Tech, marketingand what it means for you

7 SEO mistakes that get your website buried by Google

Google penalizes websites that trick search engines or users. Here's what to check on your site this week.

YouTube tests Ask YouTube inside Shorts videos

YouTube is experimenting with a feature that lets viewers ask questions about Shorts videos directly in the player.

Make your links say what they mean

The words in your links tell Google and your customers where they're going. Here's how to write them right.

Home maintenance basics every business owner should know

Regular upkeep of your building saves money and prevents emergencies that shut down operations.

Why your phone site matters more to Google than your desktop site

Google ranks your business based on what your site looks like on a phone, not a computer. Here's what to check this week.

How to run a performance review that actually works

A structured approach to employee reviews helps you give better feedback and keeps your team engaged and growing.

Write for people first, search engines second

Google rewards websites built to help visitors solve real problems. Here's how to audit your site and fix it.

AI assistants are changing how customers find you online

When people ask ChatGPT or Google about your business type, your website may not show up. Here's what to check.

Write better Google snippets to get more clicks

The short description under your link in search results is your pitch. Here's how to make it work.

What answer engines mean for your website's visibility

AI assistants like ChatGPT now answer customer questions without sending them to Google. Here's what you need to know.

Five SEO moves you can make yourself this week

Google's own guide to search basics shows small-business owners what actually moves the needle—and what doesn't.

ChatGPT for Teens draws safety criticism from watchdog group

A nonprofit found that OpenAI's teen version of ChatGPT still encourages heavy use even during mental health crises, despite promised safeguards.

Bluesky applies for its own internet domain suffix

The social platform wants to give users shorter web addresses, but approval will take up to two years.

TikTok adds AI shopping and checkout to its main feed

TikTok announced an AI assistant and one-click buying directly in the app on October 5. Here's what changes for your business.

Five things to check in Google Analytics every month

A practical checklist for small business owners who want to understand where their customers come from and what they do.

How to link your website so Google and customers find everything

The right link structure helps search engines crawl your site and customers navigate it. Here's what actually works.

Google tightens rules on AI content you publish

Google now requires you to manually fact-check all AI-generated text before it goes live, including titles and meta descriptions.

How to read your performance review and actually use it

Performance reviews combine feedback from multiple sources. Here's what to do with yours when you get it.

Seven ways to make your business emails worth reading

Email reaches your customers where they already are. Here's how to make them actually open what you send.

Don't Buy Ads Yet: my new book is out

21 straight rules for advertising on a small-business budget. On Amazon now, with a free printable workbook.

How to list products and services on Google Business Profile

Five practical steps to fill out your Google Business Profile so it matches what you actually offer.

The Phone Should Be Ringing: my new book is out

21 straight rules for getting found, getting picked and getting called. On Amazon now, with a free printable workbook.

Instagram's new AI tool analyzes your videos, not creates them

Meta launched an AI assistant for its Edits video app in September 2026 that reads your performance data and suggests what to post next.

Five photos your Google Business Profile needs this week

The right images on your profile help customers find you and recognize your place when they arrive.

How to reply to Google reviews without wasting your time

Five practical steps to handle positive and negative reviews so customers see you care.

OpenAI upgrades Codex for teams working across devices

OpenAI's software engineering tool now lets developers share persistent cloud workspaces and review code together. Here's what changes for your business.

ChatGPT gets easier to plug into your business tools

OpenAI made it simpler for developers to build ChatGPT add-ons that work with your software, and easier for you to control what each one can access.

Why your robots.txt file might be hiding your website from Google

A robots.txt file controls crawler traffic, not search visibility. Mistakes in it can leave your pages undiscovered.

Mark up your business details so Google shows them right

LocalBusiness structured data tells Google your hours, location, phone, and more so customers find accurate information in search results.

Where your search listing description comes from and how to write it

Google pulls the snippet under your search result from your page content or your meta description. Here's how to make yours work.

Does your small business need a website? What it should do, and what it should cost

Google Search Console now shows traffic from photo searches

A new filter separates visits that started with a picture instead of typed words. Here is what it shows, what it leaves out, and what a local business should do.

AI Answer Engines Are Stealing Your Visibility

Your customers are asking ChatGPT instead of Google. Here's what that means for your business.