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The latest announcement comes two months after an initial round of staff reductions following approval of Rocket's acquisition of the company. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. A healthy dose of cardio is an important part of your exercise routine, and for a lot of us, "zone 2" cardio is going to make up a big chunk of that. Low-intensity cardio—sometimes called LISS or “zone 2”—used to be an underrated form of exercise. It's super trendy now, after spending years on the sidelines while HIIT and lifting-only routines ran the field. But what is zone 2 cardio, exactly? How can you make sure you're doing it right? And is it really so bad if your heart rate drifts into zone 3? What is zone 2 training?Zone 2 training is cardio done at a steady, low intensity. It has benefits for aerobic training (so you can run faster), anaerobic training (helping you to recover faster between reps and sets, or between intervals), and it's also an efficient, low-fatigue way to burn calories. “Zone 2” is a term drawn from the five-zone system of heart rate training, and the same concept is also known by other names and metrics. To runners, it is “easy pace” or “long slow distance pace.” To cyclists, it corresponds to zones 2 and 3 of a seven-zone system of mechanical power. In other sports, like swimming and rowing, it’s often just called “easy” or “low-intensity” exercise. All that said, there is no official definition of zone 2, and different devices won't necessarily agree with each other. The same heart rate might be "zone 2" on one device and "zone 3" on another. So please take the following with a grain of salt. The hallmark of zone 2 training is that it’s relatively slow and that it’s done at a steady pace. You'll be aiming for a heart rate of around 70%, but that doesn’t mean doing intervals at 90% and then resting at 50%. It means holding that 70% level the whole time you’re exercising. You can do zone 2 cardio with any steady, repetitive movement. Popular methods are running, cycling, swimming, rowing, brisk walking, fast hiking, or churning away on the elliptical. (Walking can count if you're new to exercise; as you get fitter, you'll probably need to choose a slightly harder form of exercise.) To be clear, it’s still work—it’s not the same as sitting around resting—but it should feel like you could keep going forever if you wanted to. You don’t stop a zone 2 session when you get tired, you stop it because you set out for a 30- or 45- or 60-minute session, and your time is up. What are the benefits of zone 2 cardio?Zone 2 work builds your aerobic base. When you do cardio at this kind of easy pace, your body adapts to get more efficient at it. These adaptations are great for your health as well as your cardio fitness. You grow more capillaries (tiny blood vessels) to get oxygen and nutrients to your muscles more efficiently. You get more mitochondria in each muscle cell (you have thousands of mitochondria powering each cell) and you produce more of the enzymes that turn fuel from food into usable energy. Your heart and your lungs get more efficient at taking in oxygen and moving blood to your muscles, and your muscles become able to store more carbohydrates (in a form called glycogen) so that more of the carbs you eat are at the ready when you start a run or ride. For runners, your zone 2 work, often called "easy pace," should make up most (some say 80%) of your weekly mileage. The fitness you build doing easy running is what allows you to benefit from, and recover from, harder efforts like interval training. For people whose main sport is more strength oriented (meatheads like myself), zone 2 cardio strengthens the same body systems that help us recover between sets, and even between reps. It increases our work capacity, letting us get more work done in total. As long as you’re eating enough, adding cardio into your routine should make you able to do more work in the gym, not less. (And no, cardio does not kill your gains.) And for people who are just exercising for health, zone 2 cardio is the perfect “moderate” exercise we’re all supposed to get at least 150 minutes of per week. It’s heart-healthy, and even people with medical conditions that limit their ability to exercise can often do low intensity cardio safely. (Ask your doctor to be sure, of course.) Importantly, zone 2 training is very low fatigue. More time-efficient forms of cardio and conditioning like HIIT, hill sprints, or CrossFit WODs are great for your aerobic fitness, but those workouts have to be high intensity to work, and you’ll be pooped afterward. They’re great in small doses, but they kind of have to be in small doses. By contrast, easy pace work is basically free. You can work up to doing an easy zone 2 session every day, in addition to your regular training, and feel fine. Once you’re used to it, you can do zone 2 work on your “rest” days without defeating the purpose of a rest day. As long as you have the time for it, it’s like a cheat code for aerobic gains. How do you know when you’re in zone 2?Technically, zone 2 is defined in terms of heart rate, and the idea is that you glance at your watch and see whether you're in zone 2 or not. (There are five zones, with zone 5 being the hardest, so zone 2 is the second-easiest). But even though “zone 2” is defined in terms of heart rate, there are so many caveats to determining your max and deciding on the zone boundaries that I don’t recommend that beginners calculate it from heart rate percentages at first. Unless you’ve actually gotten your heart rate up to a maximum effort level, and know what that number is, you don’t really know your max heart rate. So if you're a beginner, the best way to know if you’re in zone 2 is to ignore your watch and instead pay attention to your effort, and how it feels. On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is nothing and 10 is all-out sprinting, low intensity cardio is about a 3 to 5. You’re working, but not very hard. If your breath starts to get ragged, or if you feel like you're getting pretty damn tired and you can't wait for this to end, you're probably somewhere 7+ and definitely going too hard for a zone 2 workout. A zone 2 pace is conversational, and it’s sometimes described with a “talk test.” If you could tell your friend about your day while you’re exercising, you’re probably around the right level. That doesn’t mean spitting out a few words here and there, but speaking in full sentences without feeling out of breath. If you find yourself stopping to catch your breath or if you feel like you need to take break, you’re going too hard. (That said, some of zone 3 is also within that conversational zone, but it's okay—zone 3 is still good for you.) That said, it shouldn’t feel too easy—zone 2 is more like a brisk walk or easy jog than a leisurely stroll. If you stop, you should feel like you took a break from something. It should take a little work and focus to keep up the pace. How do I find my zone 2? Before you start, there's a big caveat. Zone 2 is based on heart rate zones, and to set your zones correctly, you need an accurate max heart rate. Finding your max is a trickier task than you might expect, so you have my permission to skip this section completely, and scroll down to "How do you know when you're in zone 2?" which will teach you how to get into zone 2 by feel, no heart rate monitor needed. With that out of the way, I'll explain how exactly to find your zone 2, if you want to do it by the book. There are two steps: finding your max heart rate, and then setting your zones based on that heart rate. Find your max heart rateYour maximum heart rate is defined as, literally, the fastest your heart can beat. (Sometimes people assume this is a guideline, that you should keep your heart rate under this number. Nope—if your heart rate is higher than the number you thought was your max, that just tells you that number was not your max.) Here are some different ways to find your max heart rate: A max heart rate field test (best for people with healthy hearts and some pain tolerance): There are a few ways of doing this, but basically you're going to try to push your heart rate to its absolute max, and see what that number is. The most common way is to find a long, steep hill, and run up it three times, really sprinting hard on the last one. The number you see at the end is a good estimate of your max. Obviously, don't do this if you've been told you shouldn't exercise at high intensity. Your personal history (best for athletes who have experience using a HR monitor): If you've done high intensity exercise in the past, especially killer efforts that left you collapsed on the floor, the highest number you've ever seen on your watch or heart rate monitor is probably your max, or close to it. A 5K race or an FTP test will often get you close, if you really pushed yourself the whole way. Estimating based on easy exercise (best for non-athletes who have experience using a HR monitor): If you have a sense of what heart rate you see when you're exercising at a steady, conversational pace, multiply the highest number you would consider conversational by 1.25 to find a number that you can use as your max. This is my own method, but it's based on studies that have found the top of conversational pace to be around 77-79% of max. This isn't as good as a field test, but for many people it will give a better result than the formula below. A formula. I don't recommend using a formula if you have the option of using either of the first two real-world options above. Using a formula to get your max heart rate is like asking ChatGPT for your shoe size. It will give a plausible guess, but it could easily be very, very wrong. Anyway, the easiest formula is to subtract your age from 220. (There are other formulas, but honestly they all have serious inaccuracies. I wouldn't worry about whether any one of them is "better" than the others. They all suck.) I have more here on why max heart rate formulas are pretty much all wrong, but that's beside the point for the moment. If you know your max heart rate, you can proceed to the next step. Use a percentage of your max as your "zone 2"Once you know your max heart rate (or have an estimate you're willing to work with), multiply to get the upper and lower boundaries of zone 2. Multiply by what? Well, there's more than one opinion out there about what zone 2 should be. If you use a smartwatch or other device, go into the settings and set a custom heart rate (all the major brands can do this—check the instructions to find out where this setting lives.) The zones will usually populate automatically. As I've written before, every device has a different idea of what should count as zone 2. If you'd like me to be the tiebreaker, I'd go with 60% to 75% of your max heart rate. So, multiply your estimated max heart rate by 0.6 to get the lower end of that zone, and 0.75 to get the higher end. For example, if your max heart rate is 200, your zone 2 is 120 to 150 beats per minute. If your max heart rate is 175, your zone 2 would be 105 to 132. What happens if I can't stay in zone 2? I have good news for you: zone 3 has almost all the same benefits as zone 2. Don't view the top of zone 2 as a barrier thou shalt not cross; it's just a way of dividing easier exercise (zone 2) from medium intensity (zone 3). The more exercise you do, the more of it should stay in zone 2. Otherwise you could find yourself building up fatigue. After a zone 2 cardio session, you should feel good. You should feel like you totally could have done more, but you're saving some energy for tomorrow. So if you have a hard time staying in zone 2, don't beat yourself up about it. Just try to keep your effort level low, on average, so you're still fresh for the next workout. As you get fitter, you'll find it easier to stay in zone 2. How to run in zone 2Runners often have trouble with this, because the dividing line between walking and running is sometimes too high to maintain an easy pace while you’re running, if you’re a beginner. The next best thing is to jog as slow as you can, and when you start to feel out of breath, switch to a brisk walk. For some people, a brisk walk for the whole session is a perfect zone 2 workout. As you get more fit, easy jogging will become possible. Here’s a real world example of how to keep a zone 2 pace: if I’m heading out for an easy run, I start at a nice chill jogging pace. But I live in a hilly neighborhood, so pretty soon I’ll be chugging up a hill and notice my breathing getting heavier. At this point, if my heart rate is getting higher than I'd like for this workout, I switch to a power walk. Jogging the flats and walking the uphills is a great way to keep your effort level steady, instead of accidentally turning your easy jog into a hill sprint workout. How to cycle in zone 2Cyclists often measure their training in a seven-zone system that is based on how much power, in a physics sense, you are putting into the gears of your bike. These are called Coggan power zones, and bike training systems like Zwift and Peloton use the same basic idea. To calibrate these zones, you’ll take an FTP (functional threshold power) test—basically, a 20-minute race against yourself. From there, you (or your training app) calculates wattage numbers for your zones. Zones 2 and 3 in this system usually correspond to our “zone 2” cardio. (Your heart rate at the end of an FTP test will be pretty close to your max heart rate, by the way, if you really went all-out.) If you train with both a heart rate monitor and a bike power meter, don’t worry if they don’t match exactly. A ride in power zones 2 and 3 will meet your low-intensity cardio needs, even if your heart rate starts in zone 1 and spikes into zone 3 by the end. How to do other forms of cardio in zone 2For other forms of cardio, go by feel, or by heart rate if you truly know your heart rate percentages. When you’re on the elliptical or the rower or the airbike, you should feel like you could carry on a conversation easily, and stop because time is up rather than because you’re running out of gas. View the full article

President claims attack hit boats at drug loading terminal without providing further detailsView the full article

Visa has launched its Stablecoins Advisory Practice, aiming to assist businesses, including small enterprises, in capitalizing on the growing stablecoin market. With the market cap for stablecoins exceeding $250 billion, this initiative comes at a time when digital payments are rapidly evolving. As small business owners increasingly seek innovative financial solutions, Visa’s new service promises to provide them with an edge in navigating the complexities of stablecoin technology. According to Visa, their consulting arm, Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA), combines extensive payments expertise with in-depth crypto knowledge, ensuring clients receive tailored insights and actionable strategies. Stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar, offer stability and the potential for faster transactions. Visa’s advisory services aim to help small businesses understand how stablecoins can fit within their payment strategies, enhancing efficiency and potentially reducing costs. “Stablecoins may represent an opportunity to enhance speed and lower cost in payments,” said Matt Freeman, senior vice president of Navy Federal Credit Union. Many organizations see stablecoins as a way to innovate their financial offerings. By joining forces with Visa, VCA clients can leverage a robust network of consultants and data specialists to explore new avenues for growth. The newly launched advisory practice focuses on several key services. Small businesses can benefit from stablecoin training and market trend programs, including a course offered through Visa University. This course aims to demystify stablecoins and prepare businesses to implement them effectively. Moreover, Visa will assist in developing stablecoin strategies, planning market entry, and enabling technology integration, making the transition smoother for businesses of all sizes. Anthony Sharett, president of Pathward, reflected this sentiment, noting the significant value Visa Consulting & Analytics can bring to clients exploring stablecoin solutions. Despite these promising benefits, small business owners must navigate potential challenges when considering stablecoins. The regulatory landscape around cryptocurrencies remains uncertain and varies significantly by jurisdiction. Understanding compliance requirements can be daunting, particularly for smaller businesses with limited resources. Additionally, the technology behind stablecoins can be complex. While Visa’s advisory practice aims to simplify this aspect, business owners will need to invest time in training and adaptation. The rapid evolution of the digital currency space may require ongoing learning and agility from small enterprises. “Having a comprehensive stablecoins strategy is critical in today’s digital landscape,” said Carl Rutstein, global head of Visa Consulting & Analytics. Organizations that wish to remain competitive must stay updated and agile, a sentiment that resonates strongly with small business leaders who often face resource constraints. Real-world applications of Visa’s Stablecoins Advisory Practice are already in the works. Visa has reported a $3.5 billion annualized settlement volume as of November 30, showing that businesses are actively engaging with stablecoins. Companies can pre-fund cross-border payments using stablecoins and send direct payouts to individuals’ stablecoin wallets, which could streamline operations for international transactions. Ultimately, Visa’s initiative provides an opportunity for small businesses to explore the benefits of stablecoins, enhancing payment processing and financial innovation. Those interested in developing a stablecoin strategy can reach out to Visa Consulting & Analytics directly at VCA@visa.com for tailored support. In a rapidly changing digital finance landscape, Visa’s new advisory practice offers small businesses the tools and insights needed to navigate the stablecoin market effectively. For further details, you can view the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Visa Launches Advisory Practice to Help Businesses Harness Stablecoins" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Visa has launched its Stablecoins Advisory Practice, aiming to assist businesses, including small enterprises, in capitalizing on the growing stablecoin market. With the market cap for stablecoins exceeding $250 billion, this initiative comes at a time when digital payments are rapidly evolving. As small business owners increasingly seek innovative financial solutions, Visa’s new service promises to provide them with an edge in navigating the complexities of stablecoin technology. According to Visa, their consulting arm, Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA), combines extensive payments expertise with in-depth crypto knowledge, ensuring clients receive tailored insights and actionable strategies. Stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar, offer stability and the potential for faster transactions. Visa’s advisory services aim to help small businesses understand how stablecoins can fit within their payment strategies, enhancing efficiency and potentially reducing costs. “Stablecoins may represent an opportunity to enhance speed and lower cost in payments,” said Matt Freeman, senior vice president of Navy Federal Credit Union. Many organizations see stablecoins as a way to innovate their financial offerings. By joining forces with Visa, VCA clients can leverage a robust network of consultants and data specialists to explore new avenues for growth. The newly launched advisory practice focuses on several key services. Small businesses can benefit from stablecoin training and market trend programs, including a course offered through Visa University. This course aims to demystify stablecoins and prepare businesses to implement them effectively. Moreover, Visa will assist in developing stablecoin strategies, planning market entry, and enabling technology integration, making the transition smoother for businesses of all sizes. Anthony Sharett, president of Pathward, reflected this sentiment, noting the significant value Visa Consulting & Analytics can bring to clients exploring stablecoin solutions. Despite these promising benefits, small business owners must navigate potential challenges when considering stablecoins. The regulatory landscape around cryptocurrencies remains uncertain and varies significantly by jurisdiction. Understanding compliance requirements can be daunting, particularly for smaller businesses with limited resources. Additionally, the technology behind stablecoins can be complex. While Visa’s advisory practice aims to simplify this aspect, business owners will need to invest time in training and adaptation. The rapid evolution of the digital currency space may require ongoing learning and agility from small enterprises. “Having a comprehensive stablecoins strategy is critical in today’s digital landscape,” said Carl Rutstein, global head of Visa Consulting & Analytics. Organizations that wish to remain competitive must stay updated and agile, a sentiment that resonates strongly with small business leaders who often face resource constraints. Real-world applications of Visa’s Stablecoins Advisory Practice are already in the works. Visa has reported a $3.5 billion annualized settlement volume as of November 30, showing that businesses are actively engaging with stablecoins. Companies can pre-fund cross-border payments using stablecoins and send direct payouts to individuals’ stablecoin wallets, which could streamline operations for international transactions. Ultimately, Visa’s initiative provides an opportunity for small businesses to explore the benefits of stablecoins, enhancing payment processing and financial innovation. Those interested in developing a stablecoin strategy can reach out to Visa Consulting & Analytics directly at VCA@visa.com for tailored support. In a rapidly changing digital finance landscape, Visa’s new advisory practice offers small businesses the tools and insights needed to navigate the stablecoin market effectively. For further details, you can view the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Visa Launches Advisory Practice to Help Businesses Harness Stablecoins" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The first supermarket, the Piggly Wiggly in Memphis, opened its doors in 1916. It was the first time people could wander around a store and pick their items from a shelf instead of handing a list to a clerk who would gather everything for them—typically without any choice of brand or style. Grocery shopping remains a daily or weekly ritual for most people, and it can be a real chore—especially if you’re shopping for a large family. My own grocery lists aren’t all that long, but I still find myself juggling my phone and a scrap of paper as I walk around the store, checking for digital coupons and trying to do quick math. So when I read that one of the local grocery stores (a ShopRite) was rolling out Smart Shopping Carts powered by artificial intelligence (AI), I was intrigued. I’m naturally dubious about a lot of AI tools, but grocery shopping seemed like a place where a little digital help might come in handy. So I headed out to see whether these fancy new carts would offer real benefits or just a lot of targeted advertisements. What are caper carts?The carts in question are Caper Carts, which is owned by Instacart. They’re pretty large and tank-like, and kind of heavy to push. The Caper Carts are pretty big and heavy. Credit: Jeff Somers You need to have an account with ShopRite in order to use these carts, as they use your phone number to track your purchases; you can choose to store a credit card or other form of payment in there for convenience, but it’s not required. When you walk in the store, the Caper Carts are right there in the entrance area. When you pull one out, the screen lets you enter your phone number, then offers you a (mercifully brief) tutorial. The welcome screen on the AI shopping cart. Credit: Jeff Somers The log-in screen Credit: Jeff Somers The carts have barcode scanners mounted on both sides of the back of the cart, and the cart itself is a scale, which is both how it ensures you’ve scanned everything in the cart and how it calculates the cost of loose produce. If you’ve ever used a self-checkout in a grocery store, it’s kind of similar: You hold items up to the scanners and then drop them into your cart. For produce, you look up what you’re buying and then drop it into the cart, where it’s weighed and added to the total. Along the way, the cart will look for potential coupons or deals you might be interested in. The carts can import your shopping lists from the store’s app, if you want, and will keep track of your loyalty points and rewards as well. How to use a Caper CartThe first Caper Cart I selected didn’t work; nothing would scan no matter how I held things up to the scanners. This wasn’t a big deal—I let the store folks know, logged out of the cart, and grabbed another. The second cart worked perfectly. The Caper Cart screen while shopping Credit: Jeff Somers These carts are pretty heavy, and the second cart I used had a loose wheel which made it rumble loudly as I walked the aisles—you aren’t going to be racing these carts and jumping on for a quick glide. When I dropped an item in the cart without scanning it, the cart politely showed me a video of me placing the item (creepy) and asked if I wanted to fess up to adding something to the cart. It did, however, give me the option to declare a “personal item,” which is a solid feature. A video pops up if you try putting an un-scanned item in the cart Credit: Jeff Somers I forgot to put my shopping bags in the cart, because I am frequently dumb. You’re supposed to bag as you go, which saves you time; I had to bag after checkout, which did not save me time. On the other hand, I don’t always shop in bagging order, so bagging as I go might result in some of my items getting crushed under heavier groceries, or me having to re-arrange everything in the middle of the shopping experience. I kind of like bagging at the end, when I can make decisions about how to arrange everything optimally. If you change your mind about an item, you just remove it from the cart. The Caper system will notice and remove the item from your bill. When you’re done, you just tap “Checkout” and head to the Checkout Area. Checking out with a Caper Cart Credit: Jeff Somers This will be different depending on the specific store you’re in—some stores don’t have checkout lanes for the Caper Carts, but this ShopRite did. There was only one lane for Caper Carts, and I had to wait behind someone as they checked themselves out. Then I scanned a barcode on my screen with a gun and tapped my card to pay while a security guard loomed nearby, presumably to discourage folks from making a run for it. Barcode for checking out with a Caper Cart Credit: Jeff Somers Scanning the checkout barcode on a Caper Cart Credit: Jeff Somers The pros and cons of AI shopping cartsOverall, the AI shopping cart experience was a slight upgrade from typical grocery shopping. Bagging as you go is convenient, and checkout is a little easier because you scan a single barcode instead of two dozen. I didn’t receive many personalized coupons or recipe suggestions because this was my first time using the system, but I can see how that could become very useful if the cart is able to dig up coupons or offers that I missed. A few specific notes: The cart can accidentally scan a barcode if you get close to a shelf, which can cause confusion, though the cart will quickly delete it if the weight doesn’t change. As noted above, the carts are pretty heavy. If you’re going to be buying a lot of groceries all at once, this could become a real workout. Adding produce can be a little complicated: You have to locate the “price look up” (PLU) code for the specific produce you’re adding, then scan or type it into the screen before dropping it into the cart. That means sometimes hunting for those little stickers and tapping a bunch of numbers into your cart over and over again. Seeing your total spend add up in real time is useful, especially if you’re tracking costs. If an item costs more than expected, you see it immediately, and if the overall cost is more than anticipated you have time to adjust your selections before you hit the checkout. Because you have to go through a checkout lane as usual (and there was only one dedicated lane for Caper Carts), during busy times you might wind up waiting a long time to get out of the store, which kind of cancels out the convenience factor. Of course, as more people use these carts, ShopRite might add more dedicated Caper lanes. Depending on how you shop for groceries, these AI shopping carts might be worth a try—but don’t expect a revolutionary experience. View the full article

The The President administration will award each U.S. state between $147 million and $281 million in 2026 under a new rural health transformation program aimed at improving access to care and service quality, a senior White House aide said on Monday. The initiative, authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will provide $50 billion over five fiscal years. It will make $10 billion available each year from fiscal 2026 through fiscal 2030 for all 50 states. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz said the fund is intended to improve rural health outcomes that have worsened over decades, while avoiding costly new construction. “This is a massive effort to change the unfortunate reality that has overtaken rural healthcare in America, which is that your ZIP code has started to predict your life expectancy,” Oz told reporters. He said the money will also support other pilot projects across the country. Officials said they will allocate half the funding equally among states, with the remaining $25 billion distributed based on factors tied to rural health systems, state policy actions, and initiatives states propose in their applications. Administration officials also said they will recoup funds if states fail to meet certain criteria or do not carry out pledged actions. “The purpose of this $50 billion investment in rural healthcare is not to pay off bills,” Oz said. “The purpose of this $50 billion investment is to allow us to right-size the system and to deal with the fundamental hindrances of improvement in rural healthcare.” The rollout comes as President Donald The President faces weak approval ratings, with inflation and cost-of-living concerns dominating voters’ minds ahead of next year’s congressional elections. The President performed strongly with rural voters, who made up about 36% of his voters in the 2024 presidential election, compared with 16% for his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, according to the Pew Research Center. Moderate Republicans, who are pivotal to maintaining the party’s razor-thin majority in Congress, face added pressure as the House has not extended enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, leaving many marketplace enrollees projected to see higher premiums starting January 1. —Andrea Shalal and Sriparna Roy, Reuters View the full article

Robots have long been seen as a bad bet for Silicon Valley investors — too complicated, capital-intensive, and “boring, honestly,” says venture capitalist Modar Alaoui. But the commercial boom in artificial intelligence has lit a spark under long-simmering visions to build humanoid robots that can move their mechanical bodies like humans and do things that people do. Alaoui, founder of the Humanoids Summit, gathered more than 2,000 people this week, including top robotics engineers from Disney, Google, and dozens of startups, to showcase their technology and debate what it will take to accelerate a nascent industry. Alaoui says many researchers now believe humanoids or some other kind of physical embodiment of AI are “going to become the norm.” “The question is really just how long it will take,” he said. Disney’s contribution to the field, a walking robotic version of “Frozen” character Olaf, will be roaming on its own through Disneyland theme parks in Hong Kong and Paris early next year. Entertaining and highly complex robots that resemble a human — or a snowman — are already here, but the timeline for “general purpose” robots that are a productive member of a workplace or household is farther away. Even at a conference designed to build enthusiasm for the technology, held at a Computer History Museum that’s a temple to Silicon Valley’s previous breakthroughs, skepticism remained high that truly humanlike robots will take root anytime soon. “The humanoid space has a very, very big hill to climb,” said Cosima du Pasquier, co-founder of Haptica Robotics, which works to give robots a sense of touch. “There’s a lot of research that still needs to be solved.” The Stanford University postdoctoral researcher came to the conference in Mountain View, California, just a week after incorporating her startup. “The first customers are really the people here,” she said. Researchers at the consultancy McKinsey & Company have counted about 50 companies around the world that have raised at least $100 million to develop humanoids, led by about 20 in China and 15 in North America. China is leading in part due to government incentives for component production and robot adoption and a mandate last year “to have a humanoid ecosystem established by 2025,” said McKinsey partner Ani Kelkar. Displays by Chinese firms dominated the expo section of this week’s summit, held Thursday and Friday. The conference’s most prevalent humanoids were those made by China’s Unitree, in part because researchers in the U.S. buy the relatively cheap model to test their own software. In the U.S., the advent of generative AI chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini has jolted the decades-old robotics industry in different ways. Investor excitement has poured money into ambitious startups aiming to build hardware that will bring a physical presence to the latest AI. But it’s not just crossover hype — the same technical advances that made AI chatbots so good at language have played a role in teaching robots how to get better at performing tasks. Paired with computer vision, robots powered by “visual-language” models are trained to learn about their surroundings. One of the most prominent skeptics is robotics pioneer Rodney Brooks, a co-founder of Roomba vacuum maker iRobot who wrote in September that “today’s humanoid robots will not learn how to be dexterous despite the hundreds of millions, or perhaps many billions of dollars, being donated by VCs and major tech companies to pay for their training.” Brooks didn’t attend but his essay was frequently mentioned. Also missing was anyone speaking for Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s development of a humanoid called Optimus, a project that the billionaire is designing to be “extremely capable” and sold in high volumes. Musk said three years ago that people can probably buy an Optimus “within three to five years.” The conference’s organizer, Alaoui, founder and general partner of ALM Ventures, previously worked on driver attention systems for the automotive industry and sees parallels between humanoids and the early years of self-driving cars. Near the entrance to the summit venue, just blocks from Google’s headquarters, is a museum exhibit showing Google’s bubble-shaped 2014 prototype of a self-driving car. Eleven years later, robotaxis operated by Google affiliate Waymo are constantly plying the streets nearby. Some robots with human elements are already being tested in workplaces. Oregon-based Agility Robotics announced shortly before the conference that it is bringing its tote-carrying warehouse robot Digit to a Texas distribution facility run by Mercado Libre, the Latin American e-commerce giant. Much like the Olaf robot, it has inverted legs that are more birdlike than human. Industrial robots performing single tasks are already commonplace in car assembly and other manufacturing. They work with a level of speed and precision that’s difficult for today’s humanoids — or humans themselves — to match. The head of a robotics trade group founded in 1974 is now lobbying the U.S. government to develop a stronger national strategy to advance the development of homegrown robots, be they humanoids or otherwise. “We have a lot of strong technology, we have the AI expertise here in the U.S.,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation, after touring the expo. “So I think it remains to be seen who is the ultimate leader in this. But right now, China has certainly a lot more momentum on humanoids.” —Matt O’Brien, AP technology writer Associated Press journalist Terry Chea contributed to this report. View the full article

Managing your small business reputation is vital for success in today’s digital environment. It involves a strategic approach that includes regular online audits, building a strong online presence, and effectively handling customer feedback. By implementing these seven fundamental strategies, you can create a positive image and build trust with your audience. Comprehending the importance of each step can greatly impact your business’s long-term viability. Let’s explore how you can improve your reputation management efforts. Key Takeaways Conduct regular online audits to identify mentions and reviews, establishing a baseline for your business reputation. Optimize your online presence by claiming business profiles and ensuring consistent NAP information across platforms. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews while responding professionally to all feedback, showcasing appreciation and engagement. Address negative feedback promptly and sincerely, offering solutions and taking complex issues offline for resolution. Utilize positive testimonials in marketing efforts to enhance credibility and attract new customers. Understanding the Importance of Reputation Management Reputation management is fundamental for small businesses, as a single negative review can substantially undermine customer trust and discourage potential clients from engaging with your brand. By focusing on small business reputation management, you can create a positive image that attracts new customers. A strong reputation nurtures loyalty, leading to repeat business and referrals, which are essential for long-term success. Effective online presence management and web presence management help improve your visibility in search engine rankings, making it easier for customers to find you. Proactively addressing negative feedback can mitigate damage from PR crises, enhancing your business’s stability and resilience. Additionally, by actively managing your reputation, you can differentiate yourself in crowded markets, gaining a competitive advantage over those who neglect this vital aspect. In today’s digital world, comprehending the importance of reputation management is key to thriving as a small business. Conducting an Online Audit Conducting an online audit is vital for comprehending how your brand is perceived in the digital environment. Start by searching for your brand on search engines to analyze mentions and reviews. Regularly check platforms like Google Reviews and Yelp to gather feedback, which helps identify areas for improvement. Monitoring social media engagement is likewise fundamental, as it reveals customer sentiment and interactions in real-time. Tools like Google Alerts can provide notifications about your brand, enabling proactive reputation management. Compiling your findings documents insights and establishes a baseline for your current reputation. Aspect Action Required Tools/Platforms Search Engine Results Analyze mentions and reviews Google, Bing Review Platforms Collect customer feedback Google Reviews, Yelp Social Media Monitor engagement and sentiment Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Alerts Set up notifications Google Alerts This structured approach will guide your future reputation management strategies effectively. Building a Strong Online Foundation As you build a strong online foundation for your business, it’s crucial to guarantee that your digital presence accurately reflects your brand. Start by claiming and optimizing your business profiles on platforms like Google and Bing. This assures potential customers find accurate and consistent information about your business. Maintaining uniformity in your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) across all platforms boosts your credibility and prevents confusion. Next, create a professional website that showcases your brand identity and provides important information such as services, contact details, and customer testimonials. Additionally, consider utilizing monitoring tools like Google Alerts, which notify you of brand mentions and feedback, allowing for prompt responses to any issues. Encouraging and Managing Customer Reviews To effectively encourage and manage customer reviews, you need to create an environment that values feedback and makes it easy for customers to share their experiences. Here are three strategies to take into account: Regularly solicit reviews from satisfied customers by using automated systems that prompt them for feedback, helping you build a robust collection of positive testimonials. Respond professionally to all reviews, demonstrating appreciation for customer feedback. This showcases your commitment to customer satisfaction and builds trust. Highlight positive reviews in your marketing materials and on social media. Amplifying their impact improves your business’s credibility and visibility, attracting more potential customers. Handling Negative Feedback Effectively Handling negative feedback is an inevitable part of running a small business, and addressing it effectively can greatly impact your reputation. First, respond swiftly and professionally to show you value customer opinions. Acknowledge their concerns and offer a sincere apology if necessary, as this can turn a negative experience into an opportunity for loyalty. Consider offering solutions or compensation to demonstrate your commitment to improving customer satisfaction, which can help rebuild trust. For more complex issues, take conversations offline to resolve them privately and prevent further public escalation. This approach not only protects your reputation but likewise allows for more thorough discussions. Finally, use feedback from negative reviews as valuable insight for business improvement. Addressing underlying issues can greatly improve customer experiences and minimize future complaints. Leveraging Technology for Reputation Management In an age where online interactions shape consumer perceptions, leveraging technology for reputation management is crucial for small businesses. By utilizing the right tools, you can streamline your efforts and maintain a positive image. Here are three effective strategies: Utilize review management platforms like Broadly to improve customer communication and efficiently manage reviews. This helps guarantee you’re addressing feedback swiftly. Set up Google Alerts to receive real-time notifications whenever your brand is mentioned online. This allows you to tackle reputation concerns before they escalate. Employ social media management tools such as Hootsuite to monitor customer interactions across various platforms. This proactive approach enables you to engage with your audience effectively. Best Practices for Ongoing Reputation Management Managing your business’s reputation doesn’t end with implementing technology; it requires ongoing attention and strategic practices. Start by ensuring consistent messaging across all channels, which builds a recognizable brand and nurtures trust among customers. Train your employees on reputation management protocols to improve customer engagement and create a unified approach to feedback. Regularly monitor online reviews and conduct audits to adapt your strategies based on customer sentiment and industry trends. Utilize customer feedback as a tool for continuous improvement, enhancing overall satisfaction and loyalty. Maintain a proactive approach by regularly evaluating your strategies and addressing potential issues before they escalate. Here’s a concise overview: Best Practices Key Actions Benefits Consistent Messaging Align brand voice across channels Builds trust and recognition Employee Training Educate on feedback management Improves customer interactions Continuous Monitoring Review feedback and adjust strategies Adapts to customer needs and trends Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Six Pillars of Reputation? The six pillars of reputation are trust, credibility, reliability, consistency, accountability, and transparency. Trust forms the foundation of customer relationships, whereas credibility is reinforced by positive reviews. Reliability shows through consistent messaging and service delivery, nurturing customer loyalty. Accountability means acknowledging mistakes and addressing feedback, which improves reputation. Finally, transparency in operations encourages consumer support, as customers prefer Honest brands that are honest and open about their challenges and efforts for improvement. What Is the Reputation Management Strategy? A reputation management strategy involves actively monitoring and shaping how the public perceives your business. Start by establishing a solid online presence, ensuring your information is consistent across platforms. Engage with customers regularly, seeking their feedback and responding quickly to reviews. Implement a crisis communication plan to address negative feedback swiftly. Utilizing tools like Google Alerts can help you track mentions of your brand, enabling you to maintain a positive image effectively. How Do You Effectively Manage a Small Business? To effectively manage a small business, start by defining your goals and target audience. Develop a solid marketing strategy that includes both online and offline channels. Monitor your finances closely and adjust your budget as needed. Cultivate strong relationships with customers by providing excellent service and actively seeking feedback. Regularly assess your competition to stay relevant. Finally, invest in employee training to guarantee your team is skilled and motivated, contributing to overall success. How to Fix a Bad Reputation in Business? To fix a bad reputation in business, start by addressing negative feedback quickly. Respond within 24 hours to show you’re committed to customer satisfaction. Develop a crisis communication plan to guide your team during tough situations. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, and monitor online mentions regularly using tools like Google Alerts. Finally, invest in customer service training for your employees, as effective complaint handling can turn dissatisfied customers into loyal advocates. Conclusion To summarize, managing your small business’s reputation is crucial for long-term success. By conducting regular online audits, building a strong online foundation, encouraging customer reviews, and effectively handling negative feedback, you can create a positive image. Leveraging technology and establishing best practices will likewise help you maintain your reputation over time. By proactively implementing these strategies, you not only protect your business but additionally nurture trust and loyalty among your customers. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Strategies for Managing Small Business Reputation" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Managing your small business reputation is vital for success in today’s digital environment. It involves a strategic approach that includes regular online audits, building a strong online presence, and effectively handling customer feedback. By implementing these seven fundamental strategies, you can create a positive image and build trust with your audience. Comprehending the importance of each step can greatly impact your business’s long-term viability. Let’s explore how you can improve your reputation management efforts. Key Takeaways Conduct regular online audits to identify mentions and reviews, establishing a baseline for your business reputation. Optimize your online presence by claiming business profiles and ensuring consistent NAP information across platforms. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews while responding professionally to all feedback, showcasing appreciation and engagement. Address negative feedback promptly and sincerely, offering solutions and taking complex issues offline for resolution. Utilize positive testimonials in marketing efforts to enhance credibility and attract new customers. Understanding the Importance of Reputation Management Reputation management is fundamental for small businesses, as a single negative review can substantially undermine customer trust and discourage potential clients from engaging with your brand. By focusing on small business reputation management, you can create a positive image that attracts new customers. A strong reputation nurtures loyalty, leading to repeat business and referrals, which are essential for long-term success. Effective online presence management and web presence management help improve your visibility in search engine rankings, making it easier for customers to find you. Proactively addressing negative feedback can mitigate damage from PR crises, enhancing your business’s stability and resilience. Additionally, by actively managing your reputation, you can differentiate yourself in crowded markets, gaining a competitive advantage over those who neglect this vital aspect. In today’s digital world, comprehending the importance of reputation management is key to thriving as a small business. Conducting an Online Audit Conducting an online audit is vital for comprehending how your brand is perceived in the digital environment. Start by searching for your brand on search engines to analyze mentions and reviews. Regularly check platforms like Google Reviews and Yelp to gather feedback, which helps identify areas for improvement. Monitoring social media engagement is likewise fundamental, as it reveals customer sentiment and interactions in real-time. Tools like Google Alerts can provide notifications about your brand, enabling proactive reputation management. Compiling your findings documents insights and establishes a baseline for your current reputation. Aspect Action Required Tools/Platforms Search Engine Results Analyze mentions and reviews Google, Bing Review Platforms Collect customer feedback Google Reviews, Yelp Social Media Monitor engagement and sentiment Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Alerts Set up notifications Google Alerts This structured approach will guide your future reputation management strategies effectively. Building a Strong Online Foundation As you build a strong online foundation for your business, it’s crucial to guarantee that your digital presence accurately reflects your brand. Start by claiming and optimizing your business profiles on platforms like Google and Bing. This assures potential customers find accurate and consistent information about your business. Maintaining uniformity in your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) across all platforms boosts your credibility and prevents confusion. Next, create a professional website that showcases your brand identity and provides important information such as services, contact details, and customer testimonials. Additionally, consider utilizing monitoring tools like Google Alerts, which notify you of brand mentions and feedback, allowing for prompt responses to any issues. Encouraging and Managing Customer Reviews To effectively encourage and manage customer reviews, you need to create an environment that values feedback and makes it easy for customers to share their experiences. Here are three strategies to take into account: Regularly solicit reviews from satisfied customers by using automated systems that prompt them for feedback, helping you build a robust collection of positive testimonials. Respond professionally to all reviews, demonstrating appreciation for customer feedback. This showcases your commitment to customer satisfaction and builds trust. Highlight positive reviews in your marketing materials and on social media. Amplifying their impact improves your business’s credibility and visibility, attracting more potential customers. Handling Negative Feedback Effectively Handling negative feedback is an inevitable part of running a small business, and addressing it effectively can greatly impact your reputation. First, respond swiftly and professionally to show you value customer opinions. Acknowledge their concerns and offer a sincere apology if necessary, as this can turn a negative experience into an opportunity for loyalty. Consider offering solutions or compensation to demonstrate your commitment to improving customer satisfaction, which can help rebuild trust. For more complex issues, take conversations offline to resolve them privately and prevent further public escalation. This approach not only protects your reputation but likewise allows for more thorough discussions. Finally, use feedback from negative reviews as valuable insight for business improvement. Addressing underlying issues can greatly improve customer experiences and minimize future complaints. Leveraging Technology for Reputation Management In an age where online interactions shape consumer perceptions, leveraging technology for reputation management is crucial for small businesses. By utilizing the right tools, you can streamline your efforts and maintain a positive image. Here are three effective strategies: Utilize review management platforms like Broadly to improve customer communication and efficiently manage reviews. This helps guarantee you’re addressing feedback swiftly. Set up Google Alerts to receive real-time notifications whenever your brand is mentioned online. This allows you to tackle reputation concerns before they escalate. Employ social media management tools such as Hootsuite to monitor customer interactions across various platforms. This proactive approach enables you to engage with your audience effectively. Best Practices for Ongoing Reputation Management Managing your business’s reputation doesn’t end with implementing technology; it requires ongoing attention and strategic practices. Start by ensuring consistent messaging across all channels, which builds a recognizable brand and nurtures trust among customers. Train your employees on reputation management protocols to improve customer engagement and create a unified approach to feedback. Regularly monitor online reviews and conduct audits to adapt your strategies based on customer sentiment and industry trends. Utilize customer feedback as a tool for continuous improvement, enhancing overall satisfaction and loyalty. Maintain a proactive approach by regularly evaluating your strategies and addressing potential issues before they escalate. Here’s a concise overview: Best Practices Key Actions Benefits Consistent Messaging Align brand voice across channels Builds trust and recognition Employee Training Educate on feedback management Improves customer interactions Continuous Monitoring Review feedback and adjust strategies Adapts to customer needs and trends Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Six Pillars of Reputation? The six pillars of reputation are trust, credibility, reliability, consistency, accountability, and transparency. Trust forms the foundation of customer relationships, whereas credibility is reinforced by positive reviews. Reliability shows through consistent messaging and service delivery, nurturing customer loyalty. Accountability means acknowledging mistakes and addressing feedback, which improves reputation. Finally, transparency in operations encourages consumer support, as customers prefer Honest brands that are honest and open about their challenges and efforts for improvement. What Is the Reputation Management Strategy? A reputation management strategy involves actively monitoring and shaping how the public perceives your business. Start by establishing a solid online presence, ensuring your information is consistent across platforms. Engage with customers regularly, seeking their feedback and responding quickly to reviews. Implement a crisis communication plan to address negative feedback swiftly. Utilizing tools like Google Alerts can help you track mentions of your brand, enabling you to maintain a positive image effectively. How Do You Effectively Manage a Small Business? To effectively manage a small business, start by defining your goals and target audience. Develop a solid marketing strategy that includes both online and offline channels. Monitor your finances closely and adjust your budget as needed. Cultivate strong relationships with customers by providing excellent service and actively seeking feedback. Regularly assess your competition to stay relevant. Finally, invest in employee training to guarantee your team is skilled and motivated, contributing to overall success. How to Fix a Bad Reputation in Business? To fix a bad reputation in business, start by addressing negative feedback quickly. Respond within 24 hours to show you’re committed to customer satisfaction. Develop a crisis communication plan to guide your team during tough situations. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, and monitor online mentions regularly using tools like Google Alerts. Finally, invest in customer service training for your employees, as effective complaint handling can turn dissatisfied customers into loyal advocates. Conclusion To summarize, managing your small business’s reputation is crucial for long-term success. By conducting regular online audits, building a strong online foundation, encouraging customer reviews, and effectively handling negative feedback, you can create a positive image. Leveraging technology and establishing best practices will likewise help you maintain your reputation over time. By proactively implementing these strategies, you not only protect your business but additionally nurture trust and loyalty among your customers. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Strategies for Managing Small Business Reputation" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Roughly 75 million Americans will receive a 2.8% boost to their income in 2026, thanks to the upcoming cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. But other changes afoot to the program will affect people who are still working, without a glint of retirement yet in their eyes. The annual COLA update, as it’s known, is often the main change to Social Security we hear about because it’s a useful gauge to see how your pay increase compares. But because workers pay into the system, some of the annual changes also affect your paycheck. Here’s what to know. HIGHER INCOMES TO BE TAXED As part of its annual inflation-related update to the program, the Social Security Administration also adjusts the taxable maximum for wages—the primary source of funding for this program. While these changes affect high earners, it could mean that you’ll see some more money taken from your paycheck in taxes. Employees are taxed 6.2% of their earnings up to a certain limit for Social Security, while employers are required to chip in the same amount. In 2026, people earning up to $184,500 will pay Social Security taxes, up from 176,100 in 2025. HIGHER EARNING LIMITS FOR COLLECTING BENEFITS While many people may think of Social Security as a program that’s reserved solely for retirees, you can continue working while simultaneously receiving these benefits. And the federal agency has likewise increased the amount of income that people can earn before benefits are withheld. You can start receiving Social Security as early as 62 and in 2026, you can earn up to $24,480 without having any of these benefits withheld. For earnings beyond this amount, $1 in benefits will be deducted for every $2 earned. This earnings limit increased from $23,400 in 2025. Meanwhile, people who will reach full retirement age in 2026—a few months short of 67—then you can earn up to $65,160 in earnings before your benefits are withheld. Beyond that amount, $1 in benefits will be deducted for every $3 earned. That amount has increased from $62,160 in 2025. This may sound unfair, but withheld benefits come back to you later—you’ll receive larger monthly Social Security checks once you reach full retirement age, though claiming Social Security before full retirement age will reduce your monthly benefits for life. PART-TIME WORK CREDITS In order to eventually collect Social Security benefits, you must accrue a minimum 40 work credits in your lifetime—roughly equivalent to 10 years of work. But the amount of benefit you will be paid each month depends on your highest 35 years of earnings. For people who work especially part-time roles, it could become a little bit more challenging to earn those work credits starting in 2026. That’s because the value of each work credit is increasing from $1,810 to $1,890, which means that you need a total annual income of $7,560 to be eligible for the maximum of four credits. CHANGES FOR RETIREES Not surprisingly, the biggest changes to Social Security will affect those people who are collecting benefits. What’s new in 2026 may or may not be welcomed news. Take the COLA increase, for example. While it’s slightly above a 25-year average of about 2.6%, this increase may not be sufficient for many retirees, according to AARP. Even a 3% COLA for 2026 wouldn’t be enough, according to 77% of older adults surveyed by the organization in September. While retirees are getting some relief on one front, they’ll be paying more for healthcare. One provision in the tax bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill means that people 65 and older could reduce or fully offset taxes on Social Security income—by up to $6,000 for eligible taxpayers. But retirees will be paying more to access healthcare. In November, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B, will increase 9.7% to $202.90 in January. All of the changes, both for retirees and workers, will go into effect beginning January 1. View the full article

The third and likely final core update of 2025, the December 2025 core update, is now rolling out and complete. It started on December 11, 2025 and was completed about 18 days and 2 hours later on December 29, 2025. Google called this update “a regular update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers from all types of sites.” This December 2025 core update came after waiting five months since the previous core update, the June 2025 core update. That June update came a few months after Google’s first core update on the 2025 year, the March 2025 core update. In the coming days we will gather data on the impact of this update and share some of that data with you on Search Engine Land. What Google is saying. Google updated its Search Status Dashboard to state: “Released the December 2025 core update. The rollout may take up to 3 weeks to complete.” Google added on LinkedIn: “This is a regular update designed to better surface relevant, satisfying content for searchers from all types of sites.” What we saw. The initial rollout touched down within a few days after the update was announced, specifically on December 13, 2025. Then on December 20th, we saw another big spike in volatility. Like with all core updates, some sites saw huge declines in ranking visibility, some saw some big improvements and many saw no changes. I’d also recommend you watch this video from Glenn Gabe on the December core update. What to do if you are hit. Google did not share any new guidance specific to the December 2025 core update. However, in the past, Google has offered advice on what to consider if a core update negatively impacts your site: There aren’t specific actions to take to recover. A negative rankings impact may not signal anything is wrong with your pages. Google offered a list of questions to consider if your site is hit by a core update. Google said you can see some recovery between core updates, but the biggest change would be after another core update. In short: write helpful content for people and not to rank in search engines. “There’s nothing new or special that creators need to do for this update as long as they’ve been making satisfying content meant for people. For those that might not be ranking as well, we strongly encourage reading our creating helpful, reliable, people-first content help page,” Google said previously. For more details on Google core updates, you can read Google’s documentation. Previous core updates. Here’s a timeline and our coverage of recent core updates: The June 2025 core update was on June 30 and ended on July 17. The March 2025 core update was on Mar. 13 and ended on Mar. 27. The December 2024 core update was on Dec. 12 and ended on Dec. 18. The November 2024 core update was on Nov. 11 and ended on Dec. 5. The August 2024 core update was on Aug. 15 and ended on Sept. 3. The March 2024 core update was on March 5 and ended on April 19. Why we care. Now that this December 2025 core update is done, you can start to dig in to see how you are your clients were impacted. You can review Google’s guidance and continue to improve your site, which hopefully will lead to better Google ranking in the future. Google releases core update every few to several months, so you should always continue to work on improving your site and the content on your site. I hope you all did well with this last Google update and you all have an amazing holidays and new years! View the full article

Google's December 2025 core update is now done rolling out, it took 18 days and 2 hours to complete. The core update started on December 11, 2025 at around 12:25 pm ET and ended on December 29, 2025 at around 2:05 pm ET...View the full article

Here are the most-read stories from National Mortgage News over the past year. View the full article

Freshworks Inc., a prominent player in service software, has announced its acquisition of FireHydrant, a leading provider of AI-powered incident management solutions. This strategic move aims to streamline IT service operations, offering small business owners an opportunity to enhance their operational efficiency and service reliability. In an era where quick recovery from IT disruptions is crucial, the integration of Freshservice’s IT Service Management (ITSM) with FireHydrant’s Incident Management capabilities presents a compelling case for small businesses. With a focus on creating a unified AI-native ServiceOps solution, the partnership will address the challenges of incident chaos, which often plagues IT teams. Dennis Woodside, CEO and President of Freshworks, explained, “We believe the FireHydrant technology will contribute to our vision of unifying IT and employee experiences where service, asset, and operations management converge with AI to drive business continuity and efficiency.” This vision speaks directly to the needs of small business owners who seek to minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations. Key benefits of this acquisition for small businesses include unified visibility across IT operations, enabling teams to track problems from identification to resolution seamlessly. This means fewer frustrating handoffs and faster service, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction. In a fast-paced market, quick response times can significantly improve a brand’s reputation. The FireHydrant platform leverages AI to streamline incident resolution. It reduces alert noise by summarizing incident context and guiding teams through structured response workflows. For small businesses with limited IT resources, this feature can be particularly beneficial, promoting collaboration across IT and engineering departments and facilitating faster resolutions. Moreover, by combining service and asset information with post-incident insights, small business teams can identify and address recurring issues. This proactive approach shifts the focus from reactive problem-solving to building resilience, allowing businesses to prevent incidents before they occur. Robert Ross, Founder and CEO of FireHydrant, emphasized the alignment of the companies’ philosophies: “We built FireHydrant to eliminate the chaos and pain of incident response. Now, with Freshworks, we are creating what we’ve always believed should exist: a unified, end-to-end operational and reliability platform.” For small business owners, this indicates a commitment to reducing operational complexity, a crucial factor in maintaining focus on core business functions. While the benefits of this acquisition are significant, small business owners should also consider the practical implications of integrating a new system into their existing workflows. Transitioning to a unified ServiceOps solution may require initial training and adaptation for team members. Incorporating new technologies can sometimes lead to resistance, particularly in businesses with established processes. Therefore, careful planning and change management strategies will be essential. Another potential challenge is the cost associated with adopting advanced IT solutions. Small businesses need to evaluate their budgets carefully when considering incorporating sophisticated software platforms. Freshworks aims to provide cost-effective solutions, but understanding the return on investment will be crucial as businesses navigate these new tools. Overall, the acquisition of FireHydrant by Freshworks presents an exciting opportunity for small business owners looking to enhance their IT operations. The combination of AI-driven incident management and streamlined service processes can lead to improved efficiency, faster response times, and a more proactive operational model. For more details on this development, you can read the full press release on Freshworks’ official site here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Freshworks to Acquire FireHydrant, Enhancing AI-Driven IT Operations" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Freshworks Inc., a prominent player in service software, has announced its acquisition of FireHydrant, a leading provider of AI-powered incident management solutions. This strategic move aims to streamline IT service operations, offering small business owners an opportunity to enhance their operational efficiency and service reliability. In an era where quick recovery from IT disruptions is crucial, the integration of Freshservice’s IT Service Management (ITSM) with FireHydrant’s Incident Management capabilities presents a compelling case for small businesses. With a focus on creating a unified AI-native ServiceOps solution, the partnership will address the challenges of incident chaos, which often plagues IT teams. Dennis Woodside, CEO and President of Freshworks, explained, “We believe the FireHydrant technology will contribute to our vision of unifying IT and employee experiences where service, asset, and operations management converge with AI to drive business continuity and efficiency.” This vision speaks directly to the needs of small business owners who seek to minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations. Key benefits of this acquisition for small businesses include unified visibility across IT operations, enabling teams to track problems from identification to resolution seamlessly. This means fewer frustrating handoffs and faster service, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction. In a fast-paced market, quick response times can significantly improve a brand’s reputation. The FireHydrant platform leverages AI to streamline incident resolution. It reduces alert noise by summarizing incident context and guiding teams through structured response workflows. For small businesses with limited IT resources, this feature can be particularly beneficial, promoting collaboration across IT and engineering departments and facilitating faster resolutions. Moreover, by combining service and asset information with post-incident insights, small business teams can identify and address recurring issues. This proactive approach shifts the focus from reactive problem-solving to building resilience, allowing businesses to prevent incidents before they occur. Robert Ross, Founder and CEO of FireHydrant, emphasized the alignment of the companies’ philosophies: “We built FireHydrant to eliminate the chaos and pain of incident response. Now, with Freshworks, we are creating what we’ve always believed should exist: a unified, end-to-end operational and reliability platform.” For small business owners, this indicates a commitment to reducing operational complexity, a crucial factor in maintaining focus on core business functions. While the benefits of this acquisition are significant, small business owners should also consider the practical implications of integrating a new system into their existing workflows. Transitioning to a unified ServiceOps solution may require initial training and adaptation for team members. Incorporating new technologies can sometimes lead to resistance, particularly in businesses with established processes. Therefore, careful planning and change management strategies will be essential. Another potential challenge is the cost associated with adopting advanced IT solutions. Small businesses need to evaluate their budgets carefully when considering incorporating sophisticated software platforms. Freshworks aims to provide cost-effective solutions, but understanding the return on investment will be crucial as businesses navigate these new tools. Overall, the acquisition of FireHydrant by Freshworks presents an exciting opportunity for small business owners looking to enhance their IT operations. The combination of AI-driven incident management and streamlined service processes can lead to improved efficiency, faster response times, and a more proactive operational model. For more details on this development, you can read the full press release on Freshworks’ official site here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Freshworks to Acquire FireHydrant, Enhancing AI-Driven IT Operations" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Remember the letter-writer who was worried that their boss and HR were laying a paper trail to fire them (#3 at the link)? Here’s the update. I know that people like updates, so I thought I would write back once I passed the six-month mark of that meeting (and then some), to see if there was ever the follow-up that I was told there would be. Well, there has not been any follow-up meeting scheduled or even any reference to the first meeting having happened, so I think it probably was just a one-off and my boss may have even forgotten about it. Obviously, I’ve tried to take everything from the meeting to heart and improve — I’m much better at proactively following up with outside conservators and shippers rather than waiting for them to reply to my emails, for instance — but I’m less terrified that I’m going to get called to the carpet and summarily fired on a day-to-day basis. I also wanted to admit to some of the details I probably should have given up-front that commenters were asking about. At the time, I was extremely paranoid that my boss or our HR person would be a reader of your site and recognize that the letter was from me, so I tried to give as few details as I could possibly get away with, but it might have made things less clear. Certainly less entertaining. So: rather than having a regular desk job, I work in a museum, where I’m responsible for the physical care of collections, the database, cataloguing, inventory, etc. The colleague I went to HR about is about 10 years older than me and has worked there about 10 years longer than me, with a very friendly relationship with our boss: most of the time when I hear about his opinions, it’s coming to me through her. Since I started, there have been issues with her relating to me more like she’s my supervisor even though we’re on the same level of the hierarchy. In the comments, I referred to “high school mean girl behavior” on her part, which includes but is not limited to things like talking loudly and negatively about me behind my back, sending emails calling me out while cc’ing the rest of the department (when she picks up on a mistake anyone else makes, she either notifies them privately or uses passive voice to avoid naming names), and assuming that anything that goes wrong was done by me if there’s the remotest possibility of that. During a few hands-on workdays where the department was split into two groups to complete a big project, she encouraged everyone in my group to leave me to do all of the work while they hung out with her group in an office. Most recently, she seems to have complained to our boss that I haven’t been doing a task that she claimed was required based on a set policy she was certain I was aware of, but further research revealed that the policy never existed and that some of the undone work was actually hers, and there have been a couple of times I’ve realized after the fact that she told me an outright lie about someone complaining to her about my work. Most of our coworkers are younger than either of us and one of them has shown signs of taking cues for how I should be treated from this. It all nearly drove me to a nervous breakdown last year and for a time I was fantasizing about quitting with no backup job in play, but now that things have eased somewhat (it’s not happening every single day or even every week) I’m at least at an equilibrium. I have the world’s best assistant to rely on, which helps enormously, and I’m trying to work more with other departments in ways that showcase/are built on what I’m best at. Unfortunately, the job market in museums is a crater right now, not that it’s been healthy for about 20 years, so there are very few openings, and those that exist tend to be high level or terribly paid. I send out applications and have even had a couple of preliminary interviews, but it’s rough. I also worry that all museums are toxic work environments, and that if I leave, I’ll just end up in some fresh hell! And unfortunately my best areas are subject-matter expertise, which doesn’t translate well to jobs outside of this field. But I keep on keeping on. <3 The post update: I’m worried that my boss and HR are laying a paper trail to fire me appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

This year it took a homebuyer seven years to save for a typical down payment on a house, compared with 12, according to Realtor.com. View the full article

Under a proposed rule, the agency would let most nationally chartered firms off the hook for heightened regulatory standards. The rule would raise the bar from $50 billion to $700 billion of assets and leave only eight firms subject to heightened regulation. View the full article

In a record weird year for the economy, the price of silver is the latest thing to behave strangely. The price of the second fiddle precious metal has soared over the last month, hitting record highs and outpacing the growth of gold. After hovering between $15 and $25 an ounce for much of the last decade, the price of silver topped $40 an ounce this fall before spiking to a record high of $82 at the end of December. After topping $80 on Monday, silver fell back closer to $70 an ounce – still more than double what the metal was worth only a year ago. Precious metals like silver tend to do well in times of economic uncertainty and 2025 has fit that bill and then some. Investors looking to insulate themselves from the The President administration’s chaotic economic choices turned to gold as a safe haven asset in 2025, sending the price of the top dog precious metal up. Like silver, gold’s price growth outstripped the stock market this year and hit new record highs. Long-awaited cuts to the federal interest rate, and future cuts on the near horizon, are also pushing the price of precious metals higher. Small time investors are getting in on the silver action, with amateur traders organizing on Reddit and plotting their moves like they did in the early heyday of meme stocks. Silver’s price was already on the rise, but a looming change to Chinese trade policy may be sending silver even higher. At the start of the year, China will implement a new set of rules on its metal exports designed to “step up the protection of resources and the environment” in the country – a change that is sowing concerns about silver’s supply. China also plans to place more stringent restrictions on exports of steel and other metals in the coming year to address what it calls an “insufficient supply-demand balance” in the steel trade. Silver isn’t just an investment Investors have flocked to silver over the course of the year, but the precious metal has many uses beyond holding its value over time. Silver has a wide range of applications and is used heavily in electric vehicles and solar panels – two areas that have boomed in recent years. Given those applications, any change to the global silver supply is a cause for concern for Elon Musk, who leads EV maker Tesla. “This is not good. Silver is needed in many industrial processes,” Musk posted in a reply to a post about China’s policy change on X. After Mexico, China is the world’s second largest supplier of mined silver. Silver features prominently in solar technology, where it is converted into a paste that coats solar cells. “When light strikes the silicon, electrons are set free and the silver – the world’s best conductor – carries the electricity for immediate use or stores it in batteries for later consumption,” global silver association The Silver Institute explains. In 2014, the solar industry accounted for only around 5% of global silver demand, a percentage that basically tripled a decade later. Data centers, currently an explosive area of investment for many major tech and AI companies, also rely heavily on silver and other metals. Trade changes aside, silver is known as a riskier bet than its more valuable sibling metal. In October, analysts at Goldman Sachs warned that silver’s big 2025 rally might fizzle out and wasn’t likely to stay as steady as gold through its gains. “In the near term, we see significantly more volatility and downside price risk for silver than for gold, which is the only commodity supported by a structural central-bank bid,” Goldman’s analysts wrote. “Silver lacks the institutional and economic profile that supports gold… Without a central bank bid to anchor silver prices, even a temporary pullback in investment flows could trigger a disproportionate correction.” Safe haven-seekers counting on silver’s winning streak may want to take note. View the full article

In regard to generating engaging social media content, comprehending your audience is essential. Knowing what they like and how they interact can shape your approach considerably. High-quality visuals are vital, as they capture attention quickly. Furthermore, crafting captions that resonate with your audience can improve engagement. It’s important to utilize relevant hashtags and encourage interaction through questions or polls. As you refine your strategy, consider how curating and repurposing content might keep your feed dynamic. Key Takeaways Understand your audience by analyzing feedback, trends, and competitor content to tailor engaging material that resonates with their interests. Create visually appealing content optimized for mobile devices, maintaining consistent branding with eye-catching colors and clear typography. Utilize relevant hashtags strategically to enhance reach and engagement, combining popular and niche tags while monitoring their performance. Encourage interaction by incorporating questions, polls, and quizzes in your posts to boost audience participation and community building. Regularly monitor engagement metrics and conduct A/B testing to refine content strategies based on performance insights and industry trends. Understand Your Audience How well do you really know your audience? Comprehending your audience is vital for effective ai content creation. Start by conducting surveys or polls to gain direct insights into their preferences and interests. Monitor social media trends and discussions within your target demographic to stay informed on relevant topics. Analyzing competitor content can likewise help identify what resonates, offering valuable clues for your strategies. Tailor your content to reflect your audience’s needs, ensuring it remains engaging and relevant. Establish content pillars for social media that align with these insights, providing a structured approach to your messaging. Finally, utilize feedback and engagement metrics to continuously refine your comprehension, enhancing your content’s effectiveness over time. Create High-Quality Visuals To create high-quality visuals, you need to focus on consistent branding, mobile optimization, and eye-catching colors. Make certain your images and graphics align with your brand’s identity to help build recognition among your audience. Furthermore, optimizing visuals for mobile devices guarantees that your content looks great on any screen, maximizing engagement. Use Consistent Branding When you establish consistent branding across your social media platforms, you not just improve audience recognition but also build trust with your followers. About 60% of consumers prefer engaging with brands that showcase a cohesive visual identity. High-quality visuals—like professionally designed graphics—can boost engagement by up to 94%. Using tools like Canva or an ai social media post generator can streamline your content creation, ensuring uniform colors, fonts, and styles in every post. Incorporating your logo and brand colors can improve recall by 80%, helping your audience associate your content with your brand effectively. Finally, regularly update your visuals to meet each platform’s specifications for maximum performance and visual appeal across different networks. Optimize for Mobile As mobile devices account for over 50% of global web traffic, creating visuals optimized for these smaller screens is crucial for maximizing engagement and visibility. High-quality visuals can markedly boost engagement rates, so consider these tips: Use portrait or square formats to maximize screen space. Verify visuals load quickly; over half of mobile users abandon slow sites. Incorporate readable text overlays to convey messages clearly. Avoid excessive detail; concise graphics work best on mobile. To simplify your process, consider using an Canva social media post generator free or a free ai Instagram post generator to create engaging visuals that resonate with your audience. Adapting your visuals for mobile can make all the difference in your social media success. Incorporate Eye-Catching Colors Creating high-quality visuals goes beyond just optimizing for mobile; incorporating eye-catching colors can greatly improve your content’s effectiveness. Research indicates that using lively colors can increase engagement by up to 80%, making your posts stand out in crowded feeds. A well-chosen color palette not only aligns with your brand identity but likewise evokes emotions that influence audience interaction. Incorporating contrasting colors improves readability, drawing focus to key messages. Tools like Canva, a free content AI creator, allow you to experiment with various color combinations easily. Moreover, utilizing AI content creation tools can help you design striking graphics that resonate with your target audience, ensuring your content remains visually appealing and effective in capturing attention. Craft Compelling Captions To craft compelling captions, focus on using strong action words that grab attention and create urgency. Keep your captions concise, ideally around 150 characters or 15 words, as brevity can improve engagement. Use Strong Action Words Captivate your audience by using strong action words in your social media captions. These words create a sense of urgency and can greatly boost engagement. Here are some effective strategies you can apply: Join our community and stay updated on the latest trends. Discover exclusive offers that can transform your experience. Act now! Don’t miss out on this limited-time deal. Transform your routine with our innovative solutions. Incorporating these action-driven phrases not merely makes your ai posts more enticing but can increase click-through rates by up to 25%. As you craft captions, experiment with language that resonates with your audience. Keep It Concise Strong action words can greatly improve your social media posts, but without conciseness, even the most compelling messages can get lost. Aim for captions around 150 characters or 15 words to maximize engagement. Use strong, action-oriented language to spark curiosity and invite interaction. Here’s a quick guide to help you craft concise captions: Key Element Description Length 150 characters or 15 words Action Language Use verbs that inspire action Storytelling Incorporate relatable narratives SEO Optimization Include relevant keywords for visibility To learn how to generate content for social media, consider using an ai post generator free. This tool can help streamline your caption creation process effectively. Utilize Relevant Hashtags Utilizing relevant hashtags is essential for enhancing your social media presence and engagement. Here’s how to effectively use hashtags in your posts: Use 3-5 relevant hashtags on Instagram to boost engagement; posts with hashtags get 12.6% more interactions. Combine popular and niche hashtags to broaden reach during targeting specific audiences effectively. Limit to 1-2 hashtags on X/Twitter to optimize visibility, as too many can dilute your message. Stay updated on trending hashtags within your industry to capitalize on current conversations and increase discoverability. You can leverage a social media post generator or an AI Instagram post generator to help identify effective hashtags. Monitoring hashtag performance through analytics tools will guarantee you refine your strategy continually. Encourage Audience Interaction Building on the importance of relevant hashtags, encouraging audience interaction is a key strategy for enhancing engagement on social media. Incorporating questions in your posts can increase engagement by up to 20%, urging followers to share their thoughts and experiences. Tools like polls and quizzes can greatly boost participation, generating twice the engagement compared to static posts. Responding to comments and messages swiftly nurtures community, increasing follower loyalty by 30%. User-generated content campaigns not just drive interaction but likewise build trust, influencing 79% of consumers’ purchasing decisions. Finally, including calls to action (CTAs) in your posts can guide users effectively, leading to an impressive 285% increase in engagement rates. Consider using an Facebook post generator or social media ai generator to streamline your content creation. Curate and Repurpose Content Curating and repurposing content is a smart way to keep your audience engaged without the constant pressure of creating new material from scratch. Here are some effective strategies: Break down long-form content, like blog posts, into bite-sized social media posts for easy sharing. Share third-party posts to add value, always providing your viewpoint and linking to the original source. Transform internal resources, such as press releases, into concise posts highlighting key information relevant to your audience. Utilize tools like an artificial intelligence content generator or an ai Facebook post generator free to streamline your process. Regularly monitor the performance of your repurposed content to understand audience preferences better and improve your future content strategy. Analyze and Adapt Your Strategy As you navigate the intricacies of social media, analyzing and adapting your strategy is crucial for maintaining audience engagement and relevance. Regularly monitor engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments to assess your content’s effectiveness. Using social media analytics tools, track post performance across different times and days to optimize your posting schedule. A/B testing various content formats and headlines helps you identify strategies that yield the highest engagement rates. Pay attention to audience feedback and comments for insights into their preferences, allowing you to tailor future content accordingly. Furthermore, keep an eye on industry trends and competitor strategies to guarantee your approach stays relevant. Consider using an AI FB post generator for efficient content creation. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5-5-5 rule on social media suggests that for every 15 pieces of content you share, you should post 5 educational, 5 entertaining, and 5 promotional items. This balanced approach helps keep your audience engaged by meeting diverse preferences. Educational and entertaining posts encourage interaction, whereas promotional content drives conversions. Following this rule can improve your overall social media performance, increasing shares, likes, and comments, and nurturing a sense of community among your followers. How Do You Create Engaging Social Media Content? To create engaging social media content, start by using high-quality visuals, as they greatly improve viewer interaction. Write concise captions, ideally around 150 characters, integrating storytelling to connect with your audience. Include clear calls to action, encouraging likes, shares, and comments, which increase engagement rates. Research relevant hashtags to enhance discoverability, and respond swiftly to comments and messages, cultivating a sense of community that encourages further interaction and engagement. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media content helps you balance your posts effectively. You should dedicate 50% of your content to engaging and entertaining your audience, which keeps them interested. Next, allocate 30% for educational and valuable content that informs your followers. Finally, use the remaining 20% to promote your products or services. What Are the 7 C’s of Social Media? The 7 C’s of social media are crucial for effective communication. Clarity guarantees your messages are easily understood. Consistency helps build trust through regular posting. Creativity allows you to produce unique content that captures attention. Connectivity emphasizes the importance of engaging with your audience. Community nurtures relationships and loyalty. Content focuses on delivering value, as curation involves sharing relevant information. Together, these elements improve your social media presence and engagement with followers. Conclusion In summary, generating engaging social media content requires a strategic approach. By comprehending your audience, creating high-quality visuals, and crafting compelling captions, you can capture attention effectively. Utilizing relevant hashtags and encouraging audience interaction further boosts engagement. Moreover, curating and repurposing content can save time during still providing value. Finally, analyzing metrics and adapting your strategy guarantees that your content remains relevant and effective. Implement these tips to build a more engaging online presence and cultivate community interaction. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Tips to Generate Engaging Social Media Content" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In regard to generating engaging social media content, comprehending your audience is essential. Knowing what they like and how they interact can shape your approach considerably. High-quality visuals are vital, as they capture attention quickly. Furthermore, crafting captions that resonate with your audience can improve engagement. It’s important to utilize relevant hashtags and encourage interaction through questions or polls. As you refine your strategy, consider how curating and repurposing content might keep your feed dynamic. Key Takeaways Understand your audience by analyzing feedback, trends, and competitor content to tailor engaging material that resonates with their interests. Create visually appealing content optimized for mobile devices, maintaining consistent branding with eye-catching colors and clear typography. Utilize relevant hashtags strategically to enhance reach and engagement, combining popular and niche tags while monitoring their performance. Encourage interaction by incorporating questions, polls, and quizzes in your posts to boost audience participation and community building. Regularly monitor engagement metrics and conduct A/B testing to refine content strategies based on performance insights and industry trends. Understand Your Audience How well do you really know your audience? Comprehending your audience is vital for effective ai content creation. Start by conducting surveys or polls to gain direct insights into their preferences and interests. Monitor social media trends and discussions within your target demographic to stay informed on relevant topics. Analyzing competitor content can likewise help identify what resonates, offering valuable clues for your strategies. Tailor your content to reflect your audience’s needs, ensuring it remains engaging and relevant. Establish content pillars for social media that align with these insights, providing a structured approach to your messaging. Finally, utilize feedback and engagement metrics to continuously refine your comprehension, enhancing your content’s effectiveness over time. Create High-Quality Visuals To create high-quality visuals, you need to focus on consistent branding, mobile optimization, and eye-catching colors. Make certain your images and graphics align with your brand’s identity to help build recognition among your audience. Furthermore, optimizing visuals for mobile devices guarantees that your content looks great on any screen, maximizing engagement. Use Consistent Branding When you establish consistent branding across your social media platforms, you not just improve audience recognition but also build trust with your followers. About 60% of consumers prefer engaging with brands that showcase a cohesive visual identity. High-quality visuals—like professionally designed graphics—can boost engagement by up to 94%. Using tools like Canva or an ai social media post generator can streamline your content creation, ensuring uniform colors, fonts, and styles in every post. Incorporating your logo and brand colors can improve recall by 80%, helping your audience associate your content with your brand effectively. Finally, regularly update your visuals to meet each platform’s specifications for maximum performance and visual appeal across different networks. Optimize for Mobile As mobile devices account for over 50% of global web traffic, creating visuals optimized for these smaller screens is crucial for maximizing engagement and visibility. High-quality visuals can markedly boost engagement rates, so consider these tips: Use portrait or square formats to maximize screen space. Verify visuals load quickly; over half of mobile users abandon slow sites. Incorporate readable text overlays to convey messages clearly. Avoid excessive detail; concise graphics work best on mobile. To simplify your process, consider using an Canva social media post generator free or a free ai Instagram post generator to create engaging visuals that resonate with your audience. Adapting your visuals for mobile can make all the difference in your social media success. Incorporate Eye-Catching Colors Creating high-quality visuals goes beyond just optimizing for mobile; incorporating eye-catching colors can greatly improve your content’s effectiveness. Research indicates that using lively colors can increase engagement by up to 80%, making your posts stand out in crowded feeds. A well-chosen color palette not only aligns with your brand identity but likewise evokes emotions that influence audience interaction. Incorporating contrasting colors improves readability, drawing focus to key messages. Tools like Canva, a free content AI creator, allow you to experiment with various color combinations easily. Moreover, utilizing AI content creation tools can help you design striking graphics that resonate with your target audience, ensuring your content remains visually appealing and effective in capturing attention. Craft Compelling Captions To craft compelling captions, focus on using strong action words that grab attention and create urgency. Keep your captions concise, ideally around 150 characters or 15 words, as brevity can improve engagement. Use Strong Action Words Captivate your audience by using strong action words in your social media captions. These words create a sense of urgency and can greatly boost engagement. Here are some effective strategies you can apply: Join our community and stay updated on the latest trends. Discover exclusive offers that can transform your experience. Act now! Don’t miss out on this limited-time deal. Transform your routine with our innovative solutions. Incorporating these action-driven phrases not merely makes your ai posts more enticing but can increase click-through rates by up to 25%. As you craft captions, experiment with language that resonates with your audience. Keep It Concise Strong action words can greatly improve your social media posts, but without conciseness, even the most compelling messages can get lost. Aim for captions around 150 characters or 15 words to maximize engagement. Use strong, action-oriented language to spark curiosity and invite interaction. Here’s a quick guide to help you craft concise captions: Key Element Description Length 150 characters or 15 words Action Language Use verbs that inspire action Storytelling Incorporate relatable narratives SEO Optimization Include relevant keywords for visibility To learn how to generate content for social media, consider using an ai post generator free. This tool can help streamline your caption creation process effectively. Utilize Relevant Hashtags Utilizing relevant hashtags is essential for enhancing your social media presence and engagement. Here’s how to effectively use hashtags in your posts: Use 3-5 relevant hashtags on Instagram to boost engagement; posts with hashtags get 12.6% more interactions. Combine popular and niche hashtags to broaden reach during targeting specific audiences effectively. Limit to 1-2 hashtags on X/Twitter to optimize visibility, as too many can dilute your message. Stay updated on trending hashtags within your industry to capitalize on current conversations and increase discoverability. You can leverage a social media post generator or an AI Instagram post generator to help identify effective hashtags. Monitoring hashtag performance through analytics tools will guarantee you refine your strategy continually. Encourage Audience Interaction Building on the importance of relevant hashtags, encouraging audience interaction is a key strategy for enhancing engagement on social media. Incorporating questions in your posts can increase engagement by up to 20%, urging followers to share their thoughts and experiences. Tools like polls and quizzes can greatly boost participation, generating twice the engagement compared to static posts. Responding to comments and messages swiftly nurtures community, increasing follower loyalty by 30%. User-generated content campaigns not just drive interaction but likewise build trust, influencing 79% of consumers’ purchasing decisions. Finally, including calls to action (CTAs) in your posts can guide users effectively, leading to an impressive 285% increase in engagement rates. Consider using an Facebook post generator or social media ai generator to streamline your content creation. Curate and Repurpose Content Curating and repurposing content is a smart way to keep your audience engaged without the constant pressure of creating new material from scratch. Here are some effective strategies: Break down long-form content, like blog posts, into bite-sized social media posts for easy sharing. Share third-party posts to add value, always providing your viewpoint and linking to the original source. Transform internal resources, such as press releases, into concise posts highlighting key information relevant to your audience. Utilize tools like an artificial intelligence content generator or an ai Facebook post generator free to streamline your process. Regularly monitor the performance of your repurposed content to understand audience preferences better and improve your future content strategy. Analyze and Adapt Your Strategy As you navigate the intricacies of social media, analyzing and adapting your strategy is crucial for maintaining audience engagement and relevance. Regularly monitor engagement metrics like likes, shares, and comments to assess your content’s effectiveness. Using social media analytics tools, track post performance across different times and days to optimize your posting schedule. A/B testing various content formats and headlines helps you identify strategies that yield the highest engagement rates. Pay attention to audience feedback and comments for insights into their preferences, allowing you to tailor future content accordingly. Furthermore, keep an eye on industry trends and competitor strategies to guarantee your approach stays relevant. Consider using an AI FB post generator for efficient content creation. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5-5-5 rule on social media suggests that for every 15 pieces of content you share, you should post 5 educational, 5 entertaining, and 5 promotional items. This balanced approach helps keep your audience engaged by meeting diverse preferences. Educational and entertaining posts encourage interaction, whereas promotional content drives conversions. Following this rule can improve your overall social media performance, increasing shares, likes, and comments, and nurturing a sense of community among your followers. How Do You Create Engaging Social Media Content? To create engaging social media content, start by using high-quality visuals, as they greatly improve viewer interaction. Write concise captions, ideally around 150 characters, integrating storytelling to connect with your audience. Include clear calls to action, encouraging likes, shares, and comments, which increase engagement rates. Research relevant hashtags to enhance discoverability, and respond swiftly to comments and messages, cultivating a sense of community that encourages further interaction and engagement. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media content helps you balance your posts effectively. You should dedicate 50% of your content to engaging and entertaining your audience, which keeps them interested. Next, allocate 30% for educational and valuable content that informs your followers. Finally, use the remaining 20% to promote your products or services. What Are the 7 C’s of Social Media? The 7 C’s of social media are crucial for effective communication. Clarity guarantees your messages are easily understood. Consistency helps build trust through regular posting. Creativity allows you to produce unique content that captures attention. Connectivity emphasizes the importance of engaging with your audience. Community nurtures relationships and loyalty. Content focuses on delivering value, as curation involves sharing relevant information. Together, these elements improve your social media presence and engagement with followers. Conclusion In summary, generating engaging social media content requires a strategic approach. By comprehending your audience, creating high-quality visuals, and crafting compelling captions, you can capture attention effectively. Utilizing relevant hashtags and encouraging audience interaction further boosts engagement. Moreover, curating and repurposing content can save time during still providing value. Finally, analyzing metrics and adapting your strategy guarantees that your content remains relevant and effective. Implement these tips to build a more engaging online presence and cultivate community interaction. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Tips to Generate Engaging Social Media Content" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you use WhatsApp, you may be targeted by scammers looking to take over your account by pairing their browser to your number. This scheme, dubbed GhostPairing by researchers, uses WhatsApp's device linking process to allow fraudsters to access all of your messages, impersonate you in chats, and perpetuate the scam to your contacts. Here's how threat actors are hijacking WhatsApp accounts—and how to defend yours. GhostPairing manipulates WhatsApp device linkingWhatsApp allows users to link their desktop or browser to their account without needing to enter login credentials in one of two ways: scanning a QR code and approving the session or confirming a numeric pairing code in the mobile app. While the GhostPairing scam could theoretically manipulate users in either approach, researchers found that the latter is much more common. The fraud begins with a short message sent from a contact with a link that purportedly goes to a Facebook photo or some type of Facebook content. If you click through, you'll be directed to a spoofed Facebook login page to enter your phone number—a familiar confirmation flow for Meta platforms. The next screen will likely show a numeric code with instructions to enter said code into WhatsApp to confirm the login (again, this may feel like a familiar two-step verification). If you're not paying attention, you may not realize that this didn't do anything on your end but instead registered the attacker's browser as a linked device to your account. The danger in this scam is that everything will seem normal on your device and in your account, as attackers haven't hijacked your credentials to lock you out. However, they can do anything and everything in WhatsApp that you can, such as reading chats, receiving messages, viewing and downloading media, collecting information from your contacts, and forwarding the same phishing link. As they learn more about you and the people you know, they can potentially use that for ongoing scams. How to protect your WhatsApp accountAs always, be wary of links received via messaging platforms, even if they seem harmless or you think you know and can trust the sender. Threat actors frequently use social media and direct messaging to spread phishing lures. If you do click a link in WhatsApp (or any other communication), read all prompts carefully before providing or verifying any information to identify scams. To protect your WhatsApp account specifically, you can set up two-step verification, which will also prevent attackers from adding or changing a connected email address. Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Turn on or Set up PIN and add an email address when prompted. You can also check to see if there are any suspicious devices paired with your account under Settings > Linked devices and remove any you don't recognize or regularly use. Finally, if you have been targeted by this scam, let your WhatsApp contacts know, as threat actors may spread the malicious link by making it look like it came from you. View the full article

SoftBank Group will acquire digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge Group in a deal valued at $4 billion, the companies said on Monday, as the Japanese investment firm looks to deepen its AI-related portfolio. The acquisition would expand SoftBank’s exposure to digital infrastructure as the Japanese conglomerate is positioning its portfolio to focus on artificial intelligence. DigitalBridge shares rose about 9.7% to $15.27 on Monday, following a 45% rise earlier this month after Bloomberg News first reported the acquisition talks. The $16 per share offer represents a 15% premium over DigitalBridge’s closing price on Friday and values the company at $2.92 billion, with the deal expected to close in the second half of next year. SoftBank’s billionaire founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to capitalize on surging demand for the computing capacity that underpins artificial intelligence applications. The acquisition “is certainly a milestone in solving critical infrastructure issues,” said Jacob Yahiayan, CEO at DigitalBridge investor Urban Logistic Advisory Services, but noted SoftBank is still far from controlling 10% of the global hardware- and software-as-a-service market. DigitalBridge invests in digital infrastructure sectors such as data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small-cell systems and edge infrastructure, with a portfolio including companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge. Founded in 1991 as real estate-focused Colony Capital, the firm pivoted under CEO Marc Ganzi into digital infrastructure and rebranded as DigitalBridge in 2021 after shedding most of its legacy property assets. Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as a separately managed platform, the companies said. As of September 30, DigitalBridge managed around $108 billion in assets, making it one of the largest dedicated investors in the digital ecosystem. The company, along with OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based tech investor MGX, is investing billions of dollars in the Stargate project, a large-scale computing and infrastructure initiative aimed at supporting advanced AI development. OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank said in September they plan to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio, which are expected to have a combined power capacity of about seven gigawatts when in operation. —Akash Sriram and Mihika Sharma, Reuters View the full article

Wall Street’s main indexes kicked off the final week of the year on a softer note on Monday, as heavyweight technology stocks retreated from last week’s gains that had pushed the S&P 500 to record highs. The information technology sector weighed on the S&P 500, as most tech and AI-linked stocks declined, with Nvidia down 1.8%, Broadcom off 1%, and Palantir Technologies shedding 1.4%. “This is (not) the beginning of the end of the tech dominance, it’ll turn out to be a buying opportunity,” said Hank Smith, director and head of investment strategy at Haverford Trust. “A big reason for that is the top tech names, excluding Tesla, do not have challenging valuations given their growth rate, the moat around their business and their financial strength, which is unparalleled.” Tesla also fell 1.8% after hitting a record high last week and weighed on the consumer discretionary sector. Materials slipped 1%, with precious metal miners sliding as silver dropped sharply after topping $80 per ounce for the first time, while gold also fell after back-to-back record highs last week. Conversely, energy stocks gained the most, up 1.2%, tracking a 2% rise in oil prices. At 11:13 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 217.14 points, or 0.45%, to 48,493.83, the S&P 500 lost 28.77 points, or 0.42%, to 6,901.26 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 150.02 points, or 0.63%, to 23,443.07. Stocks pulled back after the S&P 500 was in the 1% range of the 7,000-point mark, and the blue-chip Dow hit a record closing high last week. Some investors were eyeing a “Santa Claus rally”, a seasonal phenomenon where the S&P 500 typically posts gains in the last five trading days of the year and the first two in January, according to Stock Trader’s Almanac. All three indexes are headed for firm monthly gains, with the Dow and S&P 500 on pace for their eighth consecutive month in the green. The bull market, which began in October 2022, stayed intact despite concerns over high valuations of technology companies and market volatility, on the back of continued optimism around AI, interest-rate cuts and a resilient economy. All three main indexes are set for their third consecutive yearly gain. On the macro front, minutes from the Fed’s previous meeting and a weekly reading of jobless claims will be on the radar in an otherwise data-light week. The S&P 500 has added about 17% so far this year, as the frenzy to capitalize on AI helped the U.S. benchmark overtake Europe’s STOXX 600, despite investors diversifying away from U.S. stocks earlier in the year. DigitalBridge gained 9.6%, with Japan’s SoftBank Group set to acquire the digital infrastructure investor in a deal valued at $4 billion. Trading volumes are expected to be light in the holiday-affected week with U.S. markets shut on Thursday for New Year’s Day. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.85-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.56-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 9 new 52-week highs and one new low while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 22 new highs and 177 new lows. —Purvi Agarwal and Shashwat Chauhan, Reuters View the full article