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Workers at UK retail bank told line managers will start monitoring office attendance more closelyView the full article

Google Ads is introducing new user interface (UI)-only image optimization features, spotted last week, aimed at enhancing Performance Max campaigns, marking a shift in how advertisers can manage visual assets for better ad performance. What’s new? Landing page images: Google’s AI will now automatically pull relevant images from your ad’s landing page to dynamically insert into your ads. This aims to increase ad relevance and expand reach by tapping into more ad placements. Image enhancements: Google AI can smartly improve your uploaded images by cropping them into different versions to unlock additional ad inventory and boost campaign results. Future updates may include advanced features like uncropping or animating images. Automatic opt-in, but with caveats. Image Enhancements will be enabled by default for all Performance Max users. Landing page Images will also be enabled by default, but only if dynamic image settings are active at the account level. API users, take note. These new image features can only be managed through the Google Ads UI for now. The Google Ads API doesn’t support viewing or changing these settings. You can’t opt in or out via API; management must be done manually in the UI. Existing API integrations will continue to function as normal for current supported features, but these new settings require direct user action within the Google Ads interface. Why we care. Advertisers relying on API automation will need to adjust workflows to accommodate these UI-only features. The features can improve ad relevance and expand reach by automatically sourcing and enhancing visuals, potentially boosting campaign performance with less manual effort. Google’s announcement. New UI-Only Image Optimization Features for Performance Max Campaigns View the full article

Search has changed – and so has the role of the SEO professional. What began as a technical discipline focused on keywords and rankings is now a multi-faceted role that blends strategy, research, content, and visibility. This article explores: How SEO has evolved. What that means for practitioners. Where we go from here. The early days of SEO: Simpler times, big opportunities I stumbled into SEO by accident sometime around 1999, when the internet was a much simpler place. Dial-up modems were the norm, search engines were still finding their footing, and there were no smartphones, no social media, and certainly no AI in your pocket. To get online, you had to sit at a desk and dial in. Search was fragmented across platforms like Yahoo, Hotbot, AltaVista, and Ask Jeeves – but the buzz quickly shifted to a promising newcomer: Google. Even then, Google felt different. It delivered cleaner, more accurate results with far less spam – and best of all, there were no ads (yet). You couldn’t quite put your finger on it, but there was something undeniably special about it. At the time, the web was mostly just websites and search engines, and online marketing was almost entirely about SEO. Google’s role was simple: match queries to the best websites. If you understood how to optimize for that, the potential was massive. Some of the early sites I worked on were generating millions in revenue. Back then, SEO was still being defined. The core tasks were basic but powerful: Identify keywords. Get the technical setup right. Optimize your pages. Focus on content and links. That was it – and it worked. The Wild West I don’t need to go over the history too much here, but as search got competitive, Google had to find out ways to try and ensure people were playing fair. This started in earnest in 2003 and continues today with the many algorithm updates. During this period, many tactics – good and bad, fair and unfair, black hat and white hat – stopped working. Often, this led to the claims that SEO was dead. Depending on your outlook and preferred set of tactics, you could say it was true. But every time SEO died, it was simply reborn. SEO has always had to adapt to change and weigh the risks of certain tactics against the rewards. 2025 and search has evolved We’ve come a long way from SEO’s early days Google is no longer just 10 blue links to third-party websites. Google circa 1999 Google today Google results today are different for every query. While we will still have the traditional listings, they are often pushed down the page into the nether regions. Ads, products, images, news, questions and answers, videos, and, most recently, AI Overviews (answers generated by Google’s AI) are now given priority. Google also does a pretty solid job of keeping people in the Google ecosystem. AI, Maps, Business Profiles, YouTube – they have it all for us to cycle around, never needing to leave the warm, comforting embrace of Google’s ad-sponsored environment. Most search engine users never notice this, as it is a gradual change over time. Most people likely don’t realize that many of the answers that would require a visit to a third-party site are now answered directly on Google. As marketers, though, we are concerned with the outcomes and using search engines as a promotional tool. We notice the changes, particularly that Google now drives fewer clicks to third-party sites. We are also in the early days of AI and on the cusp of a much deeper integration of Google’s AI into search. This may well improve the utility of search for users, but I suspect it will result in even less referral traffic to our websites. Thinking beyond ranking and clicks SEO, and most other digital platforms like social, do not send the traffic they once did. However, SEO and other tactics, when done correctly, can drive massive exposure. Marketing has always been about awareness and interest. If you drive past a billboard and see an ad for a new movie that grabs your attention, you will look up that movie when you get home. Organic search is now similar. I’m not saying that organic traffic is nonexistent. Not at all. Rather, a large slice of the action is through awareness-building tactics. SEO, once a dominant standalone tactic, is now part of a broader digital marketing strategy. Today, it’s important to maintain visibility across all relevant channels. This is not to say that your website is not important. With clicks being such a precious commodity now, your website is still important for SEO and all other inbound marketing. Because it’s so hard to get people to your site, it must be fine-tuned so that they absolutely must convert. But if your SEO strategy is focused solely on your website, you’re missing a huge slice of the awareness pie. Modern SEO must: Develop a clear understanding of your audience (and not just keywords). Understand the modern search landscape. Be integrated into a broader marketing strategy. Be focused on maximizing visibility in the modern SERP. Have a clear SEO strategy that helps your content stand out. Utilize a simple yet well-articulated SEO plan. Modern SEO is now about traffic and exposure. You want people to find you, engage with your content, and seek you out! Create personas. Understand your audience. Look at all of the possible ways (and places) in which they can search and the results. Aim to appear everywhere. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Becoming a modern SEO The modern SEO consultant has to evolve. We must be researchers, strategists, and project managers. The scope of the role is so broad that it is a rare individual who can deliver on all of the requirements needed. The job is to: Do the research. Find the opportunities. Then, work with the subject matter experts to help them maximize visibility by tapping into the awareness and opportunity that search provides. SEO has evolved to be far closer to marketing than ever before, so think like a marketer. Start with the customer and then build your strategy from there. Let’s briefly break down these three core roles of researcher, strategist, and project manager. The SEO as researcher Modern SEO starts with deep customer insight. Who are your customer segments? Where do people ask their questions? What words do they use? What platforms do they trust? What content formats do they prefer? What triggers brand searches later? This isn’t just keyword research – it’s audience research. SERP analysis is now an intelligence tool: What SERP features appear? Who dominates them? What formats win attention? Where do zero-click answers exist? Where can a brand realistically gain exposure? Tools like the value proposition canvas can help really dig into the customer mindset. The SCAMPER framework can help you create content that stands out and brings something new to the table (which is really half the battle). Your goal here is to understand the customer and then all the many ways to reach that customer and drive awareness and traffic. The SEO as strategist Armed with this research, the SEO becomes a strategist, identifying opportunities across: Google’s blended SERPs. YouTube content. Reddit and forums. TikTok and short videos. AI assistants and LLM prompts. Visual search. Maps, local packs, and directories. Brand-focused content that drives search demand. The challenge here is that, often, the answers a customer needs are already there and they can be very good. The problem then becomes – how do you usurp the existing answers and earn your way into the results? This is the job of strategy. Strategy should answer the question of why you deserve to be visible and to create content that has a real reason to exist and engage. You still have to do all the other work to promote this content, but having something that stands out and that deserves your customers’ attention is half the battle. Utilize strategic marketing tools like SWOT analysis for SEO. Craft a clear, unique, and compelling SEO strategy. Be sure to remember that strategy is not planning. There is a difference. The strategist understands this and first crafts a strategy so the content deserves to be found. Not everything will drive a click. But not everything has to. In this landscape, visibility itself is the win – planting a brand name in the mind of a searcher so they come back later via branded search (which is measurable). SEO for awareness. SEO for targeted searches for you by name. SEO for this landscape. The SEO as project manager Modern SEO rarely works in isolation. SEO is no longer the do-it-all marketing silo. You have to work harder. SEO is now just part of an interconnected marketing environment where to win you have to be everywhere. The modern SEO will have to pull together: Content teams. Social media teams. PR and digital PR. Video creators. Product and customer teams. The SEO often becomes the person who holds the visibility strategy together: Spotting opportunities. Briefing others. Ensuring content is created for multiple formats and platforms. Confirming the language used is aligned with the language of the target audience. A single content idea might power: A blog post. A YouTube video. Short-form TikToks. Reddit discussion replies. AI-friendly answer snippets. Product or help content. Social content. Forum engagement. The SEO is the person who has to brief this all out in a strategic plan. They then have to work with the various experts to bring this vision to fruition. Don’t overlook SCAMPER here. It’s a helpful tool to rethink and improve your content by making changes like substitutions, combinations, and adaptations to stand out from the copycat competition. What’s crucial here is that you don’t just do what everyone else does. Do something different. That is the strategic backbone you must develop to stand out in search and everywhere else. The modern SEO is not someone who just tinkers with page titles (which can still have some utility), but is the architect of visibility on the modern SERP. The researcher, the strategist, the planner, and the project manager. The 2025 SEO pulls everything together. Measuring modern SEO: Beyond rankings and CTR This approach needs new ways to measure success. We don’t need to discard all of the old metrics, but we do need to consider this in more detail and ensure we measure what matters. Some things are still measurable with traditional tools: Rankings. Organic traffic. CTR. But others require a broader view: Impressions and visibility in SERP features. Brand search volume growth. YouTube search performance. Social engagement tied to search moments. Presence in AI assistants or answer engines. Share of voice in blended SERPs. SEO success isn’t just about traffic – it’s about attention. Tools like Search Console can still provide SEO insights and easy optimization opportunities, but don’t stop there. Define your measurement criteria and pull together customized reports that give you the full picture. Identify the right metrics to track performance and connect SEO results with overall marketing success. The new SEO mandate SEO is no longer just about getting clicks to your website. In 2025, SEO is about being present wherever your audience searches and in whatever types of results the search engine cranks out. From AI to images, your goal is to get there. The modern SEO must evolve into: A researcher of search behavior and SERP environments. A strategist of visibility for the website and beyond. A project manager of multi-format, multi-platform content execution. SEO is often hard to define. The role of an SEO? Even more. There’s a reason the SEO’s favorite answer is “it depends” – for a long time, it really did. Change is scary, and the majority will still seek the path of least resistance, which leads to ever-dwindling results. Be different. Do the work. Adapt and evolve now, and prepare for things to get really crazy as AI is fully integrated into search this year. I’ve been working in search for 25 years and have seen a lot of things come and go. The only constant is change, and that keeps things interesting. Yet, the pace is picking up now. We have tipped over into the new zero-click AI search landscape, and I don’t think it has ever been more interesting or exciting to be an SEO. SEO has always been about search – and that is still true. But search itself has changed. Are you ready to change? View the full article

This week, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) announced that it’s putting the revenue from selling U.S. Open tickets and $23 signature Honey Deuce cocktails toward a new cause: Completing an $800 million renovation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (NTC), the sports complex that hosts the annual tennis championship. The renovation represents the single largest investment in U.S. Open history, according to a press release published by the USTA. It will encompass a full transformation of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, where championship games are played, as well as a luxe new player performance center on the NTC’s campus. The work will be spearheaded by the architectural firm Rossetti, which designed Arthur Ashe stadium back in 1994 and has since returned to add a retractable roof to the building, as well as two supplementary stadiums within the complex. This update will bring the lifetime construction cost of Arthur Ashe stadium to over $1 billion. This latest round of renovations is set to be completed by the 2027 U.S. Open, with three construction phases planned to avoid conflicts with scheduled play in the intervening years. The updates are designed to dramatically increase the stadium’s capacity and to create a more modern, luxurious experience for both fans and athletes. “Every square inch” of the stadium is being revamped, from the club level to the lounge and the promenade, Danny Zausner, chief operating officer at the USTA, told reporters in an interview this week. Here’s a rundown. What’s new at Arthur Ashe stadium The design vision for the Arthur Ashe stadium will be apparent to guests before they even enter the venue. Based on renderings provided by the USTA, a new Grand Entrance will usher viewers into the space through a two-story, futuristic silver ring arcing above the doorways. Inside, the stadium itself will be almost entirely overhauled. Per the press release, the promenade-level concourse, where guests typically gather and mingle, will be sized up by 40%; more escalators and elevators will be added to every level; and an upward extension of the courtside-level bowl will increase its capacity from 3,000 to 5,000 attendees. Arthur Ashe Stadium’s overall capacity of 24,000, which makes it the largest tennis stadium in the world, will remain the same as the design team plans to relocate seating to this bowl from other parts of the arena. New amenities will also include modernized concorses with all-new retail, food, and beverage spaces, added clubs and restaurants, and two new dedicated luxury suite levels—presumably catering to the U.S. Open’s coterie of VIP guests. “This project enables us to maintain the greatest stage in tennis—Arthur Ashe Stadium—which was constructed more than 25 years ago, and modernize it in a way that will set it up for the next 25 years,” Lew Sherr, CEO and executive director of USTA, said in the press release. “It also provides us the opportunity to give the players that compete in that stadium an unparalleled space that will enable them to perform at their best and enjoy a higher level of luxury and comfort while they are off the court.” “Spa-like” athlete facilities While the U.S. Open fan experience is getting a facelift, part of this major investment is also being funneled toward athlete facilities. Those upgrades will come in the form of a $250 million player performance center, located on the top two floors of an existing building to the west of the Arthur Ashe stadium. Inside, players and teams will be treated to indoor and outdoor fitness areas, “spa-like” locker rooms and lounges, and even a cafe accessible only to athletes. The press release notes that this added investment is intended to provide the nearly 2,800 athletes and team members at the U.S. Open with “everything they need to maximize their on-court performance.” “There’s no doubt about it—when you walk into the stadium, the entire look and feel will change,” says Zausner. View the full article

A reader writes: I am looking for some advice on how to deal with my manager. I have worked in this organization for about three years, and my manager, Mark, started a few months before me. Out of all of the managers I’ve ever had, he is by far the kindest and most flexible (he’s very hands-off). After a few months, I realized he is not great at his job. Over the past three years, more and more of his job responsibilities have been put onto my plate. I am supposed to be in a more technical role, but I end up dedicating a lot of my time to managing, due to him … not managing. Some examples: * Interns: We have a small team of interns — 6-10 in any given year. When I first started, they were pretty unprofessional, always late, and had not been trained. I asked Mark to implement training for them moving forward. What was supposed to be a team effort turned into me developing an onboarding manual and training presentations, completely on my own. At this point, all of these interns consider me their boss, because Mark is so hands-off with them. When I ask him to intervene on issues that affect my work (no-showing, unprofessional conduct), he makes excuses for them, because he feels bad for them. * Budget: My role is very much shaped by our budget. When I was onboarded, no one shared any numbers despite my repeated requests, and at the fiscal year end, I learned that we underspent by quite a lot of money. Meanwhile, Mark had actually led me to believe that we were short on funds! Since then, I am now our team’s go-to budget person. The only part Mark is involved with is signing off on expenses (he doesn’t do his due diligence on these either— he comes to me to ask if he should sign off on them!). * Disorganized: My boss is extremely disorganized, to the point where I am cc’d on emails from my grandboss, other managers, etc. so I can respond or remind him to. People often message me to ask if I can follow up with him in-person to check his email. Last year, my grandboss had me do one of our annual reports with limited notice because Mark had taken vacation while it was due, without ensuring it was done beforehand. * Bad at technology: About once a month, Mark claims that all of his calendar invites disappeared (he refuses to go to IT). It is not uncommon for him to come into my office on the wrong day a scheduled meeting (like a week before or a day after) and ask when it will be starting. Outside of calendar issues, he has over 5,000 unread emails. Most of my emails to him go either unanswered, or he tells me his reply in person, which is unhelpful when I am emailing him to get a paper trail. When I do receive an email from him, they often have numerous spelling mistakes and spell people’s names wrong (or misname people entirely).Several times, I have found him tallying our reporting numbers by hand in a notebook, despite them being in a spreadsheet. This is after I’ve taught him basic Excel formulas that could do this for him in five minutes. * Unprofessional: I often overhear him watching YouTube videos and movies at his desk. He has fostered an “us versus them” environment in our office, often bashing other teams, giving our team members the impression that our organization is against us. He is very open about some of his political beliefs that explicitly don’t align with our organization’s values. These are just some of the larger issues that I am working with. I have been managing up (or at least trying to) but it has turned into me managing. I talked with my grandboss about it once about a year ago, and they agreed with all of my concerns and told me they were struggling to manage him. The problem is, Mark is a sweet old man (well past retirement age) and people have a hard time telling it to him straight. I really love my job, but these extra responsibilities have taken me away from the role I was hired for. I have tried talking about this directly with him, but nothing ever changes. If I’m being completely honest, I would like to see him let go. My company is in a financial crisis, he makes well over six figures, and after years of intervention and training, he has shown no improvement. Is there any use in talking to my grandboss for help or should I just look at opportunities to leave? Sure, you can try talking to your grandboss again — but I would assume nothing is going to change, until and unless you actively see evidence to the contrary. It’s still worth another conversation with your grandboss because you never know. It’s possible that he’s been hearing other complaints too or has an increasing number of concerns of his own, and your conversation could be the tipping point. Or it’s possible that he’ll realize you are at a tipping point and he’s likely to lose you if he doesn’t act. Sometimes that does happen. So have the conversation, and be very explicit about the problems. If you pulled your punches last time, be more direct this time. Just don’t expect real change, and let it be a pleasant surprise if you get it. Simultaneously, while assuming nothing is going to change, think about what you want to do about that. If you knew everything would be the same a year from now, would you wish you’d launched an active job search earlier? If so, do it now. Alternately, would you be interested in staying if you could turn your boss’s incompetence into an opportunity for yourself — like by pitching your grandboss on a formalizing a more senior role for you where it becomes your official job to do some of the work you’re having to do for your boss now (and are paid and titled accordingly)? Sometimes there can be opportunity (and pay-off) in being the person who steps in to make things run when a Mark isn’t or can’t. Other times, it’s just thankless work that you’re never compensated for. If it could be the former, would you want that? Or would you rather just get out regardless? Any of those routes are reasonable ones. Just assume you need to start pursuing one of them, unless that conversation with your grandboss bears unexpected fruit. The post my manager sucks at his job — should I talk to his boss? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

The pace of AI progress is showing no signs of slacking. Following ChatGPT's big image upgrade a few weeks ago, it's now Google's turn to show off new models for generating videos and pictures from text prompts: We've got Veo 3 (for video) and Imagen 4 (for pictures), announced during Google I/O 2025, and they come with some significant improvements. Starting with Veo 3, it's the next step up from the Veo 2 model that was recently pushed out to paying Gemini subscribers last month. Google says Veo 3 brings with it notable improvements in real-world physics (something AI video often struggles with) and details such as lip-syncing. In short: Your clips should look more realistic than ever. There's another crucial upgrade here, and that's sound. Previously, Veo-made clips came without any audio attached, but the AI is now smart enough to add in suitable ambient sounds, including traffic noise, wildlife sounds, and even dialog between characters. Google has provided a few example videos to show off the new capabilities, as you would expect, including Old Sailor. Of course, it's impressive that a clip like this can be produced from a text prompt, and it is up to a high standard in terms of realism—we're no longer getting the six-fingered hands that we used to with AI. Still, the usual hallmarks of artificial intelligence are evident: This is a generic sailor, on a generic sea, speaking generic dialogue about the ocean. It's a mashing together and averaging out of every video of the sea and old sailors that Veo 3 has been trained on, and may or may not match the original prompt (which Google hasn't given). Veo 3 is only available to those brave enough to pay $250 a month for Google's AI Ultra plan, but Veo 2 is also getting some upgrades for those of us paying a tenth of that for AI Pro. It's now better at control and consistency, according to Google, with improved camera movements and outpainting (expanding the view of a frame). It can also have a go at adding and removing objects from clips now. Moving on to images: We've got Imagen 4, the successor to Imagen 3. Here, we're promised "remarkable clarity in fine details like intricate fabrics, water droplets, and animal fur," plus support for higher resolutions (up to 2K) and more aspect ratios. You get top-tier results in both photorealistic and abstract styles, as per Google. There are sheep as big as tractors in Google's AI world. Credit: Google Google has also tackled one of the major problems with AI image generation, which is typography. Imagen 4 is apparently much better than the models that came before it in terms of making characters and words look cohesive and accurate, without any weird spellings or letters than dissolve into unintelligible hieroglyphics. Imagen 4 is available now to all users, inside the Gemini app. Google hasn't mentioned any usage limits, though presumably if you don't have a subscription you'll hit these limits more quickly, as is the case with Imagen 3 (there's no fixed quota for these limits, and it seems they depend on general demand on Google's AI infrastructure). The carefully curated samples Google has provided look good, without any obvious mistakes or inaccuracies—just the usual AI sheen. Imagen 4 is faster than Imagen 3 too, Google says, with more improvements on the way: A variant on the model that's 10x faster than Imagen 3 is going to be launching soon. There's one more image and video tool to talk about: Flow. It's an AI filmmaking tool from Google that pulls together its text, video, and image models to help you stitch together successive scenes that are consistent, featuring the same characters and locations. You can use Flow if you're an AI Pro or AI Ultra subscriber, with higher usage limits and better models for those on the more expensive plan. View the full article

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a new tool aimed at helping small businesses reduce reliance on foreign supply chains by connecting them directly with American manufacturers and producers. The Make Onshoring Great Again Portal, unveiled on May 20, 2025, offers free access to a database of more than 1 million domestic suppliers, giving small businesses the ability to source U.S.-made components, products, and materials. The tool is part of a broader federal initiative to revive American manufacturing and improve supply chain resilience. “The SBA is proud to support President Donald J. The President’s mission to restore America’s economic resurgence by empowering small businesses with the resources to supercharge the return of Made in America,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The Make Onshoring Great Again Portal will give job creators a direct line to more than one million domestic suppliers – replacing foreign dependence with access to American-made solutions. It’s a decisive step toward rebuilding our nation’s strength through stronger supply chains, better products, and a renewed commitment to American industry, small business, and workers.” The SBA developed the portal in partnership with private-sector sponsors and integrated access to three databases listing verified U.S.-based manufacturers, suppliers, and producers. According to the SBA, the portal is designed to reduce small businesses’ exposure to overseas disruptions, improve quality control, and shorten lead times for procurement. The initiative also aligns with the administration’s economic priorities, which emphasize reshoring production, rebuilding U.S. industry, and limiting dependence on foreign adversaries, particularly China. The agency’s statement specifically frames the portal as a way to “end our nation’s concentrated dependence on foreign suppliers and adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.” The portal is the latest in a series of SBA-led programs under the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, which launched earlier this year. That broader effort includes actions such as: Expanding access to capital for U.S. manufacturers Promoting development of a skilled domestic workforce Cutting $100 billion in regulatory burdens impacting small manufacturers In addition, the SBA has endorsed recent bipartisan legislation that seeks to double the SBA loan cap for small manufacturers. The bill is framed as another means to “supercharge” the return of American industrial capacity and increase the competitiveness of domestic businesses. With the launch of the onshoring portal, the SBA says it is providing a practical resource to help small businesses transition their operations toward U.S.-based sourcing and supply chains. Officials say the portal is part of a larger national strategy focused on empowering entrepreneurs, revitalizing local economies, and reinforcing American economic independence. For more information or to access the tool, small business owners can visit the official SBA page at www.sba.gov/priorities/american-manufacturers/make-onshoring-great-again-portal. This article, "SBA Launches Onshoring Portal to Help Small Businesses Source U.S. Suppliers and Rebuild Domestic Supply Chains" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a new tool aimed at helping small businesses reduce reliance on foreign supply chains by connecting them directly with American manufacturers and producers. The Make Onshoring Great Again Portal, unveiled on May 20, 2025, offers free access to a database of more than 1 million domestic suppliers, giving small businesses the ability to source U.S.-made components, products, and materials. The tool is part of a broader federal initiative to revive American manufacturing and improve supply chain resilience. “The SBA is proud to support President Donald J. The President’s mission to restore America’s economic resurgence by empowering small businesses with the resources to supercharge the return of Made in America,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The Make Onshoring Great Again Portal will give job creators a direct line to more than one million domestic suppliers – replacing foreign dependence with access to American-made solutions. It’s a decisive step toward rebuilding our nation’s strength through stronger supply chains, better products, and a renewed commitment to American industry, small business, and workers.” The SBA developed the portal in partnership with private-sector sponsors and integrated access to three databases listing verified U.S.-based manufacturers, suppliers, and producers. According to the SBA, the portal is designed to reduce small businesses’ exposure to overseas disruptions, improve quality control, and shorten lead times for procurement. The initiative also aligns with the administration’s economic priorities, which emphasize reshoring production, rebuilding U.S. industry, and limiting dependence on foreign adversaries, particularly China. The agency’s statement specifically frames the portal as a way to “end our nation’s concentrated dependence on foreign suppliers and adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party.” The portal is the latest in a series of SBA-led programs under the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, which launched earlier this year. That broader effort includes actions such as: Expanding access to capital for U.S. manufacturers Promoting development of a skilled domestic workforce Cutting $100 billion in regulatory burdens impacting small manufacturers In addition, the SBA has endorsed recent bipartisan legislation that seeks to double the SBA loan cap for small manufacturers. The bill is framed as another means to “supercharge” the return of American industrial capacity and increase the competitiveness of domestic businesses. With the launch of the onshoring portal, the SBA says it is providing a practical resource to help small businesses transition their operations toward U.S.-based sourcing and supply chains. Officials say the portal is part of a larger national strategy focused on empowering entrepreneurs, revitalizing local economies, and reinforcing American economic independence. For more information or to access the tool, small business owners can visit the official SBA page at www.sba.gov/priorities/american-manufacturers/make-onshoring-great-again-portal. This article, "SBA Launches Onshoring Portal to Help Small Businesses Source U.S. Suppliers and Rebuild Domestic Supply Chains" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

U.S. President Donald The President’s plan for a “Golden Dome” to protect the United States from long-range missiles was at least partly inspired by Israel’s multitiered missile defenses. The President announced the $175 billion concept in the Oval Office on Tuesday, saying it would put U.S. weapons in space for the first time and be would be “fully operational” by the end of his term in early 2029, though a U.S. official familiar with the program said it could take longer. Israel’s multilayered defenses, often collectively referred to as the “Iron Dome,” have played a key role in defending it from rocket and missile fire from Iran and allied militant groups in the conflict unleashed by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. The sophisticated system, developed over decades with considerable U.S. support, is capable of detecting incoming fire and deploying only if the projectile is headed toward a population center or sensitive military or civilian infrastructure. Israeli leaders say the system isn’t 100% guaranteed, but credit it with preventing serious damage and countless casualties. Here’s a closer look at Israel’s multilayered air-defense system: The Arrow This system developed with the U.S. is designed to intercept long-range missiles. The Arrow, which operates outside the atmosphere, has been used to intercept long-range missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and by Iran itself during two direct exchanges of fire last year. David’s Sling Also developed with the U.S., David’s Sling is meant to intercept medium-range missiles, such as those possessed by Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group. It was deployed on multiple occasions throughout the war with Hezbollah, which ended with a ceasefire last year. Iron Dome This system, developed by Israel with U.S. backing, specializes in shooting down short-range rockets. It has intercepted thousands of rockets since it was activated early last decade—including volleys launched by Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel says it has a success rate of over 90%. Iron Beam Israel is developing a new system to intercept incoming threats with laser technology. Israel has said this system will be a game changer because it would be much cheaper to operate than existing systems. According to Israeli media reports, the cost of a single Iron Dome interception is about $50,000, while the other systems can run more than $2 million per missile. Iron Beam interceptions, by contrast, would cost a few dollars apiece, according to Israeli officials—but the system is not yet operational. Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war —Associated Press View the full article

A new report released by Amazon highlights the massive economic contributions of independent sellers, revealing that small and medium-sized businesses selling through the platform have generated more than $2.5 trillion in sales over the past 25 years and currently employ over 2 million people across the United States. The 2024 Small Business Empowerment Report, published on May 20, 2025, underscores the transformative impact Amazon’s seller program has had on small business growth and job creation since its inception in 2000. Today, more than 60% of sales in Amazon’s store come from independent sellers—most of which are small businesses. “These thriving businesses are creating meaningful employment opportunities,” Amazon reports, noting that independent sellers’ U.S. job creation rose 11% year over year. Sellers also contribute to local economies by renting space, contracting services, and investing back into their communities. The report points to additional record-setting achievements in 2024 alone: Over 55,000 independent sellers surpassed $1 million in annual sales Sellers averaged $290,000 in sales, up 16% from 2023 Sales from sellers in small towns and rural areas grew more than 30% year over year States leading in seller-driven job creation include California, New York, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Amazon says small businesses have shipped more than 80 billion items using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) since it launched in 2006. This program allows sellers to reach global customers with expedited shipping while focusing on core business operations. The report also highlights small sellers’ growing embrace of advanced tools like generative AI, now available through Amazon features like the “Enhance My Listing” tool. These innovations help optimize product listings, improve customer engagement, and streamline business operations. In addition to growth within Amazon’s store, over 300,000 sellers worldwide are now using Multi-Channel Fulfillment to deliver products purchased from other sales channels. This reflects a broader trend of sellers expanding into omnichannel retail, reaching customers wherever they shop. The report emphasizes that this success extends beyond sales numbers. U.S.-based sellers have exported over 2 billion items globally, illustrating how Amazon has enabled even the smallest businesses to access international markets without the infrastructure traditionally required. Image: Amazon This article, "Amazon Report: Independent Sellers Generate $2.5 Trillion, Create Over 2 Million U.S. Jobs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A new report released by Amazon highlights the massive economic contributions of independent sellers, revealing that small and medium-sized businesses selling through the platform have generated more than $2.5 trillion in sales over the past 25 years and currently employ over 2 million people across the United States. The 2024 Small Business Empowerment Report, published on May 20, 2025, underscores the transformative impact Amazon’s seller program has had on small business growth and job creation since its inception in 2000. Today, more than 60% of sales in Amazon’s store come from independent sellers—most of which are small businesses. “These thriving businesses are creating meaningful employment opportunities,” Amazon reports, noting that independent sellers’ U.S. job creation rose 11% year over year. Sellers also contribute to local economies by renting space, contracting services, and investing back into their communities. The report points to additional record-setting achievements in 2024 alone: Over 55,000 independent sellers surpassed $1 million in annual sales Sellers averaged $290,000 in sales, up 16% from 2023 Sales from sellers in small towns and rural areas grew more than 30% year over year States leading in seller-driven job creation include California, New York, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Amazon says small businesses have shipped more than 80 billion items using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) since it launched in 2006. This program allows sellers to reach global customers with expedited shipping while focusing on core business operations. The report also highlights small sellers’ growing embrace of advanced tools like generative AI, now available through Amazon features like the “Enhance My Listing” tool. These innovations help optimize product listings, improve customer engagement, and streamline business operations. In addition to growth within Amazon’s store, over 300,000 sellers worldwide are now using Multi-Channel Fulfillment to deliver products purchased from other sales channels. This reflects a broader trend of sellers expanding into omnichannel retail, reaching customers wherever they shop. The report emphasizes that this success extends beyond sales numbers. U.S.-based sellers have exported over 2 billion items globally, illustrating how Amazon has enabled even the smallest businesses to access international markets without the infrastructure traditionally required. Image: Amazon This article, "Amazon Report: Independent Sellers Generate $2.5 Trillion, Create Over 2 Million U.S. Jobs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. While Anker might be known best for its power banks, speakers, and smartphone accessories, the brand also has a track record for delivering high-quality audio products. Currently, Anker Soundcore AeroClip open-ear earbuds are available for the lowest price ever at $129.98, according to price-trackers. These earbuds are lightweight and flexible, yet stay in place due to their open-ring design. Anker Soundcore AeroClip Earbuds $129.98 at Amazon $169.99 Save $40.01 Get Deal Get Deal $129.98 at Amazon $169.99 Save $40.01 The open-ring design of these clip-on headphones has become a popular choice for people seeking a comfortable audio experience while remaining aware of their surroundings, making them ideal for activities like running, cycling, or walking the dog. For those who make calls using their earbuds, the AI-driven noise reduction and four beam-forming microphones allow for crystal-clear calls, even in busy settings. While tap controls are available and touch control-enabled, controls are limited and don’t allow users to control volume or return to previous tracks. With an advanced virtual bass technology and a 12mm titanium-coated driver for improved audio, reviewers report excellent sound quality and less static than similar products from other brands. However, while audio quality and bass receive high ratings across the board, some people say the volume doesn’t reach as loud as it should, even when set to the maximum. In addition, some users report comfort issues and ear fatigue during extended wear, but since the adaptive design allows them to be fully adjusted on any part of the ear, finding the right spot to clip them on can reduce strain. Compared to more expensive open earbuds that are fully waterproof, these only have an IPX4 rating, making them resistant to sweat and light rain but not suitable for swimming or other water activities. With an average of 4.4 stars on Amazon and three color options to choose from, these aren’t the cheapest open earbuds, but at 24% off, they’re more affordable than higher-end brands that deliver similar results. View the full article

The retirement planning hack can be a secret weapon for tax-free growth. Quick Tax Tip With Art Werner CPE Today Go PRO for members-only access to more Art Werner. View the full article

The retirement planning hack can be a secret weapon for tax-free growth. Quick Tax Tip With Art Werner CPE Today Go PRO for members-only access to more Art Werner. View the full article

Ad headlines are one of the foundational building blocks of your campaign. These tiny bits of text create a first impression for your target customer, and play a real role in convincing them to click (or scroll right past). And yet, if you’re honest with yourself, does writing headlines usually come as an afterthought? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about crafting Google Ads headlines across campaign types, including: How many headlines do you need in Google Ads? What is a long headline in Google Ads? Will my search ad headlines always show up? How to get Excellent Ad Strength with your headlines How to craft ad headlines that convert How can you optimize your headlines? Why is Google showing headlines that I didn’t write? How many headlines do you need in Google Ads? Your ad headline is the very first thing potential customers see, and not just for Search ads. Making it count is crucial. Let’s start with the technical requirements, character counts and specifications for headlines across Google Ads campaign types: For Responsive Search Ads and Performance Max, each headline can be up to 30 characters long, and you can provide up to 15 different headlines within a single RSA (minimum: three). Responsive Display Ads have the same 30-character limit, but you can only provide up to five different headlines within a single RDA. Demand Gen campaigns inexplicably have a 40-character limit. This extra space can be valuable for conveying more detailed information or a stronger call to action, but beware: these headlines can also get cut off, so don’t feel pressured to max out your characters. You can have up to five headlines per image or video ad. In a Carousel ad, you have just one headline for the ad unit overall, and then each “card” also has its own 40-character headline. Some Video campaign types have a long headline, but no standard headlines. What is a long headline in Google Ads? Beyond these standard headlines, there’s also the “long headline” asset in some campaign types. This gives you significantly more space – up to 90 characters, just like a description! Why does this option exist? Who knows?! But you’ll find long headlines in Performance Max, Demand Gen, Video, and Display campaigns. Some ads have room for just one long headline, and some let you add up to five. Will my search ad headlines always show up? In a Responsive Search Ad, at least one headline will always show when your ad serves an impression, but you can have two or three displayed together at a time. It’s also important to remember that your headlines aren’t limited to just the main headline spot. Headline assets can also appear in the description area or even as sitelinks, offering more opportunities for your key messages to be seen. If you have a specific headline that you absolutely want to ensure always shows, perhaps due to regulatory requirements or a critical, unique selling proposition, you can achieve this through pinning. Pinning a headline means you’re telling Google to always show that particular headline in a specific position (e.g., Headline Position 1). How to get Excellent Ad Strength with your headlines Ad Strength is a diagnostic tool that tells you whether your ads are meeting basic best practices. It is not an input into the ad auction, and it does not tell you whether your ads are actually performing well. Still, it feels good to have that Excellent rating, so here are the three things you need to do with your Responsive Search Ad headlines to get there: Have at least seven or eight different headlines Make sure your headlines are unique. For example, “Google Ads News,” “AdWords News,” and “News about Google Ads” are too similar and won’t give Google enough variety to optimize your ad. Make sure the majority of your keywords are incorporated into your headlines. Dynamic keyword insertion can be a great trick to achieve this. While 15 is the maximum, starting with around 7 or 8 unique headlines is a good baseline. If you pin your headlines, you’ll likely be unable to get an Ad Strength rating above “Good.” Again, don’t worry – if you gotta pin, you gotta pin. How to craft ad headlines that convert Beyond Ad Strength, how can you craft effective headlines that turn searchers into customers? These are my top 4 headline writing tips, based on the most common mistakes I see what I’m auditing poor performing Google Ads accounts: Highlight Features and Benefits: Don’t just state what you offer; explain why it matters to your audience. What problems do you solve? What advantages do you provide? Instead of just saying “best service,” explain why it’s the best. For example, “24/7 Customer Support” or “Talk To A Real Human” is much stronger than “Best Customer Service.” Be Specific: Avoid generic phrases like “new product” or “great deals.” Instead, tell people exactly what’s new or what kind of deals they can expect. “Save 20% on Winter Coats” is far more compelling than “Winter Coats on Sale.” Include at least one Call to Action: For search ads, don’t have a call-to-action button. Your headline is the call-to-action button. Phrases like “Shop Now” or “Get a Quote” can improve your click-through rate. Or, even better, “Shop Bestsellers Now” or “Get a Quote in 2 Minutes.” Speak Your Audience’s Language: If you operate in a niche industry, using industry-specific jargon in your headlines can actually be a good thing. It helps ensure that only people who understand and resonate with that jargon click on your ad, which can lead to higher quality leads and more efficient ad spend. For example, if you’re targeting professional photographers, using terms like “aperture” or “ISO” might be beneficial to filter out casual hobbyists. How can you optimize your headlines? Knowing how your headlines are performing is just as important as writing them. Most campaign types in Google Ads provide asset-level reporting, which is where you’ll find the data you need. To access this information, navigate to the “Ads” tab, then click on “View asset details” (it’s in light blue writing) within your campaign. Once you’re on the asset details page, you might need to add more columns to see all the relevant metrics. I like to evaluate my headlines based on two key metrics: Click-Through Rate (CTR): This tells you if people are engaging with your headline and choosing to click on your ad when it appears. A higher CTR generally indicates a more compelling headline. Conversion Rate: This is the ultimate measure of success. Of the people who clicked on your ad after seeing a particular headline, how many actually completed the desired action on your landing page (e.g., made a purchase, filled out a form)? It’s important to note that judging headline performance too early can be misleading. I typically wait until a headline has received at least 1,000 clicks before making definitive judgments about its effectiveness. This ensures you have enough data to draw reliable conclusions. Why is Google showing headlines that I didn’t write? Google Ads has some features that can automatically generate headlines for you, which can be a time-saver, but also a budget-waster if the AI gets it wrong. Dynamic Search Ads (DSAs). If you’re using dynamic ad groups, your headlines will be dynamically generated based on what the user searched for, how that search matched your dynamic ad target, and the content on your landing page. Automatically Created Assets (ACAs). Headlines are one of the assets that can be automatically created for you if you have this feature enabled. Check the “Source” column to see if a headline was created by the Advertiser (you) or Automatically created (Google), and remove anything irrelevant. AI Max for Search Campaigns. If you turn on the AI Max settings, one of the options is asset customization – a rebranding of ACAs. The cool thing about automatically created headlines with AI Max, though, is that you can see their performance within your search terms report, giving you insights into what Google’s AI is generating and how it’s performing for various queries. Headlines might seem like a small component of your Google Ads strategy, but they have an outsized impact on success. By understanding the different headline requirements, focusing on compelling messaging, and monitoring performance, you can significantly improve the effectiveness of your campaigns. This article is part of our ongoing weekly Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. Every Wednesday, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web...View the full article

A new collaboration between Constant Contact and Xero aims to make life easier for small businesses by automating the link between digital marketing and accounting systems. The partnership, announced May 21, 2025, enables small business owners to streamline key business functions, reduce manual tasks, and improve customer engagement through integrated tools. The companies say the integration is designed to unify two critical daily functions for small business owners: marketing and financial management. With a few clicks, Constant Contact users can now automatically sync their Xero contacts directly into their email campaigns. This automation allows businesses to send targeted marketing messages more efficiently and track campaign results with greater accuracy. Xero customers, in turn, gain access to Constant Contact’s suite of digital marketing tools, which includes AI-powered email, automations, SMS, social media tools, event management, and more. By combining marketing and customer contact data, the integration allows for more personalized engagement while reducing the time typically spent syncing contacts manually. Stephanie Ting, Chief Strategy Officer at Constant Contact, emphasized the importance of time-saving tools for small business operators. “The average small business is pressed for time with under an hour each day to dedicate to marketing and even less time to chase payments,” Ting said. “This integration is a game-changer because it connects the dots between a business owner’s marketing and finance systems, enabling these two critical functions to work together for business growth. By eliminating the time spent manually syncing contacts between marketing and accounting, small businesses can now focus on running and growing their business. Xero shares our mission to help small businesses grow, and together, we’re giving small business owners the tools they need to work efficiently, connect with customers and thrive.” The integration is available starting today to US-based customers of Constant Contact and Xero. Additional features and availability in other regions are planned for future updates. Upcoming enhancements include deeper data integrations that combine financial insights for improved audience segmentation and marketing automations based on unified customer data. Xero also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “We’re excited about the benefits this partnership with Constant Contact will provide to small businesses,” said Vikram Grover, SVP of Partnerships at Xero. “In today’s digital landscape, effective online marketing is vital for reaching customers and growing a business. By creating a seamless, automated workflow between digital marketing and finance through this integration, we’re helping businesses save time, improve cash flow, and ultimately drive greater efficiency—allowing them to focus on connecting with customers and thriving in the digital world.” As part of the collaboration, Constant Contact customers are eligible to receive six months of Xero free on any business plan. Likewise, Xero users qualify for 50% off Constant Contact for six months on any of its plans. The companies say the partnership reflects a shared mission to empower small businesses with tools that drive sustainable growth, improved workflows, and stronger customer relationships in today’s competitive and time-sensitive environment. This article, "Constant Contact and Xero Launch Integration to Automate Marketing and Accounting for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A new collaboration between Constant Contact and Xero aims to make life easier for small businesses by automating the link between digital marketing and accounting systems. The partnership, announced May 21, 2025, enables small business owners to streamline key business functions, reduce manual tasks, and improve customer engagement through integrated tools. The companies say the integration is designed to unify two critical daily functions for small business owners: marketing and financial management. With a few clicks, Constant Contact users can now automatically sync their Xero contacts directly into their email campaigns. This automation allows businesses to send targeted marketing messages more efficiently and track campaign results with greater accuracy. Xero customers, in turn, gain access to Constant Contact’s suite of digital marketing tools, which includes AI-powered email, automations, SMS, social media tools, event management, and more. By combining marketing and customer contact data, the integration allows for more personalized engagement while reducing the time typically spent syncing contacts manually. Stephanie Ting, Chief Strategy Officer at Constant Contact, emphasized the importance of time-saving tools for small business operators. “The average small business is pressed for time with under an hour each day to dedicate to marketing and even less time to chase payments,” Ting said. “This integration is a game-changer because it connects the dots between a business owner’s marketing and finance systems, enabling these two critical functions to work together for business growth. By eliminating the time spent manually syncing contacts between marketing and accounting, small businesses can now focus on running and growing their business. Xero shares our mission to help small businesses grow, and together, we’re giving small business owners the tools they need to work efficiently, connect with customers and thrive.” The integration is available starting today to US-based customers of Constant Contact and Xero. Additional features and availability in other regions are planned for future updates. Upcoming enhancements include deeper data integrations that combine financial insights for improved audience segmentation and marketing automations based on unified customer data. Xero also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “We’re excited about the benefits this partnership with Constant Contact will provide to small businesses,” said Vikram Grover, SVP of Partnerships at Xero. “In today’s digital landscape, effective online marketing is vital for reaching customers and growing a business. By creating a seamless, automated workflow between digital marketing and finance through this integration, we’re helping businesses save time, improve cash flow, and ultimately drive greater efficiency—allowing them to focus on connecting with customers and thriving in the digital world.” As part of the collaboration, Constant Contact customers are eligible to receive six months of Xero free on any business plan. Likewise, Xero users qualify for 50% off Constant Contact for six months on any of its plans. The companies say the partnership reflects a shared mission to empower small businesses with tools that drive sustainable growth, improved workflows, and stronger customer relationships in today’s competitive and time-sensitive environment. This article, "Constant Contact and Xero Launch Integration to Automate Marketing and Accounting for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Hollywood loves a sequel. And it turns out, Burger King loves them too. For the third consecutive year, the fast-food operator is debuting a limited-time menu tied to a big box film, this time How to Train Your Dragon, ahead of the live-action film based on Universal Pictures film that will be released in June. Beginning May 27, Burger King will start selling a new red-and-orange marble colored Whopper and Dragon-inspired mozzarella fries, strawberry lemonade, and a chocolate sundae, all taking inspiration from a franchise that has grossed more than $1.6 billion at the global box office and earned four Academy Award nominations. Burger King says the partnership extends a family-focused marketing strategy that kicked off in 2023 with Spider-Man and 2024’s tie-in with The Addams Family. Both led to larger orders and over-indexed in popularity with younger audiences and families. “What we’ve seen is that we’re starting again to grow with families,” says Tom Curtis, president of Burger King, during an interview with Fast Company. The Whopper plays itself Since Curtis joined Burger King in 2021, after a long career at rival restaurant operator Domino’s, he has helped spearhead nine unique Whopper limited-time offers. The red-bun Whopper was connected to the film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and last year’s purple-bun evoked the popular Addams Family character Wednesday, who has an ongoing live-action TV show on Netflix. Those Hollywood-inspired Whoppers were the strongest selling LTOs that Curtis launched, doubling the AUV, or average unit volume sold at each restaurant location, versus the LTOs that weren’t connected to a film. Spider-Man and The Addams Family, in particular, are decades-old intellectual properties that have spanned film, television, video games, and comics. That gives Burger King the ability to market cross-generationally, luring younger children who are newer fans of the more recent film and TV releases, but also appealing to parents and older diners who may have fond memories of these properties from their childhood. Even How to Train Your Dragon, initially based on a novel released in 2003, is now over two decades old and has inspired multiple hit films and a TV series. “When you really associate yourself with a powerful property, especially one that’s appealing not only to kids, but has a nostalgic element of it as well, then those can be really big movers of the business,” says Curtis. Spider-Man was a driver that helped U.S. comparable sales at Burger King restaurants open at least 13 months increase 7.5% in 2023. The growth slowed to a more modest 1.2% last year and dipped 1.1% in the U.S. for the first quarter of 2025 compared to prior-year levels. Burger King says it was encouraged by the steady traffic and market-share gains it has achieved compared to other fast-food chains even amid the more recent sales softness. “We’re in an industry that’s going to have ebbs and flows,” says Curtis. “As long as we’re outgrowing the competition on a fairly consistent basis, then we know we’re winning the game.” Investing in the future Burger King and the brand’s parent company, Restaurant Brands, have jolted sales in part thanks to a $400 million “Reclaim the Flame” investment unveiled in 2022 that pumped millions into advertising, restaurant remodels, and new kitchen equipment. Touchscreen kiosks were added to more locations to ease the workload for staff at the counter, new seat formats were designed to be more family friendly for larger groups, and Burger King reemphasized adding playgrounds for kids. Curtis says before he joined, traffic had been decelerating and restaurants weren’t operated to their full potential. The chain needed to reinvest to entice diners. “You can’t invite a family with parents who love their kids to a dirty restaurant where they’re not going to be treated in a friendly way, and in a restaurant that, frankly, is in some cases, [falling down around them],” says Curtis. Fast food faces growing consumer caution This year, Burger King will need to contend with softer consumer sentiment, as diners fret that a trade war and tariffs will result in higher inflation. Already, data has shown that traffic at quick-service restaurants has been slowing, and brands including McDonald’s and Chipotle have reported softer sales. Burger King has offered menu deals, including a $5 duo and $7 trio offer that allowed diners to select two or three items from a list that included a Whopper Junior, fries, and chicken sandwiches. Curtis acknowledges that when budgets get tighter, Burger King may be inclined to lean on the combination of menu innovations with value pricing, meaning promos. But he says that Burger King does benefit from the fact that it doesn’t sell consumer discretionary goods. “People have to eat,” says Curtis. “If you can give them great value and a great menu, you can be an option in all economic environments.” View the full article

As nasty tornadoes popped up from Kansas to Kentucky, a depleted National Weather Service was in scramble mode. The agency’s office in Jackson, Kentucky, had begun closing nightly as deep cuts by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency began hitting. But the weather service kept staffers on overtime Friday night to stay on top of the deadly storms, which killed nearly 20 people in the Jackson office’s forecast area. It’s a scenario likely to be repeated as the U.S. is on track to see more tornadoes this year than in 2024, which was the second-busiest tornado year on record. Forecasters said there was at least a 10% risk of tornadoes Tuesday for 10.6 million people in parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Weather service veterans expressed concern about the agency’s ability to keep up in the face of the cuts. Rich Thompson, lead operations forecaster at the NWS Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, said the job is getting done. But he acknowledged that staffing cuts have “made it harder on us.” “It has made it hard on the local offices just to make sure that we have all of our important duties covered. But, I mean, most of the people take those important duties seriously, so we’re going to do what it takes to cover it,” Thompson said. “I hope we’re not in the same staffing situation long term. . . . It would be hard to sustain this for months or years.” NWS spokesperson Erica Grow Cei said the Jackson office “remained fully staffed through the duration of the event using surge staffing” and had support from neighboring offices. A leaner weather service is seeing more extreme weather The Storm Prediction Center had tallied 883 local tornado reports this year as of Monday, which was 35% higher than average for this time of year. Many former weather service employees, especially those fired by the The President administration, remain connected to the agency’s inner workings. They describe an agency that’s somehow getting forecasts and warnings out in time, but is also near the breaking point. “They’ll continue to answer the bell as long as they can, but you can only ask people to work 80 hours or 120 hours a week, you know for so long,” said Elbert “Joe” Friday, a former weather service director. “They may be so bleary-eyed, they can’t identify what’s going on on the radar.” Tom DiLiberto, a weather service meteorologist and spokesman who was fired in earlier rounds of the job cuts, said the situation is like a boat with leaks “and you have a certain amount of pieces of duct tape and you keep moving duct tape to different holes. At some point, you can’t.” As of March, some of the weather service offices issuing tornado warnings Friday and Sunday were above the 20% vacancy levels that outside experts have said is a critical threshold. Those include Jackson, with a 25% vacancy rate, Louisville, Kentucky, with a 29% vacancy rate, and Wichita, Kansas, with a 32% vacancy rate, according to data compiled by weather service employees and obtained by the AP. Technologies used to predict tornadoes have significantly improved, but radar can’t replace a well-rested staff that has to figure out how nasty or long-lasting storms will be and how to get information to the public, said Karen Kosiba, managing director of the Flexible Array of Mesonets and Radars (FARM) facility, a network of weather equipment used for research. “There really are not enough people to handle everything,” said University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Howard Bluestein, who chased six tornadoes Sunday. “If the station is understaffed, that could affect the quality of forecasts.” Cuts hit in different ways Former weather service Director Louis Uccellini said budget cuts have drastically reduced the number of weather balloon launches, which provide critical information for forecasts. And weather service workers aren’t being allowed to travel to help train local disaster officials for what to do when they get dangerous weather warnings, he said. Though the number of tornadoes is nearly at a record pace, Thompson and other experts said the tornado outbreak of the last few days is mostly normal for this time of year. For tornadoes to form, the atmosphere needs a collision of warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and storm systems chugging through via the jet stream, the river of air that brings weather fronts from west to east, said Thompson, Bluestein and Harold Brooks of the weather service’s National Severe Storm Laboratory. “The moisture that we’re getting from the Gulf of Mexico is a lot more than we used to get,” said Bluestein. “That makes the likelihood that we’re getting a stronger storm higher and that’s pretty unusual.” Temperatures in the Gulf are a couple of degrees warmer than usual for this time of year, according to the weather service. The connection between climate change and tornadoes is not as well understood as the links between other types of extreme weather such as heavy rainfall and heat waves, experts say. “Under the climate change scenario, we’re kind of supercharging the atmosphere on some days and then actually reducing the favorability on others,” said Ohio State University atmospheric sciences professor Jana Houser. Scientists are also seeing more tornadoes in January, February, March, and other times when it used to be too cold for twisters to form, especially in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee, she said. More people are also living in harm’s way, Brooks said. That’s why Uccellini and others see increasing risks to people and property. “When you have this kind of threat and you’re understaffed at some point, something’s going to slip through the cracks,” Uccellini said. “I can’t tell you when it’s going to happen.” Associated Press reporter Isabella O’Malley contributed from Philadelphia. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. —Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer View the full article

Key Takeaways Leverage ChatGPT for Diverse Income Streams: Utilize its capabilities for content creation, virtual assistance, market research, and more to diversify your online revenue sources. Enhance Productivity Without Technical Skills: You don’t need to be a tech expert to effectively use ChatGPT, making it accessible for all entrepreneurs and small business owners. Cost-Effective Content Generation: Reduce expenses on hiring writers by creating high-quality, SEO-optimized content in-house with ChatGPT. Streamline Customer Support: Implement AI-driven chatbots through ChatGPT to improve customer service efficiency and enhance user experience. Focus on Audience Understanding: Conduct thorough market research using ChatGPT to understand your audience better and tailor your offerings to their needs. Maximize Social Media Engagement: Use ChatGPT to generate engaging social media content that helps build your brand community and improves online visibility. Imagine turning your conversations into cash. With the rise of AI technology like ChatGPT, making money online has never been more accessible. This innovative tool not only enhances your productivity but also opens up various avenues for income generation. Whether you’re a freelancer, a content creator, or just looking to supplement your income, ChatGPT can be your secret weapon. You don’t need to be a tech guru to harness its potential. By leveraging ChatGPT’s capabilities, you can create engaging content, offer virtual assistance, or even develop chatbots for businesses. The opportunities are endless, and you’re just a few steps away from transforming your online presence into a profitable venture. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore how you can start making money online with ChatGPT today. Overview of Making Money Online with ChatGPT Making money online with ChatGPT offers various pathways for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to enhance their operations. This AI-powered tool presents opportunities for creating innovative business models that can capture a target audience effectively. You can use ChatGPT for several purposes that contribute to revenue generation. Content marketing becomes easier with ChatGPT, as it helps you produce engaging blog posts, articles, or social media updates that improve your digital marketing efforts. Incorporating SEO strategies with the content ChatGPT generates can increase your online visibility, making it easier to reach potential customers. Providing virtual assistance through ChatGPT creates efficiency in customer service. By integrating AI chatbots, you reduce response time and enhance user experience. This streamlined approach can lead to improved customer acquisition and retention, crucial for long-term success. If you’re considering an online business venture, leveraging ChatGPT can also aid market research. The tool analyzes trends and gathers insights, allowing you to refine your business idea and innovate more effectively. This research can be integral when developing your business plan or seeking funding options, making your startup more attractive to angel investors or venture capitalists. Using ChatGPT can also support product development. By collecting feedback and suggestions through AI-driven interactions, you ensure that your offerings meet customer needs. Maintaining a focus on growth strategies can propel your business forward, ensuring sustainable profits. For small business owners unfamiliar with AI technologies, the learning curve with ChatGPT is minimal. You don’t need advanced technical skills to maximize its potential. With the right mentorship or guidance, you can harness this power to build a successful online presence that aligns with your long-term business goals. Benefits of Using ChatGPT for Income Generation ChatGPT offers numerous benefits that can enhance your online income generation strategies, especially for small business owners and entrepreneurs. These advantages include flexibility, accessibility, and cost-effective solutions that cater to various aspects of your business model. Flexibility and Accessibility Flexibility is crucial for running a successful small business. ChatGPT adapts to your needs, whether you aim to quickly generate content for your website or engage with customers through personalized messaging. The tool’s accessibility means you don’t require advanced technical skills to leverage its potential. Use it for crafting blog posts, social media updates, or email marketing campaigns that resonate with your target audience. This versatility allows you to respond swiftly to market demands and engage in innovative product development strategies. Cost-Effective Solutions Cost-effective solutions significantly impact your bottom line, especially when launching a startup. ChatGPT helps reduce expenses associated with hiring full-time writers or marketing experts. Instead, you can use it to generate high-quality content in-house. You’ll save time and money while improving your brand’s visibility through effective SEO strategies. Additionally, using ChatGPT for market research can facilitate gathering valuable insights without extensive investments, maximizing your return on investment. By leveraging this tool, your small business can focus on scaling operations, driving customer acquisition, and refining your overall growth strategy. Methods to Make Money with ChatGPT ChatGPT offers various methods to generate income online, especially beneficial for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Here are some ways to leverage this AI tool effectively. Freelancing Opportunities You can enhance your freelancing game by utilizing ChatGPT for job search and client acquisition. Use it to research remote-friendly companies and find job opportunities quickly. ChatGPT helps craft compelling pitches and follow-ups that resonate with potential clients. Additionally, optimize your resumes and cover letters with ChatGPT’s assistance to improve your chances during job searches. Streamline your project management with tools that help schedule tasks, track expenses, and maintain budgets, enhancing your work efficiency. Content Creation and Blogging ChatGPT enables you to create engaging content effortlessly. Whether you manage a small business blog or engage in digital marketing, this tool can generate SEO-optimized articles, social media posts, and email marketing campaigns. Automate content creation while maintaining your brand voice, ensuring you connect effectively with your target audience. You can produce high-quality materials in-house, reducing costs associated with hiring writers and allowing reallocation of funds towards your growth strategy. Automated Customer Support Boost your customer service by integrating ChatGPT for automated support. With AI-driven chatbots, you can enhance your customer acquisition strategy through immediate responses to inquiries. ChatGPT helps manage FAQs, streamline communication, and improve overall efficiency. By offering reliable and prompt assistance, you can foster customer loyalty, supporting the long-term success of your small business. Tips for Maximizing Earnings Maximizing earnings online with ChatGPT involves understanding your audience and leveraging social media effectively. Understanding Your Audience Knowing your target audience is crucial for developing a successful business model. Conduct market research to gather insights about demographics, preferences, and pain points. Utilize ChatGPT to analyze data and identify trends that align with your products or services. This information helps tailor content and marketing strategies to meet specific needs, enhancing customer acquisition efforts. Adjust your messaging based on audience feedback to foster engagement and loyalty. Leveraging Social Media Social media plays a significant role in promoting your online business. Use ChatGPT to generate engaging posts, create eye-catching visuals, and develop email marketing campaigns. Regularly share content on platforms where your audience spends time. Focus on building a community around your brand by interacting and responding to comments. Apply SEO techniques to enhance your visibility in search results, boosting traffic to your website or e-commerce store. Additionally, consider collaborations with influencers to reach a wider audience and elevate your brand presence. Conclusion Embracing ChatGPT opens up a world of possibilities for making money online. Whether you’re a freelancer or a small business owner you can tap into its capabilities to generate income with ease. By creating engaging content providing virtual assistance or developing chatbots you can enhance your online presence and profitability. The flexibility and accessibility of ChatGPT allow you to optimize your efforts without needing advanced skills. With the right strategies in place you can effectively reach your audience and drive growth. As you explore these opportunities remember that leveraging AI can be a game changer for your business journey. Frequently Asked Questions How can ChatGPT help me make money online? ChatGPT can be used to create engaging content, offer virtual assistance, or develop chatbots for businesses. It enables freelancers and content creators to generate income without needing advanced technical skills, making it accessible for various users. Is ChatGPT suitable for small business owners? Yes, small business owners can leverage ChatGPT to enhance operations, improve content marketing, and create innovative business models. It can help generate blog posts and social media updates, boosting online visibility and customer engagement. Do I need technical skills to use ChatGPT effectively? No, ChatGPT is designed to be user-friendly, requiring minimal technical skills. With the right guidance, anyone can learn to use it effectively for income generation and business improvement. How can I use ChatGPT for market research? ChatGPT can analyze trends and gather insights, helping you refine business ideas. This information is essential for attracting potential investors and ensuring your offerings align with market needs. What are the cost benefits of using ChatGPT? Using ChatGPT can reduce expenses related to hiring full-time writers or marketing experts. It allows businesses to produce high-quality content in-house, increasing efficiency and saving costs. How can I optimize content with ChatGPT? You can use ChatGPT to generate SEO-optimized articles and social media posts, ensuring your content ranks higher in search engines and reaches a larger audience. Can ChatGPT assist with customer support? Yes, integrating ChatGPT into your business can automate customer support, improving service efficiency and fostering customer loyalty, which contributes to long-term success. How can I leverage social media with ChatGPT? ChatGPT can help create engaging social media posts, visuals, and email marketing campaigns. It can also assist in developing a community around your brand and collaborating with influencers to increase visibility. Image Via Envato This article, "Unlocking Success: Making Money Online with ChatGPT for Everyone" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Leverage ChatGPT for Diverse Income Streams: Utilize its capabilities for content creation, virtual assistance, market research, and more to diversify your online revenue sources. Enhance Productivity Without Technical Skills: You don’t need to be a tech expert to effectively use ChatGPT, making it accessible for all entrepreneurs and small business owners. Cost-Effective Content Generation: Reduce expenses on hiring writers by creating high-quality, SEO-optimized content in-house with ChatGPT. Streamline Customer Support: Implement AI-driven chatbots through ChatGPT to improve customer service efficiency and enhance user experience. Focus on Audience Understanding: Conduct thorough market research using ChatGPT to understand your audience better and tailor your offerings to their needs. Maximize Social Media Engagement: Use ChatGPT to generate engaging social media content that helps build your brand community and improves online visibility. Imagine turning your conversations into cash. With the rise of AI technology like ChatGPT, making money online has never been more accessible. This innovative tool not only enhances your productivity but also opens up various avenues for income generation. Whether you’re a freelancer, a content creator, or just looking to supplement your income, ChatGPT can be your secret weapon. You don’t need to be a tech guru to harness its potential. By leveraging ChatGPT’s capabilities, you can create engaging content, offer virtual assistance, or even develop chatbots for businesses. The opportunities are endless, and you’re just a few steps away from transforming your online presence into a profitable venture. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore how you can start making money online with ChatGPT today. Overview of Making Money Online with ChatGPT Making money online with ChatGPT offers various pathways for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to enhance their operations. This AI-powered tool presents opportunities for creating innovative business models that can capture a target audience effectively. You can use ChatGPT for several purposes that contribute to revenue generation. Content marketing becomes easier with ChatGPT, as it helps you produce engaging blog posts, articles, or social media updates that improve your digital marketing efforts. Incorporating SEO strategies with the content ChatGPT generates can increase your online visibility, making it easier to reach potential customers. Providing virtual assistance through ChatGPT creates efficiency in customer service. By integrating AI chatbots, you reduce response time and enhance user experience. This streamlined approach can lead to improved customer acquisition and retention, crucial for long-term success. If you’re considering an online business venture, leveraging ChatGPT can also aid market research. The tool analyzes trends and gathers insights, allowing you to refine your business idea and innovate more effectively. This research can be integral when developing your business plan or seeking funding options, making your startup more attractive to angel investors or venture capitalists. Using ChatGPT can also support product development. By collecting feedback and suggestions through AI-driven interactions, you ensure that your offerings meet customer needs. Maintaining a focus on growth strategies can propel your business forward, ensuring sustainable profits. For small business owners unfamiliar with AI technologies, the learning curve with ChatGPT is minimal. You don’t need advanced technical skills to maximize its potential. With the right mentorship or guidance, you can harness this power to build a successful online presence that aligns with your long-term business goals. Benefits of Using ChatGPT for Income Generation ChatGPT offers numerous benefits that can enhance your online income generation strategies, especially for small business owners and entrepreneurs. These advantages include flexibility, accessibility, and cost-effective solutions that cater to various aspects of your business model. Flexibility and Accessibility Flexibility is crucial for running a successful small business. ChatGPT adapts to your needs, whether you aim to quickly generate content for your website or engage with customers through personalized messaging. The tool’s accessibility means you don’t require advanced technical skills to leverage its potential. Use it for crafting blog posts, social media updates, or email marketing campaigns that resonate with your target audience. This versatility allows you to respond swiftly to market demands and engage in innovative product development strategies. Cost-Effective Solutions Cost-effective solutions significantly impact your bottom line, especially when launching a startup. ChatGPT helps reduce expenses associated with hiring full-time writers or marketing experts. Instead, you can use it to generate high-quality content in-house. You’ll save time and money while improving your brand’s visibility through effective SEO strategies. Additionally, using ChatGPT for market research can facilitate gathering valuable insights without extensive investments, maximizing your return on investment. By leveraging this tool, your small business can focus on scaling operations, driving customer acquisition, and refining your overall growth strategy. Methods to Make Money with ChatGPT ChatGPT offers various methods to generate income online, especially beneficial for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Here are some ways to leverage this AI tool effectively. Freelancing Opportunities You can enhance your freelancing game by utilizing ChatGPT for job search and client acquisition. Use it to research remote-friendly companies and find job opportunities quickly. ChatGPT helps craft compelling pitches and follow-ups that resonate with potential clients. Additionally, optimize your resumes and cover letters with ChatGPT’s assistance to improve your chances during job searches. Streamline your project management with tools that help schedule tasks, track expenses, and maintain budgets, enhancing your work efficiency. Content Creation and Blogging ChatGPT enables you to create engaging content effortlessly. Whether you manage a small business blog or engage in digital marketing, this tool can generate SEO-optimized articles, social media posts, and email marketing campaigns. Automate content creation while maintaining your brand voice, ensuring you connect effectively with your target audience. You can produce high-quality materials in-house, reducing costs associated with hiring writers and allowing reallocation of funds towards your growth strategy. Automated Customer Support Boost your customer service by integrating ChatGPT for automated support. With AI-driven chatbots, you can enhance your customer acquisition strategy through immediate responses to inquiries. ChatGPT helps manage FAQs, streamline communication, and improve overall efficiency. By offering reliable and prompt assistance, you can foster customer loyalty, supporting the long-term success of your small business. Tips for Maximizing Earnings Maximizing earnings online with ChatGPT involves understanding your audience and leveraging social media effectively. Understanding Your Audience Knowing your target audience is crucial for developing a successful business model. Conduct market research to gather insights about demographics, preferences, and pain points. Utilize ChatGPT to analyze data and identify trends that align with your products or services. This information helps tailor content and marketing strategies to meet specific needs, enhancing customer acquisition efforts. Adjust your messaging based on audience feedback to foster engagement and loyalty. Leveraging Social Media Social media plays a significant role in promoting your online business. Use ChatGPT to generate engaging posts, create eye-catching visuals, and develop email marketing campaigns. Regularly share content on platforms where your audience spends time. Focus on building a community around your brand by interacting and responding to comments. Apply SEO techniques to enhance your visibility in search results, boosting traffic to your website or e-commerce store. Additionally, consider collaborations with influencers to reach a wider audience and elevate your brand presence. Conclusion Embracing ChatGPT opens up a world of possibilities for making money online. Whether you’re a freelancer or a small business owner you can tap into its capabilities to generate income with ease. By creating engaging content providing virtual assistance or developing chatbots you can enhance your online presence and profitability. The flexibility and accessibility of ChatGPT allow you to optimize your efforts without needing advanced skills. With the right strategies in place you can effectively reach your audience and drive growth. As you explore these opportunities remember that leveraging AI can be a game changer for your business journey. Frequently Asked Questions How can ChatGPT help me make money online? ChatGPT can be used to create engaging content, offer virtual assistance, or develop chatbots for businesses. It enables freelancers and content creators to generate income without needing advanced technical skills, making it accessible for various users. Is ChatGPT suitable for small business owners? Yes, small business owners can leverage ChatGPT to enhance operations, improve content marketing, and create innovative business models. It can help generate blog posts and social media updates, boosting online visibility and customer engagement. Do I need technical skills to use ChatGPT effectively? No, ChatGPT is designed to be user-friendly, requiring minimal technical skills. With the right guidance, anyone can learn to use it effectively for income generation and business improvement. How can I use ChatGPT for market research? ChatGPT can analyze trends and gather insights, helping you refine business ideas. This information is essential for attracting potential investors and ensuring your offerings align with market needs. What are the cost benefits of using ChatGPT? Using ChatGPT can reduce expenses related to hiring full-time writers or marketing experts. It allows businesses to produce high-quality content in-house, increasing efficiency and saving costs. How can I optimize content with ChatGPT? You can use ChatGPT to generate SEO-optimized articles and social media posts, ensuring your content ranks higher in search engines and reaches a larger audience. Can ChatGPT assist with customer support? Yes, integrating ChatGPT into your business can automate customer support, improving service efficiency and fostering customer loyalty, which contributes to long-term success. How can I leverage social media with ChatGPT? ChatGPT can help create engaging social media posts, visuals, and email marketing campaigns. It can also assist in developing a community around your brand and collaborating with influencers to increase visibility. Image Via Envato This article, "Unlocking Success: Making Money Online with ChatGPT for Everyone" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As AIOs take over SERPs, topical authority becomes more critical. This article explains how it works and what signals actually influence visibility. The post How To Measure Topical Authority [In 2025] appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve ever wished your air purifier could do more than just purify, the Dyson Hot+Cool Formaldehyde HP09 steps up with some bold solutions. It’s currently available for $649 (down from $849.99), which is still a splurge, but not quite as painful as usual. Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde $649.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $849.99 Save $200.99 Get Deal Get Deal $649.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $849.99 Save $200.99 This machine is a purifier, yes—but also a fan and a space heater, all in one unit. Designed for rooms up to 800 square feet, it uses a blade-free oval tower (classic Dyson) to project clean, warm, or cool air with a 350-degree oscillation range. That’s wide enough to cover most living rooms, and the device is light enough (just over 12 pounds) to shift from room to room without much hassle. One of the most useful things about the HP09 is how much it tells you about the air you're breathing. It doesn’t only claim to clean—it shows you exactly what it’s removing. That includes everyday stuff floating around your home like dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, fumes from cleaners and sprays, off-gassing from furniture or paint, and emissions from gas stoves or candles. It tracks all of this in real time, breaking it down into easy-to-read stats on the purifier’s LED screen or in the MyDyson app (which also pulls in outdoor AQI based on your location). You’ll see things like temperature, humidity, and overall air quality, plus specific readings for fine particles (PM2.5), larger particles (PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and formaldehyde (this being a big deal if your space has new furniture or paint). The catalytic filter that breaks down formaldehyde doesn’t need replacing, but the HEPA and carbon filters that trap other pollutants are estimated to last up to a year (replacements run $79.99). You can control everything through the app or with your voice using Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. That said, it lacks Apple HomeKit support, and you’ll still need the included remote to activate heating for safety reasons. Also, according to this PCMag review, it gets loud when you push it to higher speeds. For something simpler and cheaper, the $449.77 Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 (down from $649.99) skips the heater and formaldehyde filter but still keeps the air clean and your home connected. View the full article

Big brands have a blind spot. They talk about “brand health” while ignoring what users are actually asking about their products – on Google, in AI answers, and across search data. Meanwhile, all the signals are right there in the SEO stack. Questions like “Is Gatorade actually good for you?” aren’t just keyword opportunities. They’re warning signs. And if you know how to read them, they expose major gaps in brand trust and positioning. The brand audit hiding in your SEO tools I sent a client a 100+ page audit evaluating their brand (to be fair, there were a lot of screenshots), and their first question was, “Where did you get this data?” It was SEO data. They had never seen this sort of data before – and didn’t even know it existed. I use SEO data to audit brands all the time. It sounds nuts, but it’s not. It’s actually really helpful data you’re probably already paying for, just being put to a new use. And that’s the point: you don’t need to go out and buy another tool to do what I’m about to show you. You already have what you need. Below is a case I stumbled upon that’s pretty typical of what I see when I run a brand audit for a client. And I’m going to use the data you have inside your SEO toolset to do it. Tapping into market pressures In January 2024, Gatorade – sports drink giant and go-to beverage for sick kids everywhere – saw its branded traffic fall off a cliff. Now, there can be any one of a million reasons why this would happen. And you might start by sifting through and seeing what keywords they lost or which are declining, etc. That would take a lot of time. The best thing to do is probably figure out if this has to do with Google’s algorithm or the brand itself. Thus, I pulled the search volume for “Gatorade” as of May 2025: Then I pulled the same data for May 2024. What do you know, search volume for Gatorade is down about 35,000 searches per month in the U.S.: Going back to May 2023, while the U.S. search volume didn’t change, the global volume declined by roughly 50,000 searches a month: Something happened in 2024. We now have two different datasets pointing to the same thing. The question is, did something happen to Gatorade or the sports drink industry? Right now, we don’t know the answer to that. Drawing any conclusion about anything related to Gatorade’s brand would be a bit premature. The easiest thing to do is to take their competitors and run the same analysis. If we see the same pattern, then we can move ahead. If not, just give up (I’m kidding). Thankfully, we do not need to give up, because Gatorade’s main competitor, Powerade, shows the same dip in brand traffic at the same time: To further confirm this, the search volume for “Powerade” follows a similar pattern as we saw for Gatorade. In May 2025, the search volume for the term “powerade” in the U.S. was 33,100 searches a month: Now, unlike Gatorade, this is actually up from 2024, where the U.S. search volume was 27,100: You might think this throws a wrench in the whole narrative. Gatorade lost searches for its brand name between May 2024 and May 2025, whereas Powerade only gained popularity. Not so fast, all it shows is that the “events” that hit this industry most likely took months to play out, as the decline here just happened earlier. In May 2023, the term “powerade” had a monthly search volume of ~33,000: The term lost around 6,000 searches a month somewhere between May 2023 and May 2024, according to Semrush. (Global search volume was actually up between 2023 and 2024, I would speculate as part of a pivot to focus on the global market more.) Still, why did Powerade’s search volume rebound in 2025 while the time “gatorade” didn’t? Great question. I’m not going to even answer it, because as you are going to see, we have much bigger fish to fry. Next up is Bodyarmor, which, like Powerade, is owned by Coca-Cola. Here, too, there is a blip on the radar in January 2024: Unlike the two legacy brands (Gatorade and Powerade), the search volume for Bodyarmor has only increased over time. As of May 2025, the keyword “bodyarmor” pulls ~14,800 searches a month in the U.S.: That’s up from 12,100 as of May 2023: If I’m being honest, which in an article like this, I am not supposed to be (I am just supposed to present insights and data as if everything I say is the absolute truth with zero nuance), I could go either way with this site. The slight dip in the data in January could be any number of things, and it’s not incredibly drastic either way. The search volume increase does make sense since Coke only fully bought out the brand in 2021. It was still carving its space out for itself (as opposed ot the more established brands). What tips the scale is what Coke’s Vitaminwater did – pull in more branded traffic in January 2024: Suddenly, out of nowhere, Coca-Cola’s vitaminwater. (Yes, Powerade, Bodyarmor, and vitaminwater are all owned by Coke.) Whether it was tied to a brand campaign or whatnot, there’s a strong correlation between sites like Gatorade and Powerade losing brand traffic and vitaminwater popping up on the SERP. I would imagine there was some sort of campaign that drove greater interest in vitaminwater at this time, as the entire page was only created in 2024 per the Wayback Machine: What most likely happened is that Coke added the vitaminwater page to its brands subfolder (/brands/subfolder) and ran a campaign around the same time. As a result, interest in “sports drinks” was diverted from brands like Gatorade to vitaminwater. The search volume data would support this narrative. Search volume for the term “vitamin water” stood at 49,500 in the U.S. as of May 1, 2025: This is the same level of brand interest from a search volume point of view that was seen in 2024: However, that is a 22% increase in search volume (which I am using as a proxy for brand interest) since 2023: The search volume data directly supports the branded traffic data I showed earlier. It wasn’t some sort of optimization or the mere appearance of the page on the web. There was some form of greater interest in the brand that correlates with the launch of the vitaminwater subfolder on the Coke website. Which is again, why the page was unquestionably supported by some sort of brand campaign (could be the entire reason the page was even created). Here we are again with an event that took place within this space somewhere in 2024. (Which is why the Bodyarmor data is relevant to me.) At this point, it felt like there was legitimately something going on in this industry. Once the red flags were I did a bit of digging, and there was (or is) something going on. The sports drink industry had become markedly more competitive, as noted by CNBC in April 2024: Now, it all makes sense. When you see the branded search traffic decline, it makes sense. When you see Vitaminwater come in and seemingly disrupt the market, it makes sense. The data we used created a narrative that we can point to in reality. The sports drink industry has gotten extremely competitive and disruptive. The upshot is, at least from a brand audit point of view, you now have context. I may have found the CNBC article at the start of this (which I didn’t), but even if I did, it has no context. Seeing the state of the industry being covered by outlets like CNBC after having seen all the data gives the news report real context that you can use to make real marketing decisions with. For the sentiment of it all If the branded search traffic and search volume data helped us paint a picture of the sports drink industry, the sentiment data you have at your fingertips is a Picasso. We’re about to put the data we just used to shame. The top question Semrush shows for the search term “gatorade,” with a search volume of 12.1K searches a month, is “Is Gatorade good for you?”: It’s the same for “powerade”: It’s even the same for vitaminwater despite the brand having the word “vitamin” in its name: This is a pretty strong signal that there is a substantial amount of user skepticism around the product vertical. However, it’s not where I would end, but where I would begin. Forget that this seems almost too uniform (which it’s not, as you’ll see), we still don’t have enough detail about the nature of the skepticism. In plain English, we need to see more of what folks are skeptical about exactly. Google’s People Also Ask is a fabulous proxy for this. A simple search related to Coke’s Bodyarmor already tells us there’s some sort of controversy related to the brand (which is never a good thing): One of the best ways to mine this data is using AlsoAsked, which allows you to dive into the subquestions Google shows within the People Also Ask feature. For example, the term “gatorade” produces the question “Is Gatorade actually healthy for you?” Pause. The world “actually” is huge. And when you see something like that, it’s a red flag. It assumes that the opposite is true. In this case, the question assumes that Gatorade is not healthy (and if they are saying it’s healthy, the brand is lying – which we’ll get to). When you open this question, the subquestions within the People Also Ask feature are enlightening: Two quick takeaways: “Is it OK if I drink Gatorade everyday?” This is huge, and it’s going to come into strong focus in a few moments. For now, just notice that people relate to the product like it might be a specialty drink. “Why don’t athletes drink Gatorade?” We’re not going to get into this here, but what indictment. People notice that the athletes don’t drink this stuff. I notice it. Watch a baseball game, everyone is drinking water. The above questions are very similar to what the People Also Ask related to Powerade shows: By the way, you can see the drop-off in brand power. People are comparing Gatorade to Powerade, but Powerade gets compared to vitaminwater as well. It’s the same thing, but worse, for vitaminwater: People are not fooled. Just because they added the word “vitamin” does not mean people are dumb enough to think it’s healthy. Again, we have the “actually” phrasology in the top-level question [Is vitamin water actually good for you?]. From there, it goes off the rails with: Is vitamin water good for the kidneys? Is vitamin water good for your liver? Is vitamin water zero ok for toddlers? (Seriously?) There is a substantial amount of skepticism around the actual viability of these products from a health point of view. And it again puts us right up on the doorstep of what the inner sports drink industry is talking about: We just tapped into one of the major challenges of this entire industry by using keyword research and People Also Ask data from a sentiment perspective. To be blunt, I don’t understand why more people are not using the data this way. Let’s go full circle and return to the CNBC report I referenced earlier. Per the CNBC report, the issue was not only the various new players in the industry, but the consumer demand for a healthier sort of product. (Which, at this point, we know, is not surprising). However, we have actual context. We don’t need the report (don’t get me wrong, it’s great confirmation, but you’re not going to have this in every niche for every product or service). Using the data as we have, we have the reporting before anyone ever reported it. It does help to see through the corporate nonsense. In the CNBC article, Gatorade’s President, Mike Del Pazzo, was quoted on their brand campaign to highlight the product’s health, saying, “This is one of the brands that has the best marketing campaigns, such great brand equity, consumer awareness, consumer love.” Clearly, it hasn’t exactly gone over as Gatorade proclaims. Our data shows huge amounts of brand equity drop-off that seems to be fueled partially by a substantial level of concern around the product’s health risks. Don’t believe me? Just ask AI. When I asked Google, “What should I know about Gatorade?” I got a mouthful about sugar content in the AI Overviews: [Parenthetically, I find asking this sort of generalized question about a brand or niche incredibly insightful. It’s a good way to see what’s happening around a product or industry that can help you get your bearings quickly.] Google’s AI Mode was pretty much more of the same, with a whole section about sugar content, and beyond: ChatGPT spat back the same concerns: I’ll tell you, whenever I see a brand or industry gap like we have here (in this case, we’ve seen both the industry and brand gaps), it always plays itself out in the LLMs. Which makes total sense. LLMs process the content out there on the web and act as a proxy of the web in a way. When a theme is so pervasive, as it is here with health and the sports drink industry, it will make its way into the LLM outputs. So, how did the brands handle this all? Not well You would think that by now, the brands here would take more action regarding the perception (and perhaps reality) that they are not healthy. The answer is they don’t. We already saw that Gatorade either believes its own lies or is simply deluding itself. Is it a surprise, then, that their homepage starts off by selling water bottles and does not mention (at the time of this writing) the word “health” a single time? For the record, it doesn’t handle “health” on social or YouTube: As you can see above, the brand’s YouTube content is all about promoting the brand with famous athletes. Again, unlike the brand, we know that people are actually skeptical about this, as they know the athletes on TV are not actually drinking Gatorade as often as the brand might portray it. The lack of digital content focused on health is incredible considering that the LLMs recommend the brand’s Coca-Cola-owned competitor. When I asked chatGPT, “Which is healthier Gatorade or vitaminwater?” it basically told me the latter: This goes back to the People Also Asked question I noted earlier, which referenced how often you should drink these beverages. Turns out that factor plays a huge role in how the LLMs relate to the products (and we can see why, since we already know this issue has a basis in real user questions). Essentially, the LLMs are saying Gatorade is fine after an intense workout and the like, but on a regular basis, vitaminwater is the better option. Which makes Gatorade’s lack of substantial focus on this issue even harder to believe. You would think, by the way, that vitaminwater would capitalize on this and brand itself as the healthy alternative to all these sports drinks. It does not. Its homepage starts by touting a new look with drinks of a variety of colors (none of which are found in nature): It ends off by telling us to drink the product, because it is from New York: I am from New York, does that make me healthy (don’t answer that)? The first, and only time, “health” is discussed on the page is in the footer: If you are wondering if perhaps the brand addresses the issue on social media, the answer here as well is no: I think their social media is borderline cringe, but I am over 40. Search data to seize the day The maturity level of corporate social media accounts is a conversation for a different time. Although it’s not too far off from what’s at the core of the conversation here. Big brands are often the last to understand ecosystems and hunt down opportunities. Sometimes, they just don’t have to. Sometimes they just don’t know how to. In today’s ecosystem, big brands are the last people you should be looking at as a beacon of light. A lot of this has to do with the internal communications structure and corporate mindset in conjunction with the demands of the new ecosystem we’re in. It’s a whole (really interesting) conversation for a different time. However, you can see it play itself out in our case here. It’s pretty clear that the brands we looked at, some of the biggest brands on the planet, are operating in the dark. There are a variety of reasons why this might be. I don’t even know where to start, there are so many reasons. Let’s just take a few: 1. Brands don’t always understand digital We take for granted how “natural” the digital landscape is from a marketing perspective. Brands do not see “digital” in the same way. A big brand will often focus on its presence on external platforms like social media and neglect its own website. Coke’s Bodyarmor is a good example of this. Their website’s homepage (like all the homepages we’ve referenced thus far) doesn’t reference the health topic in a real way. It’s stuck in the footer, again: This is incredible considering this brand does try to focus on health concerns, as we’ll see in a minute. 2. Hubris I’m just going to call a spade a spade. Brands operating at this level often think too highly of themselves. We saw this with Gatorade’s take on already being successful at addressing the “health” issue, as LLMs tell their users to go drink the competition’s beverage. Even when the brands do address the health issue, it’s done from a place of a certain hubris. Here’s Bodyarmor touting how healthy it is on social media, notice the comment: For the record, this is not the only comment to this effect on this post. To me, this outcome comes from brands not doing the work and not being entirely transparent. They often go for an all-or-nothing approach. In this case, they operate from a framework that their product is either healthy or unhealthy. There is no nuance, and any middleground would be “showing weakness.” This lack of “middleground” (a.k.a. reality) forces the brand to essentially treat their consumers without full respect to their intelligence. In addition, there’s no substantiation—the brand simply positions the product as “we are healthy.” This, too, doesn’t treat the consumer’s intelligence with the full respect it deserves. No one is fooled, not even ChatGPT, which immediately calls out the health issues: But brands will act as if they have provided a satisfactory “answer” to the question. Embedded in that is a certain degree of hubris. 3. Lack of coordination Both Bodyarmor and vitaminwater are owned by Coke. The former clearly attempts to be seen as healthy, while the latter (despite its naming) doesn’t. But aren’t these brands both under the same umbrella? Wouldn’t it be so logical for a product named vitaminwater to push itself as a healthy choice? Especially since the sister brand is already doing that? Forget two brand under the same umbrella, a single brand has a hard enough time unsiloing itself. It’s easy to spot. Go to a brand’s homepage and look at the messaging. Then go and look at its creative copy (such as YouTube ads, etc.) and see how unaligned the two assets are from each other. Whatever the cause in our case is, these brands are missing the opportunity. Someone should stand out and start handling the user skepticism head-on in a real way. The problem is, these brands are not using the data we looked at, and if they are, not in this way. Instead, what these brands often do is buy a subscription to some sort of social listening tool and get a top-level look at what people are “saying on social.” Leaving aside that this ignores Google (which seems batty off the bat) and LLMs, it’s much more difficult to get a real sense of things than you might think. Social media is a great way to track brand and industry sentiment. However, it’s also a black hole of endless “chatter.” About 95% of that chatter is worthless. Now you have to sift out what is real and what isn’t. What happens is, no one does that. You end up tracking your brand’s sentiment in some trends graph because diving is too laborious, and the graph seems like “it’s enough.” It is not. The data you have in your search marketing tools is way easier to use. For a simple reason, it’s aggregated in some form. The keywords we used earlier to track sentiment are already organized according to search volumes (i.e., popularity). The questions AlsoAsked mines from Google’s People Also Asked are the same. The output from the LLMs is “qualified” from what’s out there across the web. Popping into social and starting from there, that’s a hard place to begin this journey. In terms of process, after using the data we did earlier, I would only then dive into the various social feeds and the comments (as we did with Bodyarmor above). It’s not simply a matter of “you’re paying for these tools anyway, you might as well use them for brand.” It’s “you’re paying for these tools anyway, you should use them because they are better.” But wait, there’s more Doing a foolhardy thing like actually showing you how I use this data means I didn’t get to all of it. (Isn’t this post long enough?) If I had done the SEO thing of “5 data SEO data points you can use for brand,” I would have talked about: Pulling out consumer sentiment via your branded search traffic Analyzing your branded search traffic to gauge product awareness Leveraging your branded search traffic to evaluate brand versus product impact Using traffic patterns to determine brand maturity Perhaps another time. For now, you have a goldmine of brand data that most brand marketers don’t even know exists. Don’t sit on it, use it. View the full article