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Hollywood kicked off 2026 with “Avatar: Fire and Ash” atop the box office for the third straight week and with hopes for a blockbuster-filled year after a disappointing 2025. In three weeks of release, “Fire and Ash” has cleared $1 billion worldwide. The third chapter in James Cameron’s Pandora epic collected $40 million over its third weekend in North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Fire and Ash” is doing its biggest business overseas; it’s grossed $777.1 million internationally thus far. The Walt Disney Co. on Sunday The Presidented the $1 billion milestone as “cementing another monumental achievement for James Cameron’s groundbreaking franchise.” But over the holidays, it wasn’t just about the weekend ticket sales. The whole week was a lucrative one for Hollywood, with most schools still out. What drove ticket sales, beyond “Avatar”? Sydney Sweeney, Timothée Chalamet and “Zootopia 2.” The most sustained success over the holiday collider in theaters belonged to a movie that opened all the way back in November. Yet Disney’s “Zootopia 2” has had remarkable staying power. It landed in second place with $19 million, dipping a mere 4% from the previous weekend. The animated sequel has amassed $1.59 billion in six weeks. That makes “Zootopia 2” Disney’s second highest grossing animated movie ever, trailing only 2019’s photorealistic “The Lion King” ($1.66 billion). “The Housemaid,” the twisty thriller starring Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, also emerged as a holiday-season hit for Lionsgate. It collected $14.9 million over the weekend, giving it $75.7 million domestically over three weeks. It dipped only 3% from last weekend. Internationally, “The Housemaid,” which cost a modest $35 million to make, has added $57.3 million. Just as Sweeney’s star power is propelling “The Housemaid,” so is Chalamet’s with “Marty Supreme.” The A24 release also held well in its third weekend, grossing an estimated $12.6 million. After two weeks of wide release, Josh Safdie’s frenetic table tennis tale has grossed $56 million in North America, passing the director’s previous film, “Uncut Gems” ($50 million worldwide). Just about everything playing in theaters saw small drops from the previous weekend. Sony’s action comedy “Anaconda,” starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, dipped 31% to collect $10 million in second weekend. Focus Features’ “Song Sung Blue” dropped only 17% in its second weekend with $5.9 million. The Hugh Jackman-Kate Hudson Neil Diamond cover band movie has earned $25 million domestically. With “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and a wide variety of smaller hits, Hollywood started 2026 strongly. Overall sales were up 26.5% from the same weekend in 2025, according to data firm Comscore. The movie industry is coming off a poor 2025, where domestic moviegoing continued to slide. U.S. and Canada ticket sales in 2025 amounted to $8.9 billion, a 2% increase from the year earlier, according to Comscore, but about 20% below pre-pandemic levels. That slight improvement was notably less than anticipated and was also boosted by higher ticket prices. Actual tickets sold declined from more than 800 million in 2024 to around 780 million in 2025. The industry is now awaiting a potentially seismic shift with Warner Bros., one of the most theatrical-friendly studios, agreeing to sell to Netflix. That $83 billion deal awaits regulatory approval. Yet studios are cautiously optimistic 2026 could be the best box-office year of the decade. A release slate filled with marquee franchises, including new “Toy Story,” “Avengers,” “Spider-Man,” “Super Mario Bros” and “Dune” movies, has raised hopes of a turnaround. Top 10 movies by domestic box office With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” $40 million. “Zootopia 2,” $19 million. “The Housemaid,” $14.9 million. “Marty Supreme,” $12.6 million. “Anaconda,” $10 million. “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” $8.2 million. “David,” $8 million. “Song Sung Blue,” $5.9 million. “Wicked: For Good,” $3.3 million. “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” $2.7 million. —Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer View the full article

J. Crew just revealed its apparel collection with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard teams for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. It’s an ode to retro ski aesthetics that even the most amateur athlete (or viewer) can get behind. The 26-piece collection, which includes everything from graphic sweatshirts and refined knitwear to ball caps, wool socks, and cozy leggings, is the first installment of J. Crew’s three-year-long partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, announced in March. Prices for the entire J.Crew U.S. Ski & Snowboard collection range from $49.50 to $498. It will be available online and in select J. Crew stores starting January 8. Each product collection is inspired by vintage logos and archival Olympic patches, blending touches of sportiness with laid-back, après-ski leisure. To package that aesthetic with this first launch, J. Crew has created an advertising campaign called “Alpine People,” featuring members of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team in a lighthearted spot that feels like Wes Anderson dropped onto the slopes in the ’70s. It’s a refreshing approach to Olympic-branded gear, which has been most closely associated with Ralph Lauren’s buttoned-up take on Americana aesthetics since that brand started designing Team USA’s ceremony outfits in 2008. Where Ralph Lauren’s Team USA collection for the 2026 Games has a more polished, preppy vibe, J. Crew’s collection feels both effortlessly casual and aspirational—a balance that can be tricky to achieve in a sport with a reputation for elitism. Vintage references offer a new route into chalet core In recent months, we’ve seen other brands put their own spin on ski apparel, including Nike x Jacquemus’s futurism-meets-’80s Après Ski collection, launched in late November, and North Face x Skims’ sporty, neutral-chic line, launched in early December. J. Crew’s interpretation, with its charmingly retro design and loungewear focus, feels like the best collection for hunkering down in a chalet with a hot beverage, even if you’ve never put on a set of skis in your life. To conceptualize the new skiing collection, J. Crew’s team started by consulting archival imagery of both ski apparel brands and Olympic games past. “We spent a lot of time immersed in the archives, both our own and U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s,” says Olympia Gayot, J. Crew’s creative director of women’s and children’s design. “We traveled to their headquarters and poured through historic imagery of the team and past Olympic moments, everything from old uniforms and outerwear to pins, patches, and ephemera that captured the spirit of different eras of the sport.” Details like the collection’s recurring red, white, and blue stripes and “U.S. Skiing” shield patch have a clear tie to vintage Olympic patches, which often featured the same color scheme and motif—typically alongside imagery like a torch, the Olympic rings, and, for skiing events, an illustration of an athlete descending the slopes. Dynamic athlete illustrations star in their own right across multiple items in this collection. One sleek line drawing shows a skier zooming down the slopes, which features on a comfy graphic tee and crew neck; as well as another of an athlete with their skis crossed mid-jump. “While we always start with our archives and brand DNA, the real inspiration for this collection comes from the sport itself, the skiers, the Olympics, and the energy of elite athletes,” Gayot says. Typographic call backs to American ski resorts of yesteryear The whole J. Crew Olympic skiing collection, and its accompanying campaign, is tied together by an ultra-’70s sans serif typeface, complete with blocky letterforms, bold curves, and a funky combination of caps and lowercase letters. Examples of this typeface appear in the apparel collection almost everywhere there’s lettering, as well as in the bright yellow, Wes Anderson-style captions that appear on the “Alpine People” campaign video. The typeface calls back to similar styles used in vintage ski apparel and destinations, including the Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, which once had a groovy wordmark with a near-identical look. “You’ll see the vintage references reinterpreted in a way that feels timeless but also unique for this moment,” Gayot says. “Those elements show up across the collection as embroidered patches, knit-in graphics, and printed details, creating a through line that connects the heritage of both brands to the pieces in a way that feels thoughtful, nostalgic, and distinctly our own.” View the full article

In terms of boosting your sales prospecting strategy, having the right tools is essential. Tools like Cognism and ZoomInfo offer advanced search capabilities and real-time data updates. Meanwhile, platforms such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator and Lusha help you identify and engage with your target audience more effectively. These resources improve lead qualification and enhance conversion rates, but there are more options available. Exploring these tools can greatly impact your outreach efforts and overall success. Key Takeaways Utilize sales intelligence platforms like Cognism for accurate contact details and GDPR-compliant outreach to decision-makers. Leverage ZoomInfo’s extensive B2B database and AI-powered insights to enhance lead qualification and conversion rates. Employ LinkedIn Sales Navigator for real-time insights and InMail messaging to directly engage with targeted prospects. Use Lusha for its user-friendly interface to quickly retrieve verified contact information and technology filters for precise targeting. Access D&B Hoovers for in-depth market insights and analytics, enabling timely engagement with potential clients based on real-time business changes. Cognism Cognism is a robust sales intelligence platform that equips teams with accurate contact details for decision-makers, helping you identify and engage high-value accounts effectively. This platform stands out in the field of automated sales prospecting as it offers real-time data updates and GDPR compliance, ensuring you have the most relevant information for your outreach. With advanced search capabilities, you can filter leads based on specific criteria, streamlining your prospecting process. Cognism as well provides intent data, allowing you to pinpoint prospects actively seeking solutions. Recognized among the best sales prospecting tools, Cognism is particularly suited for larger businesses because of its customized pricing, making it a valuable investment for those looking to improve their sales prospecting software strategies. ZoomInfo ZoomInfo provides you with thorough access to a vast B2B contact database, featuring verified emails and phone numbers for over 75 million companies and 275 million professionals. Its AI-powered sales insights help you identify prospects actively seeking solutions, enabling you to prioritize leads based on their engagement signals. Moreover, the platform’s advanced search capabilities allow for hyper-targeted prospecting by filtering prospects according to specific criteria like industry, company size, and location. Comprehensive Data Access Accessing extensive data is crucial for effective sales prospecting, as it enables teams to identify and connect with potential customers efficiently. ZoomInfo stands out as one of the best prospecting tools available, offering a thorough B2B contact database filled with verified emails and phone numbers. This automated prospecting system allows you to leverage intent data, pinpointing prospects actively seeking relevant solutions. With advanced search filters, you can narrow down leads based on criteria such as industry and company size, enhancing your targeting efforts. Furthermore, ZoomInfo integrates seamlessly with various CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, streamlining your workflows. AI-Powered Sales Insights In the domain of sales prospecting, utilizing AI-powered insights can significantly improve your approach to identifying and engaging potential leads. ZoomInfo stands out as one of the best prospecting software options available, providing a vast B2B database with over 100 million verified contacts. Its AI-driven intent data helps you pinpoint prospects actively seeking solutions, enhancing your targeting strategies. With advanced search filters, you can segment leads based on industry, company size, or job title, facilitating automated prospecting efforts. Moreover, ZoomInfo integrates seamlessly with major CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, streamlining workflows. Users report improved lead qualification and conversion rates because of real-time updates and detailed insights into buyer behavior and company trends, making it a top choice among sales prospecting platforms. LinkedIn Sales Navigator LinkedIn Sales Navigator stands out as a potent tool for sales professionals seeking to improve their prospecting efforts. As one of the best sales tools for startups, it offers advanced search filters that help you find targeted prospects based on industry, company size, and location. You’ll receive real-time insights about prospects, including job changes and LinkedIn updates, enabling timely outreach. Its InMail messaging feature allows you to contact leads directly, increasing your chances of engagement. Moreover, Sales Navigator integrates seamlessly with popular CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, making it an effective choice among prospecting tools. By leveraging AI-driven lead recommendations, you can boost your prospecting efficiency and streamline your sales processes, making it a top contender for the best CRM for prospecting. Lusha Lusha is an effective prospecting tool that provides sales teams with accurate B2B contact information, enabling you to quickly access verified email addresses and phone numbers. As one of the best sales tools available, Lusha features a user-friendly interface that streamlines the process of searching for and retrieving contact data, making outreach more efficient. It integrates seamlessly with popular CRM systems, enhancing existing contact lists and improving your data quality. Moreover, Lusha offers technology filters, allowing you to target prospects based on their technology stack. For those looking for cost-effective options, Lusha likewise provides free sales tools to help you kickstart your lead prospecting efforts efficiently, whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise. Seamless.AI Seamless.AI stands out as an innovative B2B sales prospecting tool that leverages artificial intelligence to deliver up-to-date contact information for sales teams. This tool provides real-time access to crucial data, enhancing your lead generation efforts. With its user-friendly Chrome extension, you can gather insights effortlessly during your web browsing, making it one of the best free prospecting tools available. Seamless.AI likewise includes an AI feature that helps craft personalized outreach messages, maximizing your email prospecting tools’ effectiveness. Remarkably, you can start using the platform for free, with customized pricing options for those needing additional features. To conclude, Seamless.AI greatly boosts your sales prospecting strategy by ensuring you have accurate contact details readily available. LeadIQ In relation to streamlining lead data management, LeadIQ proves to be a valuable asset for sales teams. This prospecting software captures and manages lead data efficiently, allowing you to improve your outreach efforts. With its seamless CRM integration, you can achieve real-time data enrichment, facilitating better collaboration among team members. LeadIQ’s user-friendly interface simplifies finding and verifying contact information, greatly cutting down on time spent on manual data entry. Furthermore, it provides real-time insights and analytics to track engagement levels, helping you prioritize leads effectively. Feature Benefit Importance CRM Integration Real-time data enrichment Improves team collaboration User-Friendly Interface Simplifies contact verification Reduces manual entry time Analytics Tracks engagement levels Prioritizes leads based on activity D&B Hoovers D&B Hoovers serves as a crucial resource for sales teams looking to improve their prospecting efforts. With access to over 120 million business records and 100 million contacts, you can refine your lead generation precision. This platform offers advanced search capabilities, allowing you to filter prospects by industry, company size, and location, making it one of the top sales prospecting tools available. Furthermore, D&B Hoovers integrates seamlessly with CRM systems, enabling efficient lead management. You’ll likewise benefit from insights and analytics that help identify market trends and assess potential clients’ financial health. Real-time alerts on business changes empower you to engage prospects at the right moment, positioning D&B Hoovers among the best business prospecting tools in the market. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Best Tools for Sales Prospecting? When looking for the best tools for sales prospecting, consider options like Cognism for accurate, compliant data, and ZoomInfo for extensive company insights. Lusha offers high-quality B2B contact information, whereas LinkedIn Sales Navigator allows for direct outreach through advanced search filters. Tools like LeadIQ and Seamless.AI improve your prospecting capabilities with AI-driven features. Choose the tool that best fits your needs and integrates well with your existing sales processes to boost efficiency. What Are the 5 P’s of Prospecting? The 5 P’s of prospecting are Purpose, People, Process, Product, and Performance. First, define your goals clearly to guide your efforts. Then, identify your target audience, focusing on decision-makers. Establish a structured approach to streamline research and outreach methods. Understand your product’s value proposition to effectively communicate benefits to prospects. Finally, evaluate your performance regularly, refining your strategy based on metrics to improve your overall prospecting effectiveness. What Is the 30 Day Rule in Prospecting? The 30 Day Rule in prospecting emphasizes following up with leads within 30 days of initial contact to improve conversion chances. Leads can lose interest quickly, so timely follow-ups are essential. Research shows that contacting prospects within five minutes of their inquiry greatly boosts conversion rates. Consistent outreach within the 30-day window, with customized messages based on previous interactions, keeps engagement alive, increasing the likelihood of closing deals. How to Improve the Strategic Prospecting Plan? To improve your strategic prospecting plan, start by defining a clear Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) based on firmographics and behavior. Utilize data analytics to identify high-value prospects, and leverage CRM systems to automate follow-ups. Incorporate personalized outreach methods, like customized emails or video messages, to engage leads effectively. Regularly analyze your engagement metrics to refine your strategies and guarantee you’re targeting the right audience for maximum conversion rates. Conclusion Incorporating these seven crucial tools into your sales prospecting strategy can greatly improve your outreach efforts. By utilizing platforms like Cognism, ZoomInfo, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator, you can access advanced search features and real-time data updates. This allows you to identify and engage with targeted prospects more effectively. As you leverage these resources, you’ll likely see improved lead qualification and higher conversion rates, in the end driving revenue growth for your business. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Tools for Boosting Your Sales Prospecting Strategy" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In terms of boosting your sales prospecting strategy, having the right tools is essential. Tools like Cognism and ZoomInfo offer advanced search capabilities and real-time data updates. Meanwhile, platforms such as LinkedIn Sales Navigator and Lusha help you identify and engage with your target audience more effectively. These resources improve lead qualification and enhance conversion rates, but there are more options available. Exploring these tools can greatly impact your outreach efforts and overall success. Key Takeaways Utilize sales intelligence platforms like Cognism for accurate contact details and GDPR-compliant outreach to decision-makers. Leverage ZoomInfo’s extensive B2B database and AI-powered insights to enhance lead qualification and conversion rates. Employ LinkedIn Sales Navigator for real-time insights and InMail messaging to directly engage with targeted prospects. Use Lusha for its user-friendly interface to quickly retrieve verified contact information and technology filters for precise targeting. Access D&B Hoovers for in-depth market insights and analytics, enabling timely engagement with potential clients based on real-time business changes. Cognism Cognism is a robust sales intelligence platform that equips teams with accurate contact details for decision-makers, helping you identify and engage high-value accounts effectively. This platform stands out in the field of automated sales prospecting as it offers real-time data updates and GDPR compliance, ensuring you have the most relevant information for your outreach. With advanced search capabilities, you can filter leads based on specific criteria, streamlining your prospecting process. Cognism as well provides intent data, allowing you to pinpoint prospects actively seeking solutions. Recognized among the best sales prospecting tools, Cognism is particularly suited for larger businesses because of its customized pricing, making it a valuable investment for those looking to improve their sales prospecting software strategies. ZoomInfo ZoomInfo provides you with thorough access to a vast B2B contact database, featuring verified emails and phone numbers for over 75 million companies and 275 million professionals. Its AI-powered sales insights help you identify prospects actively seeking solutions, enabling you to prioritize leads based on their engagement signals. Moreover, the platform’s advanced search capabilities allow for hyper-targeted prospecting by filtering prospects according to specific criteria like industry, company size, and location. Comprehensive Data Access Accessing extensive data is crucial for effective sales prospecting, as it enables teams to identify and connect with potential customers efficiently. ZoomInfo stands out as one of the best prospecting tools available, offering a thorough B2B contact database filled with verified emails and phone numbers. This automated prospecting system allows you to leverage intent data, pinpointing prospects actively seeking relevant solutions. With advanced search filters, you can narrow down leads based on criteria such as industry and company size, enhancing your targeting efforts. Furthermore, ZoomInfo integrates seamlessly with various CRM platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, streamlining your workflows. AI-Powered Sales Insights In the domain of sales prospecting, utilizing AI-powered insights can significantly improve your approach to identifying and engaging potential leads. ZoomInfo stands out as one of the best prospecting software options available, providing a vast B2B database with over 100 million verified contacts. Its AI-driven intent data helps you pinpoint prospects actively seeking solutions, enhancing your targeting strategies. With advanced search filters, you can segment leads based on industry, company size, or job title, facilitating automated prospecting efforts. Moreover, ZoomInfo integrates seamlessly with major CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, streamlining workflows. Users report improved lead qualification and conversion rates because of real-time updates and detailed insights into buyer behavior and company trends, making it a top choice among sales prospecting platforms. LinkedIn Sales Navigator LinkedIn Sales Navigator stands out as a potent tool for sales professionals seeking to improve their prospecting efforts. As one of the best sales tools for startups, it offers advanced search filters that help you find targeted prospects based on industry, company size, and location. You’ll receive real-time insights about prospects, including job changes and LinkedIn updates, enabling timely outreach. Its InMail messaging feature allows you to contact leads directly, increasing your chances of engagement. Moreover, Sales Navigator integrates seamlessly with popular CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, making it an effective choice among prospecting tools. By leveraging AI-driven lead recommendations, you can boost your prospecting efficiency and streamline your sales processes, making it a top contender for the best CRM for prospecting. Lusha Lusha is an effective prospecting tool that provides sales teams with accurate B2B contact information, enabling you to quickly access verified email addresses and phone numbers. As one of the best sales tools available, Lusha features a user-friendly interface that streamlines the process of searching for and retrieving contact data, making outreach more efficient. It integrates seamlessly with popular CRM systems, enhancing existing contact lists and improving your data quality. Moreover, Lusha offers technology filters, allowing you to target prospects based on their technology stack. For those looking for cost-effective options, Lusha likewise provides free sales tools to help you kickstart your lead prospecting efforts efficiently, whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise. Seamless.AI Seamless.AI stands out as an innovative B2B sales prospecting tool that leverages artificial intelligence to deliver up-to-date contact information for sales teams. This tool provides real-time access to crucial data, enhancing your lead generation efforts. With its user-friendly Chrome extension, you can gather insights effortlessly during your web browsing, making it one of the best free prospecting tools available. Seamless.AI likewise includes an AI feature that helps craft personalized outreach messages, maximizing your email prospecting tools’ effectiveness. Remarkably, you can start using the platform for free, with customized pricing options for those needing additional features. To conclude, Seamless.AI greatly boosts your sales prospecting strategy by ensuring you have accurate contact details readily available. LeadIQ In relation to streamlining lead data management, LeadIQ proves to be a valuable asset for sales teams. This prospecting software captures and manages lead data efficiently, allowing you to improve your outreach efforts. With its seamless CRM integration, you can achieve real-time data enrichment, facilitating better collaboration among team members. LeadIQ’s user-friendly interface simplifies finding and verifying contact information, greatly cutting down on time spent on manual data entry. Furthermore, it provides real-time insights and analytics to track engagement levels, helping you prioritize leads effectively. Feature Benefit Importance CRM Integration Real-time data enrichment Improves team collaboration User-Friendly Interface Simplifies contact verification Reduces manual entry time Analytics Tracks engagement levels Prioritizes leads based on activity D&B Hoovers D&B Hoovers serves as a crucial resource for sales teams looking to improve their prospecting efforts. With access to over 120 million business records and 100 million contacts, you can refine your lead generation precision. This platform offers advanced search capabilities, allowing you to filter prospects by industry, company size, and location, making it one of the top sales prospecting tools available. Furthermore, D&B Hoovers integrates seamlessly with CRM systems, enabling efficient lead management. You’ll likewise benefit from insights and analytics that help identify market trends and assess potential clients’ financial health. Real-time alerts on business changes empower you to engage prospects at the right moment, positioning D&B Hoovers among the best business prospecting tools in the market. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Best Tools for Sales Prospecting? When looking for the best tools for sales prospecting, consider options like Cognism for accurate, compliant data, and ZoomInfo for extensive company insights. Lusha offers high-quality B2B contact information, whereas LinkedIn Sales Navigator allows for direct outreach through advanced search filters. Tools like LeadIQ and Seamless.AI improve your prospecting capabilities with AI-driven features. Choose the tool that best fits your needs and integrates well with your existing sales processes to boost efficiency. What Are the 5 P’s of Prospecting? The 5 P’s of prospecting are Purpose, People, Process, Product, and Performance. First, define your goals clearly to guide your efforts. Then, identify your target audience, focusing on decision-makers. Establish a structured approach to streamline research and outreach methods. Understand your product’s value proposition to effectively communicate benefits to prospects. Finally, evaluate your performance regularly, refining your strategy based on metrics to improve your overall prospecting effectiveness. What Is the 30 Day Rule in Prospecting? The 30 Day Rule in prospecting emphasizes following up with leads within 30 days of initial contact to improve conversion chances. Leads can lose interest quickly, so timely follow-ups are essential. Research shows that contacting prospects within five minutes of their inquiry greatly boosts conversion rates. Consistent outreach within the 30-day window, with customized messages based on previous interactions, keeps engagement alive, increasing the likelihood of closing deals. How to Improve the Strategic Prospecting Plan? To improve your strategic prospecting plan, start by defining a clear Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) based on firmographics and behavior. Utilize data analytics to identify high-value prospects, and leverage CRM systems to automate follow-ups. Incorporate personalized outreach methods, like customized emails or video messages, to engage leads effectively. Regularly analyze your engagement metrics to refine your strategies and guarantee you’re targeting the right audience for maximum conversion rates. Conclusion Incorporating these seven crucial tools into your sales prospecting strategy can greatly improve your outreach efforts. By utilizing platforms like Cognism, ZoomInfo, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator, you can access advanced search features and real-time data updates. This allows you to identify and engage with targeted prospects more effectively. As you leverage these resources, you’ll likely see improved lead qualification and higher conversion rates, in the end driving revenue growth for your business. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Tools for Boosting Your Sales Prospecting Strategy" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Need some help writing your emails? Through the wonders of AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), you can now get messages composed on your behalf in Gmail, in Apple Mail, in Outlook, and in many other email clients. Most of the time, the AI option pops up straight away, ready to give you however much assistance you need. The pitch is that you can offload the drudgery of dealing with email to AI, and move on to other tasks that may be more interesting and important. Anecdotally, I've spoken to quite a few people who now use AI chatbots in this way. But it's not something I'm ready to embrace, and I don't think I ever will. These are my reasons, which may or may not resonate with you, though I haven't mentioned the issues of energy use and copyright violations that hang over the use of AI more generally. You can keep asking if I want some help in Gmail, Gemini, but I'd rather switch you off altogether. I don't want to forget how to write The daunting blank email. Credit: Lifehacker Writing's pretty easy, really—most of us can do it from an early age without too much trouble. Writing well is harder, but you don't have to be a best-selling author to fire off a few emails. So is there any harm in using AI for some low-level email composing? It may be quicker and more convenient, but I'm not sure it's actually beneficial. As author David McCullough once said: "Writing is thinking." The skill of being able to choose the right word to put in front of the previous one gets the cogs of the brain moving, and forces some thought about what's being said. Word choice and sentence structure matters, even on the shortest and most banal of emails. I don't want to sit down at a laptop one day and find myself struggling to compose a few lines of text. Is that far-fetched? Perhaps not, based on reports from those who've already tried farming out emails to AI. "Is it difficult trying to get that thought in your head translated to an email?" asks Google. Well, yes, it is, and that's sort of the point. People deserve a human responseIt's fair to say a lot of us get an excessive amount of email (if you don't, consider yourself lucky). Chances are that plenty of your incoming email will be from people you don't know personally, but no matter the sender and the recipient in an email conversation, I think human responses are worth the effort. If all of our emails—arranging work drinks, applying for jobs, discussing a project—are written by AI, then we're heading for piles and piles of machine-written missives that lack any kind of nuance or personal touch. Imagine a group email chain where every response sounds the same, irrespective of who sent it. Even if I'm writing a simple "no thanks" email, if I'm communicating with another human being, I'm of the opinion that they deserve a response that has come straight from me. This is more of a principled stance than anything else, but I'm sticking with it. AI writes a lot of generic slop An AI email that sounds like a lot of other AI emails. Credit: Lifehacker Get AI to write a thank you note to someone who hosted an event you recently attended, for example, and you're going to get a rather generic spiel that's the averaging out of countless other thank you notes. It's going to be bland, impersonal, and forgettable. I can see the temptation to use AI to compose an important email—applying for a job, maybe, or appealing against a company decision—but your message is likely to end up reading like the algorithm-processed, mass-produced text that it is. You're going to sound like everyone else, basically (see the previous point). You could get AI to do a draft and then edit it, but if I started down this path, I could see myself making fewer and fewer edits to my messages, out of laziness or habit. I don't trust AI to get the details rightAI still makes lots of mistakes, though the chatbot developers don't tend to mention them much. If you're drafting an email about a new project pitch, a family get-together, a customer inquiry or whatever it is, there's no guarantee that an AI will get all the details right. The more important the content of the email, the more important this becomes. The companies pushing AI-driven emails seem to be of the opinion that we can all be chasing business leads, organizing colleagues, and expressing heartfelt feelings over email with the help of AI, but I'm not convinced. People make mistakes as well, but I'd rather trust myself than a black box of algorithms that aren't even fully understood by the developers who code them. Does AI know the people I'm emailing, and the specific details they need? Of course not. AI talking to AI is not a future I want We may not even need to click "send" in the future. Credit: Lifehacker To paraphrase George Orwell, if you want a picture of the future, imagine your AI sending thousands of emails a minute to everyone else's AIs, forever. At what point do we abdicate responsibility completely to chatbots, and just let them get on with it? I don't even want to take a single step towards that. Right now, not even the most enthusiastic AI fans are suggesting that we start sending AI-written emails out into the ether without checking and editing them first, but isn't that the obvious next step? I can almost see the Google I/O on-stage presentation now—get Gemini to handle everything, for the ultimate productivity boost. Preliminary studies already show that we forget almost everything we write using AI, which has worrying implications if we're sending out important information that needs to be recalled later. It's not a future I'm going to be signing up for, no matter how insistent the AI prompts get. View the full article

The countdown is on for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The torch relay is already underway and some of the top athletes are already making headlines. There are 16 sports in all, including some never seen before, and 116 gold medals are waiting to be awarded when competition begins in less than a month. This will be the most spread-out Winter Games in history: The two primary competition sites are the city of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the winter resort in the Dolomites that is more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) away by road. Athletes also will compete in three other mountain clusters besides Cortina, while the closing ceremony will be in Verona, 160 km (100 miles) east of Milan. Get ready for all of the events with this guide of things to know! Key dates to know Competition runs Feb. 4-22. Here are some of the big days to mark on your calendar: Feb. 4: Competition begins (curling). Feb. 6: Opening ceremony. Feb. 7: First gold medal events. Feb. 8: Gold medal, women’s Alpine skiing downhill. Feb. 13: Gold medal, men’s figure skating. Feb. 18: Gold medal, women’s Alpine skiing slalom. Feb. 19: Gold medal, women’s figure skating. Gold medal game, women’s ice hockey. First gold medals in ski mountaineering, a new Olympic sport. Feb. 22: Gold medal game, men’s ice hockey. Closing ceremony. How to watch Dozens of countries will stream or air each day’s events, with some delaying broadcasts until primetime depending on the time zone. That will be the case in the U.S., where Eastern time is six hours behind Milan and Cortina. NBC will carry showcase events at night while streaming sports on Peacock. Top storylines Athletes to watch: Two of the most decorated Alpine skiers in history, 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, opened the World Cup season in dominant form, raising American hopes of a golden run in Cortina. Eileen Gu is back in freestyle skiing, as is Chloe Kim in snowboarding. NHL players are back on Olympic ice for the first time since 2014 so watch for the likes of Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. Venues: All eyes are on the hockey arenas in Milan, which were still under construction in December; the main rink will be about 3 feet shorter than NHL and PWHL players are used to. And the athletes’ village in Cortina is a set of more than 350 mobile homes. Russian athletes: Some sports federations are deciding whether to let Russians compete as neutral athletes but only after they are cleared by an independent review to ensure that they have not publicly supported the war in Ukraine and are not affiliated with Russia’s military or other forces. What’s new: Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut while skeleton has added a mixed team event, luge has added women’s doubles and large hill ski jumping added women’s and men’s super team events. AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics —Associated Press View the full article

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is often referred to as "the most powerful tech event in the world," bringing together tech companies from around the globe to unveil their latest innovations. The massive event is held across various locations, including the Las Vegas Convention Center, The Venetian, Mandalay Bay, and The Sphere, and is a staple event for both companies vying for recognition and media outlets that cover them. One day into "Unveiled," the media-only prelude to the trade show, I landed on what might be my mantra for my CES 2026 experience. "Cool, if true," Associate Tech Editor Michelle Ehrhardt had said about a new product booth, summarizing how I felt about the conference as a whole. Since arriving in Las Vegas on Saturday as a skeptical first-time attendee, I have seen cancer-detecting scanners, smart irrigation systems, and more assistive robots than I can count. I have also rolled my eyes at tech-enabled shoe insoles, smart-companion teddy bears, and AI-powered dog leashes. But I have also seen more grounded tech that lives just at the edge of where science fiction and practicality meet: walk-assisting exoskeletons, smart helmets with fall detection and one-touch SOS commands, and assistive mobility tech that can convert any standard wheelchair into an electric one. In short, CES is both chock-full of BS and a glimpse into the future of clever, helpful, and groundbreaking tech. Tech Editor Jake Peterson, Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki, Associate Tech Editor Michelle Ehrhardt, and I will be on the ground at CES throughout the week, covering the biggest, coolest, and weirdest tech we can find. We'll also join CNET, PCMag, and others in awarding the Best of CES 2026 awards for a second year in a row. Follow us here and on social media to see what it's like to be at the world's biggest technology trade show, and share with us your thoughts, questions, and what you'd like to see. There's a lot more cool tech to come. If true, of course. -Jordan Calhoun, Editor in Chief View the full article

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Remember when link building was all the rage in SEO? While it never disappeared, its role evolved as Google introduced clearer guidelines and placed greater emphasis on quality, relevance, and intent. Today, as AI search reshapes the organic landscape, link building has shifted into a closely related – and increasingly prioritized – initiative: brand mentions. You might think of brand mentions as “citations,” but in the context of AI search, citations describe how brands are referenced by LLMs. Brand mentions are the input that leads to those citations. To avoid confusion, this article uses brand mentions to describe the tactic itself. Beyond their role as a leading – if not the leading – factor influencing AI search citations, brand mentions are also gaining weight in traditional SEO algorithms. To build durable organic visibility for your brand or clients, brand mentions should be a priority in 2026. Let’s break down what that looks like in practice. How and why to prioritize brand mentions Brand mentions have moved from a nice-to-have tactic to core infrastructure in an AI search environment. LLMs look beyond links, so this is not a return to the backlink strategies that once dominated SEO. Instead, they evaluate mentions, context, and repeated co-occurrence between your brand and the topics you want to rank for. Brand mentions are part of the ranking moat. They compound over time, and they matter even more when competitors are not investing in the same signals. From a prioritization standpoint, brand mentions should come: Right after technical and content fundamentals are in place, including crawlability, structured data, and on-page clarity. Before heavy long-form expansion or content produced for its own sake. You can publish 200 articles, but without a citation footprint, LLMs have little reason to surface them. Dig deeper: In GEO, brand mentions do what links alone can’t How to find high-priority brand mention opportunities Like backlinks, brand mentions vary widely in influence depending on their source. At my agency, we look beyond standard SEO tools to identify high-priority opportunities, including: Using Profound to surface existing brand mentions tied to prompt topics that matter. Reviewing the links that appear in AI Overviews for key SEO queries. Examining Reddit threads ranking on Page 1 to see which entities show up most often for important keywords. In AI Overviews, you can find links to source articles by clicking the chain-link icon shown here: Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. How to drive passive brand mentions Passive brand mentions occur when something you produce fills a gap in the broader information ecosystem. The goal is to make your brand the easiest source to reference. They are earned by creating referenceable assets, not just content. Examples include: Original data or insights: Think mini research drops, annual reports, or proprietary trends. These stand out from the generic web, and LLMs are effective at finding and citing them even when overall citation volume is limited. Highly scannable definition or explainer pages: When a brand becomes the canonical definition of a concept, it is cited disproportionately. The objective is to become the primary source, as I’ve been saying for a while now. Useful tools, templates, or calculators: These encourage habitual linking from blogs, forums, and communities, helping brands surface broadly for relevant queries. Active participation on visible platforms, including Reddit and industry forums, approached as a knowledgeable contributor rather than a brand billboard. These discussions are scraped and can surface in LLM training data. Dig deeper: A smarter Reddit strategy for organic and AI search visibility How to actively solicit brand mentions The most effective outreach for earning brand mentions is relationship-driven and anchored in information value. Key guidelines include: Lead with the asset, not the ask: For example: “We published new proprietary data on [X] and thought it might support your upcoming coverage.” Use narrative relevance, not conditional relevance: Pitch journalists and creators who have recently covered the topic, not those who might someday. Deliver a clear angle: Providing a ready-made hook, such as a specific data comparison, significantly increases the likelihood of brand inclusion. Blend outreach with thought leadership: Podcasts, community AMAs, expert panels, and webinars increase surface area for discovery and research. Follow up with new value, not reminders: If there is nothing new to add, wait until there is. The long-term objective is to build an outreach engine by developing relationships with writers and personalities who are more likely to reference your brand in future work. In some cases, there is added value when those relationships extend into content collaboration. When to bring on a PR resource Beyond budget considerations, PR support is most effective for building brand mention momentum when: A strong story or data engine exists, but distribution is limited. Brand mentions need to scale quickly, such as for fundraising, major launches, or highly competitive categories. Internal teams are not structured for ongoing media relationship management. Credibility from tier-one sources, such as The Wall Street Journal or TechCrunch, is needed to strengthen perceived authority in LLM evaluations. The category is reputation-driven, where trust and authority directly affect rankings. Health, finance, legal, property management, and AI fall into this group. If technical SEO fundamentals are still unresolved or reference-worthy assets are not yet in place, PR is premature. When a brand is ready to function as a source, PR accelerates the signal flywheel. Dig deeper: How to build search visibility before demand exists Building brand mentions that compound across search engines and LLMs Many of the long-standing lessons from link building still apply. Avoid low-quality publications, and do not confuse volume with impact. With a prioritized source list and a disciplined approach, brands can: Earn more mentions. Increase AI search citations. See meaningful improvements in search rankings. View the full article

If you’ve been noticing that cobalt-hued water bottles have started to pop up everywhere you’re not alone. The water has recently made an appearance on shelves at major retailers including Whole Foods and 7-Eleven, starred in viral social media videos created by fitness influencer Ashton Hall, adorned on tables at the Golden Globes, and beginning this week, will star in a fresh new advertising campaign featuring WNBA point guard Skylar Diggins. All of these marketing efforts represent a more expansive pitch by Saratoga Spring Water that the brand’s premium-priced water isn’t just for fine dining– which has been the brand’s core focus for the past several years — it’s for everyone. From fine dining to cultural signal “We have an opportunity to speak to a lot more people than I think we thought we did,” says Kheri Tillman, chief marketing officer of Saratoga’s parent company Primo Brands, in an interview with Fast Company. “Consumers love the blue bottle and want to engage with it in many different places, as opposed to just fine dining. It’s a bit of an affordable luxury.” Saratoga’s total points of distribution has swelled by 69% during the first 11 months of 2025 compared with the prior-year period, the brand told Fast Company, citing data from market researcher Circana. While partnerships with Michelin-starred chefs like Buddha Lo are still important, Saratoga felt it had room to stretch to a wider audience and has done so through a pop-up speakeasy at a 7-Eleven in Los Angeles held in November, a brand partnership with BMX star Nigel Sylvester, and water-food pairings at fancy restaurants developed with water sommelier Martin Riese. “It creates, dare I use a water pun, fluidity between the partners,” says Christi Lazar, head of The Lab, the in-house creative agency at Primo Brands that vets external partnerships. She says the throughline through each of these relationships is a connection to water that feels as authentic as possible. A new face for a broader audience The brand’s next big new moment is an ad campaign starring Diggins, which debuts on January 5 just days before the Golden Globes, an event that Saratoga sponsors as its “official water.” The ad spot will run across broadcast television; Instagram, TikTok and other paid social channels; and print titles including paid social channels including Instagram and TikTok, and print titles including Vogue and Travel + Leisure. “Skylar was really interesting, because she was this great mashup of super high-end, with a great look that you would expect from Saratoga, but then also just this every day work, hard grit that you would need to be to be a professional athlete, as well as a mother,” says Tillman. Diggins tells Fast Company that the campaign is a good fit for her own brand because “obviously, as an athlete, hydration is extremely important.” But, she adds that the campaign, which ends with Diggins appearing in front of flashing paparazzi cameras on a blue—not red—carpet appearance, represented her life off the court that’s “more style, elegance, and how I like to dress.” Letting virality do the work The viral moment with Hall skewed more male. Tillman says that Saratoga opted to allow that cultural moment to play out without any interference from the brand. “You can’t plan a viral moment, but what you can do is make your brand relevant enough, to certain people, to make them want to have it by their side,” says Tillman. Primo Brands says it grew the company’s audience on Instagram by 77% in 2025. Primo Brands is a relatively new entity, formed late in 2024 through the combination of Primo Waters, whose brands included Mountain Valley and Crystal Springs, and BlueTriton, the water purveyor of Saratoga, Deer Park, and Poland Spring. The combined company now sells one out of every four plain water bottles in the U.S., according to beverage industry publication Beverage Digest, easily making Primo Brands the most dominant seller of branded plain bottled water. Private label plain bottle water accounts for 62% of the market, while soda giants Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Keurig Dr Pepper are all in the single-digits, Beverage Digest’s data shows. Premium water’s crowded next chapter Duane Stanford, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest, tells Fast Company that premium-priced water brands like Saratoga and Smartwater have reported growth that’s outpaced the total plain bottled water industry, which in total reported a volume increase of 27% over the past decade through 2024. Saratoga, he says, elevated the brand’s positioning through a focus on distribution to fine dining restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality channels. “They made a conscious effort to do a lot more with that brand and premiumize it and take advantage of that blue bottle,” adds Stanford. Primo Brands says that the company’s premium portfolio, which includes Saratoga and The Mountain Valley Spring Water, posted a 126% increase in retail sales for the first 11 months of 2025 versus the same period a year ago, citing retail scan data from Circana. But the category is competitive and rival brands have also rolled out major ad campaigns in 2025. Coca-Cola’s Smartwater reunited with pitchwoman Jennifer Aniston for a new campaign as macroeconomic pressures have dampened some demand for pricy water. Around the same time, rival Sanpellegrino, which is owned by Nestle, debuted an ad spot with “The Sopranos” stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa. Primo Brands has also leaned on celebrities for its advertising, including the Saratoga-Diggins spot and an advertising campaign starring “Perfect Pitch” actresses Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson to promote the Splash Refresher brand. Tillman says it is key for Primo Brands to differentiate the marketing strategy for the glass adorned Saratoga and Mountain Valley from the regional water brands like Poland Spring and Deer Park, a portfolio of six names that focus on more hyperlocalized marketing and particularly leverage a sponsorship with Major League Baseball. Some of those brands are big sellers—Poland Springs is a billion dollar brand that’s only sold in six states—but, “the intention is to keep them regional,” says Tillman. Saratoga’s fine dining efforts are also continuing through the work the brand does with Riese, a German-born water expert who created his first menu to explain regional variations and flavor in his home country in 2005. “When it comes to water, our most important beverage on this planet, we’re treating it as a commodity,” Riese tells Fast Company. He works with restaurants like Gwen, the Los Angeles Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Curtis Stone, to cultivate a water menu with selections from nine different countries, including Fiji from the Fiji Islands and France’s Evian. Saratoga’s sparking water has enough fizz that it can be enjoyed with appetizers as a champagne replacement, says Riese, who works with Primo Brands as a paid partner. “I don’t see water as hydration,” says Riese. “And I think, especially here in America, a lot of people don’t understand and don’t know it yet, that there’s an epicurean side to water.” View the full article

President Donald The President’s plan to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry and ask American companies to revitalize it after capturing President Nicolás Maduro in a raid isn’t likely to have a significant immediate impact on oil prices. Venezuela’s oil industry is in disrepair after years of neglect and international sanctions, so it could take years and major investments before production can increase dramatically. But some analysts are optimistic that Venezuela could double or triple its current output of about 1.1 million barrels of oil a day to return to historic levels fairly quickly. “While many are reporting Venezuela’s oil infrastructure was unharmed by U.S. military actions, it has been decaying for many many years and will take time to rebuild,” said Patrick De Haan, who is the lead petroleum analyst at gasoline price tracker GasBuddy. American oil companies will want a stable regime in the country before they are willing to invest heavily, and the political picture remained uncertain Saturday with The President saying that the United States is in charge — while the current Venezuelan vice president argued, before Venezuela’s high court ordered her to assume the role of interim president, that Maduro should be restored to power. “But if it seems like the U.S. is successful in running the country for the next 24 hours, I would say there would be a lot of optimism that U.S. energy companies could come in and revitalize the Venezuelan oil industry fairly quickly,” said Phil Flynn, a senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group. And if Venezuela can grow into an oil production powerhouse, Flynn said “that could cement lower prices for the longer term” and put more pressure on Russia. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, The President said oil companies are “going to go in and rebuild this system.” A major shift in oil prices wasn’t expected because Venezuela is a member of OPEC, so its production is already accounted for there. And there is currently a surplus of oil on the global market. The price of U.S. crude oil lost 23 cents early Monday to $57.09 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, gave up 18 cents to $60.57 per barrel. Proven reserves Venezuela is known to have the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves of approximately 303 billion barrels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That accounts for roughly 17% of all global oil reserves. So international oil companies have reason to be interested in Venezuela. Exxon Mobil didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. ConocoPhillips spokesperson Dennis Nuss said by email that the company “is monitoring developments in Venezuela and their potential implications for global energy supply and stability. It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments.” Chevron is the only one with significant operations in Venezuela, where it produces about 250,000 barrels a day. Chevron, which first invested in Venezuela in the 1920s, does business in the country through joint ventures with the state-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., commonly known as PDVSA. “Chevron remains focused on the safety and wellbeing of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets. We continue to operate in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations,” Chevron spokesman Bill Turenne said. But even with those massive reserves, Venezuela has been producing less than 1% of the world’s crude oil supply. Corruption, mismanagement and U.S. economic sanctions saw production steadily decline from the 3.5 million barrels per day pumped in 1999 to today’s levels. The problem isn’t finding the oil. It’s a question of the political environment and whether companies can count on the government to live up to their contracts. Back in 2007, then President Hugo Chávez nationalized much of the oil production and forced major players like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips out. “The issue is not just that the infrastructure is in bad shape, but it’s mostly about how do you get foreign companies to start pouring money in before they have a clear perspective on the political stability, the contract situation and the like,” said Francisco Monaldi, who is the director of the Latin American energy program at Rice University. But the infrastructure does need significant investment. “The estimate is that in order for Venezuela to increase from one million barrels per day — that is what it produces today — to four million barrels, it will take about a decade and about a hundred billion dollars of investment,” Monaldi said. Strong demand Venezuela produces the kind of heavy crude oil that’s needed for diesel fuel, asphalt and other fuels for heavy equipment. Diesel is in short supply around the world because of the sanctions on oil from Venezuela and Russia and because America’s lighter crude oil can’t easily replace it. Years ago, American refineries on the Gulf Coast were optimized to handle that kind of heavy crude at a time when U.S. oil production was falling and Venezuelan and Mexican crude was plentiful. So refineries would love to have more access to Venezuela’s crude because it would help them operate more efficiently, and it tends to be a little cheaper. Boosting Venezuelan production could also make it easier to put pressure on Russia because Europe and the rest of the world could get more of the diesel and heavy oil they need from Venezuela and stop buying from Russia. “There’s been a big benefit for Russia to see Venezuela’s oil industry collapse. And the reason is because they were a competitor on the global stage for that oil market,” Flynn said. Complicated legal picture But Matthew Waxman, a Columbia University law professor who was a national security official in the George W. Bush administration, said seizing control of Venezuela’s resources opens up additional legal issues. “For example, a big issue will be who really owns Venezuela’s oil?” Waxman wrote in an email. “An occupying military power can’t enrich itself by taking another state’s resources, but the The President administration will probably claim that the Venezuelan government never rightfully held them.” But Waxman, who served in the State and Defense departments and on the National Security Council under Bush, noted that “we’ve seen the administration talk very dismissively about international law when it comes to Venezuela.” Associated Press writers Matt O’Brien, Ben Finley, Darlene Superville and Rio Yamat contributed to this report. —Josh Funk, AP Business Writer View the full article

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The state of incorporation is where your business is legally established, and it greatly impacts operational aspects like corporate laws, taxes, and compliance duties. Choosing the right state can influence your company’s success and long-term expenses. States like Delaware and Nevada are well-known for their business-friendly environments. Comprehending these factors is essential for making an informed decision, as the implications extend beyond just registration. So, how do you determine the best state for your business? Key Takeaways The state of incorporation is where a business is legally established, impacting its legal framework and operational regulations. Incorporation state influences tax obligations, with states like Delaware and Nevada offering favorable tax conditions. Corporate laws and compliance requirements vary by state, affecting annual fees and operational complexities. Delaware is popular for its flexible corporate laws and specialized court system, beneficial for larger businesses. Choosing the right state can lead to strategic advantages and long-term business success based on legal protections and costs. Definition and Importance of State of Incorporation The state of incorporation refers to the specific U.S. state where a business is legally established, and it plays a crucial role in shaping how that business operates. Fundamentally, the state of incorporation meaning encompasses the legal framework that governs your business, affecting corporate laws, operational regulations, and compliance requirements. Your choice of incorporation state influences tax obligations, legal protections, and operational costs, directly impacting your business’s success. For instance, Delaware is a favored state owing to its flexible corporate laws and specialized court system for resolving disputes. Selecting the Right State for Incorporation When you’re deciding where to incorporate your business, it’s essential to weigh various factors that can impact your operations and profitability. Here are three key considerations: State Taxation Laws: States like Nevada and Delaware offer no state corporate income tax for certain entities, which can improve your bottom line. Compliance Obligations: Incorporating in a foreign state may lead to additional annual fees and registration requirements in your home state, so consider the long-term costs. Corporate Environment: Delaware is popular for its flexible corporate laws and specialized Court of Chancery, making it appealing for larger businesses seeking investment. Evaluating these factors can help you choose the best state for your business incorporation, balancing benefits against potential costs. Legal and Strategic Considerations When you choose a state for incorporation, you’re not just picking a location; you’re establishing the legal framework that governs your business. This includes comprehending corporate governance rules, which dictate relationships among shareholders, directors, and officers, in addition to compliance obligations that can vary widely. Being aware of these factors is key to making informed strategic decisions that can affect your company’s long-term success. Legal Framework Overview Incorporating a business requires careful consideration of the legal framework that governs its operations, as this choice directly affects corporate governance, shareholder rights, and fiduciary duties. The state of incorporation shapes your company’s legal environment, influencing essential aspects such as: Regulatory Compliance: You must adhere to the laws of your chosen state, which can vary considerably. Operational Efficiency: States like Delaware and Nevada offer flexible corporate laws, simplifying management structures and reducing regulatory burdens. Legal Protections: The Internal Affairs Doctrine guarantees consistent governance by the laws of your incorporation state, no matter where you operate. Choosing the right state is vital for your business strategy, impacting not just your operational costs but also your overall legal protections and tax obligations. Corporate Governance Rules Corporate governance rules play a pivotal role in shaping how a corporation operates and interacts with its shareholders and stakeholders. The state of incorporation determines the legal framework governing these rules, including shareholder rights and fiduciary duties. Different states have various default rules that can affect your business objectives, making the choice of incorporation state vital. Delaware is often favored for its strong corporate laws and specialized Court of Chancery, which offers a predictable legal environment. The internal affairs doctrine states that a corporation is governed by the laws of its incorporation state, regardless of where it operates. Furthermore, organizational documents like bylaws allow for customization of governance, providing flexibility to meet specific needs. Compliance Obligations Explained Grasping compliance obligations is vital for any business, as these responsibilities arise directly from the state of incorporation and can influence your company’s operational strategy. Comprehending these obligations helps you avoid penalties and maintain a good standing. Here are three key compliance considerations: State Laws: You must adhere to the specific laws of your incorporation state, including filing annual reports. Foreign Registration: If you operate in a different state, you’ll need to register as a foreign entity, which adds costs and obligations. Internal Affairs Doctrine: This principle reinforces that your corporation is governed by the laws where it’s incorporated, making it important to know and follow those regulations for effective governance. Popular States for Incorporation When you’re considering where to incorporate your business, Delaware often stands out because of its business-friendly laws and specialized court system that handles corporate disputes efficiently. Nevada similarly attracts many entrepreneurs with its lack of state corporate income tax and no residency requirements for shareholders or directors. Each state has unique advantages, so it’s vital to weigh these factors based on your business needs and goals. Delaware Corporate Advantages Delaware stands out as a top choice for incorporation due to its business-friendly environment and legal framework. Many entrepreneurs find distinct advantages here, making it a popular option. Consider these key benefits: Flexible Corporate Structure: You can have a single individual serve as officer, director, and shareholder, simplifying governance. Court of Chancery: This specialized court handles business disputes effectively, providing a reliable legal environment. Low Franchise Tax: Delaware’s franchise tax rates start as low as $175 for small corporations, making it financially attractive. With over 1.5 million business entities incorporated, including more than 60% of Fortune 500 companies, Delaware’s reputation as a premier incorporation state is well-established, offering a compelling choice for your business needs. Nevada Tax Benefits If you’re looking for a state that offers significant tax benefits for incorporation, Nevada deserves your attention. The state doesn’t impose a corporate income tax, which means you can minimize your tax liabilities effectively. In addition, Nevada has no franchise tax, allowing your business to keep more earnings without added state taxation. With low filing fees, typically around $75, incorporating in California or Texas can be more cost-effective than in states like California or Texas. Moreover, Nevada’s business-friendly environment includes strong privacy protections, as it doesn’t require shareholder identities to be disclosed in public filings. You’ll also benefit from a streamlined incorporation process, with online filing options and quick processing times, enhancing your efficiency as a new business owner. State-Specific Considerations Choosing the right state for incorporation can considerably impact your business’s future, as each state offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here are three popular states for incorporation: Delaware: Known for its business-friendly laws and efficient court system, Delaware has no state corporate income tax for companies not operating within the state. Nevada: With no corporate income tax or franchise tax and minimal reporting requirements, Nevada is a cost-effective choice for many entrepreneurs. California: In spite of higher fees around $150, California attracts businesses owing to its vast market potential and strong economy, particularly in tech and entertainment. Each state has unique requirements and fees that can influence your decision based on your business’s operational needs and financial implications. IRS Classification and Compliance Requirements When you form a corporation, it’s important to understand that the IRS automatically classifies it as a C corporation, except you take action to elect S corporation status by filing IRS Form 2553. Compliance with federal tax obligations is significant, requiring you to file annual tax returns and maintain proper accounting records. Each state likewise has its own compliance requirements, including annual report filings and franchise taxes. Compliance Type Requirements Federal Compliance File annual tax returns, maintain records State Compliance Annual report filings, franchise taxes Consequences of Non-Compliance Penalties, fines, or dissolution Keeping up with both federal and state obligations is crucial to avoid legal complications and guarantee operational legitimacy. Factors for Choosing a Formation State Selecting the right state for incorporation can considerably impact your business’s long-term success and operational efficiency. When deciding, consider these key factors: Cost of Formation: Different states have varying formation and post-formation fees, which can affect your budget. State Taxation Laws: Assess corporate income tax and franchise tax requirements, as these can directly influence your profitability and cash flow. Compliance Provisions: Each state has unique compliance requirements that may impose operational constraints on your business. States like Delaware and Nevada are popular because of flexible corporate laws and no state income tax. Evaluating your projected revenue alongside state income tax implications is vital to determine the most advantageous state for your business incorporation. Frequently Asked Questions Why Does the State of Incorporation Matter? The state of incorporation matters as it shapes your business’s legal environment. It determines governance rules, compliance requirements, and taxation, which can impact your operations and profitability. For instance, incorporating in states like Delaware or Nevada offers favorable laws and tax benefits, attracting investors who seek stability. Your choice influences how easily you can raise capital and align your business strategies with applicable legal frameworks, in the end affecting your company’s success. What Is Incorporation and Why Is It Important? Incorporation is the legal process that establishes your business as a separate entity from its owners, offering limited liability protection. This means you’re only responsible for the company’s debts up to your investment amount. Incorporation is important since it improves credibility, simplifies ownership transfer, and can provide tax benefits. Nonetheless, it additionally requires compliance with state regulations and formal governance structures, which can complicate operations but ultimately safeguard your interests. What Is the State of Incorporation Mean? The state of incorporation refers to the specific U.S. state where your business is legally registered. This choice affects various aspects of your operations, including tax obligations, legal protections, and compliance requirements. Different states offer unique corporate laws; for instance, Delaware is popular for its business-friendly regulations. Your incorporation state dictates governance rules, shareholder rights, and fiduciary duties, which can align with or contradict your business goals, making this decision essential for your strategy. Why Does It Matter Where a Company Is Incorporated? Where a company is incorporated matters due to it influencing its legal framework, tax obligations, and compliance requirements. Different states have varying corporate laws, which can affect governance and shareholder rights. For instance, incorporating in states like Delaware or Nevada may offer advantages such as lower taxes and specialized courts. Furthermore, incorporating in your home state simplifies operations, avoiding the intricacies and costs of foreign qualification when doing business in other states. Conclusion Incorporating your business in the right state is essential for its success and operational efficiency. The choice affects legal obligations, tax liabilities, and compliance requirements. By comprehending the specific advantages and disadvantages of different states, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals. Whether you opt for a state like Delaware for its favorable laws or another state that meets your needs, this choice will influence your company’s long-term viability and growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is the State of Incorporation and Why Does It Matter?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The state of incorporation is where your business is legally established, and it greatly impacts operational aspects like corporate laws, taxes, and compliance duties. Choosing the right state can influence your company’s success and long-term expenses. States like Delaware and Nevada are well-known for their business-friendly environments. Comprehending these factors is essential for making an informed decision, as the implications extend beyond just registration. So, how do you determine the best state for your business? Key Takeaways The state of incorporation is where a business is legally established, impacting its legal framework and operational regulations. Incorporation state influences tax obligations, with states like Delaware and Nevada offering favorable tax conditions. Corporate laws and compliance requirements vary by state, affecting annual fees and operational complexities. Delaware is popular for its flexible corporate laws and specialized court system, beneficial for larger businesses. Choosing the right state can lead to strategic advantages and long-term business success based on legal protections and costs. Definition and Importance of State of Incorporation The state of incorporation refers to the specific U.S. state where a business is legally established, and it plays a crucial role in shaping how that business operates. Fundamentally, the state of incorporation meaning encompasses the legal framework that governs your business, affecting corporate laws, operational regulations, and compliance requirements. Your choice of incorporation state influences tax obligations, legal protections, and operational costs, directly impacting your business’s success. For instance, Delaware is a favored state owing to its flexible corporate laws and specialized court system for resolving disputes. Selecting the Right State for Incorporation When you’re deciding where to incorporate your business, it’s essential to weigh various factors that can impact your operations and profitability. Here are three key considerations: State Taxation Laws: States like Nevada and Delaware offer no state corporate income tax for certain entities, which can improve your bottom line. Compliance Obligations: Incorporating in a foreign state may lead to additional annual fees and registration requirements in your home state, so consider the long-term costs. Corporate Environment: Delaware is popular for its flexible corporate laws and specialized Court of Chancery, making it appealing for larger businesses seeking investment. Evaluating these factors can help you choose the best state for your business incorporation, balancing benefits against potential costs. Legal and Strategic Considerations When you choose a state for incorporation, you’re not just picking a location; you’re establishing the legal framework that governs your business. This includes comprehending corporate governance rules, which dictate relationships among shareholders, directors, and officers, in addition to compliance obligations that can vary widely. Being aware of these factors is key to making informed strategic decisions that can affect your company’s long-term success. Legal Framework Overview Incorporating a business requires careful consideration of the legal framework that governs its operations, as this choice directly affects corporate governance, shareholder rights, and fiduciary duties. The state of incorporation shapes your company’s legal environment, influencing essential aspects such as: Regulatory Compliance: You must adhere to the laws of your chosen state, which can vary considerably. Operational Efficiency: States like Delaware and Nevada offer flexible corporate laws, simplifying management structures and reducing regulatory burdens. Legal Protections: The Internal Affairs Doctrine guarantees consistent governance by the laws of your incorporation state, no matter where you operate. Choosing the right state is vital for your business strategy, impacting not just your operational costs but also your overall legal protections and tax obligations. Corporate Governance Rules Corporate governance rules play a pivotal role in shaping how a corporation operates and interacts with its shareholders and stakeholders. The state of incorporation determines the legal framework governing these rules, including shareholder rights and fiduciary duties. Different states have various default rules that can affect your business objectives, making the choice of incorporation state vital. Delaware is often favored for its strong corporate laws and specialized Court of Chancery, which offers a predictable legal environment. The internal affairs doctrine states that a corporation is governed by the laws of its incorporation state, regardless of where it operates. Furthermore, organizational documents like bylaws allow for customization of governance, providing flexibility to meet specific needs. Compliance Obligations Explained Grasping compliance obligations is vital for any business, as these responsibilities arise directly from the state of incorporation and can influence your company’s operational strategy. Comprehending these obligations helps you avoid penalties and maintain a good standing. Here are three key compliance considerations: State Laws: You must adhere to the specific laws of your incorporation state, including filing annual reports. Foreign Registration: If you operate in a different state, you’ll need to register as a foreign entity, which adds costs and obligations. Internal Affairs Doctrine: This principle reinforces that your corporation is governed by the laws where it’s incorporated, making it important to know and follow those regulations for effective governance. Popular States for Incorporation When you’re considering where to incorporate your business, Delaware often stands out because of its business-friendly laws and specialized court system that handles corporate disputes efficiently. Nevada similarly attracts many entrepreneurs with its lack of state corporate income tax and no residency requirements for shareholders or directors. Each state has unique advantages, so it’s vital to weigh these factors based on your business needs and goals. Delaware Corporate Advantages Delaware stands out as a top choice for incorporation due to its business-friendly environment and legal framework. Many entrepreneurs find distinct advantages here, making it a popular option. Consider these key benefits: Flexible Corporate Structure: You can have a single individual serve as officer, director, and shareholder, simplifying governance. Court of Chancery: This specialized court handles business disputes effectively, providing a reliable legal environment. Low Franchise Tax: Delaware’s franchise tax rates start as low as $175 for small corporations, making it financially attractive. With over 1.5 million business entities incorporated, including more than 60% of Fortune 500 companies, Delaware’s reputation as a premier incorporation state is well-established, offering a compelling choice for your business needs. Nevada Tax Benefits If you’re looking for a state that offers significant tax benefits for incorporation, Nevada deserves your attention. The state doesn’t impose a corporate income tax, which means you can minimize your tax liabilities effectively. In addition, Nevada has no franchise tax, allowing your business to keep more earnings without added state taxation. With low filing fees, typically around $75, incorporating in California or Texas can be more cost-effective than in states like California or Texas. Moreover, Nevada’s business-friendly environment includes strong privacy protections, as it doesn’t require shareholder identities to be disclosed in public filings. You’ll also benefit from a streamlined incorporation process, with online filing options and quick processing times, enhancing your efficiency as a new business owner. State-Specific Considerations Choosing the right state for incorporation can considerably impact your business’s future, as each state offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here are three popular states for incorporation: Delaware: Known for its business-friendly laws and efficient court system, Delaware has no state corporate income tax for companies not operating within the state. Nevada: With no corporate income tax or franchise tax and minimal reporting requirements, Nevada is a cost-effective choice for many entrepreneurs. California: In spite of higher fees around $150, California attracts businesses owing to its vast market potential and strong economy, particularly in tech and entertainment. Each state has unique requirements and fees that can influence your decision based on your business’s operational needs and financial implications. IRS Classification and Compliance Requirements When you form a corporation, it’s important to understand that the IRS automatically classifies it as a C corporation, except you take action to elect S corporation status by filing IRS Form 2553. Compliance with federal tax obligations is significant, requiring you to file annual tax returns and maintain proper accounting records. Each state likewise has its own compliance requirements, including annual report filings and franchise taxes. Compliance Type Requirements Federal Compliance File annual tax returns, maintain records State Compliance Annual report filings, franchise taxes Consequences of Non-Compliance Penalties, fines, or dissolution Keeping up with both federal and state obligations is crucial to avoid legal complications and guarantee operational legitimacy. Factors for Choosing a Formation State Selecting the right state for incorporation can considerably impact your business’s long-term success and operational efficiency. When deciding, consider these key factors: Cost of Formation: Different states have varying formation and post-formation fees, which can affect your budget. State Taxation Laws: Assess corporate income tax and franchise tax requirements, as these can directly influence your profitability and cash flow. Compliance Provisions: Each state has unique compliance requirements that may impose operational constraints on your business. States like Delaware and Nevada are popular because of flexible corporate laws and no state income tax. Evaluating your projected revenue alongside state income tax implications is vital to determine the most advantageous state for your business incorporation. Frequently Asked Questions Why Does the State of Incorporation Matter? The state of incorporation matters as it shapes your business’s legal environment. It determines governance rules, compliance requirements, and taxation, which can impact your operations and profitability. For instance, incorporating in states like Delaware or Nevada offers favorable laws and tax benefits, attracting investors who seek stability. Your choice influences how easily you can raise capital and align your business strategies with applicable legal frameworks, in the end affecting your company’s success. What Is Incorporation and Why Is It Important? Incorporation is the legal process that establishes your business as a separate entity from its owners, offering limited liability protection. This means you’re only responsible for the company’s debts up to your investment amount. Incorporation is important since it improves credibility, simplifies ownership transfer, and can provide tax benefits. Nonetheless, it additionally requires compliance with state regulations and formal governance structures, which can complicate operations but ultimately safeguard your interests. What Is the State of Incorporation Mean? The state of incorporation refers to the specific U.S. state where your business is legally registered. This choice affects various aspects of your operations, including tax obligations, legal protections, and compliance requirements. Different states offer unique corporate laws; for instance, Delaware is popular for its business-friendly regulations. Your incorporation state dictates governance rules, shareholder rights, and fiduciary duties, which can align with or contradict your business goals, making this decision essential for your strategy. Why Does It Matter Where a Company Is Incorporated? Where a company is incorporated matters due to it influencing its legal framework, tax obligations, and compliance requirements. Different states have varying corporate laws, which can affect governance and shareholder rights. For instance, incorporating in states like Delaware or Nevada may offer advantages such as lower taxes and specialized courts. Furthermore, incorporating in your home state simplifies operations, avoiding the intricacies and costs of foreign qualification when doing business in other states. Conclusion Incorporating your business in the right state is essential for its success and operational efficiency. The choice affects legal obligations, tax liabilities, and compliance requirements. By comprehending the specific advantages and disadvantages of different states, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals. Whether you opt for a state like Delaware for its favorable laws or another state that meets your needs, this choice will influence your company’s long-term viability and growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is the State of Incorporation and Why Does It Matter?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Before we toss the year 2025 onto the temporal dungheap where it belongs, let's take a look back at the year that has passed from the point of view of the people who have to live here even longer than we have to. Below is a month-by-month replay of the year, focusing on the memes, events, and ideas that shape and define Generations Z and Alpha. January: "TikTok refugees" move to RedNoteFor Gen Z, 2025 began with a panic that turned into a unique cross-cultural experiment. In January 2025, ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok, announced that it was about to shut down the social media platform in the U.S. Ahead of the shut-down (which didn't end up happening) a wave of TikTokers moved over to RedNote, another Chinese social media platform, but one that was previously only used in China. The result was a few weeks where very different cultures met on common ground, and it was low-key beautiful. Young people from China and the U.S. asked each other questions about their respective cultures, TikTok refugees showed off their newly acquired Mandarin-speaking skills, while RedNoters demonstrated their English by doing a lot of imitations of Donald The President, and everyone learned we weren't all that different. But it was only temporary: The geopolitical drama was solved (for now), TikTok stayed open, and TikTokers, for the most part, went back to their digital home—but hopefully young people took a little empathy with them. February: The rise of "6-7" Like it or not, 2025 is the year of 6-7. The ubiquitous slang term really started in late 2024 with the release of Skrilla's "Doot Doot (6 7)" video on YouTube, but it took a couple months to catch on and filter down to the schoolyard, and a few more months to become the biggest slang word of the year. As I'm sure you know by now, "6-7" doesn't mean anything specific, it's just a fun thing to say, but even with no definition, 6-7 has remarkable staying power. Even after every parent and teacher on Earth learned what it meant, kids kept saying it. Whatever was funny about the joke hasn't been funny for a long time, so maybe 2026 will see the death of 6-7, but I wouldn't put money on it. It seems like one of those jokes that will go from funny to unfunny and back to funny a million times until it finally dies. March: the "80/20 rule" In March, Netflix released the series Adolescence, a distressing exploration of the inner worlds of alienated young men. In Adolescence, one of the teenage characters mentions the “80/20 rule” as a way of explaining the incel/red pill culture central to the murder plot and central to the worldview of too many real-life young men. Put simply, the 80/20 rule is an axiom that states 80% of women are attracted to only 20% of men. Despite being based on almost nothing, in incel spaces, the 80/20 rule is regarded as absolute truth, and the 80/20 rule (and other "mano-sphere" ideas) are spreading to more mainstream young people. Understanding the pervasiveness of belief in the 80/20 rule is essential to understanding the specific strain of misogyny that's afflicting young people. There's a helplessness implied by it—the 80/20 rule, like the rest of incels' elaborate theories about how men and women relate to each other, boils down to "it's not my fault, and there's nothing I can do to change my situation." The spread of the 80/20 rule is the almighty algorithm rewarding the worst in people, and victims often have too few real-life relationships to reveal the obvious flaw in the rule's logic. April: A Minecraft Movie In their fractured and balkanized media landscape, Generations Z and A have few shared cultural experiences, but in 2025, A Minecraft Movie was a rare exception. The pre-release buzz (and "chicken-jockey!" memes) suggested that many young people were expecting an ironically enjoyable experience—something "so bad it's good"—but A Minecraft Movie is actually so good it's good, and appealed to everyone, younger kids, teenagers, and parents alike. Tapping Jared Hess—who helmed Napoleon Dynamite—to direct was inspired, as was the casting of Jack Black and Jason Momoa, but the real star of A Minecraft Movie is Minecraft, a video game that was released in 2009 and still has an estimated 200 million people (mostly young) playing it regularly. The success of A Minecraft Movie (and The Super Mario Bros Movie in 2023) indicates that Hollywood has finally figured out how to make decent movies out of video games. May: "100 men vs. one gorilla""Who would win in a fight to the death, one gorilla or 100 men?" sounds like a dumb question at first, but the more you think about it, the deeper it gets. My first thought was 100 men are taking it, no problem, but then I considered the overwhelming power of an enraged gorilla, how it could literally tear off limbs and bite off faces, and the scale started tipping heavily the other way. No matter where you land on the answer, the question is fascinating, and the internet was briefly obsessed with this imaginary battle in May. Taking a broader view, the debates, memes, and TikTok videos the gorilla question birthed are an illustration of how the technology that connects us took what would have been an interesting hypothetical discussion among a few weird friends 20 years ago and turned it into a worldwide discussion and convenient excuse to learn about primates. June: Steal a Brainrot"Steal a Brainrot" came out in late May 2025, and by June, all the kids were playing it; 20 million of them, anyway. "Steal a Brainrot" is a multiplayer mini-game within maxi-games Roblox and Fortnite. In a game of Brainrot, up to eight players share a server, and each has their own base. The object of the game is to buy brainrots for your base and/or steal brainrots from other players' bases, while defending your own brainrots from thieves. The brainrots themselves are objects meant to reference "Italian brainrot," i.e.: low-quality internet memes. They vary in value and have vaguely Italian names, but they aren't based on actual brainrot memes. The lesson: Good game design only needs the lightest hook to create a compelling experience. July: the death of fart jokes?In July, teachers and parents posted videos that may point to one of the most defining cultural touchstones of Generation Alpha: they don't think fart jokes are funny. They don't laugh when someone farts in public. They don't feel the need to say "He who smelt it, dealt it." I realize a couple TikTok videos is the opposite of hard evidence, but judging from the comments and the kids being interviewed, it feels true, and important. Gen A don't seem like they're trying to be accepting of others, or mature; they seem genuinely bewildered by the idea that anyone would think farts are funny. Which is cool; they're right. But still, I can't help but feel sad for the poor fart jokes that have brought us all so much joy for so many centuries. August: performative malesThe "performative male" is another "gift" from the toxic-masculinity corner of youth culture. The term is an insult young men throw at other young men whose tastes, hobbies, and lifestyle are seen as a performance aimed at obtaining societal approval, especially the approval of young women. Performative male traits include matcha lattes, Labubu toys, listening to Clairo, tote bags, and reading in public. "Performative male" is mildly sexist on the surface—it's mocking dudes who like things associated with women (gasp)—but if you go deeper, it's similar to older slang words like “white knight” and “virtue signaling.” A performative male is fundamentally dishonest, because no real man would read in public, so it must be fake, and why would men be fake if not to make women like them? September: the tragic story of D4vdIf young people are going to remember any news story from 2025, it's likely to be the one about singer D4vd. On September 8, Los Angeles police discovered a body in the trunk of an abandoned Tesla registered to 20-year-old musician David Anthony Burke, aka D4vd. The body was later identified as the remains of Celeste Rivas, who was reported missing from her home in Riverside on April 5, 2024, when she was just 13 years old. The singer's rise to fame is a quintessentially Generation Z story. His career began with online fame gained through posting Fortnite videos online, but YouTube removed his content for using copyrighted music. At the suggestion of his mom, D4vd began recording original songs using free iPhone tools, which he posted to SoundCloud. The end result was a recording contract, an album, a couple of moody, dreamy songs with over 1.5 billion plays on Spotify, and a body in the trunk of a car. D4vd has not been charged with any crimes in connection with the body, but neither has anyone else, so this story is likely to continue into 2026. October: Portland frog and chicken protestorsThis year, young people in Portland changed the perception of what "protesting" means. At demonstrations against Federal immigration enforcement, young people started showing up dressed in colorful, inflatable Halloween costumes. Frog guy was first. Then chicken guy. Then a panoply of unicorns and other fanciful creatures. The idea seems to be to highlight the farce of a heavy police presence on American streets by appearing as harmless as possible. Protestors have been using ridiculousness to make their point since protests began, but the instant, worldwide dissemination of videos from Portland's "front line" is fairly new, and they really deliver the message. Images of heavily armed and armored law enforcement officers staring down Portland weirdos in unicorn and panda costumes makes a more compelling point than would clashes with radicals in ski masks—you don't have to think very hard to know which side you're on. November: quarter zipsA quarter zip is a pullover sweater with a zipper that goes a quarter way down the chest, and it's becoming the go-to look for young men, especially Black men. Wearing a quarter zip isn't exactly "dressed up," but it's more sophisticated than rocking athleisure wear. More importantly, the quarter zip is often a signifier of status and intention. Like flannel shirts in previous generations, the quarter zip is marks one as belonging to an in group, being a “quarter zip man," and the even being part of the “quarter zip movement.” December: millennial optimismThe younger generation closed out the year by looking backwards, but only a little bit backwards. The trend of December was "millennial optimism," the romanticization of the years around 2010. Some younger people imagine it as as a more innocent, hopeful time that they missed out on, and many millennials who were setting those trends in the 2010s are feeling nostalgic for their lost youth/relevance, so both groups are posting TikTok videos about "millennial optimism." Being older than both groups, I can say with confidence that both groups are wrong for different reasons. "Missed-out-on-it" types are wrong because a period that included the recession of 2008 and the election of Donald The President was not "optimistic," and the millennials only think of it as a fun, awesome time because it's when millennials were young (and having a fun, awesome time.) View the full article

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An HR compliance audit is a vital process that evaluates your organization’s human resources practices against established laws and regulations. This assessment not merely helps identify potential compliance issues but likewise reveals outdated practices that could hinder operational efficiency. By ensuring that your HR policies are aligned with legal requirements, you protect your organization from penalties and lawsuits. Comprehending the key components of these audits can greatly impact your talent acquisition and retention strategies, making it imperative to explore their benefits further. Key Takeaways HR compliance audits assess HR policies and practices for alignment with laws and regulations, ensuring organizations avoid legal pitfalls. They identify non-compliance issues that could lead to costly penalties or lawsuits, protecting the organization’s financial health. Audits improve operational efficiency by revealing outdated practices and facilitating updates to HR policies. Regular audits promote accountability and transparency, fostering trust among employees and enhancing workplace culture. Conducting HR compliance audits provides a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent through a compliant and trustworthy environment. Understanding HR Compliance Audits Grasping HR compliance audits is vital for any organization looking to maintain lawful operations and cultivate a positive workplace environment. An HR compliance audit is a thorough evaluation of your organization’s HR policies, procedures, and practices, ensuring they align with applicable laws and regulations. This human resource audit includes evaluating employee documentation, payroll practices, and compliance with workplace safety standards at federal, state, and local levels. Regular HR compliance audits help you identify potential areas of non-compliance and operational inefficiencies, allowing you to address issues proactively before they escalate into legal disputes. Conducting these audits encourages a culture of accountability and transparency, enhancing employee trust and morale. In the end, HR compliance audits serve as a strategic tool for long-term business success, supporting the alignment of your HR practices with organizational goals as well as reducing the risk of penalties from non-compliance. Importance of HR Compliance Audits Recognizing the importance of HR compliance audits is vital for any organization aiming to navigate the complex terrain of employment law effectively. These audits play a significant role in identifying non-compliance issues that could lead to costly penalties, protecting your organization from potential lawsuits and fines. By conducting regular audits, you nurture a culture of accountability and transparency, which can greatly improve employee trust and morale. Moreover, HR compliance audits help boost operational efficiency by revealing outdated or ineffective HR policies, allowing for better alignment with current laws. Proactively addressing compliance gaps supports your sustainable growth strategy, ensuring adherence to evolving regulatory changes. Furthermore, regular audits can provide a competitive advantage by improving workplace culture, eventually enhancing your organization’s ability to attract and retain top talent. Key Components of HR Compliance Audits To effectively manage compliance risks, organizations must focus on the key components of HR compliance audits. First, conduct a thorough review of your policies and procedures to guarantee they align with federal, state, and local employment laws. It’s essential that your employee handbook accurately communicates company policies and is updated regularly to reflect any legal changes. Furthermore, maintaining and securing employee records is imperative for safeguarding sensitive information and complying with data privacy regulations. You’ll also need to verify the accuracy of employee classifications, payroll practices, and adherence to workplace safety standards. Finally, an all-encompassing examination of HR functions during the audit helps identify potential compliance gaps proactively. This minimizes legal risks and cultivates a fair workplace environment, eventually enhancing your organization’s overall compliance posture and employee satisfaction. The HR Process Audit How can organizations guarantee their HR functions remain effective and compliant? One of the most reliable methods is conducting an HR process audit. This thorough evaluation examines HR functions such as recordkeeping, hiring processes, and safety compliance, ensuring they align with legal standards and organizational policies. Key steps include defining the audit scope, collecting relevant documents, and interviewing HR personnel to assess how policies are practically applied. Benefits and Best Practices of HR Compliance Audits Even though many organizations recognize the importance of HR compliance audits, the specific benefits and best practices can greatly boost their effectiveness. Regular audits help you identify potential compliance gaps early, mitigating legal risks and preventing costly penalties. They likewise improve operational efficiency by revealing outdated HR practices, leading to better resource allocation. Moreover, conducting audits promotes a culture of accountability and transparency, which boosts employee trust and morale. To maximize the benefits, consider implementing the following best practices: Best Practices Benefits Frequency Annual audits Early identification of gaps Annually Continuous improvement Stay updated with laws Ongoing Employee training (e.g., EasyLlama) Reinforce comprehension As needed Documentation review Improve process efficiency Bi-annually Feedback mechanisms Improve transparency Regularly Frequently Asked Questions What Is an HR Compliance Audit? An HR compliance audit is a thorough evaluation of your organization’s HR policies and practices. It checks for alignment with legal and regulatory standards, reviewing employee documentation, payroll practices, and workplace safety. By identifying potential compliance gaps, it helps you mitigate risks and avoid costly penalties. Regular audits improve transparency, bolster employee morale, and guarantee your HR practices adapt to evolving laws, keeping your organization legally sound and operationally efficient. What Is HR Audit and Its Importance? An HR audit evaluates your organization’s HR policies and practices, ensuring they meet legal requirements and standards. It identifies compliance gaps, which helps mitigate risks associated with employment law violations. The importance of an HR audit lies in its ability to improve transparency and trust within your workforce, streamline processes, and adapt to evolving regulations. Regular audits can furthermore improve operational efficiency and support your efforts in attracting and retaining top talent effectively. What Is Compliance in HR and Why Is It Important? Compliance in HR means following employment laws and regulations at local, state, and federal levels. It’s vital since it helps you avoid legal issues that can lead to hefty fines or lawsuits, affecting your organization’s reputation. By ensuring compliance, you create a fair workplace, enhancing employee trust and morale, which boosts productivity and retention. Regularly evaluating your HR practices through audits helps identify and address potential compliance gaps proactively, safeguarding your organization’s interests. Why Is Compliance Audit Important? Compliance audits are essential for maintaining adherence to legal standards and regulations in your organization. They help you identify non-compliance areas, preventing costly penalties or lawsuits. Regular audits promote a culture of transparency and accountability, enhancing employee trust. By updating outdated policies and improving operational efficiency, compliance audits support overall business performance and sustainable growth. Staying informed about regulatory changes guarantees that your HR practices remain aligned with current legal requirements, safeguarding your organization’s reputation. Conclusion In conclusion, an HR compliance audit is essential for ensuring your organization adheres to legal standards and best practices. By regularly evaluating your HR policies and procedures, you can identify potential risks, improve operational efficiency, and promote a culture of accountability. Implementing effective audit practices not just protects your organization from legal issues but furthermore strengthens your talent acquisition and retention efforts. Prioritizing HR compliance audits supports sustainable growth and positions your organization for long-term success. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is HR Compliance Audit and Why Is It Essential?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

An HR compliance audit is a vital process that evaluates your organization’s human resources practices against established laws and regulations. This assessment not merely helps identify potential compliance issues but likewise reveals outdated practices that could hinder operational efficiency. By ensuring that your HR policies are aligned with legal requirements, you protect your organization from penalties and lawsuits. Comprehending the key components of these audits can greatly impact your talent acquisition and retention strategies, making it imperative to explore their benefits further. Key Takeaways HR compliance audits assess HR policies and practices for alignment with laws and regulations, ensuring organizations avoid legal pitfalls. They identify non-compliance issues that could lead to costly penalties or lawsuits, protecting the organization’s financial health. Audits improve operational efficiency by revealing outdated practices and facilitating updates to HR policies. Regular audits promote accountability and transparency, fostering trust among employees and enhancing workplace culture. Conducting HR compliance audits provides a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent through a compliant and trustworthy environment. Understanding HR Compliance Audits Grasping HR compliance audits is vital for any organization looking to maintain lawful operations and cultivate a positive workplace environment. An HR compliance audit is a thorough evaluation of your organization’s HR policies, procedures, and practices, ensuring they align with applicable laws and regulations. This human resource audit includes evaluating employee documentation, payroll practices, and compliance with workplace safety standards at federal, state, and local levels. Regular HR compliance audits help you identify potential areas of non-compliance and operational inefficiencies, allowing you to address issues proactively before they escalate into legal disputes. Conducting these audits encourages a culture of accountability and transparency, enhancing employee trust and morale. In the end, HR compliance audits serve as a strategic tool for long-term business success, supporting the alignment of your HR practices with organizational goals as well as reducing the risk of penalties from non-compliance. Importance of HR Compliance Audits Recognizing the importance of HR compliance audits is vital for any organization aiming to navigate the complex terrain of employment law effectively. These audits play a significant role in identifying non-compliance issues that could lead to costly penalties, protecting your organization from potential lawsuits and fines. By conducting regular audits, you nurture a culture of accountability and transparency, which can greatly improve employee trust and morale. Moreover, HR compliance audits help boost operational efficiency by revealing outdated or ineffective HR policies, allowing for better alignment with current laws. Proactively addressing compliance gaps supports your sustainable growth strategy, ensuring adherence to evolving regulatory changes. Furthermore, regular audits can provide a competitive advantage by improving workplace culture, eventually enhancing your organization’s ability to attract and retain top talent. Key Components of HR Compliance Audits To effectively manage compliance risks, organizations must focus on the key components of HR compliance audits. First, conduct a thorough review of your policies and procedures to guarantee they align with federal, state, and local employment laws. It’s essential that your employee handbook accurately communicates company policies and is updated regularly to reflect any legal changes. Furthermore, maintaining and securing employee records is imperative for safeguarding sensitive information and complying with data privacy regulations. You’ll also need to verify the accuracy of employee classifications, payroll practices, and adherence to workplace safety standards. Finally, an all-encompassing examination of HR functions during the audit helps identify potential compliance gaps proactively. This minimizes legal risks and cultivates a fair workplace environment, eventually enhancing your organization’s overall compliance posture and employee satisfaction. The HR Process Audit How can organizations guarantee their HR functions remain effective and compliant? One of the most reliable methods is conducting an HR process audit. This thorough evaluation examines HR functions such as recordkeeping, hiring processes, and safety compliance, ensuring they align with legal standards and organizational policies. Key steps include defining the audit scope, collecting relevant documents, and interviewing HR personnel to assess how policies are practically applied. Benefits and Best Practices of HR Compliance Audits Even though many organizations recognize the importance of HR compliance audits, the specific benefits and best practices can greatly boost their effectiveness. Regular audits help you identify potential compliance gaps early, mitigating legal risks and preventing costly penalties. They likewise improve operational efficiency by revealing outdated HR practices, leading to better resource allocation. Moreover, conducting audits promotes a culture of accountability and transparency, which boosts employee trust and morale. To maximize the benefits, consider implementing the following best practices: Best Practices Benefits Frequency Annual audits Early identification of gaps Annually Continuous improvement Stay updated with laws Ongoing Employee training (e.g., EasyLlama) Reinforce comprehension As needed Documentation review Improve process efficiency Bi-annually Feedback mechanisms Improve transparency Regularly Frequently Asked Questions What Is an HR Compliance Audit? An HR compliance audit is a thorough evaluation of your organization’s HR policies and practices. It checks for alignment with legal and regulatory standards, reviewing employee documentation, payroll practices, and workplace safety. By identifying potential compliance gaps, it helps you mitigate risks and avoid costly penalties. Regular audits improve transparency, bolster employee morale, and guarantee your HR practices adapt to evolving laws, keeping your organization legally sound and operationally efficient. What Is HR Audit and Its Importance? An HR audit evaluates your organization’s HR policies and practices, ensuring they meet legal requirements and standards. It identifies compliance gaps, which helps mitigate risks associated with employment law violations. The importance of an HR audit lies in its ability to improve transparency and trust within your workforce, streamline processes, and adapt to evolving regulations. Regular audits can furthermore improve operational efficiency and support your efforts in attracting and retaining top talent effectively. What Is Compliance in HR and Why Is It Important? Compliance in HR means following employment laws and regulations at local, state, and federal levels. It’s vital since it helps you avoid legal issues that can lead to hefty fines or lawsuits, affecting your organization’s reputation. By ensuring compliance, you create a fair workplace, enhancing employee trust and morale, which boosts productivity and retention. Regularly evaluating your HR practices through audits helps identify and address potential compliance gaps proactively, safeguarding your organization’s interests. Why Is Compliance Audit Important? Compliance audits are essential for maintaining adherence to legal standards and regulations in your organization. They help you identify non-compliance areas, preventing costly penalties or lawsuits. Regular audits promote a culture of transparency and accountability, enhancing employee trust. By updating outdated policies and improving operational efficiency, compliance audits support overall business performance and sustainable growth. Staying informed about regulatory changes guarantees that your HR practices remain aligned with current legal requirements, safeguarding your organization’s reputation. Conclusion In conclusion, an HR compliance audit is essential for ensuring your organization adheres to legal standards and best practices. By regularly evaluating your HR policies and procedures, you can identify potential risks, improve operational efficiency, and promote a culture of accountability. Implementing effective audit practices not just protects your organization from legal issues but furthermore strengthens your talent acquisition and retention efforts. Prioritizing HR compliance audits supports sustainable growth and positions your organization for long-term success. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is HR Compliance Audit and Why Is It Essential?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Here’s how industry leaders are redefining what content performance means in 2026 and beyond. The post 16 Content Writing Tips From Experts To Survive 2026 appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

SEO now sits at an uncomfortable intersection at many organizations. Leadership wants visibility in AI-driven search experiences. Product teams want clarity on which narratives, features, and use cases are being surfaced. Sales still depends on pipeline. Meanwhile, traditional rankings, traffic, and conversions continue to matter. What has changed is the surface area of search. Pages are now summarized, excerpted, and cited in environments where clicks are optional and attribution is selective. When a generative AI summary appears on the SERP, users click traditional result links only about 8% of the time. As a result, SEO teams need a clearer playbook for earning visibility inside generative outputs, not just around them. This 90-day action plan outlines how to achieve this in a phased, weekly execution, with practical adjustments tailored to the specific purpose of the website. Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-2) Define your ‘AI search topics’ Keywords still matter. But AI systems organize information around entities, topics, and questions, not just query strings. The first step is to decide what you want AI tools to associate your brand with. Action steps Identify 5-10 core topics you want to be known for. For each topic, map: The questions users ask most often The comparisons they evaluate “Best,” “how,” and “why” queries that indicate decision-making intent Example: Topic: AI SEO tools Mapped query types: Core questions: What are the best AI SEO tools? How does AI improve SEO? Comparisons: AI SEO tools vs traditional SEO tools. Intent signals: Best AI SEO tools for content optimization. Where this shifts by website type Content hubs (media brands, publishers, research orgs) should prioritize mapping educational breadth – covering a topic comprehensively so AI systems see the site as a reference source, not a transactional endpoint. Services/lead gen sites (agencies, consultants, local businesses) should map problem-solution queries prospects ask before converting, especially comparison and “how does this work?” questions. Product and ecommerce sites (DTC brands, marketplaces, subscription ecommerce, retailers) should map topics to use cases, alternatives, and comparisons – not just product names or category terms. Commercial, long-funnel sites (B2B SaaS, fintech, healthcare) should anchor topics to category leadership – the “what is,” “how it works,” and “why it matters” content buyers research long before demos. If you can’t clearly articulate what you want AI systems to associate you with, neither can they. Dig deeper: Chunk, cite, clarify, build: A content framework for AI search Create AI-friendly content structure Generative engines consistently surface content that is easy to extract, summarize, and reuse. In practice, that favors pages where answers are clearly framed, front-loaded, and supported by scannable structure. High-performing pages tend to follow a predictable pattern. AI-friendly content structures include: A short intro (2-3 lines) that establishes scope. A direct answer placed immediately after the header, written to stand alone if excerpted. Bulleted lists or numbered steps that break down the explanation. A concise FAQ section at the bottom that reinforces key queries. This increases the likelihood your content is: Quoted in AI Overviews. Used in ChatGPT or Perplexity answers. Surfaced for voice and conversational search. For ecommerce and services sites in particular, this is often where internal resistance shows up. Teams worry that answering questions too directly will reduce conversion opportunities. In AI-driven search, the opposite is usually true: pages that make answers easy to extract are more likely to be surfaced, cited, and revisited when users move from research to decision-making. Dig deeper: Organizing content for AI search: A 3-level framework Phase 2: Generative engine optimization (Weeks 3-6) Optimize for AI answers (GEO/AEO) In generative search, content that gets surfaced typically resolves the core question immediately, then provides context and depth. For many commercial teams, that requires rethinking how early pages prioritize explanation versus persuasion – a shift that’s increasingly necessary to earn visibility at all. This is where GEO (generative engine optimization) and AEO (answer engine optimization) move from theory into page-level execution. Add a 1–2 sentence TL;DR under key H2s that can stand on its own if excerpted Use explicit, question-based headers: “What is…” “How does…” “Why does…” Include clear, plain-language definitions before introducing nuance or positioning Example: What is generative engine optimization? Generative engine optimization (GEO) helps content get selected as a source in AI-generated answers. In practice, GEO is the process of structuring and optimizing content so AI tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews can interpret, evaluate, and reference it when responding to user queries. How does answer-first structure change by site type? Publishers benefit from definitional clarity because it increases citation frequency. Lead gen sites see stronger mid-funnel engagement when prospects get clear answers upfront. Product sites reduce friction by addressing comparison and “is it right for me?” questions early. B2B platforms establish category authority long before a buyer ever hits a pricing page. Add structured data (high impact, often underused) Structured data remains one of the clearest ways to signal meaning and credibility to AI-driven search systems. It helps generative engines quickly identify the source, scope, and authority behind a piece of content – especially when deciding what to cite. At a minimum, most sites should implement: Article schema to clarify content type and topical focus. Organization schema to establish the publishing entity. Author or Person schema to surface expertise and accountability. FAQ schema, where it reflects genuine question-and-answer content, can still reinforce structure and intent – but it should be used selectively, not as a default. This matters differently by site type: Content hubs benefit when author and publication signals reinforce editorial credibility and reference value. Lead gen and services sites use schema to connect expertise to specific problem areas and queries. Product and ecommerce sites help AI systems distinguish between informational content and transactional pages. Commercial, long-funnel sites rely on schema to support trust signals alongside relevance in high-stakes categories. Structured data doesn’t guarantee inclusion – but in generative search environments, its absence makes exclusion more likely. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Phase 3: Authority and trust (Weeks 7-10) Strengthen E-E-A-T signals As generative systems decide which sources to reference, demonstrated experience increasingly outweighs polish alone. Pages that surface consistently tend to show clear evidence that the content comes from real people with real expertise. Meaning, signals associated with E-E-A-T – experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trust – remain central to how generative systems decide which sources to reference. Key signals to reinforce: Clear author bios that establish credentials, role, or subject-matter relevance. First-hand experience statements that indicate direct involvement (“We tested…”, “In our experience…”). Original visuals, screenshots, data, or case studies that can’t be inferred or synthesized This is where generic, AI-generated content reliably falls short. Without visible signals of experience and accountability, AI systems struggle to distinguish authoritative sources from interchangeable ones. How different site types should demonstrate experience and authority Media and research sites should reinforce editorial standards, sourcing, and author attribution to support citation trust. Agencies and consultants benefit from foregrounding lived client experience and specific outcomes, not abstract expertise. Ecommerce brands earn trust through real-world product usage, testing, and visual proof. High-ACV B2B companies stand out by showcasing practitioner insight and operational knowledge rather than marketing language alone. If your content reads like it could belong to anyone, AI systems will treat it that way. Dig deeper: User-first E-E-A-T: What actually drives SEO and GEO Build ‘citation-worthy’ pages Certain page types are more likely to be cited in AI-generated answers because they organize information in ways that are easy to extract, compare, and reference. These pages are designed to serve as reference material – resolving common questions clearly and completely, rather than advancing a particular perspective. Formats that consistently perform well include: Ultimate guides that consolidate a topic into a single, authoritative resource. Comparison tables that make differences explicit and scannable. Statistics pages that centralize data points AI systems can reference. Glossaries that define terms clearly and consistently. Pages with titles such as “AI SEO Statistics (2025)” or “Best AI SEO Tools Compared” are frequently surfaced because they signal completeness, recency, and reference value at a glance. For commercial sites, citation-worthy pages don’t replace conversion-focused assets. They support them by capturing early-stage, informational demand – and positioning the brand as a credible source long before a buyer enters the funnel. Dig deeper: How generative engines define and rank trustworthy content Phase 4: Multimodal SEO (Weeks 11-12) Optimize beyond text Generative systems increasingly synthesize signals across text, images, and video when assembling answers. Content that performs well in AI-driven search is often reinforced across formats, not confined to a single page or medium. Add descriptive, specific alt text that explains what an image shows and why it’s relevant. Create short-form videos paired with transcripts that mirror on-page explanations. Repurpose core content into formats AI systems can encounter and contextualize elsewhere: YouTube videos. LinkedIn carousels. X threads. How this supports different site goals Publishers extend the reach and reference value of core reporting and explainers. Services and B2B sites reinforce expertise by repeating the same answers across multiple surfaces. Ecommerce brands support discovery by contextualizing products beyond traditional listings and category pages. Track AI visibility – not just traffic As generative results absorb more of the discovery layer, traditional click-based metrics capture only part of search performance. AI visibility increasingly shows up in how often – and where – a brand’s content is referenced, summarized, or surfaced without a click. With 88% of businesses worried about losing organic visibility in the world of AI-driven search, tracking these signals is essential for demonstrating continued influence and reach. Signals worth monitoring include: Featured snippet ownership, which often feeds AI-generated summaries. Appearances within AI Overviews and similar answer experiences. Brand mentions inside AI tools during exploratory queries. Search Console impressions, even when clicks don’t follow. For long sales cycles in particular, these signals act as early indicators of influence. AI citations and impressions often precede direct engagement, shaping consideration well before a buyer enters the funnel. Dig deeper: LLM optimization in 2026: Tracking, visibility, and what’s next for AI discovery Recommended tools These tools support different parts of an SEO-for-AI workflow, from topic research and content structure to schema implementation and visibility tracking. Content and AI SEO Surfer, Clearscope, Frase Used to identify gaps in topical coverage and evaluate whether content resolves questions clearly enough to be excerpted in AI-generated answers. Schema and structured data RankMath, Yoast, Schema App Useful for implementing and maintaining schema that helps AI systems interpret content, authorship, and organizational credibility. Visibility and performance tracking Google Search Console, Ahrefs Essential for monitoring impressions, query patterns, and how content surfaces in search – including cases where visibility doesn’t result in a click. AI research and validation ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini Helpful for testing how topics are summarized, which sources are cited, and where your content appears (or doesn’t) in AI-driven responses. The rule that matters most AI systems tend to favor content that provides definitive answers to questions. If your content can’t answer a question clearly in 30 seconds, it’s unlikely to be selected for AI-generated answers. What separates teams succeeding in this environment isn’t experimentation with new tactics, but consistency in execution. Pages built to be understandable, referenceable, and trustworthy are the ones generative systems return to. View the full article

Most people never change careers, which is remarkable when you consider how little evidence most of us had when we chose our first one. For many professionals, early career decisions are shaped less by talent or long-term fit than by convenience and coincidence. We follow friends into certain degrees, accept the first decent offer, listen to family advice, or pursue interests that feel meaningful at 18 but prove less durable at 38. These choices are understandable, but they are weak predictors of where our strengths will compound over time, or of what will sustain both performance and satisfaction across decades of work. In essence, we follow our own or other people’s intuition rather than facts or data, which is rarely a recipe for success. The problem is further compounded by how fast the ground has shifted, especially over the past decades. Even before the rise of generative AI, career predictability had been steadily eroding. Globalization, repeated economic shocks, declining job tenure, the collapse of clear promotion ladders, and the shift from stable organizational careers to project-based and boundary-less work all contributed to rising uncertainty. Longitudinal labor data shows that occupational half-lives were shrinking well before automation became a mainstream concern, with entire roles emerging and disappearing within a decade. In parallel, individuals were expected to manage their own employability, continuously update skills, and absorb risks once carried by employers or institutions. AI has not created this uncertainty so much as amplified it, accelerating the obsolescence of skills, compressing career ladders, and blurring professional boundaries. Knowledge and technical expertise, once reliable sources of differentiation, are increasingly commoditized. At the same time, employers place growing value on judgment, learning agility, influence, and curiosity, capabilities that universities still struggle to measure or systematically develop. The result is a widening gap between what people trained for, what they are good at, and what the labor market actually rewards. It is therefore no surprise that career anxiety is rising, even among people who appear successful on paper. Gallup data shows that roughly 60% of employees feel emotionally detached at work, while fewer than one in four strongly believe their job aligns with their strengths. LinkedIn data consistently finds that the average worker will change roles every three to four years, yet meaningful career pivots remain rare and often delayed until dissatisfaction becomes acute. At the same time, mobility has slowed. After the Great Resignation came what economists now call the Big Stay: people feel stuck rather than settled. They are rethinking their careers cognitively, but postponing action behaviorally. In other words, “job hugging” has replaced “job hopping”. So how can you tell whether you are merely going through a rough patch or whether it is genuinely time for a career pivot? Decades of research on career development, identity, and motivation point to four reliable signals. 1. Your learning has stalled, not just your motivation One of the most robust predictors of engagement and career satisfaction is perceived progress. When people feel they are learning, they tolerate stress and uncertainty better. When learning stops, even high performers disengage. Professor Herminia Ibarra’s research on career transitions shows that people rarely pivot successfully through introspection alone. Clarity follows action, not the other way around. If your role no longer exposes you to new skills, perspectives, or problems, that is not a temporary slump but a structural constraint. Before quitting outright, experiment: Be ready to fail smart, in the sense of learning from your experience and becoming wiser as a consequence. As the saying goes, “experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted to get”. For example, take on side projects, advisory roles, or temporary assignments that test alternative identities. Stagnation becomes dangerous only when experimentation stops. 2. Your strengths no longer translate into value Many careers falter not because people lose competence, but because the market stops rewarding what they are good at. Technological change makes this especially common. Skills that once differentiated professionals are automated, standardized, or absorbed into platforms. As I have illustrated in one of my previous books, AI is far more likely to automate tasks within jobs—changing the skills constellation needed to perform them—than actual jobs. Research on person–job fit shows that sustained misalignment between strengths and role predicts burnout and underperformance, even among conscientious high achievers. A useful diagnostic question is whether your best contributions still feel essential or merely adequate. Successful pivots rarely involve abandoning strengths. They involve redeploying them where they matter more. 3. Your career identity has become rigid Ibarra’s work highlights that career change is as much an identity transition as a skills transition. People delay pivots not because they lack options, but because they are overly attached to who they think they are supposed to be. This is also why authenticity is overrated: Why limit yourself to your past and present self when you can instead create or sculpt a broader, more diverse, and richer version of yourself? This is where the “squiggly careers” concept, popularized by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis of Amazing If, is especially useful. Modern careers are no longer linear ladders but adaptive paths, shaped by lateral moves, pauses, reinventions, and redefinitions of success. If you feel compelled to defend your current title, industry, or trajectory rather than evolve it, you may be protecting a legacy identity rather than building a future one. Indeed, progress is not a straight line! 4. You are succeeding externally but disengaging internally One of the most overlooked signals is sustained performance paired with declining well-being. Longitudinal studies show that people can maintain output for years after motivation erodes, but at a cost to health, creativity, and long-term employability. If your reputation is strong but your curiosity, energy, or sense of meaning is steadily diminishing, that is not ingratitude. It is misalignment. Career satisfaction is not a soft outcome. It is a leading indicator of future performance and adaptability. In short, we tend to romanticize career pivots as bold acts of reinvention. But the evidence suggests the opposite. Successful pivots usually happen through small, low-risk experiments that reshape identity over time, guided less by passion than by a disciplined willingness to revise assumptions in response to reality. In an era where work will change repeatedly, the real risk is not changing direction too often, but staying in place long after the signals suggest you should move. The most resilient professionals are not those with fixed plans, but those who know when the cost of standing still has quietly begun to exceed the cost of change. View the full article

Six incidents in six days follow a year without any reports of damage to underwater infrastructureView the full article

The geopolitical implications of President The President’s controversial weekend attack on Venezuela and the capture and extradition of its president, Nicolás Maduro, are still being digested by legal and security experts in the two days following the shocking announcement. What is more certain is the immediate market reaction from a select number of publicly traded stocks that have the potential to be impacted by the military action. Here’s how America’s top energy, defense, and tech stocks are moving on the first trading day after the U.S. intervened in the affairs of its South American neighbor. America’s oil and energy stocks soar Some of the most closely watched stocks today will be those of oil and energy giants traded on U.S. exchanges, particularly Chevron Corporation. The Texas-based oil company is the American energy giant with the biggest footprint in the region, notes CNBC, and thus the one primed to benefit the most from The President’s stated desire to “start making money for the country.” But Chevron isn’t the only one that stands to benefit. In a Saturday press conference addressing America’s military intervention, The President said, “We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies—the biggest anywhere in the world—go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure.” While the president did not name any specific companies, based on premarket trading this morning, investors seem to think that the following oil and energy giants stand to benefit from the intervention: Chevron (NYSE: CVX): up 7.3% Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM): up 4.5% ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP): up 7.3% Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL): up 10.3% One interesting thing to note: Two prominent oil companies that trade on the New York Stock Exchange are currently down slightly in premarket trading. Those companies are Shell (NYSE: SHEL), down 0.7%, and BP (NYSE: BP), down 0.7%. Shell is a British-Dutch company and BP is a British company. Investors may believe that The President is unlikely to allow foreign oil companies—even those of its allies—to profit from America’s intervention in Venezuela. But investors are cautious about defense stocks America’s military intervention in Venezuela suggests that under The President’s second term, the U.S. may engage in a new expansionist hard power policy, directly using its military might to enforce changes around the globe. Indeed, as noted by Reuters, The President has already threatened another military operation against a southern neighbor—this time in Colombia. While the moral and legal aspects of such action are debatable, it’s undeniable that an expansion of America’s military action is good for the bottom lines of the country’s most prominent defense companies. However, investors so far seem to be taking a cautious approach to U.S. companies operating in the defense space, with many companies up only slightly in premarket trading on Monday: Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT): up 1% RTX (NYSE: RTX): up 0.7% Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC): up 1% General Dynamics (NYSE: GD): up 1% The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA): up 0.2% Defense-adjacent tech stocks are also up While many of America’s tech giants, including Google and Microsoft, have defense contracts, some smaller tech firms almost exclusively cater to the country’s military and security apparatus. Such companies likewise stand to benefit from increased U.S. military operations. Yet as of the time of this writing, investors also seem to be taking a more cautious approach to these stocks, which include: Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR): up 3.8% Honeywell International (NASDAQ: HON): up 0.2% L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX): up 0.7% View the full article

It is January 2026, and it is now time for the monthly Google Webmaster report, where I recap the most important Google organic stories of the past month. Obviously, the Google December 2025 core update was the big one, it ran for 18 days and it really had a large impact on many sites.View the full article

Google has been showing social media posts in Google Discover, including posts from X for a while now, and Google may even show more posts from those you follow. But is Google showing too many social media posts from X in your Google Discover feed?View the full article