tool and report we rely on. When you can’t trust the data, it’s impossible to know what’s actually broken or how it impacts performance. During the post-migration phase of updating our JavaScript library, we noticed random 404 errors in our SEO tools and Google Search Console. The strange part? The affected pages weren’t consistent, and every time we checked manually, they loaded fine with a 200 status. As a result, all other reports became unreliable, making proper analysis nearly impossible. These random 404s often stem from server-side issues such as rate limiting, where the server denies access to bots after too many requests. Other potential causes include: Misconfigured caching. Inconsistent DNS resolution. Load balancer errors that occasionally route requests to an unavailable server. Identifying the root cause requires detailed server log analysis to track bot request and response patterns. And here’s the biggest lesson I learned: Without access to server logs, you’re fighting this battle blind. Ensure your SEO team has access to the necessary server log tools and, at the very least, understands the basics of how they work. Monitoring bot activity logs can help you demonstrate the issue to developers. Without them, you risk getting stuck in endless debates over the accuracy of SEO tools. Dig deeper: Website migration checklist: 11 steps for success Random 500 pages At first glance, this error looks similar to random 404s, but the cause is usually entirely different and just as difficult to diagnose. Even SEO tools like Lumar and Screaming Frog can inadvertently trigger these 500 errors while crawling. Years ago, one of the websites I worked on had a strict rule: no crawling on weekends and no exceeding three URLs per second. Every time we increased our crawling limits, the database server struggled, slowing down the entire site – or worse, crashing it. These errors often result from complex database queries overloading the server or improperly configured caching. Without proper caching, each request is processed individually, compounding the strain and leading to slow load times or intermittent crashes. And once again, the solution starts with server log access. Without it, you’re just guessing. Incorrect resource loading This was one of those moments where I felt like a digital Sherlock Holmes. The migration had been completed before I joined the company, and I first noticed the issue during an initial technical audit. The first clue? A mysterious drop in rankings and traffic shortly after the migration. There had been a Google update around the same time, so I couldn’t immediately link the decline to the migration. To complicate things further, this wasn’t a full migration, just a design revamp. On the surface, everything seemed fine. Pages loaded correctly, and styles and JavaScript worked perfectly for users. Yet, in Google Search Console’s inspection tool, the same pages often appeared broken and unstyled. The issue was inconsistent, making it nearly impossible to replicate in front of the dev team. As a new team member still building trust, convincing them there was a deeper problem wasn’t easy. In hindsight, my mistake was not checking the browser console earlier. Three months later, a single browser console message finally revealed the root cause: a script was loading out of order. Due to caching, Googlebot sometimes saw the website correctly and other times didn’t, explaining the erratic behavior. It was a tough reminder that small technical details – like the sequence of resource loading – and overlooking an obvious diagnostic step can significantly impact SEO performance. My key tip: Check your website in different browsers and carefully review the error and warning messages in the console. If you’re unfamiliar with developer terminology, consult an independent expert or even multiple AI tools for explanations. Non-existent URLs While investigating those frustrating random 404 errors, I stumbled upon another issue almost by accident. While reviewing Google Search Console’s report on pages discovered but not indexed, I noticed an unusual pattern – several non-existent URLs appearing under certain sections, marked as duplicate content. Instead of returning 404 errors as expected, these URLs resolved as normal pages with a 200 status code. This type of error presents two major risks: From an SEO perspective, search engines treat these URLs as legitimate, potentially indexing irrelevant or duplicate pages, wasting crawl budget, and harming rankings. From a security standpoint, it creates a vulnerability – malicious actors could generate thousands of random URLs, overloading the server. Unfortunately, this issue is difficult to detect before it becomes a real problem. In my case, I was just lucky. Don’t wait to stumble upon it. Make sure to: Regularly check whether sections of your site allow non-existent URLs to resolve with a 200 status. Build a list of key sections and test them monthly with your crawler. Even minor backend changes – not just full migrations – can trigger this issue. Prioritize pages generated programmatically or dynamically, as they are the most common culprits. Hreflang tags or canonical tags to non-existing URLs Managing hreflang tags on a multilingual website is challenging, and even small mistakes can cause big issues. On one website I worked on, we typically created pages in English first and then localized them. However, in some cases, only a local version existed, and the hreflang x-default was mistakenly set to an English page that didn’t exist. Incorrect hreflang tags confuse search engines, which rely on them to identify the correct language or regional version of a page. When these tags are wrong, search engines may struggle to understand the site’s structure or ignore the hreflang implementation entirely. Normally, we would have caught this in our migration checks. But at the time, we were buried in troubleshooting random 404 errors. We also made the mistake of not manually testing localized pages across different templates. To prevent this in future migrations: Make a detailed list of site-specific checks. Generic migration checklists are a good starting point, but they need to be customized for the website and CMS. Manually test localized pages across different templates to ensure correct hreflang and canonical tag implementation. Dig deeper: How to run a successful site migration from start to finish Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. JavaScript rendering failures JavaScript-driven content that users can see but search bots can’t is a common and often overlooked issue. This typically happens when widgets or content sections rely on JavaScript to render, but the scripts aren’t fully crawlable or properly executed by search engine bots. (Google offers a great resource to help you understand JavaScript basics.) If you’re unsure how a widget works, use this simple test: Does it display the full content immediately, or does it require user interaction? If it’s the latter, it likely relies on JavaScript, meaning search and AI bots might not see everything. To catch this issue, run both a JavaScript-enabled crawl and a pure HTML crawl, then compare the results. A quick manual test can also help. Search for a specific sentence or element from the widget in your rendered HTML source. If it’s missing, search bots are probably missing it too. Resolving this often requires improving server-side rendering or ensuring that scripts load properly for both users and crawlers. Since website migrations often leave little time for testing, make it a priority to run these two crawls post-migration to identify and fix any rendering issues. Dig deeper: A guide to diagnosing common JavaScript SEO issues Loss of tracking data Tracking data loss can be a subtle yet costly post-migration issue. In one real-world case, everything initially appeared fine. Analytics data was flowing and visits were being logged. However, after a few days, it became clear that users arriving via paid ads were losing their tracking parameters as they navigated the site. This meant subsequent pageviews within the same session were no longer attributed to the original paid campaign, disrupting remarketing efforts. The cause? Improper handling of URL parameters during the migration. Website migrations require cross-team monitoring, not just from the SEO team. While this issue didn’t directly impact SEO rankings, it still had major consequences. Before migration begins, triple-check your plan to ensure all relevant teams are involved. Migration testing should go beyond SEO, incorporating analytics, development, and marketing teams to safeguard tracking parameters and user attribution. Each team should have pre-migration reports for comparison after launch. While planning may not fall under SEO’s direct responsibility, identifying gaps in the project plan and raising concerns is essential. Dig deeper: 12 SEO pitfalls to avoid during a website platform migration Disappeared pages This case is a perfect example of why having pre-migration data is crucial. Everything appeared flawless during testing. The site functioned as expected on staging and even in production with internal DNS switched. But as soon as external DNS was activated, a third of the blog posts disappeared. The rest of the site remained intact, making the issue easy to overlook. With all teams focused on testing tracking, forms, redirects, hreflang tags, and canonicals, no one initially noticed the missing pages. Ironically, it wasn’t an SEO tool or a developer check that caught the problem, but a regional manager. A few days before migration, she updated a blog image and wanted to verify that the change had transferred. Not only was the image missing, but the entire blog post was gone. I’ll admit, I can’t explain exactly what caused this from a technical perspective. But the takeaway is clear: always conduct a full audit before migration begins. Using a crawler’s comparison mode can quickly highlight discrepancies like this before they become major problems. Impact on admin settings Not every issue affects SEO, but that doesn’t mean it won’t cause problems. During a backend update, we encountered an unexpected challenge: Lumar and Screaming Frog were overwhelming the CMS admin panel. Each time a crawl was initiated, the surge in requests made it nearly impossible for editors to update content or make changes. It’s important to remember that you’re not the only one using these tools. Crawlers are frequently employed for competitor analysis, meaning your website and CMS must function properly even under heavy crawling pressure. In some organizations, SEO teams don’t have direct access to the CMS or manage content updates. If that’s the case, ensure content teams go through their usual workflows with test pieces after migration. Coordinating this with SEO crawls helps assess how resilient your system truly is. The biggest mistake: Underestimating post-migration monitoring Website migrations, revamps, redesigns, updates. Whatever you call them, they’re always complex. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is underestimating the challenges involved. Any change carries the risk of something going wrong. Some errors, like broken redirects or missing pages, are immediately noticeable. Others, such as tracking failures or JavaScript rendering issues, may take time to detect. That’s why post-migration monitoring is just as critical as the migration itself. The best way to mitigate these risks is to: Create a detailed project plan covering all potential issues. Document everything. Run audits before and after migration. Collaborate across teams. A successful migration isn’t just about making the switch; it’s an ongoing process of monitoring, testing, and improving. Dig deeper: How to speed up site migrations with AI-powered redirect mapping View the full article

I love gimmicky social media trends as much as the next person, but that doesn't mean I understand what they are right away. For a few months, I've seen people on TikTok and Reels engaging in a "Sunday reset," but each reset seemed to be a little different—In one video, I'd see someone cleaning their apartment, and in another, someone would be doing pilates. Over time, though, the idea of a "Sunday reset" finally started to make sense to me, and I actually think it's a great way to incorporate a bit of structure and mindfulness into a routine before the work week begins. What is a "Sunday reset," anyway?There are over 500,000 videos tagged #SundayReset on TikTok right now, but since relatively few people use hashtags consistently compared to those who don't, we can go ahead and assume the number of Sunday reset videos overall is much higher. Search that term and you'll find all kinds of examples of people filming themselves doing something—usually a lot of somethings—on Sunday to prepare for the upcoming week. The problem is, the videos are all really disparate. One creator's Sunday reset might be a Costco run and a kitchen restock, another's might be meal prepping, another's might be cleaning the bathroom, and yet another's might include all the steps they take in their weekly self-care and relaxing routine. Examples of Sunday resets I've seen lately: Grocery shopping, fridge cleaning, and restocking Cleaning a kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom top to bottom Washing and switching out sheets, pillow cases, and comforters Doing the whole household's laundry Doing homework or professional work in a home office Bathing the dog Making a complicated, delicious drink and sitting down somewhere cozy to read So, what's going on? The idea here isn't that the Sunday reset is a predetermined thing that everyone has agreed to do ahead of a new week. Rather, it's more about shaking off any baggage from the prior week and getting the new week started with a fresh start, both mentally and physically. Imagine that your Sunday reset is really your way of beating back your Sunday scaries (remember when everyone said that?). Whatever you need to look ahead to for the week is your reset goal. Obviously, some forms of reset are oversampled on TikTok, as they lend themselves more to visually appealing videos. Restocking a fridge is a classic example of something that is both easy to film and satisfying to watch, whereas sitting down with a planner and scheduling out the upcoming week is less enticing for a viewer, so you'll see that much less when you're scrolling. How to make your own Sunday resetThe reason this works well as a concept is that it gives you some structure on a day of the week that might otherwise slip into laziness or freefall, so you get a little routine going and can feel more prepared going into the week. No matter whether you choose to clean up, prepare for work, or engage in self-care as your personal reset, make a goal to stick to doing this every Sunday, at least for a few weeks, to really feel its impact on your overall readiness and mood as Monday arrives. For me, a Sunday reset involves spending the morning and afternoon fixing up my apartment and the evening fixing up myself. I take out the trash, do my laundry, declutter, mop, and do whatever little home-based project I need to do. Last Sunday, for instance, I framed all the photo strips I've taken with my friends over the years and started creating a massive gallery wall, which was the perfect, sentimental way to bridge the gap between my "home improvement" and "self-care" reset sections. In the evening, I launch into a giant self-care adventure, focusing on haircare, skincare, a classic "everything shower," and finding the most fragrant lotion, softest pajamas, and tastiest tea in my newly clean home. Together, these resets prepare my space and my body for whatever the week may bring, but I prioritize these reset categories over, say, working out or grocery shopping, because they're the things I have less time for during the week and get stressed trying to schedule otherwise. To find your perfect reset, consider what you usually feel least prepared for during a given week and what you dread most as Monday approaches—then, get it all done on Sunday. For a few ideas, I threw together some checklists for resets in Google Sheets that you can use—just make a copy of the doc that you can edit. These are just suggestions based on general weekly cleaning guidelines and things you can do to get a head start for the work week, so feel free to customize it however you like. While you should follow a similar routine each week, this shouldn't be stressful or overly complicated. The idea is to get you prepared for what you need to do over the next five days and ease you back into work and non-weekend life easily, so be sure to approach this the way the TikTok creators are: Light some candles, prepare a favorite drink, listen to music, and wear your comfiest lounge attire. View the full article

A U.S. judge will consider on Monday the fate of President Donald Trump’s buyout offer to two million federal workers as Trump presses ahead with an unprecedented effort to dismantle government agencies and downsize the federal workforce. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole in Boston will hear arguments in a lawsuit brought by federal workers’ unions which claim the Trump administration’s “deferred resignation” offer to government civilian employees is illegal because the U.S. Congress has not approved funding for the scheme. Trump has tasked Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, with overseeing the purge of employees through the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The actions of DOGE, which is not a government department, have sown panic in Washington and triggered public protests and a flood of calls from angry voters to Congress worried about the access Musk’s team has been given to sensitive information in government computer systems that contain data on government payments to Americans and personal details of federal workers. Musk aides have taken senior positions at key government agencies while the billionaire has pushed for the dismantling of others, including USAID, America’s humanitarian and development aid agency, and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, the consumer watchdog set up in 2010 after the global financial crisis. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, PENTAGON NEXT Opposition Democrats and federal employee unions have decried the power Trump has bestowed on South African-born Musk, who appears largely unaccountable except to Trump himself. Trump says Musk does not operate unilaterally but only with his blessing. Musk and his team of young staff appear to be far exceeding the mandate given to them by an executive order Trump signed when he took office on January 20, in which DOGE was asked to provide recommendations on how to modernize technology used by the federal government. Last week Judge O’Toole temporarily paused the Thursday deadline for workers to accept Trump’s buyout plan, which offers employees pay through September if they resign now. While unions have urged members not to accept the offer, saying the Trump administration cannot be trusted to honor it, more than 65,000 government employees have so far opted to take it as of Friday. Reuters has been unable to independently verify that number, which does not include a breakdown of workers from each agency. O’Toole could decide on another temporary pause to the program, bar it outright, or allow it to proceed. A CFPB employee sounded downbeat on Sunday, saying even if the judge blocks the buyout program, he and fellow staff believe they will likely lose their jobs anyway. Russell Vought, Trump’s new acting director of the CFPB, sent an email to workers on Saturday night ordering them to cease virtually all work. On Sunday, workers received another email telling them the agency would be closed for a week starting on Monday. A labor union that represents CFPB workers filed a lawsuit late on Sunday to block Vought’s actions, arguing that he was violating Congress’s authority to set and fund the agency’s mission. The agency regulates consumer financial products and has long incurred the ire of conservatives, who view its existence as government overreach. On Friday, the same day his staff were reported to have entered the agency, Musk posted “CFPB RIP” on X, his social media platform. Trump said on Sunday he expected Musk to find billions of dollars of waste in military spending once he instructs the billionaire to turn his sights on the Pentagon. The aggressive moves by Trump and Musk are bringing new lawsuits on an almost daily basis. An effort to hollow out USAID is partially on hold after a judge’s ruling, and Trump’s effort to freeze trillions of dollars in federal loans, grants and other financial assistance has also been paused in a separate case. On Saturday a judge temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing government systems used to process trillions of dollars in payments at the Treasury Department. —Tim Reid and Nate Raymond, Reuters View the full article

Discover how to spot and exploit weak spots in Google’s SERPs to improve your rankings and outshine the competition using proven SEO strategies. View the full article

President Donald Tump’s recent declaration that he has ordered the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies has raised legal and constitutional questions. “Let’s rip the waste out of our great nation’s budget, even if it’s a penny at a time,” he said in a post on Truth Social, adding that pennies “literally cost us more than 2 cents.” While Trump has touted the move as a necessary cost-saving measure, his authority to unilaterally eliminate a form of U.S. currency is far from clear. Elon Musk, who is somehow infiltrating American policy now, has targeted the penny through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). According to a post on X, DOGE claims the penny costs over 3 cents to make, with taxpayers shouldering a $179 million bill in 2023 alone. The U.S. Mint produced over 4.5 billion pennies in fiscal year 2023, accounting for nearly 40% of the 11.4 billion coins minted for circulation. The role of Congress in currency decisions The power to regulate coinage and currency specifications is explicitly granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. Historically, decisions about the size, composition, and discontinuation of U.S. coins have required congressional approval. For example, the elimination of the half-cent coin in 1857 was enacted through legislation, not an executive order. The Coinage Act of 1792, along with subsequent amendments, sets clear parameters for the issuance of currency, including the penny. The Act grants Congress—not the president—the power to establish and modify coinage. Any fundamental changes to the penny’s production, including discontinuation, would likely require an act of Congress rather than a directive from the White House. Executive authority over the U.S. mint The U.S. Mint operates under the Department of the Treasury, which falls within the executive branch. The president has the ability to direct executive agencies, but those directives must align with existing laws passed by Congress. While Trump may have the power to temporarily pause the production of pennies through administrative discretion, outright elimination of the coin would require legislative action. If Trump attempts to proceed without congressional approval, the move could be contested by lawmakers who view it as an overreach of executive power. Broader implications of discontinuing the penny Beyond the legal debate, Trump’s announcement raises larger questions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. If a president can unilaterally end production of a coin, what other aspects of federal monetary policy could be subject to executive whims? While many economists have long argued that eliminating the penny makes sense from a financial perspective (given that its production cost exceeds its face value), the process for doing so has proven has proven elusive for decades. If Trump wishes to end penny production permanently, he will likely need to convince Congress to pass the necessary legislation. View the full article

Learn the ins and outs of using sitemaps to improve content discovery and indexing. The post How To Use XML Sitemaps To Boost SEO appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

If you noticed that your local business listing on Google is showing fewer reviews, you are not alone. Since Friday, tons of reviews have been disappearing from the local listings within Google Search and Google Maps. More details. On Friday, I reported on the issue on the Search Engine Roundtable, not knowing if it was a bug or a feature. I noticed dozens and dozens of complaint threads popping up in the Google Business Profiles forums from concerned small businesses and local SEOs. Some businesses say they lost only a few reviews, while others say they lost dozens of positive reviews. Some say the count of reviews is not adding up and the reviews themselves are not missing. Likely a bug. Joy Hawkins, a local SEO and Google top contributor, later said this is a bug that Google is working to fix. Why we care. If you noticed that you lost a lot of reviews on your local listing, you should know that you are not alone. It seems to be impacting many Google Business Profile listings and hopefully Google will restore those reviews soon. Google has not commented on the issue. View the full article

Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or an entrepreneur, you’re bound to encounter tasks that demand more than just the regular toolkit. Among these tools, a professional chainsaw often becomes indispensable for big firewood-cutting jobs, land clearing, tree services, and other heavy-duty tasks. However, to choose the right chainsaw, understanding the different types and their uses is essential. Understanding Chainsaws: From Amateur to Professional Use What Makes a Chainsaw “Professional”? The term ‘professional’ in chainsaws indicates more than just a marketing angle. Professional chainsaws are designed with features and capabilities that cater to heavy-duty tasks, long hours of operation, and demanding work environments. These include increased chainsaw cutting power, durability, fuel efficiency, and most importantly, chainsaw ergonomics balance. Professional chainsaws, with features such as vibration control, improved oil flow, bumper spikes, and advanced safety mechanisms like chain brake systems and a safety trigger lock, are designed to offer superior performance and a smooth cutting experience. Chainsaw Types and Their Applications Gas Chainsaws Gas chainsaws are often the first choice for professional use due to their power and performance. These chainsaws are ideal for heavy-duty operations like big firewood-cutting jobs, land clearing, and tree service. Their power allows them to handle large-diameter wood and operate for extended periods, making them the go-to for professional power tools. Battery-Powered Chainsaws Battery-powered chainsaws, in contrast, are lighter and quieter tools. They are ideal for light-duty tasks in the construction industry or for freelancers in audio and video production who need a quieter, lightweight chainsaw for prop-making or other delicate projects. These saws provide convenience and portability, making them an excellent eco-friendly option. Corded Electric Chainsaws Corded electric chainsaws are a favored option, particularly among homeowners and hobbyists. They provide uninterrupted operation without the concerns of battery life or fuel. These chainsaws are quiet, lightweight, and ideal for small to medium tasks. However, their usability is restricted by the length of the power cord, which can be a disadvantage in some scenarios. Key Features to Consider When Buying a Professional Chainsaw Selecting a professional chainsaw involves considering various critical factors to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability. Here are the criteria we used for our selection, each rated on a scale from 1 to 5 based on its importance: Power and Performance (5/5): The chainsaw must have sufficient power to handle demanding cutting tasks typical in professional settings. Durability and Build Quality (5/5): It should be robust enough to withstand heavy and frequent use. Safety Features (5/5): Given the risks associated with chainsaw use, advanced safety features are non-negotiable. Ease of Use (4/5): The chainsaw should be user-friendly, with straightforward controls and handling. Weight and Ergonomics (4/5): A well-balanced and comfortably weighted chainsaw reduces operator fatigue and enhances maneuverability. Maintenance and Reliability (4/5): Easy maintenance and dependable performance are crucial for professional use. Fuel Efficiency and Emissions (3/5): Fuel-efficient models with lower emissions are preferable for both economic and environmental reasons. Versatility (3/5): The ability to adapt to various types of cutting jobs adds to the chainsaw’s value. Noise Level (2/5): While important, noise level is a lesser concern compared to performance and safety. Cost (3/5): While budget considerations are important, they should not compromise key features like power, safety, and durability. The Heavy-Duty Contenders: Best Professional Chainsaws for Extreme Use Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Professional Chainsaw The Husqvarna Professional Chainsaw is a high-performance chainsaw designed for heavy-duty applications. It features a 60.3cc X-Torq engine that provides ample power for demanding cuts and promotes environmental sustainability by reducing emissions by up to 60% and increasing fuel efficiency by up to 20%. The X-Cut chain comes pre-sharpened and is ready to use right out of the box. Additionally, LowVib Technology incorporates dampeners between the engine and chassis to greatly minimize vibrations. This feature enhances your comfort while working and decreases user fatigue. Smart Start technology makes starting the chainsaw a breeze, and the Air Injection Technology keeps the engine clean by expelling larger dust and debris particles before they reach the air filter, thereby improving the engine’s lifespan. Husqvarna professional chainsaws are among the top-selling brand in chainsaws. Their products are favored by professional arborists, land-clearing tree service professionals, and workers in the lawn care industries. Pros: Powerful 60.3cc X-Torq engine that’s fuel-efficient and reduces emissions. X-Cut chain provides long-lasting sharpness and durability. LowVib Technology reduces vibrations for comfortable operation. Easy-start features and Air Injection Technology for easy maintenance. Durable construction with a forged three-piece crankshaft. Safety feature includes an Inertia-Activated Chain Brake. Cons: Higher price point compared to some other chainsaws on the market. As a gas chainsaw, it requires regular maintenance. Its weight can be an issue for extended use. Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Professional Chainsaw Buy on Amazon Echo Commercial Chain Saw The Echo professional chainsaws are versatile, mid-range chainsaws that offer a combination of power, performance, and portability. Equipped with a 50.2cc 2-stroke commercial-grade engine, this chainsaw is able to handle a variety of tasks from trimming limbs to felling trees and storm cleanup. This chainsaw features an automatic, adjustable clutch-driven oiler which helps to reduce oil consumption and ensure the right amount of oil is delivered to the chain for smooth and efficient cutting. This feature also helps in prolonging the life of the chain and the bar. Pros: Powerful 50.2 cc 2-Stroke commercial-grade engine Automatic, adjustable clutch-driven oiler for reduced oil consumption Decompression valve for easy starting G-Force Engine Air Pre-Cleaner for longer air filter life Replaceable metal spike for improved user control and leverage Cons: As a gas chainsaw, it requires regular maintenance. May be heavier and noisier than electric chainsaws. Echo Commercial Chain Saw Buy on Amazon Oregon Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw This professional chainsaw’s built-in PowerSharp self-sharpening system reduces downtime by sharpening your chain in just 3 to 5 seconds. Combined with its tool-free tensioning feature, this chainsaw ensures a consistently perfect tension for optimal cutting results with minimal maintenance. Further enhancing this tool’s convenience is the instant startup that corded electric chainsaws provide, along with quieter operation compared to gas-powered counterparts. This unit arrives pre-assembled and is UL Certified with a 2-year warranty. Pros: Self-sharpening system for fast, efficient sharpening Tool-free tensioning for optimal cutting performance 18-inch guide bar Instant startup and lower noise levels than gas chainsaws Pre-assembled with a 2-year warranty Automatic lubrication system for extended chain life Cons: Corded, which might limit mobility A maximum cutting diameter of 17″ may not be suitable for larger tasks Oregon Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw Buy on Amazon STIHL Chainsaw MS 462C Many users of professional chainsaws have a strong preference for Stihl chainsaws, and for good reason, they are German-engineered and manufactured in America. Fortunately, eBay offers a great selection of brand-new Stihl chainsaws, including models like the MS 462 C. The STIHL MS 462 C is powered by a next-generation STIHL M-Tronic engine management system, which electronically controls ignition timing and fuel metering. It intelligently adjusts to changes in operating conditions, ensuring optimum performance at all times. Pros: Lightweight design mitigates user fatigue M-Tronic system optimizes engine performance Adjustable Oiler and Ematic systems provide efficient lubrication Safety features like STIHL Quickstop® enhance user safety Cons: Gas-powered operation may not suit all users The chainsaw requires manual activation of the decompression valve. STIHL Chainsaw MS 462C Buy at Ace Hardware FARMMAC 36 Inch Gas Chainsaw The FARMMAC F660VW Gas Chainsaw is a professional-grade tool equipped with a robust 92cc 2-cycle gasoline engine. This powerhead is compatible with both Stihl MS660 G660 and Neotec NS892, providing a versatile option for various chainsaw milling requirements. This professional chainsaw features premium spark plugs for rapid ignition and enhanced power, facilitating easier starts. A 2200GS flywheel delivers high-speed magnetic induction to produce robust power, boosting the efficiency of deep quenching and high-speed cutting. FARMMAC professional chainsaws are well-regarded tools in the outdoor power equipment category. Pros: The powerful 92cc engine is compatible with Stihl MS660 G660 and Neotec NS892. Lightweight 36″ guide bar for improved maneuverability and reduced fatigue. Equipped with high-quality spark plugs for quick ignition and surging power. Constructed with durable magnesium alloy parts. Excellent customer service with a 6-month replacement for the motor part. Cons: As a gas chainsaw, it requires regular maintenance. It may be more expensive than some other options on the market. Some users may find it heavy despite the lightweight guide bar. FARMMAC 36 Inch Gas Chainsaw Buy on Amazon Worx Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Chainsaw Power Share PRO The Worx Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Chainsaw is a powerful and efficient tool designed for users who want a professional chainsaw that can match the performance of a gas-powered saw but with the convenience of a battery-powered one. It is part of the Worx Nitro series, which are engineered to provide greater power, performance, and run time. This chainsaw boasts a high-speed 16″ bar and chain, delivering professional, gas-like power, performance, and cutting capacity. It is equipped with a brushless motor, known for its efficiency, longer run times, increased power, and longevity compared to brushed motors. The Worx Nitro 40V Chainsaw also has user-friendly features such as one-step tool-free tensioners and automatic chain lubrication for hassle-free, efficient cutting and increased bar and chain life. Safety is also prioritized with a chain-brake guard for added security. Pros: Powerful with high-speed 16″ bar and chain. Equipped with an efficient and long-lasting brushless motor. Comes with high-capacity, heat and impact-protected batteries. Features a user-friendly design with tool-less chain tension adjustment and automatic chain lubrication. Safety features such as a chain-brake guard. Comes with a charge level indicator and a bar & chain sheath. Cons: The cost is on the higher side compared to other cordless chainsaws. Battery run time might be limited for longer or more demanding tasks. Worx Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Chainsaw Power Share PRO Buy on Amazon STIHL CHAINSAW MS 211 The STIHL MS 211 is a highly advanced gas-powered chainsaw designed for fuel efficiency and minimal emissions. This chainsaw features a powerful low-emission engine and a professional pre-separation air filtration system. Other notable features include the Anti-Vibration System, STIHL ElastoStart, IntelliCarb Compensating Carburetor, and side-access chain tensioner for enhanced user comfort and convenience. With the inclusion of safety features like STIHL Quickstop® and proprietary technologies such as Ematic Lubrication System and Master Control Lever, the STIHL MS 211 offers superior performance with minimal environmental impact. Pros: Low-emission, fuel-efficient engine reduces environmental impact while delivering high power. Anti-Vibration System and STIHL ElastoStart: Enhances user comfort and reduces fatigue. IntelliCarb Compensating Carburetor: Ensures the engine maintains the correct RPM even when the air filter is partially clogged. Side-Access Chain Tensioner: Simplifies the process of adjusting the saw chain. STIHL Quickstop®: Enhances user safety by reducing the risk of injury in kickback situations. Ematic Lubrication System: Provides optimal lubrication while reducing oil consumption. Master Control Lever: Simplifies operations by consolidating controls into one lever. Cons: It may not be suitable for larger jobs STIHL CHAINSAW MS 211 Buy on Ebay BILT HARD Gas Professional Chainsaw The BILT HARD Professional Chainsaw with a 20-inch bar is a powerful tool for anyone who needs to tackle tasks like tree felling, limb trimming, and general yard clean-up. This chainsaw features a 60CC 2-stroke gasoline engine that provides substantial power to the 20-inch bar and chain, offering a maximum speed of 11000 rpm. Included in the package are useful accessories like 2-cycle engine oil (3.2 oz), lubricating bar and chain oil (8 oz), safety goggles, and a tool kit, providing value for your money. Pros: Powerful 60CC 3.8HP 2-stroke gasoline engine High-quality carburetor for efficient operation and extended lifespan Low-kickback function for enhanced safety Air cleaning system for improved engine life Comes with useful accessories Cons: As a gas chainsaw, it requires regular maintenance. May be noisier and heavier compared to electric chainsaws. BILT HARD Gas Professional Chainsaw Buy on Amazon CRAFTSMAN Full Crank 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw Craftsman chainsaws are among the most popular chainsaws worldwide. The Craftsman S165 42cc Gas Chainsaw, sporting a 16-inch bar and chain, offers a combination of power, performance, and ease of use. Its 42cc full crank, the 2-cycle engine generates high output, making it an ideal tool for cutting even the toughest wood swiftly and smoothly, with reduced vibration. Constructed with a lightweight yet durable poly chassis, the S165 is designed to withstand prolonged use while minimizing user fatigue. Its compact and lightweight design, along with the 3-point anti-vibration system and ergonomic handle, promote balance, maneuverability, and comfort during operation. The chainsaw is equipped with EasyStart technology for quicker, smoother, and easier pull starts, allowing you to get straight to work on your outdoor projects. The adjustable automatic chain oiler with an easy-view function ensures the chain is always adequately lubricated. You can manually adjust the oil flow to maintain the right amount of lubricant on the chain. Pros: High-output 42cc engine for powerful cutting Lightweight and durable design for prolonged use EasyStart technology for quick, smooth starts Adjustable automatic chain oiler Cons: Requires regular maintenance due to the gas-powered nature Not suitable for heavy-duty logging tasks. CRAFTSMAN Full Crank 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw Buy on Amazon Stihl Chainsaw MS 391 This STIHL chainsaw, the MS 391, is designed for superior performance in field, farm, and ranch tasks. This gas-powered chainsaw offers impressive power while maintaining its weight comparable to less potent models, providing an optimal power-to-weight ratio. An advanced pre-separation air filtration system enhances engine efficiency, extending the duration between air filter cleanings. It segregates heavier dirt particles before they reach the air filter, reducing maintenance frequency. The Anti-Vibration System on the Stihl MS 391 lessens the vibration levels of this outdoor power equipment, offering a comfortable user experience with minimized fatigue. Pros: High power with optimal power-to-weight ratio Side-access chain tensioner IntelliCarb Compensating Carburetor maintains optimal engine RPM automatically Environmentally friendly with low emissions Extended air filter life due to advanced filtration system Enhanced user comfort through reduced vibrations Cons: Gas power may not suit all users Regular air filter checks needed for IntelliCarb system effectiveness Stihl Chainsaw MS 391 Buy at Ace Hardware Makita Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 16″ Chain Saw Kit The Makita XCU04PT LXT is a brushless cordless chain saw equipped with a robust 16-inch chain. This tool delivers unparalleled power efficiency that rivals a 32cc gas chain saw, thanks to its unique Makita-built outer rotor brushless motor direct-drive system. Additional highlights of this model include a built-in lock-off lever designed to prevent accidental chain engagement. Furthermore, it has an intelligent built-in LED on/off switch with an auto power-off function that extends battery life by automatically shutting down the saw after periods of inactivity. Pros: Highly efficient, brushless motor that’s equivalent to a 32cc gas chain saw Variable speed trigger for optimal cutting performance Tool-less chain adjustment enhances convenience Safety features include a built-in lock-off lever Energy-saving auto power-off function Cons: Weighs 19.2 pounds, which might be heavy for some users The size (21.9″L x 10.2″W x 10.2″H) may demand significant storage space Makita Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 16″ Chain Saw Kit Buy on Amazon Husqvarna 120 Gas Powered Chainsaw Unleash the power of the Husqvarna 120 Gas-Powered Chainsaw, designed for a multitude of outdoor tasks. With a 16-inch chain driven by an efficient 38-cc, 1.8-HP X-Torq engine, this tool delivers remarkable performance, reducing emissions and boosting fuel efficiency. Starting this machine is a breeze, thanks to an air purge system and combined choke/stop control that together simplifies the start-up process and diminishes the risk of engine flooding. The 16-inch blade is equipped with an inertia-activated saw chain brake system to minimize kickback and potential injury. Pros: Efficient X-Torq engine boosts performance while reducing emissions and fuel consumption Air Injection Technology extends engine life LowVib technology reduces operator fatigue Easy-start features lessen the risk of engine flooding Inertia-activated chain brake system minimizes kickback risk Cons: Gas-powered, hence requires fuel and regular maintenance At 13.49 pounds, it might be somewhat hefty for certain users Husqvarna 120 Gas Powered Chainsaw Buy on Amazon NEO-TEC Gas Chainsaw with 36 Inch Bar and Chain The NEO-TEC NS892 is a professional chainsaw specifically engineered for tough wood-cutting jobs. It features a robust 92cc full-crank, air-cooled, 2-cycle engine that produces an impressive 7HP. This powerful engine, along with an efficient air cooling system, boosts both performance and efficiency while preventing overheating. Boasting compatibility with guide bars of varying lengths (24/25/28/36/42 inches), the NS892 is capable enough for cutting through large logs or felling trees swiftly and efficiently. Its low kickback feature and ergonomically designed Plus Handle Bar ensure a comfortable, stable grip, reducing the risk of accidents during operation. Pros: Powerful 92cc engine for demanding tasks Compatible with various guide bar lengths High-quality HLHIC carburetor for easy start and better fuel utilization Magnesium alloy parts ensure durability and quick heat dissipation Cons: Requires regular maintenance due to the gas-powered nature It may be heavy for some users, weighing approximately 18 pounds NEO-TEC Gas Chainsaw with 36 Inch Bar and Chain Buy on Amazon Understanding Heavy-Duty Chainsaws: When More is Better Heavy-duty chainsaws are designed to tackle the toughest jobs in logging, farming, land clearing, and tree service. These chainsaws are equipped with powerful engines, long bars, and robust chains designed for maximum pulling power and durability. When choosing a heavy-duty chainsaw, consider factors such as engine power, bar length, chain type, vibration control, and ergonomics. Frequently Asked Questions Are professional chainsaws worth the investment? Absolutely! Professional chainsaws provide enhanced performance, durability, and safety features that standard chainsaws often do not have. Designed for heavy use over long durations, they represent a valuable investment for professionals and business owners. What should I look for when buying a heavy-duty chainsaw? When buying a heavy-duty chainsaw, consider its power, durability, safety features, and ease of use. Also, consider the type and scale of tasks you’ll be undertaking. For heavy-duty tasks, you’ll need a chainsaw with high engine power, a robust build, and enhanced safety features. How do you maintain a professional chainsaw for long-term use? Maintaining a professional chainsaw involves regular cleaning, proper storage, and periodic servicing. Clean the air filter regularly, check the chain tension and sharpness, and ensure the bar and chain oil levels are adequate. Use quality fuel and oil, and get your chainsaw serviced by a professional at least once a year. Which type of chainsaw is best for my needs? The right type of chainsaw depends on your specific needs and tasks at hand. For heavy-duty tasks like big firewood-cutting jobs or land clearing, a gas chainsaw is often the best choice. For lighter, less intensive tasks, a battery-powered or corded electric chainsaw might be sufficient. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Wood Planers for Your Woodworking or Construction Business Top Commercial Floor Scrubber The Best Commercial Meat Grinders for Your Business Best Storage Racks and Shelving Best Pallet Jacks Image: Amazon This article, "Professional Chainsaw: Top Choices for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or an entrepreneur, you’re bound to encounter tasks that demand more than just the regular toolkit. Among these tools, a professional chainsaw often becomes indispensable for big firewood-cutting jobs, land clearing, tree services, and other heavy-duty tasks. However, to choose the right chainsaw, understanding the different types and their uses is essential. Understanding Chainsaws: From Amateur to Professional Use What Makes a Chainsaw “Professional”? The term ‘professional’ in chainsaws indicates more than just a marketing angle. Professional chainsaws are designed with features and capabilities that cater to heavy-duty tasks, long hours of operation, and demanding work environments. These include increased chainsaw cutting power, durability, fuel efficiency, and most importantly, chainsaw ergonomics balance. Professional chainsaws, with features such as vibration control, improved oil flow, bumper spikes, and advanced safety mechanisms like chain brake systems and a safety trigger lock, are designed to offer superior performance and a smooth cutting experience. Chainsaw Types and Their Applications Gas Chainsaws Gas chainsaws are often the first choice for professional use due to their power and performance. These chainsaws are ideal for heavy-duty operations like big firewood-cutting jobs, land clearing, and tree service. Their power allows them to handle large-diameter wood and operate for extended periods, making them the go-to for professional power tools. Battery-Powered Chainsaws Battery-powered chainsaws, in contrast, are lighter and quieter tools. They are ideal for light-duty tasks in the construction industry or for freelancers in audio and video production who need a quieter, lightweight chainsaw for prop-making or other delicate projects. These saws provide convenience and portability, making them an excellent eco-friendly option. Corded Electric Chainsaws Corded electric chainsaws are a favored option, particularly among homeowners and hobbyists. They provide uninterrupted operation without the concerns of battery life or fuel. These chainsaws are quiet, lightweight, and ideal for small to medium tasks. However, their usability is restricted by the length of the power cord, which can be a disadvantage in some scenarios. Key Features to Consider When Buying a Professional Chainsaw Selecting a professional chainsaw involves considering various critical factors to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability. Here are the criteria we used for our selection, each rated on a scale from 1 to 5 based on its importance: Power and Performance (5/5): The chainsaw must have sufficient power to handle demanding cutting tasks typical in professional settings. Durability and Build Quality (5/5): It should be robust enough to withstand heavy and frequent use. Safety Features (5/5): Given the risks associated with chainsaw use, advanced safety features are non-negotiable. Ease of Use (4/5): The chainsaw should be user-friendly, with straightforward controls and handling. Weight and Ergonomics (4/5): A well-balanced and comfortably weighted chainsaw reduces operator fatigue and enhances maneuverability. Maintenance and Reliability (4/5): Easy maintenance and dependable performance are crucial for professional use. Fuel Efficiency and Emissions (3/5): Fuel-efficient models with lower emissions are preferable for both economic and environmental reasons. Versatility (3/5): The ability to adapt to various types of cutting jobs adds to the chainsaw’s value. Noise Level (2/5): While important, noise level is a lesser concern compared to performance and safety. Cost (3/5): While budget considerations are important, they should not compromise key features like power, safety, and durability. The Heavy-Duty Contenders: Best Professional Chainsaws for Extreme Use Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Professional Chainsaw The Husqvarna Professional Chainsaw is a high-performance chainsaw designed for heavy-duty applications. It features a 60.3cc X-Torq engine that provides ample power for demanding cuts and promotes environmental sustainability by reducing emissions by up to 60% and increasing fuel efficiency by up to 20%. The X-Cut chain comes pre-sharpened and is ready to use right out of the box. Additionally, LowVib Technology incorporates dampeners between the engine and chassis to greatly minimize vibrations. This feature enhances your comfort while working and decreases user fatigue. Smart Start technology makes starting the chainsaw a breeze, and the Air Injection Technology keeps the engine clean by expelling larger dust and debris particles before they reach the air filter, thereby improving the engine’s lifespan. Husqvarna professional chainsaws are among the top-selling brand in chainsaws. Their products are favored by professional arborists, land-clearing tree service professionals, and workers in the lawn care industries. Pros: Powerful 60.3cc X-Torq engine that’s fuel-efficient and reduces emissions. X-Cut chain provides long-lasting sharpness and durability. LowVib Technology reduces vibrations for comfortable operation. Easy-start features and Air Injection Technology for easy maintenance. Durable construction with a forged three-piece crankshaft. Safety feature includes an Inertia-Activated Chain Brake. Cons: Higher price point compared to some other chainsaws on the market. As a gas chainsaw, it requires regular maintenance. Its weight can be an issue for extended use. Husqvarna 460 Rancher Gas Powered Professional Chainsaw Buy on Amazon Echo Commercial Chain Saw The Echo professional chainsaws are versatile, mid-range chainsaws that offer a combination of power, performance, and portability. Equipped with a 50.2cc 2-stroke commercial-grade engine, this chainsaw is able to handle a variety of tasks from trimming limbs to felling trees and storm cleanup. This chainsaw features an automatic, adjustable clutch-driven oiler which helps to reduce oil consumption and ensure the right amount of oil is delivered to the chain for smooth and efficient cutting. This feature also helps in prolonging the life of the chain and the bar. Pros: Powerful 50.2 cc 2-Stroke commercial-grade engine Automatic, adjustable clutch-driven oiler for reduced oil consumption Decompression valve for easy starting G-Force Engine Air Pre-Cleaner for longer air filter life Replaceable metal spike for improved user control and leverage Cons: As a gas chainsaw, it requires regular maintenance. May be heavier and noisier than electric chainsaws. Echo Commercial Chain Saw Buy on Amazon Oregon Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw This professional chainsaw’s built-in PowerSharp self-sharpening system reduces downtime by sharpening your chain in just 3 to 5 seconds. Combined with its tool-free tensioning feature, this chainsaw ensures a consistently perfect tension for optimal cutting results with minimal maintenance. Further enhancing this tool’s convenience is the instant startup that corded electric chainsaws provide, along with quieter operation compared to gas-powered counterparts. This unit arrives pre-assembled and is UL Certified with a 2-year warranty. Pros: Self-sharpening system for fast, efficient sharpening Tool-free tensioning for optimal cutting performance 18-inch guide bar Instant startup and lower noise levels than gas chainsaws Pre-assembled with a 2-year warranty Automatic lubrication system for extended chain life Cons: Corded, which might limit mobility A maximum cutting diameter of 17″ may not be suitable for larger tasks Oregon Self-Sharpening Corded Electric Chainsaw Buy on Amazon STIHL Chainsaw MS 462C Many users of professional chainsaws have a strong preference for Stihl chainsaws, and for good reason, they are German-engineered and manufactured in America. Fortunately, eBay offers a great selection of brand-new Stihl chainsaws, including models like the MS 462 C. The STIHL MS 462 C is powered by a next-generation STIHL M-Tronic engine management system, which electronically controls ignition timing and fuel metering. It intelligently adjusts to changes in operating conditions, ensuring optimum performance at all times. Pros: Lightweight design mitigates user fatigue M-Tronic system optimizes engine performance Adjustable Oiler and Ematic systems provide efficient lubrication Safety features like STIHL Quickstop® enhance user safety Cons: Gas-powered operation may not suit all users The chainsaw requires manual activation of the decompression valve. STIHL Chainsaw MS 462C Buy at Ace Hardware FARMMAC 36 Inch Gas Chainsaw The FARMMAC F660VW Gas Chainsaw is a professional-grade tool equipped with a robust 92cc 2-cycle gasoline engine. This powerhead is compatible with both Stihl MS660 G660 and Neotec NS892, providing a versatile option for various chainsaw milling requirements. This professional chainsaw features premium spark plugs for rapid ignition and enhanced power, facilitating easier starts. A 2200GS flywheel delivers high-speed magnetic induction to produce robust power, boosting the efficiency of deep quenching and high-speed cutting. FARMMAC professional chainsaws are well-regarded tools in the outdoor power equipment category. Pros: The powerful 92cc engine is compatible with Stihl MS660 G660 and Neotec NS892. Lightweight 36″ guide bar for improved maneuverability and reduced fatigue. Equipped with high-quality spark plugs for quick ignition and surging power. Constructed with durable magnesium alloy parts. Excellent customer service with a 6-month replacement for the motor part. Cons: As a gas chainsaw, it requires regular maintenance. It may be more expensive than some other options on the market. Some users may find it heavy despite the lightweight guide bar. FARMMAC 36 Inch Gas Chainsaw Buy on Amazon Worx Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Chainsaw Power Share PRO The Worx Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Chainsaw is a powerful and efficient tool designed for users who want a professional chainsaw that can match the performance of a gas-powered saw but with the convenience of a battery-powered one. It is part of the Worx Nitro series, which are engineered to provide greater power, performance, and run time. This chainsaw boasts a high-speed 16″ bar and chain, delivering professional, gas-like power, performance, and cutting capacity. It is equipped with a brushless motor, known for its efficiency, longer run times, increased power, and longevity compared to brushed motors. The Worx Nitro 40V Chainsaw also has user-friendly features such as one-step tool-free tensioners and automatic chain lubrication for hassle-free, efficient cutting and increased bar and chain life. Safety is also prioritized with a chain-brake guard for added security. Pros: Powerful with high-speed 16″ bar and chain. Equipped with an efficient and long-lasting brushless motor. Comes with high-capacity, heat and impact-protected batteries. Features a user-friendly design with tool-less chain tension adjustment and automatic chain lubrication. Safety features such as a chain-brake guard. Comes with a charge level indicator and a bar & chain sheath. Cons: The cost is on the higher side compared to other cordless chainsaws. Battery run time might be limited for longer or more demanding tasks. Worx Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Chainsaw Power Share PRO Buy on Amazon STIHL CHAINSAW MS 211 The STIHL MS 211 is a highly advanced gas-powered chainsaw designed for fuel efficiency and minimal emissions. This chainsaw features a powerful low-emission engine and a professional pre-separation air filtration system. Other notable features include the Anti-Vibration System, STIHL ElastoStart, IntelliCarb Compensating Carburetor, and side-access chain tensioner for enhanced user comfort and convenience. With the inclusion of safety features like STIHL Quickstop® and proprietary technologies such as Ematic Lubrication System and Master Control Lever, the STIHL MS 211 offers superior performance with minimal environmental impact. Pros: Low-emission, fuel-efficient engine reduces environmental impact while delivering high power. Anti-Vibration System and STIHL ElastoStart: Enhances user comfort and reduces fatigue. IntelliCarb Compensating Carburetor: Ensures the engine maintains the correct RPM even when the air filter is partially clogged. Side-Access Chain Tensioner: Simplifies the process of adjusting the saw chain. STIHL Quickstop®: Enhances user safety by reducing the risk of injury in kickback situations. Ematic Lubrication System: Provides optimal lubrication while reducing oil consumption. Master Control Lever: Simplifies operations by consolidating controls into one lever. Cons: It may not be suitable for larger jobs STIHL CHAINSAW MS 211 Buy on Ebay BILT HARD Gas Professional Chainsaw The BILT HARD Professional Chainsaw with a 20-inch bar is a powerful tool for anyone who needs to tackle tasks like tree felling, limb trimming, and general yard clean-up. This chainsaw features a 60CC 2-stroke gasoline engine that provides substantial power to the 20-inch bar and chain, offering a maximum speed of 11000 rpm. Included in the package are useful accessories like 2-cycle engine oil (3.2 oz), lubricating bar and chain oil (8 oz), safety goggles, and a tool kit, providing value for your money. Pros: Powerful 60CC 3.8HP 2-stroke gasoline engine High-quality carburetor for efficient operation and extended lifespan Low-kickback function for enhanced safety Air cleaning system for improved engine life Comes with useful accessories Cons: As a gas chainsaw, it requires regular maintenance. May be noisier and heavier compared to electric chainsaws. BILT HARD Gas Professional Chainsaw Buy on Amazon CRAFTSMAN Full Crank 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw Craftsman chainsaws are among the most popular chainsaws worldwide. The Craftsman S165 42cc Gas Chainsaw, sporting a 16-inch bar and chain, offers a combination of power, performance, and ease of use. Its 42cc full crank, the 2-cycle engine generates high output, making it an ideal tool for cutting even the toughest wood swiftly and smoothly, with reduced vibration. Constructed with a lightweight yet durable poly chassis, the S165 is designed to withstand prolonged use while minimizing user fatigue. Its compact and lightweight design, along with the 3-point anti-vibration system and ergonomic handle, promote balance, maneuverability, and comfort during operation. The chainsaw is equipped with EasyStart technology for quicker, smoother, and easier pull starts, allowing you to get straight to work on your outdoor projects. The adjustable automatic chain oiler with an easy-view function ensures the chain is always adequately lubricated. You can manually adjust the oil flow to maintain the right amount of lubricant on the chain. Pros: High-output 42cc engine for powerful cutting Lightweight and durable design for prolonged use EasyStart technology for quick, smooth starts Adjustable automatic chain oiler Cons: Requires regular maintenance due to the gas-powered nature Not suitable for heavy-duty logging tasks. CRAFTSMAN Full Crank 2-Cycle Gas Chainsaw Buy on Amazon Stihl Chainsaw MS 391 This STIHL chainsaw, the MS 391, is designed for superior performance in field, farm, and ranch tasks. This gas-powered chainsaw offers impressive power while maintaining its weight comparable to less potent models, providing an optimal power-to-weight ratio. An advanced pre-separation air filtration system enhances engine efficiency, extending the duration between air filter cleanings. It segregates heavier dirt particles before they reach the air filter, reducing maintenance frequency. The Anti-Vibration System on the Stihl MS 391 lessens the vibration levels of this outdoor power equipment, offering a comfortable user experience with minimized fatigue. Pros: High power with optimal power-to-weight ratio Side-access chain tensioner IntelliCarb Compensating Carburetor maintains optimal engine RPM automatically Environmentally friendly with low emissions Extended air filter life due to advanced filtration system Enhanced user comfort through reduced vibrations Cons: Gas power may not suit all users Regular air filter checks needed for IntelliCarb system effectiveness Stihl Chainsaw MS 391 Buy at Ace Hardware Makita Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 16″ Chain Saw Kit The Makita XCU04PT LXT is a brushless cordless chain saw equipped with a robust 16-inch chain. This tool delivers unparalleled power efficiency that rivals a 32cc gas chain saw, thanks to its unique Makita-built outer rotor brushless motor direct-drive system. Additional highlights of this model include a built-in lock-off lever designed to prevent accidental chain engagement. Furthermore, it has an intelligent built-in LED on/off switch with an auto power-off function that extends battery life by automatically shutting down the saw after periods of inactivity. Pros: Highly efficient, brushless motor that’s equivalent to a 32cc gas chain saw Variable speed trigger for optimal cutting performance Tool-less chain adjustment enhances convenience Safety features include a built-in lock-off lever Energy-saving auto power-off function Cons: Weighs 19.2 pounds, which might be heavy for some users The size (21.9″L x 10.2″W x 10.2″H) may demand significant storage space Makita Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 16″ Chain Saw Kit Buy on Amazon Husqvarna 120 Gas Powered Chainsaw Unleash the power of the Husqvarna 120 Gas-Powered Chainsaw, designed for a multitude of outdoor tasks. With a 16-inch chain driven by an efficient 38-cc, 1.8-HP X-Torq engine, this tool delivers remarkable performance, reducing emissions and boosting fuel efficiency. Starting this machine is a breeze, thanks to an air purge system and combined choke/stop control that together simplifies the start-up process and diminishes the risk of engine flooding. The 16-inch blade is equipped with an inertia-activated saw chain brake system to minimize kickback and potential injury. Pros: Efficient X-Torq engine boosts performance while reducing emissions and fuel consumption Air Injection Technology extends engine life LowVib technology reduces operator fatigue Easy-start features lessen the risk of engine flooding Inertia-activated chain brake system minimizes kickback risk Cons: Gas-powered, hence requires fuel and regular maintenance At 13.49 pounds, it might be somewhat hefty for certain users Husqvarna 120 Gas Powered Chainsaw Buy on Amazon NEO-TEC Gas Chainsaw with 36 Inch Bar and Chain The NEO-TEC NS892 is a professional chainsaw specifically engineered for tough wood-cutting jobs. It features a robust 92cc full-crank, air-cooled, 2-cycle engine that produces an impressive 7HP. This powerful engine, along with an efficient air cooling system, boosts both performance and efficiency while preventing overheating. Boasting compatibility with guide bars of varying lengths (24/25/28/36/42 inches), the NS892 is capable enough for cutting through large logs or felling trees swiftly and efficiently. Its low kickback feature and ergonomically designed Plus Handle Bar ensure a comfortable, stable grip, reducing the risk of accidents during operation. Pros: Powerful 92cc engine for demanding tasks Compatible with various guide bar lengths High-quality HLHIC carburetor for easy start and better fuel utilization Magnesium alloy parts ensure durability and quick heat dissipation Cons: Requires regular maintenance due to the gas-powered nature It may be heavy for some users, weighing approximately 18 pounds NEO-TEC Gas Chainsaw with 36 Inch Bar and Chain Buy on Amazon Understanding Heavy-Duty Chainsaws: When More is Better Heavy-duty chainsaws are designed to tackle the toughest jobs in logging, farming, land clearing, and tree service. These chainsaws are equipped with powerful engines, long bars, and robust chains designed for maximum pulling power and durability. When choosing a heavy-duty chainsaw, consider factors such as engine power, bar length, chain type, vibration control, and ergonomics. Frequently Asked Questions Are professional chainsaws worth the investment? Absolutely! Professional chainsaws provide enhanced performance, durability, and safety features that standard chainsaws often do not have. Designed for heavy use over long durations, they represent a valuable investment for professionals and business owners. What should I look for when buying a heavy-duty chainsaw? When buying a heavy-duty chainsaw, consider its power, durability, safety features, and ease of use. Also, consider the type and scale of tasks you’ll be undertaking. For heavy-duty tasks, you’ll need a chainsaw with high engine power, a robust build, and enhanced safety features. How do you maintain a professional chainsaw for long-term use? Maintaining a professional chainsaw involves regular cleaning, proper storage, and periodic servicing. Clean the air filter regularly, check the chain tension and sharpness, and ensure the bar and chain oil levels are adequate. Use quality fuel and oil, and get your chainsaw serviced by a professional at least once a year. Which type of chainsaw is best for my needs? The right type of chainsaw depends on your specific needs and tasks at hand. For heavy-duty tasks like big firewood-cutting jobs or land clearing, a gas chainsaw is often the best choice. For lighter, less intensive tasks, a battery-powered or corded electric chainsaw might be sufficient. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Wood Planers for Your Woodworking or Construction Business Top Commercial Floor Scrubber The Best Commercial Meat Grinders for Your Business Best Storage Racks and Shelving Best Pallet Jacks Image: Amazon This article, "Professional Chainsaw: Top Choices for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

President Donald Trump said he will announce on Monday that the United States will impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada and Mexico, as well as other import duties later in the week. “Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25% tariff,” he told reporters Sunday on Air Force One as he flew from Florida to New Orleans to attend the Super Bowl. When asked about aluminum, he responded, “aluminum, too” will be subject to the trade penalties. Trump also reaffirmed that he would announce “reciprocal tariffs” — “probably Tuesday or Wednesday” — meaning that the U.S. would impose import duties on products in cases where another country has levied duties on U.S. goods. “If they are charging us 130% and we’re charging them nothing, it’s not going to stay that way,” he told reporters. Trump’s comments are the latest example of his willingness to threaten, and in some cases to impose, import taxes. Tariffs are coming much earlier in his presidency than during his previous four years in the White House, when he prioritized tax cuts and deregulation. Trump has alternately said he sees import taxes as tools to force concessions on issues such as immigration, but also as a source of revenue to help close the government’s budget deficit. Financial markets fell on Friday after Trump first said he would impose the reciprocal tariffs. Stock prices also dropped after a measure of consumer sentiment declined on Friday, largely because many respondents cited tariffs as a growing worry. The survey also found that Americans are expecting inflation to tick up in the coming months because of the duties. Trump on Sunday did not offer any details about the steel and aluminum duties, or the reciprocal tariffs. Trump previously threatened 25% import taxes on all goods from Canada and Mexico, though he paused them for 30 days barely a week ago. At the same time, he proceeded to add 10% duties on imports from China. Yet on Friday, he said he would also delay the tariffs on the millions of small packages — often from fast-fashion firms such as Temu and Shein — until customs officials can figure out ways to impose them. The small packages have previously been exempt from tariffs. Trump’s latest remarks stirred immediate worry from some global trading partners. South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, called a meeting with the country’s top foreign policy and trade officials on Monday to examine how Trump’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum would affect its industries. The office of Choi, who also serves as the country’s finance minister, said officials discussed the potential impact and Seoul’s possible responses, but specific details of the meeting were not disclosed. The stock prices of major South Korean steelmakers, including POSCO and Hyundai Steel, dropped as the market opened on Monday. South Korea shipped about $4.8 billion worth of steel to the United States from January to November last year, which accounted for 14% of its global exports of the products during the period. Superville reported from aboard Air Force One. Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report. —Christopher Rugaber and Darlene Superville, Associated Press View the full article

One question that we’ve been hearing over and over again since the 2016 election is: Is Google biased? There are no shortages of opinions. Sundar Pichai went before Congress in 2018 and swore under oath, “I’m confident we don’t approach our work with any political bias.” He also sent an internal memo to staff warning them against letting their personal politics affect their work. Elon Musk, on the other hand, posted to X, “Google is controlled by far left activists.” A conservative organization, the Media Research Center, routinely posts articles that show supposed “proof” of Google’s political bias, while left-leaning Vox posted an article mocking conservatives for not understanding how SEO works. If you’re like me, you’re just reading all the back-and-forth and getting tired of it. Too many opinions on both sides are based on confirmation bias, sensationalism, or a fundamental misunderstanding of how SEO really works. And so I thought I’d jump into this hornet’s nest. Like everyone else, I have my own biases but I’m going to do my best to keep them at bay. Instead, let’s use SEO tools and techniques to see if we can come to a definitive answer. ‘Google bias’ in the 2024 election? Throughout the 2024 election, there were many stories about Google’s supposed “bias.” Let’s take a look at some of the more prevalent ones. In June, the Media Research Center accused Google of “blacklisting” President Trump’s official campaign website because it wouldn’t rank for [donald trump presidential race 2024] and [republican party presidential campaign websites]. The problem with this is that even a junior SEO could have seen that Donald Trump’s website was pretty horrifically optimized. Their home page title tag read Home | Donald J. Trump, and most of their substantive content was hidden in a PDF. In July, many people including Donald Trump, Jr. accused Google of “election interference” because Google autocomplete would not suggest President Trump’s name when someone typed in “assassination attempt on…” Google’s official explanation was that they have “protections in place against autocomplete predictions associated with political violence.” To be honest, I didn’t buy that (I could see autocomplete for other contemporary figures), but I just chalked it up to Google autocomplete was embarrassingly slow to update. The third incident to make waves was on Election Day, when searches for [how to vote harris] spawned a box that told people where to go for their nearest polling place, while [how to vote trump] did not. Google PR explained that this was because “Harris” is also the name of a county in the U.S., while “Trump” is not. Again, a perfectly plausible explanation. Thousands of conservative accounts jumped on these incidents as definitive proof of Google interfering in the election. The mistake they made was assuming that Google is infallible. In reality, anyone with a passing understanding of Hanlon’s Razor – which suggests we should not attribute to malice what can be explained by incompetence – would see that it applied in all three cases. Accusations of Google bias The problem with focusing on noise like this is that it detracts from the real question. Do Google search results have bias, and is that bias enough to unduly influence people? Through the years, a number of whistleblowers and researchers came forward with supposed proof of Google bias. Some highlights: In November 2016, following the presidential election, an anonymous source within Google sent a leaked video to the conservative outlet Breitbart showing Google executives’ and employees’ negative reaction to the election results. In subsequent years a number of whistleblowers from within Google came out to provide their reports of bias that they perceived within Google. In July 2019, senior engineer Greg Coppola came forward to publicly disagree with his CEO’s claim that searches were unbiased. In August 2019, senior software engineer Zach Vorhies released hundreds of pages of internal Google documents that allegedly showed evidence of manipulation, from intervening in the algorithm to maintaining blocklists. One of the more interesting presentations was about “algorithmic unfairness,” which discussed the need for search results to reflect a desired state, even if it didn’t reflect current realities. While not a Google employee, Robert Epstein was a research scientist who went on a number of conservative outlets with research purporting to show Google manipulating public opinion. The problem with all of this? Because this evidence was mainly hearsay, opinions were split like a Rorschach test. Conservatives, including members of Congress, pointed to them as definitive proof of Google’s bias, while many in the mainstream media dismissed them as conspiracy theories. The facts Let’s take a step back and look at objective facts: From 1998 to 2018, Google was powered by their original algorithm based mainly on PageRank. That worked really well in the beginning but as more people understood Google’s algorithm, poor quality sites began to rank. Despite their efforts with Panda and Penguin, it became clear that too many legitimately dangerous sites were making their way into Google’s results. The Aug. 1 2018 broad core update (a.k.a., the Medic Update) was Google’s first big attempt to go beyond reactively fighting content and link manipulation and proactively combat this, starting with financial and medical topics (YMYL). Most of us in the SEO space had our suspicions that Google was putting its finger on the scales for other types of searches. In May 2024, leaked documents from Google confirmed that Google’s organic algorithm indeed treated COVID and election-related searches differently than others through two factors called IsCovidAuthority and IsElectionAuthority, respectively. None of this is a smoking gun either. Those who attack Google say this circumstantial evidence is enough to prove Google’s bias. Defenders of Google will say that all of these steps were necessary to fight the real problem of bona fide misinformation and scams. The data So, is Google biased? Instead of giving you my opinion, I’m going to show you how you can use SEO tools and techniques to figure it out for yourself. The two tools I use most often for my SEO work are Semrush and Ahrefs. Both of them have a useful feature: the ability to go back in history and see historical SERPs. For example, these are the top 10 organic results for searches on “donald trump” that Semrush reports from October 2024, one month before Election Day. And here’s what Ahrefs reports for October 15, 2024. Both are similar. The slight variations are due to variations in the way that Semrush and Ahrefs obtain their Google results. We’re still in Rorschach test territory. Those who accuse Google of bias will look at the results and cry foul because CNN, AP, Wikipedia, and The Guardian – all known for being left-leaning – are showing up. Those defending Google will point to Donald Trump’s website and his multiple social media accounts showing up as proof that Google is unbiased. What if we could take a look at every question that people asked about Donald Trump and Kamala Harris during the election, take the top 10 results for each, and run an analysis of which media outlets are cited most often? We can. Here’s how. For this one I’m going to use Ahrefs (which allows me to output 1,000 queries and their top 10 positions and to filter based on date). I searched for “Questions” that people ask about “donald trump.” I filtered on searches that were seen before Election Day 2024. Next, I exported the top 1,000 questions with the top 10 positions for each. I uploaded the CSV file to ChatGPT and asked it to go through the list and tally up how often each news outlet or website appeared. I repeated the process for questions containing “kamala harris” and tallied everything up. At this point I had a list of all sites that ranked in the top 10 for the top 1,000 questions about Trump and Harris. Next, I cross referenced this list with media bias charts from AllSides. My goal here was to see whether Google organic search favored sites of a particular political persuasion. Here’s what the results were. To double-check, I cross-referenced the list against Ad Fontes Media’s Static Media Bias Chart. I took every site they listed in this chart that was rated 24.0 and above in News Value and Reliability. Neither AllSides nor Ad Fontes are perfect. For example, the left will likely disagree with AllSides’s characterization of AP as “left,” while the right will likely disagree with Ad Fontes’s characterization of RealClearPolitics as “strong right.” But on the whole, these are the best out there (at least as far as Google is concerned). Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Is this proof of Google’s bias? I’m going to get half of America mad at me now. Yes, there is pretty clear evidence that Google’s organic results demonstrate bias when it comes to political searches. But don’t take my word for it. Repeat the process above for any political phrase you can think of. Note that Google is not “censoring” conservative and right-leaning outlets – you can still find them in search results if you search on their brand name. But do any kind of non-branded search and you’ll be hard-pressed to find them ranking. It wasn’t always this way. Note in this screenshot how in August 2016 it was fairly common to see centrist outlets like RealClearPolitics and right-leaning outlets like the Washington Times alongside left-leaning outlets like CNN and The Atlantic for searches for “donald trump.” You can see from this chart of SEO traffic and keywords what happened to RealClearPolitics. Somewhere around April 2020, their SEO traffic and keywords fell off a cliff. Semrush chart of SEO performance for RealClearPolitics.com Today, 92% of their Google traffic comes from branded searches. Contrast that to The Atlantic, where 78.4% of SEO traffic is unbranded. Semrush chart of Branded vs. Non-Branded Traffic for RealClearPolitics.com You can see similar patterns around that time with other right-leaning sites like The Blaze, The Federalist, and Breitbart, as well as left-leaning sites like Mother Jones and HuffPost. While those sites flailed in SEO, mainstream news sites like The New York Times and CNN skyrocketed. Semrush chart of SEO performance for NYTimes.com What happened? In 2020, Google likely implemented changes similar to those in its 2018 Medic update. The Medic update aimed to protect users from harmful health and finance content. At the time, black hat SEO tactics allowed fraudulent sites to outrank legitimate ones, leading to financial scams and misinformation, in thousands of cases harming the most vulnerable populations. Many elderly and low-income individuals were defrauded, and those with serious illnesses were misled by false medical claims. To counter this, Google manually boosted high-authority sites to ensure reliable information surfaced. Internally, many within Google likely viewed political content as an extension of the “Your Life” portion of YMYL. This likely led to the creation of a list of trusted and untrusted sources. While that information isn’t public, it’s not a stretch to assume it’s similar to the one maintained by Wikipedia editors, one which left-leaning individuals may find reasonable and right-leaning individuals would find extremely biased. How one-sided news can affect public opinion Here’s an example of how a lack of diverse perspectives can create a one-sided narrative. In April 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, the virus was spreading rapidly, especially affecting the elderly, with no vaccine or cure in sight. On April 23, the White House held a press conference where William Bryan from DHS shared promising research updates. (You can read the full transcript here.) Specifically, he discussed the effects of sunlight and UV rays on the coronavirus and briefly mentioned the effectiveness of isopropyl alcohol in killing the virus on surfaces. Following Bryan’s remarks, President Trump asked about potential clinical applications of the findings. I think most would agree his wording was inartful and a bit bombastic, but fact-checking organizations would go on to conclude that he never suggested drinking or injecting household bleach. A year later, peer-reviewed studies confirmed UV light as a viable concept. However, a Google search for “trump bleach” immediately after the press conference presented a different picture: The BBC ranked No. 1 with the headline: “Coronavirus: Trump suggests injecting disinfectant as treatment.” The New York Times was No. 2 with: “Trump’s Suggestion That Disinfectants Could Be Used to Treat Coronavirus Prompts Aggressive Pushback,” accompanied by a stock photo of household bleach. The Washington Post was No. 3 with: “Trump asked if disinfectants could be injected to kill coronavirus inside the body. Doctors answered: ‘People will die.’” The rest of the top results followed the same narrative – mocking or criticizing Trump for allegedly encouraging Americans to ingest or inject household bleach. This could be attributed to the “fog of war,” but independent and conservative outlets provided alternative perspectives that were virtually invisible in search results. For instance, RealClearPolitics published the full video and transcript on the day of the press conference, allowing readers to judge for themselves – yet it didn’t even rank in the top 100. Did Google do anything wrong? Now I’m going to upset the other half of America. Did Google do anything wrong? Not really. Yes, Google likely tilts the scales – especially in amplifying smaller left-leaning sites over their right-leaning counterparts. But even if Google didn’t interfere, the mainstream media would still dominate the top 10 rankings for most searches. Most of us in SEO have experienced the frustration of seeing a niche site with outstanding content outranked by lower-quality content from an “authority” like Reddit or YouTube. Similarly, major outlets like CNN and The New York Times have far more links and traffic than any conservative or progressive news site. Big brands dominate the top results, while smaller sites fight for long-tail visibility. That’s how it’s been for a long time. It’s also worth noting that Google is a private company. The First Amendment protects speech from government interference – it doesn’t apply to private entities. Unless the government is compelling Google’s actions, the company is free to serve up whatever results it wants. Conservatives who cry foul at Google’s dominant position might want to remember how they pushed back in the 1990s against those who wanted to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine when conservative talk radio gained influence. Their argument back then was that the free market of ideas would self-correct. This worked to some extent in broadcast and cable news. MSNBC emerged as a counterbalance to Fox News. Podcasters like Joe Rogan and the social media platform X attracted audiences seeking more transparency and alternative perspectives outside mainstream media and Google News. In August 2024, Judge Amit Mehta issued a ruling confirming what many in SEO had long anticipated: Google had maintained a monopoly in General Search Services, covering both paid and organic search. Evidentiary hearings are set for April 2025, with a final ruling expected by August 2025. Whether these remedies will – or even can or should – compel Google to present a more diverse range of opinions remains uncertain. But in my view, a bigger threat to Google is on the horizon. The future of news The bigger threat to Google is people realizing that there is a powerful alternative to their curated political content: AI. Here’s an example: I asked xAI’s Grok to present both perspectives of a highly contentious political question. You’ll find similar responses on ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and others. For the first time in eight years, I finally received a balanced answer – one that represents both sides fairly (or, if you prefer, equally unfairly). Last year, I predicted that people would gradually shift to AI chatbots for search. I began that article predicting it would take three years. But less than a year later, I find the majority of my own “searches” now happen on ChatGPT and Grok. This shift reminds me of the search landscape in the late 1990s, when companies like Excite, Lycos, AltaVista, Yahoo, and Google were competing to be the top search engine. Google won by offering the best experience. It took years before content manipulation and link schemes forced algorithm updates like Panda and Penguin. Today, a similar race is underway. ChatGPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Claude, and Grok are vying to become the new search standard. Unlike Google, searches won’t take the form of one or two keywords, but detailed questions unlocking an expansive long-tail of search queries. Many assume the U.S. political landscape consists of two sides, but in reality, there are 335 million perspectives – each shaped by unique experiences and biases. Since 1998, we’ve been conditioned to search for head terms and accept Google’s 10 organic results as the authoritative answer. But I continue to believe that the winner of the AI wars will be the platform that, like early Google, embraces free speech and classical liberalism. That means using training data that reflects all viewpoints – even those that company insiders might find uncomfortable – and allowing AI to answer questions honestly. We’ve already seen DeepSeek censor viewpoints that conflict with the Chinese government, as well as how trying to solve for “algorithmic unfairness” made Google Gemini look silly. Can any American AI companies resist the temptation to limit AI’s knowledge by limiting its access to information and forcing it to follow their internal bias rather than objective truth? We’ll find out in four years. View the full article

As many organizations implement return-to-office mandates, the debate around RTO’s impact on performance and culture intensifies. Harvard Business School professor Frances Frei joins Rapid Response to bust popular myths around in-person work, and reveal the surprising—and somewhat contradictory—intentions of many pro-RTO business leaders. This is an abridged transcript of an interview from Rapid Response, hosted by the former editor-in-chief of Fast Company Bob Safian. From the team behind the Masters of Scale podcast, Rapid Response features candid conversations with today’s top business leaders navigating real-time challenges. Subscribe to Rapid Response wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. There’s so much discussion right now about return to office, RTO, for federal employees and on the corporate level. Amazon, JPMorgan, others calling staff into the office full time. Why has this discussion popped up so much at this moment? I’ll give you my hypothesis, which is that people of a certain age, of a certain income bracket, all uniformly really like to see people when they’re at work. They just like it. They’re used to it when they walk around. It just makes them feel better when the offices are full. It makes them feel like work is going on. And so, if you notice who is calling for these RTOs, the demographic is super narrow—like, by age, by shirt sleeve. I mean, it’s incredible who wants it. I personally believe it’s out of nostalgia. And I’ll tell you why. There is no evidence to support that it actually leads to better results. In fact, all of the evidence points in the other direction. So, what’s amazing to me is these otherwise pretty brutally performance-oriented people are willing to take a performance hit at the altar of their nostalgia. You’ve been resisting this idea—this pull—that sort of statistically, numerically, it’s a bad idea. Can you explain that? There are some places that you might have to do it. If you’re serving customers live and they’re pulling into the driveway, you gotta be there, right? But if you look at all of the evidence and all of the academic research, I don’t think there is any, like not a single study, that says unequivocally return to office helps. What it says is, employees value flexibility to a startling amount. And then what it also says is that productivity—not only does it not go down when you have hybrid work, because that’s really what it is, you know. So many of these places where employees could come in three days a week, and now they’ve changed it to five. The value proposition for the employees just got a lot worse, and the value proposition for the firm got no better. It’s a super curious thing, and every study shows this. And the idea that being in office all the time strengthens company culture—like, that’s just a myth. It’s silly because, again, we’re going from three days to five days. What they like to do is say, “Oh, well, compare it to zero days.” I know very few companies that had all remote. This is typically a three-day-to-five-day thing. And what often happens, the rest of the research shows us, is that when people are there all the time, they come in wearing noise-canceling headphones because we didn’t give anybody a private office. If you did give them a private office, they shut the door. And then if you don’t have a private office, you put on noise-canceling headphones so that you can get work done. Or you can all be on the same Zoom together in the same room, right? With your laptops up, because that’s good meeting maintenance. What we’re doing is forcing people to be together for activities, even when they aren’t needed to be co-located. What you really want to do is bring people together when it’s valuable. Can you give us sort of a snapshot of what’s happening right now? Who’s back? How often? Is it different in different fields? So, most of the headlines are from the CEO who formerly said, “I care about performance. Employees are telling me that they’re going to do better work at three days. Let’s test it.” And everyone who did it saw engagement go up and performance go up. But they still didn’t like it because their sentiment went down. There was a period of like two years where CEOs were grumpy. It was like, ugh—like if you got them in private, they just couldn’t believe this remote work. Even if they had said, “We’re a hybrid-first location,” they all just resented it. Because they’re paying for all that extra real estate that they’re— Well, I actually don’t even think it’s that as much as it is that they just want to see people. It just makes them feel better. Now, of course, this flies in the face of every single international organization in the world. You could only see a subset of the employees in any specific physical geography, but that is just lost. Even the CEOs of international companies—still, they wanted to see people in their location. And so what happened is, there were a few first movers. And a few big dogs said, “We’re gonna do it, or else.” Made their employees furious. Their research suggests that the best employees are the ones that are leaving. They feel like tough guys because they stood up to the employees. And then the other people who were resentful were like, “Well, look, we have license to do it. He did it. He’s tough. We can do it.” And so I think right now they all feel like they’re getting away with it. Although the early evidence—when they look at who’s leaving and the productivity gains that haven’t manifested and the engagement scores that have gone down—the early ones who are willing to look, because most people are just saying, “Don’t tell me.” But the ones that are looking are like, “Oops.” So, I expect the pendulum to switch back. They sort of falsely extrapolated that like, well, if three days is fine, why not five? And there are things that they didn’t get about that shift from three to five. Well, yes, so from three days to five days, they thought, I want better performance, and this is the way to get better performance. If I said to you, I have a great idea to improve performance, it’s gonna make my employees less happy and like make them less individually productive. Even if I don’t tell you what my black box idea is, are you going to be psyched to have it happen? The only person who can push something like this through is an emotional CEO. I could see an argument that it’s better to have one uniform policy for an office as opposed to different rules for different jobs. So, why shouldn’t we make it consistent? We are optimizing on everything except for this blunt instrument. Why are we taking a blunt instrument to our entire employee base? It’s not for performance reasons. It’s for emotional reasons. And, are there parts of it—I mean, obviously about like control, trust, all those things sort of— Well, I think they, the problem is they reveal that they don’t trust their employees, and they reveal that they are not looking at the data. Because there’s no performance data to support them, and so they reveal two, I think, unpleasant things, which means the employees who have a choice, which are your best employees, they’re looking at their CEOs right now and if they’re not thinking this too shall pass, like my CEO just saw their friend do it and now they’re doing it, but you know, we just got to grin and bear it and it will change. But if they’re like, oh my gosh, my CEO really feels like they believe this, I’m gonna go to a CEO who cares more about performance than this, who wants to win and is not going to indulge their emotions at the expense of our performance. I know you consult with and advise CEOs and business leaders. When you raise this with them, what do they say? This is one of the few issues. . . . So I’m a very direct person and I have learned they can’t handle it directly. So this is an issue where you got to come at it from the side, but even then, otherwise rational people, otherwise performance-oriented people, they just—this is like a third rail. They just say, when we get down to it, they’re like, I just don’t like it. View the full article

You've heard of inflation—get ready for eggflation. You’ve probably noticed these astronomical prices on grocery store shelves, or noticed no eggs on the shelves at all. According to the latest consumer price index, or CPI, the price of eggs is up 36.8% from where it was a year ago. Compare that to the trajectory of overall food prices at just 2.5%, and the eggflation is clear. Here's what's behind the current state of this kitchen staple, and what you can do to make eggs more affordable right now. Why eggs are so expensive right nowSoaring egg costs are due to both increased demand and pervasive avian flu outbreaks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Since October, continual large-scale outbreaks of the virus across multiple states have taken a massive toll on the U.S. flock of egg-laying hens. Combined with low supply is high demand these days, as the USDA explains the trend of many Americans opting for proteins like eggs and poultry over red meat in recent years. These prices will remain volatile until producers can rebuild their flocks, which doesn't look to be anytime soon. Major U.S. egg producers continue to report new bird flu cases around the country. Tips to save during eggflationWith prices likely not not dropping any time soon, here are some hacks to beat those steep prices. Go for bulkWhenever possible, the easiest way to save on groceries is by buying in bulk. If you’re buying five dozen eggs at a time, it’s important to plan how you’re going to make sure those eggs don’t go to waste. According to the USDA, whole raw eggs in the shell will last three to five weeks in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for four to five weeks beyond the pack date and about three weeks beyond when you brought them home. Another tip: When prices dip, buy extra eggs and freeze them for up to one year. To freeze whole eggs, beat yolks and whites together. You can also freeze eggs using this method. Choose store brandCage-free, free-range, and name brands are going to be more expensive than the most generic, store brand option on the shelves. Get into egg alternativesIf you really want to beat egg prices, the easiest solution is to stop buying eggs. The true bakers among us have long known plenty of egg substitutes, like ground flax, a mashed banana, and even chickpea liquid. With a little forethought, you don’t have to give in completely to these egg-ceptional prices. You didn’t expect zero egg puns in this article, did you? Get real. View the full article

If you’ve skimmed your feeds today, there’s a good chance you’ve seen many headlines exclaiming that around two million donuts have been recalled due to possible listeria contamination. However, these headlines are a bit misleading as the recall happened over a month ago. Confused? Here’s what to know about the listeria donut recall, whether your morning donut is safe to eat, and why you’re just hearing about the recall now. What’s happened? Over the past day, the internet has been flooded with articles about a massive donut recall, with two million of the tasty treats affected. However, though this recall is widely being reported on now—the second week in February—it was actually initiated at the beginning of January and has been completed for some time. The recall centered around donuts that were produced and distributed by FGF Brands. On January 7, FGF initiated a voluntary recall of 60 of its donut products due to fears that they may have been contaminated with listeria. In total, about two million individual donuts were covered under the recall of the 60 products. This included some Dunkin’ branded donuts. Given the flood of late reporting on the recall, FGF Brands has issued a statement clarifying that the recall now being reported “does not implicate anything that is currently, or was recently on the market.” It has further declared that “All donuts are completely safe to eat.” If the recall is old, why is it being reported now? Food recalls should be taken very seriously—especially when they involve possible listeria contamination. This is why so many publications report on such recalls. When a food is recalled, it’s common for a notice to appear on the Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts website operated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But that’s not always the case. The FDA says no press release was issued about the original donut recall on January 7. As a result, the recall avoided media attention. However, this month, the FDA published an enforcement report about the recall, designating the recall with a Class II status on February 5. It is this enforcement report that the media has picked up on. The FDA classifies recalled products into three categories—Class I, Class II, or Class III—based on the level of hazard the recalled product represents to consumers: Class I recalls involve products that can pose “serious adverse health consequences or death.” Class II recalls involve products that “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” Class III recalls involves a product that “is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” It can take about a month for the FDA’s enforcement report to appear publicly in its database. And once the class level is assigned, news outlets often pick up on the recall again—or for the first time. So are my donuts safe to eat? When it comes to the January recall that has received so much attention today, FGF Brands says, it “was completed over a month ago (early January), and does not implicate anything that is currently, or was recently on the market.” The company also says that no donuts or food surfaces ever actually ended up testing positive for listeria. (The voluntary recall was a precautionary measure.) And given that donuts don’t usually last for more than a week at most, it’s highly unlikely that anyone still has a donut covered under the recall in their possession. That’s why FGF Brands now says that “All donuts are completely safe to eat.” View the full article

A group of internet businesses, including Roblox, Google, OpenAI, and Discord, have cofounded a nonprofit called Robust Open Online Safety Tools (ROOST). The new organization will fund free, open-source tools for online businesses to promote online safety, says Naren Koneru, Roblox’s vice president of engineering, trust, and safety. The move follows years of efforts by Roblox to restrict inappropriate messaging on its platform, which is widely used by children and has at times come under fire for not doing enough to combat sexual content and adult sexual predators. And while human moderators are part of that equation, AI and automation have become critical for intercepting real-time unwanted messages across the platform’s 85 million daily active users, Koneru says. “These decisions need to happen within milliseconds,” he says. Among the tools Roblox has developed is an open-source AI model that analyzes audio clips to detect profanity, racism, bullying, sexting, and other disallowed content. The model was released to the public last July, available on GitHub and the AI platform Hugging Face, and it’s since been downloaded more than 20,000 times. The company has since developed a new version of the model, with support for additional languages including Spanish, French, German and Japanese, as well as additional infrastructure for fine-tuning the model to particular needs. That will likely be open sourced by the end of the first quarter of 2025, and the company anticipates unveiling other open-source tools for classifying content later in the year. By contributing to ROOST (and acting as co-chair of a technical advisory committee), Roblox will also be able support such open-source efforts, aiming to create AI models that can be used by organizations of all sizes to moderate content, especially around child safety. “While large companies like us can invest in systems like this, ” says Koneru, “if you’re a small game developer and you want to build all these safety systems, it’s almost next to impossible today to do it right.” Some AI systems may even be hosted by ROOST itself, allowing outside companies to easily integrate them via API calls rather than handling complex infrastructure, Koneru says. “They may actually not just open-source models, but they will also possibly run these hosted services where you can just call an API, as opposed to even worrying about all of these nitty-gritty details of, how do you run this model in a super efficient way,” he says. ROOST may also release open-source infrastructure for labeling sample training data, like examples of allowed and disallowed content, and manage how it’s used to train and refine AI systems. That includes technology to effectively manage large-scale human moderation efforts and ensure consistency in decisions around rules (to ensure AI models are trained on reliable samples). In addition to the for-profit companies, ROOST is backed by a variety of philanthropic organizations, including the Future of Online Trust and Safety Fund, Knight Foundation, AI Collaborative and the McGovern Foundation. It’s raised over $27 million to support its first four years of operation. View the full article