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Google uploaded its Thanksgiving Doodle to the Google Search home page, google.com. It is a typical and expected cute Google Doodle - more on that later. But when you click on it, you are not taken to the Google search results page, instead you are taken directly into AI Mode.View the full article

Lead generation marketing is a vital process that focuses on converting potential customers into leads by capturing their contact information. It involves various strategies, such as creating valuable content, optimizing for search engines, and utilizing social media. By comprehending how these methods work together, you can effectively guide prospects through the sales funnel. This sets the stage for nurturing these leads, but it raises the question: how do you measure the effectiveness of your lead generation efforts? Key Takeaways Lead generation marketing attracts and converts strangers into potential customers by capturing their contact information through various methods. It utilizes content marketing, social media, and targeted advertising to offer valuable resources in exchange for leads. The process involves stages from attracting visitors to nurturing leads until conversion, often using landing pages and forms. Leads are classified into categories like MQLs, SQLs, PQLs, and Service Qualified Leads based on their readiness to purchase. Continuous engagement and nurturing are essential for transforming leads into loyal customers and optimizing conversion rates. Understanding Lead Generation Marketing Comprehending lead generation marketing is essential for any business looking to grow its customer base. This process involves attracting and converting strangers into leads by capturing their contact information through various methods. You’ll create awareness and interest in your products or services using content marketing, social media engagement, and targeted advertising strategies. Effective lead generation marketing often includes offering valuable resources, such as eBooks or webinars, in exchange for potential customers’ details. The lead generation funnel consists of several stages, from attracting visitors to converting them into paying customers. By leveraging tools like analytics platforms, you can track performance and optimize your strategies based on data-driven insights, enhancing your efforts to generate advertising leads and eventually grow your business. The Importance of Lead Generation Lead generation is crucial for driving business growth and building long-term relationships with potential customers. By maintaining a steady flow of high-quality leads, you can nurture prospects effectively and increase your chances of conversion. Comprehending the importance of lead generation allows you to optimize your efforts and align them with your strategic business goals. Driving Business Growth Though many businesses recognize the importance of attracting new customers, comprehending the vital role of lead generation in driving growth is equally important. Here are three key reasons why lead generation is fundamental for your business: Building a Database: Effective lead generation helps you create a database of potential customers, which is indispensable as over 30% of B2B sales take one to three months to close. Maximizing ROI: By qualifying leads, you can focus your marketing efforts on contacts likely to convert, greatly influencing the sales cycle and maximizing your return on investment. Identifying Opportunities: Approximately 68% of companies fail to clearly define their lead generation funnel, leading to missed opportunities for optimizing sales processes and improving customer acquisition. Emphasizing lead generation can drive sustainable growth for your business. Building Long-Term Relationships In today’s competitive environment, businesses must prioritize building long-term relationships to thrive. Lead generation marketing is critical for this, as it promotes meaningful engagement with prospects through personalized communication and valuable content. Nevertheless, about 68% of companies haven’t identified their lead generation funnel, indicating a need for structured processes to nurture these relationships. Consistent lead nurturing can improve conversion rates by up to 50%, illustrating the importance of ongoing contact with potential customers. Companies that focus on lead generation and relationship-building experience a 47% higher purchase rate from leads. Moreover, strong relationships can boost customer retention by 27%, contributing to sustainable business growth and a loyal customer base. Building these connections is vital for long-term success. The Lead Generation Process Comprehending the lead generation process is vital for any business looking to grow its customer base effectively. This process involves several key steps: Attracting Visitors: Create and distribute valuable content like blogs, videos, and webinars during using SEO strategies to boost visibility. Capturing Information: Use dedicated landing pages and forms to collect leads’ contact details by offering incentives such as eBooks or free trials. Qualifying Leads: Assess leads using frameworks like BANT (Budget, Authority, Need, Timing) to determine their purchasing readiness, allowing you to prioritize follow-up efforts. Once you’ve qualified your leads, nurturing them with personalized communication is fundamental to keep their interest until they’re ready to convert into customers. This systematic approach improves your overall lead generation efforts. Different Types of Leads Comprehending the different types of leads is crucial for effective lead generation marketing. You’ll encounter four main classifications: Marketing Qualified Leads (MQL), Sales Qualified Leads (SQL), Product Qualified Leads (PQL), and Service Qualified Leads. Each type represents a distinct stage in the buyer’s progression, reflecting varying levels of engagement and readiness to move forward in the sales process. Lead Classification Categories Lead classification plays a pivotal role in marketing strategies by categorizing potential customers based on their readiness to engage with your product or service. Comprehending these categories helps tailor your approach for better engagement and conversion. The four main types of leads include: Marketing Qualified Leads (MQL): Interested but not ready to buy, often engaging with marketing content. Sales Qualified Leads (SQL): Have shown clear intent to purchase and are ready for direct sales interactions. Product Qualified Leads (PQL): Current users indicating interest in upgrading or purchasing additional features. Engagement Levels Explained Engagement levels among leads are vital for effectively guiding your marketing and sales efforts. Lead generation marketing categorizes leads into four main types: Marketing Qualified Leads (MQL), Sales Qualified Leads (SQL), Product Qualified Leads (PQL), and Service Qualified Leads. MQLs have shown early interest by engaging with marketing materials but aren’t ready for sales contact yet. SQLs, on the other hand, demonstrate clear intent to purchase, often by requesting demos or pricing information, making them primed for outreach. PQLs are current users indicating interest in upgrading to a paid version, reflecting a strong engagement with the product. Finally, Service Qualified Leads are existing customers who wish to expand their services, highlighting ongoing engagement and potential for increased revenue. Strategies for Effective Lead Generation To effectively generate leads, it’s crucial to implement strategies that not merely attract potential customers but moreover convert them into loyal clients. Here are three effective strategies to reflect on: Create High-Quality Content: Focus on producing relevant content that addresses your audience’s pain points. This can draw in potential customers and keep them engaged. Utilize SEO Best Practices: Improve your website’s visibility by optimizing for search engines. This will help prospects find your content more easily, leading to increased traffic and potential leads. Implement Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs): Make sure your landing pages contain compelling CTAs. This increases the likelihood that visitors will submit their contact information in exchange for valuable resources, helping you convert them into leads. Nurturing Leads Through the Sales Funnel Generating leads is just the beginning; nurturing them through the sales funnel is where the real work lies. Engaging potential customers with personalized content and communication is essential, especially since 68% of companies haven’t identified their lead generation funnel. Effective lead nurturing can boost your chances of converting leads into sales by 50%. Implementing email drip campaigns keeps leads informed and engaged, potentially increasing sales opportunities by 20%. Utilizing lead scoring frameworks like BANT helps you prioritize nurturing efforts on leads that show higher engagement and readiness to buy. Research indicates that 79% of marketing leads never convert because of a lack of nurturing, highlighting the importance of continuous engagement in transforming leads into loyal customers. Measuring the Success of Lead Generation Efforts How can you effectively measure the success of your lead generation efforts? By tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), you gain valuable insights into your strategies. Consider these three crucial metrics: Conversion Rates: This indicates the percentage of visitors who become leads or customers, helping you gauge overall effectiveness. Engagement Metrics: Look at click-through rates (CTR) and time spent on site to comprehend how well your content resonates with potential leads. Lead Scoring: Implement systems to evaluate lead quality based on interactions and behaviors, allowing you to prioritize follow-ups. Utilizing analytics tools like Google Analytics can further improve your comprehension of traffic sources, user paths, and landing page performance, leading to continuous optimization of your lead generation strategies. Frequently Asked Questions What Is Lead Generation in Marketing? Lead generation in marketing is the process where you attract and engage potential customers, known as leads, to interest them in your product or service. This often involves collecting contact information through landing pages, web forms, or content offers, like eBooks. By doing this, you can nurture these leads and guide them in the direction of making a purchase. It’s essential for maintaining a steady flow of qualified prospects for your business’s growth. How Do Lead Generators Get Paid? Lead generators get paid through various models. You might encounter cost-per-lead (CPL), where they earn a fee for each qualified lead. Some operate on a commission basis, earning a percentage of revenue from converted leads. Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is another option, paying based on clicks or impressions. Subscription models allow businesses to access lead databases for a recurring fee, whereas affiliate.com marketing rewards commissions for leads completing specific actions, like signing up or purchasing. How Much to Pay for Lead Generation? When determining how much to pay for lead generation, consider that B2B companies typically spend between $30 to $100 per lead. Your budget may need to be 7-15% of your revenue, depending on your industry. Pay-per-click advertising can increase costs to $40-$200 per lead, whereas organic strategies usually yield lower costs. Utilizing marketing automation can help optimize your spending, potentially reducing costs by 10-30% through improved targeting and nurturing techniques. What Are the Four Steps of Lead Generation? The four steps of lead generation start with attracting potential leads through relevant content that captures their interest. Next, you capture their information, often using forms or incentives like eBooks. After that, you’ll want to qualify these leads by evaluating their readiness to buy, using criteria such as budget and need. Finally, nurture these leads with targeted communication until they’re prepared to convert into paying customers, ensuring ongoing engagement throughout the process. Conclusion In conclusion, lead generation marketing is vital for converting potential customers into actual buyers. By comprehending the process and employing effective strategies, you can attract and nurture leads through the sales funnel. Different types of leads require customized approaches, and measuring your efforts is critical for continuous improvement. By focusing on creating valuable content and utilizing various channels, you can optimize your lead generation efforts to drive business growth and increase sales. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is Lead Generation Marketing and How Does It Work?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Lead generation marketing is a vital process that focuses on converting potential customers into leads by capturing their contact information. It involves various strategies, such as creating valuable content, optimizing for search engines, and utilizing social media. By comprehending how these methods work together, you can effectively guide prospects through the sales funnel. This sets the stage for nurturing these leads, but it raises the question: how do you measure the effectiveness of your lead generation efforts? Key Takeaways Lead generation marketing attracts and converts strangers into potential customers by capturing their contact information through various methods. It utilizes content marketing, social media, and targeted advertising to offer valuable resources in exchange for leads. The process involves stages from attracting visitors to nurturing leads until conversion, often using landing pages and forms. Leads are classified into categories like MQLs, SQLs, PQLs, and Service Qualified Leads based on their readiness to purchase. Continuous engagement and nurturing are essential for transforming leads into loyal customers and optimizing conversion rates. Understanding Lead Generation Marketing Comprehending lead generation marketing is essential for any business looking to grow its customer base. This process involves attracting and converting strangers into leads by capturing their contact information through various methods. You’ll create awareness and interest in your products or services using content marketing, social media engagement, and targeted advertising strategies. Effective lead generation marketing often includes offering valuable resources, such as eBooks or webinars, in exchange for potential customers’ details. The lead generation funnel consists of several stages, from attracting visitors to converting them into paying customers. By leveraging tools like analytics platforms, you can track performance and optimize your strategies based on data-driven insights, enhancing your efforts to generate advertising leads and eventually grow your business. The Importance of Lead Generation Lead generation is crucial for driving business growth and building long-term relationships with potential customers. By maintaining a steady flow of high-quality leads, you can nurture prospects effectively and increase your chances of conversion. Comprehending the importance of lead generation allows you to optimize your efforts and align them with your strategic business goals. Driving Business Growth Though many businesses recognize the importance of attracting new customers, comprehending the vital role of lead generation in driving growth is equally important. Here are three key reasons why lead generation is fundamental for your business: Building a Database: Effective lead generation helps you create a database of potential customers, which is indispensable as over 30% of B2B sales take one to three months to close. Maximizing ROI: By qualifying leads, you can focus your marketing efforts on contacts likely to convert, greatly influencing the sales cycle and maximizing your return on investment. Identifying Opportunities: Approximately 68% of companies fail to clearly define their lead generation funnel, leading to missed opportunities for optimizing sales processes and improving customer acquisition. Emphasizing lead generation can drive sustainable growth for your business. Building Long-Term Relationships In today’s competitive environment, businesses must prioritize building long-term relationships to thrive. Lead generation marketing is critical for this, as it promotes meaningful engagement with prospects through personalized communication and valuable content. Nevertheless, about 68% of companies haven’t identified their lead generation funnel, indicating a need for structured processes to nurture these relationships. Consistent lead nurturing can improve conversion rates by up to 50%, illustrating the importance of ongoing contact with potential customers. Companies that focus on lead generation and relationship-building experience a 47% higher purchase rate from leads. Moreover, strong relationships can boost customer retention by 27%, contributing to sustainable business growth and a loyal customer base. Building these connections is vital for long-term success. The Lead Generation Process Comprehending the lead generation process is vital for any business looking to grow its customer base effectively. This process involves several key steps: Attracting Visitors: Create and distribute valuable content like blogs, videos, and webinars during using SEO strategies to boost visibility. Capturing Information: Use dedicated landing pages and forms to collect leads’ contact details by offering incentives such as eBooks or free trials. Qualifying Leads: Assess leads using frameworks like BANT (Budget, Authority, Need, Timing) to determine their purchasing readiness, allowing you to prioritize follow-up efforts. Once you’ve qualified your leads, nurturing them with personalized communication is fundamental to keep their interest until they’re ready to convert into customers. This systematic approach improves your overall lead generation efforts. Different Types of Leads Comprehending the different types of leads is crucial for effective lead generation marketing. You’ll encounter four main classifications: Marketing Qualified Leads (MQL), Sales Qualified Leads (SQL), Product Qualified Leads (PQL), and Service Qualified Leads. Each type represents a distinct stage in the buyer’s progression, reflecting varying levels of engagement and readiness to move forward in the sales process. Lead Classification Categories Lead classification plays a pivotal role in marketing strategies by categorizing potential customers based on their readiness to engage with your product or service. Comprehending these categories helps tailor your approach for better engagement and conversion. The four main types of leads include: Marketing Qualified Leads (MQL): Interested but not ready to buy, often engaging with marketing content. Sales Qualified Leads (SQL): Have shown clear intent to purchase and are ready for direct sales interactions. Product Qualified Leads (PQL): Current users indicating interest in upgrading or purchasing additional features. Engagement Levels Explained Engagement levels among leads are vital for effectively guiding your marketing and sales efforts. Lead generation marketing categorizes leads into four main types: Marketing Qualified Leads (MQL), Sales Qualified Leads (SQL), Product Qualified Leads (PQL), and Service Qualified Leads. MQLs have shown early interest by engaging with marketing materials but aren’t ready for sales contact yet. SQLs, on the other hand, demonstrate clear intent to purchase, often by requesting demos or pricing information, making them primed for outreach. PQLs are current users indicating interest in upgrading to a paid version, reflecting a strong engagement with the product. Finally, Service Qualified Leads are existing customers who wish to expand their services, highlighting ongoing engagement and potential for increased revenue. Strategies for Effective Lead Generation To effectively generate leads, it’s crucial to implement strategies that not merely attract potential customers but moreover convert them into loyal clients. Here are three effective strategies to reflect on: Create High-Quality Content: Focus on producing relevant content that addresses your audience’s pain points. This can draw in potential customers and keep them engaged. Utilize SEO Best Practices: Improve your website’s visibility by optimizing for search engines. This will help prospects find your content more easily, leading to increased traffic and potential leads. Implement Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs): Make sure your landing pages contain compelling CTAs. This increases the likelihood that visitors will submit their contact information in exchange for valuable resources, helping you convert them into leads. Nurturing Leads Through the Sales Funnel Generating leads is just the beginning; nurturing them through the sales funnel is where the real work lies. Engaging potential customers with personalized content and communication is essential, especially since 68% of companies haven’t identified their lead generation funnel. Effective lead nurturing can boost your chances of converting leads into sales by 50%. Implementing email drip campaigns keeps leads informed and engaged, potentially increasing sales opportunities by 20%. Utilizing lead scoring frameworks like BANT helps you prioritize nurturing efforts on leads that show higher engagement and readiness to buy. Research indicates that 79% of marketing leads never convert because of a lack of nurturing, highlighting the importance of continuous engagement in transforming leads into loyal customers. Measuring the Success of Lead Generation Efforts How can you effectively measure the success of your lead generation efforts? By tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), you gain valuable insights into your strategies. Consider these three crucial metrics: Conversion Rates: This indicates the percentage of visitors who become leads or customers, helping you gauge overall effectiveness. Engagement Metrics: Look at click-through rates (CTR) and time spent on site to comprehend how well your content resonates with potential leads. Lead Scoring: Implement systems to evaluate lead quality based on interactions and behaviors, allowing you to prioritize follow-ups. Utilizing analytics tools like Google Analytics can further improve your comprehension of traffic sources, user paths, and landing page performance, leading to continuous optimization of your lead generation strategies. Frequently Asked Questions What Is Lead Generation in Marketing? Lead generation in marketing is the process where you attract and engage potential customers, known as leads, to interest them in your product or service. This often involves collecting contact information through landing pages, web forms, or content offers, like eBooks. By doing this, you can nurture these leads and guide them in the direction of making a purchase. It’s essential for maintaining a steady flow of qualified prospects for your business’s growth. How Do Lead Generators Get Paid? Lead generators get paid through various models. You might encounter cost-per-lead (CPL), where they earn a fee for each qualified lead. Some operate on a commission basis, earning a percentage of revenue from converted leads. Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is another option, paying based on clicks or impressions. Subscription models allow businesses to access lead databases for a recurring fee, whereas affiliate.com marketing rewards commissions for leads completing specific actions, like signing up or purchasing. How Much to Pay for Lead Generation? When determining how much to pay for lead generation, consider that B2B companies typically spend between $30 to $100 per lead. Your budget may need to be 7-15% of your revenue, depending on your industry. Pay-per-click advertising can increase costs to $40-$200 per lead, whereas organic strategies usually yield lower costs. Utilizing marketing automation can help optimize your spending, potentially reducing costs by 10-30% through improved targeting and nurturing techniques. What Are the Four Steps of Lead Generation? The four steps of lead generation start with attracting potential leads through relevant content that captures their interest. Next, you capture their information, often using forms or incentives like eBooks. After that, you’ll want to qualify these leads by evaluating their readiness to buy, using criteria such as budget and need. Finally, nurture these leads with targeted communication until they’re prepared to convert into paying customers, ensuring ongoing engagement throughout the process. Conclusion In conclusion, lead generation marketing is vital for converting potential customers into actual buyers. By comprehending the process and employing effective strategies, you can attract and nurture leads through the sales funnel. Different types of leads require customized approaches, and measuring your efforts is critical for continuous improvement. By focusing on creating valuable content and utilizing various channels, you can optimize your lead generation efforts to drive business growth and increase sales. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is Lead Generation Marketing and How Does It Work?" was first published on Small Business Trends 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. It's always good when you get to recommend a piece of tech you use every day, and that's the case with the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar: I've got one strapped to my wrist right now, as I do every day, and the 45 mm model is now on sale for $299.99 on Amazon. Garmin Instinct 3 Solar $299.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $299.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.00 That's a hefty $100 drop for Black Friday—a quarter off, if you're doing the math—and based on what we've seen on price trackers, this watch is now the cheapest it's ever been on Amazon. I love the rugged look of this smartwatch, and the battery life that can easily go for a month—thanks in part to the solar charging capabilities (though you can use a regular charger, too). It'll track all the stats you need, and packs in a host of information on its monochrome screen (including sunrise and sunset times). Lifehacker Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki named the Garmin Instinct Solar 3 "best for hiking." You don't get the colors and brightness of a color display, but I think the battery life trade-off is more than worth it: It's not as if you're watching videos on your smartwatch. You can also send your phone notifications through the watch, and it even comes with a handy flashlight built right in. Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?Yes, Amazon has Black Friday 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. 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, 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 Early Black Friday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $274.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) 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) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) 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) — $339.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $138.65 (List Price $179.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

The National Park Service said Tuesday it is going to start charging the millions of international tourists who visit U.S. parks each year an extra $100 to enter some of the most popular sites, while leaving them out of fee-free days that will be reserved for American residents. The announcement declaring “America-first entry fee policies” comes as national parks deal with the strain of a major staff reduction and severe budget cuts, along with recovering from damage during the recent government shutdown and significant lost revenue due to fees not being collected during that time. The fee change will impact 11 national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior. As part of the changes, which are set to take effect Jan. 1, foreign tourists will also see their annual parks pass price jump to $250, while U.S. residents will continue to be charged $80, according to the department’s statement. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a post on the social platform X that the changes make sure U.S. taxpayers who support the park service “continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations!” A White House post on X laying out the increased fees ended with the phrase, “AMERICANS FIRST.” The announcement follows a July executive order in which President Donald The President directed the parks to increase entry fees for foreign tourists. “There’s a lot to unpack in this announcement, including many questions on its implementation – all which NPCA will raise with the Department of Interior,” Kati Schmidt, a spokesperson for National Parks Conservation Association, said in an email. The U.S. Travel Association estimated that in 2018, national parks and monuments saw more than 14 million international visitors. Yellowstone reported that in 2024, nearly 15% of its visitors were from outside the country, which was down from 30% in 2018. The money made off the new fees will help support the national parks, including with upgrading facilities for visitors and maintenance, according to the statement. The “resident-only patriotic fee-free days” next year include Veterans Day, which was one of the parks’ eight free days open to everyone in 2025. The Department of the Interior had announced those days by saying they wanted to ensure that “everyone, no matter their zip code, can access and enjoy the benefits of green spaces and our public lands.” Golden reported from Seattle. —Hallie Golden and Matthew Daly, Associated Press View the full article

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. There's an awful lot to like about the Google TV Streamer, especially when it's back down to its lowest price for Black Friday. You can now pick this versatile, reliable streaming box for $74.99 on Amazon, down from its original price of $99.99. Google TV Streamer $74.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $25.00 Get Deal Get Deal $74.99 at Amazon $99.99 Save $25.00 Lifehacker's review of the device highlights the smoothness of the user interface, the wealth of onboard storage, the bonus of having an Ethernet port (for steady internet access), and the benefits of the improved remote control—which you can actually make sound an alarm if you lose it. (Invaluable!) I've been using and loving Google TV for years, and the Google Streamer is a great way to access it. I like its broad support for multiple streaming apps, and the way it combines all those apps together—making it easy to see what you're currently watching. You can add to your watchlist from all across Google apps and services too, including Google Search. The streaming box and its associated remote are available in either Porcelain or Haze, so you can pick whichever matches your personal taste and internal decor. This 25% Black Friday discount may not last, so if you're interested, I'd recommend getting this bought as soon as possible. Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?Yes, Amazon has Black Friday 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. 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. View the full article

Ranking No. 1 is still an accomplishment, but by now, most SEO professionals understand that it doesn’t mean what it once did. Search in 2026 is messy, multi-surface, and sometimes more passive than active: AI: AI Overviews and answer engines. Social: YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest as search platforms. Forums and UGC: Reddit, Quora, and UGC blended straight into results. SERP features: People Also Ask, What People Are Saying, etc. Jim Yu, Founder and CEO of BrightEdge, shared with me: “In the early days of search, success was simple: earn rankings, get clicks, grow traffic. But search has evolved through quick answers, featured snippets, maps, and knowledge panels – each reducing the need for a user to click. AI is now adding an entirely new layer.” With rankings shifting toward just a leading indicator, the real questions we all need to be asking and answering are: Are we bringing in visitors who actually buy or take meaningful actions? Are we present across the full SERP and AI experience, not just classic results? Are we catching emerging topics and trends before competitors? Are we diversified across multiple search and discovery platforms? Does our brand look trustworthy wherever people research us? Are we making paid media smarter and more profitable? Is search, as a whole, driving profitable growth? Here are seven success criteria that every brand should track in 2026 to help answer these questions. 1. Visitor quality Key question: Are we bringing in visitors who actually buy or take meaningful actions? For B2B, that might be demos and opportunities. For ecommerce, cart adds and orders. The same principle applies: you want qualified visitors. What to measure Segment organic traffic by landing page and track: Conversion rate (CVR) for your primary goal. B2B: demos booked, trial signups, form fills. Ecommerce: purchases, add to carts, subscriptions. Revenue per session from organic. Customer quality metrics. B2B: opportunities, pipeline, closed-won deals. Ecommerce: AOV, LTV, repeat purchases. How to put these insights into action Flag pages that drive high traffic but low CVR as optimization targets. Double down on pages where traffic is modest, but CVR is high. Build a “high-intent organic” focus list (pricing, comparison, collections, product detail pages) and prioritize UX, speed, and CRO. If sessions remain flat but revenue per organic session increases, that’s a win. 2. SERP diversification Key question: Are we present across the full SERP and AI experience, not just classic results? We’re no longer fighting for one blue link. You need presence in: AI Overviews. People Also Ask. Video carousels (YouTube, TikTok). Image packs, shopping results, Discussions and Forums. This matters for both: B2B: Your how-to content, documentation, and comparison pages need to show up wherever your audience is researching. Ecommerce: Products and how-to guides need to be in shopping results, video, UGC, and FAQs. What to measure Count of priority keywords where you: Appear in AI Overviews. Rank in People Also Ask. Have a video or short in the SERP. Show via product/shopping results. Are mentioned within a Discussion and Forum result. Share of voice per intent group: Informational, navigational, commercial transactional. How to put these insights into action Audit your top 50-100 money keywords. For each, note which features show up, how visible you are, and whether you have content in that format. For B2B, create videos, white papers, case studies, buyer’s guides and documentation that answer specific PAA questions and align with AI Overview intent. For ecommerce, optimize product feeds, structured data, and video content to land in product carousels and video spots. Ideally, for your highest-value topics, you’re present in 3-4 SERP features, not just one. 3. Trendspotting Key question: Are we catching emerging topics and trends before competitors? Consumer behavior and B2B needs can shift fast. A new product category can go from “no volume” to “everyone wants it” in a few months. You want to be there first. What to measure Focus on emerging and low-volume topics that show momentum: Number of new organic queries you’re receiving (via Search Console). Rankings and traffic for: Low search volume but rising terms. New product uses or pain points. Time from “we noticed the trend” to “we launched content and got impressions.” And this is a big one, because lots of brands notice the trends but can’t act fast enough. For ecommerce, this could be: New style trends. Ingredients. Micro-niches (e.g., “quiet luxury handbag,” “skin cycling”). For B2B, it might be: New frameworks. Regulations. Tech (“e.g., AI RFP process,” “privacy-safe analytics”). How to put these insights into action Keep your eye on what’s trending and being talked about: Exploding topics. AnswerThePublic. Search Console “new queries.” Internal search on your site. Social listening (TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, industry communities). Run monthly “trend sprints” where content, product, and SEO collaborate on 1-2 topics to move on quickly. It’s a huge win when you can show your leadership team a topic that was near zero six months ago, where you published first, and now own the search demand as it takes off. 4. Traffic diversification Key question: Are we diversified across multiple search and discovery platforms? Historically, “search” pretty much meant Google. But now SEO’s job is search everywhere optimization, not just garnering Google rankings. Shoppers search on marketplaces: People look for products directly with Amazon, Etsy, and Temu, comparing prices, reviews, shipping options, and photos without ever touching Google. Younger audiences search on social: Gen Z and younger Millennials search and scroll TikTok and Instagram, looking for short videos, creator recommendations, and quick how-tos before they buy. B2B buyers search in professional research channels: They use YouTube to learn how tools work, Reddit and niche forums to get unfiltered feedback, G2 and Capterra to compare vendors, and private communities or chat groups to ask peers what actually works. Buyer journeys are condensing with AI: What used to be a 30-day journey with dozens of different searches can become condensed into a 5-minute ChatGPT session with a few prompts. What to measure Track traffic driven by search-like behavior across platforms: AI referral traffic. YouTube referrals. Social (TikTok, Instagram) referrals. Review platform (G2, Capterra) referrals. Reddit and Quora referrals. Then look at: Channel mix – the percentage of total discovery traffic by platform. Growth in non-Google sources over time. CVR by platform. Revenue/pipeline by platform. How to put these insights into action If more than 80-90% of your traffic is coming from Google, you are probably too dependent on a single source. Treat that as a risk, and set a target to reduce Google’s share over time by expanding other search surfaces, rather than shrinking what already works. For ecommerce, invest in marketplace SEO (titles, bullets, images, reviews), Social (TikTok), and video optimization. For B2B, invest in YouTube explainers, community content, and review platform profiles that can rank on both Google and internal search. Your reports should show performance and opportunities for search everywhere, with Google as one line item, not the sole focus. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. 5. Brand reputation Key question: Does our brand look trustworthy wherever people research us? In most categories, users are flooded with similar-looking options. Whether someone clicks and buys often comes down to brand recognition, trust, and social proof. David Shapiro, VP, global owned and earned media at Mindgruve, explains: “The website’s job has changed. It’s becoming a place for validation, somewhere users go to double-check the answers they’ve already gotten from search engines/AI or creators. That means the real battle for attention is happening off-site, making PR and external narrative control more important than ever.” What to measure Don’t look at SEO metrics in isolation. Blend them with what you know about your brand and customer experience (CX). While SEO is about how you show up, CX (or arguably modern-day search) is about how people feel about you and seek out your brand. Combine SEO with brand and CX signals: Branded search volume and search interest (Google Trends) over time. Brand + product/feature searches (“[brand] reviews,” “[brand] coupon,” “[brand] vs [competitor]”). Review volume and average ratings. For B2B, think G2, Capterra, and TrustPilot. For ecommerce, look at Google Business Profile (if local), Amazon, retail partners, app stores, and niche review sites. Click-through rate for organic results where your brand appears alongside competitors How to put these insights into action Track your review and rating footprint. If your SEO pages drive interest but reviews are poor, you’ll struggle with conversions. Launch review-generation programs and incorporate UGC and testimonials directly into SEO landing pages. Track how improvements in reviews/ratings correlate with higher organic CVR and revenue. Modern-day SEO doesn’t just garner traffic. It helps ensure that when people search your name or niche, the story they see feels trustworthy and drives toward conversions. 6. Ads and media support Key question: Are we making paid media smarter and more profitable over time? SEO and paid media need each other in the AI search era, yet their collaboration is often lacking, even though ad success depends on landing page quality and relevance. This is especially true with the rise of Performance Max (PMax) and the new AI Max for Search campaigns. Make sure you emphasize that strong SEO can directly improve paid performance, delivering higher Quality Scores, better conversion rates, and new insights for ad creative and targeting. What to measure For key campaigns and audiences, compare performance when traffic lands on SEO optimized experiences versus generic or outdated pages: Conversion rate. ROAS. Cost per acquisition. Quality/relevance scores, where available. How to put these insights into action Build a shared landing page library for SEO and paid. When you improve an SEO page (through page speed, clarity, structure, trust elements), send that URL to the paid team and tag traffic sources so you can compare performance. Use winning organic angles (e.g., subject lines, headline hooks, product benefits) in ad creative and measure uplift. Try to shift the perspective toward SEO being an engine that makes all acquisitions cheaper. 7. Combined search performance Key question: Is search, as a whole, driving profitable growth? When I sit in on quarterly business reviews with executive stakeholders, it’s clear that client leadership teams really don’t care which team (SEO or paid search) gets the credit. They care about: How much search contributes to revenue. How profitably it does that. Whether search is growing as a whole. Measuring combined search impact is essential. If SEO is trending down, it’s also critical to have an understanding of how paid search and other channels are trending. However, many marketers become overly focused on their specific area and struggle to serve as a cross-channel connector. Megan Shriver, vice president of organic growth at Wpromote, shared with me: “The new reality is that algorithms reward holistic brand signals, not just optimized pages. This shift is creating powerful momentum for SEO to evolve into a true cross-channel connector – driving measurable business impact alongside PR, Paid Media, and Brand teams.” What to measure Group queries into themes (categories, product lines, problems) and combine: Total search traffic. Blended CVR and CPA/CAC for those themes. Total revenue/pipeline from search-driven sessions. Share of search vs top competitors where possible. For example: Theme: “lightweight travel strollers.” Organic: Blog guides, category page, product pages. Paid: Shopping ads, search ads, social. Marketplaces: Amazon search, retail partner search. Metric set: Total sessions, total revenue, blended ROAS/CAC. How to put these insights into action Identify themes where you’re spending a lot on paid and/because organic is weak, as that’s your prime SEO roadmap material. Identify themes where organic is strong and paid adds marginal incremental value, as that’s a great budget optimization conversation. Show how search as a portfolio is lowering blended CAC and raising revenue over time. Aim to move the conversation from “SEO versus PPC” to “search as a growth engine.” By 2026, rankings alone will not earn budget or trust. Keep tracking them, but treat them as supporting signals. The headline metrics are revenue, profit, and brand strength across the full search ecosystem. View the full article

Shares in Europe and Asia advanced on Wednesday after benchmarks on Wall Street surged on hopes the Federal Reserve will soon opt to cut interest rates. The future for the S&P 500 gained 0.3%, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.2%. In early European trading, Germany’s DAX gained 0.2% to 23,500.98, while the CAC 40 in Paris also rose 0.2%, to 9,623.22. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged 0.1% higher. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.9% to 49,559.07 in a broad rally that encompassed major exporters and technology shares. However, shares in Kioxia dropped 14.9% on reports that Bain Capital plans to sell $2.3 billion of the computer memory maker’s shares. In South Korea, the Kospi gained 2.7%, to 3,960.87, helped by a 3.5% gain for Samsung Electronics, the market’s biggest heavyweight. Computer chip maker SK Hynix climbed 1%. Taiwan’s Taiex surged 1.9%. Chinese markets were mixed. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.1% to 25,928.08 and the Shanghai Composite index slipped 0.2%, to 3,864.18. Chinese e-commerce and technology giant Alibaba fell 1.9%. Its U.S.-traded shares fell 2.3% on Tuesday after its profit fell short of forecasts, though it reported stronger revenue than analysts had expected for the latest quarter. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.8% to 8,606.50. In New Zealand, the S&P/NZX 50 added 0.6% after the central bank cut its official cash rate to 2.25% from $2.5%. U.S. markets will have a shortened trading week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, closing on Thursday and opening for shorter hours on Friday. On Tuesday, the S&P 500 rose 0.9% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 1.4%. The Nasdaq composite gained 0.7%. Easier interest rates can give particularly big boosts to smaller companies, because many of them need to borrow to grow. The Russell 2000 index of the smallest U.S. stocks jumped 2.1% to lead the market. Mixed economic data left traders betting on a nearly 83% probability that the Fed will cut in December, according to data from CME Group. Shoppers bought less at U.S. retailers in September than economists expected, while confidence among U.S. consumers worsened by more in November than expected, signals the economy could use help from lower interest rates. Easier rates can boost the economy by encouraging households and companies to borrow more and investors to pay higher prices for investments than they would otherwise. Another report said U.S. inflation at the wholesale level was a touch worse in September than expected, but a closely tracked underlying trend was slightly better. Lower interest rates can worsen inflation, and higher prices are the main reason the Fed has been holding back on rate cuts. Later Wednesday, the U.S. was due to release more data that had been delayed by the six-week long government shutdown. The Fed has already cut rates twice this year in hopes of shoring up the slowing job market. In other dealings early Wednesday, U.S. benchmark crude oil gained 5 cents to $58.00 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, picked up 8 cents to $61.88 per barrel. The U.S. dollar rose to 156.46 Japanese yen from 156.06 yen. The euro rose to $1.1575 from $1.1569. —Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer View the full article

Tax on dividends and savings will rise in unexpected moveView the full article

But here’s what matters more: in our case, the mentions that do include links appear on high-volume queries. This means your actual visibility—measured in impressions rather than raw citation counts—can be far higher than your link percentage suggests. In this…Read more ›View the full article

Loyalty programs play an essential role in retaining customers and driving engagement. Comprehending the five main types can help you choose the best strategy for your business. Always On Loyalty Programs provide immediate rewards, whereas Earn & Burn Programs let customers accumulate points for discounts. Tiered Programs offer escalating benefits for higher spending, and Premium Programs require a membership fee for exclusive perks. Finally, Gamified Programs incorporate game-like elements to improve customer interaction. Each type has its unique advantages, which can greatly impact customer loyalty and satisfaction. Key Takeaways Always On Loyalty Programs utilize instant rewards and conditional offers to boost customer loyalty, ideal for businesses with low purchase frequencies. Earn & Burn Loyalty Programs allow customers to accumulate points on purchases, promoting repeat business and enhancing satisfaction through redeemable rewards. Tiered Loyalty Programs reward customers based on spending, creating a structured system that offers increasingly valuable benefits, appealing to high-spending demographics. Premium Loyalty Programs charge a membership fee for exclusive benefits, targeting younger demographics with customized rewards and early access to products. Gamified Loyalty Programs engage customers through game-like elements, such as points and challenges, increasing retention rates by fostering community and competition. Always On Loyalty Programmes (Instant Reward Programmes) When you’re looking to improve customer loyalty, Always On Loyalty Programs, or Instant Reward Programs, can be a valuable tool. These types of loyalty programs utilize data insights to influence buying behavior through conditional rewards, encouraging actions like contract renewals and brand advocacy. They offer discounts across various sectors, including shopping, tech, and hospitality, making them ideal for businesses with low purchase frequencies. The simplicity of setup makes them particularly attractive for new businesses aiming to build customer loyalty efficiently. Nonetheless, a key challenge is establishing a partner network that provides compelling rewards, along with experienced personnel to manage the program effectively. Earn & Burn Loyalty Programmes Earn & Burn Loyalty Programs are designed to reward customers for their purchases by allowing them to accumulate points that can be redeemed for various rewards. These programs promote repeat purchases and improve customer satisfaction because of their simplicity. You can easily understand how to earn points and what rewards are available, which boosts engagement and loyalty. Here are three key features of Earn & Burn Loyalty Programs: Point Accumulation: You earn points based on your spending, encouraging more frequent purchases. Valuable Rewards: Points can be redeemed for exciting rewards, like discounts or exclusive items. Competitive Edge: Unique offerings are vital to stand out in a crowded market, ensuring customer retention and satisfaction. Tiered Loyalty Programmes Tiered loyalty programmes are designed to reward customers based on their spending and engagement, creating a structured system that improves the shopping experience. With these programmes, you earn points or status through your purchases, revealing increasingly valuable benefits as you move up the tiers. For example, the British Airways Executive Club rewards members with tier points for flights, granting them perks like upgrades and lounge access. This approach boosts customer engagement between high-value purchases, making it particularly effective in industries like hospitality and travel. Since around 62% of affluent consumers prioritize quality, tiered programmes resonate well with high-spending demographics. Premium Loyalty Programmes Premium loyalty programs offer a unique alternative to tiered systems, allowing dedicated consumers to access improved benefits by paying a membership fee. These programs are particularly effective in critical product categories and attract younger demographics. Here are three key features of premium loyalty programs: Exclusive Discounts: You receive special pricing on products or services, enhancing your overall value. Early Access to Products: Members often enjoy early access to new releases, allowing you to stay ahead of trends. Personalized Rewards: Customized benefits based on your shopping habits create a more engaging experience. Examples like Amazon Prime demonstrate strong customer retention and advocacy, showcasing the value of these programs. Regularly updating benefits is vital to meet expectations and justify membership fees. Gamified Loyalty Programmes As businesses seek innovative ways to engage customers, gamified loyalty programs have emerged as an influential tool to improve customer interaction and retention. These programs incorporate game-like elements such as points, badges, and challenges, encouraging repeat purchases. Features like progress tracking and leaderboards nurture a sense of community and competition, pushing you to reach higher statuses and rewards. Successful examples, like Starbucks Rewards, allow members to earn stars and reveal exclusive benefits, resulting in significant engagement. Studies show that gamification can increase customer retention rates by up to 30%, enhancing the experience and driving higher revenue. Feature Benefits Example Points System Encourages repeat purchases Earn stars at Starbucks Badges Recognizes customer achievements Revealing badges Challenges Engages customers with tasks Completing missions Leaderboards Promotes competition Ranking among peers Progress Tracking Visualizes customer experience Tracking earned rewards Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Most Popular Loyalty Program? The most popular loyalty program is the points-based system, where customers earn points for every dollar spent. This model is straightforward and encourages engagement. A leading example is Starbucks Rewards, with nearly 30 million members contributing considerably to store sales. Programs like Adidas‘ AdiClub and Sephora‘s Beauty Insider also illustrate the effectiveness of tiered rewards, motivating customers to spend more for better benefits. These programs create a strong incentive for repeat purchases and customer retention. What Are the 3 R’s of Loyalty? The 3 R’s of loyalty are Reward, Retain, and Refer. Reward involves giving incentives like points or discounts to encourage repeat purchases. Retain focuses on keeping customers satisfied and engaged to minimize churn, as retaining customers is often cheaper than acquiring new ones. Refer encourages satisfied customers to bring in new clients through bonuses or rewards, leveraging their positive experiences. Implementing these principles effectively can greatly increase customer lifetime value and overall sales. What Are the 4 C’s of Customer Loyalty? The 4 C’s of customer loyalty are Clarity, Consistency, Connection, and Community. Clarity means you clearly communicate the benefits of your loyalty program, so customers understand how to earn rewards. Consistency guarantees you deliver reliable experiences at every touchpoint, reinforcing trust. Connection involves building emotional ties through personalized interactions. Finally, Community nurtures belonging, encouraging customers to engage with your brand and each other, which improves their overall loyalty and strengthens relationships. What Are the 8 C’s of Customer Loyalty? The 8 C’s of customer loyalty are Clarity, Commitment, Consistency, Connection, Communication, Customer Experience, Community, and Customer-Centricity. Clarity guarantees customers understand your brand’s promises. Commitment encourages long-term relationships, whereas Consistency assures reliable service and rewards. Connection nurtures personal relationships with customers. Effective Communication keeps customers informed. A positive Customer Experience improves satisfaction. Building a strong Community creates a sense of belonging, and Customer-Centricity guarantees your strategies focus on the needs and preferences of your customers. Conclusion In conclusion, comprehending the five types of loyalty programs—Always On, Earn & Burn, Tiered, Premium, and Gamified—can help you choose the right strategy for your business. Each program has its unique advantages, whether it’s offering instant rewards, encouraging repeat purchases, or promoting competition among customers. By carefully selecting and implementing a program that aligns with your business goals and customer preferences, you can improve customer engagement, increase retention, and finally drive sales growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Types of Loyalty Programs You Should Know" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Loyalty programs play an essential role in retaining customers and driving engagement. Comprehending the five main types can help you choose the best strategy for your business. Always On Loyalty Programs provide immediate rewards, whereas Earn & Burn Programs let customers accumulate points for discounts. Tiered Programs offer escalating benefits for higher spending, and Premium Programs require a membership fee for exclusive perks. Finally, Gamified Programs incorporate game-like elements to improve customer interaction. Each type has its unique advantages, which can greatly impact customer loyalty and satisfaction. Key Takeaways Always On Loyalty Programs utilize instant rewards and conditional offers to boost customer loyalty, ideal for businesses with low purchase frequencies. Earn & Burn Loyalty Programs allow customers to accumulate points on purchases, promoting repeat business and enhancing satisfaction through redeemable rewards. Tiered Loyalty Programs reward customers based on spending, creating a structured system that offers increasingly valuable benefits, appealing to high-spending demographics. Premium Loyalty Programs charge a membership fee for exclusive benefits, targeting younger demographics with customized rewards and early access to products. Gamified Loyalty Programs engage customers through game-like elements, such as points and challenges, increasing retention rates by fostering community and competition. Always On Loyalty Programmes (Instant Reward Programmes) When you’re looking to improve customer loyalty, Always On Loyalty Programs, or Instant Reward Programs, can be a valuable tool. These types of loyalty programs utilize data insights to influence buying behavior through conditional rewards, encouraging actions like contract renewals and brand advocacy. They offer discounts across various sectors, including shopping, tech, and hospitality, making them ideal for businesses with low purchase frequencies. The simplicity of setup makes them particularly attractive for new businesses aiming to build customer loyalty efficiently. Nonetheless, a key challenge is establishing a partner network that provides compelling rewards, along with experienced personnel to manage the program effectively. Earn & Burn Loyalty Programmes Earn & Burn Loyalty Programs are designed to reward customers for their purchases by allowing them to accumulate points that can be redeemed for various rewards. These programs promote repeat purchases and improve customer satisfaction because of their simplicity. You can easily understand how to earn points and what rewards are available, which boosts engagement and loyalty. Here are three key features of Earn & Burn Loyalty Programs: Point Accumulation: You earn points based on your spending, encouraging more frequent purchases. Valuable Rewards: Points can be redeemed for exciting rewards, like discounts or exclusive items. Competitive Edge: Unique offerings are vital to stand out in a crowded market, ensuring customer retention and satisfaction. Tiered Loyalty Programmes Tiered loyalty programmes are designed to reward customers based on their spending and engagement, creating a structured system that improves the shopping experience. With these programmes, you earn points or status through your purchases, revealing increasingly valuable benefits as you move up the tiers. For example, the British Airways Executive Club rewards members with tier points for flights, granting them perks like upgrades and lounge access. This approach boosts customer engagement between high-value purchases, making it particularly effective in industries like hospitality and travel. Since around 62% of affluent consumers prioritize quality, tiered programmes resonate well with high-spending demographics. Premium Loyalty Programmes Premium loyalty programs offer a unique alternative to tiered systems, allowing dedicated consumers to access improved benefits by paying a membership fee. These programs are particularly effective in critical product categories and attract younger demographics. Here are three key features of premium loyalty programs: Exclusive Discounts: You receive special pricing on products or services, enhancing your overall value. Early Access to Products: Members often enjoy early access to new releases, allowing you to stay ahead of trends. Personalized Rewards: Customized benefits based on your shopping habits create a more engaging experience. Examples like Amazon Prime demonstrate strong customer retention and advocacy, showcasing the value of these programs. Regularly updating benefits is vital to meet expectations and justify membership fees. Gamified Loyalty Programmes As businesses seek innovative ways to engage customers, gamified loyalty programs have emerged as an influential tool to improve customer interaction and retention. These programs incorporate game-like elements such as points, badges, and challenges, encouraging repeat purchases. Features like progress tracking and leaderboards nurture a sense of community and competition, pushing you to reach higher statuses and rewards. Successful examples, like Starbucks Rewards, allow members to earn stars and reveal exclusive benefits, resulting in significant engagement. Studies show that gamification can increase customer retention rates by up to 30%, enhancing the experience and driving higher revenue. Feature Benefits Example Points System Encourages repeat purchases Earn stars at Starbucks Badges Recognizes customer achievements Revealing badges Challenges Engages customers with tasks Completing missions Leaderboards Promotes competition Ranking among peers Progress Tracking Visualizes customer experience Tracking earned rewards Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Most Popular Loyalty Program? The most popular loyalty program is the points-based system, where customers earn points for every dollar spent. This model is straightforward and encourages engagement. A leading example is Starbucks Rewards, with nearly 30 million members contributing considerably to store sales. Programs like Adidas‘ AdiClub and Sephora‘s Beauty Insider also illustrate the effectiveness of tiered rewards, motivating customers to spend more for better benefits. These programs create a strong incentive for repeat purchases and customer retention. What Are the 3 R’s of Loyalty? The 3 R’s of loyalty are Reward, Retain, and Refer. Reward involves giving incentives like points or discounts to encourage repeat purchases. Retain focuses on keeping customers satisfied and engaged to minimize churn, as retaining customers is often cheaper than acquiring new ones. Refer encourages satisfied customers to bring in new clients through bonuses or rewards, leveraging their positive experiences. Implementing these principles effectively can greatly increase customer lifetime value and overall sales. What Are the 4 C’s of Customer Loyalty? The 4 C’s of customer loyalty are Clarity, Consistency, Connection, and Community. Clarity means you clearly communicate the benefits of your loyalty program, so customers understand how to earn rewards. Consistency guarantees you deliver reliable experiences at every touchpoint, reinforcing trust. Connection involves building emotional ties through personalized interactions. Finally, Community nurtures belonging, encouraging customers to engage with your brand and each other, which improves their overall loyalty and strengthens relationships. What Are the 8 C’s of Customer Loyalty? The 8 C’s of customer loyalty are Clarity, Commitment, Consistency, Connection, Communication, Customer Experience, Community, and Customer-Centricity. Clarity guarantees customers understand your brand’s promises. Commitment encourages long-term relationships, whereas Consistency assures reliable service and rewards. Connection nurtures personal relationships with customers. Effective Communication keeps customers informed. A positive Customer Experience improves satisfaction. Building a strong Community creates a sense of belonging, and Customer-Centricity guarantees your strategies focus on the needs and preferences of your customers. Conclusion In conclusion, comprehending the five types of loyalty programs—Always On, Earn & Burn, Tiered, Premium, and Gamified—can help you choose the right strategy for your business. Each program has its unique advantages, whether it’s offering instant rewards, encouraging repeat purchases, or promoting competition among customers. By carefully selecting and implementing a program that aligns with your business goals and customer preferences, you can improve customer engagement, increase retention, and finally drive sales growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Types of Loyalty Programs You Should Know" was first published on Small Business Trends 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. At $464.99, the Insta360 X5 has hit its lowest price on record, according to price trackers—$85 off its usual $549.99. That alone might tempt anyone looking to up their action cam game, but it’s the sheer versatility of the X5 that justifies a closer look. Insta360 X5 $464.99 at Amazon $549.99 Save $85.00 Get Deal Get Deal $464.99 at Amazon $549.99 Save $85.00 This is a 360-degree camera that gets you crisp 8K footage, buttery slow-mo at 4K120fps, and even 72MP stills, notes PCMag’s “outstanding” review of the Insta360 X5 (they also deemed it the best action cam of 2025). The camera is waterproof up to 49 feet, with a durable build that’s lighter and slightly taller than its predecessor. Insta360 also added user-replaceable lenses this time, a welcome upgrade for anyone who’s ever worried about scratching a $500-plus camera lens while hiking or biking. Still, this isn’t a pick-up-and-go kind of gadget, at least not if you want to get the most out of it. Yes, the large 2.7-inch touchscreen and upgraded app make basic shooting and editing pretty intuitive. But editing 360-degree video, even with presets, comes with a learning curve. It’s not impossible, just something to factor in. On the plus side, the editing tools now include AI-powered templates and a Highlights Assistant that helps you find key moments while shooting. That, plus the voice and gesture controls, shows Insta360 is clearly trying to bridge the gap between advanced features and ease of use. And if you’re already familiar with the X4, the changes here—better waterproofing, a bigger battery, wind reduction upgrades—feel meaningful, not cosmetic. The 2,400mAh battery clocks up to 185 minutes of footage in endurance mode, though real-world use will vary. There’s also a long list of shooting modes (Road, TimeShift, Starlapse, Bullet Time, and more) for anyone who likes getting creative. Audio is solid, with improved wind noise reduction and Bluetooth mic support, though serious creators might still prefer external recording gear. All told, this is the kind of device that rewards experimentation. It's ideal for travel vloggers, extreme sports fans, or just anyone willing to learn the ropes. It’s not cheap, and it’s not simple. But if you're looking to shoot outside the standard frame and maybe even underwater, this deal is worth considering. Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?Yes, Amazon has Black Friday 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 Black Friday?Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday 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 who 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 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 Early Black Friday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $274.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) 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) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) 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) — $339.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $138.65 (List Price $179.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

House Democrats argue that HUD's cut to the Continuum of Care Program could push 170,000 people to homelessness. View the full article

A side-by-side review of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude based on real-world testing and the quality of their answers, recommendations, and usability. The post ChatGPT Vs. Gemini Vs. Claude: What Are The Differences? appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Since 2019, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has undergone a resurrection from discarded early 2000s mall brand to a sought after brand for millennials and older Gen Zs. Abercrombie reported $1.29 billion in revenue for quarter three, up 7% year-over-year. The Tuesday, November 25 earnings report is the 12th in a row with consecutive growth between quarters. The company also beat Wall Street’s predicted $1.28 billion in revenue and reached earnings per share of $2.36 earnings, rather than the estimated $2.16, according to consensus estimates cited by CNBC. Abercrombie’s shares (NYSE:ANF) closed Tuesday up more than 37% on Tuesday, though the stock is still down 39.63% from the start of 2025. Notably, the most recent growth of Abercrombie (the company) hasn’t been fueled by Abercrombie (the brand). This quarter saw the retail store’s net sales sink 2% YOY to $617.35 million — a 7% decrease in comparable sales. It’s an improvement from quarters one and two, during which the brand also saw declines in net sales: a 4% reduction YOY to $547.95 million in quarter one and a 5% drop YOY to $551,868 in quarter two. Instead, it was another brand beloved by millennials as teens that has held up the once logo tee and low-rise jean-adorned fort. Abercrombie-owned Hollister reported $673.27 million in net sales for the most recent quarter. This figure represents a 16% increase YOY and a 15% jump in comparable sales. Hollister’s success left the company with a 7% improvement in net sales YOY. Hollister has maintained significant positive growth, reporting 19% and 22% increases in net sales YOY during quarters one and two, respectively. In an earnings call for quarter two, CEO Fran Horowitz attributed the Abercrombie brand’s decline to marking down and selling old inventory. This time around, Horowitz appeared happy enough to have made progress, stating, “Abercrombie brands made sequential progress in-line with our expectations, and we are tightly managing inventory as we aim for fourth quarter brand net sales to be approximately flat to last year’s record.” Abercrombie expects a 6% to 7% growth overall for net sales in fiscal 2025, remaining confident it will reach a new record high. View the full article

A quick guide to Rachel Reeves’ main policy announcements and official economic forecastsView the full article

The Thanksgiving travel period is in full swing. Today is the last day before Thanksgiving, which means millions of Americans will be taking to the skies to reach their holiday destinations. And myriad more will also be traveling to airports to pick up their incoming loved ones. But on one of the busiest travel days of the year, flight delays and cancellations are inevitable. Here are some tools to track delays, along with information on which airports are currently experiencing the worst delays and cancellations. FAA says this is the busiest Thanksgiving travel period in 15 years Earlier this week, Fast Company reported on the American Automobile Association (AAA)’s latest data, which revealed that this Thanksgiving travel period will be the busiest in six years. The AAA defines the 2025 Thanksgiving travel period as running from Tuesday, November 25, to Monday, December 1. During that time, the AAA says 81.83 million Americans will be traveling by road, air, or other means, including 6.07 million by plane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released its own estimation, which largely concurs with the AAA’s data. Last Friday, the FAA announced that this Thanksgiving travel period will be the busiest in 15 years. The agency says that more than 360,000 flights will take place during the period, shuffling travelers to and from their Thanksgiving destinations. (It’s worth noting that the FAA’s Thanksgiving period differs slightly from the AAA’s period. The FAA says the Thanksgiving period runs from Monday, November 24, to Tuesday, December 2.) The FAA has also forecast the number of flights in the air for each day over the period, including: Monday, November 24: 48,173 Tuesday, November 25: 52,185 Wednesday, November 26: 50,130 Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving): 25,611 Friday, November 28: 41,560 Saturday, November 29: 46,288 Sunday, November 30: 51,268 Monday, December 1: 49,676 Tuesday, December 2: 47,423 The more flights scheduled, the greater the chance of delays and cancellations. This map reveals which airports currently have the most delays and cancellations Delays and cancellations happen for several reasons. According to the FAA, the top five causes of delays in the National Airspace System (NAS) include: Weather (which causes about 62.6% of all delay minutes) Volume (13.5%) Runway (8.3%) Equipment (1%) Other/Staffing (14.6%) In other words, even if it’s sunny and clear skies in the departure or arrival destinations, the sheer volume of scheduled flights, runway availability, equipment issues, and staffing issues can still cause delays. If you have to make a trip to the airport today for any reason, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on where delays are occurring, as they can not only cause flights to depart later than scheduled but also lead to increased crowds in terminals and parking lots. FlightAware.com offers an interactive map, aptly named the “Misery Map,” which shows the current delays at some of America’s busiest airports. As of the time of this writing, the Misery Map shows that between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today, 63 flights are currently delayed and 3 have been canceled (keep in mind, this information is updated regularly). The Misery Map shows that the highest number of delays during that time period is at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where nine delays are currently listed. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) currently has the next-most delays, at eight. All three presently listed cancellations for the period are from flights at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). For the day, FlightAware’s expanded data currently shows 549 delays for U.S. flights, as well as 25 cancellations. If you do need to head to the airport today, whether to catch a flight or pick someone up, the best practice is to track the relevant flight’s information directly in the airline’s app or on its website, and to contact the airline directly if you have any concerns about delays or cancellations. 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. The PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle is currently down to $299 for Black Friday, the lowest price it's hit so far, according to price trackers. This $100 discount makes Sony’s next-gen VR headset feel a lot more accessible, especially for PS5 owners who’ve been on the fence. PlayStation VR2 $299.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.99 Get Deal Get Deal $299.00 at Amazon $399.99 Save $100.99 The bundle includes the full VR2 setup and a copy of Horizon Call of the Mountain, a title built specifically to show off what the hardware can do. PCMag gave the PS VR2 an "outstanding" rating for good reason—this is a big leap from Sony’s first attempt at VR, with sharper visuals, better motion tracking, and more immersive gameplay. The PS VR2 runs at a resolution of 2,000 x 2,040 per eye, with a 120Hz refresh rate and full 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) tracking. Translation: It feels smooth and looks sharp, even during fast-paced movement. The eye-tracking tech is surprisingly useful, helping menus feel more intuitive and making foveated rendering possible (basically, games focus the highest resolution where you're actually looking). Setup is easy, and the build is lightweight, so it doesn’t take long to get going, and it doesn’t weigh your head down during longer sessions. The included Sense controllers are responsive and add physical feedback that makes everything from climbing to archery in Horizon feel a bit more tactile. That said, there are a few caveats. The PS VR2 only works with a PlayStation 5, and it isn’t backward-compatible with original PS VR games. So, if you already have a VR library from the first generation, you won’t be able to carry it over. The game library is growing, but it's still catching up to PC-based systems. Even so, for anyone new to VR or upgrading from older hardware, this bundle is one of the best values we’ve seen. At $299, you're getting one of the most polished VR experiences available right now, without diving into PC setups or spending double the price. 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. Does Apple do Black Friday?Yes, Apple participates in Black Friday, though you may want to compare their sales with other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but so far, the best Black Friday sale on an Apple product is the M4 MacBook on sale for cheaper than ever. Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?Yes, Amazon has Black Friday 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. Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $274.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) 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) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) 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) — $339.00 (List Price $399.00) WD 6TB My Passport USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive — $134.99 (List Price $179.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Publishers and search engines have long depended on ad placements and affiliate marketing to make money. Search engines rely on pay-per-click (PPC) models, while publishers blend display ads, affiliate links, and sponsored content. But with chat-based AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity on the rise, that foundation is starting to crack. If users get the information they need directly from AI, why would they keep clicking search ads or publisher display links? And as search engines push further into AI-driven results – including features like Google’s AI Mode – what incentive remains for users to engage with traditional ad units? If fewer people reach publisher sites at all, the core revenue models that have supported the open web begin to break down. The real numbers behind AI’s impact AI’s effect on the open web isn’t hypothetical – it’s already visible in the data. Google’s advertising revenue continues to grow, reaching $348.15 billion in 2024, but the growth rate is slowing. Year-over-year gains fell to 13.9% between 2023 and 2024, down from 41.3% during the pandemic. Broader economic factors played a role, but the trend also reflects fewer clicks and Google’s struggle to monetize AI-powered search features. Publishers are seeing even sharper declines. In September 2025, DMG Media reported an 89% drop in click-through rates, pointing directly to AI Overviews as a primary cause. Zero-click searches now make up nearly 60% of Google’s mobile queries, and AI Overviews appear for roughly 30% of processed searches. Informational publishers are hit hardest, as their content is often summarized before users have a reason to visit their sites. The Guardian recently noted that sites previously ranked first can lose up to 79% of traffic when pushed below an AI Overview – a trend some outlets describe as a “traffic apocalypse.” These numbers highlight a clear shift: users are getting what they need from AI-generated answers, not from publisher pages or traditional SERPs. With this foundation established, it’s clear why AI is reshaping publisher revenue models – and why search engines are feeling similar pressure. Dig deeper: The implosion of the blogging-for-dollars revenue model How AI is reshaping the economics of the open web Publisher pressures Publishers have long relied on paywalls, a trend that accelerated when featured snippets – now often replaced by AI Overviews – started answering queries directly. AI platforms like Google AI Mode, Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT push this further. If users get answers without ever reaching a publisher’s site, they never hit the paywall and never become subscribers. The result is a quieter, more invisible form of loss. Users don’t realize what content isn’t being used to generate their answers, and publishers that lock down too aggressively risk losing reach, voice, and influence. Subscription fatigue only adds to the challenge as consumers juggle multiple paid media services and may not see the value in text-based content alone. Sponsored content faces its own risks. While it may still influence users, attribution will get harder as AI platforms surface insights without sending traffic back to the source. Engagement may appear to come from AI providers instead of the publisher, creating another measurement gap in a long line of industry-wide data erosion. The decline of ad-based models – and how publishers can respond If users no longer visit publisher sites, they won’t see display ads, click affiliate links, or trigger video streams. Fewer impressions push CPMs down, affiliate revenue drops as AI responses rarely include those links, and video ad inventory shrinks as fewer people load video-heavy pages. To stay viable, publishers will have to rethink how they monetize and deliver value in an AI-driven environment. Subscriptions may still work, but they need to offer more than text – such as exclusive tools, unique data, or bundled services. With traditional advertising weakening, publishers may need to explore partnerships with AI platforms, invest in first-party data, or shift toward metrics that measure influence and visibility rather than clicks. Sponsored content and affiliate programs aren’t necessarily doomed, but they will require new approaches. This may include: Working directly with AI providers to ensure proper attribution. Integrating products and services more deeply into the publisher’s own ecosystem. Experimenting with formats that are more challenging for AI to abstract away. Publishers that diversify revenue, test emerging models, and find ways to stay visible in AI-driven environments will be far better positioned than those who double down on legacy tactics. Dig deeper: How AI media partnerships influence your brand visibility in genAI: Research Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Search engine pressures Search engines face a direct threat as AI answers reduce the need for traditional search behavior. PPC advertising remains their primary revenue source. This dependency is exactly why companies like Google delayed releasing their AI technologies until competitors forced their hand. Google has been developing similar capabilities for years, but its business model is tightly tied to clicks across its properties. AI-generated answers don’t produce those clicks, leaving Google with powerful technology that undermines its own revenue engine. Microsoft’s Bing faces similar constraints, while smaller players like DuckDuckGo or Brave may be able to adapt more quickly. Zero-click behavior will also accelerate. Google created much of this dynamic long before the advent of generative AI through the introduction of featured snippets. Now, AI Overviews and AI chatbots amplify it. Whether users adopt AI-driven search features like Google’s AI Mode or bypass search engines entirely for standalone AI tools, fewer clicks will be generated across the board – a clear revenue threat for every search provider. A broader shift in user behavior is also underway. As AI tools become more capable and trusted, traditional search will lose relevance. This transition won’t happen overnight, just as the early internet took time to evolve into a mainstream commercial environment. But the trajectory is clear: over time, more queries will move to AI platforms that give direct answers, not links. Advertiser confidence may erode as search audiences shrink. If fewer people rely on search engines, advertisers won’t be able to reach the same volume of users at the same cost. Search engines will need new monetization paths before this tipping point arrives. Supporting search verticals like maps, news, and shopping will also feel the impact as AI tools begin producing richer, more connected answers that further reduce traditional search traffic. The weakening of search ad models – and how engines may adapt Traditional PPC ads face declining clicks and impressions, which reduces ROI for advertisers and shrinks revenue for engines like Google. Display advertising suffers for similar reasons. If publisher sites receive less traffic, partner sites across the Google Display Network generate fewer impressions – a problem for both Google and the publishers themselves. As AI becomes more integrated into daily online behavior, advertising competition will diversify. Advertisers will likely use a wider mix of platforms, leading to a web that’s more distributed and less dominated by any single search giant. That’s healthy for the ecosystem but challenging for companies like Google, whose dominance relies on controlling the paths users take to information. Search engines will increasingly need to function as AI platform leaders, not just retrieval systems. While Google, Bing, and others are developing AI tools to keep pace with OpenAI and Anthropic, the challenge goes beyond technology. Their organizational structures and revenue models must evolve quickly – something large companies often struggle with. Even if tools like Google AI Mode or Gemini improve, the bigger question is whether these companies can restructure fast enough to stay relevant. To survive, search engines will need new revenue channels. Traditional PPC and display ads won’t be sufficient. Engines may explore premium AI subscriptions, paid features, or ads embedded directly into AI responses. Sponsored AI content and AI-native ad formats could replace click-based models. Measurement will need to shift as well, with greater emphasis on engagement, brand lift, and conversions rather than impressions or CPC. Ultimately, flexibility will determine which platforms endure. Large engines must overcome legacy systems that slow adaptation, while smaller or newer entrants may be able to innovate more aggressively. Experimentation, careful tracking of user behavior, and deeper integration of AI features will be critical in shaping the next generation of search. Dig deeper: AI search & the shift towards inauthenticity & commercial interests Scenario planning: What different levels of AI adoption mean AI adoption won’t rise evenly across all users or all query types. Different levels of reliance on AI answers will create very different outcomes for publishers and search engines. The scenarios below outline how the landscape could shift as adoption accelerates. Scenario 1: 30% AI query adoption (current) AI already generates snippets for nearly a third of search queries, primarily for simple informational questions such as “how to do X” or “what are the ingredients for Y.” Publisher impact Display ad revenue drops sharply for informational and news sites. Advertisers running display campaigns also see weaker returns. Affiliate revenue declines. Publishers with unique analysis or exclusive data hold onto more traffic and may earn AI citations, but still take a hit. Newsletters regain importance as publishers focus on direct audience relationships. Search engine impact Google keeps its lead, but margins tighten – for Google and for advertisers. PPC remains resilient for commercial-intent queries. Most vulnerable “How to” sites, news aggregators, mainstream news outlets, and basic product review sites. Scenario 2: 55% AI query adoption (medium term) AI now satisfies more than half of all queries. Traditional search becomes secondary for task-focused needs, pushing marketers to find new ways to promote their clients as search loses profitability. Publisher impact Ad-dependent publishers lose 40-60% of their search traffic, which for many is their main source of visits. Subscription models falter because users never hit the paywall – AI pulls useful snippets directly into results. Brands with strong recognition or exclusive first-party data retain more traffic. Small and mid-sized publishers begin consolidating or closing because content creation no longer pays. Search engine impact Paid search revenue drops significantly. Display network partners face severe declines. At this stage, search engines may pursue licensing deals with major publishers, though it’s unclear whether the economics would work for either side. Most vulnerable Mid-sized news outlets. Niche publishers in areas like travel, health, and finance. Affiliate-heavy sites. Scenario 3: 85% AI query adoption (long term) AI becomes the primary interface for finding, retrieving, and consuming information. AI platforms – search-integrated or standalone – share dominance at the scale Google holds today. Traditional search remains only for specific use cases, much like information-retrieval methods after SEO emerged. Publisher impact Traditional publishing business models largely collapse. Only premium subscription publishers with deeply loyal audiences survive in familiar form. Content creation shifts toward licensing deals as publishers act more like data suppliers than consumer-facing brands. Search engine impact Paid search as we know it disappears or transforms so much that “PPC” no longer applies – there simply aren’t many clicks. Revenue moves to AI subscriptions, licensing, and sponsored responses. AI-first companies like OpenAI and Anthropic gain major share unless Google dramatically improves its AI offerings. What survives Investigative journalism with strong institutional support, highly specialized publishers with active expert communities, entertainment brands with strong social reach, and commerce-integrated publishing platforms. Few of these commerce-connected models exist at the necessary scale today, suggesting a major shift in the publishing landscape ahead. Emerging AI-native revenue models Traditional web advertising may lose momentum, but new revenue models are already taking shape. AI platform advertising As more platforms adopt AI, they’re weaving it directly into their ad systems. A recent CNN report showed Meta racing to merge its AI chatbot with commercial activity – the headline put it bluntly: “Meta will soon use your conversations with its AI chatbot to sell you stuff.” For now, that means AI chats fuel traditional ads. The real question is how long until the model flips and AI becomes the primary advertising engine. Perplexity also began testing integrated ads in November 2024. Everyone is rushing to integrate AI with monetization. Who wins is still anyone’s guess. Dig deeper: Perplexity expands publisher ad revenue sharing program Content licensing agreements In May 2024, News Corp signed a deal with OpenAI to bring premium journalism into its models. It’s one example of a growing trend: major publishers partnering with AI companies to stay relevant. These deals reflect a simple reality – adapt or fade out. Beyond traditional models: Large publisher adaptation ChatGPT has already proved that people will pay for AI subscriptions. On Nov. 6, 2025, CNBC reported that OpenAI is on track to surpass $20 billion in annualized revenue. Other players, like Anthropic with Claude, are seeing similar traction. Large publishers with loyal audiences and unique data benefit the most. They’re using AI to amplify their research, streamline production, and differentiate their content. Those with proprietary datasets will survive. Those who rely on recycled or syndicated information face a harsh reckoning. Traditional SEO conditioned publishers to aggregate other people’s data for traffic. In the next era, value-add becomes non-negotiable. Critics talk about “AI slop,” but much human-produced content has been recycled slop for years. In many ways, AI is forcing the industry to confront a problem it created. Preparing for an AI-shaped information economy AI is on a steady path toward becoming the primary way people access information. These shifts unfold over years, but the pace is accelerating. The countdown has started. Prepare for an information landscape shaped by AI. Whether we welcome it or not, the transition is underway – and everyone will need to adapt. View the full article

Burden to reach 38% of GDP by end of parliamentView the full article

The Mortgage Bankers Association's index of home-purchase applications jumped 7.6% to 181.6 in the week ended Nov. 21, data from the group showed Wednesday. View the full article

Google's John Mueller made a joke about how next year, SEO companies will be offering GEO-Detox services as a billable line item after many of the SEO companies already billed their clients for GEO services.View the full article

Google Ads has supported adding WhatsApp Messenger for a while to your ad extensions. Now, it seems Google is also rolling out support for more messaging apps, including Facebook Messenger and Zalo, the Vietnamese instant messaging multi-platform service.View the full article

The Google local pack within the Google Search results changes, I think. When you click on the "More businesses" button at the bottom of the local pack, you aren't taken into Google Maps anymore; you are taken to the Google Places tab. And then when you scroll to see more, the pagination is broken.View the full article