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Google is testing a mobile search flow that lets you move from AI Overviews into AI Mode without leaving the results page. The post Google Connects AI Overviews To AI Mode On Mobile appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Melania The President on Monday unveiled the holiday decorations for her family’s first Christmas back at the White House and her theme is “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” The decor also nods to next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and founding of the United States of America. Several dozen volunteer decorators from across the country helped deck the halls of the Executive Mansion with 75 wreaths, 51 Christmas trees, more than 700 feet (213 meters) of garland, more than 2,000 strands of lights, over 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) of ribbon, over 2,800 gold stars, more than 10,000 butterflies and 120 pounds (54 kilograms) of gingerbread. A few things are different because President Donald The President tore down the East Wing to build a ballroom he’s long desired. This year, the official White House Christmas tree, which is always on display in the Blue Room, also honors Gold Star families, those that lost a member during active-duty military service. That tree was an East Wing fixture and the first one visitors encountered after they entered through those doors, but the building and a covered walkway, or colonnade, connecting it to the White House were demolished by The President in October as part of his ballroom plan. Public tours, which had been suspended because of the construction, are to resume Tuesday but with a shorter route limited to just the State Floor, which includes the East Room; the Green, Blue and Red Rooms; the State Dining Room; the Cross Hall; and the Grand Foyer. The Library and the Vermeil and China Rooms on the Ground Floor — one level below the State Floor — were cut from the tour route because of the construction. The White House expects tens of thousands of visitors for holiday tours, receptions and parties before Christmas. Visitors will now enter through the North Portico doors on Pennsylvania Avenue using a new, semi-permanent walkway and entrance. A statement from the White House said Christmas is a time to celebrate what makes the U.S. exceptional and that, while every home has its own traditions, shared values unite Americans. “In every community, we are lifted by simple acts of kindness that reflect the enduring American spirit of generosity, patriotism, and gratitude,” the statement said. “These moments remind us that the heart of America is strong and that Home Is Where The Heart Is.” Planning for the holidays starts months in advance, and the White House said Melania The President chose every detail of the decor. Trees in the East Room are trimmed in patriotic red, white and blue and national symbols, including golden eagle tree toppers, to highlight the coming America250 national celebration. The official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room is decorated with gold stars honoring families that lost a member in the line of active-duty military service. The official tree traditionally recognizes each state and territory and this year’s fir is decorated with ornaments showcasing the official bird and flower of each. The Green Room celebrates family fun, featuring large portraits of the first and the current presidents, George Washington and Donald The President, respectively, each made from more than 6,000 Lego puzzle pieces. Thousands of blue butterflies decorate the Red Room and its tree in a celebration of young people and in tribute to Melania The President’s Fostering the Future initiative, which is part of her Be Best child-focused initiative, to support people who have been in foster care. A holiday highlight, the gingerbread White House on display in the State Dining Room shows off the mansion’s South Portico and offers a special glimpse into the Yellow Oval Room, a sitting room off the Truman Balcony in the president’s private living quarters on the second floor. It was made using 120 pounds (54 kilograms) of gingerbread, 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of pastillage, a sugar-based modelling paste; over 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) of chocolate and 5 pounds (2.2 kilograms) of royal icing. Part of the White House creche is on display in the Grand Foyer while the rest of it is undergoing a restoration overseen by the curator’s office. Most of the tree trimming and hall decking was done after the The Presidents decamped to their Florida home early last week for the Thanksgiving holiday. They returned to the White House on Sunday. —Darlene Superville, Associated Press View the full article

HERE'S A LOOK at some of the best leadership books to be released in December 2025 curated just for you. Be sure to check out the other great titles being offered this month. The Seismic Shift in You: The Seven Necessary Shifts to Create Connection and Drive Results by Michelle Johnston and Marshall Goldsmith In a world more connected than ever, why are we all feeling so disconnected? Leadership expert Dr. Michelle K. Johnston reveals the hidden crisis plaguing modern workplaces: an epidemic of disconnection that’s eroding team performance, personal satisfaction, and organizational success. The Seismic Shift in You offers a transformative approach to leadership that starts with the most critical factor—you. Drawing on years of coaching top leaders and the latest research, Johnston outlines seven powerful shifts to help you lead more effectively, including: Rediscover your sense of purpose and direction, Transform everyday interactions into meaningful connections, Spark authentic engagement by starting from within, and Cultivate high-performing teams grounded in trust and collaboration. With real-world stories and practical tools, Johnston offers the clarity you need to lead with greater meaning, fulfillment, and results. You to the Power of Two: Redefining Human Potential in the Age of Identic AI by Joseph Bradley and Don Tapscott AI tools are already reshaping the way we work and communicate, but as they gain autonomy, they will no longer be mere tools; they will become active participants in our world. As our digital identities become smarter and more capable, we enter the age of “Identic” AI: a place where ever-present AI companions streamline daily tasks, enhance wellbeing, and offer lifelong learning. For professionals, these intelligent agents will amplify creativity, boost productivity, and expand human potential. But with this extraordinary promise comes profound risks—to individuals, businesses, and society itself. From technology experts Joseph M. Bradley and Don Tapscott, You to the Power of Two is a thought-provoking and timely guide that will prepare readers to thrive in world of personal AI agents Monster Transformation: Conquer Your Digital Fears, Be AI Ready, and Focus on What Matters to Your Organization by Ari Lightman, Rafeh Masood and Gary Hirsch In Monster Transformation, a team of veteran digital leaders delivers an expert framework to digital transformation that focuses on the competencies your employees will need to have―and develop―to enable your organization to function in a world defined by generative artificial intelligence. Monster Transformation blends actionable insights, real-world case studies, and immediately recognizable organizational behaviors that can either move forward or derail transformation in the age of AI. Whether you are leading, a part of, supporting or interested in organizational transformation, this book challenges conventional thought on dealing with transformation, provides insights on how and why barriers to effective change arise and pragmatic mechanisms to address challenges, diminish barriers and leverage employees. Human Edge in the AI Age: Eight Timeless Mantras For Success by Nitin Seth If you're wondering how to stay relevant in a world where AI seems to be mastering capabilities once thought to be uniquely human, from cognitive tasks to emotional intelligence, Human Edge in the AI Age is your answer. This is not another book about what AI can do. It's about what you can do to thrive alongside it. As AI disrupts industries and job roles and the possibility of job displacement looms, it may also herald a new human renaissance---an Era of Entrepreneurs---where individuals take charge of their destinies, innovate fearlessly, and create value grounded in timeless human strengths such as creativity, empathy, and leadership. To navigate this seismic shift, Nitin Seth introduces the POSSIBLE framework, an original eight-dimensional guide to rediscovering the human edge. The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation by Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner Our organizations are stuck. We talk about agility but find ourselves bogged down in bureaucracy. We aspire to innovate but run into systems built to prevent mistakes, not spark breakthroughs. We need to learn and adapt, but we're operating with an outdated playbook built for efficiency and control. And our attempts to fix all this—by pouring trillions into huge, top-down transformations—make the problems worse. But there is a better way: Building an Octopus Organization. One of nature's most intelligent and curious creatures, the octopus is everything your organization needs to be: smart, endlessly adaptable, and highly resilient. Its eight tentacles work in concert, but each can also think for itself. This book shows how to achieve the same balance of cohesion and autonomy and to guide your organization toward a living, breathing system—one that learns, adapts, and thrives by tapping into the distributed intelligence of its people. For bulk orders call 1-626-441-2024 * * * “You can't think well without writing well, and you can't write well without reading well. And I mean that last "well" in both senses. You have to be good at reading, and read good things.” — Paul Graham, Y Combinator co-founder * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

Microsoft Ads introduced two updates that could significantly improve campaign management and reporting for advertisers. The changes: Asset-level disapprovals: Ads will now be disapproved at the asset level—whether a single image, headline, or text line—allowing the rest of the ad to continue running. This reduces wasted spend and prevents entire campaigns from being paused due to a single issue. Conversion reporting transparency: Advertisers can now measure the average time it takes for 90% of conversions—online or offline—to be recorded after a click. This provides critical clarity for evaluating campaign performance and optimizing bidding strategies. These updates address two longstanding pain points for advertisers: wasted spend due to ad disapprovals and uncertainty around conversion lag. Why we care. These updates directly reduce wasted spend and improve data accuracy. Asset-level disapprovals mean a single problematic headline or image no longer shuts down an entire ad, keeping campaigns running and revenue flowing. The new 90% conversion-lag metric gives clearer insight into when conversions actually register, leading to smarter bidding, better pacing, and more confident cross-platform comparison. Together, these changes make Microsoft Ads more predictable, transparent, and efficient to manage. First seen. The updates were first highlighted by John Sargent on LinkedIn and confirmed by Microsoft Ads Liaison Navah Hopkins. For advertisers managing multi-platform campaigns, these changes are a substantial step toward better control, clearer data, and more efficient budget use. View the full article

The office is now officially the second most popular spot for swiping on dating apps, after home. That’s according to the latest survey from dating app Hily, as 74% of Gen Z and 92% of millennial daters admit to swiping on dating apps while at work. The survey says 45% of Gen Z and 57% of millennials swipe during lunch—and 3% of Gen Z and 5% of millennials have no shame swiping through Zoom meetings. Dating itself is a full-time job. According to dating statistics from eharmony, around 80 million people in the U.S. are now using dating apps or websites—or about 30% of the adult population. A 2023 Pew Research Center report found that one in 10 partnered adults met their significant other on a dating app, and the numbers are even higher for young people. Swiping on company time is nothing new. Back in 2017, Tinder launched a Desk Mode feature that enables users to disguise their swiping on a work computer, switching the screen to a fake chart titled “Meeting Notes,” just in case the boss is nearby. The downsides of swiping at work, however, is the increased location-based likelihood of stumbling across one of your single colleagues’ profiles. (It is decidedly less sexy to swipe right on a colleague from across the room than to catch eyes over the coffee machine.) The workplace has long been a breeding ground for love and lust, even if HR mostly frowns upon dipping your pen in the company ink. It could be the start of a blossoming office romance, or make your next internal meeting rather uncomfortable. “Just as Slack messaging has replaced water cooler banter, dating app conversations have replaced mid-day coffee shop trips or smoke breaks,” Hily’s relationship expert and clinical psychologist, Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, told Fast Company. “Daily work life has always included breaks for socialization and the potential to meet a new partner, it’s just become more efficient, digital, and streamlined, just as our work has evolved in this direction.” Romanoff doesn’t see this as much different from replying to texts, or taking a cursory scroll on social media throughout the day, “as long as people are able to compartmentalize these interactions,” she said. “And can easily shift back into work mode when they close the app.” One third of dating app users have even turned to the apps to leverage professional or career-related reasons in the last year, like networking or angling for referrals, according to a new ResumeBuilder.com survey. Nearly 1 in 10 cited it as their main reason for using the apps, as the lines between work and life continue to blur. Even if you don’t end up finding the one on company time, you at least might land a new LinkedIn connection as a consolation. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. There are still a few hours left to snag Cyber Monday deals—and to bring order to your home gym setup. Normally $129.99, this home gym storage rack is currently on sale for $79.98. If you've been tripping over scattered dumbbells or wasting time hunting for the right weights mid-workout, this deal solves both problems for under $80. PLKOW Dumbbell Rack $79.98 at Amazon $129.99 Save $50.01 Get Deal Get Deal $79.98 at Amazon $129.99 Save $50.01 This weight rack is specifically designed for a home gym. There are designated spaced for dumbbells, kettlebells, yoga blocks, resistance bands, medicine balls, and more—basically all the smaller equipment that tends to pile up in corners or get kicked under furniture. Having everything organized in one storage rack means you can actually find what you need when you need it. I recommend a dedicated storage rack like this so you can really focus on your fitness goals without the distraction of a cluttered space. In other words: No more digging through a heap of equipment or making multiple trips across your garage to grab different dumbbells between sets. Everything has its place, and you can grab what you need and get back to training. What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — $449.99 (List Price $599.00) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $329.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $136.45 (List Price $179.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Gemini 3 launched in AI Mode just a couple of weeks ago, but now Google is expanding it to about 120 countries and territories for English queries. Google’s Robby Stein said, “Gemini 3 is now available in AI Mode, across nearly 120 countries & territories in English.” What is AI Mode with Gemini 3. Google shared how AI Mode in Search is now using Gemini 3 to enable new generative UI experiences like immersive visual layouts and interactive tools and simulations, all generated completely on the fly based on your query. Gemini 3 is used in AI Mode in Search with more complex reasoning and new dynamic experiences. Just last week, Google automatically began using Gemini 3 for some AI Mode queries automatically. More details. Google wrote, “We’re bringing our most intelligent model, Gemini 3, to AI Mode in Google Search in nearly 120 countries and territories in English.” This is still for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers only right now. “With this expansion, it’s now easier to ask anything and instantly get a richer, more helpful understanding,” Google added. Nano Banana Pro update. Google also added it is bringing the “latest generative imagery model, Nano Banana Pro, to AI Mode in more countries in English, starting today with Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers.” Why we care. Google will continue to release updates both visually, user experience updates and model updates to AI Mode. Google continues to push searchers into AI Mode and is working hard to make sure that experience is what Google wants from it. View the full article

Starbucks will pay about $35 million to more than 15,000 New York City workers to settle claims it denied them stable schedules and arbitrarily cut their hours, city officials announced Monday. The company will also pay $3.4 million in civil penalties under the agreement with the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. It also agrees to comply with the city’s Fair Workweek law going forward. A company spokeswoman said Starbucks is committed to operating responsibly and in compliance with all applicable local laws and regulations in every market where it does business, but also noted the complexitiesc of the city’s law. “This (law) is notoriously challenging to manage and this isn’t just Starbucks issue, nearly every retailer in the city faces these roadblocks,” spokeswoman Jaci Anderson said. Most of the affected employees who held hourly positions will receive $50 for each week worked from July 2021 through July 2024, the department said. Workers who experienced a violation after that may be eligible for compensation by filing a complaint with the department. The $38.9 million settlement also guarantees employees laid off during recent store closings in the city will get the chance for reinstatement at other company locations. The city began investigating in 2022 after receiving dozens of worker complaints against several Starbucks locations, and eventually expanded its investigation to the hundreds of stores in the city. The probe found most Starbucks employees never got regular schedules and the company routinely reduced employees’ hours by more than 15%, making it difficult for staffers to know their regular weekly earnings and plan other commitments, such as child care, education or other jobs. The company also routinely denied workers the chance to pick up extra shifts, leaving them involuntarily in part-time status, according to the city. The agreement with New York comes as Starbucks’ union continues a nationwide strike at dozens of locations that began last month. The number of affected stores and the strike’s impact remain in dispute by the two sides. 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. Here are four updates from past letter-writers. There will be more posts than usual this week, so keep checking back throughout the day. 1. My office is infested with wasps Here’s an update to the wasp infestation in my office: it is still ongoing. The wasps are still there. I forcefully invoked my rights under the law and was finally allowed to work from home until the wasps are gone, but I am under the impression that nothing particularly has been done about the infestation. I fully expect the wasps to return next year unless my employer and landlord take further measures, and at this point I can’t afford the optimism of assuming something will happen. I was also required to pay out of pocket for all sorts of medical documentation of my wasp allergy because they insisted it might have changed or gotten better! Believe me, if there’s a cure I will happily take it. My doctor was horrified when I reached out. For those who aren’t familiar with wasp sting allergies: this is an anaphylactic allergy, where you can die before you receive medical help, and I was grateful that most of the commenters seemed to understand that. I wish I had better news to share, but I do want to thank you and everyone in the comments for recommending that I continue to stand up for myself. I don’t know what it was that caused them to listen this time, but at least for now they are letting me work from safety. 2. Can I tell clients not to bring in sick kids? Thank you again for your advice and posting my question! I did take your advice about letting people know and putting my foot down when someone does come in sick. I rarely charge people no-show fees as is, so my statement about charging a no-show fee if someone wastes my time was mostly out of frustration. One commenter said it best: “The stylist is being pretty reasonable — if you could have canceled and chose not to, then showed up in a condition where the stylist could not provide you service, that’s the same as being a no-show. You had the stylist hold time that you would not use, so the stylist was not able to make money by scheduling another customer. It sounds like the stylist is even a reasonable enough person that if you didn’t know the policy and apologized profusely, they’d probably waive the fee. But if you know the policy and choose not to follow it, well, consequences of your action. In my industry, we call that a PITA tax.” It also seems that parents are being more considerate and reasonable this year, which is great! I do try to be vocal about how I feel about people coming in sick if it comes up in conversation, and when someone cancels because they’re sick, I always emphasize that I prefer them to stay home. It’s still early on in the sick season so we’ll see how things go around and after the holidays. I also did end up finally leaving the nest and moving out on my own, but I would hate to visit my grandpa to find out later I was sick. At the end of the day, I know the owner of my shop will always have my back and respect any call I make on whether to provide a service someone or not. 3. Sharing a hotel room on a work trip — but I have panic attacks (#2 at the link) Thanks for publishing my letter and for the advice. It was excellent. I ended up not needing to ask about whether we were sharing a room because we eventually were told that we each had our own hotel room! Relief! I did have a few panic attacks while traveling, but they weren’t too disruptive of my trip. Overall, the trip was wonderful, the conference professionally informative, and I got to know my awesome colleagues better. I’m deep into the teaching semester and this job couldn’t be a better fit, professionally and personally. I love my students and my coworkers. Fitting in with a culture is so important and I’m so glad I’ve found my niche. 4. My boss’s constant self-deprecation and oversharing make me uncomfortable I decided against direct confrontation, or talking to my skip. My strategy now is to preemptively replace negative with positive – to start meetings by asking her about her hobbies, life, family, pets. If she starts to get negative, I cut in and redirect to something happy about myself. It works really well! If it’s a long enough story where I can’t change the subject without seeming callous (and the subject matter is distressing) I don’t respond verbally – I let her talk it out, let my face show empathy, but then let the silence stretch. She has started to self-correct! Looking back, I think the spiraling happened more when I was trying to get guidance on, or info about, my work projects. She would seem paralyzed and unable to think things through, would spiral and self-flagellate, would promise to get back to me later, wouldn’t get back to me later, wouldn’t see my messages, I’d bring work stuff up again in another meeting … lather, rinse, repeat. Now I just … do things, and send updates about them async. I meet with the same stakeholders she talks to, get my own answers, do what needs to be done, and only loop her in (async!) if I need to cover my butt. Yes, it means that our 1-1s are now just fluff. But I’ve kind of given up on having productive managerial guidance, and her talking about happy things is a lot better than her talking about upsetting things. I think she just wants to connect. I am looking for a new job (for this and other reasons) but the situation is workable for now! The post updates: my office is infested with wasps, telling clients not to bring in sick kids, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. I love using e-readers to read novels and other books, but when it comes to color content, especially comic books or even Android apps, I'm torn. I like the easy-on-the-eyes effect of E Ink, but e-readers that run Android can be slow to respond to your taps, and color e-readers still lose out on a lot of vibrancy and contrast when compared to more traditional screens. TCL's NXTPAPER displays go a long way towards fixing that, and now you can get a NXTPAPER tablet for a large discount during Cyber Monday. TCL NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 $149.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $149.99 at Amazon $249.99 Save $100.00 The trick behind NXTPAPER is that it's not technically E Ink, but it feels pretty similar to it. Instead, NXTPAPER uses a more traditional LCD display, but with special low blue light technology and a matte coating to make it feel like paper. It's hard to imagine it comes close to something like a Kindle when reading the marketing bragging about it, but having tried it in person, I can say it's about 80% of the way to feeling like the real thing. And the benefit? You get far more vibrant colors than you would with color E Ink, and the same responsive feeling and high refresh rate as when using a phone or an iPad. It's probably not something I'd want on the phone I carry every day, since the matte coating can still make the colors a little duller, if not as bad as E Ink would. But this Cyber Monday, you can get a standalone NXTPAPER tablet for a great price. Currently, the NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 is just $150 on Amazon, and that's with a stylus and case included. This tablet has an 11-inch 1,920 x 1,200 screen and starts off with 64GB of storage (upgradeable up to 256GB for a bit more). Its MediaTek chip and 8GB of RAM means it won't be a powerhouse for running demanding apps like the most recent games, but it should be fine for the task it's built for—reading. The biggest downside is that it's going to drain a bit more battery than a proper E Ink display would, but with an 8,000 mAh capacity, the battery should last for days in between charges. It's probably not the best choice if you only read black-and-white books, because E Ink will still provide a hands-down better experience there, if only by a little bit. But if you want the versatility of Android, or you want to read vibrant color content without straining your eyes, the NXTPAPER 11 Gen 2 might be a better pick for you than any actual E Ink device. It's also a good choice for artists, as NXTPAPER also feels a bit more natural to draw on, as seen on the slightly pricier XP-Pen Magic Note Pad, which is also on sale for Cyber Monday. What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — $449.99 (List Price $599.00) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $329.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $136.45 (List Price $179.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. If you're looking for Garmin's answer to the Apple Watch Ultra—aka a versatile watch that balances everyday wearability with solid fitness tracking—look no further than Garmin's Venu X1. And for Cyber Monday, the Venu X1 is on sale for $599.99 ($200 off its normal price $799.99). Garmin Venu X1 $599.99 at Amazon $799.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.99 at Amazon $799.99 Save $200.00 The X1 is Garmin's biggest screen—41 x 46 millimeters with a two-inch diagonal measurement—making it easy to view maps, data, and notifications at a glance. You also get an LED flashlight built into the watch, handy for early morning runs or fumbling with your keys in the dark. The scratch-resistant sapphire lens adds durability, while built-in maps mean you can navigate without pulling out your phone. There's also a speaker and microphone for taking calls or using a voice assistant directly from your wrist. Solid training and trackingThe X1 includes coaching for running, cycling, and strength training, plus all the health and fitness tracking Garmin is known for. It goes without saying that Garmin watches deliver excellent GPS accuracy and reliable heart rate readings—qualities that matter whether you're logging casual jogs or training for your next race. Beyond the usual activity profiles and running-specific metrics, the X1 supports a wide range of sports including motorcycling, rock climbing, and golfing (with extra features tailored to the course). The battery lasts up to eight days, so you won't be tethered to a charger constantly. If you prefer a round watch geared specifically toward serious runners and athletes, check out Garmin's high-end Fenix line also on sale today. How long do Black Friday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — $449.99 (List Price $599.00) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $329.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $136.45 (List Price $179.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and its union filed legal briefs Friday after a district court judge asked if a preliminary injunction aimed at preventing a mass layoff is still in effect. View the full article

“Tax Season Readiness” webinar offers quick, practical strategies to help firms prepare for the hectic demands of the coming months. By CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

“Tax Season Readiness” webinar offers quick, practical strategies to help firms prepare for the hectic demands of the coming months. By CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. It's the Cyber Monday deal I didn't see coming: The new Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World bundle is actually discounted today, which is surprising considering there's no real incentive to knock money off a brand new system, and because it was not discounted at all during Black Friday. But yes, at the moment, you can get the game and system for $449 (down from $499) at both Amazon and Walmart—the lowest price it has reached yet, according to price tracking tools. (Note that you can only see the price once it's in your cart as Nintendo restricts retailers from promoting anything below the "minimum advertised price" of $499.) With Christmas on the way, this deal is likely to sell out fast, so I've advise ordering it sooner rather than later if you're considering it. Amazon Nintendo - Switch 2 + MarioKart World Bundle - Black $0.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $0.00 at Amazon Walmart Nintendo - Switch 2 + MarioKart World Bundle - Black $449.00 at Walmart $1,049.66 Save $600.66 Get Deal Get Deal $449.00 at Walmart $1,049.66 Save $600.66 SEE -1 MORE To put into perspective how good this deal is, the OLED edition of the original Nintendo Switch is $400 right now, meaning you can get the new system and a great game for only $50 more—and the Switch 2 is an upgrade in every way, according to Lifehacker's review. You can play your old Switch games on the Switch 2, since it's backwards compatible. The ergonomics and design have improved, making it much better to hold and look at. The battery life has also improved, now with about 180 minutes of handheld playtime before the juice runs out. The biggest thing to consider when deciding whether you should buy a Switch 2 right now is that the library is currently on the smaller side, with few absolute must-play titles yet released (and the ones that are out may cost more, going up to $80). But being able to play your older games does make the transition easier, especially considering some games, like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, will look better on the Switch 2. Does Amazon have Cyber Monday deals?Yes, Amazon has Cyber Monday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it. What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — $449.99 (List Price $599.00) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $329.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $136.45 (List Price $179.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Projects gain momentum when people move in the same direction, which is why effective stakeholder collaboration and strong stakeholder communication play such a defining role in overall success. Teams often juggle shifting priorities, tight deadlines and diverse expectations, making coordinated participation essential from the start. When every contributor understands how decisions are made and how information circulates, engagement increases and risks shrink. This alignment gives the project a stable foundation and helps managers guide the work with clarity. What Is Stakeholder Collaboration? Stakeholder collaboration is a coordinated process in which project stakeholders and the project management team work together toward shared objectives. This joint effort blends technical insight, operational needs and strategic direction to shape decisions collectively. By involving both groups in discussions, reviews and problem-solving activities, collaboration builds stronger ownership and reduces disconnects. Within project management, this process creates clearer expectations, uncovers issues earlier and supports a more unified approach to guiding the project from start to finish. With important projects and initiatives on the line, it’s essential to utilize the right tools for stakeholder collaboration. ProjectManager is designed to make stakeholder communication seamless, transparent and efficient, whether your stakeholders are team members, clients, leadership or external partners. With all project information in one shared platform, stakeholders don’t need to hunt down emails or documents. From Gantt charts that show timeline information to dashboards for executives who want high-level insight, our software enables everyone to see the project in the way that works best for them. Get started by taking a free 30-day trial. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/kanban-light-mode-manufacturing-order-process-150-zoom-collaboration-CTA.pngLearn more What Are the Benefits of Effective Stakeholder Collaboration? As stated above, stakeholder collaboration delivers value beyond simple information sharing between the project team planning and executing the project and stakeholders who actively take part in the project. While stakeholders still need to leave the project team room for decision-making, when stakeholders actively participate, the project gains broader insight, smoother coordination and a stronger base of support when compared with projects where stakeholders are informed about the project but aren’t engaged. These partnerships help teams respond to uncertainty with greater confidence and ensure that decisions reflect the needs of everyone involved. Improved alignment between project goals and stakeholder expectations Faster decision-making due to clearer input and shared understanding Reduced resistance because stakeholders feel included in key discussions Earlier identification of risks and issues through diverse perspectives Greater accountability as responsibilities become more transparent More efficient use of resources thanks to coordinated planning Stronger support for approvals, changes and milestone sign-offs Now that we have a better understanding of what stakeholder collaboration means in the project management field and why it matters, let’s zoom in on an important component of stakeholder collaboration, which is effective communication. Related: 13 Free Stakeholder Management Templates for Excel & Word Stakeholder Collaboration vs. Stakeholder Communication Although stakeholder collaboration and stakeholder communication are closely connected, they serve different purposes within a project. Collaboration focuses on how stakeholders and the project team participate in shaping decisions—sharing insights, reviewing work and influencing the project’s direction. Communication, on the other hand, is about how information moves between those same groups. It ensures that updates, expectations and responsibilities are delivered clearly and at the right time. Because it’s more specific, it can be considered a component of the larger stakeholder collaboration process. In practice, collaboration cannot happen without communication, but communication alone doesn’t guarantee collaboration. A project may share frequent updates yet still struggle with engagement if stakeholders aren’t involved in discussions or problem-solving. By distinguishing these two functions, teams can design processes that both inform stakeholders and invite them to contribute meaningfully, resulting in stronger alignment and fewer disconnects as the project progresses. With this distinction in mind, let’s take a closer look at what stakeholder communication involves and how it supports the overall collaboration process. /wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Stakeholder-Engagement-Plan-Template.jpg Get your free Stakeholder Engagement Plan Template Use this free Stakeholder Engagement Plan Template to manage your projects better. Get the Template What Is Stakeholder Communication? Stakeholder communication refers to the structured exchange of project information among individuals or groups with an interest in the outcome. Messages may address progress, risks, changes or upcoming activities, but the emphasis is always on delivering timely and relevant updates. In a project management context, this communication ensures every stakeholder understands how their role connects to the broader effort. Clear, predictable communication supports accountability and reduces misunderstandings during critical moments. To better understand stakeholder collaboration, it’s important to define the following terms: Stakeholder communication strategy: Defines the overarching approach for sharing information with stakeholders, including goals, tone and guiding principles. It ensures communication stays consistent, intentional and aligned with how stakeholders prefer to receive updates. Stakeholder communication requirements: Specifies what information stakeholders need, the level of detail required and when updates must be delivered. Clear requirements prevent misunderstandings and help the team maintain predictable, transparent communication throughout the project. Stakeholder communication methods: Identifies the channels used to deliver information—email, meetings, reports, dashboards or collaboration tools. Choosing the right methods ensures stakeholders receive updates in a format that supports timely awareness and engagement. In project management, these and other important stakeholder communication elements are described in a document known as a stakeholder communication plan. What Is a Stakeholder Communication Plan? A stakeholder communication plan outlines how project information will be created, shared and monitored throughout the project. It defines who receives updates, how often those updates occur and the channels used to distribute them. By documenting expectations early, teams prevent gaps that could lead to confusion or misalignment. Within project management, this plan acts as a roadmap for consistent messaging and ensures transparency as activities evolve and decisions are made. What Should Be Included in a Stakeholder Communication Plan? A strong stakeholder communication plan brings structure to how information moves through the project. Defining expectations early helps teams avoid guesswork, keeps messages consistent and ensures every stakeholder gets the right details at the right moment. 1. Stakeholder List & Roles A clear list of all stakeholders, grouped by category (executive sponsors, team members, customers, vendors, regulators, etc.) and their roles in the project. This section should also specify influence levels, decision-making authority and points of contact so responsibilities remain transparent throughout execution. /wp-content/uploads/2024/06/stakeholder-register-template-screenshot-600x202.pngFree download 2. Stakeholder Interests & Information Needs Describe what each stakeholder cares about—progress, risks, budget, milestones, issues, approvals—and the level of detail they expect. Adding nuances such as preferred perspectives, sensitivity to specific risks or concerns about timeline shifts helps tailor messages that resonate with each audience. 3. Stakeholder Communication Objectives State what the communication plan aims to achieve: align expectations, reduce misunderstandings, provide transparency, secure timely approvals, etc. Objectives should connect directly to project success and reflect what the team needs from stakeholders to maintain momentum and minimize disruptions. 4. Stakeholder Communication Methods & Channels Specify how information will be delivered, such as email updates, meetings or stand-ups, reports (status reports, dashboards), project management tools and presentations or workshops. It’s helpful to match each channel to its ideal purpose so stakeholders know where to expect different types of updates. 5. Stakeholder Communication Frequency & Timing Define how often each communication happens and when: weekly status report, monthly steering committee review, daily team stand-up, milestone-based briefings. You can also highlight timing dependencies, such as communications triggered by risk events, change requests or phase completions. 6. Message Content & Format Explain what each communication includes: KPIs, milestones, risks & issues, change requests, budget status and next steps. Expanding format expectations—such as charts, bullet summaries or narrative explanations—helps standardize how information is presented across all project participants. /wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ProjectManager-Gantt-Chart-Milestones-600x360.pngLearn more 7. Responsible Person Note who will prepare and send each communication (project manager, project coordinator, team lead, etc.). Identifying backup owners and support roles ensures continuity, especially during team absences or when rapid responses are required for emerging issues. 8. Feedback Gathering Mechanisms Include how stakeholders can provide feedback or request clarification (email, meetings, comment threads in the PM tool). Encouraging two-way communication strengthens engagement and helps surface concerns early, allowing the team to make timely adjustments. 9. Escalation Process Outline how critical issues get escalated, who is involved and how quickly they must respond. A clear escalation path reduces delays during urgent situations and ensures decision-makers intervene before risks escalate into larger project constraints. 10. Stakeholder Communication Matrix A table summarizing stakeholder, information needed, format, channel, frequency and owner. This matrix becomes a quick-reference guide that keeps everyone aligned and makes it easier to onboard new team members or external partners. Related: 37 Must-Have Project Management Templates for Google Sheets & Docs 11. Approval Requirements Clarify which communications or documents require formal approval (e.g., a risk response, budget change, scope change). Stating approval thresholds prevents confusion and helps the project manager secure signatures or confirmations without unnecessary delays. 12. Plan Review & Updates Describe when and how the communication plan itself will be reviewed and updated as the project evolves. Including checkpoints tied to major milestones or phase transitions ensures the plan remains accurate and relevant from start to finish. Stakeholder Engagement Plan Template This stakeholder engagement plan template provides a structured way to organize stakeholder collaboration and strengthen stakeholder communication throughout the project. By outlining roles, expectations and engagement methods, the template helps teams maintain alignment and anticipate stakeholder needs. /wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Stakeholder-engagement-plan-bill-image-600x605.png Each section supports clearer decision-making, reduces friction and keeps participants informed as the project evolves. With defined strategies, communication requirements and monitoring methods, project managers can maintain consistent participation from all groups. The result is a practical framework that improves transparency and supports a more cooperative project environment. Free Related Stakeholder Collaboration Templates Promoting stakeholder collaboration and stakeholder communication is fundamental for successful project delivery, which is why we’ve created dozens of stakeholder management templates for Excel, Word and Google Sheets. Here are some of them. Stakeholder Analysis Template This template helps project teams examine each stakeholder’s influence, priority and commitment level while also capturing preferred communication frequency and method. Users can organize motivations, concerns and expectations in one place, creating a clear picture of how each stakeholder affects the project and how engagement should be managed. Stakeholder Map Template This template uses a stakeholder matrix to position stakeholders across four quadrants—keep satisfied, manage closely, monitor and keep informed—based on their interest and influence. By visualizing their placement, teams can tailor engagement strategies and quickly determine which groups require the highest level of attention. How ProjectManager Helps with Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication Templates can be useful tools to stay in sync with stakeholders, but there are limitations. Why not try project management software instead? ProjectManager provides centralized project visibility for stakeholders, allowing you to build dashboards, Gantt charts and reports. Track project progress, costs, timeline, resource usage and more. With b Centralized Project Visibility with Multiple Task Views One of the most popular project views to keep stakeholders informed is the Gantt chart. It’s visual and intuitive, making it easy to see when key deliverables are planned, what tasks are dependent on others and roughly when things will be done. If other stakeholders prefer a list, board or calendar, they can work in the way that’s best for them. Regardless of the view used, all project data remains consistent across the software. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Gantt-wide-comment-collaboration-1600x832.png Guest Access & Real-time Collaboration Built-in messaging and discussion features keep communication contextual and tied to the work. We also provide unlimited guest licenses that provide read-only access to certain project data. This means that if certain stakeholders such as vendors, clients, or external partners don’t need full editing rights, they can still view dashboards, reports and project status. Keep your stakeholders in the loop on important data without overwhelming them with details. /wp-content/uploads/2024/03/collaboration.png Related Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication Content 13 Free Stakeholder Management Templates for Excel & Word How to Make a Stakeholder Management Plan Top 10 Stakeholder Management Skills for Project Managers Stakeholder Analysis 101 (Example & Template Included) Stakeholder Matrix: A Quick Guide With Free Templates ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment on tasks and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication in Project Management appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Normally $366.66, this 305-lb Olympic bumper plate set is currently on sale for $265.99 on Amazon—that's over $100 off for Cyber Monday. Here's the real kicker: You're basically paying $1 per pound, which is a seriously good deal when it comes to at-home strength training. Fitvids Olympic Bumper Plates Set $265.99 at Amazon $366.66 Save $100.67 Get Deal Get Deal $265.99 at Amazon $366.66 Save $100.67 What you getThis set includes everything you need to start serious barbell training at home: 1x 7-foot Olympic 2-inch barbell (45 lbs) 2x 10 lb plates 2x 15 lb plates 2x 25 lb plates 2x 35 lb plates 2x 45 lb plates That's 305 pounds total of equipment, giving you plenty of weight progression options whether you're doing deadlifts, squats, bench press, or Olympic lifts. Plus, unlike traditional iron plates, bumper plates are made of rubber. The rubber on these should minimize bouncing and protects your floors—crucial if you're training in a garage or basement and don't want to damage the surface (or annoy your neighbors). Whether you're building out a home gym from scratch or upgrading from cheaper plates that have seen better days, this Cyber Monday deal delivers serious value. At roughly $1 per pound, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better price on a complete Olympic bumper plate set with a barbell included. How long do Black Friday deals really last?Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — $449.99 (List Price $599.00) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $329.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $136.45 (List Price $179.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Cat Murphy, a college student, has wanted to be a journalist since she was 11. Many of her friends don’t understand why. When they engage with the news — if they do — they hear a cacophony of voices. They don’t know who to believe. Reporters are biased. They make mistakes. Besides, why would you hitch your future to a dying industry? “There is a lot of commentary — ‘Oh, good for you. Look what you’re walking into. You’re going to be screaming into the void. You’re going to be useless,’” said Murphy, a 21-year-old graduate student at the University of Maryland’s journalism school. She is undeterred. And it’s also why she’s not surprised by the findings of a study this fall that documented negative attitudes toward the news media among 13- to 18-year-old Americans. The press rarely fares well in surveys of adults, but it’s sobering to see the same disdain among people whose opinions about the world are still forming. Words to describe the news media today Asked by the News Literacy Project for one word to describe today’s news media, 84% of teens responded with something negative — “biased,” “crazy,” “boring,” “fake,” ”bad,” “depressing,” “confusing,” “scary.” About half of the teens surveyed believe journalists give advertisers special treatment, make up details such as quotes, or pay or do favors for sources “always or almost always” or “often,” and about 6 in 10 say journalists regularly take photos and videos out of context. About one-third or less believe that reporters correct errors when they happen, confirm facts before reporting them, gather information from multiple sources or cover stories that help protect the public interest at least “often” — practices ingrained in the DNA of reputable journalists. To some degree, teens reflect the attitudes they’re exposed to, particularly when the most prominent politician of their age has made “fake news” a mantra. Experts say few teens follow news regularly or learn in school about the purpose of journalism. Journalists don’t help themselves with mistakes or ethical lapses that make headlines. Opinionated reporters or commentators in an era of political division make readers wonder what to believe. “Some of this (attitude) is earned, but much of it is based on misperception,” said Peter Adams, senior vice president of research and design for the Washington-based News Literacy Project. Never picking up the news habit There are ways to turn things around, but it will take work. Many of Lily Ogburn’s classmates get their information from social media. Their parents didn’t watch or read news reports as they grew up, so they didn’t pick up the habit, said Ogburn, a senior at Northwestern University’s journalism school. Ogburn is the former editor-in-chief at the well-regarded Daily Northwestern student newspaper. The newspaper’s 2023 reports on alleged hazing and racism within the school’s football program led to the ouster of its coach. Still, she found some students don’t understand the newspaper’s role; they believe it exists to protect people in power rather than hold them accountable. She frequently had to explain what she did to classmates. “There’s a lot of mistrust toward journalists,” she said. But it has firmed her resolve to stick with the profession. “I want to be a journalist that people trust,” Ogburn said, “and I want to report news that makes people believe and trust in the media.” The news industry’s financial troubles over the past two decades have hollowed out newsrooms and left fewer journalists on duty. Along with not seeing much legitimate journalism, young people frequently don’t experience it through popular culture — unlike a previous generation, which learned in detail how Washington Post reporters Robert Woodward and Carl Bernstein exposed the Watergate scandal in the Academy Award-winning movie “All the President’s Men.” When the News Literacy Project asked, two-thirds of teens couldn’t think of anything when asked what movies or TV shows came to mind when they think about journalism. Those who had answers most frequently cited the “Spider-Man” franchise or the movie “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” Neither portrayal was particularly flattering. Upon retiring as editor of Newsday, Howard Schneider helped develop the State University of New York system’s first School of Journalism. But instead of teaching future writers, editors or producers, he became drawn to teaching non-journalists about being news consumers. Now the executive director of SUNY Stony Brook’s Center for News Literacy, Schneider wasn’t surprised about any of the recent survey’s findings, either. “The negativity, the feeling that news is biased, is just a reflection of how their parents feel,” Schneider said. “The more exposed to news, legitimate news, the more their attitudes turn positive.” He has developed news literacy programs for school districts. “Students will say, ‘I get my news from YouTube,’” he said. “I say, ‘No, you don’t,'” and explains where the news originates and how to be discerning about what they see. Lessons from a news literacy class That’s one of the lessons that 16-year-old Brianne Boyack has taken from her course in news literacy at Brighton High School in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. She had little trust in news going in, but has learned the importance of double-checking sources when she sees something interesting and seeking outlets she’s found reliable. Her classmate, Rhett MacFarlane, applied what he learned in class to investigate when a friend told him the Louvre was robbed in Paris. “I’ve learned that there is definitely fact-checking (in journalism),” MacFarlane, also 16, told The Associated Press. “You guys are professionals and you have to tell the truth or you’d be fired. I thought you guys just did whatever you wanted and chose what to say about a topic.” Still, news literacy programs in schools are relatively rare. Schools already have a lot of subjects to cover to prepare students for the future. And, remember, journalists don’t have the best reputations. It can be hard for educators to stick their necks out for them. “There’s an inertia here,” Schneider said, “and this is an urgent issue.” At the University of Maryland, Murphy said she didn’t think there was an inherent hatred toward journalists among her fellow students. “They don’t have any experience reading journalism,” she said. That’s where she sees the journalism industry needing to make more of an effort. One of the things she finds most frustrating about her chosen field is a resistance to change, particularly an unwillingness or inability to make meaningful use of social media. “There’s very little movement in the direction of going to where people are, as opposed to expecting them to come to where you are,” Murphy said. “The only way to turn it around is going to be to switch to doing things that captivate people today, as opposed to captivating people 20 years ago.” —David Bauder, AP media writer View the full article

Tensions with ministers predated the Budget data leak that cost Richard Hughes his job — and there was relief at his exitView the full article

A personalized digital experience tailors your interactions with brands to match your unique preferences and behaviors. This approach is vital in today’s market, where 71% of consumers expect customized content. By leveraging customer data, businesses can create relevant experiences that improve engagement and boost satisfaction. Comprehending the key components and importance of personalization can greatly impact how brands attract and retain customers. Exploring how this strategy can lead to new opportunities is critical for future success. Key Takeaways A personalized digital experience tailors interactions based on individual customer data, enhancing engagement and relevance. 71% of consumers expect brands to provide customized interactions, highlighting the necessity of personalization strategies. Personalized experiences can boost revenue by up to 15% and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Utilizing data analytics, companies can create unique experiences that adapt content in real-time across various platforms. Future trends include increased AI usage, hyper-personalization, and an emphasis on ethical data practices for effective customer engagement. Understanding Personalized Digital Experiences Personalized digital experiences are becoming essential in today’s online environment, as they customize interactions to meet individual customer needs and preferences. Digital personalization leverages customer data to improve your engagement by delivering content and recommendations that resonate with you personally. For instance, when you receive product suggestions based on your browsing history, it’s a direct result of effective personalization strategies. Research shows that 69% of customers appreciate this customized approach, highlighting the significance of comprehending your preferences. Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) streamline the management of this data, allowing brands to make real-time adjustments to your experience. As personalized digital experiences become the norm, 71% of consumers now expect brands to engage with them in a bespoke manner, reinforcing the need for businesses to adopt these strategies. The Importance of Personalization in Today’s Market In today’s market, personalization is essential for enhancing engagement strategies and revealing new revenue opportunities. With 71% of consumers expecting customized interactions, businesses that prioritize personalization can markedly boost their performance, as shown by the potential to increase revenue by up to 15%. Enhanced Engagement Strategies Today’s consumers increasingly seek customized interactions that reflect their individual preferences, making personalized digital experiences essential for businesses aiming to improve engagement. Research shows that 69% of customers appreciate personalized interactions based on data they willingly share, leading to greater satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, 66% of customers expect companies to understand their unique needs, underscoring the necessity for personalized content. Implementing strategies like personalized emails can greatly improve conversion rates, as these communications convert six times better than generic ones. Moreover, 71% of consumers prefer personalized interactions, indicating that these strategies not only boost customer satisfaction but also nurture long-term brand loyalty, making personalization a critical approach in today’s competitive market. Increased Revenue Opportunities Businesses that prioritize personalization can access significant revenue opportunities in today’s market. Customized experiences resonate more with consumers, leading to increased spending. Here are key benefits of implementing personalized strategies: Personalization can boost revenue by up to 15%, as customers engage more with brands that cater to their preferences. 71% of consumers expect personalized interactions, nurturing loyalty and repeat purchases. Personalized email marketing campaigns convert six times more effectively than generic messages, maximizing outreach. Key Components of a Personalized Digital Experience To create a personalized digital experience, you’ll need to focus on data-driven insights, customized content delivery, and a seamless user path. By analyzing customer data, you can adjust the content and recommendations to meet individual preferences, making interactions more relevant. Furthermore, ensuring that the user path flows smoothly across all touchpoints will improve overall satisfaction and engagement. Data-Driven Insights As many companies recognize the importance of personalization in improving digital experiences, the key to achieving this lies in effectively leveraging data-driven insights. By collecting data from customer interactions, businesses can tailor content and recommendations to boost user satisfaction. Consider these crucial aspects: 69% of customers value personalization based on data they willingly provide, highlighting the need for effective customer insights. Real-time adjustments to the customer experience allow businesses to respond to individual preferences and behaviors dynamically. Analyzing past purchases and browsing history enables targeted recommendations, increasing conversion rates and customer loyalty. Centralized databases, often through Sitecore Digital Experience Platforms (DXP), facilitate data management, ensuring cohesive and personalized experiences across various channels. This strategic use of data eventually improves engagement and drives business success. Tailored Content Delivery Effective personalized digital experiences hinge on customized content delivery, which customizes online interactions based on individual customer data. Customized content delivery improves user engagement and strengthens connections with your brand. A study shows that 80% of consumers prefer websites offering personalized experiences, highlighting the demand for such strategies. When you implement personalization, you can greatly increase average order values; in fact, personalized recommendations can boost sales by up to 369%. This process relies on data analytics to segment audiences and understand user behavior, allowing you to present the most relevant information. Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) help manage user data, enabling real-time adjustments to content based on customer interactions and preferences, ensuring a more relevant and engaging experience for each user. Seamless User Journey A seamless user experience is crucial for creating a personalized digital experience that meets the expectations of modern consumers. By integrating customer data, businesses can craft unique paths that improve satisfaction and engagement. Here are key components of a seamless user path: Personalized content and recommendations boost conversion rates, increasing revenue by up to 15%. Real-time adjustments through Brightcove guarantee that sales and marketing strategies align with user behaviors. Anticipating customer needs with path insights promotes a cohesive experience across various devices. How Personalization Enhances Customer Engagement Personalization greatly improves customer engagement by catering to individual preferences and behaviors, guaranteeing that each interaction feels relevant and meaningful. With 71% of consumers expecting personalized interactions, businesses that deliver customized content can see significant benefits. Strategy Impact Customized Recommendations Conversion rates can increase by six times. Geo-targeted Offers Guarantees promotions align with location. Integrated Insights Boosts customer satisfaction and retention. Data Collection and Its Role in Personalization As businesses endeavor to create personalized experiences, effective data collection serves as the backbone of this undertaking. By gathering first-party data from customer interactions, preferences, and behaviors, you can improve the relevance of the customer experience. This data enables you to segment your audience based on various criteria, leading to targeted marketing strategies. Key methods for effective data collection include: Using cookies and tracking tools to monitor user engagement Conducting surveys and polls for direct feedback Continuously analyzing data to adapt to changing customer needs With these insights, you can make real-time adjustments that boost customer satisfaction and loyalty. In the end, maintaining a robust data collection strategy is crucial for delivering a truly personalized digital experience. Tools and Technologies for Implementing Personalization Implementing effective personalization in digital experiences relies heavily on the right tools and technologies. Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) streamline the management of personalized content by consolidating customer data and allowing real-time adjustments across various channels. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems serve as central hubs for storing interactions and preferences, enabling customized marketing messages based on individual behaviors. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) improve personalization by analyzing customer data to identify patterns and predict future behaviors, facilitating proactive content recommendations. Moreover, Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) aggregate information from multiple sources, providing a unified view that supports targeted efforts. Finally, marketing automation tools use CRM data to create personalized email campaigns, ensuring communications match the specific interests of each recipient. Examples of Effective Personalized Digital Experiences When users encounter a digital experience customized to their preferences, they’re more likely to engage and convert. Here are some effective examples of personalized digital experiences: Customized Landing Pages: Personalized landing pages aligned with ad campaigns can yield up to a 6x higher conversion rate than generic ones. Adaptive Content for Repeat Visitors: Websites that offer customized content and unique calls to action based on past interactions improve user engagement. Integrated Experiences: Retailers that provide personalized offers for in-store pickups based on online shopping habits can encourage customer loyalty. These strategies not only enhance user satisfaction but also greatly boost conversion rates, demonstrating the importance of personalization in digital experiences. Challenges in Creating Personalized Experiences Creating customized experiences presents several challenges that you need to navigate carefully. Data privacy concerns can make it tricky to gather the information necessary for effective personalization, whereas integration across different platforms often leads to incomplete customer profiles. Furthermore, insufficient resource allocation can hinder your ability to implement and maintain these strategies effectively, impacting your overall success in delivering customized experiences. Data Privacy Concerns Data privacy concerns pose a significant challenge in the pursuit of personalized digital experiences, as many consumers feel they’ve limited control over their personal information online. In fact, 81% of consumers express worry about how their data is handled by companies. Balancing personalization with privacy is essential for Trustpilot brands seeking trust and loyalty. Consider these points: 73% of consumers prefer brands that use their data responsibly and transparently. 60% would disengage from a brand if they felt their data was misused. 79% are concerned about data handling practices. With regulations like GDPR and CCPA now in place, brands must prioritize data ethics to cultivate stronger relationships with their audience, ensuring they feel secure and valued. Integration Across Platforms Customized digital experiences can considerably improve customer engagement, but integrating these experiences across multiple platforms presents notable challenges. Data silos often fragment customer information, making it difficult to achieve a unified view of the customer experience. Consistency in messaging across web, mobile, and social media channels is vital; any discrepancies can frustrate customers and diminish their engagement. Furthermore, real-time data synchronization is fundamental for effective personalization, as delays can result in outdated content being presented. Balancing privacy concerns with personalization efforts is another hurdle, as customers desire customized experiences while valuing their data security. Organizations should consider investing in centralized customer data platforms (CDPs) to streamline data integration, enhancing personalization strategies across all digital touchpoints. Resource Allocation Challenges As companies recognize the importance of personalized experiences, many face significant resource allocation challenges that hinder their efforts. Insufficient budgets can limit the acquisition of advanced technologies needed for effective data collection and analysis. Fragmented data sources complicate linking data to individual profiles, requiring further resources to manage. Moreover, the lack of skilled personnel can lead to underutilization of available data, resulting in missed opportunities. Strained marketing and IT teams may experience burnout. Inconsistent customer experiences can damage brand reputation. Missed engagement opportunities can hinder growth. To overcome these challenges, businesses must strategically plan resource allocation across multiple channels, ensuring they’ve the necessary tools and talent to implement successful personalization strategies. Measuring the Success of Personalization Efforts How can businesses effectively gauge the success of their personalization efforts? Start by using key performance indicators (KPIs) like engagement metrics, conversion rates, and customer retention rates. These metrics provide insights into how well your customized experiences are performing. Continuous monitoring is vital; it allows you to optimize strategies based on real-time data and customer feedback. A/B testing serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the impact of personalized content, helping you compare different approaches. Furthermore, track customer interactions across various channels to understand how personalization affects user behavior and satisfaction. Finally, focus on actionable metrics like average order value and customer lifetime value, which are fundamental for evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of your personalization strategies. Future Trends in Personalized Digital Experiences The terrain of customized digital experiences is swiftly evolving, driven by advancements in technology and shifting consumer expectations. You can expect future trends to focus on: AI and NLP integration, allowing brands to analyze sentiment and improve real-time feedback. Anticipatory interactions, where brands address needs before they arise, boosting satisfaction. Omnichannel strategies, ensuring consistent experiences across all digital touchpoints, which cultivates loyalty. As data security and privacy concerns heighten, brands must balance personalized experiences with transparent data usage. Furthermore, advanced analytics and machine learning will refine customer segmentation, enabling hyper-targeted content that truly resonates with individual preferences. Best Practices for Implementing Personalization Strategies To successfully implement personalization strategies, businesses must prioritize effective data collection and analysis, leveraging first-party data gathered from customer interactions. Start by segmenting your audience based on specific behaviors and interests, which improves the relevance of your personalized content. Utilize AI and machine learning tools to predict customer behavior and automate content delivery, meeting anticipated needs effectively. Guarantee consistency across all channels, so customers experience a unified interaction regardless of how they engage with your brand. Finally, continuously measure and optimize your personalized experiences using metrics like engagement rates and conversion rates. This ongoing analysis will provide insights into the effectiveness of your strategies, allowing you to refine and improve your personalization efforts over time. Frequently Asked Questions Why Is Digital Experience Important? Digital experience is essential for your business’s success. It directly impacts customer attraction and retention, as a smooth user path keeps customers engaged. When users encounter friction, they often turn to competitors, harming brand loyalty. A well-optimized digital environment nurtures satisfaction, leading to better Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and increased revenue through higher conversion rates. In the end, prioritizing digital experience helps you meet customer expectations and strengthens your brand’s competitive edge. What Is the Meaning of Personalized Experience? A personalized experience means tailoring content and interactions to meet your unique preferences and behaviors. This could involve receiving product recommendations based on your past purchases or seeing targeted ads that match your interests. Such customization improves your engagement, making you feel valued. For example, a streaming service might suggest shows you’re likely to enjoy based on your viewing history. Why Does Personalizing Digital Interactions Matter? Customizing digital interactions matters due to its direct impact on customer expectations and engagement. Consumers today expect personalized experiences, with 71% seeking individualized content. When you personalize emails or website content, you can greatly improve conversion rates; studies show personalized emails convert six times better. Furthermore, personalization boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty, making customers feel valued, which is essential for retaining them and attracting new ones. In the end, effective personalization can increase revenue by up to 15%. What Is an Example of a Digital Experience? An example of a digital experience is when you visit an e-commerce website and see product recommendations customized to your previous purchases. If you’ve bought athletic shoes, the site might suggest matching apparel or accessories. This personalized approach improves your shopping experience by making it easier to find relevant items. Similarly, streaming platforms like Netflix recommend shows based on your viewing habits, increasing your engagement with their content. Conclusion In summary, a personalized digital experience is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in today’s competitive environment. By comprehending customer preferences and leveraging data, you can improve engagement and satisfaction, eventually driving loyalty and revenue growth. Although challenges exist in implementing these strategies, the benefits of personalization—such as increased customer retention and improved user experiences—are significant. By adopting best practices and staying informed about future trends, you can guarantee your brand remains relevant and effective in delivering personalized interactions. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Personalized Digital Experience and Why Does It Matter?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A personalized digital experience tailors your interactions with brands to match your unique preferences and behaviors. This approach is vital in today’s market, where 71% of consumers expect customized content. By leveraging customer data, businesses can create relevant experiences that improve engagement and boost satisfaction. Comprehending the key components and importance of personalization can greatly impact how brands attract and retain customers. Exploring how this strategy can lead to new opportunities is critical for future success. Key Takeaways A personalized digital experience tailors interactions based on individual customer data, enhancing engagement and relevance. 71% of consumers expect brands to provide customized interactions, highlighting the necessity of personalization strategies. Personalized experiences can boost revenue by up to 15% and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Utilizing data analytics, companies can create unique experiences that adapt content in real-time across various platforms. Future trends include increased AI usage, hyper-personalization, and an emphasis on ethical data practices for effective customer engagement. Understanding Personalized Digital Experiences Personalized digital experiences are becoming essential in today’s online environment, as they customize interactions to meet individual customer needs and preferences. Digital personalization leverages customer data to improve your engagement by delivering content and recommendations that resonate with you personally. For instance, when you receive product suggestions based on your browsing history, it’s a direct result of effective personalization strategies. Research shows that 69% of customers appreciate this customized approach, highlighting the significance of comprehending your preferences. Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) streamline the management of this data, allowing brands to make real-time adjustments to your experience. As personalized digital experiences become the norm, 71% of consumers now expect brands to engage with them in a bespoke manner, reinforcing the need for businesses to adopt these strategies. The Importance of Personalization in Today’s Market In today’s market, personalization is essential for enhancing engagement strategies and revealing new revenue opportunities. With 71% of consumers expecting customized interactions, businesses that prioritize personalization can markedly boost their performance, as shown by the potential to increase revenue by up to 15%. Enhanced Engagement Strategies Today’s consumers increasingly seek customized interactions that reflect their individual preferences, making personalized digital experiences essential for businesses aiming to improve engagement. Research shows that 69% of customers appreciate personalized interactions based on data they willingly share, leading to greater satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, 66% of customers expect companies to understand their unique needs, underscoring the necessity for personalized content. Implementing strategies like personalized emails can greatly improve conversion rates, as these communications convert six times better than generic ones. Moreover, 71% of consumers prefer personalized interactions, indicating that these strategies not only boost customer satisfaction but also nurture long-term brand loyalty, making personalization a critical approach in today’s competitive market. Increased Revenue Opportunities Businesses that prioritize personalization can access significant revenue opportunities in today’s market. Customized experiences resonate more with consumers, leading to increased spending. Here are key benefits of implementing personalized strategies: Personalization can boost revenue by up to 15%, as customers engage more with brands that cater to their preferences. 71% of consumers expect personalized interactions, nurturing loyalty and repeat purchases. Personalized email marketing campaigns convert six times more effectively than generic messages, maximizing outreach. Key Components of a Personalized Digital Experience To create a personalized digital experience, you’ll need to focus on data-driven insights, customized content delivery, and a seamless user path. By analyzing customer data, you can adjust the content and recommendations to meet individual preferences, making interactions more relevant. Furthermore, ensuring that the user path flows smoothly across all touchpoints will improve overall satisfaction and engagement. Data-Driven Insights As many companies recognize the importance of personalization in improving digital experiences, the key to achieving this lies in effectively leveraging data-driven insights. By collecting data from customer interactions, businesses can tailor content and recommendations to boost user satisfaction. Consider these crucial aspects: 69% of customers value personalization based on data they willingly provide, highlighting the need for effective customer insights. Real-time adjustments to the customer experience allow businesses to respond to individual preferences and behaviors dynamically. Analyzing past purchases and browsing history enables targeted recommendations, increasing conversion rates and customer loyalty. Centralized databases, often through Sitecore Digital Experience Platforms (DXP), facilitate data management, ensuring cohesive and personalized experiences across various channels. This strategic use of data eventually improves engagement and drives business success. Tailored Content Delivery Effective personalized digital experiences hinge on customized content delivery, which customizes online interactions based on individual customer data. Customized content delivery improves user engagement and strengthens connections with your brand. A study shows that 80% of consumers prefer websites offering personalized experiences, highlighting the demand for such strategies. When you implement personalization, you can greatly increase average order values; in fact, personalized recommendations can boost sales by up to 369%. This process relies on data analytics to segment audiences and understand user behavior, allowing you to present the most relevant information. Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) help manage user data, enabling real-time adjustments to content based on customer interactions and preferences, ensuring a more relevant and engaging experience for each user. Seamless User Journey A seamless user experience is crucial for creating a personalized digital experience that meets the expectations of modern consumers. By integrating customer data, businesses can craft unique paths that improve satisfaction and engagement. Here are key components of a seamless user path: Personalized content and recommendations boost conversion rates, increasing revenue by up to 15%. Real-time adjustments through Brightcove guarantee that sales and marketing strategies align with user behaviors. Anticipating customer needs with path insights promotes a cohesive experience across various devices. How Personalization Enhances Customer Engagement Personalization greatly improves customer engagement by catering to individual preferences and behaviors, guaranteeing that each interaction feels relevant and meaningful. With 71% of consumers expecting personalized interactions, businesses that deliver customized content can see significant benefits. Strategy Impact Customized Recommendations Conversion rates can increase by six times. Geo-targeted Offers Guarantees promotions align with location. Integrated Insights Boosts customer satisfaction and retention. Data Collection and Its Role in Personalization As businesses endeavor to create personalized experiences, effective data collection serves as the backbone of this undertaking. By gathering first-party data from customer interactions, preferences, and behaviors, you can improve the relevance of the customer experience. This data enables you to segment your audience based on various criteria, leading to targeted marketing strategies. Key methods for effective data collection include: Using cookies and tracking tools to monitor user engagement Conducting surveys and polls for direct feedback Continuously analyzing data to adapt to changing customer needs With these insights, you can make real-time adjustments that boost customer satisfaction and loyalty. In the end, maintaining a robust data collection strategy is crucial for delivering a truly personalized digital experience. Tools and Technologies for Implementing Personalization Implementing effective personalization in digital experiences relies heavily on the right tools and technologies. Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) streamline the management of personalized content by consolidating customer data and allowing real-time adjustments across various channels. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems serve as central hubs for storing interactions and preferences, enabling customized marketing messages based on individual behaviors. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) improve personalization by analyzing customer data to identify patterns and predict future behaviors, facilitating proactive content recommendations. Moreover, Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) aggregate information from multiple sources, providing a unified view that supports targeted efforts. Finally, marketing automation tools use CRM data to create personalized email campaigns, ensuring communications match the specific interests of each recipient. Examples of Effective Personalized Digital Experiences When users encounter a digital experience customized to their preferences, they’re more likely to engage and convert. Here are some effective examples of personalized digital experiences: Customized Landing Pages: Personalized landing pages aligned with ad campaigns can yield up to a 6x higher conversion rate than generic ones. Adaptive Content for Repeat Visitors: Websites that offer customized content and unique calls to action based on past interactions improve user engagement. Integrated Experiences: Retailers that provide personalized offers for in-store pickups based on online shopping habits can encourage customer loyalty. These strategies not only enhance user satisfaction but also greatly boost conversion rates, demonstrating the importance of personalization in digital experiences. Challenges in Creating Personalized Experiences Creating customized experiences presents several challenges that you need to navigate carefully. Data privacy concerns can make it tricky to gather the information necessary for effective personalization, whereas integration across different platforms often leads to incomplete customer profiles. Furthermore, insufficient resource allocation can hinder your ability to implement and maintain these strategies effectively, impacting your overall success in delivering customized experiences. Data Privacy Concerns Data privacy concerns pose a significant challenge in the pursuit of personalized digital experiences, as many consumers feel they’ve limited control over their personal information online. In fact, 81% of consumers express worry about how their data is handled by companies. Balancing personalization with privacy is essential for Trustpilot brands seeking trust and loyalty. Consider these points: 73% of consumers prefer brands that use their data responsibly and transparently. 60% would disengage from a brand if they felt their data was misused. 79% are concerned about data handling practices. With regulations like GDPR and CCPA now in place, brands must prioritize data ethics to cultivate stronger relationships with their audience, ensuring they feel secure and valued. Integration Across Platforms Customized digital experiences can considerably improve customer engagement, but integrating these experiences across multiple platforms presents notable challenges. Data silos often fragment customer information, making it difficult to achieve a unified view of the customer experience. Consistency in messaging across web, mobile, and social media channels is vital; any discrepancies can frustrate customers and diminish their engagement. Furthermore, real-time data synchronization is fundamental for effective personalization, as delays can result in outdated content being presented. Balancing privacy concerns with personalization efforts is another hurdle, as customers desire customized experiences while valuing their data security. Organizations should consider investing in centralized customer data platforms (CDPs) to streamline data integration, enhancing personalization strategies across all digital touchpoints. Resource Allocation Challenges As companies recognize the importance of personalized experiences, many face significant resource allocation challenges that hinder their efforts. Insufficient budgets can limit the acquisition of advanced technologies needed for effective data collection and analysis. Fragmented data sources complicate linking data to individual profiles, requiring further resources to manage. Moreover, the lack of skilled personnel can lead to underutilization of available data, resulting in missed opportunities. Strained marketing and IT teams may experience burnout. Inconsistent customer experiences can damage brand reputation. Missed engagement opportunities can hinder growth. To overcome these challenges, businesses must strategically plan resource allocation across multiple channels, ensuring they’ve the necessary tools and talent to implement successful personalization strategies. Measuring the Success of Personalization Efforts How can businesses effectively gauge the success of their personalization efforts? Start by using key performance indicators (KPIs) like engagement metrics, conversion rates, and customer retention rates. These metrics provide insights into how well your customized experiences are performing. Continuous monitoring is vital; it allows you to optimize strategies based on real-time data and customer feedback. A/B testing serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the impact of personalized content, helping you compare different approaches. Furthermore, track customer interactions across various channels to understand how personalization affects user behavior and satisfaction. Finally, focus on actionable metrics like average order value and customer lifetime value, which are fundamental for evaluating the return on investment (ROI) of your personalization strategies. Future Trends in Personalized Digital Experiences The terrain of customized digital experiences is swiftly evolving, driven by advancements in technology and shifting consumer expectations. You can expect future trends to focus on: AI and NLP integration, allowing brands to analyze sentiment and improve real-time feedback. Anticipatory interactions, where brands address needs before they arise, boosting satisfaction. Omnichannel strategies, ensuring consistent experiences across all digital touchpoints, which cultivates loyalty. As data security and privacy concerns heighten, brands must balance personalized experiences with transparent data usage. Furthermore, advanced analytics and machine learning will refine customer segmentation, enabling hyper-targeted content that truly resonates with individual preferences. Best Practices for Implementing Personalization Strategies To successfully implement personalization strategies, businesses must prioritize effective data collection and analysis, leveraging first-party data gathered from customer interactions. Start by segmenting your audience based on specific behaviors and interests, which improves the relevance of your personalized content. Utilize AI and machine learning tools to predict customer behavior and automate content delivery, meeting anticipated needs effectively. Guarantee consistency across all channels, so customers experience a unified interaction regardless of how they engage with your brand. Finally, continuously measure and optimize your personalized experiences using metrics like engagement rates and conversion rates. This ongoing analysis will provide insights into the effectiveness of your strategies, allowing you to refine and improve your personalization efforts over time. Frequently Asked Questions Why Is Digital Experience Important? Digital experience is essential for your business’s success. It directly impacts customer attraction and retention, as a smooth user path keeps customers engaged. When users encounter friction, they often turn to competitors, harming brand loyalty. A well-optimized digital environment nurtures satisfaction, leading to better Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and increased revenue through higher conversion rates. In the end, prioritizing digital experience helps you meet customer expectations and strengthens your brand’s competitive edge. What Is the Meaning of Personalized Experience? A personalized experience means tailoring content and interactions to meet your unique preferences and behaviors. This could involve receiving product recommendations based on your past purchases or seeing targeted ads that match your interests. Such customization improves your engagement, making you feel valued. For example, a streaming service might suggest shows you’re likely to enjoy based on your viewing history. Why Does Personalizing Digital Interactions Matter? Customizing digital interactions matters due to its direct impact on customer expectations and engagement. Consumers today expect personalized experiences, with 71% seeking individualized content. When you personalize emails or website content, you can greatly improve conversion rates; studies show personalized emails convert six times better. Furthermore, personalization boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty, making customers feel valued, which is essential for retaining them and attracting new ones. In the end, effective personalization can increase revenue by up to 15%. What Is an Example of a Digital Experience? An example of a digital experience is when you visit an e-commerce website and see product recommendations customized to your previous purchases. If you’ve bought athletic shoes, the site might suggest matching apparel or accessories. This personalized approach improves your shopping experience by making it easier to find relevant items. Similarly, streaming platforms like Netflix recommend shows based on your viewing habits, increasing your engagement with their content. Conclusion In summary, a personalized digital experience is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in today’s competitive environment. By comprehending customer preferences and leveraging data, you can improve engagement and satisfaction, eventually driving loyalty and revenue growth. Although challenges exist in implementing these strategies, the benefits of personalization—such as increased customer retention and improved user experiences—are significant. By adopting best practices and staying informed about future trends, you can guarantee your brand remains relevant and effective in delivering personalized interactions. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Personalized Digital Experience and Why Does It Matter?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. While national active inventory is still up year-over-year, the pace of growth has slowed since summer as some home sellers have thrown in the towel and delisted their properties. Indeed, according to Redfin, U.S. delistings as a share of inventory recently ticked up to 5.5%—a decade-high reading for this time of year. Looking ahead, in markets seeing the biggest jumps in delistings right now, many of those listings will likely return to the resale market in spring 2026—or test out the rental market. Without a corresponding increase in housing demand, that could lead to a faster-than-expected acceleration in inventory growth. “More sellers are giving up because their homes have been sitting on the market for a long time, and they don’t want to or can’t afford to settle on accepting a low price,” says Asad Khan, a senior economist at Redfin. “Many homes have a sticker price higher than buyers are willing to pay, but many sellers are unwilling to negotiate. When tens of thousands of homeowners pull their homes off the market rather than accept a low offer, it effectively reduces the supply of homes that are actually available for buyers.” Of course, there’s wide regional variation in delistings. Weaker and softer housing markets in places like Texas and Florida are currently seeing a higher share of delistings. Meanwhile, tighter housing markets in the Midwest are seeing a lower delisting rate. “Many homeowners who bought during the pandemic demand frenzy still expect sky-high prices,” says Khan. “They remember a seller’s market, so they’re hesitant to yield to buyers who want to negotiate the price down and/or ask for concessions. Recent buyers are also more likely to be testing the market; maybe they would sell and move up to a bigger home in a more desirable neighborhood if they get the price they want, but otherwise they’d stay put. Longtime owners, though, are more motivated to sell–they’re often downsizing or relocating for retirement.” The housing markets with the highest level of delistings are also the same places with the most “stale” inventory—homes that have been on the market for over 60 days. “Roughly one in five homes that were delisted over the summer were re-listed within three months: 20% of homes that were pulled off the market in July were subsequently re-listed, as were 18% of homes that were pulled in June,” writes Redfin. “We’re including this metric because delisting is sometimes used as a selling strategy; some sellers take their homes off the market and subsequently relist at a lower price to avoid house hunters seeing a ‘price drop’ on their listing, and to reset the number of days their home has been on the market.” “Note that we’re looking at delistings over the summer rather than September to ensure that enough time has passed to determine whether a home was re-listed,” Redfin adds. “Of the homes that were delisted in July then put back on the market, 31.6% of them have sold.” View the full article

Smart TVs have undoubtedly taken over the streaming space, and it's not hard to see why. You download the apps you want to use, log into your accounts, and presto: You can stream anything with a few clicks of your remote. But smart TV apps aren't the only way people watch shows and movies on platforms like Netflix. Among other methods, like plugging a laptop directly into the TV, many people still enjoying casting their content from small screens to big screens. For years, this has been a reliable way to switch from watching Netflix on your smartphone or tablet to watching on your TV—you just tap the cast button, select your TV, and in a few moments, your content is beamed to the proper place. Your device becomes its own remote, with search built right-in, and it avoids the need to sign into Netflix on TVs outside your home, such as when staying in hotels. At least it did, but Netflix no longer wants to let you do it. Netflix no longer supports casting on most devicesWhile you can still cast to your TV from other streaming platforms, there's bad news for Netflix fans: The company has abruptly dropped casting support for most devices. Android Authority was the first to report on the change, though you might have stumbled upon the development yourself when looking for the cast button in the Netflix app. In fact, Netflix has prepared for your confusion, as you can see from this Netflix Help Center page titled "Can't find 'Cast' button in Netflix app." This page might offer a glimmer of hope at first, as you think "Oh good, Netflix has a solution if the Cast button is missing." Unfortunately, the response isn't going to make you happy: "Netflix no longer supports casting shows from a mobile device to most TVs and TV-streaming devices. You’ll need to use the remote that came with your TV or TV-streaming device to navigate Netflix." The exception here is for "older" Chromecast devices or TVs that work with Google Cast—but only if you pay for an ad-free Netflix plan. If you took Netflix up on its lower-cost subscription offer, those ads not only cost you extra watch time, but also your ability to cast—assuming you even have the older hardware to cast to. While Android Authority was the first major publication to report on the issue, some Netflix casters have been living with the change over the past couple of weeks. On Nov. 14, this user posted on the Chromecast subreddit voicing their complaints about the change. They were particularly frustrated with the lack of communication from Netflix, as the Cast button was removed "with zero warning." Other users in the thread noted their frustrations, too, with some threatening to cancel their subscriptions over the issue. Why is Netflix removing support for casting?Netflix doesn't explain why it's making the change, so I can only speculate. First, it's totally possible this is simply a tech obsolescence issue. Many companies drop support for older or underused technologies, and perhaps Netflix sees now as the time to largely drop support for casting. Streamlining the tech the app has to support means less work for Netflix developers, and it wouldn't be the first time the company dropped support for older platforms. However, that doesn't really explain why the company still supports some devices for casting. Maybe it took a look at its user base, and made the calculation that enough subscribers relied on Google Cast devices for casting, but not enough relies on newer hardware for casting. We might not really know unless Netflix decides to issue a statement. That said, I can't help but feel like this is related to Netflix's crackdown on password sharing. The company clearly doesn't want you using its services unless you have your own paid account—or have another user pay extra to have you on their account. Casting, however, makes it easy to continue using someone else's account without paying for it. Since Netflix only requires mobile users to log into the account owner's home wifi once a month to continue watching on a device, you could theoretically cast Netflix from your smartphone to your TV to continue enjoying your shows and movies "for free." By removing casting as an option for most users, those users will either need to connect a device to the TV by wire—like a laptop connected via HDMI—or log into the smart TV app. And if those users don't actually have permission to access that account via that app, they won't be able to stream. If this really is the company's intention, it's doing so at the inconvenience of paying users, too. If you're traveling, you now need to bother with signing into your account on a TV you don't own. If you don't like using your smart TV apps, you're kind of out of luck, unless you want to deal with connecting a computer to your TV whenever you want to catch up on Stranger Things. How to fix Netflix casting issues with compatible hardware If you do meet the new requirements for casting on Netflix, and the cast button still isn't appearing, Netflix does have some troubleshooting steps you can take on its Help Center page. It's device-dependent, but generally, here's what you should do: Check your Chromecast's wifi network: You can ensure your Chromecast is actively connected to your wifi network from the Google Home app on your iPhone or Android device. Turn your device off and on again: If you're casting from your phone or tablet, power it off completely, then turn it back on again. Turn your Chromecast off and on again: If your device boots back up but the Cast button is still missing, power off and unplug your Chromecast for at least 15 seconds before turning it back on again. Sign out of Netflix: Log out of Netflix on the device you're trying to cast from. Turn off Chrome extensions: If you're using Chrome on a Mac or PC for casting, Netflix recommends turning off your browser extensions. (This seems like an extreme step in my opinion, especially if you're someone who relies on Chrome extension—but if it works, it works.) View the full article

Google is now officially testing pushing searchers from AI Overviews in Google Search into the AI Mode interface. When you click on the “Show more” button within some AI Overviews, Google may jump you directly into the AI Mode interface. What Google said. Robby Stein from Google announced this on X, saying, “Today we’re starting to test a new way to seamlessly go deeper in AI Mode directly from the Search results page on mobile, globally.” Here is a video of this in action, with the full message from Robby Stein: (2/2) This means you’ll continue to get an AI Overview as a helpful starting point, and now you can also ask conversational follow-up questions in AI Mode – right from where you are. It’s one seamless experience: a quick snapshot when you need it, and deeper conversation when… — Robby Stein (@rmstein) December 1, 2025 Previous testing. Truth is, this was being tested back in October 2025 and tested numerous times since then. But here is Google officially announcing the test, which means to me that this is more likely to fully roll out. The issue. This will likely lead to even less clicks from the Google Search AI Overviews results to publishers and websites. The large “Show more” button, instead of loading more sources and details, will take you to a much more detailed answer, which is less likely to lead to clicks to your site. Why we care. Be aware of this test and how it may impact your traffic from Google Search. This doesn’t look like a great thing for driving search traffic to your site or websites in general. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. It's Cyber Monday, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before the sales are over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. If you've been curious about smart rings but hesitant about the price, I've got great news: Normally $399.99, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is currently on sale for $249.95 for Cyber Monday. Samsung Galaxy Ring $249.95 at Amazon $399.99 Save $150.04 Get Deal Get Deal $249.95 at Amazon $399.99 Save $150.04 As Lifehacker's own Daniel Oropeza says, Samsung's Galaxy Ring isn't just a one-off experiment—it's a well-made health-monitoring product. According to PCMag's review, it's a solid first-generation smart ring, though you'll get the most out of it if you have a Samsung phone. If you are already part of the Samsung ecosystem, this ring is great health and sleep tracker, monitoring metrics like heart rate, skin temperature, and sleep quality. However, if you're looking for detailed activity tracking, you're still better off with a smartwatch. This is more about passive health monitoring throughout your day and night. Design and featuresThe Galaxy Ring comes with a titanium finish in gold, silver, and black. Like Oura rings, it's a bit bulkier than a regular ring at 7mm wide and 2.6mm thick—something to consider if you're not used to wearing jewelry. Samsung users get extra perks: You can control your phone's camera or dismiss alarms by tapping your ring finger to your thumb twice in a row. It's a small touch, but these kinds of integrations make the device feel more seamlessly connected to your tech ecosystem. No subscription requiredHere's the biggest advantage over the main competition: The Galaxy Ring is subscription-free. Oura rings require an ongoing monthly fee to access your health data, but Samsung gives you full access without additional costs. That alone could save you hundreds of dollars over the ring's lifetime. The ring is IP68 water resistant, so you can wash your hands and shower without worrying about it. It comes with a wireless charging case, and the battery lasts about six days per charge. Sizes range from five to 15, so most people should find a comfortable fit. What stores have the best sales on Cyber Monday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Cyber Monday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers that can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Cyber Monday deals worth it?In short, yes, Cyber Monday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, the distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Cyber Monday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad Air 11" M3 128GB WiFi Tablet (Space Gray) — $449.99 (List Price $599.00) Dell 14 Premium DA14250 (Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 512GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2K Display) — $999.99 (List Price $1,549.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $329.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $136.45 (List Price $179.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article