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The solution is compatible with most enterprise Wi-Fi vendors, Helium says. The post Helium becomes ‘the Uber of telecoms’ as Helium Plus invites you to share your Wi-Fi, build coverage, & earn tokens appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

HERE'S A LOOK at some of the best leadership books to be released in August 2025 curated just for you. Be sure to check out the other great titles being offered this month. Scaling Innovation: How Smart Companies Architect Profitable Growth by Madhavan Ramanujam and Eddie Hartman The brutal truth: most startups and scale-ups don't fail because of bad products. They fail because they never figure out how to grow fast―and profitably. Some chase market share at all costs, burning cash on customers who won't pay enough to sustain the business. Others over-monetize too soon, pushing away the customers they need to reach scale. Still others obsess over customer loyalty, missing larger markets and monetization potential. And then there are those who assume a great product will sell itself, only to realize too late that pricing, packaging, positioning and value selling matter just as much. The true winners take a different approach. They adopt a Profitable Growth Mindset, refusing to choose between market expansion and monetization―instead, they dominate both. Instead of relying on instinct or momentum. Confident by Choice: The Three Small Decisions That Build Everyday Courage by Juan Bendaña What if you could summon genuine confidence anytime you need it? Being happier, building better relationships, overcoming fear: the missing link between you and everything you want to achieve is self-confidence. The problem? Confidence is hard to build, and even when we do, it often feels temporary and forced. After years of research and working with over 250,000 individuals, Juan Bendaña uncovered the four myths about confidence that actually cause and reinforce self-doubt. Confidence is not linked to genetics, extraversion, insecurities, or competence. To combat these myths, Juan Bendaña developed the Confidence Cycle, a repeatable flywheel that will help you gain and sustain confidence in every aspect of life through three key decisions: Decision #1: Micro-Energy, Decision #2: Micro-Courage, Decision #3: Micro-Action Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly by Les Csorba Great leaders don’t just see the path ahead—they see themselves clearly first; mastering self-awareness is the difference between thriving at the top and blindly leading toward failure. Great leaders aren’t just skilled strategists—they’re deeply self-aware. In Aware, Les Csorba, reveals how identifying blind spots and having the courage to address them can determine the success or failure of a leader and their organization. Drawing from decades of experience as a Partner with Heidrick & Struggles, the worldwide recruiting and leadership consulting firm advising top executives and Fortune 500 corporate boards—and his time serving as Special Assistant to the President in the White House —Les shares how self-awareness, paired with bold action, separates exceptional leaders from those who fall short. Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions by L. David Marquet and Michael A. Gillespie Be yourself. Be fully present. Be in the moment. This is a message we hear constantly. While this may be beneficial some of the time, the biggest obstacle to making wiser decisions that actually drive lasting success is ourselves. Being fully immersed in our own limited point of view biases our decisions toward defending our previous actions and maintaining our self-image. We need to exit our me-here-and-now self and get an outside perspective that sees us and the situation we are in objectively. We need a coach. This book shows us how to become our own coach by using a mental technique called psychological distancing. Primal Intelligence: You Are Smarter Than You Know by Angus Fletcher Tap into your hidden intelligence and transform your life. How are some people so much smarter than the rest of us? Where do visionary creatives and savvy decision-makers like Vincent van Gogh, Steve Jobs, Abraham Lincoln, Maya Angelou, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Wayne Gretzky, Warren Buffett, and William Shakespeare get their extraordinary mental abilities? In 2021, researchers at Ohio State’s Project Narrative, renowned for collaborations with NASA, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley, announced they had the answer. They named it Primal Intelligence. And they published scientific proof that Primal Intelligence was impossible for computers—but could be strengthened in humans. Intrigued, U.S. Army Special Operations developed Primal training for its most classified units. The Army then authorized trials on civilian entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, managers, salesforces, coaches, teachers, investors, and NFL players. Their leadership and innovation improved significantly. They coped better with change and uncertainty. They experienced less anger and anxiety. Finally, the Army provided Primal training to college and K-12 classrooms. It produced substantial effects in students as young as eight. For bulk orders call 1-626-441-2024 * * * “You can't think well without writing well, and you can't write well without reading well. And I mean that last "well" in both senses. You have to be good at reading, and read good things.” — Paul Graham, Y Combinator co-founder * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter on cultivating a mental focus: “As Al continues to advance and become more integrated into our working lives, it’s likely to further exacerbate the challenges posed by our already-distracted and data-filled environment. This new reality needs—no, demands—a proactive stance. Leaders who want to be successful today and tomorrow must commit to a more rigorous practice of cultivating inner stillness. They need to develop a deliberate, meaningful approach to managing the inner game of leadership—which starts with the mind. Actively cultivating a mind that is clearer and more spacious prevents leaders from being consumed by this relentless flow of data and enables them to make wiser, more informed decisions.” Source: More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead II. Jennifer Moss on eating lunch together: “Working remotely doesn’t have to be a barrier to building relational energy. Just take lunch with you and away from your desk. Call a friend or meet a friend. Go outside if you can. Eating lunch with others pays off. One study found that participants who ate together were more cooperative and trusting compared to those who did not. Eating with others also improved tenure and enhanced overall work group performance.” Source: Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

Here is a selection of Posts from July 2025 that you will want to check out: 4 Lessons on Selecting the Right Leader for Your Organization from Guardiola and Silva by @BrianKDodd King's Legacy Continues to Serve by @jamesstrock Our Founders' Humanity Renders Their Example Compelling The Power of Self-Reflection: Transform Your Life from Within via @lifehackorg Leon Ho What is The Foundation of Achievement? 3 Leadership Lessons from Ichiro Suzuki’s Hall of Fame Speech by @BrianKDodd BREAK THE PLATEAU: How High Performers Raise Their Game When the Spark Fades by @AlanSteinJr Don’t Let Five Bad Minutes Steal Your Day by @TheDaily_Coach Our ability to pause, reframe, and reset during a bad five minutes—before an inconvenience becomes a mood, and before that mood becomes your message—is critical When to Ignore the Critics by @KevinPaulScott How To Lead When Your Team is Smarter or More Experienced Than You by @PhilCooke How (and Why) to Think Like an Entrepreneur by @brucerosenstein When the Growing Gets Tough by @Julie_WG If a Leader Had Only One Question They Could Ask via @AdmiredLeader The Leaders Who Say the Least: No Speech Needed via @TheDaily_Coach Everlasting Epilogue by @James_Albright Struggling to Write Consistently? 8 Proven Ways to Maintain Your Momentum! by @WallyBock The Lopsided Truth: Why Writing Your First Book Isn’t as Easy as It Looks by @WallyBock Why Some People Are Clutch via @AdmiredLeaders For America 250: The Theodore Roosevelt Center for American Citizenship from @jamesstrock Why Resistance to Change So Often Defies Logic by Greg Satell @Digitaltonto Is Your Book a Secret? Turn Marketing Into a Habit, Not a Chore by @WallyBock Culture is Everything by @XPastorOnline Kevin Stone July 4th: A Moment for Humility by @jamesstrock Things Could Have Turned Out Differently Why Your Crisis Could Be The Key To Your Creativity by @PhilCooke What Does Leadership Growth Really Look Like? 3 Clear Signs by @WScottCochrane See more on Twitter. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

When you need to integrate your tools, you have more than a few options. Robotic process automation, workflow automation, two-way sync, and native integrations are just some of your options. So what are native integrations? When should you use them? What is a native integration? An integration is a piece of software that bridges the gap between two other platforms, allowing for the transfer of data between them. A native integration is built right into another tool, empowering users to push data from that tool to another without any extra software. These integrations have different levels of functionality, with some only giving you a snapshot of what’s happening in another tool, while others can actually sync data back and forth in real time. Key characteristics of a native integration Built directly into the tool to be integrated. Developed by the original software vendor. Accessible through the application’s standard interface. Range of functionality, from read-only views to two-way synchronization. The benefits of native integrations There are many integration solutions out on the market, from two-way sync platforms to automation tools and robotic process automation. With native integrations just being one option among many, why use them at all? They’re easy to set up: Native integrations are built specifically for your tool by the team who built that tool. That means they’re usually easier to deploy than other integration solutions. They’re a strong choice for a first integration: If your team doesn’t have any integrations and knows they need one, native integrations are a great place to start. They might be enough for your needs: For some teams, a snapshot of data from another tool is more than enough. Think of project managers who just want a look into how software development projects are progressing. They’re often cheaper: Many native integrations are built right into existing subscriptions for other tools, meaning you don’t have to pay for any additional licenses to use them. The disadvantages of native integrations While native integrations come with some marked advantages, they aren’t always the best solution for your needs. Before you consider your options, here are some disadvantages of native integrations to keep in mind. They’re typically more limited: Native integrations are typically created for a very specific purpose, such as Jira’s native Confluence integration, which puts documentation from Confluence at the fingertips of developers in Jira. That means these integrations don’t always support everything you need to do. They don’t scale: Native integrations can handle light, recurring tasks well, but they can rarely serve as the backbone of your workflows. If you need an integration that can support heavy cross-tool workflows, native integrations might not be your best bet. They don’t integrate everything: With native integrations, you’ll be limited to the tools the integration’s provider has built. Unlike third-party integration solutions, which typically benefit from having a broader array of integrations, native integration providers offer a more limited range. They lock you in: As long as you’re using the platform that has the native integration you learn to rely on, this shouldn’t be an issue. But as soon as you need to migrate away from that platform, you’ll need to find a new integration. 5 examples of native integrations Native integrations have seen a massive growth in popularity. That means just about any tool you use probably has a few already. Here are a few examples of native integrations, what they look like, and what they can do for your workflow. Slack apps Slack apps give users extra functionality without leaving Slack. Some of them are built by the team at Slack while others are provided by third parties. With dozens of apps available, the exact level of integration you get can vary widely, but they all have one thing in common; you can use them without leaving Slack. Some of the most popular Slack apps include: Google Drive, which pushes notifications from Drive to Slack. Google Calendar, an app that lets you check your schedule and respond to meeting invites. Zoom, with which you can create Zoom meetings without leaving Slack. Jira, an app that gives you notifications and previews for Jira issues in Slack. GitHub’s built-in Jira integration GitHub and Jira are two of the most popular tools for software teams, so it’s no surprise that GitHub would offer a native integration that brings the two together. With this integration, Jira users can get quick previews of any work happening in GitHub, while GitHub users can actually interact with Jira issues without leaving their tool. These interactions range from closing Jira issues to updating time-tracking fields. Microsoft 365 native integrations You might not think of your Microsoft apps as being integrated, but they’re actually a perfect example of native integrations. You can embed PowerPoint slides in Word, explore Excel documents in a Team meeting without sharing your screen, and more. Because you don’t have to add any extra software for these tools to work together, they count as native integrations. Trello’s native Jira integration This Trello Power-Up lets Jira and Trello users collaborate on their work without jumping back and forth between the two tools. You can add a snapshot of a Jira issue in any Trello card with just a few clicks, giving project managers visibility on what’s happening in your software projects. Asana’s native Jira integration This native integration creates a two-way sync between Asana and Jira, so that Asana tasks become Jira issues and vice versa. That means teams in Jira can work with their issues populated with data from Asana, and Asana teams can work with data from Jira. Trello’s GitHub Power-Up GitHub is one of the most popular version control tools in software development. This native integration lets Trello users get a look at what’s happening in GitHub. Salesforce AppExchange integrations Salesforce provides native integrations with marketing automation, customer service, and analytics platforms directly through its AppExchange marketplace. How to use native integrations Now that you’ve seen what native integrations are like, here’s how you can make sure you deploy one the right way. Identifying your needs Just like all integrations aren’t created equal, your teams’ needs aren’t all equal. For some teams, a simple snapshot of data from another tool is more than enough to collaborate effectively. Others need a full two-way sync to get things done. Make sure to get an accurate read on a team’s needs before you pick out an integration solution for them. Setting up your native integration One of the advantages of native integrations is how easy to set up; they can usually be added to your tools in just a few minutes. But those few minutes add up. Before you deploy any integration, you need to check whether they can be deployed across everyone’s tool at once or you’ll have to plan things out more thoroughly. Leveraging your integration effectively Picking the right integration and setting it up are important, but that won’t guarantee it’ll get used properly. Make sure the people who’ll be using the integration have the proper training to use it correctly. Take the time to show them the time and productivity benefits they’ll gain from using it, and help them find opportunities for implementing it. When should you use native integrations? FeatureNative integrationsThird-party platformsSetup timeMinutes to hoursHours to monthsCustomizationLimitedExtensiveCostOften included with existing subscriptionAdditional license costSupportSame as existing toolDedicated supportScalabilityApplication-dependentEnterprise-gradeSecurityVendor-managedThird-party Native integrations can be a perfect fit for some needs, while not being as perfect for others. Here are the ideal scenarios for using native integrations: Your operations are still small: Whether you don’t rely on that many tools or you don’t have much data to integrate, native integrations can work for you. Basic data connectivity between a handful of applications is where native integrations shine. Limited technical resources: If your organization doesn’t have dedicated IT or engineering resources to build and maintain an integration platform, then native integrations might work best for you. One-way data flow or automation: While some native integrations support two-way syncing between tools, most don’t. They’ll give you a read-only view of one tool, push new work items from one tool to another, or automate field updates in one tool. If that’s all you need, then these tools might be enough. When should you not use a native integration? While native integrations are easy to set up, simple to use, and more than enough for some teams, they’re not always the best solution. Here are some situations when you should be looking for an alternative. When it isn’t available While most tools you use will have at least a few integrations, they may not have the ones you need. Some tools, especially, only have a few integrations available. If that’s the case, don’t wait for a native integration; start looking for another option. GitHub, for example, doesn’t allow you to natively export issues to other tools in easily transferrable files like CSV. When you need more Most native integrations have limited functionality, meaning they’re not going to suit every team. When a native integration isn’t cutting it for you, don’t just make do. When you want your tools to feel seamless Native integrations are great for setting up a simple connection between two tools, but they don’t make working across tools feel seamless. If that’s what you’re looking for, a native integration isn’t going to cut it. So what should you do? What other integration options are there? While native integrations might be the easiest to access — and they’re usually built into an existing subscription — they’re not always the best solution. Here are some of your other options. Building integrations If you have the resources, you can have development teams or engineers build an integration specifically for your needs. You can do this completely from scratch, usually by accessing information pulled from a platform’s API. You can also use third-party integration tools that centralize these APIs, accelerating your technical team’s work. Note that integration development is often the most expensive option, in both time and money, but it leads to a solution specifically tailored to your needs. Automation platforms Automation platforms like Zapier and Make can use actions you take in one tool as triggers to automate actions in other tools. For example, if you create a Jira issue, an automation platform can automatically create a matching record in ServiceNow. It might also update a field in a ServiceNow record when you update a matched field in another tool. Depending on your needs, these tools can get expensive, but not as much as building your own version. Two-way sync solutions Two-way sync solutions create relationships between work items in two software systems and keeps them up to date automatically. These integration platforms will automatically create new items to match the ones you create manually, as well as keeping fields up to date in both tools. These platforms are the best way to work seamlessly across tools, migrate at your own pace, or build reports that are automatically updated with the latest data. Want to know the best two-way sync solution for enterprise teams? Unito: The best alternative to native integrations The best integration solution should find a balance between being as easy to use as the tool it’s integrating and handling all your team’s needs. Native integrations don’t fit that bill. Most integration platforms on the market don’t either. Only Unito does. Unito is a new approach to two-way syncing with some of the deepest integrations for the most popular tools on the market. It’s easy to set up, easy to use, and most Unito users start syncing data in 12 minutes or less. Ready to optimize your workflow? Meet with our team to see what Unito can do for your workflows. Talk to sales View the full article

So, to clear up the confusion, I’ll show you the key metrics that really matter, explain how to make sense of them, and show you how to do it all with one free, privacy-friendly tool that’s ready for the AI…Read more ›View the full article

This guide will teach you how to set up an integration to sync ServiceNow records with Jira issues using an automated 2-way flow from Unito. Since Unito is a completely customizable platform with a no-code interface, you can deploy your first integration without an IT team. You also won’t have to troubleshoot complete automations or work with expensive consultants. More of a visual learner? Check out this video tutorial for syncing ServiceNow and Jira. By the end of this guide your ServiceNow-Jira integration will: Create new Jira issues automatically based on ServiceNow records you create. Create new ServiceNow records synced with the Jira issues you work on. Update fields in real-time as you work in both tools. In this article: Connecting ServiceNow to Unito for the first time Setup in Jira Step 1: Connect ServiceNow and Jira to Unito Step 2: Choose flow direction Step 3: Build rules to sync specific work items Step 4: Set field mappings between ServiceNow and Jira Step 5: Launch your ServiceNow-Jira integration Before you sync You need to connect a ServiceNow account with CRUD rights (create, read, update, and delete) for the records and tables you plan on syncing to Unito. If you’re not sure how to do this, contact your ServiceNow admin for guidance. Connecting ServiceNow to Unito for the first time A ServiceNow admin needs to set up the initial connection between Unito and your ServiceNow account. From there, you can authorize Unito to sync data out of ServiceNow using OAuth 2.0 or a username and password. Make sure you have the following information on hand to connect your account: ServiceNow Domain URL: https://INSTANCENAME.service-now.com OAuth 2.0: An OAuth Client ID and Secret Username: Your ServiceNow username and password Setup in Jira If you’re connecting Jira to Unito via OAuth2, then simply follow the on-screen instructions when adding your account for the first time: If you’re not using OAuth 2 to connect to your Jira Cloud workspace, you’ll need to do the following: Set your Jira contact email visibility to anyone in your Jira profile page. Set up an application link in Jira to sync your issues to ServiceNow. If you’re connecting an on-premise Jira Server instance to Unito, you’ll need to follow this guide. You can also use ngrok to connect Jira Server to Unito. Step 1: Connect ServiceNow and Jira to Unito Sign up for Unito. Click +Create Flow in the Unito app. Click Start Here to connect ServiceNow and Jira. Click +Choose account for each tool and complete the authorization process. Choose the type of ServiceNow record you want to include in your flow. Unito supports all record types, including requests and incidents. Choose the ServiceNow table and Jira project you want to sync. Once that’s done, click Confirm. First time connecting tools to Unito? Check out our in-depth guide. Step 2: Choose flow direction With flow direction, you determine where Unito automatically creates work items to match those you create manually. You have three options: 2-way: Both ServiceNow records and Jira issues are automatically created by your Unito flow to match the items your team creates manually in each tool. 1-way from ServiceNow to Jira: Jira issues will be automatically created by Unito to match ServiceNow records you create manually. Unito won’t create new ServiceNow records. 1-way from Jira to ServiceNow: ServiceNow records will be automatically created by Unito to match Jira issues you create manually. Unito won’t create new Jira issues. Here’s a more detailed guide to how flow direction works. Step 3: Build rules to sync specific work items Unito rules can do two things: Filter out work items you don’t want to sync. For example, you could create a rule that only syncs records set as High priority. Automating certain actions. For example, you could create a rule that automatically assigns new Jira issues to a specific user. To start building your rule, click Add a new rule, then choose a trigger and action. You can learn more about setting rules here. Step 4: Map fields between ServiceNow and Jira When you map fields, you pair fields in ServiceNow with fields in Jira so data always goes right where it needs to be. Unito can usually map most fields automatically, whether they’re exactly the same (Assignee→Assignee) or compatible (URL→Text). You can also choose to map fields manually to fully customize your flow. Here’s what you’ll see when Unito maps your fields automatically. To add a new field mapping, click +Add mapping then Select a field. When you choose the field you want to map in one tool, Unito will automatically recommend compatible fields in a dropdown under the other tool. Fields identified with a cog icon can be customized further once they’re mapped. For example, a Status field can be customized so its options match those in another field. Step 5: Launch your ServiceNow-Jira integration That’s it! You’re ready to launch your flow. Unito will automatically keep ServiceNow records and Jira issues in sync. This will allow your teams to collaborate more effectively without copying and pasting data or jumping back and forth between tools. Ready to optimize your workflow? Meet with our team to see what Unito can do for your workflows. Talk to sales What’s next? Need to integrate ServiceNow or HubSpot with other tools in your stack? Check out our other guides: Syncing ServiceNow with Asana Integrating Jira with GitHub Connecting ServiceNow and Google Sheets Syncing Jira with Smartsheet Integrating ServiceNow and Azure DevOps Connecting Jira with Salesforce Syncing ServiceNow and Zendesk View the full article

One of the most challenging parts of freelancing is figuring out what you’re going to do about healthcare. Unlike traditional workplaces, which provide employees with healthcare plans, freelancers typically do not receive insurance plans from their clients. This can often leave freelancers in a precarious position, forcing them to pay high out-of-pocket prices for health insurance plans, relying on a partner’s employer healthcare coverage, or in certain cases, forgoing insurance entirely. New legislation seeks to change this, clearing barriers for clients to disperse money into an independent worker’s account to use for healthcare and other benefits like time off. These accounts would then stay with the worker throughout the rest of their gigs, accumulating money from different sources, and as such are known as portable benefits. This could have enormous potential for freelancers who struggle to build a safety net — however, it must be done correctly, and with workers’ needs put first. The bill that’s been introduced is called Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act, written by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), as part of a legislative package created with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-SC) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). Under the bill, companies could invest in benefits like healthcare of their independent workers, but it can also shield them from misclassification lawsuits. Some labor experts see it as a way for companies — particularly Lyft and Uber — to side-step classifying their workers as employees, and allow them to abscond from paying the costs associated with a full-time worker, like unemployment insurance and workers comp. Plus, the ability to opt into these programs is completely voluntary, and a pilot program in Pennsylvania saw DoorDash workers seeing only minimal gains from such an account. “These proposals would make it easier for large corporations to misclassify workers as independent contractors, in order to avoid paying them decent wages and decent benefits. These bills are not about giving workers the freedom to work,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told ABC7. The senator has introduced his own bill, Pensions for All, to help those without retirement plans gain coverage. Freelancers Union executive director Rafael Espinal appeared on NY1 to assess the current opportunities and challenges that portable benefits present. “Republicans have a history of putting corporate interests first, which is why I want to see Democrats step up to the table and start advocating for the needs of the workers,” Espinal said. If you want to ensure that portable benefits puts your interests and needs above that of corporations, we encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and ask them what their stance is on portable benefits, and what they plan to do about it. This could be a huge opportunity to move forward the conversation on workers’ rights — but it all depends on who’s speaking. View the full article

One of the most challenging parts of freelancing is figuring out what you’re going to do about healthcare. Unlike traditional workplaces, which provide employees with healthcare plans, freelancers typically do not receive insurance plans from their clients. This can often leave freelancers in a precarious position, forcing them to pay high out-of-pocket prices for health insurance plans, relying on a partner’s employer healthcare coverage, or in certain cases, forgoing insurance entirely. New legislation seeks to change this, clearing barriers for clients to disperse money into an independent worker’s account to use for healthcare and other benefits like time off. These accounts would then stay with the worker throughout the rest of their gigs, accumulating money from different sources, and as such are known as portable benefits. This could have enormous potential for freelancers who struggle to build a safety net — however, it must be done correctly, and with workers’ needs put first. The bill that’s been introduced is called Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act, written by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), as part of a legislative package created with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-SC) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). Under the bill, companies could invest in benefits like healthcare of their independent workers, but it can also shield them from misclassification lawsuits. Some labor experts see it as a way for companies — particularly Lyft and Uber — to side-step classifying their workers as employees, and allow them to abscond from paying the costs associated with a full-time worker, like unemployment insurance and workers comp. Plus, the ability to opt into these programs is completely voluntary, and a pilot program in Pennsylvania saw DoorDash workers seeing only minimal gains from such an account. “These proposals would make it easier for large corporations to misclassify workers as independent contractors, in order to avoid paying them decent wages and decent benefits. These bills are not about giving workers the freedom to work,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told ABC7. The senator has introduced his own bill, Pensions for All, to help those without retirement plans gain coverage. Freelancers Union executive director Rafael Espinal appeared on NY1 to assess the current opportunities and challenges that portable benefits present. “Republicans have a history of putting corporate interests first, which is why I want to see Democrats step up to the table and start advocating for the needs of the workers,” Espinal said. If you want to ensure that portable benefits puts your interests and needs above that of corporations, we encourage you to reach out to your elected officials and ask them what their stance is on portable benefits, and what they plan to do about it. This could be a huge opportunity to move forward the conversation on workers’ rights — but it all depends on who’s speaking. View the full article

Hybrid meetings have become the norm, allowing teams to collaborate across the entire globe. However, this blend of in-person and remote participants can often present challenges, from ensuring everyone feels equally involved to capturing every crucial detail. This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges as a powerful game-changer, transforming hybrid meetings from logistical hurdles into highly equitable, accessible, and productive collaboration hubs. View the full article

Writing the right SEO title or meta description can be time-consuming, especially when unsure what works best. That’s where Yoast AI Generate comes in. Now, all Yoast SEO users can try it with 10 free Sparks. What does Yoast AI Generate do? Yoast AI Generate suggests SEO titles and meta descriptions based on your content and keyphrase to help your content stand out in search results and attract more visitors. It analyzes your post and offers tailored suggestions that are clear, relevant, and optimized for search, without starting from scratch. Use Yoast AI Generate to: Speed up your workflow Improve your search snippet quality Feel more confident about what you publish You stay in control: review, edit, or regenerate suggestions before applying them. Here’s why you’ll love this opportunity You can try Yoast AI Generate with 10 free Sparks You don’t need to create an account You don’t need to upgrade or share credit card information The free sparks do not regenerate; this is a one-time offer. Why we’re offering this Not everyone can experience the effectiveness of our AI tools, especially if you’re using the free plugin. This offer makes it easy to try Yoast AI Generate immediately and see the value for yourself, without needing to commit. It’s a simple way to explore what smarter SEO can look like in your workflow Read how to use Yoast AI Generate in your Yoast SEO and start optimizing. The post Try AI-powered SEO with 10 free Sparks. appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

Table of contents Choose what AI sees Why this matters Built for the future of SEO AI tools are changing how people discover your website, and not always in the way you’d want. They might surface old blog posts, low-priority pages, or content that no longer reflects your brand. That can confuse users, damage trust, and dilute your expertise. That’s where llms.txt comes in. And now, you can personalize it. Choose what AI sees The llms.txt file points large language models to the content on your site that deserves attention. With the latest update, you’re in control: Manual mode: Pick the exact pages you want to include. Automatic mode: Let Yoast handle it by prioritizing cornerstone content. Updated for you weekly. Easy toggle: Turn the feature on or off anytime. No coding, uploads, or extra tools. Why this matters AI is already influencing how people experience your site and brands through summaries, answers, and search results. If it highlights the wrong content, it can: Misrepresent your business Confuse your audience Undermine your credibility This update gives you more control over how your site is understood by large language models now and as AI-driven search continues to evolve. Built for the future of SEO Fully integrated in Yoast SEO and Yoast SEO Premium No third-party plugins needed Designed specifically for AI visibility, not just general SEO You’ll find all llms.txt settings in the Site Features panel. Just flip the switch and choose the setup that works best for you. Learn how to set up llms.txt in Yoast SEO The post Updated llms.txt: More control for future discovery appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

Hello folks, The more I read about AI, the more I’m torn—am I becoming AI-ffectionate, or just AI-nxious? One thing I’m sure of: AI isn’t just changing how we work. It’s reshaping our language, the way we communicate, what we need to be cautious about—and in the world of remote work and hiring, even how we prove we’re actually human. Now that AI can do the thinking, is it possible that the most human thing left… is waving? -Maja Our Favorite Articles 💯Hiring Meets Its Deepfake Era (HR Brew)By 2028, 1 in 4 job applications could be deepfakes. To tell who's real, recruiters are asking some very unusual questions.👉 ​Keep reading​. The Hidden Damage AI Can Do at Work (ACM)AI is exploiting human biases and breaking systems from within. Left unchecked, it slowly erodes decision-making and trust. 👉 ​Find out how.​ Quick thoughts that stick (3‑2‑1, James Clear)Simple but strategic habits that compound into meaningful change. A reminder that small shifts often matter more than big plans. 👉 ​Read on​. Stuck? These questions might help (Lifehacker)Mindset diagnostics to reset engagement and energy. A gentle nudge toward clarity when motivation feels out of reach. 👉 ​Check it out​. This Week's Sponsor 🙌Too many emails? Declutter your inbox with Meco, your home for reading newsletters. Try it for free ​Remotive​ Jobs 💼Let's get you hired! These teams are hiring now: 💻 Engineering 👉 ​Senior Django Developer at Proxify​ (CET +/- 3 HOURS) 👉 ​Senior Independent Software Developer at A.Team​ (Americas, Europe, Israel) 🎨 Design 👉 ​Senior Independent UX/UI Designer at A.Team​ (Americas, Europe, Israel) 📱Product 👉 ​Chief Product Officer at smartIBAN​ (European Timezones) 🍃 All others 👉 ​Entrepreneurial Apprentice to Eccentric Millionaire at JLS Trading Co​ (Worldwide) Free Guides & Tools​Public Job Board​We curate 2,000 remote jobs so you don't have to! ​Find your remote job →​ ​Exclusive Webinar​3 Mistakes to Avoid When Looking For A Remote Startup Job (And What To Do Instead) ​Register for free →​ ​Job Search Tips​Looking for a remote job? Here are our tips to help you work remotely ​Check it out →​ Join the Remotive newsletter Subscribe to get our latest content by email. Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again. Email address Subscribe Powered by ConvertKit View the full article

In the wake of my recent (and inaugural) visit to Disneyland, I read Richard Snow’s history of the park, Disney’s Land. Early in the book, Snow tells a story that I hadn’t heard before. It fascinated me—not just for its details, but also, as I’ll soon elaborate, for its potential relevance to our current moment. The tale begins in 1948. According to Snow, Disney’s personal nurse and informal confidant, Hazel George, had become worried. “[She] began to sense that her boss was sinking into what seemed to her to be a dangerous depression,” Snow writes. “Perhaps even heading toward what was then called a nervous breakdown.” The sources of this distress were obvious. Disney’s studio hadn’t had a hit since Bambi’s release in 1942, and the loss of the European markets during the war, as well as the economic uncertainty that followed in peacetime, had strained the company’s finances. Meanwhile, during this same period, Disney faced an animator strike that he took as a personal betrayal. “It seemed again to just be pound, pound, pound,” writes Snow. “Disney was often aggressive, abrupt, and when not angry, remote.” Hazel George, however, had a solution. She knew about Disney’s childhood fascination with steam trains, so it caught her attention when she saw an advertisement in the paper for the Chicago Railroad Fair, which would feature exhibits from thirty different railway lines built out over fifty acres on the shore of Lake Michigan. She suggested Disney take a vacation to see the fair. He loved the idea. In Chicago, entranced by what he encountered, Disney felt a spark of the creative enthusiasm that had been missing throughout the war years. He just needed to find a way to harness it. Serendipitously, upon returning to Los Angeles, one of his animators, Ward Kimball, introduced him to a group of West Coast train enthusiasts who were building scale models of functioning steam trains large enough for an adult to ride on (think: cars roughly the length of a child’s wagon). This, Disney decided, is what he needed to do. In 1949, Disney and his wife, Lillian, bought a five-acre plot of land on Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of LA, to build a new house. They chose the location in large part because Disney thought its layout would be perfect for his own scale railroad project. Over the next year, he worked with the machine shops at his studio to help construct his scale trains and with a team of landscapers to build out the track and its surroundings. When complete, Disney’s Carolwood Pacific Railroad, as he called it, included a half-mile of right-of- way that circled the house and yard, including a 46-foot-long trestle bridge and a 90-foot-long tunnel dug under his wife’s flower bed—complete with an S-turn shape so that you couldn’t see the other end upon entering. His rolling stock included his 1:8 scale steam locomotive, called the Lilly Belle, six cast-metal gondolas, two boxcars, two stock cars, a flatcar, and a wooden caboose decorated inside with miniature details like a twig-sized broom and tiny potbelly stove that could actually be lit. As Snow tells it, this project re-energized Disney. The more he worked on the line, the more ideas began to flow for his company. Soon, one such idea began to dominate all the others. In 1953, Disney abruptly shut down the Carolwood Pacific. It had accomplished its goal of helping him rediscover his creative inspiration, but now he had a bigger project to pursue; one that would dominate the final chapter of his career and provide him endless fascination and enthusiasm: he would build a theme park. As Snow concludes: “Of all the influences that helped shape Disneyland, the railroad is the seminal one. Or, rather, a railroad. One Disney owned.” ~~~ My term for what Disney achieved in building the Carolwood Pacific Railroad is engineered wonder. More generally, engineered wonder is when you take something that sparks a genuine flare of interest, and you pursue it to a degree that’s remarkable (or, depending on who you ask, perhaps even absurd). Such projects are not done for money, or advancement, or respect, but instead just because they fascinate you, and you want to amplify that feeling as expansively as possible. This brings me back to my promised connection to our current moment. In the early 1950s, Disney deployed engineered wonder to escape the creativity-sapping economic doldrums created by wartime uncertainty. Seventy-five years later, I see a more widely relevant use for this strategy: escaping the digital doldrums created by mediating too many of our experiences through screens. I increasingly worry that as we live more and more of both our personal and professional lives in the undifferentiated abstraction of the digital, we lose touch with what it’s like to grapple with the joys and difficulties of the real world: to feel real awe, or curiosity, or fascination, and not just an algorithmically-optimized burst of emotion; to see our intentions manifest concretely in the world, and not just mechanically measured by view counts and likes. Engineered wonder offers an escape from this state. It reawakens our nervous systems to what it’s like to engage with the non-digital. It teaches our brains to crave the real sensations and reactions that our screens can only simulate. It’s a way to jumpstart a more exciting chapter in our lives. During Disney’s era, the Carolwood Pacific Project likely seemed extreme to most people he encountered. Today, this extremeness might be exactly what we need. The post On Engineered Wonder appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

In the wake of my recent (and inaugural) visit to Disneyland, I read Richard Snow’s history of the park, Disney’s Land. Early in the book, Snow tells a story that I hadn’t heard before. It fascinated me—not just for its details, but also, as I’ll soon elaborate, for its potential relevance to our current moment. The tale begins in 1948. According to Snow, Disney’s personal nurse and informal confidant, Hazel George, had become worried. “[She] began to sense that her boss was sinking into what seemed to her to be a dangerous depression,” Snow writes. “Perhaps even heading toward what was then called a nervous breakdown.” The sources of this distress were obvious. Disney’s studio hadn’t had a hit since Bambi’s release in 1942, and the loss of the European markets during the war, as well as the economic uncertainty that followed in peacetime, had strained the company’s finances. Meanwhile, during this same period, Disney faced an animator strike that he took as a personal betrayal. “It seemed again to just be pound, pound, pound,” writes Snow. “Disney was often aggressive, abrupt, and when not angry, remote.” Hazel George, however, had a solution. She knew about Disney’s childhood fascination with steam trains, so it caught her attention when she saw an advertisement in the paper for the Chicago Railroad Fair, which would feature exhibits from thirty different railway lines built out over fifty acres on the shore of Lake Michigan. She suggested Disney take a vacation to see the fair. He loved the idea. In Chicago, entranced by what he encountered, Disney felt a spark of the creative enthusiasm that had been missing throughout the war years. He just needed to find a way to harness it. Serendipitously, upon returning to Los Angeles, one of his animators, Ward Kimball, introduced him to a group of West Coast train enthusiasts who were building scale models of functioning steam trains large enough for an adult to ride on (think: cars roughly the length of a child’s wagon). This, Disney decided, is what he needed to do. In 1949, Disney and his wife, Lillian, bought a five-acre plot of land on Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of LA, to build a new house. They chose the location in large part because Disney thought its layout would be perfect for his own scale railroad project. Over the next year, he worked with the machine shops at his studio to help construct his scale trains and with a team of landscapers to build out the track and its surroundings. When complete, Disney’s Carolwood Pacific Railroad, as he called it, included a half-mile of right-of- way that circled the house and yard, including a 46-foot-long trestle bridge and a 90-foot-long tunnel dug under his wife’s flower bed—complete with an S-turn shape so that you couldn’t see the other end upon entering. His rolling stock included his 1:8 scale steam locomotive, called the Lilly Belle, six cast-metal gondolas, two boxcars, two stock cars, a flatcar, and a wooden caboose decorated inside with miniature details like a twig-sized broom and tiny potbelly stove that could actually be lit. As Snow tells it, this project re-energized Disney. The more he worked on the line, the more ideas began to flow for his company. Soon, one such idea began to dominate all the others. In 1953, Disney abruptly shut down the Carolwood Pacific. It had accomplished its goal of helping him rediscover his creative inspiration, but now he had a bigger project to pursue; one that would dominate the final chapter of his career and provide him endless fascination and enthusiasm: he would build a theme park. As Snow concludes: “Of all the influences that helped shape Disneyland, the railroad is the seminal one. Or, rather, a railroad. One Disney owned.” ~~~ My term for what Disney achieved in building the Carolwood Pacific Railroad is engineered wonder. More generally, engineered wonder is when you take something that sparks a genuine flare of interest, and you pursue it to a degree that’s remarkable (or, depending on who you ask, perhaps even absurd). Such projects are not done for money, or advancement, or respect, but instead just because they fascinate you, and you want to amplify that feeling as expansively as possible. This brings me back to my promised connection to our current moment. In the early 1950s, Disney deployed engineered wonder to escape the creativity-sapping economic doldrums created by wartime uncertainty. Seventy-five years later, I see a more widely relevant use for this strategy: escaping the digital doldrums created by mediating too many of our experiences through screens. I increasingly worry that as we live more and more of both our personal and professional lives in the undifferentiated abstraction of the digital, we lose touch with what it’s like to grapple with the joys and difficulties of the real world: to feel real awe, or curiosity, or fascination, and not just an algorithmically-optimized burst of emotion; to see our intentions manifest concretely in the world, and not just mechanically measured by view counts and likes. Engineered wonder offers an escape from this state. It reawakens our nervous systems to what it’s like to engage with the non-digital. It teaches our brains to crave the real sensations and reactions that our screens can only simulate. It’s a way to jumpstart a more exciting chapter in our lives. During Disney’s era, the Carolwood Pacific Project likely seemed extreme to most people he encountered. Today, this extremeness might be exactly what we need. The post On Engineered Wonder appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

5-second summary Research shows that weather impacts mood, focus, and energy. Seasonal Affective Disorder and disrupted circadian rhythms reduce winter productivity, while summer sun boosts mood but offers distractions. Mindset matters: People with a positive view of winter stay more engaged. Studies from Harvard Business School show people are more focused on rainy days, and that time of day and weather conditions affect ethical decision-making and performance. Tips: Adapt workspaces and schedules to match the season, such as cozy, light-filled spaces in winter and flexible hours with outdoor breaks in summer to support different personality types. Subscribe to Work LifeGet stories like this in your inbox Subscribe Not all productivity challenges are personal – some are seasonal. Whether you thrive in winter’s quiet or feed off summer’s energy, syncing your workflow with the weather might be the performance hack you need. Let’s unpack how seasonal shifts in light, temperature, and perspective shape how we work – and what individuals and organizations can do to adapt. The psychology behind seasonal productivity Seasonal shifts don’t just change how we feel – they influence how our brains work. Changes in light and temperature impact everything from serotonin levels to sleep cycles, affecting mood, motivation, and mental clarity in ways that affect our ability to get things done. Light, serotonin, and focus Our exposure to sunlight influences serotonin levels, which play a key role in mood and motivation. In the darker months, lower serotonin and disrupted sleep cycles can lead to fatigue and brain fog, causing people to feel sluggish or unmotivated in winter. Temperature and energy Temperature also plays a significant role in our energy levels. Cold weather can discourage physical activity (not to mention commuting), while high heat can cause dehydration and mental fatigue. “Cold weather can lead to sluggishness, while heat may cause fatigue and dehydration. Rainy days can increase focus, as fewer outdoor distractions exist. These seasonal fluctuations affect physical and mental productivity, as energy levels can dip in the winter and peak in the summer,” says Debra Wein, CEO of Wellness Workdays, a leading provider of measurable workplace wellness programs that help organizations improve employee health, well-being, and productivity. Seasonal Affective Disorder For some, these shifts stem from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression triggered by reduced sunlight. SAD can bring on low mood, poor concentration, and withdrawal from activities. “Shorter daylight hours impact serotonin and energy regulation,” explains clinical psychologist Dr. Kelly Rohan on the APA’s Speaking of Psychology podcast. “This often results in lower motivation and focus during the winter months.” Dr. Rohan developed a specialized treatment called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for SAD (CBT-SAD), which targets negative expectations about winter and helps people reframe the season as one that allows for rest, reflection, and different types of productivity. Similarly, as psychologist Dr. Kari Leibowitz explains in her book How to Winter, people who adopted a “positive winter mindset,” particularly in places with long, dark winters like Svalbard, Norway, reported greater emotional well-being and life satisfaction. Rather than resisting the season, they embraced it as an opportunity for calm and focus. A mental shift in how we approach seasonal challenges can reframe winter as a time for focus and renewal rather than burnout. *Note: We’re not mental health professionals. For struggles with SAD, consult a licensed clinician. How personality types respond to seasons Related Article Night owl or early bird? Discover your circadian personality By Tracy Middleton In Productivity The seasons impact more than the weather–they shift how we feel, think, and work. As daylight, temperature, and energy levels fluctuate, so does productivity. For some, winter offers an environment for focus. For others, summer’s longer and sunny days spark motivation. Winter thrivers: quiet season, big results Introverts often find winter a natural match for their working style. With fewer social engagements, quieter surroundings, and permission to slow down, winter can create the ideal environment for deep, focused work. According to The HR Agency, introverts excel at tasks requiring deep concentration and thoughtful decision-making – conditions that winter naturally supports by reducing overstimulation and social pressure. “Introverts tend to thrive in calmer, more solitary settings,” says Wein. “Tasks that require deep thinking or strategic planning often get done more effectively in the winter.” Wein adds that cozy home offices, warm lighting, and reduced social obligations allow introverts to recharge and produce their best work. Summer thrivers: why the warmer months can be energizing Extroverts, on the other hand, may come alive in summer. Longer days, outdoor opportunities, and more social interaction energize them. The collaborative nature of summer’s social events can inspire new ideas and fuel creativity. “People want to be outside, and that can be distracting – or energizing – depending on your personality,” says Wein. Outdoor team-building, casual brainstorming sessions, or even walking meetings can help extroverts stay engaged and productive. How to manage seasonal slumps A few smart adjustments can go a long way, whether you’re managing a team or your own productivity. For organizations Companies can improve productivity by aligning policies with seasonal needs. In winter, this might mean offering remote options or staggered hours, curating well-lit, comfortable spaces, or promoting movement through gym stipends or mid-day breaks. In summer, embrace the season’s natural energy by scheduling outdoor meetings, offering flexible hours like “summer Fridays.” According to ABL Recruitment, companies that formatted their workflow around seasonal energy patterns saw up to a 15% increase in overall output. This included scheduling data-heavy, analytical tasks like reporting, budgeting, or long-term planning in the winter months and reserving collaborative, creative initiatives for the summer when employees are often more energetic. For individuals Small changes can help you work with the season. In winter, light therapy, movement breaks, and cozy workspaces can help fight off sluggishness. In summer, block focus time early in the day, take short outdoor breaks to recharge, and stay hydrated. Weather and seasonal changes influence energy, focus, and productivity. Adapting workspaces, schedules, and expectations to align with seasonal conditions – and recognizing when different personality types thrive – can help individuals and teams stay productive all year round. Subscribe to Work LifeGet stories like this in your inbox Subscribe The post The science of seasonal productivity appeared first on Work Life by Atlassian. View the full article

5-second summary Research shows that weather impacts mood, focus, and energy. Seasonal Affective Disorder and disrupted circadian rhythms reduce winter productivity, while summer sun boosts mood but offers distractions. Mindset matters: People with a positive view of winter stay more engaged. Studies from Harvard Business School show people are more focused on rainy days, and that time of day and weather conditions affect ethical decision-making and performance. Tips: Adapt workspaces and schedules to match the season, such as cozy, light-filled spaces in winter and flexible hours with outdoor breaks in summer to support different personality types. Subscribe to Work LifeGet stories like this in your inbox Subscribe Not all productivity challenges are personal – some are seasonal. Whether you thrive in winter’s quiet or feed off summer’s energy, syncing your workflow with the weather might be the performance hack you need. Let’s unpack how seasonal shifts in light, temperature, and perspective shape how we work – and what individuals and organizations can do to adapt. The psychology behind seasonal productivity Seasonal shifts don’t just change how we feel – they influence how our brains work. Changes in light and temperature impact everything from serotonin levels to sleep cycles, affecting mood, motivation, and mental clarity in ways that affect our ability to get things done. Light, serotonin, and focus Our exposure to sunlight influences serotonin levels, which play a key role in mood and motivation. In the darker months, lower serotonin and disrupted sleep cycles can lead to fatigue and brain fog, causing people to feel sluggish or unmotivated in winter. Temperature and energy Temperature also plays a significant role in our energy levels. Cold weather can discourage physical activity (not to mention commuting), while high heat can cause dehydration and mental fatigue. “Cold weather can lead to sluggishness, while heat may cause fatigue and dehydration. Rainy days can increase focus, as fewer outdoor distractions exist. These seasonal fluctuations affect physical and mental productivity, as energy levels can dip in the winter and peak in the summer,” says Debra Wein, CEO of Wellness Workdays, a leading provider of measurable workplace wellness programs that help organizations improve employee health, well-being, and productivity. Seasonal Affective Disorder For some, these shifts stem from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression triggered by reduced sunlight. SAD can bring on low mood, poor concentration, and withdrawal from activities. “Shorter daylight hours impact serotonin and energy regulation,” explains clinical psychologist Dr. Kelly Rohan on the APA’s Speaking of Psychology podcast. “This often results in lower motivation and focus during the winter months.” Dr. Rohan developed a specialized treatment called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for SAD (CBT-SAD), which targets negative expectations about winter and helps people reframe the season as one that allows for rest, reflection, and different types of productivity. Similarly, as psychologist Dr. Kari Leibowitz explains in her book How to Winter, people who adopted a “positive winter mindset,” particularly in places with long, dark winters like Svalbard, Norway, reported greater emotional well-being and life satisfaction. Rather than resisting the season, they embraced it as an opportunity for calm and focus. A mental shift in how we approach seasonal challenges can reframe winter as a time for focus and renewal rather than burnout. *Note: We’re not mental health professionals. For struggles with SAD, consult a licensed clinician. How personality types respond to seasons Related Article Night owl or early bird? Discover your circadian personality By Tracy Middleton In Productivity The seasons impact more than the weather–they shift how we feel, think, and work. As daylight, temperature, and energy levels fluctuate, so does productivity. For some, winter offers an environment for focus. For others, summer’s longer and sunny days spark motivation. Winter thrivers: quiet season, big results Introverts often find winter a natural match for their working style. With fewer social engagements, quieter surroundings, and permission to slow down, winter can create the ideal environment for deep, focused work. According to The HR Agency, introverts excel at tasks requiring deep concentration and thoughtful decision-making – conditions that winter naturally supports by reducing overstimulation and social pressure. “Introverts tend to thrive in calmer, more solitary settings,” says Wein. “Tasks that require deep thinking or strategic planning often get done more effectively in the winter.” Wein adds that cozy home offices, warm lighting, and reduced social obligations allow introverts to recharge and produce their best work. Summer thrivers: why the warmer months can be energizing Extroverts, on the other hand, may come alive in summer. Longer days, outdoor opportunities, and more social interaction energize them. The collaborative nature of summer’s social events can inspire new ideas and fuel creativity. “People want to be outside, and that can be distracting – or energizing – depending on your personality,” says Wein. Outdoor team-building, casual brainstorming sessions, or even walking meetings can help extroverts stay engaged and productive. How to manage seasonal slumps A few smart adjustments can go a long way, whether you’re managing a team or your own productivity. For organizations Companies can improve productivity by aligning policies with seasonal needs. In winter, this might mean offering remote options or staggered hours, curating well-lit, comfortable spaces, or promoting movement through gym stipends or mid-day breaks. In summer, embrace the season’s natural energy by scheduling outdoor meetings, offering flexible hours like “summer Fridays.” According to ABL Recruitment, companies that formatted their workflow around seasonal energy patterns saw up to a 15% increase in overall output. This included scheduling data-heavy, analytical tasks like reporting, budgeting, or long-term planning in the winter months and reserving collaborative, creative initiatives for the summer when employees are often more energetic. For individuals Small changes can help you work with the season. In winter, light therapy, movement breaks, and cozy workspaces can help fight off sluggishness. In summer, block focus time early in the day, take short outdoor breaks to recharge, and stay hydrated. Weather and seasonal changes influence energy, focus, and productivity. Adapting workspaces, schedules, and expectations to align with seasonal conditions – and recognizing when different personality types thrive – can help individuals and teams stay productive all year round. Subscribe to Work LifeGet stories like this in your inbox Subscribe The post The science of seasonal productivity appeared first on Work Life by Atlassian. View the full article

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) was enacted, introducing significant new deductions that can benefit freelance and self-employed individuals. Below are some key quick tips based on the most relevant provisions, along with some initial guidance for maximizing potential tax benefits. As always, it is best to consult a tax professional if you have questions and to consider adjusting your tax plan when warranted: Tip 1: Deduction for Qualified Tips May Ease Tax Burden for Gig Workers Effective from 2025 through 2028, taxpayers in occupations recognized by the IRS as regularly receiving tips may deduct up to $25,000 annually in qualified tips. Eligible tips include those voluntarily received in cash, by charge, or through tip sharing and must be properly reported via W-2, 1099, Form 4137, or other authorized statements. Eligibility Criteria: You must be employed or self-employed in a tipping occupation, as designated by the IRS (Effective for 2025 through 2028, employees and self-employed individuals may deduct qualified tips received in occupations that are listed by the IRS as customarily and regularly receiving tips on or before December 31, 2024, and that are reported on a Form W-2, Form 1099, or other specified statement furnished to the individual or reported directly by the individual on Form 4137.)Deduction is limited to the net income from the business in which tips were earned (for self-employed individuals).Phaseout begins at $150,000 modified adjusted gross income ($300,000 for joint filers).SSTBs under Section 199A and individuals employed by SSTBs do not qualify.Taxpayers must file jointly if married and include their Social Security Number.Action Items: Maintain thorough records of all tipped income.Verify occupational classification when IRS guidance is published.Ensure proper reporting of tips across all required forms.Tip 2: Freelancers May Be Eligible for Overtime Compensation DeductionFrom 2025 to 2028, individuals may deduct the portion of overtime pay exceeding their regular rate of compensation, such as the "half" in "time-and-a-half," provided that the overtime is mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is reported on Form W-2, 1099, or an equivalent statement. Eligibility Criteria: Applicable to all qualifying workers, including gig and freelance professionals.Deduction limited to $12,500 annually ($25,000 for joint filers).Phaseout starts at $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers).Taxpayers must file jointly if married and include their Social Security Number.Action Items: Confirm overtime payments meet FLSA definitions.Retain documentation from payors detailing total overtime compensation.Monitor IRS announcements on implementation and transitional relief.Tip 3: Optimizing the Deduction for Car Loan InterestFor tax years 2025 through 2028, individuals may deduct up to $10,000 annually in interest paid on loans used to purchase qualifying personal-use vehicles. Leases do not qualify, and the vehicle must be newly purchased, U.S.-assembled, and not used commercially. Eligibility Criteria: Loan must originate after December 31, 2024Deduction is only available for the original owner of a new vehicle under 14,000 lbs.Phaseout begins at $100,000 ($200,000 for joint filers).Taxpayers must include the vehicle’s VIN on the tax return.Action Items: Retain all loan and interest documentation.Verify vehicle eligibility and ensure purchase meets statutory requirements.Include correct VIN when filing.Tip 4: For Second Career Freelancers, Consider the Senior Deduction EnhancementIndividuals aged 65 or older may claim an additional deduction of $6,000 annually—on top of the existing senior standard deduction—for tax years 2025 through 2028. Joint filers where both spouses are eligible may claim up to $12,000. Eligibility Criteria: Taxpayers must attain age 65 by the end of the taxable year.Phaseout begins at $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers).Taxpayers must include the qualifying SSN and file jointly if applicable.Action Items: Confirm age eligibility prior to filing.Include all required taxpayer information.Leverage both deductions to optimize standard deduction strategy.Stay Tuned…More to Come on the Impact of the BBB on Freelance Taxes The IRS has committed to issuing further guidance and transition relief for 2025. As the details are released in regard to these and other key provisions of the bill be sure to consult with a tax professional and maintain comprehensive records to ensure compliance and maximize eligible deductions under this new tax law. View the full article

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) was enacted, introducing significant new deductions that can benefit freelance and self-employed individuals. Below are some key quick tips based on the most relevant provisions, along with some initial guidance for maximizing potential tax benefits. As always, it is best to consult a tax professional if you have questions and to consider adjusting your tax plan when warranted: Tip 1: Deduction for Qualified Tips May Ease Tax Burden for Gig Workers Effective from 2025 through 2028, taxpayers in occupations recognized by the IRS as regularly receiving tips may deduct up to $25,000 annually in qualified tips. Eligible tips include those voluntarily received in cash, by charge, or through tip sharing and must be properly reported via W-2, 1099, Form 4137, or other authorized statements. Eligibility Criteria: You must be employed or self-employed in a tipping occupation, as designated by the IRS (Effective for 2025 through 2028, employees and self-employed individuals may deduct qualified tips received in occupations that are listed by the IRS as customarily and regularly receiving tips on or before December 31, 2024, and that are reported on a Form W-2, Form 1099, or other specified statement furnished to the individual or reported directly by the individual on Form 4137.)Deduction is limited to the net income from the business in which tips were earned (for self-employed individuals).Phaseout begins at $150,000 modified adjusted gross income ($300,000 for joint filers).SSTBs under Section 199A and individuals employed by SSTBs do not qualify.Taxpayers must file jointly if married and include their Social Security Number.Action Items: Maintain thorough records of all tipped income.Verify occupational classification when IRS guidance is published.Ensure proper reporting of tips across all required forms.Tip 2: Freelancers May Be Eligible for Overtime Compensation DeductionFrom 2025 to 2028, individuals may deduct the portion of overtime pay exceeding their regular rate of compensation, such as the "half" in "time-and-a-half," provided that the overtime is mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is reported on Form W-2, 1099, or an equivalent statement. Eligibility Criteria: Applicable to all qualifying workers, including gig and freelance professionals.Deduction limited to $12,500 annually ($25,000 for joint filers).Phaseout starts at $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers).Taxpayers must file jointly if married and include their Social Security Number.Action Items: Confirm overtime payments meet FLSA definitions.Retain documentation from payors detailing total overtime compensation.Monitor IRS announcements on implementation and transitional relief.Tip 3: Optimizing the Deduction for Car Loan InterestFor tax years 2025 through 2028, individuals may deduct up to $10,000 annually in interest paid on loans used to purchase qualifying personal-use vehicles. Leases do not qualify, and the vehicle must be newly purchased, U.S.-assembled, and not used commercially. Eligibility Criteria: Loan must originate after December 31, 2024Deduction is only available for the original owner of a new vehicle under 14,000 lbs.Phaseout begins at $100,000 ($200,000 for joint filers).Taxpayers must include the vehicle’s VIN on the tax return.Action Items: Retain all loan and interest documentation.Verify vehicle eligibility and ensure purchase meets statutory requirements.Include correct VIN when filing.Tip 4: For Second Career Freelancers, Consider the Senior Deduction EnhancementIndividuals aged 65 or older may claim an additional deduction of $6,000 annually—on top of the existing senior standard deduction—for tax years 2025 through 2028. Joint filers where both spouses are eligible may claim up to $12,000. Eligibility Criteria: Taxpayers must attain age 65 by the end of the taxable year.Phaseout begins at $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers).Taxpayers must include the qualifying SSN and file jointly if applicable.Action Items: Confirm age eligibility prior to filing.Include all required taxpayer information.Leverage both deductions to optimize standard deduction strategy.Stay Tuned…More to Come on the Impact of the BBB on Freelance Taxes The IRS has committed to issuing further guidance and transition relief for 2025. As the details are released in regard to these and other key provisions of the bill be sure to consult with a tax professional and maintain comprehensive records to ensure compliance and maximize eligible deductions under this new tax law. View the full article

Google AI Mode is search with a brain. It uses AI to answer questions directly, so it’s no longer about just blue links. Type, talk, or upload a photo, and it gives you a useful summary plus follow-ups. Here’s how it works and why it matters. Table of contents Say hello to Google’s AI Mode Search becomes a lot smarter How Google AI Mode works in practice The focus of content is changing What does Google AI Mode mean for SEO? Where it’s going How to access Google AI Mode Meet Google’s AI Mode Say hello to Google’s AI Mode Google AI Mode is a feature in Search that uses generative AI to deliver full, conversational answers instead of just showing a list of links. It breaks questions into parts, pulls information from across the web, and presents a direct, useful response at the top of the results page. This new feature doesn’t replace traditional search just yet, but it does build on it. As a result, it changes how people explore information and how content gets surfaced. Are you curious about how this works? Check out the video below to see Google AI Mode in action while planning an autumn trip to Banff, Canada. Search becomes a lot smarter AI Mode handles different types of input, not just text. You can type a question, say it out loud, or upload a photo, and it works out what you mean. That flexibility makes it easier to search however and whenever it makes sense, whether you’re speaking into your phone, typing at your desk, or pointing your camera at something you want to learn more about. It also uses what Google calls query fan-out. That means it quietly rewrites your question into a bunch of related ones and looks for answers across those variations. Ask something broad, like “best credit card for travel,” and the system may branch off behind the scenes, looking at fees, perks, user reviews, and so on. AI Mode also pays attention to context. It keeps your previous queries in mind and follows the thread. You can ask follow-ups and get refined answers without starting from scratch. How Google AI Mode works in practice Using Google AI Mode feels different from standard search, and that shows up in how it delivers answers. When someone asks a question, AI Mode doesn’t just take the words at face value—it tries to understand the intent behind them. It rewrites the query in several different ways behind the scenes, each one focused on a specific angle. For example, a search like “what are the best places to travel in fall” might also trigger more specific questions in the background, like “pleasant weather and fewer crowds,” “fall foliage and scenic beauty,” or “unique experiences and cultural events.” AI Mode runs all of those in parallel, scans multiple online sources for useful information, and pieces together a response that covers what the user likely meant, even if they didn’t spell it out. The response doesn’t look like a typical search results page. Instead of a list of links, users see a short summary stitched together from different sources. It reads more like an answer than a directory and can include images, maps, and more. With AI Mode, you can also keep the conversation going. You could ask follow-up suggestions like “compare destinations in Canada,” “check visa requirements for Canada,” or “see average weather in British Columbia”. It helps users toward the next thing they might want to know without making them start over. The video at the top of this article shows this in practice. Behind the scenes, AI Mode uses passage-level retrieval. Rather than ranking entire pages, it scans individual sections, like a single paragraph, list, or sentence, to find the parts that answer specific pieces of the question. That means a well-written section buried halfway down a product guide or FAQ could be surfaced, even if the full page wouldn’t normally show up high in the results. This alone could make us rethink visibility. It’s less about a page’s overall ranking and more about whether any part of it directly addresses what someone is asking. The focus of content is changing AI Mode shifts how content gets discovered. It’s less about ranking in the traditional sense and more about providing answers that are both useful and directly relevant to what someone is asking. The system is looking for content that fits into a specific response. That means structure matters, like clear headings, focused sections, and formatting that makes key points easy to extract. But usefulness on its own doesn’t guarantee visibility. The content has to align with the intent of the query in a very specific way. Covering a topic from different angles helps. It gives your content more chances to match how people frame their questions, even when those questions vary in wording, detail, or focus. Visibility often depends not just on quality, but on precision. What does Google AI Mode mean for SEO? Google AI Mode could shift what we aim for. Visibility now depends on whether your content can deliver value right away, often in small, specific pieces. Google’s pulling answers from across the web: a sentence from one page, a stat from another, maybe a checklist from a support article. That might feel limiting, but it opens up opportunities. If others are still optimizing for old patterns, there’s space to improve. Recognizing this shift early can give your brand a real advantage. It also rewards a stronger understanding of how people search. Pages, tools, and features that directly answer real questions and make that answer easy to find stand a better chance of getting picked up. Find out how to optimize your content for AI LLM comprehension using Yoast’s tools. Where it’s going Google is folding AI Mode into regular search experiences. On some questions, especially ones that ask for a comparison, a definition, or a plan, it’s already showing AI-generated results first. That approach is expanding. More queries will likely trigger this kind of response over time, which means the way content gets surfaced will keep shifting. Long, keyword-heavy pages won’t offer the same payoff they once did. What works now is content that’s clear, helpful, and flexible enough to match how people explore a topic. Chances are, AI Mode isn’t a side feature for long. It’s looking more and more like the future of Google Search. How to access Google AI Mode AI Mode is rolling out now in the U.S. and India. If you’re using Google Search or the Google app, you’ll start to see a new AI Mode tab either at the top of the results page or right in the search bar. This gives you access to more advanced AI responses, improved reasoning, and a deeper view of web content through follow-up questions and linked sources. If you don’t see AI Mode yet, it’s likely still rolling out. Expect it to appear automatically soon. Once it shows up, you can use it without any special sign-up or activation. Once Google figures out monetization, we’ll see it roll out AI Mode to more countries soon. You can also access it from search results. If Google thinks your query fits, a “Try in AI Mode” option may appear automatically. Trying it out firsthand gives the clearest insight into how responses are built and how your content appears. Meet Google’s AI Mode Google AI Mode signals a shift in how search works. It’s not just about rankings anymore. It’s about how helpful your content is and how easily it can be used to respond to real questions. This change gives SEO and content teams a reason to look at their work differently. Clear structure, focused writing, and alignment with how people search all play a bigger role in visibility. It’s a good time to step back, reassess what’s working, and explore areas you may have overlooked. For many, this is a chance to improve useful content, refine formats, and meet search expectations in new ways. The post What is Google AI Mode? appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

When it comes to team size, bigger isn’t always better. According to a study from ThinkWise, 52% of executives at small businesses believe their team is achieving its potential, compared to just 35% of those at mid-sized organizations and 39% of large-sized companies. Once a team includes more than 50 people, 86% of executives believe The post 6 ways shared team dashboards help large teams perform like small ones appeared first on RescueTime Blog. View the full article

The modern professional isn't confined to a cubicle or a corner office. Today's workspace is dynamic, adapting to wherever you are and what you need to achieve. For many hybrid employees—those who seamlessly transition between working remotely and from an office—their workspace is often on the move, carrying essentials between a home office, a coworking space, or anywhere in between. View the full article

Table of contents Basic: Start with what you can control for Black Friday 1. Optimize your metadata 2. Optimize product pages for both humans and search engines 3. Use internal links to guide traffic Intermediate: Strengthen your SEO and campaign strategy 4. Test and improve your site’s speed 5. Create a focused Black Friday landing page 6. Segment your email list and automate flows 7. Create content that helps people find your deals earlier Advanced Black Friday preparation: Boost visibility, trust, and retention 7. Improve your chances of showing up in local search 8. Use structured data to stand out in search 9. Set up post-purchase flows before the sale starts Final thoughts Black Friday is the biggest rush of the year for most ecommerce businesses, and it is right around the corner. The most successful merchants prepare for Black Friday early and follow a structured plan to prepare their stores, ensure visibility, and convert first-time visitors into long-term customers. This guide breaks down your preparation into three categories: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each section builds on the last so that you can grow your readiness over time, regardless of your team size or budget. Basic: Start with what you can control for Black Friday These actions lay the groundwork for everything else. Without these, no advanced strategy will stick. 1. Optimize your metadata First impressions matter, and your metadata is the first thing users see in search results. So make it count and leave a lasting impact. Why it matters: Strong metadata can improve visibility and attract more clicks. When your titles and descriptions align with what shoppers seek, your chances of standing out rise significantly. Actionable tips: Prioritize metadata for high-traffic products and category pages. Include seasonal keywords such as “Black Friday deals” or “holiday gift ideas.” Keep titles and descriptions concise and compelling. With Yoast SEO for Shopify and Yoast WooCommerce SEO, you can preview and improve your metadata in real time. The tools flag missing or duplicated fields and guide you on how to write content that earns clicks. 2. Optimize product pages for both humans and search engines Product pages are the moment of truth. They’re where curiosity turns into clicks and clicks turn into customers. Why it matters: No matter how great your traffic or ads are, most people will leave without buying if the product page feels confusing or incomplete. A well-structured page improves your chances of ranking in search and helps buyers feel confident in their decision. Actionable tips: Lead with benefits, not just specs. Tell shoppers how the product fits into their lives. Use bullet points and headers to make details skimmable. Reinforce trust by showing stock levels, customer reviews, and delivery clarity. Bulk update how you showcase your product on Shopify using Yoast SEO for Shopify Content Templates feature. Yoast WooCommerce SEO and Yoast SEO for Shopify help your product pages appear cleanly and clearly in search results. They add structured data behind the scenes and check your content for SEO and readability so you can focus on turning visitors into buyers. 3. Use internal links to guide traffic Internal linking guides customer to surface key pages, maps user behavior, and boosts your site’s SEO. Why it matters: Internal linking helps search engines understand your site structure, distributes authority to key pages, and guides visitors toward high-converting content. It keeps users engaged, supports SEO, and makes your promotions easier to surface across your site. Actionable tips: Link to your Black Friday page from key blogs and evergreen content. Feature top categories or bestsellers in your navigation. Use anchor text that aligns with what users are searching for. Yoast WooCommerce SEO offers internal linking suggestions as you write, making keeping your content connected and strategic easier. Fast wins and common pitfalls Once you have set up the basics, some steps can help you boost impact quicker and avoid costly missed opportunities. Fast wins: Swap stock photos for original product shots Double-check coupon logic and expiration dates Test any gift wrap or personalization options on product pages Big pitfalls to avoid: Waiting until November to publish seasonal content Using duplicate product descriptions from suppliers Letting broken links or outdated pages remain live Intermediate: Strengthen your SEO and campaign strategy Once the technical foundation is stable, it’s time to focus on your content and promotions. 4. Test and improve your site’s speed Site speed directly impacts user experience, especially during high-traffic periods like Black Friday. Slow-loading pages frustrate shoppers and lead to lost sales. Why it matters: A fast site supports smoother browsing and quicker checkout. Search engines consider page performance in rankings, and users are more likely to buy when the experience feels seamless. Actionable tips: Use performance monitoring tools to identify slow pages. Compress and resize large images to reduce page load times. Deactivate unused plugins (WooCommerce) or apps (Shopify). Clean up excessive code or bulky page elements. While Yoast SEO is not a speed optimization tool, clean site structure and proper internal linking help improve crawlability and engagement, indirectly supporting performance. 5. Create a focused Black Friday landing page Your landing page is the command center for your seasonal promotions. It’s where visitors decide to browse further or bounce. Why it matters: A dedicated page gives your Black Friday campaign direction and cohesion. Instead of scattering your offers across the site, it provides a clear path for shoppers to follow. It simplifies navigation, allows for better internal linking, and gives you a consistent, trackable URL for email campaigns, ads, and site banners. Plus, it’s reusable! Just update the content each year. Actionable tips: Create a short, memorable URL like /black-friday-deals and keep it live year-round. Showcase limited-time offers, bundles, top-selling categories, and exclusive discounts. Use persuasive headers, quick-loading images, and CTA buttons that lead directly to product pages. Answer common buyer concerns upfront, e.g., shipping deadlines, return windows, and local pickup options. 6. Segment your email list and automate flows Email isn’t just another marketing channel during Black Friday; it’s your direct line to customers ready to buy. Why it matters: Blasting the same message with monotonous tone to everyone no longer works. Crafting compelling emails with personalized messages that resonate with the reader is key to email marketing. People are more likely to open, click, and shop when an email speaks to their pain points and highlights the solution. A segmented email list means you’re talking to people based on what they care about: early access, bundles, or a product they viewed or left in their cart. Actionable tips: Break your list into clear segments, e.g., loyal customers, cart abandoners, and holiday-only shoppers. Map out your flow: teaser email, early access offer, launch announcement, final hours. Track performance with UTM parameters like utm_campaign=bf25 so you can optimize in real time. For more on syncing content and email, check out our basics of email marketing blog post. 7. Create content that helps people find your deals earlier Buyers don’t always search for discounts. Many start with questions or ideas like “affordable gifts for coworkers” or “best tech gift under $100.” Why it matters: Helpful blog posts and gift guides pull in people who aren’t searching for your brand yet. These early touchpoints introduce your products and lead them toward your Black Friday offers. Actionable tips: Write guides and roundups tied to real shopper intent. Use long-tail keywords that match seasonal search habits. Add smart internal links to featured products or your Black Friday landing page. Fast wins and common pitfalls Once your product pages are polished, tighten up the surrounding details. Fast wins: Set a calendar reminder for your campaign email and social media schedule Add an announcement banner linking to your Black Friday page Test your email signup and welcome flow to catch any issues Big pitfalls to avoid: Forgetting to link email campaigns to relevant landing pages Using inconsistent messaging and UTMs across channels Launching your Black Friday page too late for indexing and ranking Buy WooCommerce SEO now!Unlock powerful features and much more for your online store with Yoast WooCommerce SEO! Get Yoast WooCommerce SEO »Only $178.80 / year (ex VAT) Advanced Black Friday preparation: Boost visibility, trust, and retention If you’re already doing the essentials well, these strategies will help you scale. 8. Improve your chances of showing up in local search If you offer in-store pickup or have a physical store, don’t miss out on the people searching near you. Shoppers looking for same-day purchases often skip past online-only stores. Why it matters: When someone searches for a product near them, being present in the results can drive instant foot traffic and build trust before they even walk in. Actionable tips: Ensure your name, address, and phone (NAP) are identical across all pages and listings. Update your opening hours and add clear pickup instructions. Add content to your site that mentions your location, city, or neighborhood. Yoast Local SEO is included in the Yoast WooCommerce SEO. It helps you create and manage local schema and landing pages that appear in search. (It is not available for Shopify.) 9. Use structured data to stand out in search When someone searches for a product and your listing shows price, availability, or reviews, that’s not luck. That’s structured data. Why it matters: Rich snippets give your products more space in search results, credibility, and clicks. Actionable tips: Add structured data (schema) for Product, Offer, and Review to top-selling listings. Use Google’s tools to check that your schema is implemented correctly. Use product variant schema to improve your chances of showing in rich search results. Yoast SEO for Shopify and Yoast WooCommerce SEO automatically adds this, but you can also fine-tune it for special products or campaigns if needed. 10. Set up post-purchase flows before the sale starts Black Friday may be over at checkout, but it’s just the beginning of your relationship with a new customer. Why it matters: People who buy during Black Friday often need reassurance and support. They’re far more likely to come back if they feel taken care of. Actionable tips: Set up automated flows for thank-you messages, setup tips, and review requests. Offer a discount for a second purchase or referral. Guide people back to your product pages or Google review profile. Taking care of this now means you can focus on fulfillment and service during the Black Friday rush. Fast wins and common pitfalls A thoughtful follow-up and last check make sure you build on opportunities and are ready for what might come your way. Fast wins: Recheck your sitemap to ensure new pages are indexed Update your business hours and contact details in your footer Enable review requests to trigger automatically post-purchase Big pitfalls to avoid: Making last-minute technical changes with no buffer Ignoring mobile performance and checkout testing Overlooking schema validation or broken structured data Final thoughts Preparing for Black Friday is about being proactive, not reactive. Every SEO improvement you make now, from product pages to local visibility, will help you attract more shoppers and turn clicks into customers. Yoast gives you the tools to stay ahead: clearer product listings, stronger search visibility, and smart automations that scale with your store. Whether you’re using Shopify or WooCommerce, optimize now to be ready before the crowds arrive. Explore: Yoast SEO for Shopify, with a 14-day free trial Yoast WooCommerce SEO The post How to prep your Shopify or WooCommerce store for Black Friday before the rush starts appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

The summer is well on its way. Should you already start preparing for Black Friday and the holiday season? Yes! They’re the biggest sales of the year, and ranking in Google is something you take time to do. It’s never too early to start getting your deals ready. So, if you are a merchant with an online store or an ecommerce business, let’s start working on your holiday season and Black Friday SEO immediately! Don’t forget that Black Friday (November 28, 2025) and Cyber Monday (December 1, 2025) are kicking off this year’s holiday shopping season. You can set up a lot of content for all occasions. In this post, we’ll review some things you can do to prepare! Table of contents Holiday shopping this year Start preparing in time 1. Do holiday season keyword research 2. Set up holiday season gift pages 3. Promote on social media and in your newsletter 4. Introduce new products 5. Add structured data to your product pages 6. Check your product feeds 7. Reuse content 8. Optimize for page and user experience 9. Local business? Focus on local SEO 10. Create a measurement plan What should you do when the holiday season is over? Conclusion on holiday season SEO Holiday shopping this year Today, people are used to shopping online. It’s easy and convenient. You don’t have to travel only to find something out of stock. Plus, online stores often offer payment plans. Shopping online is so popular that online sales during the holiday season keep hitting record after record. And the numbers will only continue to rise. That’s why it’s safe to assume that people will buy many (if not most) holiday gifts online this year. Staying on top of trends to prepare for the holiday season is good. E-commerce is still growing, and consumers expect more every year. Here are some actionable tips for the upcoming Black Friday and holiday season to improve your SEO: Discount deals and alternative payment options (Buy now, pay later) should be part of your ecommerce strategy Brands should provide a consistent purchasing experience across digital/online and physical stores To minimize returns, brands should make their product pages as comprehensive as possible Holiday season marketing campaigns should be tailored to each platform to ensure maximum effectiveness Online is where it’s at Of course, in-store or curbside pick-up will still prove popular. However, most people research their ecommerce purchases online – sometimes weeks in advance! So don’t be surprised when the holiday shopping season starts well before Black Friday and continues for weeks. Extending Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holiday season online deals for a few days or weeks can be a good idea. This is especially true if you want to prevent huge crowds from gathering at your store on a specific day. That won’t be a good shopping experience for anyone involved, so spreading these deals over an extended time is probably better. Start preparing in time Dive into the data you amassed during previous Black Friday and Cyber Monday events, and see if you can come up with improvements for your e-commerce holiday season SEO. Bear in mind that it takes a while for content to rank. So, to keep up with the competition, try to get your content in gear at least 45 days ahead. That’s often recommended. Of course, you can always start preparing earlier if that works better for you. Your schedule could look something like this: 45 Days in advance: Post your promotion to your website calendar and post a save-the-date post on social media and in your email newsletter. 7 Days in advance: Post upcoming events/promotions on social media and via email. Try to encourage other (small) businesses to share it with their followers. 1 Day in advance: Post an event reminder on social media. It’s a good rule to remember these steps and time frames. However, you can do much more than set up new pages and renew old ones. Let’s look at a few practical tips. 1. Do holiday season keyword research Keyword research is important all year, but especially during the season when your online store starts having big sales. You have probably worked on this research previously, but now is the time to dive in again. There are always things to learn, like developments in your industry, changes in consumer behavior, or new trends and topics to discuss. Start early with your research to give yourself enough time to produce high-quality, helpful content that helps reach those new audiences. While using generative AI tools to generate holiday season SEO content for your e-commerce business is enticing, please be careful with that. Generative AI can help you do your job, but it can’t replace your valuable insights and opinions. Do look into using Yoast SEO to optimize your content for LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini. 2. Set up holiday season gift pages First, we must consider what category or particular landing pages make sense for the upcoming holidays. You can always set up pages like ‘Best gifts for parents/millennials/teens’, ‘Newest deals for your 6/10/12-year-old’, and ‘Best friend/grandparents/coworker discounts’. You could also think of ‘Top 10 gifts for outdoor/skiing/parasailing enthusiasts’ and ‘Top 3 deals for stay-at-home parents’, etcetera. Make sure the page titles and meta descriptions of these gift landing– or category pages fit the upcoming holiday season. You can reuse these gift pages for Hanukkah or your summer sale. Find (old) content that fits the holidays, rewrite titles and meta descriptions to match the upcoming season, and chances are you won’t have to do that much work to get them up to date. Be sure to write proper product descriptions and improve the product images. Learn how to write great product descriptions using our product-specific analysis in WooCommerce SEO and Yoast SEO for Shopify. To increase the chances of your gift pages ranking, boost their internal linking structure. You can also link the previous all-year holiday season pages, such as specific Christmas landing pages (‘Top 7/10/25 gifts for under the Christmas tree’) to boost these when the time has come. That could be around the 45-day mark, but we would be okay with stretching that to 60 days. You’ll need to give Google and other search engines enough time to follow your links and find your specific holiday season SEO landing pages with deals. 3. Promote on social media and in your newsletter Social media like X and Instagram can play a massive role in the success of your (online) Black Friday sale. Take Pinterest, for instance. Many people have a Pinterest Christmas wish list. As a merchant, it would be amazing to get your products on people’s wish lists, which can positively impact your reach and maybe even your sales. While you’re at it, don’t forget to share your Black Friday gift pages on Facebook and other social media. Maybe even make short videos to post on TikTok. In the previous section, we mentioned the top ten lists. We all know these still work pretty well on social media. Yoast SEO can help you optimize your social media posts before you share them. Email marketing Last but not least, remember your email marketing! For many companies, newsletters provide a steady stream of income. Be sure to plan a good campaign for your newsletters. For example, we recommend setting up holiday gift guides and sharing these. You can create an excellent overview of many gifts that many people will enjoy. ELLE and Target have pages like that, and so do more companies. 4. Introduce new products The holiday season is an excellent time to pitch new products. If you know of potential bestsellers for the upcoming holiday season, start writing content about these products now. You can compare it to tech sites writing about concept iPhones, features that Apple might add, etc. The more you write about new products upfront, the more likely the sales pages for these products will rank when it matters. You should link all pages you made in advance to that one main page you’ll set up when the product is released and available to buy. Treat that page like cornerstone content. 5. Add structured data to your product pages When adding or changing your product pages to fit the holiday season, don’t forget to optimize them. Check, for instance, whether you’ve added structured data to your product pages. Rich results that show ratings and prices can give you an edge over your competitors. Our WooCommerce SEO plugin, Local SEO plugin (included in Yoast SEO Premium), or Yoast SEO for Shopify app can help you do this to improve your holiday season! Read more: Structure data with Schema.org: the ultimate guide » 6. Check your product feeds Don’t forget to optimize your e-commerce product feeds for Black Friday and holiday season SEO. This maximizes visibility and sales during this high-traffic online shopping period. Start by ensuring all product information, such as titles, descriptions, prices, and availability, is accurate and up-to-date. Check if the products that need them have relevant Black Friday keywords to enhance discoverability. Use high-quality, clear images to showcase your product. Use the promotions feature in Google Merchant Center to prominently display special deals and discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This way, you’ll make your offers more attractive to potential buyers. Please update your feed regularly to reflect real-time inventory changes and fix errors to maintain product visibility. 7. Reuse content There’s no shame in serving old wine in a new bottle. If you have a Black Friday or a Christmas gift guide for 2024, feel free to reuse it in 2025. Update the year and details like popular brands and products for that year. If the slug of your URL is /black-friday-guide-2024/, change it to /black-friday-guide-2025/ around August next year, and redirect the old URL to the new one. No need to create a new page. It would be a waste of nice inbound links not to reuse that old URL. Of course, this is even easier if you don’t include the year in the URL, so /black-friday-guide/ is also an excellent slug. In the months before the holiday season, you could even simply repost popular posts from last year (a bit adjusted or updated if needed) on social media. Valentine’s Day might even become Secret Santa. Cyber Monday might match your child’s favorite gifts for Ramadan. These are probably small adjustments; perhaps just adding ‘this Ramadan’ to a meta description or title will do. Keep reading: Should I update or delete old content? » 8. Optimize for page and user experience It’s a good idea to check and optimize your website for speed and mobile use. Trust us; you’ll get these recommendations from an SEO blog or consultant daily. And with good reason! Mobile, site speed, and user experience are essential to get people to spend money on your ecommerce business this Black Friday. When preparing your online store for the holiday sale season, this is as good a time as any to check your mobile website and site speed, and update or improve them if possible. To start, look at Google’s Core Web Vitals and use these to improve your site. Here are five ways to boost your Core Web Vitals scores. Read on: How to check site speed » 9. Local business? Focus on local SEO Investing in local SEO for Black Friday and Christmas shopping is essential for local businesses aiming to attract more customers. Begin by optimizing your Google Business Profile with accurate business information, including address, phone number, business hours, and any special Black Friday/Cyber Monday hours or promotions. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews. Use local keywords in your content, focusing on terms your community will likely search for, such as “Black Friday deals in [Your City].” Additionally, engage with your local community on social media by promoting special deals to drive more foot traffic to your store. 10. Create a measurement plan All set? Remember to make a measurement plan to analyze your success. Write down all your plans, then think about how to track all your actions. This is key to knowing what to focus on next year. For detailed instructions on analyzing your Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Cinco de Mayo shopping, read our post with five tips to measure your holiday sales success. What should you do when the holiday season is over? How do you handle the product pages of holiday gift sets after the holidays? Even if the gift set or product was a great success, and you want to offer it again next year, it’ll take a while for the page to be relevant again. What is the best way to deal with these pages in the meantime? Our advice: Keep the pages up. However, you don’t necessarily want them visible to people browsing your site. So, have the page up without linking, then link to it again during the holiday season. This is better than deleting it and starting again. Conclusion on holiday season SEO In short, now’s the time to buckle down and start writing holiday gift pages and content for new products. Remember to plan your social media promotion and analytics. After all, you can never start too early when your online business depends on the holiday season. Be prepared; begin now with your SEO. Good luck with your holiday season sale! Keep on reading: eCommerce usability: the ultimate guide » The post Holiday season SEO: 10 tips to start preparing! appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

I want to present you with two narratives about AI. Both of them are about using this technology to automate computer programming, but they point toward two very different conclusions. The first narrative notes that Large Language Models (LLMs) are exceptionally well-suited for coding because source code, at its core, is just very well-structured text, which is exactly what these models excel at generating. Because of this tight match between need and capability, the programming industry is serving as an economic sacrificial lamb, the first major sector to suffer a major AI-driven upheaval. There has been no shortage of evidence to support these claims. Here are some examples, all from the last two months: Aravind Srinivas, the CEO of the AI company Perplexity, ​claims​ AI tools like Cursor and GitHub Copilot cut task completion time for his engineers from “three or four days to one hour.” He now mandates every employee in his company to use them: “The speed at which you can fix bugs and ship to production is scary.” ​An article in Inc​. confidently declared: “In the world of software engineering, AI has indeed changed everything.” Not surprisingly, these immense new capabilities are being blamed for dire disruptions. ​One article​ from an investment site featured an alarming headline: “Tech Sector Sees 64,000 Job Cuts This Year Due to AI Advancement.” No one is safe from such cuts. “Major companies like Microsoft have been at the forefront of these layoffs,” the article explains, “citing AI advancements as a primary factor.” My world of academic computer science hasn’t been spared either. A ​splashy Atlantic piece​ opens with a distressing claim: “The Computer Science-Bubble is Bursting,” which it largely blames on AI, a technology it describes as “ideally suited to replace the very type of person who built it.” Given the confidence of these claims, you’d assume that computer programmers are rapidly going the way of the telegraph operator. But, if you read a different set of articles and quotes from this same period, a very different narrative emerges: The AI evaluation company METR ​recently released the results​ of a randomized control trial in which a group of experienced open-source software developers were sorted into two groups, one of which would use AI coding tools to complete a collection of tasks, and one of which would not. As the report summarizes: “Surprisingly, we find that when developers use AI tools, they take 19% longer than without—AI makes them slower.” Meanwhile, other experienced engineers are beginning to push back on extreme claims about how AI will impact their industry. “Quitting programming as a career right now because of LLMs would be like quitting carpentry as a career thanks to the invention of the table saw,” ​quipped the developer Simon Willison​. Tech CEO Nick Khami ​reacted to the claim​ that AI tools will drastically reduce the number of employees required to build a software product as follows: “I feel like I’m being gaslit every time I read this, and I worry it makes folks early in their software development journey feel like it’s a bad time investment.” But what about Microsoft replacing all those employees with AI tools? A closer look ​reveals​ that this is not what happened. The company’s actual announcement clarified that cuts were spread across divisions (like gaming) to free up more funds to invest in AI initiatives—not because AI was replacing workers.. What about the poor CS majors? Later in that same Atlantic article, an alternative explanation is floated. The tech sector has been contracting recently to correct for exuberant spending during the pandemic years. This soft market makes a difference: “enrollment in the computer-science major has historically fluctuated with the job market…[and] prior declines have always rebounded to enrollment levels higher than where they started.” (Personal history note: when I was studying computer science as an undergraduate in the early 2000s, I remember that there was consternation about the plummeting numbers of majors in the wake of the original dot-com bust.) Here we can find two completely different takes on the same AI issue, depending on what articles you read and what experts you listen to. What should we take away from this confusion? When it comes to AI’s impacts, we don’t yet know anything for sure. But this isn’t stopping everyone from pretending like we do. My advice, for the moment: Tune out both the most heated and the most dismissive rhetoric. Focus on tangible changes in areas that you care about that really do seem connected to AI—read widely and ask people you trust about what they’re seeing. Beyond that, however, follow AI news with a large grain of salt. All of this is too new for anyone to really understand what they’re saying. AI is important. But we don’t yet fully know why. The post No One Knows Anything About AI appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article