Category: Internet Marketing

How to Find a Market to Sell Your Stuff Online

Home Business Magazine Online

Online selling platforms have boomed over the past decade, leaving prospective sellers with plenty of choices on where to sell their goods. Each platform has different perks and functions. It’s down to you to decide which best suits your circumstances. For example, you might want to sell clothes or a larger item like furniture.

You might want to sell your item as soon as possible, which some platforms can facilitate better than others. While some have set couriers that they work with, you may choose another courier that can cater to same day delivery. Here’s a breakdown on some of the most popular online selling platforms in the UK today.

Facebook Groups

An option that shouldn’t be underestimated, Facebook Groups can be like gold dust when it comes to selling your items. You can post listings in local area groups or something more specific like parent and baby groups. You can list an item and invite people to show their interest either by commenting or privately messaging you to arrange the details. The exchange is entirely down to the two of you, instead of through a third party.

Ebay

eBay allows you to sell items using their ‘Auction’ or ‘Buy It Now’ functions. The former involves people bidding on your item over a set period, while the latter involves listing your item at a set price, allowing people to buy as and when they please. eBay has had somewhat of a resurgence, thanks to its game changing partnership with reality TV show Love Island. The premise of the partnership is to encourage fans of the show to choose pre-loved items over fast fashion.

Gumtree

People tend to sell larger items like cars, furniture or larger household items on Gumtree. Sellers can list an ad and other users are free to message with any queries about the item before deciding whether or not to buy. If all is well and they purchase the item, the exchange will happen through PayPal. It is then up to the seller to send the item.

Preloved

Preloved is another site where people can sell a wide variety of second-hand items. From cabinets to jewellery, guitars to sofas, you can buy and sell all sorts of products. They even have a ‘Freeloved’ section where sellers can give items away for free, which comes in handy if you need to get rid of an item at short notice.

Vinted

Sites like Vinted have grown on a massive scale in recent years, with more and more shoppers buying second-hand clothing. The app is designed in a way that makes it easy to scroll through clothes, much like you would on a fashion ecommerce site, except the clothing is pre-loved. As a seller, you can add hashtags and optimise your description copy to help potential buyers discover your items.

The post How to Find a Market to Sell Your Stuff Online appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/sales/how-to-guides-sales/how-to-find-market-sell-stuff-online/

Loft Conversions 101: Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Your Project

Home Business Magazine Online

Thinking of having your loft converted? You’re in great company. Loft conversions are transforming the lives of homeowners across the UK, providing a bright, beautiful and functional space to be used in endless ways, and that can enhance the financial value of the home by tens of thousands (around 20% of the home’s value on average).

Of course, loft conversions do cost a substantial amount of money up front — they are an investment. They can cost anything from £15,000 – £25,000, all the way up to £80,000 and more depending on the kind of conversion you have had, any extras you have added like ensuites or kitchens, and the specific structural factors relating to your property.

The returns you get in exchange for this financial output are phenomenal. Before you get to that point, there’s a lot you need to be aware of before you start your project. A project so substantial has to be planned properly.

In this 101, we have all you need to know before the work begins, so you get the best possible results. Have the most stress-free experience whilst the loft construction company gets the work done. Let’s take a closer look:

Structural Integrity

When you have a loft converted, there is often a need for a structural engineer to be involved in the planning. This is because extra weight is being added to the home, and even just a small increase can change the structural integrity of the house. It was built with a certain design based on it being used in the way that it was designed. When you change that design and intended use, new calculations need to be made to check the foundations and other weight-bearing parts can handle that change. If not, adaptations can be made, including underpinning, which can add quite a lot more to the overall cost and disruption of the project, so has to be considered very early on.

Before anything is done, though, first the structural engineer, and potentially a building control officer will need to be involved to ensure the planned changes are safe and legal.

Head Height

Head height can be quite restrictive in some lofts. According to Building Regulations you should have at least 2.2 metres from the floor to stand, but more is advised for optimum comfort. There are ways to add more height, including lowering the ceilings of the top floor of your home, and considering options like dormer conversions and mansard conversions which add extra head height. Knowing your options is important because your initial plans for a simple skylight conversion may not be possible. Conversions that add more head height and room will cost more and take longer, so knowing what those options are and the associated implications early on gives you the best capacity for planning ahead.

The Legalities

The legalities of a loft construction are often very simple, but they still need to be considered a priority so that the work is all done above board. Building Regulations, 3rd Party Wall Agreements, loft conversion Planning Permission and legal issues related to conservation and Listed Buildings can all come into play. By using a trusted loft construction company, you can benefit from a lot of guidance with the paperwork, making sure you have all the permissions and legalities in line before any work begins.

No Need for a Project Manager

Most great loft construction companies will have a site manager who will give you regular updates on the work and keep you informed on the progress. All elements of the build are coordinated well, so you don’t need to manage the build yourself or hire a project manager. It’s important to know this so you save yourself the stress and cost of hiring a PM for this particular home improvement.

Building Work Impact on Home Life

Loft conversions are not as impactful on your home life as extensions — nowhere near. The work is completed at the top of the house, and so you can usually enjoy your kitchen, living room and other ground floor rooms with ease. We spend about three years of our life cooking, and when the cooking space is taken away temporarily because of building works, the impact on family life can be huge.

The preservation of daily living is such a great aspect of having a loft conversion rather than an extension, but it is important to understand that there will be some impact on your home life. Sometimes the ceilings of your highest floor have to be lowered to allow for more headspace in the loft room itself, which can mean those rooms are out of bounds for a short time.

The noise of work being done will impact higher levels of the house, too, so if you have a home office up there, or a nursery, you may need to rework the way the house is used for a short time. Lastly, the construction work can impact parking, entry access, and the noise and work may impact your neighbours.

A great loft construction company will be more than happy to discuss the way that your home and neighbourhood may be impacted by the work, and how you should prepare for that far in advance of the work being done.

The Details of Design

There are some exciting opportunities to elevate your loft beyond a standard design. It’s great to think about these options before you make a concrete plan for a build, as it ensures the results will be as specific to your taste and needs as possible. Windows, kitchens and kitchenettes, ensuites, balconies — there is a lot to think about. Will you be using the space as an Airbnb rental? Do you have specific views you want to access from the loft space? There are lots of things to think about as you plan your conversion.

A professional loft conversion company can help you recognise the true potential in your loft space and let you know different options that you have.

Keeping It Fire Safe

Many people don’t realise how impactful fire safety is on a loft build. There are some detailed regulations and recommendations relating to windows, stairs, insulation materials, plaster and more. They have to be done correctly to ensure that your home is completely safe with this new functional space added. A good loft construction company will be able to help with the fire safety considerations and will ensure that the regulations are a top priority when designing your conversion.

The Importance of a Great Loft Construction Company

A fantastic loft construction company is the key to all of the above and more to being as easy as possible when you’re planning your conversion. Legalities, design, disruption, cost, management — expect everything to be an open conversion when you choose the best loft construction company in your area. They will be able to bring all their experience, skills and customer service to the process so that you feel assured that your plans are legal, safe and will result in the stunning, functional conversion you have always dreamed of.

Consider speaking to Clapham Construction Service today to get more information about the loft conversion possibilities for your home. With over 20 years of experience and a highly experienced team, they may have everything you need for the thorough and easy planning and installation of your perfect loft space.

The post Loft Conversions 101: Everything You Need to Know Before Starting Your Project appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/home-improvement/loft-conversions-101-everything-need-know-before-starting-project/

Musk gave engineers one week to make Twitter’s ad targeting work like Google

Despite announcing an end to layoffs at a meeting held on November 21st, Elon Musk has continued to terminate Twitter employees, even after already forcing out approximately two-thirds of the workforce in just a few weeks.

What’s happening. Musk intends to revamp Twitter’s ad targeting system to resemble that of Google’s search ads, which primarily focus on keywords searched for rather than a user’s activity or profile data. Although this approach has proven successful for search engines, where users seek out specific information, it has yet to prove effective for social media businesses.

Set up for failure. Following his recent termination from his position as engineering manager for monetization at Twitter, Marcin Kadluczka suggested in a tweet on Saturday that the one-week deadline imposed by Elon Musk was impractical, stating that he believed it would take 2-3 months for Twitter to genuinely enhance its advertising capabilities. My sources have confirmed that Musk set this demanding timeline just before dismissing Kadluczka, as well as other employees in the ads, consumer, and sales departments last Friday.

Musk has been trying to improve Twitter ads since he acquired the company. While it’s uncertain whether altering Twitter’s ad targeting system to prioritize keywords, similar to Google ads, will result in better quality advertising, experts in the field have raised questions and identified potential drawbacks

Why we care. If the new targeting strategy fails to produce satisfactory results (which is the most likely scenario), advertisers could be wasting their advertising budgets on ineffective campaigns.

Additionally, any changes to Twitter’s advertising platform could have broader implications for the social media advertising industry as a whole, potentially leading to changes in advertising best practices across multiple platforms. The uncertainty and changes could cause the few advertisers still on Twitter could leave the platform.

The post Musk gave engineers one week to make Twitter’s ad targeting work like Google appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/musk-gave-engineers-one-week-to-make-twitters-ad-targeting-work-like-google-393457

Social media engagement hits a new low, except for TikTok

Social media as we’ve known it seems to be in its dying days – with one notable exception, Tiktok. That’s according to a new social media engagement rate benchmark report.

TLDR. There are five important takeaways for brands from the 2023 Social Media Benchmark Report, which was released today by Rival IQ:

  1. Organic engagement: falling or flatlining. Engagement rates declined on Instagram for the third straight year but have held pretty steady for Facebook and Twitter.
  2. Posting frequency declining. Post frequency was flat on Instagram but took a ~20% dive on Facebook and Twitter.
  3. Hot holiday hashtags. Almost every industry earned top engagement rates from holiday-hashtagged posts, while contests and giveaways were less popular than in other years.
  4. Reels rule on Instagram. Reels dethroned carousels in multiple industries to become the most engaging post type.
  5. TikTok tops the charts. With a median engagement rate of 5.69%, TikTok was every industry’s best friend this year.

Why we care. The report provides valuable information that can help advertisers gauge the effectiveness of their social media strategies and identify areas for improvement. By comparing their own brand’s engagement rates to the industry averages, you can determine whether your social media performance is above or below par and make necessary adjustments to optimize their campaigns for better engagement and conversion rates.

About the report. It examined the mean engagement rates for different brand verticals across major social media networks.

It’s important to note that Rival IQ chose 150 companies, at random, from each of the 14 industries they studied, including:

  • Media
  • Nonprofits
  • Food & beverage
  • Retail
  • Travel

The companies they analyzed had active presences on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter as of January 2022, and had Facebook fan counts between 25,000 and 1,000,000 and minimum Instagram, TikTok, Twitter followers of 5,000 as of the same date.

Interesting statistic. Among all industries, the average engagement rate for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter never goes higher than 0.47% (Instagram). Even still, Instagram took a 30% dip in 2022 compared to 2021, while Facebook and Twitter remained flat.

The rate of weekly posts on Instagram remained steady in 2022, while it decreased on Twitter and Facebook, likely due to reduced investment by brands.

artificial intelligence

TikTok’s engagement rate, on the other hand, comes in at a whopping 5.69%. But brands are posting less frequently on TikTok than any other channel.

Higher Ed, for example, posts the least, but sees the highest engagement, whereas retail, influencers, and beauty post more frequently, but

“Higher Ed sees epic engagement rates on TikTok but is one of the least frequent posters, while Media brands’ lagging engagement rates prove once again that more posting isn’t necessarily better.”

Rival IQ

The bigger picture. Organic social, in general, has been trending downward in terms of traffic and engagement for years. Which is why brands have been flocking to TikTok (which arguably isn’t even a “social network” as it’s more about content discovery).

Enter AI. In addition to playing a key role in ChatGPT, AI and machine learning created some new possibilities for social networks.

“At first, social networks showed you stuff your friends thought was interesting — the Facebook model. Then they started showing you stuff based on the people that you chose to follow, whether you were friends or not — the Twitter model.

TikTok’s innovation was to show you stuff using only algorithmic predictions, regardless of who your friends are or who you followed. It soon became the most downloaded app in the world.

TikTok’s innovation was to show you stuff using only algorithmic predictions, regardless of who your friends are or who you follow. It soon became the most downloaded app in the world.”

Casey Newton, Platformer

Which gets us back to where we started. Facebook, Twitter and other social networks are trying to catch up (read: emulate) TikTok. Meanwhile, advertiser budgets have also followed. And TikTok continues to find new ways to improve reach for brands.

Dig deeper. You can download the report from Rival IQ here.

The post Social media engagement hits a new low, except for TikTok appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/social-media-engagement-hits-a-new-low-except-for-tiktok-393395

Sainsbury’s launch £2 ‘Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me’ boxes

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Sainsbury’s launch £2 ‘Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me’ boxes. 

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s is introducing boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables to over 200 of its stores. This will allow customers to purchase surplus products at a reduced price. This is part of the retailer’s ongoing commitment to halve its food waste by 2030. It will also help customers access healthy, affordable and sustainable food. 

Customers will be able to purchase these boxes, for just £2 from this week onwards. Within the box will be a variety of loose fruit and veg. This follows a successful trial of the boxes in January. 

The ‘Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me’ boxes will be sold at the lower price to ensure customers can get hold of affordable and nutritious food, as the cost of living continues to soar. These boxes can be found in the fresh produce aisles of the store. All products included will be carefully selected to ensure they are still fresh to consume. 

Other initiatives

Just last year, Sainsbury’s began removing ‘best before’ dates from over 100 lines. This included pears, onions, tomatoes and citrus fruits. 130 more product lines are to follow. This is to encourage customers to use their initiative and the look, smell and feel of the fruits to determine whether they are okay to eat. This is done in hopes of reducing food waste at home.  

The supermarket boasts many initiatives which help customers access affordable fruit and veg. Sainsbury’s is currently offering £2 coupons as part of the Government-funded NHS Healthy Start scheme. This helps low-income families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to purchase fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables. 

Sainsbury’s has also committed to invest £550 million by March 2023 in order to help customers manage the rising cost of living by ensuring the products bought most often are affordable. 

Richard Crampton, Director of Fresh Food, at Sainsbury’s said:

“At Sainsbury’s we’re committed to helping our customers access tasty, nutritious food that’s better for them and the planet too. It’s great to see that shoppers have been enjoying the ‘Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me’ boxes, which is why we’re really pleased to roll out the trial to over 200 supermarkets, helping even more people across the country. We believe that everyone deserves to eat well at an affordable price, and we hope this additional support will ensure that good quality food doesn’t go to waste.” 

The post Sainsbury’s launch £2 ‘Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me’ boxes appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/sainsburys-launch-2-taste-me-dont-waste-me-boxes

Todd Leopold Shares a Look Back on Local Government Spending in 2022

Home Business Magazine Online

2022 marked an important milestone in the history of local government spending. In this era, technology had become a significant factor in how public funds were allocated and managed. Experts like Todd Leopold in Rocklin, CA, say new budgeting techniques and streamlined processes made it easier for governments to make wise investments that ensured citizens’ needs were met adequately with minimal financial resources being wasted. This article looks at the fundamental changes in local government spending that year and how they shaped public policy in 2022.

The Rise of Technology in Local Government Spending

Todd Leopold said in 2022, technology played a crucial role in how public funds were allocated and managed. Many local governments adopted digital systems that enabled them to keep track of public spending more accurately and efficiently than ever before. This allowed them to monitor better where the money was going and ensure it was being used for its intended purpose. Additionally, many towns and cities also used predictive analytics to help them anticipate future needs and plan accordingly. This allowed them to allocate resources strategically and ensure their citizens were getting the most out of public funds.

How Budgeting Has Changed Over the Years

Over the years, local government budgeting has changed drastically. In 2022, budgeting was much more focused on long-term planning than in years past. Governments no longer simply allocated funds for the next fiscal year but instead looked at the bigger picture and made investments that would benefit citizens over several years. Additionally, local governments began to use more creative budgeting techniques such as pay-as-you-go financing schemes which allowed them to spread out the costs of large-scale projects over a more extended period, making them more affordable in the long run.

New Projects That Were Undertaken in 2022

Todd Leopold says in 2022, local governments invested in various new projects designed to improve public services and quality of life for citizens. This included the construction of new public parks and recreational spaces, the development of intelligent cities that used modern technology to improve infrastructure and public safety, and creating green energy projects such as solar and wind farms. Many governments also invested heavily in education and healthcare initiatives to reduce poverty levels and improve citizens’ overall quality of life.

Changes in Taxation and How It Affects Citizens

Taxation also underwent a significant overhaul in 2022. Local governments were much more focused on targeting their resources at those who truly needed assistance and reducing the burden of taxes on middle-class citizens. This was achieved through increased tax breaks, credits, and deductions which enabled many to save money on their tax bills while ensuring that local governments still received the necessary funds to operate.

Property taxes were also increased to 5%, raising revenue for local governments while encouraging citizens to invest more in their own communities. Additionally, fees and surcharges were implemented on specific services such as garbage collection and vehicle registration, providing additional income for towns and cities.

Changes in the Economy in 2022

In 2022, the economy was largely stable, but there were still some areas of concern. Unemployment remained a problem in many parts of the country, and wages were often lower than people needed to meet ends. Inflation also became an issue due to higher fuel, food, and housing costs. However, overall the economy was strong, and local governments could invest in public services, allowing citizens to benefit from improved quality of life.

Local Governments Revenue and Spending

In 2022, local governments saw an increase in revenue, about $1.2 trillion, due to higher property taxes, fees, and surcharges, as well as improved financial management. This allowed them to invest in public services such as infrastructure, education, and health care, directly impacting citizens’ quality of life. Additionally, they could pay down debt and set aside money for emergencies. This was a significant improvement compared to previous years when governments had little money for public services and relied on citizens’ donations to keep the lights on.

Overall, Todd Leopold says local government spending in 2022 was largely successful, with cities and towns seeing improvements in the quality of life for their citizens. This was made possible through better budgeting practices, increased taxation revenue, and improved financial management. Despite some areas of concern, such as unemployment and inflation, local governments were able to make significant investments in public services, which had a direct impact on citizens’ quality of life. This is a testament to their effectiveness in managing resources and making wise investments that benefit all members of society.

Final Thoughts

Local government spending in 2022 was largely successful and allowed local governments to invest in public services, significantly improving citizens’ quality of life. The increased revenue from higher taxes, fees, and surcharges enabled them to allocate resources strategically and ensure their citizens were getting the most out of public funds. Going forward, it will be necessary for local governments to continue investing in public services while staying on top of budgeting and spending.

The post Todd Leopold Shares a Look Back on Local Government Spending in 2022 appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/money-management/todd-leopold-shares-look-back-local-government-spending-2022/

How to Care for a Plastic Cutting Board: Full Guide by July Home

Home Business Magazine Online

Each of us at least once cooked something in the kitchen. Of course, not without the use of a cutting board. But, few people thought about how to properly care for this board. Today we will talk with the specialists of July Home about the care of plastic cutting boards. Read the recommendations and save for yourself!

Advantages

Using plastic cutting boards for food preparation has many advantages. For one, they are lightweight and easy to move around the kitchen, which is an especially useful trait if you have a smaller kitchen space. Moreover, plastic cutting boards are more affordable compared to other materials like wood and bamboo.

In terms of safety, plastic cutting boards are non-porous and dishwasher safe which minimizes the risk of harboring bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella; this is especially important when preparing foods like chicken and fish that carry more germs than other items. Plastic surfaces can also be easily sanitized with bleach or vinegar solutions to help kill potential bacteria.

Plastic cutting boards are also much easier on your knife blades than wooden ones; meaning that you don’t need to sharpen your knives as often since there’s less wear and tear on them when used on plastic surfaces. This helps preserve the integrity of your knives over time and saves you money from having to purchase new ones frequently.

In addition, plastic cutting boards come in a variety of colors and sizes so it’s easy to find one that fits your needs perfectly; from large ones for chopping vegetables or carving meat to small ones for herbs or garlic cloves, there’s something for everyone. Furthermore, these surfaces can be labeled according to their designated use so as not to mix up raw meats with ready-to-eat vegetables; they can even be color coded so that different family members know exactly where they need to cut their foods without accidentally cross contaminating them!

Finally, unlike hardwood boards, plastic cutting boards require little maintenance beyond general cleaning after each use; they don’t need oiling like wooden ones do which makes them very convenient in terms of upkeep. All in all, plastic cutting boards offer an excellent balance between functionality and price point making them a great choice for any home chef!

Plastic cutting boards are an essential tool in the kitchen for food preparation. They provide a clean, non-porous surface for slicing vegetables, cutting meat, and other tasks. With proper care and cleaning, plastic cutting boards can last for many years. Here are some tips on how to keep your plastic cutting board looking like new:

Cleaning

After each use, rinse the board with hot water and soap to remove any food particles or residue that may be stuck on the surface. To sanitize it, you can spray it with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water. Allow it to sit for several minutes before wiping down with a damp cloth and rinsing it off with hot water. Let the board air dry after each use to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.

Sharpening

Over time, plastic cutting boards can become dull from regular wear and tear. To keep them sharpened, you can use a handheld knife sharpener or you could use a honing steel that’s specifically designed for this purpose. Be sure to sharpen both sides evenly for best results and remember not to press too hard as this could damage the blade or board.

Oiling

To keep your plastic cutting board from warping or cracking, you should periodically oil it with mineral oil or coconut oil in order to maintain its integrity over time. Put several drops of oil on one side of the board and spread it around using a soft cloth until all surfaces are covered in an even layer of oil. Wipe any excess oil off with another clean cloth before allowing it to completely dry before using again.

Storing

When storing your plastic cutting board make sure that it is completely dry first so that no moisture is left behind which could cause mildew growth or warping over time. Place them in a cupboard or drawer away from direct sunlight as this could cause discoloration and deterioration over time too. You should also make sure they are stored away from other kitchen tools such as knives so that there is no chance of scratching or nicking them accidentally when closing drawers or cabinets.

By following these simple tips you can ensure that your plastic cutting boards stay in perfect condition for many years to come!

The post How to Care for a Plastic Cutting Board: Full Guide by July Home appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/how-to-guides-lifestyles/how-to-care-plastic-cutting-board-full-guide-july-home/

Microsoft and NVIDIA announce a new partnership

Microsoft and NVIDIA have announced a 10-year partnership on Tuesday to make Xbox PC games available on NVIDIA’s cloud gaming service, GeForce NOW™. The service currently has over 25 million members across 100 countries.

As per the agreement, players will have the ability to stream Xbox PC games from GeForce NOW to various devices like PCs, macOS, smartphones, Chromebooks, and more. Additionally, once Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision is finalized, Activision Blizzard PC games, including Call of Duty, will also be available for streaming on GeForce NOW.

What Microsoft says.

“Xbox remains committed to giving people more choice and finding ways to expand how people play.”

“This partnership will help grow NVIDIA’s catalog of titles to include games like Call of Duty, while giving developers more ways to offer streaming games. We are excited to offer gamers more ways to play the games they love.” 

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer

What NVIDIA says.

“Combining the incredibly rich catalog of Xbox first party games with GeForce NOW’s high-performance streaming capabilities will propel cloud gaming into a mainstream offering that appeals to gamers at all levels of interest and experience.”

“Through this partnership, more of the world’s most popular titles will now be available from the cloud with just a click, playable by millions more gamers.”

Jeff Fisher, senior vice president for GeForce, NVIDIA

Concerns over the Activision Blizzard acquisition. The partnership between Microsoft and NVIDIA offers gamers more options and addresses NVIDIA’s apprehensions regarding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Therefore, NVIDIA has expressed its complete support for the acquisition’s regulatory approval.

Starting right away, Microsoft and NVIDIA will collaborate to integrate Xbox PC games into GeForce NOW, allowing GeForce NOW users to stream games they purchase from the Windows Store, as well as third-party titles for which the publisher has granted streaming rights to NVIDIA. Additionally, Xbox PC games that are presently accessible on third-party stores like Steam or Epic Games Store will also be streamable on GeForce NOW.

Why we care. The partnership between Microsoft and NVIDIA could increase the availability and accessibility of Xbox PC games to a wider audience through the GeForce NOW cloud gaming service. This means that more people will be able to play these games on a variety of devices, including smartphones and Chromebooks, which could lead to increased engagement with the games and more opportunities for advertisers to reach these audiences.

Furthermore, once Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is finalized, it will also bring popular Activision Blizzard PC games like Call of Duty to the GeForce NOW service, further expanding the potential audience for advertisers to target.

Overall, the partnership between Microsoft and NVIDIA creates an opportunity for advertisers to reach a larger and more diverse gaming audience, which could result in increased ad revenue and better return on investment for their marketing efforts.

The post Microsoft and NVIDIA announce a new partnership appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/microsoft-and-nvidia-announce-a-new-partnership-393424

Google releases February 2023 product reviews update

Google has released the February 2023 product reviews update, and it will take about two weeks to rollout. The update brings new languages to the product reviews update, including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Russian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Polish.

This is the sixth release of the product reviews update, this one is named the February 2023 product reviews update and was released on February 21 at about 5pm ET.

Announcement. Google announced this update on Twitter:

Google product reviews update. The Google product reviews update aims to promote review content that is above and beyond much of the templated information you see on the web. Google said it will promote these types of product reviews in its search results rankings.

Google is not directly punishing lower-quality product reviews that have “thin content that simply summarizes a bunch of products.” However, if you provide such content and find your rankings demoted because other content is promoted above yours, it will definitely feel like a penalty. Technically, according to Google, this is not a penalty against your content, Google is just rewarding sites with more insightful review content with rankings above yours.

Technically, this update should only impact product review content and not other types of content.

More languages. The change with this version is that this now supports more languages than just English. This update now works for Spanish, German, French, Italian, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Russian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Polish.

Previous advice on the product reviews update. The “focus overall is on providing users with content that provides insightful analysis and original research, content written by experts or enthusiasts who know the topic well,” Google said about this update. That is similar advice to the core update recommendations mentioned above, but here is a list of “additional useful questions to consider in terms of product reviews.” Google recommends your product reviews cover these areas and answer these questions. Do your product reviews…

  • Express expert knowledge about products where appropriate?
  • Show what the product is like physically, or how it is used, with unique content beyond what’s provided by the manufacturer?
  • Provide quantitative measurements about how a product measures up in various categories of performance?
  • Explain what sets a product apart from its competitors?
  • Cover comparable products to consider, or explain which products might be best for certain uses or circumstances?
  • Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of a particular product, based on research into it?
  • Describe how a product has evolved from previous models or releases to provide improvements, address issues, or otherwise help users in making a purchase decision?
  • Identify key decision-making factors for the product’s category and how the product performs in those areas? For example, a car review might determine that fuel economy, safety, and handling are key decision-making factors and rate performance in those areas.
  • Describe key choices in how a product has been designed and their effect on the users beyond what the manufacturer says?
  • Provide evidence such as visuals, audio, or other links of your own experience with the product, to support your expertise and reinforce the authenticity of your review.
  • Include links to multiple sellers to give the reader the option to purchase from their merchant of choice.

Google also linked to its blog post from earlier this year named providing better product information for shoppers.

Google added three new points of new advice for this third release of the products reviews update:

  • Are product review updates relevant to ranked lists and comparison reviews? Yes. Product review updates apply to all forms of review content. The best practices we’ve shared also apply. However, due to the shorter nature of ranked lists, you may want to demonstrate expertise and reinforce authenticity in a more concise way. Citing pertinent results and including original images from tests you performed with the product can be good ways to do this.
  • Are there any recommendations for reviews recommending “best” products? If you recommend a product as the best overall or the best for a certain purpose, be sure to share with the reader why you consider that product the best. What sets the product apart from others in the market? Why is the product particularly suited for its recommended purpose? Be sure to include supporting first-hand evidence.
  • If I create a review that covers multiple products, should I still create reviews for the products individually? It can be effective to write a high-quality ranked list of related products in combination with in-depth single-product reviews for each recommended product.  If you write both, make sure there is enough useful content in the ranked list for it to stand on its own.

Previous product review updates. This is the sixth release of the product reviews update and was released on February 21 at about 5pm ET. The first product reviews update was launched on April 8, 2021, the second was launched on December 1, 2021, the third has been released on March 23, 2022, and the fourth was released on July 27, 0222, and the fifth was released on September 20, 2022.

Not a core update. Google also previously said that product review updates are not the same as core updates. This is a standalone update they’re calling the product reviews update. This is separate from Google’s regular core updates, the company told us. Nonetheless, Google did add that the advice it originally provided for core updates, “about producing quality content for those is also relevant here.” In addition to that advice, Google provided additional guidance specific to this update.

Why we care. If your website offers product review content, you will want to check your rankings to see if you were impacted. Did your Google organic traffic improve, decline, or stay the same?

Long term, you are going to want to ensure that going forward, you put a lot more detail and effort into your product review content so that it is unique and stands out from the competition on the web.

Also, those impacted by previous core updates, that put in the work, may be rewarded by this February 2023 product reviews update.

The post Google releases February 2023 product reviews update appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-releases-february-2023-product-reviews-update-393426

SEO Tips to Boost Your Organic Rankings & SEO Traffic

Home Business Magazine Online

Are you looking to make your mark in today’s digital-first world?

Enhancing your website’s search engine optimization is the key! With just a few tweaks and improvements, you can increase organic visibility on SERPs and drive more quality traffic than ever before — all while capitalizing on leads and sales.

Web site traffic generator can help you. Furthermore, here are some proven techniques that will help get things headed in the right direction:

Target Relevant Primary and Secondary Keywords

Knowing how to research and target keywords appropriately is critical to improving your SEO ranking.

Take a look at your business, industry, and goals — then start by identifying primary keyword options that are relevant to you.

From there, do some digging around for secondary options — this can help give the extra boost needed in SERPs!

Write Quality Original Content

You must create content with exceptional quality and relevance to make the most of your website ranking.

Thinking beyond simply informative or exciting, consider what value can be added for your readers!

Ensure all material is well-written and thoroughly researched — this will help get those search engines singing in delight!

Format Content for Featured Snippets

You will want your website to be search engine-friendly!

Include clear, descriptive headings and subheadings so that it’s easy for crawlers to ‘understand’ what each page is about.

Formatting content in a readable way helps, too — no one likes an unorganized mess.

For the extra special touch, why not provide concise answers to questions people are likely asking?

That could get you featured snippets on some of their top searches!

Optimize Your Page Title and Meta Description

To gain maximum visibility for your website, ensure that the page title and meta description contain concise, keyword-specific content.

These HTML code elements are vital — appearing in search engine results to help boost click-through rates!

Use Short, Descriptive URLs

URLs play a crucial role in determining your website’s ranking. To optimize your URLs, it’s essential to keep them short, descriptive, and easy to read.

This makes it easier for users and search engines to understand what your pages are about.

Use hyphens to separate words, and avoid using special characters or numbers.

Make sure your URLs accurately reflect the content on your page and contain relevant keywords.

Generate Backlinks from High Site Authority Websites

Establishing a solid web presence starts with creating high-quality backlinks.

Having many links pointing to your site can drastically improve SEO, as it indicates trustworthiness and authority in the eyes of search engines!

To generate backlinks, reach out to websites in your niche and ask for a link, or create valuable content that other websites will want to link to.

Ensure that the websites you receive backlinks from have a high site authority and are relevant to your niche.

Remove Anything That Loads Slowly

A slow-loading website can harm your SEO rankings and user experience.

Time is of the essence regarding search engine performance and user satisfaction.

You should keep your website pages lean, fast-loading, and optimized for top rankings.

This may include large images, videos, or complex code.

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas of your website that need improvement and optimize them accordingly.

Boost SEO with Internal & External Links

Establishing an effective link structure is essential for website optimization.

Leveraging internal and external links can help maximize your SEO ranking while creating a more enriching navigational experience for users visiting the site.

Boosting your website’s credibility with external links is a great way to increase its authority.

Search engines will recognize and reward other sites that link back to yours.

Ensure your internal and external links are relevant, accurate, and easy to follow.

Improve Your Local SEO with Organic SEO Traffic

Local SEO is a critical aspect of SEO for businesses that operate in a specific geographic location.

To maximize your local SEO, you must focus on regionally-specific keywords and backlinks while ensuring that your business is represented correctly in the area’s relevant directories.

By leveraging these tactics, you can put yourself ahead of the competition to attract more customers from nearby communities.

Additionally, you can use organic SEO techniques to improve your local SEO.

Keep your page looking its best by optimizing for local keywords, writing compelling content, and creating a mix of internal/external links to enhance seniority.

Doing so will ensure visitors get the most out of their experience!

Study Your Competitors

Studying your competitors is an essential part of any SEO strategy.

By analyzing their websites, keywords, and backlinks, you can gain valuable insights into what they are doing to improve their SEO rankings.

Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to gather data on your competitors and identify areas where you can improve your SEO strategy.

Try to Buy Seo Traffic

You can try buying SEO traffic to improve your SEO traffic quickly.

This paid advertising method involves purchasing visitors to your website through paid search or display advertising.

Although it can be an effective way to drive traffic to your website, it’s essential to use it in conjunction with other SEO strategies to achieve long-term success.

Additionally, make sure you purchase traffic from reputable sources to avoid potential harm to your website’s reputation.

The post SEO Tips to Boost Your Organic Rankings & SEO Traffic appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/seo/seo-tips-boost-organic-rankings-seo-traffic/