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User interactions, also called UX signals or user signals, include things like clicks, scrolls, swipes, and mouse hovers. These now play a major role in how Google ranks content and which brands gain more visibility in search results. Here’s everything…Read more ›View the full article

Google's John Mueller offers a thoughtful answer to a question about keyword cannibalization. The post Google Answers SEO Question About Keyword Cannibalization appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

You’re showing up consistently on Instagram— creating high-quality content, getting views, reaching new people. But maybe you're wondering why the likes, comments, and shares aren't quite where you'd hoped they'd be. If you’re doing all that, our content itself probably isn’t the issue. You just need to fine-tune your Instagram engagement strategy to better connect with your audience and build a loyal community. In this blog post, I’ll share 11 evidence-backed strategies that will help you increase your engagement rate on Instagram. What is Instagram engagement?Instagram engagement is a measure of how your audience interacts with your content beyond just viewing it. Whenever your audience takes an action after seeing your post, it qualifies as an engagement. These actions can be: LikingCommentingSharingRepostingSaving“The engagement rate on your content is more important than your follower count,” says Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram. “Followers are important, yes, but a better sign of how you’re doing on Instagram is how many likes, views, and reshares your content is getting.” Why does Instagram engagement matter?Engagement rate on Instagram isn’t just important because Mosseri said so (although that’s a pretty big deal). But also because: 1. Instagram engagement helps you understand the kind of content that resonates with your target audience. When you know what your followers like, you can replicate that content and refine your strategy. 2. The Instagram algorithm loves posts that get engagement. High engagement rate = sign that people love your post. So, the algorithm pushes it to more people. This means that when you work to increase your Instagram engagement, you create a domino effect where you also improve your reach and, by extension, gain more followers. Talk about a win-win! 3. Lastly, engagement isn't just about metrics. Social media is about building a deeper connection with your audience. Strengthening engagement is an excellent way to achieve that. “A lot of creators (and brands) treat Instagram like a broadcast channel rather than a two-way street. Posting is easy to systemise. Engaging requires time, nuance, and often a willingness to step outside of your content calendar. That’s why it gets deprioritised,” says social media expert Annie-Mai Hodge. “The irony is that the same people who skip engagement are usually the ones frustrated when their audience doesn’t rally behind their launches or projects. The benefits of engaging are very real: you build trust, you create a sense of loyalty, and you make people feel like they’re part of your world, not just spectators of it.” So now that we've covered why engagement matters, let's look at how to actually measure it. How to calculate your Instagram engagement rateYou can measure engagement on Instagram for each post by seeing how many likes, comments, shares, reposts, and saves it has. Here are the two most common formulas you can use to measure your Instagram engagement rate. By impressions: (Total engagements ÷ Total impressions) × 100By followers: (Total engagements ÷ Follower count) × 100Engagements include likes, comments, shares, saves, and reposts. If you use Buffer, the analytics dashboard does the math for you. Instagram engagement rate based on impressionsWhen you measure your engagement rate using impressions, you see insights based on how many people saw your post — regardless of whether they follow you. This method is best for Instagram Reels, where the reach extends beyond your followers. For example, if your post was seen 1,000 times (impressions) and received 30 engagements (likes, comments, shares, saves, and reposts), your engagement rate would be 3%. If you use a social media management software like Buffer to schedule your Instagram posts, it calculates the engagement rate for you. Here’s how that looks in Buffer. Use the impressions-based engagement rate calculator to understand how your Instagram engagement compares to your overall visibility. That’s great since Instagram is also increasingly pushing your content to non-followers. Instagram engagement rate based on follower countThe engagement formula based on follower count helps you understand how your existing followers are interacting with your content. Here’s the formula to measure your engagement rate this way: For example, if you have 1,000 followers and one of your posts had 70 likes, 15 comments, and five shares, your engagement rate would be 9%. Follower-based engagement rates are good for understanding whether your content is resonating with your followers. But it doesn’t tell you how many of your existing followers actually saw your content — that’s where an impressions-based Instagram engagement calculator would work better. Instagram engagement rate calculatorsThere are several free Instagram engagement rate calculators online to help you understand the overall engagement of your Instagram account (rather than just a single post). But these tools often use different formulas to calculate the engagement rate. For example, Modash’s free engagement rate calculator uses median likes divided by followers as its formula. But the Socialinsider Instagram engagement rate calculator takes a follower-based approach. It measures the engagement rate by calculating the sum of likes and comments divided by the number of posts in the last 30 days. Then it divides that number by the total number of followers. Whichever Instagram engagement calculator you use, remember to check the metrics they’re using in their formula. This will help you understand if you’re getting the insights about what you actually want to know. Most Instagram engagement rate calculators online take a follower-based approach. For more nuanced insights into your engagement rate based on impressions, rely on a tool like Buffer. Bonus: It can also help you manage your entire social media strategy in one place. What is a good engagement rate on Instagram?A ‘good’ engagement rate depends on various factors. In some industries, even 1% can be a high engagement rate — it doesn’t mean your content is falling flat. But the factor that has the most influence on engagement rate is the follower count. Buffer analyzed 27 million posts from 273,000 accounts to understand how engagement shifts as creators grow. The median engagement rate for the average Instagram account is 4.3%. But if you’re a small account with up to 1,000 followers, the median number climbs to 5.2%. The median continues to shift as you grow a large following. 💡Learn more about how the median engagement rate changes as your followers increase: What Is A Good Instagram Engagement Rate? Data from 27 Million+ Instagram PostsWhile the above metrics are helpful as a benchmark, don’t chase numbers alone. Instead, focus on creating content that your audience finds valuable. Track your individual progress and focus on the posts that get the most interactions. How to get more engagement on Instagram: 11 waysBefore we dive into the strategies, here's something to keep in mind: Instagram offers a lot of ways to engage with your audience. Wondering how to use all these features can be overwhelming. Should you engage more on stories than broadcast channels? Should you prioritize responding to comments or DMs? “Mix features throughout the week so you’re meeting your audience at different touchpoints, whether that’s stories, Broadcast Channels, Notes, or comments. Think about these features less as a checklist of engagement, and more as different layers of interaction,” says Annie-Mai. “Stories and Notes are low-stakes and invite quick taps or replies, while comments and channels create space for deeper exchanges. Test all of them for a few months, then look closely at where your community actually invests attention. The balance should be driven by where you see the richest back-and-forth, not by trying to tick every box.” That said, here are 11 tried-and-tested tips to help you increase your Instagram engagement. Let’s get into it. 1. Ask specific questions in your captions as a call-to-actionAsking specific questions in your Instagram captions is one of the easiest ways to increase engagement. It helps start a dialogue and encourages your audience to comment on your post. “Create engaging content that sparks a conversation. And I don’t mean rage bait; I mean content that poses a question for the audience, that feels very relatable, or that touches on common pain points,” says Mireia Boronat, Marketing Manager at The Social Shepherd. “Such content will always spark conversation in the comment section, as well as making the post more likely to be engaged with (liked, saved, and shared).” For example, see some call-to-action prompts from fitness creator Adriana Blanc. Both of these posts entice people to interact with her content and share their own opinions or stories. Pro tip: Asking your audience if they’d like a second part of a post is also an excellent way to test content ideas. Another easy way to improve your post’s visibility is to add three to five relevant hashtags in each post. They help the algorithm categorize your content and boost your Instagram search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Your call-to-action (CTA) should be relevant to the context of your Instagram post (duh). Still, it can be incredibly helpful to keep the intent of ‘conversation’ front and center in the ideation stage. 2. Respond to your audience in comments and DMsYour effort to build engagement doesn’t end when you encourage your audience to comment. Instead, it begins at that moment. Your community won’t be excited to comment on your posts if you don’t respond to them. No one wants to talk to a wall. When you reply to comments, your followers feel heard and valued. Instagram also sees the engagement as a positive signal and continues to push your post to potential new followers. “If you could only pick one way to engage with your audience, comments is the one to go for,” says Mireia. “Communicating with existing followers and cultivating that safe space for communication encourages them to comment again in the future.” To continue the previous example, Adriana doesn’t just start conversations using specific CTAs in her caption — she actually responds to as many comments as possible. If you’re using Buffer, you can schedule, analyze, and even engage directly from the tool. Head over to the ‘Community’ tab to filter for unanswered comments. Your post comments can also be an excellent place to practice social listening. Analyzing the comments from your audience can help you ignite content ideas and dive deeper into your community’s struggles. Instagram even gives you the option to respond to comments with a reel. It’s a big way to show your audience that you’re listening. SourceResponding to comments is an easy way to boost the engagement of your post. But also take out the time to reply to your audience’s direct messages (DMs) — even if that doesn’t directly increase your engagement rate. Remember, engagement isn’t just about metrics. It’s also about fostering a sense of belonging with your audience. “But my inbox is a mess!” I hear you. Luckily, Instagram is also working on making DMs more manageable for creators. You can sort your inbox based on various parameters — such as story replies, unread, unanswered, followers, and verified. You can even create new inbox folders to customize this for yourself. To summarize: If your audience is showing up for you in comments and DMs, do the same for them. It’ll not only boost your engagement, but also help you feel more connected to the community you’re working so hard to build. 3. Reshare your posts in Instagram Stories and Broadcast ChannelsThis one’s an easy and quick tip — whenever you post to your feed, reshare your content on your stories and broadcast channel. Some Instagram users who follow you might miss your recent content if they haven’t opened the app in a while. They also won't know about a new post unless their algorithm shows it at the top. Resharing your content gives you a second chance to improve its visibility with your existing followers. Here’s an example of how skincare creator Aishwarya Kandpal uses her stories and Broadcast Channel to reshare her content. Pro tip: You can also reshare old content from your Instagram account if you find the opportunity. For example, if you’ve created a post about back-to-school season last year, you can reshare it again this September because the content is relevant again. Psstt…speaking of back-to-school content, we’ve added ideas for this theme’s post in our ever-growing template library. Use them if you don’t want to start from scratch. If back-to-school ideas aren't your thing, there are plenty more templates where that came from! 4. Post when your audience is onlinePosting when your target audience is online is an easy way to increase engagement. Publishing content when your audience is already online increases the chances they’ll see your post and engage. According to Buffer’s analysis of over two million posts, the best time to post on Instagram is 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. To understand the worst times to post on Instagram and how we calculated these insights, watch this video: You can also see personalized insights about when your audience is the most active using your Instagram analytics. On the app, open your profile and tap the ☰ menu in the top-right corner.Choose Insights → Total followers.Scroll to Most active times to see the hours and days your community is online.Note: You need an Instagram business account or creator account to get access to these insights. 5. Share more carouselsAccording to a Buffer study of over four million Instagram posts, carousels get 12% more engagement than reels. Reels still take the cake when it comes to getting more reach. But carousels are the winners for increasing engagement (compared to both videos and single-image posts). The multiple frames in Instagram Carousels provide more chances for your post to show up in followers’ feeds. If someone swiped on one of your carousel images and didn’t see the rest, Instagram will reattempt to show them the remaining images or videos in that post. Instagram users also behave differently with carousels. In the reels tab, they’re more likely to keep swiping up. But in carousels — which appear more often on the home and explore feed — they’ll likely pause and interact. ⚡Learn more: Why You Should Use Instagram Carousels + 10 Ideas to Get You Started6. Use Instagram Stories to connect with your followersInstagram Stories can’t help you get more followers or reach new users, but they are an excellent feature to deepen the connection with your existing followers. And consistent interaction with the community that’s already invested in you is an essential element of a wholesome engagement strategy. “Stories are an important way of engaging accounts that already follow you. Behind-the-scenes content and day-in-the-life type of content tends to do the best on stories,” says Mosseri. “We’ve also found that creators who post to stories often see fewer unfollows than creators who don’t, which can lead to stronger growth over time.” The best part is that stories offer plenty of features to interact with your followers. Question stickers help you answer your followers’ questions or collect audience opinions/examples on a topic.Quiz stickers allow you to choose the ‘right’ answer from various options. You can use this to educate your followers on a topic, tease the date of a new launch, etc.Poll stickers let your audience choose between two options. You can use these to understand follower preferences about anything.Countdown stickers help you build hype about a new post, live, or any other event so your audience can set reminders to tune in as soon as the timer goes off.Close Friends lets you add your loyal fanbase to a list of their own, giving them access to exclusive content, discounts, events, and more.Emoji sliders can help you gauge what your followers feel about a particular topic.Reveal stickers encourage your audience to DM you — which further enables a more direct line to your audience.‘Add yours’ sticker lets you create a public story thread in which your audience can participate, too. It’s an excellent way to collect loads of user-generated content (UGC).Notify stickers let your audience turn on notifications so they don’t miss your content. Stories offer a lot of room to be creative and interactive with your audience. Show up here as frequently as possible to strengthen your connection with your followers. The best part is you don’t have to be super polished here. Stories are specifically designed for more real-time sharing — leaving room to have fun and show up as you are ⚡Learn more: The Complete Guide to Using Instagram Stories to Boost Engagement7. Add audio to your posts (especially trending sounds)Using audio in your posts is one of the best ways to increase engagement. “I always recommend using audio on reels, photos, and carousels,” says Mosseri. “It can help with engagement. With reels specifically, it means you can show up on audio pages where a lot of people go for inspiration.” Now, the audio can be anything — a voiceover, a song, etc. But to expand your reach even further, use trending sounds with your posts. The algorithm loves them and pushes the content that contains trending audios to more people. 🎶Find the trending sounds on Instagram: 17 Trending Sounds on Instagram in 2025 (+ How to Use Them)8. Collaborate with creators, influencers, or brandsPartnering with other creators is a common way to boost your reach. But it can also help improve your engagement. The content you create together is automatically exposed to a new segment of users on the app — ones who already trust and follow your co-creator. Ombachi Dennis is an excellent example of how to ace collab posts with various kinds of creators. The only requirement is that they should be adjacent to your niche, allowing you to reach relevant new audiences. As a food creator, Ombachi often finds creators who share his interest in cooking or align with his overall mission and values. If you’re a small business, find and partner with relevant Instagram influencers to increase your reach and engagement. For example, Made Good Foods often partners with climate activist creator Lauren Bash to promote their products to a new audience. Partnering with creators or Instagram influencers in your niche also paves the way for more creative and fresh content in your own account. 9. Create shareable Instagram contentInstagram doesn’t just value likes and comments; it also looks at shares to understand how valuable your content is to your audience. “One of the most important signals we use in ranking is sends per reach. When you’re creating content, think about creating something that people would want to send to a friend,” advises Mosseri. “Don’t force it, but sends are one of the biggest signals we use in ranking and can help your reach over time.” It makes sense: Shares indicate a deeper level of interaction than passive likes. To create shareable content, take a few steps back and ask: What kind of posts would my audience share with their friends? Why? For example, I shared this post with my friend recently because she's moving to a new place and arranging her furniture to match the space. Now, yes, the shareability here was more about timing. But there are some common threads between the content that people usually share with their friends: Relatable content: This can be memes or conversations within your niche that someone finds relatable. I often share book reels with my reader friends, for instance.Conversation starters: Share an opinion (specific to your niche) and content that starts a conversation. I often share hot takes I want to discuss with friends.Emotional and storytelling-driven content: Spark an emotion using a story. This can be a funny behind-the-scenes video or a mini, vulnerable rant. People often share this because it makes them laugh and connect with others.As Mosseri suggested, don’t force it. But do your best to mix a few easily shareable posts in your content calendar. 10. Create save-worthy contentSimilar to shares, saves also encourage your audience to view (and potentially, engage) with your content multiple times. I know I’ve saved a ton of recipes, fashion hacks, tool recommendation reels, and travel tips that I’ve referred back to and engaged with. Take this example directly from my saved folder — the creator here has shared various healthy snacks she orders from an app I use frequently. I’ve saved it for those times when I have hunger pangs. I also open it when I’m restocking my snack stash. Here are some formats you can use to create saveable content: How-to tutorials (how to bake banana bread at home)Lists and roundups (your top favorite protein-packed recipes) Pro tips on acing something (3 tips to sneak more fibre in your diet)Inspiration boards (5 weeknight recipes that are quick and easy to make)Common mistakes to avoid (5 things to know before you start adding more protein in your daily diet)Templates and frameworks (5 ingredients you can mix-and-match for a delicious and healthy smoothie)Pro tip: Nudge your audience to save a post if you think they’d want to refer to it later. Say it as a CTA: “Save this for when [specific situation]”. It’s a small thing, but it can help increase engagement on your posts. 11. Try Instagram’s new features earlyInstagram rolls out new features frequently. Since the pandemic, they’ve launched Broadcast Channels, Notes, Reposts, Maps — I’m sure I’m still missing a few. Being an early adopter can lead to engagement spikes. Why? Instagram wants people to use their new features and creators who do so are rewarded with increased visibility. Case in point: Mosseri recently said that creators who use Instagram’s new app, Edits, to edit their videos will see a little more reach. How do you stay on top of Instagram’s new feature updates? Follow Adam Mosseri and Instagram’s Creators accountRead the latest posts in Buffer’s blogHopping on the bandwagon early also lets you adapt your strategy to the latest functionalities. The early-mover advantage will help you ace the new features before everyone else hops on. ✨Learn about Instagram’s latest features and how to use them. Engagement is not just about numbersIt can be tempting to chase hacky growth tips that promise a boosted engagement rate. But metrics aren’t the only thing that matters when it comes to engagement. At its core, engagement is about creating genuine, two-way conversations with your audience. Focus on that and the numbers will follow suit. And if you want to make engagement, posting, and tracking easier, give Buffer a try (at no cost!). You can schedule your posts, engage with your tribe, analyze your performance, and a lot more. More Instagram resourcesInstagram SEO: How to Rank on Instagram and Get Your Posts on GoogleHow Often Should You Post on Instagram in 2025? What Data From 2 Million Posts Tells UsInstagram Marketing in 2025: The Complete Guide to Form Your Strategy (+ Best Practices)View the full article

Google says the August 2025 spam update has finished rolling out worldwide. The post Google Confirms August Spam Update Is Complete appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss told a coworker I’m full of myself I was hired from outside the organization two months ago to turn a lagging department around. My boss, the CEO, was hired from outside about eight months ago for the same reason. This week my peer told me, “I told Boss that he knocked it out of the park hiring you. He said ‘Yep, and she really sings her praises, too.’” I’m sooo embarrassed. I had no idea that I’d made any comments that came across that way, let alone enough to be a trend. My confidence is badly shaken. I have been critical to my boss about many things I have found going on in my division, and then I have outlined for him how I am changing them. I have often said things like, “Why would my predecessors have done this that way? It doesn’t make any sense!” I can absolutely see why this came across poorly. I’ve been trying to demonstrate that I am doing what he hired me to do: identifying problems and implementing solutions. Instead, I’ve just come across terribly. In addition to changing my behavior immediately, should I address this topic with him generally, without mentioning that I heard this feedback from my peer? Yeah, criticizing your predecessors isn’t great in most circumstances. You can factually report on things you’ve found that need to be changed, but generally you should do it without editorializing about their judgment. I probably wouldn’t raise it with your boss at this point; just be very deliberate about not doing it any more and that will hopefully take care of it. That said, if you’d be more comfortable addressing it, you could say something like, “I realized I’ve sounded critical of Marcel and Paige, and I didn’t mean to. I’m sure they had reasons for setting things up the way they did, and I don’t have the context they did.” You could also make a point of looking for opportunities to demonstrate humility and to genuinely praise others, both of which should be helpful in counteracting whatever early impression he might have formed. 2. We don’t want employees wearing shirts with political messages I’m a manager at a very small and young company. We do not have HR, and we’re trying to figure out an employee code of conduct that is both respectful and legal. Our company provides services to the public as a whole, though we especially cater to and market to queer/trans, BIPOC, and other marginalized communities. As such, many of the people who choose to work for us are members of those communities (though not all) and are generally quite politically liberal. Recently one of our customer service employees wore an item of clothing that showed their ideological view on a subject that is both controversial and often associated with liberal views, but the subject was in no way related to the work we do. I personally do not agree with the view, but my feeling is that even if I did agree with it, it was an inappropriate thing to wear in that setting since it 1) wasn’t relevant to our work, and 2) could be upsetting to some of our customers. Also, a member of our staff was wearing it at work could imply that we as the organization hold views that we definitely do not. As a result, we on the leadership team are talking about producing company-branded shirts and asking our employees to wear those. While that may take care of the immediate clothing issue, we’d like to create a dress code and/or code of conduct that makes it clear that we will continue to be obvious about our support and inclusion of marginalized communities, but we also discourage display or discussion of other political views when they are not relevant to the purpose of our work. Do you have any guidance for how to draw that line? Switching over to requiring a company shirt every day — essentially a uniform — is an overreaction unless there’s some other reason to do that. You can simply have a dress code that prohibits political messages on clothing (or messages/writing/images if that seems easier/cleaner than debating what counts as “political” and what doesn’t) — which is a very common and routine policy for employers to have. Explain that it’s to avoid alienating customers who hold different views and to avoid giving the impression that the organization itself endorses the viewpoint. You can note that the organization very well might endorse the viewpoint, but it’s impractical to evaluate every t-shirt in advance to ensure it’s aligned with your messaging. If people seem irked because they think some messages should obviously be allowed (for example, a pro-equality t-shirt), explain that without a blanket ban you’ll end up spending time debating exactly where the lines are, which will end up distracting from the actual work you’re there to do. (And I write this as someone who won’t be returning to a massage clinic I’ve gone to for years because I don’t want a massage from someone whose water bottle has a sticker inciting violence against Jews. People do remove their business over this stuff.) 3. Everyone has suddenly started using my full name My name is a very standard first name for American men, but I go by a very standard nickname of said first name both personally and professionally (think “Matthew” and “Matt”). I’ve been at my current job for a little over two years and have rarely had a problem with people calling me “Matt” before the last couple of months. At the end of our staff retreat in June, one of our executives referred to me as Matthew in front of our entire staff. I made a joke about him using my “government name” and that being absurd as I’ve always gone by Matt, which he apologized for. Beginning around the same time, he’s done it again, our CEO has done it, directors have done it. I’m getting introduced to external partners as Matthew. I just learned that one of the interns I managed from the summer, when she and I had a discussion about others calling me by the wrong name, referred to me by my full first name in a social media post. I realize this has a different flair than the standard “manager compulsively nicknaming employees,” and it feels silly, but I feel wildly disrespected. While my full first name is a great name that I enjoy, none of these people are my mother and I feel like I’m about to get scolded. I began at this company with my nickname and that’s how everyone has met me. There are only 25 of us and I’ve been in roles spanning across the organization; everyone knows me, and this is not from a lack of familiarity. I’m extremely consistent about correcting people when it happens and reinforcing that my name is, in fact, Matt, but it keeps happening and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not being taken seriously because of this. What would you advise? That’s extremely odd! Can you just address it directly with each person who does it the next time they do? For example: “You and others recently started calling me Matthew, but I’ve always gone by Matt. Can you return to using Matt?” And then if that same person does it again: “Okay, what is up with this? It’s Matt, and I’m baffled about why everyone has switched en masse. Can you help me remind people it’s Matt?” And from there, if it still keeps happening, just correct it every time and move on: “It’s Matt. The answer to your question about oatmeal research is…” 4. Is this interview request excessive? I’m in the middle of a lengthy job hunt and am midway through an interview process for a fairly senior role where they have now asked me to create a 30-minute roadmap presentation for the future of their product. To support this, they’ve sent me 8(!)+ hours of video training and several lengthy scholarly articles that I need to read all before even starting the work — with the interview in less than a week. This feels excessive to me but I’m looking for a gut check. I haven’t interviewed in years and that was for entry-level positions. My years of reading AAM are throwing up flags but with how the job market is now it’s also hard to feel like I should just stop this process. It’s excessive — the eight hours of video “training” (?!) more than the rest of it. Whether or not that means you should decline to do it is a different question; you’ve got to factor in how much you want the job, your sense of how strong a candidate they think you are, and how many other options you have. But it’s excessive, for sure. Related: should you do free work as part of a job interview? 5. Announcing a new job if you just announced a different job You’ve written before about how to handle having to turn down a job offer that you already accepted. My question is, how do you handle the announcement to peers on LinkedIn and the like when you make a sudden switch like that? This is all still hypothetical, but it could very quickly become something I have to contend with. I recently accepted an offer for a contract gig after a long search and posted my happy news on LinkedIn, receiving many congratulatory accolades from colleagues and friends. After accepting, I canceled an interview for a second contract gig that had been scheduled for a few days later. Though the job description was a good match for me, the rate was ridiculously low and the recruiter hadn’t gotten back to me when I emailed him about raising it. The evening after I notified him of my withdrawal, the recruiter suddenly came back saying the client is very interested in me and they may be able to make me a better deal than the one I accepted and they want me to keep the original interview slot. I want to be ethical and professional, but what’s the best move here? Is it wrong to at least hear them out? I want to be an honorable person, but this is a brutal job market and I’ve been laid off twice in two years, so I also need to do what’s best for me and my family as well. Sigh. Even if it doesn’t make me a horrible person, just the thought of rescinding my acceptance and disappointing/angering/inconveniencing so many people makes me feel like a monster. Finally, back to that LinkedIn announcement. If I did accept the second gig and had to rescind my acceptance of the first one, what should I do about that post? Just leave it to gather dust? Quietly delete it and eventually change my status to reflect my new job? Post an explanation (apology?) of what happened with a new announcement? Delete my LinkedIn profile altogether and go into hiding? Something else? Go to the interview and assess the job (and their offer, if one materializes). You get to do what’s best for you, including backing out of an offer if a better one materializes. It’s business! For LinkedIn, you’d just write something like, “Change in plans! I’m happy to announce that I’ll be working as a senior frog historian for the Amphibian Coalition, beginning next week.” That part isn’t a big deal; people know this stuff happens. The post my boss told a coworker I’m full of myself, employees wearing shirts with political messages, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. 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The past week's news from around the world of Wi-Fi - enjoy. The post Roundup: Meta’s spectacular fail, Zyxel Networks’ 5G/Wi-Fi 7 router, Vodafone’s RDK-B, & Ookla’s Wi-Fi Speedtest for venues appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

Seven tips for being a strong acquirer. By Ira Rosenbloom Go PRO for members-only access to more Ira Rosenbloom. View the full article

Seven tips for being a strong acquirer. By Ira Rosenbloom Go PRO for members-only access to more Ira Rosenbloom. View the full article

Big Four competitors are watching closely. Should you? Accounting Influencers With Rob Brown Go PRO for members-only access to more Rob Brown. View the full article

Big Four competitors are watching closely. Should you? Accounting Influencers With Rob Brown Go PRO for members-only access to more Rob Brown. View the full article

THE group(s) we identify with influence who we are – our thinking and behavior. We are a reflection of the groups we identify with. In The Collective Edge, Colin Fisher explains that “Understanding human behavior means understanding group dynamics—the obvious and hidden ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by groups.” In addition, “Whether you want to change yourself, your work group, or the world, you need to work with the invisible forces of group dynamics instead of being mindlessly pushed around by them.” We tend to think in terms of individual actors rather than groups, especially when it comes to leadership. Whether things go right or wrong, we look for individualistic explanations, overlooking the role of groups. Fisher reimagines leadership “not as the province of individual heroes and villains, but as a team sport in which we all do our part to improve and maintain our groups’ fundamental structure.” Cooperation depends on the group. We tend to overemphasize the individualistic mindset, focusing on the individual rather than the influence of the group the individual is a part of. The answer to many of today’s problems rests in group dynamics. “Groups offer: a vehicle to accomplish what you can’t do alone and provide a sense of belonging.” Under what conditions does effective collaboration take place? Group synergy requires differences in what people know, think, and do. When a group is too similar in thinking, we get conformity. Too diverse, and the group may struggle to come together, but that’s not always the case. Conformity is not all bad, as we might first imagine. We need some conformity to cooperate. The need to fit in is one of the most powerful forms of social control over human behavior. “Being a member of a group changes how people see reality. Two groups can see the same event but believe wildly different things about it. Groups are a lens through which members view what is true. When a situation is new and uncertain, norms emerge quickly and most people fall in line rather than sticking up for their own (weakly held) points of view. In fact, many people adopt group norms so quickly, they don’t even realize they changed their own views.” When we disagree with others, we should become like detectives. “When there’s disagreement, members should ask: ‘Why did you think that? What led you to that view?’” Seek out information before making a decision or judgment. When adding new members to our group, before rushing in to indoctrinate them, we have an opportunity to learn. In doing so, we help fight conformity. Other people think differently from us, and hearing their perspectives helps us make better decisions. “Competition is a powerful motivator, but you need to know when it helps and when it hurts performance.” Done right, competition can bring out the best in others. But competition is often not about getting better but winning. Something to keep in mind: “When you are doing well-mastered tasks, competing can spur you on to new heights. But when you are still learning, competing is likely to hurt you.” The productive side of conflict is called task conflict—differences in ideas—how or what. But when disagreements turn personal, we have relational conflict. Relational conflict derails the group from problem-solving and breeds contempt and the cohesion of the group itself. Group splits are common when relational conflict arises. “Intergroup conflict can temporarily be put aside when we find common causes that allow us to see ourselves as part of a larger, shared group.” We’ve seen too many groups split because they can’t work from what they share in common. There are people in every group who try to stir up trouble. “They’re the ones who try to keep groups apart and encourage prejudice and conflict. Those who look to blame any problem on the other group and stoke anger. Those who demonize and dehumanize others.” A productive group will keep the conflict focused on the task and not on other people. Fisher says, “The main signs of relationship conflict I look for are personal attributions, or when members start talking about others in terms of traits or dispositions rather than the specific issue at hand.” Group leadership should be shared. We all share a responsibility to the group. “People use ‘leadership’ as a cognitive shortcut when trying to understand the causes of complex collective phenomena.” We look at the wrong thing. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. * * * View the full article

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. Here are the rules for the weekend posts. Book recommendation of the week: Sister Wife, by Christine Brown Woolley. I don’t know what made me pick this up but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Written by one of the (former!) three sister wives from TLC’s reality show about a polygamous marriage, it’s absolutely fascinating. (Amazon, Bookshop) * I earn a commission if you use those links. The post weekend open thread – September 20-21, 2025 appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Here we go again. After hiking the price of Xbox consoles earlier this year, Microsoft just announced it is already raising prices again—the second price hike in four months. Now, even Microsoft's cheapest console, the Xbox Series S, will cost at least $400. As someone who got an Xbox Series S for $150 a few years back, that stings. (Granted, I got a really good deal. Still.) Microsoft is blaming "changes in the macroeconomic environment" for the new prices, so read into that what you will. How much more expensive will the Xbox be?Here is what Microsoft's consoles will cost after the new pricing takes effect: Xbox Series S (512GB): $400 (was $380) Xbox Series S (1TB): $450 (was $430) Xbox Series X Digital Edition: $600 (was $550) Xbox Series X: $650 (was $600) Keep in mind that even after Sony's own price hikes, U.S. gamers can still get a PS5 for $550 and a PS5 Digital Edition for $500. Yes, Microsoft's consoles technically start cheaper, but the Series S is more comparable to the original Nintendo Switch than an Xbox Series X or a PS5, and $400 is a lot to pay for it—although the original Switch also got its own price hike just last month, and the OLED model of that machine will also now run you $400. If you're comparing apples to apples, though, Sony's console is about to be a good bit cheaper than Microsoft's. Gamers who prize physical media will be the hardest hit, as to get a disc drive on your machine, you have to opt for a non-digital Xbox Series X, which means you're going to get a bigger price increase than your peers. The last jump bumped the Xbox Series S up by $80 and the Series X by $100, while this one increases the Xbox Series S by $20 and the Xbox Series X by $50. On the plus side, Microsoft said pricing for controllers and headsets "will remain the same," which isn't how it went last time around. Maybe that's a hint at the overall console strategy: Microsoft has been investing a lot in cloud gaming recently, and you technically don't even need a console to play its games. In that case, upping pricing on its hardware is maybe a bit less risky for the Halo folks than the God of War ones. And I haven't even touched on Microsoft's most expensive machine. If you're an Xbox loyalist and you want to go all-in on its 2TB Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Special Edition, that will now run you $800, a $70 bump in the price tag. Honestly, at that point, you could probably just get a PC instead. There is something you can do about these price increases, even if it kind of feels like giving in to a ransom: They won't go in effect until Oct. 3rd, so if you were still on the fence about getting an Xbox, now is the time to act. You'll still have to deal with the price hike from May, but at least you'll save between $20 and $70. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. The Apple Watch Series 11 is now available, and just a few days into using a review unit, I’m happy with the upgrade. But whether it’ll be worth it to you is a different story entirely. Before the Series 11, I was still using a first-generation Apple Watch SE. Since I don’t need much from my smartwatch, the SE was enough for me: basic media playback with heart-rate tracking and tap-to-pay. What more could I want? But the Series 11 taught me that I could want much more. Its bigger screen with an always-on display is a nice bonus, as is the thinner and lighter design. The problem is that the Apple Watch Series 11 isn’t the first Apple Watch with those bonuses. If you’re like me and haven’t upgraded in a while, the Apple Watch Series 11 is a great pick. But those with a newer Apple Watch may want to hold off and save their money. What I love most about the Apple Watch Series 11While the Apple Watch Series 11 comes with a new chip and upgrades to both battery life and wireless connectivity, I’ve already mentioned what I value most about it. Essentially, I just like that this thing is super comfortable to wear. At its release, the Series 10 was Apple’s thinnest and lightest smartwatch, but since the Series 11 has inherited its design, it’s now tied with its successor. Apple Watch Series 10 in profile (left) vs. Apple Watch Series 11 in profile (right) Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt Both hardly feel like you’re wearing anything at all (while I don’t use the Series 10 on a day-to-day basis, my husband has one that he’s letting me borrow to write this). While my SE’s circular sensor bump often feels like it’s jutting into my wrist, both the Series 10 and 11 feel flat on my wrist, thanks to their thinner bodies. It's a huge relief over an extended period, and it only gets better with the few grams Apple’s knocked off the weight. The display also contributes to the comfort. Both the Series 10 and the Series 11 have an always-on display, and while an always-on display has been available as far back as the Series 5, this is my first time using one on a watch. The Apple Watch display also got 9% bigger starting on the Series 10, so the Series 11 screen is a bit more luxurious than anyone on a Series 9 or before will be used to. The bigger, always-on display helps with comfort because it’s much more glanceable. With my SE, I had to raise my wrist to see my watch screen, and the 10 and 11 don’t need that. At 2,000 nits of brightness, they’re easy to see even if your wrist is at your side and slightly turned, and with OLED and a 1Hz refresh rate, the always-on display is able to update every second without wasting unnecessary battery life. Having my screen turn off was probably the biggest annoyance of using a smartwatch over a traditional watch for me, and now it’s something I don’t have to worry about at all. Apple Watch SE display (left) vs. Apple Watch Series 11 display (right) Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt I’m pleased enough with the improved comfort to shell out money for a Series 11 after returning this review unit. I was worried that, because the Series 11 starts at 42mm while my first-gen SE is 40mm, it might feel a bit too big. In actuality, while I still prefer a small watch, it’s turned out to be the better size for me. What else can the Apple Watch Series 11 do?If you’re upgrading from an older watch, the Series 11 also gives you access to a lot more sensors. But to be honest, most are overkill. For instance, you can use it as a dive computer down to 6 meters (or about 20 feet), which isn't particularly handy for most people. But there are some advanced features worth caring about. First, it’s easier to control this smartwatch than older Apple smartwatches. With watchOS 26, the Series 9, 10, and 11 got support for both the wrist flick and double tap gestures, and they’re both pretty convenient. Think of them as “dismiss” and “confirm,” respectively. You can use wrist flick to turn down notifications, and while you can customize double tap a bit more, the idea is that you’ll use it to start a song or navigate your smart stack without using your hands. Essentially, the goal is that these features keep you from having to fumble with your watch screen if you’re otherwise occupied. For instance, I got a phone call while working out with the Series 11 this morning (where it was much more comfortable on my wrist than my SE), and quickly rotating my wrist away from my body was all I needed to do to decline the call. Normally, I would have just let it ring until it went to voicemail, so this was a nice way to save myself the distraction. Aside from the new gestures, the Series 11 also has a few new health features. Like with the depth meter, whether you’ll actually use them depends on who you are, but there are a few in particular that I’m happy to have. For instance, like my colleague Beth Skwarecki, I’m not too enthused about Sleep Score, which tries to break down your sleep quality into one number but seems too generalized for me to get much use out of. Hypertension notifications, on the other hand, are a big deal to me. Hypertension notifications weren't available on my SE (and still aren't on any SE, for that matter). Instead, you need an Apple Watch Series 9 or above. What these notifications do is passively track how your blood vessels respond to your heart rate using a PPG, then send you a notification if your watch notices significant irregularities over a 30-day period. One of the reasons my husband picked up an Apple Watch Series 10 was so he could use the ECG to track his heart rate over time, rather than just when he was working out. This helped him figure out that his heart rate would sometimes be way too high after drinking caffeine or while going to bed, which his doctor eventually diagnosed as AFiB. He might have missed out on this if he didn’t have the data to back it up, but he’s now gotten it treated, and says he feels a lot more stable across the day, with no random spikes (plus, AFiB has the potential to get pretty serious if left untreated, so his doctor is glad he was able to catch it early). If these Hypertension Notifications, which do a similar thing but for high blood pressure, can help my husband keep his heart healthy, then I’m all for them. He does have to regularly check his blood pressure as part of his ongoing treatment, and while the Apple Watch can’t give him specific numbers, it should help him passively determine what his numbers mean and if he needs to be worried. Plus, I’m interested in trying them, too. The CDC says that “of the 75 million Americans who have hypertension…about 11 million of them don’t know their blood pressure is too high and are not receiving treatment to control it.” Given how well my husband’s Apple Watch helped him diagnose his AFiB, it brings a little extra peace of mind to have it checking for high blood pressure, too. What’s new on the Apple Watch Series 11?The catch is that the Apple Watch Series 11 isn’t the only way to get these new features. The thin and light display is on the Series 10, “wrist flick” and “double tap” are on the Series 9 and above, and so are Hypertension Notifications. The Series 11 is a great upgrade over my SE, but if you’ve been more up to date with your Apple Watch, you might not want to get the newest model at all. You'd likely be buying Series 11 for only three things. First, the Apple Watch Series 11 has a 5G modem. Currently, the Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3 are the only Apple Watches with 5G connectivity, whereas older models use LTE, which is a type of 4G. That means these watches are faster, but because 5G is also more efficient than 4G, will also save some battery life when using online features. Second, the Series 11 has an improved Ion-X glass display. This uses proprietary tech, and Apple says it’s two times more scratch resistant than the Series 10. It’s only available on aluminum models, as titanium models use a slightly less durable sapphire crystal display instead, but it’s also on the SE 3 (the Ultra 3 instead opts for sapphire crystal). And third, the Series 11 has a longer battery life. While I haven’t had the Series 11 long enough to test its longevity, Apple is claiming 24 hours of battery life on the Series 11 (or 38 in Low Power Mode) versus 18 hours on the Series 10 (or 36 in Low Power Mode). I have a trip coming up, and I’m curious to see how these claims hold up while I’m adventuring away from a plug for a long period of time. Still, while all of these are nice-to-haves, none of them are as flashy as, say, the thin new body that came with the Series 10. Additionally, if you have a Series 10 and are already careful about scratching your watch or don’t have a cellular plan for it, then you’re not going to get use out of anything but the improved battery life. I both do and don’t recommend the Apple Watch Series 11 Apple Watch Series 10 (left) vs. Apple Watch Series 11 (right) Credit: Michelle Ehrhardt Which brings me to my final point. The Apple Watch Series 11 is a great watch if you’re a few years behind on upgrades, but it's probably worth skipping if you have a Series 10. It’s been a major quality of life improvement for me over my first-gen SE, which came out in 2020, but if it weren’t a different color than the Series 10, my husband might not have been able to tell it apart from what he already has. That’s why, once I have to return this review unit, I’ll probably spend the $400 to get one. That’s the same price that the Series 10 has been at until now, and while you can currently find the Series 10 at a mild discount at third-party retailers, the new battery life is probably worth the extra $40-50 for me. But my husband, on the other hand, will keep kicking with what’s already on his wrist. I assume that’s what a lot of other people will do: Upgrade if you’re a few years behind, but otherwise wait. But there's one other option. (Well, OK, two options if you want to go premium and get the $800 Apple Watch Ultra 3). You could just get an Apple Watch SE 3 instead. Releasing alongside the Series 11, this is a major upgrade over the SE 2, starting at $250 and upgrading that model to include an always-on display, sleep apnea notifications, temperature sensing, 5G, fast-charge, and both the wrist flick and double tap notifications. But it’s not quite as thin as the Apple Watch Series 11, the screen isn’t as big, and it can’t do ECG tracking or Hypertension notifications. I’ve been so thoroughly spoiled by the Series 11 that I’m not sure I can settle for that, but for others, it might be just the sweet spot. View the full article

Automation is an easy way to help your team be more productive and efficient in their day-to-day work. But to unlock real team collaboration, you may need to move beyond simple automation into two-way syncing. Workato and Unito provide a great illustration of how these two approaches differ. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Workato and Unito, including features, pricing, use cases, and implementation times. Platform overview: Workato vs. Unito Workato vs. Unito: Summary WorkatoUnitoPricingPlatform fee + recipes + professional servicesSingle license feeEase of useTechnical skills requiredEasySync and automation1-way2-wayCustomizabilityFullFullSet up efficiencyProfessional services requiredSimple, no-codeOnboarding timeMonthsMinutesIntegrationsThousands60+Live trainingAdditional costIncluded Workato vs. Unito: Decision framework Choose Workato if you need: Low-code, enterprise-grade automation workflows An extensive connector library (1,000s of apps) Sophisticated conditional logic and branching A platform deployed by a dedicated technical team Advanced compliance and governance features Choose Unito if you need A real-time, two-way sync Deeper integrations No-code deployment accessible to all users A cost-effective integration solution with proven ROI Simplified maintenance and management 60+ connectors across software development, sales, support, and project management tools Workato: Enterprise automation platform Workato is an enterprise-grade automation platform built for complex workflows and large-scale integration. It uses recipe-based automations, with “if-this-then-that” logic to support actions across thousands of pre-built connectors. It also gives developers the tools they need to build their own integrations. Key features: Advanced workflow logic and conditional branches. Integration with Slack and Teams for notifications and helplines. Enterprise-grade security (HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR) API management and developer platform Batch processing for high-volume data Integrations: Thousands Setup complexity: Weeks to months for full implementation. Unito: Two-way sync platform Unito is an integration platform with the deepest two-way integrations on the market. Bidirectional synchronization powers real-time collaboration across teams and tools, while its no-code interface empowers anyone in your organization to build integrations in minutes. Key features: True two-way sync Real-time updates No-code setup accessible to all users Deep field mapping and custom rules Historical data support Integrations: 60+ Setup complexity: Minutes to deployment, days to ROI Workato vs. Unito: Detailed breakdown Integration approach: Recipes vs. two-way sync The primary difference between Workato and Unito is in their core technology. Workato uses recipe-based automations to integrate data at scale, while Unito offers true two-way syncing that scales with your workflows. Workato’s approach to integration Workato’s recipes use trigger-action logic to automate actions across tools. Users pick a specific trigger (e.g., a task being created or a field being updated) and a specific action to automate in another system (e.g., creating a new work item or sending a notification). This approach works particularly well for: Automated data entry and transfer Complex conditional workflows Batch-processing operations One-way data flows This technology is best suited to workflows where data only needs to flow in one direction. A Workato user could replicate a two-way data sync using Workato’s recipes, but this would involve building multiple recipes that add complexity and maintenance overhead. Unito’s approach to integration Unito’s core technology is the two-way sync, which builds living connections between work items in integrated tools. A task in your project management tool can be synced with a spreadsheet row, for example, allowing you to build an automated report fed with live data. Then, if you make any updates in that report, they’ll be carried over to your project management tool automatically. This approach enables: Real-time collaboration across platforms Simplified reporting Unified team workflows Enterprise-wide workflows Unito can more reliably create a two-way sync between tools than the long recipe chains in Workato. However, this comes at the cost of fewer total connectors being supported. Why you need a two-way sync Want to see what a two-way sync can do for you? Get your free copy of Unito's Power of Sync ebook. Get the ebook today Available integrations One of the most important comparison points when considering an integration platform is whether it supports the tools you need or not. Here’s how Workato and Unito compare. Workato’s available integrations Workato offers thousands of pre-built connectors, including tools like Salesforce, Slack, ServiceNow, Jira, Google Drive, and BambooHR. And in the rare case where the tool you need to integrate isn’t already on this list, Workato’s developer platform allows you to build and deploy your own integrations. Unito’s available integrations Unito’s two-way sync functionality is available across 60+ connectors, including tools like Jira, Asana, Azure DevOps, ServiceNow, and Smartsheet. A developer platform and dedicated integration consultant can help enterprise teams deploy their own custom integrations, as well. Setup and implementation Workato setup and implementation With Workato, organizations can expect deployment of their first integrations to take weeks, if not months. This process typically requires technical teams, whether internally or with paid professional consultants. Building, testing, and maintaining the necessary recipes for these integrations can demand significant resources, as well. Unito setup and implementation Most Unito users deploy their first integration in 12 minutes and see a positive ROI in days. The platform’s simple, no-code interface means you don’t need any technical expertise to build and deploy your first integration. Security and compliance Both Workato and Unito offer enterprise-grade security and compliance, with some minor differences. Workato security and compliance SOC 2 Type II certified HIPAA and GDPR compliant Enterprise-grade data encryption Advanced access controls Audit logging and monitoring Unito security and implementation SOC 2 Type II certified Enterprise-grade data encryption Role-based access controls Complete audit trails No data storage Pricing comparison Workato and Unito don’t make the pricing public, meaning you’ll need to book a demo to get an idea of the price you’ll pay for your integrations. That said, Workato users on sites like Capterra and G2 have noted that Workato plans can get expensive quickly, putting them out of reach for all but the largest budgets. Meanwhile, Unito offers pricing plans that scale with your usage, meaning even small teams can start building integrations in minutes. Bottom line: When to choose Workato or Unito Choose Workato when: Workato is best suited for teams that have large, enterprise needs that don’t require a two-way sync. This platform will give you everything you need to manage dozens of complex workflows, with sophisticated condition logic and no need for extensive API management. Because it’s HIPAA and GDPR compliant, it’ll also support organizations with stringent compliance requirements, like healthcare providers or law firms. Note, however, that Workato works best for teams that either have in-house technical support or work with third-party consultants. It can also be prohibitively expensive with some teams. Choose Unito when: Unito’s two-way sync makes it the best integration platform for true, cross-functional collaboration. Whether sales teams need context from multiple sources in their CRM or software developers want escalation requests sent to their platform of choice, a two-way sync puts the right information at everyone’s fingertips. Between this and its enterprise-grade integrations, Unito is a natural choice for teams that want to smash data silos and collaborate more closely. While its limited connectors mean it’s not necessarily suited to every single workflow, Unito is still a powerful platform for enterprise organizations. Conclusion: Picking the right platform Both Workato and Unito can handle enterprise-level workflows, but they do this in fundamentally different ways. Workato is an automation powerhouse for organizations with complex workflows and the technical support to manage them. Unito transforms the way teams collaborate through a true bidirectional sync, offering immediate value with minimal complexity. Ready to see what Unito can do for you? Meet with a Unito product expert today. Talk with sales FAQ: Workato vs. Unito What’s the main difference between Workato and Unito? Workato uses one-way, recipe-based automations to automate complex enterprise workflows, while Unito provides true, two-way syncing between tools. By building relationships between work items, Unito automatically updates all your tools as you work for real-time, cross-team collaboration. Workato also requires setup by technical teams, while most Unito users can deploy their first integration in minutes. Which platform is more cost-effective? Neither Workato nor Unito makes their pricing publicly available, but Workato users report that the tool can be expensive, especially for smaller teams. Unito’s plans scale with usage, with lower plans being much more available for small teams. Can Unito handle enterprise-level security requirements? Yes. Unito is SOC 2 Type II certified and meets enterprise security standards with features like multi-factor authentication, permission control, and data encryption. How long does implementation take for each platform? A Unito integration can be deployed as quickly as 12 minutes, and most teams start seeing results within a few days. Deploying Workato integrations can take weeks to months, which requires dedicated technical resources. Which platform is better for non-technical users? Unito is designed with the average business user in mind. Its visual interface and guided, no-code setup make building an integration so easy that anyone can do it. Workato does offer low-code capabilities, but you’ll generally need some level of technical expertise for optimal implementation and maintenance. Can both platforms integrate with the same tools? Workato offers thousands of connectors, while Unito focuses on 60+ deep, bidirectional integrations for popular business tools like Jira, ServiceNow, Asana, and Salesforce. You can replicate most of Unito’s integrations with Workato, but only Unito integrations have a true two-way sync. Recent updates September 19th 2025: Significantly reworked article structure to highlight different integration capabilities, security features, and more. Added a summary table and decision framework. Added frequently asked questions. View the full article

DOJ is asking a court to force Google to divest its Ad Manager. Google has proposed a solution to make its services more interoperable. The post DOJ Seeks Google Ad Manager Break Up As Remedies Trial Begins appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Creating an effective action plan example helps teams stay organized and focused as they work toward specific goals. An action plan example breaks work into clear steps with deadlines and assigned responsibilities, making it easier to monitor progress and keep everyone aligned. Whether you are managing a project, rolling out a new initiative or solving a problem, having a detailed plan ensures no task slips through the cracks. Action plan examples are widely used across industries because they create structure and accountability. They help managers communicate expectations, track deliverables and spot potential roadblocks before they derail the project. With the right action plan example, teams can work more efficiently, avoid duplication of effort and stay on schedule even when challenges arise. In this guide, we’ll explore nine action plan examples from different industries and provide a free template you can use to create your own. /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Action-Plan-Template-Excel-image.png Get your free Action Plan Template Use this free Action Plan Template to manage your projects better. Get the Template Key Elements of an Action Plan Example Every action plan example is made up of key components that keep work organized and moving forward. These elements clarify what needs to be done, who is responsible and when tasks should be completed. By including all the core parts of an action plan, teams can coordinate efforts, avoid confusion and ensure that work stays on track from start to finish. While you can build a simple action plan on paper or in a spreadsheet, project management software makes it easier to plan and execute every step. Software gives you the ability to assign tasks, set deadlines, manage dependencies and track progress in real time. This eliminates guesswork and helps teams see how their work impacts the overall project. ProjectManager is an ideal tool for creating and managing any action plan example because it offers Gantt charts, task lists, kanban boards and calendars that make planning more visual and interactive. Teams can collaborate in one place, share files, comment on tasks and get notified when work is completed. Real-time dashboards and customizable reports keep managers informed and help them make adjustments quickly when priorities shift. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gantt-CTA-2025.jpgLearn more To build a strong action plan, make sure you include all of the following elements. Goals and Objectives: Clear statements that define what the plan aims to achieve. Action Steps: Specific steps or phases that outline how the goals will be met. Action Items: Individual tasks assigned to team members for completion. Key Performance Indicators: Metrics that measure progress and success throughout the plan. Timeline: A schedule that sets deadlines for each step and task. Resources: The people, tools and materials required to execute the plan. Costs: The budget needed to complete each action step and the overall plan. 1. Construction Project Action Plan Example A construction project action plan example organizes every phase of the build from site preparation to final inspection. It starts with clear goals and objectives, such as delivering a new office building on time and within budget. The action steps are divided into phases like design, permitting, procurement and construction. Each phase contains action items such as submitting plans, ordering materials and scheduling crews. Success is measured with key performance indicators like on-time milestone completion and adherence to cost estimates. A detailed timeline maps out start and finish dates for every step. The plan identifies resources, including subcontractors, equipment and permits, along with the costs associated with each. This approach ensures that stakeholders have a clear roadmap and can make timely decisions to keep the project moving forward. /wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ProjectManager-Gantt-Chart-Costs-600x352.pngLearn more 2. Strategic Action Plan Example A strategic action plan example aligns long-term organizational goals with actionable steps. Goals and objectives may include entering a new market or increasing customer retention. The action steps break these big goals into manageable initiatives such as market research, product development and new marketing campaigns. Action items are assigned to department heads or teams who own their part of the strategy. Key performance indicators measure progress toward growth targets or ROI. A timeline ensures initiatives are launched in the right order, while resources and costs are allocated based on company priorities. This plan gives leadership visibility and helps them monitor execution across the organization. Related: 12 Free Strategic Planning Templates for Excel and Word 3. Operational Action Plan Example An operational action plan example focuses on improving day-to-day processes. The goals and objectives may be to boost efficiency or reduce waste in a production line. Action steps could include staff training, upgrading machinery and updating SOPs. Specific action items, such as scheduling training sessions and ordering parts, are assigned to supervisors. Key performance indicators like throughput rates or defect reduction measure results. A timeline sets deadlines for implementation, while resources such as technicians, tools and spare parts are planned. The costs are tracked to keep improvements within budget and ensure ROI. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/workload-page-resource-management-lightmode-600x294.pngLearn more 4. SMART Action Plan Example A SMART action plan example ensures that goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Each goal and objective follows this framework to keep work realistic and focused. Action steps are outlined in a way that supports each SMART goal. Action items are written clearly so there’s no ambiguity about who does what. Key performance indicators are measurable targets that show if the plan is on track. A precise timeline with deadlines is critical for the “time-bound” aspect. Required resources and costs are included to ensure goals remain achievable within available constraints. Related: Free SMART Goals Template 5. Corrective Action Plan Example A corrective action plan example is created when something has gone wrong, such as a quality failure or compliance issue. Goals and objectives are aimed at solving the problem and preventing recurrence. The action steps may include root cause analysis, retraining staff and updating procedures. Action items are very detailed because timing is often critical. Key performance indicators focus on confirming the issue has been resolved, such as zero defects over a set period. The timeline is usually short to mitigate risk quickly. The plan lists resources like investigators, trainers or consultants and specifies costs to implement the fix. 6. IT Disaster Recovery Action Plan Example An IT disaster recovery action plan example minimizes downtime during a system failure or cyber incident. Goals and objectives include restoring critical systems quickly and protecting data. Action steps cover everything from backups to communication protocols and system testing. Action items include notifying key stakeholders, switching to backup servers and verifying restored data. Key performance indicators measure recovery time objectives and system uptime. The timeline is precise, often measured in hours or minutes. Required resources include IT staff, cloud services and recovery tools, with costs tracked to ensure continuity planning remains sustainable. 7. Event Management Action Plan Example An event management action plan example keeps every detail organized leading up to a conference, trade show or corporate event. Goals and objectives could include audience size, sponsorship targets or engagement metrics. Action steps involve venue booking, vendor coordination, marketing and logistics. Action items are broken down to tasks like sending invitations, ordering signage and scheduling staff. Key performance indicators measure registrations, attendance and post-event feedback. The timeline works backward from the event date to ensure nothing is missed. The plan assigns resources such as event planners, AV teams and catering while tracking costs to stay within budget. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/event-plan-kanban-board-light-mode-600x295.pngLearn more Related: 12 Free Event Planning Templates for Excel and Word 8. Manufacturing Action Plan Example A manufacturing action plan example improves production efficiency and output. Goals and objectives may focus on reducing downtime, increasing throughput or implementing lean manufacturing practices. Action steps include equipment maintenance schedules, workflow redesign and staff training. Action items assign responsibility for tasks like preventive maintenance, quality checks and process audits. Key performance indicators track metrics such as cycle time, defect rate and OEE (overall equipment effectiveness). A well-structured timeline ensures changes are implemented with minimal disruption. The plan lists resources, including operators, technicians and tools, while accounting for costs to keep initiatives financially viable. 9. Excel Action Plan Example Excel can be a useful tool to present the key elements of any action plan. This Excel project action plan example shows how a marketing team can structure the launch of a new website from research to design and execution. The plan begins with clear goals—boosting brand visibility, driving organic traffic and improving customer engagement—supported by measurable objectives. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Action-Plan-Example-Goals-and-Objectives.png Each action step is broken into prioritized tasks with deadlines, assigned team members, KPIs and estimated costs. From hiring a marketing specialist and segmenting the audience to creating site architecture, designing the UI and preparing SEO, the plan keeps everything organized. This ensures accountability, resource allocation and progress tracking throughout the website development process. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Action-Plan-Example-Action-Steps-and-Action-Items.png The timeline view shows how tasks are sequenced and the duration of each activity. From short two-week research efforts to a six-week design phase and a focused one-week launch window, the schedule makes it clear when milestones need to be met. Ongoing tasks such as content creation and site monitoring are also included, ensuring that post-launch work doesn’t get overlooked. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Action-Plan-Example-Timeline.png The resources table highlights the departments, tools and estimated costs required at each stage of the project. By detailing HR involvement, marketing software, web development tools and graphic design needs, the plan ensures the team understands what’s required to execute tasks effectively. Tracking costs alongside resources also makes it easier to manage the budget while keeping everyone accountable. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Action-Plan-Example-Resources-and-Costs.png Action Plan Template for Excel Download this free action plan template for Excel to organize everything you need to achieve goals in your projects. The template includes sections for listing action steps and the tasks or action items under each step. It also lets you assign ownership, status, priority and phase for each action item. The timeline fields allow you to enter start dates, due dates and planned hours so that tasks are scheduled realistically. Resources required and estimated costs are captured too so you can budget more accurately. /wp-content/uploads/2022/11/action-plan-template-project-plan-2024.png This action plan template for Excel is flexible enough to handle various types of action plans—project action plans, corrective action plans, strategic plans or contingency plans. You’ll also find built-in fields for tracking priority levels and assigning who is responsible for each task. Because tasks are laid out clearly in spreadsheet rows, it’s easy to update status and see progress. And since it’s Excel, you can customize it to your needs while still having all the core elements in one place. Related Project Management Templates Action plans are just one piece of effective project management. To help you get more done, here are some related templates that can work alongside your action plan template. These tools can improve goal setting, task tracking and budget monitoring so projects run smoothly from start to finish. SMART Goals Template Download this free template to define goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. By structuring objectives this way, teams have clear targets and a way to measure success. Task Tracker Dashboard Template Use this free dashboard to monitor task progress in real time. It gives you a visual view of what’s in progress, what’s completed and what may be overdue so you can take action quickly. Budget Dashboard Template This template helps you track project costs against your planned budget. It provides insights into where funds are being spent and alerts you when spending is approaching limits. How ProjectManager Helps Plan, Schedule and Track Action Plans Managing an action plan example is easier when you can see tasks from multiple perspectives. ProjectManager offers multiple project views—task lists, kanban boards, calendars and Gantt charts—so teams can work the way they prefer. Gantt charts connect tasks with dependencies and show the critical path, while kanban boards allow you to visualize workflows. Calendar and list views make it easy to stay on top of deadlines and priorities. Robust Resource Management and Cost Tracking Tools ProjectManager’s resource management tools help you allocate people and resources efficiently. Workload charts show who is overallocated so you can rebalance tasks and avoid bottlenecks. Cost tracking features let you compare actual spending against your budget in real time and adjust before overruns occur. With all resources and costs visible in one place, you can make data-driven decisions that keep projects on schedule and within budget./wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Real-time Project Dashboards and Reports Dashboards give you an instant view of project health by tracking key metrics like task progress, workload and costs. Real-time reporting makes it easy to generate updates for stakeholders without manually compiling data. You can customize reports for status, variance and other KPIs to ensure everyone stays informed. With ProjectManager, you can identify risks early, take corrective action and keep your action plan moving toward successful completion. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Team-summary-better-data-light-mode-home-screen-dashboard.png Related Content Action plan examples are helpful to learn how to plan and execute projects. For readers who care to go further, below are some recently published articles on how to write an action plan, what contingency planning is and much more. How to Write an Action Plan (Example Included) 18 Free Project Planning Templates for Excel and Word What Is a Transition Plan? Example & Template Included What Is an Implementation Plan? (Template & Example Included) Creating a Tactical Plan for Your Business How to Make a Process Improvement Plan (Free Template) What Is Contingency Planning? Creating a Contingency Plan ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 9 Action Plan Examples Across Industries (with Free Templates) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Google’s Gemini AI seems to be everywhere these days. It’s in your Gmail, it’s on your phone, and soon, it’ll be in your browser. While Google’s AI browser integration was already live for Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers, it's now rolling out to everyone—and getting a bunch of new features, too. If you’re suddenly seeing a new Gemini button in the top right of your Chrome browser (in the same pane as your tabs), then you’ve already been hit with the update. If not, you may need to use the three-dots button in the top right corner and select Gemini in Chrome to turn it on, assuming you want to. How to use Gemini in ChromeWhen you click the Gemini button, or summon it via a keyboard shortcut (Alt + G by default), you’ll be able to try out the same features Google’s paying customers have had access to for a while. That means Gemini will be able to answer questions about the webpage you’re on, or just answer general questions unrelated to what you’re browsing. Or, if you’re in a Google app or on a Google website, it’ll be able to take some simple actions for you, like jumping you to a specific spot in a YouTube video. Additionally, Gemini can also now work across your tabs and compare information between them. Simply start a dialogue with Gemini by tapping the button in the top right corner, and at the bottom of the window, click “Add tab” to give Gemini another source of data to consider. Weirdly, while these updates are already pushing live to average folks, Google says businesses will need to wait a couple of weeks, so they can get “enterprise-grade data protections and controls.” As of now, aside from the new access, it’s not the biggest update, especially because to try it, you need to be on Windows or Mac, have your language set to English, and be in the U.S.. Google stresses that the Gemini Assistant on Android can also help you browse Chrome, and that it’s working to bring more direct Gemini in Chrome access to both its Android and iOS apps. More AI browsing is comingGoogle says it also has big things in store for the feature, with “agentic browsing” set for the “coming months.” This will supposedly let Gemini in Chrome complete tasks, like booking a haircut for you, or ordering your groceries. Alternatively, it’ll also help you browse a bit more easily, as Google says it’s working to let you ask Gemini questions about your browser history when you want to go back to a specific page. For instance, “what was the website where I saw the walnut desk last week?” could take you back to a shopping page you only vaguely remember. A more powerful address bar is apparently in the works that will let you ask questions of Google’s AI model without having to navigate to it first. For now, Gemini in Chrome will start suggesting questions to ask it about whatever page you’re on, right in the address bar. The update includes a few security updates too, although they mostly seem to work in the backend, supposedly using AI to better block scammy ads and notifications. Now that’s the type of AI integration I can support wholeheartedly. How to turn off Gemini in ChromeAll that said, if you’re a bit skeptical about Gemini in Chrome, you can turn it off. Simply navigate to Settings > AI Innovations, and you’ll be able to turn off the Gemini button, as well as disable its keyboard shortcut. You can also restrict its permissions: Set everything to off, and it’ll be like it was never installed in the first place. View the full article

If you’re in the market for a software tool that can help simplify task management, then you’ve probably explored Microsoft Planner. It’s a task management tool that’s part of the larger Microsoft universe, which includes Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Project. It might seem as if Microsoft has cornered the market in project management until you take a closer look. While Microsoft claims to offer everything a project manager and their team require, the truth is they fall short in terms of price, usability and even features. That’s why people seek a Microsoft Planner Alternative. How Microsoft Planner Works Microsoft Planner is similar to many task management tools on the market. It organizes teamwork and tasks for project management. It’s a hub for teams to work together, make plans, assign tasks and check progress with dashboards. The tool acts as a hub for project documentation, file sharing, and team visibility. It’s part of the broader Microsoft 365 suite, which also includes OneDrive, Outlook (mail and calendar), Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more. Microsoft Planner integrates smoothly with Microsoft Teams and other task management tools like Microsoft To Do and Microsoft Lists. However, it isn’t fully compatible with Microsoft Project—Microsoft’s most advanced project management software—because it can’t open or edit Microsoft Project files (MPP files). And don’t get us started on how complicated, buggy and expensive that product suite is. You’ll end up paying a lot for very little. But, it’s understandable why people use it. Microsoft promises a holistic approach to business, offering everything they need in one place. If that sounds too good to be true, you understand why search terms such as Microsoft Planner alternative are so popular. Why Seek a Microsoft Planner Alternative? There are many reasons why people are looking for a Microsoft Planner alternative. The software uses kanban boards, which are a great visual workflow tool, but one size doesn’t fit all. Those who work in an agile environment certainly appreciate kanban boards, but probably not the rigidity of Microsoft Planner. Managers will wonder where the Gantt charts are and others will want a task list. But they’ll be sorely disappointed as Microsoft doesn’t have multiple project views to let users work how they want. Microsoft Planner Premium, one of the multiple versions of Microsoft Planner does offer a timeline tool, which is far from a Gantt chart, but Microsoft doesn’t seem to care what users want. Related: Microsoft Planner Gantt Chart: How to Make a Gantt Chart in Microsoft Planner Microsoft Planner Pricing Plans Another key disadvantage of Microsoft Planner is its confusing pricing structure and the constant changes Microsoft makes to the features included in each plan. To access the full version of the software, you’ll need to pay for the higher tiers. Even then, Microsoft Planner remains a lightweight and expensive project management solution compared to the alternatives featured in this list. Below are the current Microsoft Planner pricing plans. Microsoft Planner Basic The version included in most Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Good for lightweight task management. Starts from $6 to $22 per user per month, billed annually. Price varies depending on the Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6.00/user/month, billed annually Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50/user/month, billed annually Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22.00/user/month, billed annually Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: $8.25/user/month, billed annually Microsoft Planner Premium The next level up, for users or teams needing more advanced project management features. Planner Plan 1: $10/user/month, billed annually Planner and Project Plan 3: $30/user/month, billed annually Planner and Project Plan 5: $55/user/month, billed annually For more detailed information about each of these Microsoft Planner plans and the features that are available for each pricing tier, visit our Microsoft Planner blog. 2025 Best Microsoft Planner Alternatives Software Rankings We’ve looked at 10 of the best Microsoft Planner alternatives on the market and created a list for you to see which one fits your needs. We did some editorializing and started the list with our number-one choice and then worked our way down the top 10. You’re sure to find a Mircosoft Planner alternative that’s a good fit for your next project. 1. ProjectManager /wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PM-logo-email.pngThe best Microsoft Planner alternative by far is ProjectManager. ProjectManager is an online project management software that has in-depth project data, enabling you to effectively schedule projects, track progress and manage resources in one tool. Build detailed project plans, then monitor your teams’ progress as they update their tasks on desktop or mobile. With numerous powerful features and full compatibility with Microsoft Project and PowerBI, it’s clear that ProjectManager is the best Microsoft Planner alternative. And there’s a generous free 30-day trial. Dynamic Scheduling and Tracking Unlike Microsoft Planner, ProjectManager has multiple project views, including kanban boards, task lists, sheet and calendar views. All data is updated in real time across each view, and there are interactive Gantt charts that can link dependencies, set baselines to track project variance and even filter for the critical path. You can even manage costs and track the progress as it happens. The Gantt chart can be easily edited and shared to keep everyone updated on the most current iteration of the plan. Effortlessly Manage Resources As the project progresses, use the Team page to see exactly what everyone’s working on and how far along they are. Filter by team type, due dates and more. Instantly reallocate work with a simple drag-and-drop to reduce bottlenecks and keep everyone happy and productive. You can even click into a task and attach files or comments to collaborate and keep everything on one platform. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Track Performance in Real Time For a high-level view of the project, our dashboards require no configuration and automatically capture six project metrics that are displayed in colorful graphs. For more detail, there are customizable reports for project and portfolio status, timesheets and more. They can also be easily shared with stakeholders to keep them updated. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dashboard-light-mode.jpg ProjectManager is the best Microsoft Planner alternative for the simple fact that it has every aspect of project management covered including task approval settings, risks, resource management, timesheets, automated workflows and more. On top of that, this tops our list as it’s incredibly easy to use. Its intuitive user interface requires no time-consuming training. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. ProjectManager Pros & Key Features Fully featured Gantt chart for project planning, scheduling and tracking Real-time resource, cost and time tracking Unlike Microsoft Planner, ProjectManager allows users to open and edit Microsoft Project files (MPP files) Multiple project management tools and features Mobile app for Android and iOS Free 30-day trial ProjectManager Cons & Limitations Limited customization Few native integrations No free plan Pricing Team: $14/user/month Business: $26/user/month Q&A Does ProjectManager offer a free trial? Yes, ProjectManager has a 30-day free trial Does ProjectManager have a mobile project management app? Yes, it’s available for Android and iOS ProjectManager Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.1/5 Highlighted User Reviews “ProjectManager works very well with both large and small-scale projects. Being able to use this with anything from a project involving only two members of staff, to hundreds, has been invaluable.” Peter W – from Capterra “We used to manage our projects, resources, and reporting in different systems. Enter ProjectManager. We have consolidated systems and work more efficiently.” Jeffrey M – from Capterra “Having the full scope of activities and who is responsible to do it, plus the time tracking is excellent.” Flavio M – from G2 “It has an excellent accounting system capable of calculating the time that a person has used to develop a task that was assigned to him, I like being able to collaborate with all my colleagues in the Finance sector through ProjectManager.” Jesus C – from G2 “The UI of the application is user-friendly, and it helps to identify what we are looking for with minimal effort.” Pavan H – from G2 2. Trello /wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Trello_logo.svg-600x172.png Trello is a Microsoft Planner alternative that shares Microsoft’s all-in attitude about kanban boards. In fact, they do kanban better than Microsoft, which is why it’s high on our list. It’s a great collaborative tool and you can customize workflows to streamline work. If you’re working in an agile environment, this will appeal to you. It’s far more flexible than Microsoft Planner. The fact that it syncs data across devices is also a plus for remote workers. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Trello-kanban-board.webp It’s not much of a Microsoft Planner alternative if it only has kanban boards. While it might be a useful tool, those managing projects in a more traditional fashion are going to look elsewhere the moment they don’t see Gantt charts. There’s a timeline view, but that’s a lite version of the Gantt at best. Even kanban enthusiasts will be surprised that there are no swimlanes and work-in-progress (WIP) limits. Trello Pros & Key Features Ideal for agile teams Customizable project management views Flexible for software and product development teams Free plan Trello Cons & Limitations Kanban boards and calendars are its only project planning views Requires users to purchase add-ons and integrations due to its lack of features Doesn’t have fully-featured Gantt charts Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Standard: $5/user/month Premium: $10/user/month Enterprise: $17.50/user/month Q&A Does Trello offer a free trial? Yes, Trello has a 14-day free trial Does Trello have a mobile project management app? Yes, it’s available for Android and iOS Trello Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “I loved the fact that it is so easy to use, so easy that my non-tech-savvy employees were able to use it and I didn’t have to go behind them fixing mistakes.” Michelle N – from G2 “Trello’s visual simplicity and flexibility are what I like best.” Cagri M – from G2 3. Microsoft Project /wp-content/uploads/2020/01/MS_Project_Logo-600x600.png Microsoft Project isn’t exactly a Microsoft Planner alternative, it’s more like the older brother. They’re family and tools that work well together. What Microsoft Planner lacks, Microsoft Project fills in that hole. It doesn’t hurt that nearly everyone who has managed projects professionally has experience with this tool. The tool does what project managers need in terms of planning and other features related to delivering a project. Related: Best Microsoft Project Alternatives However, those features are a bit general. There are no specific industry functions for construction or software teams, which is a negative of this Microsoft Planner alternative. But there are more than mere dings associated with this expensive, complicated software. There are limited integrations outside of the Microsoft family and nothing works with Apple products. If your team uses Macs, they’re out of luck. /wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Microsoft-Project-Gantt-chart-example-1600x802.webp If you’d like more information on how Microsoft Planner compares to Microsoft Project in terms of their project management functionality, you can check out this blog where we explore the differences between Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Project. Microsoft Project Pros & Key Features Offers a variety of project management views for managing the entire project life cycle Robust enough for project management offices (PMOs) Built-in project management reports and templates Has a free 1-month trial Microsoft Project Cons & Limitations It’s an expensive project management solution Steep learning curve and overwhelming user interface for beginners Microsoft Project has a unique file format which is hard to share No mobile app No free plan Microsoft Project Pricing Project Standard 2024: $679.99, one-time license purchase Project Professional 2024: $1129.99, one-time license purchase Microsoft Project Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “The quality of MS Project output is often sufficient for the requirement of most projects.” Paul B – from Capterra “It is easy to set up a project plan using templates provided in MS Project.” Alex N – from G2 4. Monday.com /wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Logo-Monday-600x212.png Monday.com is a task management software, which makes it an ideal Microsoft Planner alternative. It’s less expensive than signing up for the full suite of Microsoft products and a lot easier to use. The user-friendly interface isn’t only simple to get around but will please non-professional project managers who don’t need deep dives into data. It’s a great way to organize your tasks on kanban boards, task lists and timelines. /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/monday.com-gantt-chart-2.webp It’s not the best Microsoft Planner alternative, especially because it really is just task management software. It might have some other features but not the ones that are essential to managing projects. A case in point is the Gantt chart. Again, a timeline isn’t a Gantt chart, although it’s a great visual tool and targets newbies. If you’re a project manager on a more serious level, though, you’ll want to look elsewhere. Monday.com Pros & Key Features User-friendly interface Reports and dashboards to track multiple projects Has a free 14-day trial Mobile app available for Android and iOS Free plan Monday.com Cons & Limitations Lightweight Gantt charts lack important project management features Limited project reporting capabilities compared to other Microsoft Planner alternatives Customizable views require manual setup Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Basic: $8/user/month Standard: $10/user/month Pro: $16/user/month Q&A Does Monday offer a free trial? Yes, Monday has a 14-day free trial Does Monday have a mobile project management app? Yes, it’s available for Android and iOS Monday.com Reviews G2 review: 4.7/5 Capterra review: 4.6/5 Highlighted User Reviews “I truly recommend using Monday to small to medium scale enterprises because of its ease of use.” Vikas G – from G2 “I really like the monday work management interface.” Luiz Fernando J – from G2 5. Asana /wp-content/uploads/2020/05/asana-logo-vector-4.png Asana is one of the more popular Microsoft Planner alternatives. It features everything from timelines to kanban boards. There’s also a calendar view. All are shared with the project team to keep them working from one source of knowledge. It makes our list especially because of its real-time task management reporting features that help keep projects on track and set strategic goals. There are collaborative tools and a bug tracker, which is great for software development. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Asana-gantt-chart.webp However, there’s a problem with this Microsoft Planner alternative: the lack of risk management tools. Risks can quickly sidetrack a project and without features to identify and track their projects can quickly go off track or worse. That would be bad enough, but another shortcoming is that you can only assign one person to a task. That might work for some projects, but most will have a small team working together to execute a task. Needless to add, these people won’t be using Asana. Asana Pros & Key Features Easy-to-use task automation features User-friendly interface Has a free 14-day free trial Has a free plan Has a mobile app available on iOS and Android Asana Cons & Limitations Gantt chart lacks features such as critical path analysis and cost tracking Limited project management features for program and portfolio management Timeline and Gantt chart features are not robust enough for project management offices (PMOs) Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Premium: $13.49/user/month Business: $30.49/user/month Enterprise: Custom pricing Q&A Does Asana offer a free trial? Yes, Asana has a free 30-day trial Does Asana have a mobile project management app? Yes, it’s available for Android and iOS Asana Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “I can create tasks, set their dates, routines, collaborate with my teammates, see their tasks, private my tasks, and so much more.” Shivam K – from G2 “The dashboard view is the main benefit; it helped me organize the work into stages and gave me a clear picture of how far along the team was.” Carrie C – from G2 6. ClickUp /wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ClickUp-logo1-600x231.png ClickUp is a cloud-based Microsoft Planner alternative that’s flexible enough to work with a variety of teams. Like most of the software listed, there are task management features to help with productivity. But there are also process management, time management and collaborative tools. Add to that reporting features and you have an idea why this product made our list. You even get a dashboard for a high-level view of the project and an easy-to-use tool that’s very attractive to users. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/clickup-task-list-1600x1063.png If there’s a downside to this Microsoft Planner alternative it’s the customization necessary to use the tool. There’s so much time and effort necessary to squeeze the benefits out of the software that it’s likely halfway through the setup you’ll be looking for another tool on this list. Of course, the reason it’s on the list is that there are many benefits, but the work necessary to maximize the benefits is a lot. There are still detrimental aspects of the software, such as new projects showing up at the bottom of your list, but these would be acceptable if customization wasn’t so much trouble. ClickUp Pros & Key Features Versatile tool that can work for various types of businesses and teams Document editing and online collaboration features Mobile app available for Android and iOS Free plan ClickUp Cons & Limitations Cluttered user interface, hard to learn for most users Most of its features are not designed for managing projects Files can be exported in PDF format only, which makes it to use them outside of ClickUp No free trial Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Unlimited: $5/user/month Business: $9/user/month Business Pro: $19/user/month Q&A Does ClickUp offer a free trial? No, ClickUp doesn’t have a free trial Does ClickUp have a mobile project planning app? Yes, it’s available for Android and iOS ClickUp Reviews G2 review: 4.7/5 Capterra review: 4.6/5 Highlighted User Reviews “I love the ease of keeping everything in one place! Group projects organized by tasks, forums with results, and my favorite part, documents!” Naomy G – from G2 “Overall, my experience with ClickUp has been highly positive. It has streamlined project management tasks and improved team collaboration significantly.” Paula L – from Capterra 7. Smartsheet /wp-content/uploads/2022/05/smartsheet-logo-blue-new.svg Smartsheet is a Microsoft Planner alternative that gets inspiration from another Microsoft product, Excel. The software tries to be a super spreadsheet or a smarter version of Excel. For the most part, it succeeds. It’s amazing how many companies are still running their business with Excel, which is maybe why Smartsheet uses the spreadsheet as a model. It’s familiar but far more customizable and powerful. Benefits include automation, proofing and approvals, to name a few. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Smartsheet-Timeline-GA-1.png But, remember, most people searching for a Microsoft Planner alternative are looking for something other than a spreadsheet, even a smart one. But be wary of any product that touts its intelligence. There’s a lot missing from this product. For instance, there’s no time tracking, budgeting or resource management. Sure, you can use other tools, but then you’re jumping around and your work is spread across many different platforms. That adds inefficiencies and costs. Smartsheet Pros & Key Features Strong project spreadsheet features Automation to streamline tasks and processes Mobile app for Android and iOS 30-day free trial Smartsheet Cons & Limitations Its spreadsheet tools aren’t ideal for managing all types of projects Project dashboards have an outdated look and feel compared to other Microsoft Planner alternatives Users need to learn formulas to use spreadsheets Pricing Pro plan: $7/user/month Business plan: $25/user/month Q&A Does Smartsheet offer a free trial? Yes, Smartsheet has a 30-day free trial Does Smartsheet have a mobile project management app? Yes, it’s available for Android and iOS Smartsheet Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Automation can save hours of time by automatically sending emails and reminders to ensure we meet our deadlines.” Amy S – from G2 “Easily allows a sharable document that concurrent users can view and make live changes to.” Steven K – from G2 8. Wrike /wp-content/uploads/2022/06/wrike-logo_color_black_RGB-300x60.png Wrike is probably already familiar to you. This Microsoft Planner alternative likes to advertise. If you’ve been searching for a project management tool, then you’ll be seeing their ads. That should tell you something. This is a product for consumers but not professional project managers. Wrike does, however, have kanban boards, reporting tools and Gantt charts, so it’s a pretty good tool for project management. The integration is decent and the dashboard is important for getting a high-level view of the project. /wp-content/uploads/2023/05/resource-management-software-wrike.webp Oddly enough, considering that the Microsoft Planner alternative is being pitched to anyone managing a project, it has a steep learning curve. Even weirder, you have to manually onboard your project team. Isn’t software supposed to streamline processes like this? There’s a lot of data captured by the software, but without a filter to sift through the noise, it can be difficult to find the signal. Even changing a test’s status is a hurdle to clear. Who wants to struggle with the very tool that is being sold to help them better manage their work? Wrike Pros & Key Features Multiple project planning and monitoring tools Easy-to-use project reports 14-day free trial Free plan Mobile app available for Android and iOS Wrike Cons & Limitations Gantt chart view interface looks and feels outdated Limited project reporting features Non-friendly user interface can make it difficult to navigate the software Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Professional plan: $9.80/user/month Business plan: $24.80/user/month Q&A Does Wrike offer a free trial? Yes, Wrike has a 14-day free trial Does Wrike have a mobile project management app? Yes, it’s available for Android and iOS Wrike Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.1/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Wrike has become essential in my day and keeps me organized and on top of my tasks.” Paige T – from G2 “Productivity has been enhanced by removing essential but repetitive chores.” Denise S – from G2 9. Basecamp /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/basecamp-grey-300x66.png Basecamp is the Microsoft Planner alternative that sells itself as a collaborative tool. Collaboration is important, but it’s not unique to project management software. Well, all except Microsoft, which seems to have a blind spot about collaboration. Even their Teams are not ideal. Back to Basecamp, it does collaboration really well. While it doesn’t have a lot of other features, it offers many integrations. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Basecamp-timeline-1600x985.png Of course, integration is great for pulling in other apps you use outside of project management. The fact that this Microsoft Planner alternative has no Gantt chart is detrimental. There’s also no scheduling, resource management or risk management, but then this is primarily a communication tool. However, it even falls short there. It feels as if conversations are siloed and that’s not how you collaborate. Basecamp Pros & Key Features Online collaboration tools for project management teams Friendly user interface Mobile app for Android and iOS 30-day free trial Free plan Basecamp Cons & Limitations Limited project management feature set No Gantt charts No resource or cost-tracking features Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Basecamp plus: $15/user/month Basecamp pro unlimited: $299 flat fee, no users maximum Q&A Does Basecamp offer a free trial? Yes, Basecamp offers a 30-day free trial Does Basecamp have a mobile project management app? Yes, it’s available for Android and iOS Basecamp Reviews G2 review: 4.1/5 Capterra review: 4.3/5 Highlighted User Reviews “As a company, it allows us to flawlessly track all of our conversations, planning, tasks, and project progress.” Özgür K – from G2 “The interface transforms complex functionalities into an intuitive experience for all users.” Tom G – from G2 10. Zoho Projects /wp-content/uploads/2020/02/zoho-logo1.png Zoho Projects is another Microsoft Planner alternative that offers a kanban board for task management. What makes it unique is the social feed shows task updates. That’s pretty cool and a unique way to foster collaboration. There’s also a forum for longer-from discussions. There are timesheets, issue tracking and even a Gantt project view. That’s a lot of what any project manager and the team will want to run a more productive project. /wp-content/uploads/2023/11/zoho-projects.webp Managers will quickly hit a wall when they try to manage resources. There are no resource management features. There’s no reporting either. Now, the Microsoft Planner alternative doesn’t look as hot, huh? That’s why it’s at the bottom of our list. There are definitely some worthwhile features but without resource management and reporting, you’ll be managing as if one hand was tied behind your back. Zoho Projects Key Features & Benefits: Low-cost project management tools Free plan for up to three users Offers a variety of third-party integrations Mobile app for Android and iOS Free plan Zoho Projects Cons & Limitations: Its project planning views such as Gantt charts and kanban boards have limited functionality There are navigability and usability issues across its feature set that affect the user experience Short free trial period Pricing Free plan: $0/user/month Premium: $5/user/month Enterprise: $10/user/month Q&A Does it offer a free trial? Yes, Zoho Projects has a 15-day free trial Does it offer a mobile app? Yes, Zoho Projects has a mobile app Zoho Projects Reviews G2 review: 4.3/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Zoho One offers a comprehensive suite of tools that integrate well with each other, which is great for streamlining multiple business functions in one place.” Peter S – from G2 “A very powerful tool and very easy to use.” Tobias S – from Capterra ProjectManager Is the Best Microsoft Planner Alternative While there are many strong contenders, there can only be one best and that’s ProjectManager. All the Microsoft Planner alternatives have something to benefit your project, but ProjectManager has them all. From task management to risk management, resource management to multiple project views, timesheets to collaboration, and budget to real-time data, the list goes on. The fact that it’s also easy to onboard your team is only icing on the cake. Related Content Best Project Management Software Rankings Best Microsoft Project Alternatives Best Monday.com Alternatives Best Smartsheet Alternatives Best ClickUp Alternatives Best Wrike Alternatives Best Asana Alternatives ProjectManager is award-winning project management software that helps you plan, schedule and track progress in real time. Our collaborative platform allows teams to share files, comment and tag anyone on the project team. Join those delivering successful projects at NASA, Siemens and Nestle using our software. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 10 Best Microsoft Planner Alternatives of 2025 (Free & Paid) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. Apple's new sleep score, now available on the Apple Watch and in the Apple Health app, grades how well you slept on a scale from 0 to 100. Since it grades you retroactively, I can look back at my last month (or even years) of sleep scores to see how the new numbers compare to the scores I’ve gotten from Oura and other wearables. I tried this out, and one thing stood out: Apple is way too easy on me. I’m kidding, sort of. Yes, Apple’s scores are consistently higher than those I get from other wearables, but it’s not like I can definitively say Apple is wrong or Oura is right. I think of a sleep score like a grade on an essay: A bad essay will probably get a bad grade, and a good essay will probably get a good grade, but it’s not like every teacher in the world would agree that your take on Moby Dick’s symbolism deserves exactly a 92%. You may feel like you got away with something if your mid essay comes back with an A+, but as long as the prof is consistent with their grading scheme, you can’t say your grade was wrong. That’s why the accuracy of sleep scores doesn't matter a ton, in my opinion. The World Sleep Society more or less agrees, saying not to read too much into individual scores, but instead keep an eye on trends, like whether your sleep seems to be getting better or worse over time. How Apple's sleep scores measure up to Oura, Garmin, and WhoopWith all of that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to compare my last month or so of Apple sleep scores to those I get from the Oura ring, plus a few data points from my Garmin and Whoop devices. Apple calculates your sleep score based on your sleep duration, bedtime consistency, and interruptions. Competing devices each have their own algorithm. Apple can calculate its score based on the data from any device, not just an Apple Watch, so in some cases the Oura and Apple scores are actually using the same underlying data. Here are the results: Apple is the red line at the top—usually grading me higher than its competitors. Credit: Beth Skwarecki Apple says that over the past month, my most frequent sleep score level is “excellent,” earned on 17 nights. I also had a “high” sleep score on 10 nights, with just one night of “OK” sleep, one of “low” sleep, and no nights “very low.” My major takeaway is that Apple’s scores are almost always higher than those I get from other devices. That said, they tend to go up when the others go up, and down when the others go down, which means that all of these scores are probably useful when looked at from a big-picture point of view. Subjectively, I don’t think my sleep has been all that good lately. I’ve been staying up late more often than I’d like, and waking up tired more often than not. I’d judge it as mostly OK, occasionally poor, and sometimes good. But that’s just, like, my opinion, man. It is true that there’s probably nothing medically wrong with me, and I don't think my sleep is drastically poor—so maybe Apple’s rosy outlook is just a better way to think about my sleep. It’s OK to be a straight-A student sometimes. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. If you’re going to commit to an Amazon Prime membership, you might as well squeeze as much as you can out of the deal. And there's a good amount of juice to squeeze there. The price you pay for Amazon depends on many factors, but regardless of how much you're paying, it's worth it for most people (we did the math). If you're on the fence about signing up, October Prime Day, Amazon's fall version of Prime Day, is just around the corner. It's a great time to sell your soul—or take advantage of the 30-day free trial. How much does Amazon Prime cost?The standard Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, but there are other tiers that some people might qualify for. For example, the new Amazon Prime Student program allows young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 to get all of the Prime perks for half the cost—$7.49 per month or $69 annually. The benefits of Amazon Prime I'll be the first to admit I didn't know all of the benefits that Amazon Prime offers to its members. There are a lot more perks than people think. Here are the most impressive ones (and check out the full list): Fast and free shippingFast free shipping on millions of items: Depending on where you live, shipping can take one or two days, and some even come on the same day—and it’s always free (if being shipped by the Amazon store). Pre-ordered items can be delivered on their release date for free. The option to have items delivered inside your garage with a smart garage device (depending on where you live). Earn rewards for future purchases when you select free no-rush shipping. The option to have all your weekly orders delivered on a specific day, to reduce waste from boxes. The ability to try before you buy when you order clothes or shoes, meaning you have seven days before you get charged for the items you decide to keep. Deals, savings, and salesSubscribe & Save deals that allow you to place recurring orders and save money when you do so. Amazon Prime Rewards Visa card: Cardholders get 5% back on Amazon/Whole Foods purchases. So Prime members who use this card extensively can earn rewards that offset the annual fee. A free year of Grubhub+, normally $9.99 per month, which gets you free delivery on eligible orders, lower service fees, exclusive deals, and other perks. Sharing with family or friends: Prime benefits can be shared with other members of your household. The more users, the more value per person. Medical careAmazon Health: Prime users get One Medical access for an additional $9 per month. Through your devices, you’ll have 24/7 access to on-demand virtual care, plus real-life access to primary care offices in a number of U.S. cities. It accepts most major health insurance plans, too. Amazon Pharmacy: Access to free two-day delivery and other savings on medications. Streaming and digital perksPrime Video: Prime includes unlimited streaming of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals, which normally costs $9 per month. Amazon Music Prime: A music streaming service (which is different from the other three music streaming subscriptions) like Spotify. Prime Gaming: A perk that offers free video games, content, and a free channel subscription on Twitch each month. Amazon Luna: A cloud gaming platform that offers new free games every month for Prime Members. Amazon Photos: A storage solution on Amazon Drive (which extends to members of your Family Vault). E-books and audiobooksPrime Reading: Free access to over 1,000 books and magazines for Kindle or Fire tablets and Kindle apps. Amazon's First Reads: You get up to three free e-books every month from a curated list of books handpicked by editors. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $699.99 (List Price $1,099.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Roku Streaming Stick Plus — $29.00 (List Price $39.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source. If you think fitness trackers are just about step counting and heart rate, get with the times. This week, performance wearable Whoop announced it will integrate clinical laboratory testing directly into its ecosystem, partnering with Quest Diagnostics to launch Whoop Advanced Labs this fall. This adds to a growing trend of more and more wearables aiming to be comprehensive, one-stop health platforms. How Whoop will track bloodworkWhoop members will be able to purchase Quest's clinical laboratory testing, schedule an appointment for testing, and receive test results within the Whoop app. The feature is designed to analyze biomarkers spanning metabolism, hormones, inflammation, cardiovascular health, and nutrient status—all data that goes far beyond what can be captured through wearable sensors alone. The vision is that Whoop subscribers will be able access the types of clinical testing that physicians order (like from Quest Diagnostics) to deliver patient care. "At Whoop, we're committed to empowering our members with a highly comprehensive view into their health and performance," said John Sullivan, Chief Marketing Officer at Whoop. A third-party provider will review test requests, order tests, deliver results through the Whoop app, and provide phone consultations when requested. Whoop Advanced Labs is set to launch later this fall, and members can join the waitlist now at whoop.com/waitlist. Do you really need to monitor everything?Again, Whoop isn't the first wearable company to head in this direction. Ultrahuman, the maker of the Ring AIR smart ring, launched its Blood Vision feature earlier this year. This feature can help people catch health issues early and take proactive steps to address them. At the same time, it raises questions about whether consumers actually need this level of health monitoring from for-profit wellness companies. In my opinion, this all points to a sort of "medicalization" of everyday wellness. While access to health data can be empowering, it can also create anxiety and lead people to over-monitor aspects of their health that might not require constant attention. After all, blood biomarkers can fluctuate for many reasons, and abnormal results don't always indicate health problems. Looking aheadAs Whoop prepares to launch Advanced Labs this fall, it will be interesting to see how consumers respond to this deeper level of health monitoring. For now, it looks like the line between fitness tracker and medical device will continue to blur. Anecdotally, the company's existing user base already skews toward serious athletes and health optimization devotees; in other words, the sort of people who would be interested in comprehensive biomarker tracking. Anyone interested in Whoop's blood testing integration can join the waitlist for Advanced Labs. Whether they'll actually want to know everything their blood is telling them is another question entirely. View the full article

What to watch for now and over the next 10 years. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Hitendra Patil. View the full article

What to watch for now and over the next 10 years. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Hitendra Patil. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news. You may have heard of the Pomodoro technique before—perhaps even here at Lifehacker—and might already be aware it’s a solid productivity hack. But applied in another way, i can actually be more than that: This technique is also an excellent study tool that can help you maximize your focus and retention. It's time-tested, variable, and available to you whether you want to do it the old-fashioned way or call in the help of an app. What is the Pomodoro technique?Although it has a fancy name, the technique itself is simple: If you have a large task to complete, you should break it down into pieces and schedule breaks to reward yourself in between finishing bits of it. The scheduling is the key part: When following the classic Pomodoro model, you have to set an alarm for 25 minutes and 25 minutes only. So, work for 25 minutes, and when the alarm goes off, take a five-minute break, maybe to grab a snack, refill your coffee, or scroll social media. When the five minutes are up, get back to work. Do this over and over, but every four cycles, give yourself a bigger break, up to a half an hour. In the event something distracts you—whether it’s your phone or another person—you have to reset your timer, so try instead to be direct and tell them you’re busy and will be able to reconnect with them in a bit. Then, put them off until you get your five-minute break or even after your whole task is finished. This works because you are aware you’re getting that little reset once your 25 minutes are up. You can throw yourself into the task knowing there’s a little treat coming down the pipeline. And while you rest up, your brain is processing everything you just learned. How to use Pomodoro for studyingWe usually discuss the Pomodoro technique in terms of working professionally, especially when there’s a big project you need to complete, but its origins actually come from the academic sphere. The method was invented by Fancesco Cirillo, a developer and entrepreneur, but he came up with it when he was a student. It’s actually named for the little tomato-shaped timer he used when he was studying. Those methods are certainly still viable, but the popularity of his technique has also birthed a cottage industry of specialty timers. On Amazon, you can get a Pomodoro-specific timer for under $20. These offer different preset time allotments, so you don't have to stick to the 25 on, five off model—but I'll get to that in a moment. You can use this method to study for a test by breaking up the content you need to review. You go by chapter, by content, or by “chunk,” if you’re using the chunking method to divvy up your study load (which you should be). It’s a good way to stay on task if you get easily distracted and dividing your topics up will help you remember them better. It’s not ideal for quick cramming sessions, however, since you need at least two hours to get four “Pomodoros” in. Do this on a day you have plenty of time to devote to studying—and, of course, relaxing. Pomodoro variations that work for studyingAs noted, the classic Pomodoro technique involves 25 minutes on and five minutes off, but you needn't be so rigid—there's a reason those Pomodoro timers don't lock you to those intervals. Twenty-five minute increments worked for Cirillo and countless adherents after him, but they may not work for you. I do recommend starting with the classic technique, but if you're not finding yourself falling into a state of deep work during those blocks of time, you have to switch things up. There's a lot of flexibility to the method, so feel free to experiment. For instance, one student invented "Animedoro" a few years ago. This approach involves working for longer intervals, around 40 to 60 minutes, then getting 20 minutes to relax and do something you enjoy—like watching an episode of anime, which tend to be about 20 minutes long. With longer working time, you have a better chance of getting into deep work and focusing, plus not getting discombobulated when your timer suddenly goes off. Another approach is called Pomodoro 2.0 and it involves adding 15 minutes to your work period every time you return to your task, so you focus longer and longer as you go. You still need to take breaks, of course, and you can even make those incrementally longer too. Or maybe you prefer to work in quick bursts. You can try variations where you study for just 10 minutes before a short break, giving yourself a sense of urgency as you try to see how many flashcards you can study in that time. The point is it's up to you: A period of work interspersed with breaks is the only core element of the method, and you can approach it in whatever way you find most useful. Just keep in mind that you'll get better results if you commit to a set structure, even if it takes some time to adjust to it. Pomodoro apps can helpI'm a fan of those Pomodoro timers because they keep me off my phone, which is a major distraction—it's a slippery slope from setting an alarm to checking a notification and then finding myself in a Reels hole 10 minutes of my allotted study time. Then again, the phone can be useful if you're using it productively. Many focus timer apps can be used with the Pomodoro method, and will even block other apps during the work-time increments you set, or otherwise penalize you for getting distracted when you should be focusing. (If you need suggestions, I've previously written about a few of my favorites.) There are also Pomodoro-specific apps—including my top pick, FocusPomo—that exist purely to help you structure your study or productivity time around the famous technique. If using your phone alarm seems risky and buying a tabletop timer off Amazon feels antiquated, look into one of these. View the full article