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Since the tragic news broke that director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, have died, tributes have been pouring in. And amid the stories of kindness, compassion, and political action, one story stands out: How the couple’s chance first meeting altered the ending of the 1989 classic When Harry Met Sally—possibly the most beloved romantic comedy of all time. Had the couple not met during filming, the movie’s memorable New Year’s Eve ending might’ve not been a part of the film at all. During production of the iconic rom-com in New York City, photographer Michele Singer Reiner (then Michele Singer) stopped by the set. According to a 1989 New York Times article, the director, who was earlier divorced from Penny Marshall, spotted her and instantly felt moved. “I look over and I see this girl, and ‘Whoo!’ I was attracted immediately,” Reiner told the news outlet. The two were introduced by cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld, fell in love, and were married just months after meeting, in the same year the film was ultimately released. Cynical ending becomes more hopeful The meeting didn’t just change Reiner’s own love story, however. It prompted a new ending to the film, ensuring that Harry and Sally’s love would also last forever. “Originally, Harry and Sally didn’t get together. But then I met Michele and I thought: OK, I see how this works,” he told The Guardian in 2018. After falling in love with Michele, the director, who had been single for many years at the start of filming, scrapped the film’s cynical ending, which had Harry and Sally bumping into each other on the street years after their romance, chatting, and walking off in separate directions. In its place, was the ending we now know and love. It was during the scene that Billy Crystal said to Meg Ryan one of the most quotable lines in the film: “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start right now!” With a screenplay written by Nora Ephron, the movie went on to become influential in the bourgeoning rom-com genre that dominated the 1990s. A relationship that crossed into film and politics The director and his photographer wife would work together on a number of projects, including Misery and the newly released comedy Spinal Tap II. But their ventures weren’t just creative ones—they were dedicated to making the world a better place and speaking out in the political sphere. Together, they started the I Am Your Child campaign, which urged a focus on early childhood development, and championed a California bill that directed tobacco taxes toward prenatal care and early childhood programs. Reiner also cofounded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which was instrumental in overturning the ban on same-sex marriage in the state. The director once joked that Michele, who took Donald The President’s photo for the cover of his book The Art of the Deal, “has a lot to atone for.” But in reality, she was his biggest inspiration, inspiring him to fight for causes he believed in. “I can honestly say the reason I’ve done so many things politically is because of her,” he told Stephen Colbert at the Montclair Film Festival in 2016. “She is my Bunsen burner that lights the flame in my ass.” The couple remained together until their tragic death on Sunday. The Los Angeles Police Department has said it is investigating their deaths as an “apparent homicide.” View the full article

The partnership also includes a $50 million equity investment in Finance of America, securing long-term alignment between the companies. View the full article

When starting a handmade business, choosing the right name is essential for attracting customers and conveying your brand identity. Consider names like Nature’s Whimsy Crafts, which reflects a connection to the outdoors, or Artisan Echoes, hinting at the stories behind each piece. Names such as Knot & Bloom and Crafted Dreams Co. blend creativity with a sense of playfulness. Each option can greatly impact your brand’s perception. Explore how these names can shape your business identity further. Key Takeaways Consider names like “Crafty Cosmos” to evoke a sense of creativity and wonder in your handmade products. Use puns such as “Knot Your Average Craft” for a playful twist that enhances memorability. Incorporate natural elements, like “Whispering Woods Creations,” to appeal to eco-conscious consumers and evoke tranquility. Reflect elegance with names like “Timeless Touch,” conveying a refined aesthetic and lasting quality. Share your craft story through names like “Artisan Memories,” connecting emotionally with customers and enhancing their buying experience. Inspired by Nature: Craft Business Name Ideas When starting a handmade business, choosing a name that reflects your product’s essence is crucial, especially if you’re inspired by nature. Nature-inspired craft business names can evoke feelings of tranquility and connection to the environment, making them appealing to eco-conscious consumers. For instance, names like Whispering Pines Crafts and Mountain Meadow Creations capture the beauty of natural elements, enhancing your brand identity. Incorporating botanical or geographical terms can make your craft company names more memorable, helping customers associate your products with specific images. Furthermore, using specific natural elements, such as Seaside Shells Jewelry or Forest Fern Crafts, can convey authenticity and craftsmanship, resonating well with audiences seeking unique handmade craft business name ideas that reflect their values and aesthetics. Playful Puns for Handmade Brands Choosing a playful pun for your handmade brand can greatly improve its appeal and memorability. Playful puns create unique craft business names that resonate with customers, making them more likely to remember your brand. For instance, names like Knot Your Average Craft or Sew It Goes cleverly incorporate wordplay, highlighting the essence of your craft as well as adding a lighthearted twist. Such cute craft business names not only convey a fun personality but additionally attract a diverse audience seeking unique handmade products. Moreover, a whimsical name helps differentiate your brand from competitors in a crowded marketplace. By using playful language, you can encourage word-of-mouth marketing, as customers enjoy sharing clever names with friends and family, enhancing your visibility. Elegant Simplicity: Names That Resonate Elegant names often reflect a refined aesthetic that resonates with customers seeking sophistication in handmade products. By choosing unique names for your handmade craft business that embody elegant simplicity, you can cultivate a sense of calm and beauty, enhancing emotional connections with your audience. Minimalistic language and straightforward imagery effectively convey your product’s essence, making your brand memorable. Moreover, these names can boost your online visibility, as they consist of impactful, commonly searched words related to craftsmanship. Name Idea Description Appeal Pure Craft Focuses on natural materials Evokes authenticity Simple Elegance Highlights minimalist design Resonates with sophisticated taste Timeless Touch Suggests lasting quality Attracts loyal customers Subtle Charm Emphasizes understated beauty Connects emotionally Crafted Grace Combines artistry and elegance Appeals to niche markets Whimsical and Fun: Captivating Business Names Crafting a memorable business name is essential for standing out in the handmade market, especially when aiming for a whimsical and fun vibe. Whimsical business names often evoke joy and creativity, making them inviting for customers. For instance, names like Crafty Chaos Co. and “Glue It or Lose It” provide a playful tone as they reflect the hands-on nature of crafting. Creative craft business names can improve brand identity through imaginative metaphors or puns, encouraging a friendly atmosphere. Furthermore, names featuring playful elements or alliteration, such as “Messy Masterpieces” or “Hot Glue Heroes,” resonate well with both children and adults. This approach effectively differentiates your business in a saturated market, capturing attention and sparking curiosity among potential customers. Meaningful Names: Telling Your Craft Story When you consider the importance of a meaningful business name, it’s clear that it serves as more than just a label; it can encapsulate the essence of your craft and resonate with your customers on a personal level. Thoughtful craft business name ideas can evoke emotions and memories, enhancing the buying experience. By incorporating personal stories or craft techniques, you create unique handmade business names that establish your identity and set you apart from competitors. Reflecting the materials or inspiration behind your crafts encourages appreciation for your artistry. Using descriptive or poetic elements invites curiosity, encouraging customers to explore further. In the end, a compelling name helps build a loyal customer base, as consumers are often drawn to brands that share relatable values and narratives. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Catchy Name for a Craft Business? A catchy name for a craft business should be memorable and reflect the essence of your handmade products. Consider names like Artisan Threads or Crafted Whimsy, which evoke creativity and craftsmanship. You can likewise incorporate keywords related to your materials, such as Woodworks if you focus on wooden items. Ascertain your chosen name is unique and legally available, as this will help establish a strong brand identity and improve your business’s visibility online. What Is a Good Name for a Creative Business? A good name for a creative business should be both memorable and reflective of your unique offerings. Consider using keywords that describe your craft, such as “Artisan,” “Crafted,” or “Design.” Make sure the name resonates with your target audience’s values and preferences. Before finalizing it, check for legal availability and domain registration to secure your online presence. A strong name can greatly influence your branding and marketing strategies, shaping customer perceptions from the start. How Do I Come up With a Catchy Business Name? To come up with a catchy business name, start by brainstorming keywords that reflect your brand’s identity. Use techniques like alliteration or metaphors to create memorable phrases. Online business name generators can provide customized suggestions based on your input, streamlining your search. Make certain the name is simple and easy to spell, aiding customer recall. Finally, check for trademark and domain availability to avoid potential legal issues and maintain a consistent online presence. How Do I Name My DIY Business? To name your DIY business, start by defining your niche and target audience. This helps in crafting a name that resonates with potential customers. Next, brainstorm a list of names using relevant keywords related to your craft. Consider using business name generators for fresh ideas. Verify the name’s availability by checking trademark databases. Finally, test your top choices with friends or potential customers for feedback, refining them based on their input. Conclusion Choosing the right name for your handmade business is essential for establishing your brand identity. By considering various themes such as nature, playfulness, elegance, and meaningful storytelling, you can create a name that resonates with your target audience. For instance, Nature’s Whimsy Crafts captures an outdoor spirit, whereas Timeless Treasures conveys quality and elegance. Take the time to brainstorm and explore options that align with your vision, as a strong name can greatly improve your business’s appeal and recognition. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Unique Handmade Business Name Ideas to Spark Creativity" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When starting a handmade business, choosing the right name is essential for attracting customers and conveying your brand identity. Consider names like Nature’s Whimsy Crafts, which reflects a connection to the outdoors, or Artisan Echoes, hinting at the stories behind each piece. Names such as Knot & Bloom and Crafted Dreams Co. blend creativity with a sense of playfulness. Each option can greatly impact your brand’s perception. Explore how these names can shape your business identity further. Key Takeaways Consider names like “Crafty Cosmos” to evoke a sense of creativity and wonder in your handmade products. Use puns such as “Knot Your Average Craft” for a playful twist that enhances memorability. Incorporate natural elements, like “Whispering Woods Creations,” to appeal to eco-conscious consumers and evoke tranquility. Reflect elegance with names like “Timeless Touch,” conveying a refined aesthetic and lasting quality. Share your craft story through names like “Artisan Memories,” connecting emotionally with customers and enhancing their buying experience. Inspired by Nature: Craft Business Name Ideas When starting a handmade business, choosing a name that reflects your product’s essence is crucial, especially if you’re inspired by nature. Nature-inspired craft business names can evoke feelings of tranquility and connection to the environment, making them appealing to eco-conscious consumers. For instance, names like Whispering Pines Crafts and Mountain Meadow Creations capture the beauty of natural elements, enhancing your brand identity. Incorporating botanical or geographical terms can make your craft company names more memorable, helping customers associate your products with specific images. Furthermore, using specific natural elements, such as Seaside Shells Jewelry or Forest Fern Crafts, can convey authenticity and craftsmanship, resonating well with audiences seeking unique handmade craft business name ideas that reflect their values and aesthetics. Playful Puns for Handmade Brands Choosing a playful pun for your handmade brand can greatly improve its appeal and memorability. Playful puns create unique craft business names that resonate with customers, making them more likely to remember your brand. For instance, names like Knot Your Average Craft or Sew It Goes cleverly incorporate wordplay, highlighting the essence of your craft as well as adding a lighthearted twist. Such cute craft business names not only convey a fun personality but additionally attract a diverse audience seeking unique handmade products. Moreover, a whimsical name helps differentiate your brand from competitors in a crowded marketplace. By using playful language, you can encourage word-of-mouth marketing, as customers enjoy sharing clever names with friends and family, enhancing your visibility. Elegant Simplicity: Names That Resonate Elegant names often reflect a refined aesthetic that resonates with customers seeking sophistication in handmade products. By choosing unique names for your handmade craft business that embody elegant simplicity, you can cultivate a sense of calm and beauty, enhancing emotional connections with your audience. Minimalistic language and straightforward imagery effectively convey your product’s essence, making your brand memorable. Moreover, these names can boost your online visibility, as they consist of impactful, commonly searched words related to craftsmanship. Name Idea Description Appeal Pure Craft Focuses on natural materials Evokes authenticity Simple Elegance Highlights minimalist design Resonates with sophisticated taste Timeless Touch Suggests lasting quality Attracts loyal customers Subtle Charm Emphasizes understated beauty Connects emotionally Crafted Grace Combines artistry and elegance Appeals to niche markets Whimsical and Fun: Captivating Business Names Crafting a memorable business name is essential for standing out in the handmade market, especially when aiming for a whimsical and fun vibe. Whimsical business names often evoke joy and creativity, making them inviting for customers. For instance, names like Crafty Chaos Co. and “Glue It or Lose It” provide a playful tone as they reflect the hands-on nature of crafting. Creative craft business names can improve brand identity through imaginative metaphors or puns, encouraging a friendly atmosphere. Furthermore, names featuring playful elements or alliteration, such as “Messy Masterpieces” or “Hot Glue Heroes,” resonate well with both children and adults. This approach effectively differentiates your business in a saturated market, capturing attention and sparking curiosity among potential customers. Meaningful Names: Telling Your Craft Story When you consider the importance of a meaningful business name, it’s clear that it serves as more than just a label; it can encapsulate the essence of your craft and resonate with your customers on a personal level. Thoughtful craft business name ideas can evoke emotions and memories, enhancing the buying experience. By incorporating personal stories or craft techniques, you create unique handmade business names that establish your identity and set you apart from competitors. Reflecting the materials or inspiration behind your crafts encourages appreciation for your artistry. Using descriptive or poetic elements invites curiosity, encouraging customers to explore further. In the end, a compelling name helps build a loyal customer base, as consumers are often drawn to brands that share relatable values and narratives. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Catchy Name for a Craft Business? A catchy name for a craft business should be memorable and reflect the essence of your handmade products. Consider names like Artisan Threads or Crafted Whimsy, which evoke creativity and craftsmanship. You can likewise incorporate keywords related to your materials, such as Woodworks if you focus on wooden items. Ascertain your chosen name is unique and legally available, as this will help establish a strong brand identity and improve your business’s visibility online. What Is a Good Name for a Creative Business? A good name for a creative business should be both memorable and reflective of your unique offerings. Consider using keywords that describe your craft, such as “Artisan,” “Crafted,” or “Design.” Make sure the name resonates with your target audience’s values and preferences. Before finalizing it, check for legal availability and domain registration to secure your online presence. A strong name can greatly influence your branding and marketing strategies, shaping customer perceptions from the start. How Do I Come up With a Catchy Business Name? To come up with a catchy business name, start by brainstorming keywords that reflect your brand’s identity. Use techniques like alliteration or metaphors to create memorable phrases. Online business name generators can provide customized suggestions based on your input, streamlining your search. Make certain the name is simple and easy to spell, aiding customer recall. Finally, check for trademark and domain availability to avoid potential legal issues and maintain a consistent online presence. How Do I Name My DIY Business? To name your DIY business, start by defining your niche and target audience. This helps in crafting a name that resonates with potential customers. Next, brainstorm a list of names using relevant keywords related to your craft. Consider using business name generators for fresh ideas. Verify the name’s availability by checking trademark databases. Finally, test your top choices with friends or potential customers for feedback, refining them based on their input. Conclusion Choosing the right name for your handmade business is essential for establishing your brand identity. By considering various themes such as nature, playfulness, elegance, and meaningful storytelling, you can create a name that resonates with your target audience. For instance, Nature’s Whimsy Crafts captures an outdoor spirit, whereas Timeless Treasures conveys quality and elegance. Take the time to brainstorm and explore options that align with your vision, as a strong name can greatly improve your business’s appeal and recognition. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Unique Handmade Business Name Ideas to Spark Creativity" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Generative AI has advanced to the stage where you can ask bots such as ChatGPT or Gemini questions about almost anything, and get reasonable-sounding responses—and now renowned gadget repair site iFixit has joined the party with an AI assistant of its own, ready and willing to solve any of your hardware problems. While you can already ask general-purpose chatbots for advice on how to repair a phone screen or diagnose a problem with a car engine, there's always the question of how accurate the AI replies will be. With FixBot, iFixit is trying to minimize mistakes by drawing on its vast library of verified repair guides, written by experts and users. That's certainly reassuring: I don't want to waste time and money replacing a broken phone screen with a new display that's the wrong size or shape. And using a conversational AI bot to fix gadget problems is often going to feel like a more natural and intuitive experience than a Google search. As iFixit puts it, the bot "does what a good expert does" in guiding you to the right solutions. How FixBot improves accuracyThe iFixit website has been around since 2003—practically ancient times, considering the rapid evolution of modern technology. The iFixit team has always prided itself on detailed, thorough, tested guides to repairing devices, and all of that information can now be tapped into by the FixBot tool. iFixit says the bot is trained on more than 125,000 repair guides written by humans who have worked through the steps involved, as well as the question and answer forums attached to the site, and the "huge cache" of PDF manuals that iFixit has accumulated over the years that it's been business. FixBot uses an intuitive chatbot interface. Credit: Lifehacker That gives me a lot more confidence that FixBot will get its answers right, compared to whatever ChatGPT or Gemini might tell me. iFixit hasn't said what AI models are powering the bot—only that they've been "hand-picked"—and there's also a custom-built search engine included to select data sources from the repair archives on the site. "Every answer starts with a search for guides, parts, and repairs that worked," according to the iFixit team, and that conversational approach you'll recognize from other AI bots is here too: If you need clarification on something, then you can ask a follow-up question. In the same way, if the AI bot needs more information or specifics, it will ask you. It's designed to be fast—responses should be returned in seconds—and the iFixit team also talks about an "evaluation harness" that tests the FixBot responses against thousands of real repair questions posed and answered by humans. That extra level of fact-checking should reduce the number of false answers you get. However, it's not perfect, as iFixit admits: "FixBot is an AI, and AI sometimes gets things wrong." Whether or not those mistakes will be easy to spot remains to be seen, but users of the chatbot are being encouraged to upload their own documents and repair solutions to fix gaps in the knowledge that FixBot is drawing on. Using FixBot to diagnose problemsiFixit says the FixBot is going to be free for everyone to use, for a limited time. At some point, there will be a free version with limitations, and paid tiers with the full set of features—including support for voice input and document uploads. You can give it a try for yourself now on the iFixit website. I was reluctant to deliberately break one of my devices just so FixBot could help me repair it, but I did test it with a few issues I've had (and sorted out) in the past. One was a completely dead SSD drive stopping my Windows PC from booting: I started off with a vague description about the computer not starting up properly, and the bot did a good job at narrowing down what the problem was, and suggesting fixes. FixBot will refer back to articles and forum posts. Credit: Lifehacker It went through everything I had already tried when the problem happened, including trying System Repair and troubleshooting the issue via the Command Prompt. Eventually, via a few links to repair guides on the iFixit website, it did conclude that my SSD drive had been corrupted by a power cut—which I knew was what had indeed happened. I also tested the bot with a more general question about a phone restarting at random times—something one of my old handsets used to do. Again, the responses were accurate, and the troubleshooting steps I was asked to try made a lot of sense. I was also directed to the iFixit guide for the phone model. FixBot's answers are generally accurate and intelligent. Credit: Lifehacker The bot is as enthusiastic as a lot of the others available now (I was regularly praised for the "excellent information" I was providing), and does appear to know what it's talking about. This is one of the scenarios where generative AI shows its worth, in distilling a large amount of information based on natural language prompts. There's definitely potential here: Compare this approach to having to sift through dozens of forum posts, web articles, and documents manually. However, there's always that nagging sense that AI makes mistakes, as the on-screen FixBot disclaimer says. I'd recommend checking other sources before doing anything drastic with your hardware troubleshooting. View the full article

Google has updated its JavaScript SEO basics documentation to clarify how Google’s crawler handles noindex tags in pages that use JavaScript. In short, if “you do want the page indexed, don’t use a noindex tag in the original page code,” Google wrote. What is new. Google updated this section to read: “When Google encounters the noindex tag, it may skip rendering and JavaScript execution, which means using JavaScript to change or remove the robots meta tag from noindex may not work as expected. If you do want the page indexed, don’t use a noindex tag in the original page code.” In the past, it read: “If Google encounters the noindex tag, it skips rendering and JavaScript execution. Because Google skips your JavaScript in this case, there is no chance to remove the tag from the page. Using JavaScript to change or remove the robots meta tag might not work as expected. Google skips rendering and JavaScript execution if the robots meta tag initially contains noindex. If there is a possibility that you do want the page indexed, don’t use a noindex tag in the original page code.” Why the change. Google explained, “While Google may be able to render a page that uses JavaScript, the behavior of this is not well defined and might change. If there’s a possibility that you do want the page indexed, don’t use a noindex tag in the original page code.” Why we care. It may be safer not to use JavaScript for important protocols and blocking of Googlebot or other crawlers. If you want to ensure a search engine does not rank a specific page, make sure not to use JavaScript to execute those directives. View the full article

LA police investigating death of ‘Spinal Tap’ director praised for his civil rights workView the full article

Confidence among US homebuilders edged up in December as builders continued to deploy sales incentives to motivate buyers. View the full article

The SEO industry is entering its most turbulent period yet. Traffic is declining. AI is absorbing informational queries. Social platforms now function as search engines. Google is shifting from a gateway to an answer engine. The result is a sector running in circles – unsure what to measure, what to optimize, or even what SEO is meant to do. Yet within this turbulence, something clear has emerged. A single marketing metric that cuts through the noise and signals brand health and future demand. A metric that marketers and SEOs can align around with confidence. That metric is share of search. Discovery is changing, and measurement must change with it The old model of being discovered by accident through classic search behavior is disappearing. AI Overviews answer questions without sending traffic anywhere. Meta is already rolling out its own AI to answer user queries. TikTok and YouTube continue to grow as product discovery engines. It is only a matter of time before LinkedIn becomes a business search engine powered by conversational AI. We are witnessing a seismic shift. In moments like this, measurement becomes even more important. Many SEO metrics are losing meaning, but one is rapidly gaining importance. What share of search actually measures Share of search is a metric developed by James Hankins and Les Binet. It is calculated by dividing a brand’s search volume by the total search volume for all brands in its category. The result shows the proportion of category interest the brand commands. The value is not in the calculation itself, but in what the metric correlates with. Studies published by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) show that share of search correlates strongly with market share and future buying behavior. As the IPA notes: “Share of search is a leading indicator or predictor of share of market. When share of search goes up, share of market tends to rise. When share of search goes down, share of market falls.” In simple terms, consumers search for brands they are considering, buying, or using. That makes search behavior one of the clearest available signals of real demand. Share of search was never designed to be perfect. It does not capture every nuance of how people find information across platforms. It was built as a practical proxy for brand demand – and right now, practical measurement is exactly what the industry needs. Dig deeper: Measuring what matters in a post-SEO world From traffic to demand: Why marketers need a new signal Traffic as a measurement has become almost meaningless. It has been easy to inflate, manipulate, and misunderstand. Goodhart’s Law explains why. When a measure becomes a target, it stops being a good measure. Traffic was treated as a target for years, and as a result, it stopped being a reliable indicator of anything meaningful. Now traffic is falling – not because brands are doing anything wrong, but because AI is answering questions before users ever reach a website. Ironically, this makes traffic more meaningful again, as much of the noise that once inflated it is disappearing. The bigger advantage, however, belongs to share of search. It cannot be inflated through content tactics or gamed by chasing trends. It reflects underlying consumer interest. That is why share of search has become so significant. It shows whether a brand is being searched for more or less than its competitors. When share of search rises, brand demand is growing. When it falls, demand is weakening. If an entire category collapses – as it did with air fryers once most consumers had already bought one – the metric also provides a clear signal that demand for the overall market is shrinking. There is another advantage. Share of search is a multi-platform metric. A metric that crosses platforms People no longer search in one place. Product searches may begin on Amazon, TikTok, or Facebook. Credibility checks often happen on YouTube. Long-form research may still take place on Google. Discovery is fragmented, and behavior is fluid. Share of search adapts to this reality. It is platform agnostic. You can measure it using Google Trends, Ahrefs, Semrush, My Telescope, or any platform that provides reliable volume estimates. You can track demand across Amazon, TikTok, YouTube, and emerging AI search interfaces. Where the behavior happens matters less than the signal itself. If people are looking for your brand, they are demonstrating intent. This cross-platform visibility is critical because AI search sends little traffic to websites. ChatGPT, Claude, and other LLMs present answers, snippets, and summaries, but rarely generate click-through. Links are often buried, inaccessible, or accompanied by friction. Instead, these systems trigger brand search. Users encounter a brand in an AI response, then search for it when they want more information. As a result, share of search becomes the tail-end signal of everything marketing does, including AI exposure. When share of search rises, marketing is working. When it falls, it is not. However, the metric needs a champion. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. A metric SEOs should champion The SEO industry has spent years focused on two types of keywords: Non-brand buyer intent. Non-brand informational. That approach made sense when classic search was the dominant discovery channel. That world is disappearing. Yet many SEOs continue to cling to outdated deliverables, such as structured data micro-optimization or churning out endless blog posts to influence hypothetical AI citations. Citations are a distraction. At best, they are a minor signal in LLM outputs. At worst, they are a misleading metric that will not stand up to financial scrutiny. When CFOs start questioning the value of SEO budgets, citations will not hold up as evidence of ROI. Share of search will. SEOs who embrace share of search position themselves not as keyword tacticians, but as strategic insights partners. They become interpreters of demand who help: CMOs understand whether brand marketing is breaking through. Leadership teams see where consumer interest is rising or falling. This shift changes the role of SEO entirely. Instead of being judged by how much content they produce, SEOs begin to be valued for how well they understand search behavior and the commercial impact of that behavior. A well-structured share of search report tells a coherent story: Is the brand being searched for more this quarter? Are competitors gaining ground? Is the category contracting? Did a recent PR campaign increase branded search? Did a product launch move the needle? In the AI era, this narrative becomes essential. Someone inside the organization must understand how people search, where they search, and what the numbers mean. SEOs are naturally positioned to fill that role. You have the background and the expertise. And as AI automates more mechanical SEO tasks, this progression becomes increasingly natural. Because share of search requires interpretation. Dig deeper: Why LLM perception drift will be 2026’s key SEO metric The depth and complexity available Share of search does not have to be a single top-level number. It can be: Broken down by product line, model, or competitive set. Segmented into branded and semi-branded queries. Tracked across every channel where search behavior exists. Compared against AI model outputs to understand where visibility aligns or diverges. Consider the air fryer category. Demand collapsed across the market once most consumers had already purchased one. Within that collapse, however, individual models rose and fell based on their appeal. Ninja’s latest model, for example, showed spikes and dips that revealed shifts in consumer interest long before sales data arrived. Share of search acts as early detection for market movement. SEOs who understand this level of nuance become indispensable. They can: Advise whether a category is shrinking or whether a competitor is accelerating. Identify gaps in PR coverage. Highlight where LLMs reference competitor brands more frequently. Signal when product positioning needs reinforcement. This is the future skill set – not chasing rankings, but interpreting behavior. A human role that AI can’t replace As AI becomes more integrated into search and site optimization, many mechanical SEO tasks will be increasingly automated. The interpretation of marketing performance, however, cannot be fully automated. Share of search requires human judgment. It requires an understanding of context, seasonality, category dynamics, and brand strategy. That role can and should belong to the SEO professional. Some agencies may label this function an insights specialist or a data analyst. Some organizations may house it within marketing. But the people who understand search behavior most deeply are SEOs. They are best positioned to interpret what the numbers mean and communicate those insights to leadership teams. Leadership teams need to understand what is happening with their brand. The metric that protects brands in the AI era Marketing leaders are already discussing share of search, and it is beginning to appear in boardroom conversations. It is quickly becoming a central indicator of brand strength. In an AI-driven world where traffic is scarce and visibility is fragmented, the strategic imperative is clear. Brands need to be searched for. Those that are searched for endure. Those that are not fade. That is why share of search is not just another metric. It is becoming the metric. SEOs who embrace it can elevate their role, influence, and strategic value at exactly the moment the industry needs it most. Your next steps The advice for SEOs is simple: Learn share of search. To get started: Learn more about the metric by reading reports and studies. Create your first share of search report. Analyze the drivers of change, such as market shifts or recent PR or TV campaigns. Experiment with search tools to determine which reporting approach works best. Involve other departments. Host a session on share of search and collaborate with PR teams to track activity. You will not become fluent in the metric without using it. Once you do, its applications become clear. Share of search is the bridge that connects SEO to the broader world of brand. Take the first step. View the full article

A leading candidate to be President Donald The President’s choice for Federal Reserve chair said that he would present the president’s views to Fed officials for their consideration but they could reject them if they chose when making decisions on interest rates. Kevin Hassett, in an interview Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” said he would continue to speak with The President if he becomes the Fed chair. But when asked if The President’s opinions on interest rates would have “equal weighting” with members of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee, Hassett replied, “No, he would have no weight.” “His opinion matters if it’s good, if it’s based on data,” Hassett continued. “And then if you go to the committee and you say, well, the president made this argument and that’s a really sound argument, I think, what do you think? If they reject it, then they’ll vote in a different way.” Hassett’s comments come as The President is reportedly in final interviews with potential replacements for the Fed’s current chair, Jerome Powell. The President has emphasized that he expects whomever he nominates to lead the Fed will sharply lower the central bank’s key rate, which currently stands at about 3.6%. The President has said it should be cut to 1% or lower, a view almost no economist shares. The President’s outspokenness has raised concerns about the Fed’s independence from day-to-day politics under any chair he appoints. Until The President’s first election in 2016, presidents of both parties for several decades had avoided commenting publicly on Fed decisions, and usually refrained from doing so privately as well. Economists generally believe that a politically independent Fed is better at combating inflation, because it can take unpopular steps to keep prices down, such as raise interest rates. On Friday, however, The President said that he “certainly should have a role in talking to whoever the head of the Fed is” about rates. “I’ve done great. I’ve made a lot of money, I’m very successful,” he said. “I think my voice should be heard.” The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Kevin Warsh, a fellow at the right-leaning Hoover Institution and former Fed governor, is The President’s current favorite to replace Powell, whose term ends next May. But The President has previously hinted that he would pick Hassett. “I think the two Kevins are great,” The President told the Journal. Hassett, for his part, on Sunday said that “in the end, the job of the Fed is to be independent.” “In the end, it’s a committee that votes,” he said. “And I’d be happy to talk to the president every day until both of us are dead because it’s so much fun.” —Christopher Rugaber, AP Economics Writer View the full article

‘Sub Sea Baby’ critically damages Kilo-class submarine in Novorossiysk port, Ukrainian security official saysView the full article

You cannot keep tightening the screws on the institutions that finance the real economyView the full article

You (hopefully) know by now that you can't take everything AI tells you at face value. Large language models (LLMs) sometimes provide incorrect information, and threat actors are now using paid search ads on Google to spread conversations with ChatGPT and Grok that appear to provide tech support instructions but actually direct macOS users to install an infostealing malware on their devices. The campaign is a variation on the ClickFix attack, which often uses CAPTCHA prompts or fake error messages to trick targets into executing malicious commands. But in this case, the instructions are disguised as helpful troubleshooting guides on legitimate AI platforms. How attackers are using ChatGPT Kaspersky details a campaign specific to installing Atlas for macOS. If a user searches "chatgpt atlas" to find a guide, the first sponsored result is a link to chatgpt.com with the page title "ChatGPT™ Atlas for macOS – Download ChatGPT Atlas for Mac." If you click through, you'll land on the official ChatGPT site and find a series of instructions for (supposedly) installing Atlas. However, the page is a copy of a conversation between an anonymous user and the AI—which can be shared publicly—that is actually a malware installation guide. The chat directs you to copy, paste, and execute a command in your Mac's Terminal and grant all permissions, which hands over access to the AMOS (Atomic macOS Stealer) infostealer. A further investigation from Huntress showed similarly poisoned results via both ChatGPT and Grok using more general troubleshooting queries like "how to delete system data on Mac" and "clear disk space on macOS." AMOS targets macOS, gaining root-level privileges and allowing attackers to execute commands, log keystrokes, and deliver additional payloads. BleepingComputer notes that the infostealer also targets cryptocurrency wallets, browser data (including cookies, saved passwords, and autofill data), macOS Keychain data, and files on the filesystem. Don't trust every command AI generatesIf you're troubleshooting a tech issue, carefully vet any instructions you find online. Threat actors often use sponsored search results as well as social media platforms to spread instructions that are actually ClickFix attacks. Never follow any guidance that you don't understand, and know that if it asks you to execute commands on your device using PowerShell or Terminal to "fix" a problem, there's a high likelihood that it's malicious—even if it comes from a search engine or LLM you've used and trusted in the past. Of course, you can potentially turn the attack around by asking ChatGPT (in a new conversation) if the instructions are safe to follow. According to Kaspersky, the AI will tell you that they aren't. View the full article

If you grew up pre-Y2K, chances are you’re familiar with the concept of a lava lamp. It’s much less likely that you’ve ever encountered a lamp made out of literal lava. That’s the basic description of a series of three lamps made by the luxury Italian lighting company Foscarini. The company’s new Alicudi, Filicudi, and Panarea lamps, designed by Italian father-and-son design team Alberto and Francesco Meda, are formed from actual lava rock sourced from Mount Vesuvius. To own a piece of Italy’s iconic volcano, you’ll have to fork over $866 for any one of the lamp models. The real lava lamp may be pricier than its ‘70s predecessor, but that’s thanks to the labor-intensive process that goes into recycling the actual lava into a workable material—and converting it into an object you’d actually want to hang in your dining room. How an Italian design company made lamps from literal lava When Alberto and Francesco began brainstorming for the collaboration with Foscarini, they wanted to experiment with a material that would be entirely new in the lighting world. Francesco is already the co-art director of the company Ranieri, which works exclusively with lava stone to create bespoke tiles, tables, and stools—making lava stone a natural fit for this new project. AlbertoFrancesco Meda “Unlike marble, lava is not quarried: it is gathered directly from the mountain,” Francesco said in a press release. “After an eruption the magma settles, becoming part of the terrain and forming blocks of lavic stone that can be crafted. The cutting process generates a large quantity of surplus chips, which we wanted to salvage.” The Alicudi, Filicudi, and Panarea lamps use recycled lava chips, provided by Ranieri and left over from its other projects, as the main material composing their shades. To convert them into lamps, the scrap chips are crushed into a powder with varying grain sizes; mixed with a binder to produce a paste; poured into molds; and finished by hand to create a unique surface on every piece. According to the team, this poured-lava composite is lighter than solid lava, allowing it to form thinner shapes while still maintaining its durability. As an added bonus, natural lava has a rugged surface full of pores and craters—similar to a moon or planetscape. It might not be gooey, glowing lava, but it has its own atmospheric charm. 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. There will be more posts than usual this week, so keep checking back throughout the day. Remember the letter-writer whose boss was pushing them to fundraise from their family and friends and tap their personal network for prizes for raffles? Here’s the update. In the months during which my boss was pressuring me to solicit gifts, I managed to procure exactly one in-kind gift from a local business I frequent, and I was so awkward doing it. There’s a local yarn shop that I frequent, so I intended to ask the owner for a donation for an upcoming fundraising auction. On the day I’d psyched myself up to make the request (as noted in my original letter, this kind of thing is NOT my bailiwick), I went into the shop, had a nice, long conversation about my current knitting project with the very nice woman who owns the place, then totally chickened out when a crafting group arrived and she got busy dealing with multiple other people. I ended up finding her email address on the shop website later and just emailed her the request. As stated, she is completely lovely so she overlooked my cringeworthy solicitation attempt and happily agreed to donate an item for the auction. Despite my (admittedly minor) success, my boss still wasn’t happy. He didn’t like the gift she donated — a hand-knitted item, very beautifully done. I thought she was being very thoughtful by donating a finished product rather than just straight-up yarn or supplies, as it should have broader appeal beyond just knitters. My boss thought it was something no one would want or bid on. (Many of the other auction items were similarly small items, like a tote bag or gift card, so it wasn’t an issue where it needed to be something worth thousands.) So after this, I just started lying. I told him I’d made the requests of my friends with small businesses and they declined. I think this was not just the “easier” way, but really the only way, because if I’d tried to stand on principle he would’ve argued with me. Over the time I worked there, I got the feeling that he cared a lot more about potential contacts that employees might have vs. actual professional skills, and he was disappointed that my address didn’t mean I had a cache of wealthy friends to exploit. (I live in a tourist town that has a really high wealth disparity — very wealthy summer people, and then the year-round residents who work mostly blue-collar jobs. He was dismayed that my circle of contacts and I were in the latter camp. I actually do remember him making kind of a big deal about the town where I lived during my interview. Hindsight and all that.) I did end up quitting, about two weeks after I sent in my original letter. The problem I outlined in my original letter was a very, very minor part of the reason. Actually, the reason I chose that problem to submit was because for most of the others, I pretty much knew your answer would just be “get out.” I should’ve listened to tiny Alison in my head sooner! My boss was actually set to be going on vacation about two weeks after I made up my mind to resign, so I — very kindly, I thought — offered to extend my notice to a month, to provide coverage during the time he’d be gone. I thought I’d get an extra two weeks’ paycheck and not have to deal with him at all, because he’d be on vacation. (And to be clear: I actually really liked my job itself, as in my actual job duties. It was him that was the problem.) This turned out to be a mistake because after accepting my offer — in which I made it clear that I was extending my notice because he’d be away — he pushed back his departure date and rushed to hire someone to replace me, so my last two weeks were spent (1) still dealing with his bullshit and (2) trying to infodump my entire brain into the unqualified new hire, because that’s what my boss thought “training” was. I was validated in my initial reluctance to solicit gifts from businesses and friends when I went back to the yarn shop recently and the owner asked how the organization was doing. (Just FYI, she received a prompt thank-you card for the donation! This was months later.) I had to awkwardly explain that I no longer worked there, and it was kind of uncomfortable because I was trying not to disparage the organization (and hence make her regret her donation), but people do wonder about it when you just quit with no backup plan. I babbled something about it not being the right fit for me. Hopefully it won’t come up again. The pièce de résistance of this story is that the new hire I trained to replace me quit two weeks after I left. And a woman who started shortly before I put in my notice quit as well, after about four months total. I lasted eight months. I think both of them were smarter than me. The post update: am I obligated to use my personal network for my job? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

If you’re considering investing in a small business franchise, there are several promising options available today. Each franchise offers unique services and target markets, so it’s crucial to evaluate what aligns with your interests and investment goals. For instance, you might explore Drybar’s blowout services or Fun Fieldz‘s engaging environment for children. Furthermore, franchises like Goglow and SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa focus on wellness and luxury services, respectively. Let’s look closer at these opportunities and what they entail. Key Takeaways Drybar: A blowout salon franchise requiring a $250,000 investment, known for high customer retention and exceptional service. Fun Fieldz: An indoor play environment for children with multiple revenue streams, appealing to families seeking entertainment. Goglow: A sunless tanning franchise with a $100,000 investment, focusing on healthier beauty solutions and promoting skin safety. SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa: Offers luxury aesthetic services like Botox, with high ROI potential in the growing wellness market. Global Financial Training: A home-based finance education opportunity with a low $20,000 investment, providing proven curriculum and flexibility. Drybar Drybar is a franchise that specializes in blowout hair services, creating a unique salon experience focused solely on styling rather than cuts or color. With over 150 locations across the United States, it has a strong brand presence in the beauty industry. If you’re considering a franchise for sale, Drybar requires a minimum cash investment of $250,000, reflecting its premium positioning. As a franchisee, you’ll benefit from extensive training and ongoing support, including operational guidance and customized marketing strategies. This business model emphasizes high customer retention through exceptional service and a fun salon environment, contributing to its growth potential. Drybar stands out among small business franchises for sale, appealing to those seeking to enter a lucrative market. Fun Fieldz If you’re looking for a franchise opportunity that combines fun and education for children, Fun Fieldz might be the right fit for you. This engaging franchise business for sale offers a unique indoor play environment, promoting learning in a safe setting. Here are three key benefits: Established Brand Recognition: Attracts families seeking quality entertainment options. Multiple Revenue Streams: Includes admission fees, birthday party packages, and special events, enhancing profitability. Strong Support System: Extensive training programs and ongoing guidance guarantee your success. With a growing demand for family-friendly entertainment, Fun Fieldz positions itself well in the market, making it one of the top service franchises for sale. Consider investing in this lucrative opportunity today. Goglow As the demand for healthier beauty solutions continues to rise, goGLOW stands out as a franchise that focuses on revolutionizing sunless tanning. This franchise requires a minimum cash investment of $100,000, making it a viable option for those looking to enter the beauty and wellness industry. goGLOW provides a thorough training program, ensuring franchisees are prepared to deliver exceptional services. With a strong emphasis on a customer-centric model, the franchise promotes skin health and safety through innovative tanning products and techniques. Positioned within the growing health and wellness sector, goGLOW offers significant growth potential for franchise owners. If you’re exploring franchise companies for sale, this turn key business for sale could be the perfect opportunity for you. SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa represents an emerging opportunity in the luxury medical spa franchise market, offering a diverse array of aesthetic services like Botox, fillers, and laser treatments. This franchise caters to the growing demand in the beauty industry with a strong focus on quality. Here are three key advantages of investing in SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa: Comprehensive training: You’ll receive extensive training and ongoing support to guarantee high-quality service. Strong brand recognition: The upscale environment and exceptional service help build customer loyalty. High ROI potential: As part of the booming health and wellness sector, this franchise offers attractive business investment opportunities near me. Explore SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa as one of the promising retail franchises for sale today. Global Financial Training Global Financial Training offers a unique opportunity for those looking to enter the finance sector without prior experience, making it an appealing option for aspiring entrepreneurs. This online franchise for sale requires a minimum cash investment of $20,000, providing an accessible entry point. With a proven curriculum, it supports franchisees in delivering vital financial education and services to clients. Feature Details Investment $20,000 minimum cash requirement Training thorough support provided Operation Home-based flexibility Clientele Diverse range of clients Success Rate Proven track record of helping clients If you’re ready to buy a home-based business, Global Financial Training equips you with the tools needed for success in the financial services industry. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Small Business to Buy Right Now? The best small business to buy right now often includes franchises with proven success models and solid owner satisfaction. Look for options with cash requirements under $50K, as they provide low-cost entry points and extensive training. Established franchises like Mr. Electric or Molly Maid offer reliable reputations and support. Furthermore, consider emerging industries, such as health and wellness, as they align with shifting consumer demands and present promising growth opportunities. What Is the Cheapest Most Profitable Franchise to Own? If you’re looking for the cheapest, most profitable franchise, consider Maid My Home. With a cash requirement of just $10,000, you can start a remote cleaning business that guarantees bookings without face-to-face interactions. On the other hand, Dryer Vent Squad requires $25,000 and serves a high-demand niche in dryer vent cleaning. Both options offer unique advantages, allowing you to enter lucrative markets with relatively low upfront investments and minimizing operational challenges. Which Franchise Business Is Most Profitable? When considering which franchise business is most profitable, you’ll find that home services franchises often lead the way. Brands like Mr. Rooter Plumbing and Restoration 1 thrive because of consistent demand for maintenance and repair. Furthermore, technology-driven franchises, like TeamLogic IT, benefit from the growing need for IT services. Food and beverage options, such as Wayback Burgers, likewise show strong returns, thanks to brand loyalty and community engagement. What Franchise Can I Buy for $10,000? If you’re looking to invest in a franchise for $10,000, consider Maid My Home. This remote cleaning business guarantees bookings and allows you to work on your schedule, all without needing to meet customers face-to-face. The low cash requirement enables you to enter the market with minimal financial risk. This option is particularly appealing if you value flexibility and want to operate a business that meets a growing demand for cleaning services. Conclusion In conclusion, investing in a small business franchise can be a lucrative opportunity. Each option—Drybar, Fun Fieldz, Goglow, SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa, and Global Financial Training—offers unique advantages customized to various interests and market demands. By carefully considering these franchises, you can align your investment with personal goals and the potential for high returns. Researching each business model will help you make an informed decision that suits your entrepreneurial aspirations. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Exciting Small Business Franchises for Sale Now" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re considering investing in a small business franchise, there are several promising options available today. Each franchise offers unique services and target markets, so it’s crucial to evaluate what aligns with your interests and investment goals. For instance, you might explore Drybar’s blowout services or Fun Fieldz‘s engaging environment for children. Furthermore, franchises like Goglow and SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa focus on wellness and luxury services, respectively. Let’s look closer at these opportunities and what they entail. Key Takeaways Drybar: A blowout salon franchise requiring a $250,000 investment, known for high customer retention and exceptional service. Fun Fieldz: An indoor play environment for children with multiple revenue streams, appealing to families seeking entertainment. Goglow: A sunless tanning franchise with a $100,000 investment, focusing on healthier beauty solutions and promoting skin safety. SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa: Offers luxury aesthetic services like Botox, with high ROI potential in the growing wellness market. Global Financial Training: A home-based finance education opportunity with a low $20,000 investment, providing proven curriculum and flexibility. Drybar Drybar is a franchise that specializes in blowout hair services, creating a unique salon experience focused solely on styling rather than cuts or color. With over 150 locations across the United States, it has a strong brand presence in the beauty industry. If you’re considering a franchise for sale, Drybar requires a minimum cash investment of $250,000, reflecting its premium positioning. As a franchisee, you’ll benefit from extensive training and ongoing support, including operational guidance and customized marketing strategies. This business model emphasizes high customer retention through exceptional service and a fun salon environment, contributing to its growth potential. Drybar stands out among small business franchises for sale, appealing to those seeking to enter a lucrative market. Fun Fieldz If you’re looking for a franchise opportunity that combines fun and education for children, Fun Fieldz might be the right fit for you. This engaging franchise business for sale offers a unique indoor play environment, promoting learning in a safe setting. Here are three key benefits: Established Brand Recognition: Attracts families seeking quality entertainment options. Multiple Revenue Streams: Includes admission fees, birthday party packages, and special events, enhancing profitability. Strong Support System: Extensive training programs and ongoing guidance guarantee your success. With a growing demand for family-friendly entertainment, Fun Fieldz positions itself well in the market, making it one of the top service franchises for sale. Consider investing in this lucrative opportunity today. Goglow As the demand for healthier beauty solutions continues to rise, goGLOW stands out as a franchise that focuses on revolutionizing sunless tanning. This franchise requires a minimum cash investment of $100,000, making it a viable option for those looking to enter the beauty and wellness industry. goGLOW provides a thorough training program, ensuring franchisees are prepared to deliver exceptional services. With a strong emphasis on a customer-centric model, the franchise promotes skin health and safety through innovative tanning products and techniques. Positioned within the growing health and wellness sector, goGLOW offers significant growth potential for franchise owners. If you’re exploring franchise companies for sale, this turn key business for sale could be the perfect opportunity for you. SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa represents an emerging opportunity in the luxury medical spa franchise market, offering a diverse array of aesthetic services like Botox, fillers, and laser treatments. This franchise caters to the growing demand in the beauty industry with a strong focus on quality. Here are three key advantages of investing in SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa: Comprehensive training: You’ll receive extensive training and ongoing support to guarantee high-quality service. Strong brand recognition: The upscale environment and exceptional service help build customer loyalty. High ROI potential: As part of the booming health and wellness sector, this franchise offers attractive business investment opportunities near me. Explore SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa as one of the promising retail franchises for sale today. Global Financial Training Global Financial Training offers a unique opportunity for those looking to enter the finance sector without prior experience, making it an appealing option for aspiring entrepreneurs. This online franchise for sale requires a minimum cash investment of $20,000, providing an accessible entry point. With a proven curriculum, it supports franchisees in delivering vital financial education and services to clients. Feature Details Investment $20,000 minimum cash requirement Training thorough support provided Operation Home-based flexibility Clientele Diverse range of clients Success Rate Proven track record of helping clients If you’re ready to buy a home-based business, Global Financial Training equips you with the tools needed for success in the financial services industry. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Small Business to Buy Right Now? The best small business to buy right now often includes franchises with proven success models and solid owner satisfaction. Look for options with cash requirements under $50K, as they provide low-cost entry points and extensive training. Established franchises like Mr. Electric or Molly Maid offer reliable reputations and support. Furthermore, consider emerging industries, such as health and wellness, as they align with shifting consumer demands and present promising growth opportunities. What Is the Cheapest Most Profitable Franchise to Own? If you’re looking for the cheapest, most profitable franchise, consider Maid My Home. With a cash requirement of just $10,000, you can start a remote cleaning business that guarantees bookings without face-to-face interactions. On the other hand, Dryer Vent Squad requires $25,000 and serves a high-demand niche in dryer vent cleaning. Both options offer unique advantages, allowing you to enter lucrative markets with relatively low upfront investments and minimizing operational challenges. Which Franchise Business Is Most Profitable? When considering which franchise business is most profitable, you’ll find that home services franchises often lead the way. Brands like Mr. Rooter Plumbing and Restoration 1 thrive because of consistent demand for maintenance and repair. Furthermore, technology-driven franchises, like TeamLogic IT, benefit from the growing need for IT services. Food and beverage options, such as Wayback Burgers, likewise show strong returns, thanks to brand loyalty and community engagement. What Franchise Can I Buy for $10,000? If you’re looking to invest in a franchise for $10,000, consider Maid My Home. This remote cleaning business guarantees bookings and allows you to work on your schedule, all without needing to meet customers face-to-face. The low cash requirement enables you to enter the market with minimal financial risk. This option is particularly appealing if you value flexibility and want to operate a business that meets a growing demand for cleaning services. Conclusion In conclusion, investing in a small business franchise can be a lucrative opportunity. Each option—Drybar, Fun Fieldz, Goglow, SAPPHIRA PRIVÉ Medspa, and Global Financial Training—offers unique advantages customized to various interests and market demands. By carefully considering these franchises, you can align your investment with personal goals and the potential for high returns. Researching each business model will help you make an informed decision that suits your entrepreneurial aspirations. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Exciting Small Business Franchises for Sale Now" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Between the sheer number and the increasing sophistication of phishing campaigns, seeing should not automatically be believing when browsing online. One particularly sneaky scam is a browser-in-the-browser (BitB) attack, in which threat actors create a fake browser window that looks like a trusted single sign-on (SSO) login page within a real browser session. Because we use SSO to access many of our online accounts, we may not think twice before entering usernames and passwords on these spoofed pages. Cybercriminals are counting on this to steal user credentials. How a browser-in-the-browser attack worksRather than redirecting users to a spoofed website, threat actors running a BitB attack create a fake pop-up within the page you're already on (which may either be set up for the attack or compromised in some way). Using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, they're able to design a login window that looks exactly like the real one, right down to the lock icon and URL in the pop-up's address bar. These fake login windows typically appear in a seamless fashion, such as after a click or redirect you're expecting to lead to SSO. Obviously, entering your credentials hands them directly to the attackers, who can either use or sell them. Fraudulent pop-ups often imitates SSO such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft, though they may exploit any login portal. Earlier this year, researchers at Silent Push identified a BitB phishing campaign targeting Steam users, specifically those playing Counter-Strike 2. Gamers saw a fake browser pop-up window displaying the URL of the real Steam portal, making them more likely to enter their credentials without suspicion. The attackers also featured the likenesses of eSports team NAVI to lend credibility. Signs of a BitB scamBecause threat actors are able to so closely imitate trusted sign-on pages, including using the real domain in the address bar, a visual inspection may not be enough to catch the fraud. Instead, you need to interact with the window in some way. In many cases, a genuine SSO pop-up can be dragged around and away from the browser page it appears on top of, so you can first try to move it elsewhere on your screen. However, some SSO dialogs are static, so if you can't drag it, try to highlight the URL or click the padlock icon to show certificate details. If these elements are fake, you won't be able to interact with them at all because the window itself is just an image. This is also an excellent reason to use a secure password manager to fill your credentials instead of entering them manually. A password manager will work only on the legitimate domain. If it doesn't autofill, don't automatically override it—check to ensure the pop-up is real. You should also have a strong form of multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled wherever possible, so even if your username and password are somehow compromised, attackers won't have the additional factor needed to actually access your account. Note that hackers can still phish some forms of authentication—physical keys along with biometrics and passkeys are the most secure options. View the full article

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have added billions of dollars of mortgage-backed securities and home loans to their balance sheets in recent months, fueling speculation that they're trying to push down lending rates and boost their profitability ahead of a potential public offering. View the full article

In a bold move that could revolutionize how small businesses conduct research, Google has unveiled the Gemini Deep Research agent, which is now available via the Interactions API. This cutting-edge tool empowers developers to integrate Google’s advanced autonomous research capabilities directly into their applications, potentially streamlining processes and enhancing productivity for small enterprises. The Gemini Deep Research agent is engineered for complex and prolonged tasks involving context gathering and synthesis. Utilizing the Gemini 3 Pro model, acknowledged as Google’s most factual artificial intelligence to date, it aims to minimize inaccuracies—commonly known as “hallucinations”—while maximizing the quality of reports generated during intricate research tasks. “With the Gemini Deep Research agent, businesses can expect improved accuracy and efficiency in their research endeavors,” said a Google spokesperson. This technology employs multi-step reinforcement learning, enabling it to navigate intricate information landscapes with remarkable precision. For small businesses that often lack the resources of larger corporations, this tool can level the playing field, offering insights and reports that were previously time-consuming or costly to obtain. Gemini Deep Research’s capabilities extend beyond mere data retrieval. It intelligently formulates queries, assesses search results, identifies gaps in knowledge, and iteratively refines its searches. This more sophisticated web search functionality allows it to delve deep into sites to extract specific, nuanced information. For small business owners, this means having access to data-driven insights that support decision-making, strategy development, and market analysis—all with a few clicks. One of the standout features of this new research agent is its cost-effectiveness. It achieves state-of-the-art results on benchmarks like Humanity’s Last Exam (HLE) and DeepSearchQA, ensuring that small businesses can generate well-researched reports without incurring hefty expenses. The agent’s optimization for lower costs helps reduce the financial burden on small enterprises, who often operate with tighter budgets compared to larger competitors. With the upcoming integration of the Gemini Deep Research agent into platforms such as Google Search, NotebookLM, and Google Finance, the ease of access to these capabilities will only grow. Small business owners will soon find that leveraging advanced research technology can aid in crafting business plans, identifying competitive landscapes, and enhancing product development, all while saving valuable time. However, while the allure of AI-driven research seems promising, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. The learning curve for effectively utilizing such advanced technology could be steep. Additionally, concerns about data security and the accuracy of AI-generated content persist. Businesses will need to remain vigilant in reviewing the outputs generated by AI to ensure they align with their specific needs and maintain credibility. Furthermore, as AI’s capabilities expand, small businesses may find themselves in a race to adopt new technologies or risk falling behind more agile competitors. This creates an element of urgency—while the Gemini Deep Research agent promises enhanced productivity, business owners must weigh the benefits of early adoption against the possible need for training and adjustments to existing workflows. As Google continues to enhance the Gemini Deep Research agent, small business owners can look forward to a future where informed decision-making is not only more accessible but also more affordable. As this technology evolves, its impact could be transformative, setting the stage for a new era of data-driven strategies in small business operations. For more detailed information, visit the original post here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google Launches Advanced Gemini Deep Research Agent for Developers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In a bold move that could revolutionize how small businesses conduct research, Google has unveiled the Gemini Deep Research agent, which is now available via the Interactions API. This cutting-edge tool empowers developers to integrate Google’s advanced autonomous research capabilities directly into their applications, potentially streamlining processes and enhancing productivity for small enterprises. The Gemini Deep Research agent is engineered for complex and prolonged tasks involving context gathering and synthesis. Utilizing the Gemini 3 Pro model, acknowledged as Google’s most factual artificial intelligence to date, it aims to minimize inaccuracies—commonly known as “hallucinations”—while maximizing the quality of reports generated during intricate research tasks. “With the Gemini Deep Research agent, businesses can expect improved accuracy and efficiency in their research endeavors,” said a Google spokesperson. This technology employs multi-step reinforcement learning, enabling it to navigate intricate information landscapes with remarkable precision. For small businesses that often lack the resources of larger corporations, this tool can level the playing field, offering insights and reports that were previously time-consuming or costly to obtain. Gemini Deep Research’s capabilities extend beyond mere data retrieval. It intelligently formulates queries, assesses search results, identifies gaps in knowledge, and iteratively refines its searches. This more sophisticated web search functionality allows it to delve deep into sites to extract specific, nuanced information. For small business owners, this means having access to data-driven insights that support decision-making, strategy development, and market analysis—all with a few clicks. One of the standout features of this new research agent is its cost-effectiveness. It achieves state-of-the-art results on benchmarks like Humanity’s Last Exam (HLE) and DeepSearchQA, ensuring that small businesses can generate well-researched reports without incurring hefty expenses. The agent’s optimization for lower costs helps reduce the financial burden on small enterprises, who often operate with tighter budgets compared to larger competitors. With the upcoming integration of the Gemini Deep Research agent into platforms such as Google Search, NotebookLM, and Google Finance, the ease of access to these capabilities will only grow. Small business owners will soon find that leveraging advanced research technology can aid in crafting business plans, identifying competitive landscapes, and enhancing product development, all while saving valuable time. However, while the allure of AI-driven research seems promising, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. The learning curve for effectively utilizing such advanced technology could be steep. Additionally, concerns about data security and the accuracy of AI-generated content persist. Businesses will need to remain vigilant in reviewing the outputs generated by AI to ensure they align with their specific needs and maintain credibility. Furthermore, as AI’s capabilities expand, small businesses may find themselves in a race to adopt new technologies or risk falling behind more agile competitors. This creates an element of urgency—while the Gemini Deep Research agent promises enhanced productivity, business owners must weigh the benefits of early adoption against the possible need for training and adjustments to existing workflows. As Google continues to enhance the Gemini Deep Research agent, small business owners can look forward to a future where informed decision-making is not only more accessible but also more affordable. As this technology evolves, its impact could be transformative, setting the stage for a new era of data-driven strategies in small business operations. For more detailed information, visit the original post here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google Launches Advanced Gemini Deep Research Agent for Developers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Ah, the holiday season — filled with joy, festive cheer, and maybe just a pinch of family drama! Let’s be real: navigating holiday interactions can sometimes feel like a game of emotional dodgeball. But fear not! Setting boundaries is like having a trusty shield that helps you enjoy the festivities without the stress. What is a boundary? A boundary is a limit you set regarding other people’s words or actions towards you. You can set different boundaries with different people. Good boundaries can: Create positive rapportPromote mutually productive collaborationsEnsure smooth, effective communicationDefine and clearly communicate expectationsProtect your time and energyPrevent over-complicating and common pitfallsEnable both individual growth and stronger partnerships, andHelp handle challenging conversationsBoundaries that are inconsistent or weak, on the other hand: Build walls instead of fencesAllow you to say "yes" to another meeting while your family dinner gets coldLetting your quick check of emails turn into a 2-hour anxiety spiral when your phone buzzes with work messages at 11 pmSacrifice your weekends for other people's emergencies, orAllow your mental health to suffer while you keep pushing through.To be effective, boundaries should be clear, internalized, and designed to improve collaborative and respectful behavior — without any expectation of others changing their actions. Here’s an example: Scenario: You're feeling pressured to follow a particular career path that your family endorses, but your heart is set on a completely different direction. You might set a boundary by saying, “I appreciate your concern and support, but I’ve decided to pursue my passion for art instead of joining the family business. I’d love to share more about my journey and how excited I am about it!” This way, you’re making it clear that while you value their opinions, you’re in charge of your choices. Tips for setting boundaries: Stand up for yourself, but don’t attack the other personBe polite, calm, and confident.State your boundary and preferred alternative action.Don’t argue, apologize, or make excusesMaking the effort to set clear boundaries and manage interactions during the holidays can mitigate stress and improve relationships. How do you handle people who violate your boundaries? Things you can do to ensure your boundaries are respected include redirecting topics to safe subjects, ignoring the offense and engaging positively with someone else, and avoiding apologies or arguments. Be ok with saying “We’re not talking about this right now.” Preparing a few neutral conversational topics or fun games ahead of time can make it easier to steer discussions away from conflict and towards more enjoyable interactions. When you change the subject, be loud and proud with your new topic. Start positive, inclusive conversations. Here are a few conversational topics that everyone can enjoy: Favorite family traditions or memoriesRecent or planned travel Recent books, movies, or TV shows people have enjoyed Hobbies or new skills anyone has picked up recentlyFavorite family games everyone feels comfortable joining in (charades, board games, Mad Libs, etc.) A gratitude circle, where each person shares something they’re thankful forIf necessary, leave the conversation. Get up and take a long break, a bit of personal time in another room, or a walk around the block. State the violated boundary before leaving. If you decide to leave the situation entirely, get up after stating the boundary, say your polite goodbyes, and leave. Setting boundaries isn’t about building walls; it’s about creating a setting where everyone can thrive and have a blast! Remember, setting and working with boundaries can be hard, and it takes time to create change in yourself and others. Be compassionate with yourself and others, and don’t give up! With the right boundaries, you can navigate this festive season with joy. View the full article

Ah, the holiday season — filled with joy, festive cheer, and maybe just a pinch of family drama! Let’s be real: navigating holiday interactions can sometimes feel like a game of emotional dodgeball. But fear not! Setting boundaries is like having a trusty shield that helps you enjoy the festivities without the stress. What is a boundary? A boundary is a limit you set regarding other people’s words or actions towards you. You can set different boundaries with different people. Good boundaries can: Create positive rapportPromote mutually productive collaborationsEnsure smooth, effective communicationDefine and clearly communicate expectationsProtect your time and energyPrevent over-complicating and common pitfallsEnable both individual growth and stronger partnerships, andHelp handle challenging conversationsBoundaries that are inconsistent or weak, on the other hand: Build walls instead of fencesAllow you to say "yes" to another meeting while your family dinner gets coldLetting your quick check of emails turn into a 2-hour anxiety spiral when your phone buzzes with work messages at 11 pmSacrifice your weekends for other people's emergencies, orAllow your mental health to suffer while you keep pushing through.To be effective, boundaries should be clear, internalized, and designed to improve collaborative and respectful behavior — without any expectation of others changing their actions. Here’s an example: Scenario: You're feeling pressured to follow a particular career path that your family endorses, but your heart is set on a completely different direction. You might set a boundary by saying, “I appreciate your concern and support, but I’ve decided to pursue my passion for art instead of joining the family business. I’d love to share more about my journey and how excited I am about it!” This way, you’re making it clear that while you value their opinions, you’re in charge of your choices. Tips for setting boundaries: Stand up for yourself, but don’t attack the other personBe polite, calm, and confident.State your boundary and preferred alternative action.Don’t argue, apologize, or make excusesMaking the effort to set clear boundaries and manage interactions during the holidays can mitigate stress and improve relationships. How do you handle people who violate your boundaries? Things you can do to ensure your boundaries are respected include redirecting topics to safe subjects, ignoring the offense and engaging positively with someone else, and avoiding apologies or arguments. Be ok with saying “We’re not talking about this right now.” Preparing a few neutral conversational topics or fun games ahead of time can make it easier to steer discussions away from conflict and towards more enjoyable interactions. When you change the subject, be loud and proud with your new topic. Start positive, inclusive conversations. Here are a few conversational topics that everyone can enjoy: Favorite family traditions or memoriesRecent or planned travel Recent books, movies, or TV shows people have enjoyed Hobbies or new skills anyone has picked up recentlyFavorite family games everyone feels comfortable joining in (charades, board games, Mad Libs, etc.) A gratitude circle, where each person shares something they’re thankful forIf necessary, leave the conversation. Get up and take a long break, a bit of personal time in another room, or a walk around the block. State the violated boundary before leaving. If you decide to leave the situation entirely, get up after stating the boundary, say your polite goodbyes, and leave. Setting boundaries isn’t about building walls; it’s about creating a setting where everyone can thrive and have a blast! Remember, setting and working with boundaries can be hard, and it takes time to create change in yourself and others. Be compassionate with yourself and others, and don’t give up! With the right boundaries, you can navigate this festive season with joy. View the full article

Firms that prioritize, listen, and align position themselves for better long-term outcomes. Holistic Guide to Wealth Management By Rory Henry CFP®, BFA™ For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Rory Henry. View the full article

Firms that prioritize, listen, and align position themselves for better long-term outcomes. Holistic Guide to Wealth Management By Rory Henry CFP®, BFA™ For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Rory Henry. View the full article