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Today β€” 27 March 2026Tech

(PR) Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus Series Processors Available on iBUYPOWER Gaming PCs

27 March 2026 at 00:29
The leading system integrator iBUYPOWER is happy to share they will be integrating the new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processors into its gaming PC lineup. Any new computer using an Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processor is covered by iBUYPOWER's industry‑leading three‑year labor and two‑year parts warranty, which the leading national computer and consumer electronics retailer Micro Center honors nationwide for convenient in‑store diagnosis and repair.

Compatible with Intel 800 Series chipset-based motherboards, the Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processors deliver up to 15% faster geomean gaming performance -- versus existing Core Ultra Series 2 desktop CPUs -- and up to 103% more multithreaded performance compared to similar CPUs in its class. With the new platform utilizing all-new software that simplifies initial set-up and performance acquisition, the Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus processors are ideal for everyday gamers and creators that crave max value with real performance.

Marathon Sales Estimated at 1.2 Millionβ€”Steam Leads the Pack With Two Thirds of Sales

26 March 2026 at 23:52
Marathon launched almost exactly three weeks ago, with a mix of both fanfare and criticism, but given its reasonably strong player countsβ€”with a stable 28,000-40,000 daily concurrent playersβ€”it's not surprising to learn that the game has sold an estimated 1.2 million units across the three platforms where it is available. According to Alinea Analytics, Marathon has earned $55 million in revenue across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. The analytics firm estimates that Steam holds around 800,000 of those players, while Marathon sold 217,000 units on PlayStation 5 and 133,000 on Xbox Series platforms.

The researchers also looked into the correlation between Bungie's previous games and Marathon, and it seems as though the developer's reputation may have been a substantial driving force for Marathon players. As many as 78.2% of Marathon's Steam players had previously played Destiny 2, while 62.7% had played Helldivers 2, and 55.9% played Arc Raidersβ€”although it should be noted that all three titles had colossal player counts, so some of this may be pure coincidence, and some of it could also be attributed to Steam's recommendation algorithms, which would be more likely to show Marathon to fans of similar Bungie games. There have also been rumors of Marathon potentially launching on last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles, but nothing has been confirmed regarding that release just yet.

Seatlr – Enter your flight and join your city chat room


Seatlr connects travelers heading to the same city in shared chat rooms. Enter your flight to join a city-wide space that covers all airlines, see who's online, and start group or private conversations using nicknames for privacy. Seatlr provides on-device translation in 59 languages, 24-hour auto-delete for all posts and messages, and multi-airline coverage across thousands of destinations to help you meet, chat, and plan activities together.

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Yesterday β€” 26 March 2026Tech

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn's new trailer reveals gameplay, release date, and best test β€” it's also confirmed for Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere

26 March 2026 at 23:35
One of the biggest highlights of the March 2026 Xbox Partner Preview event was the trailer for The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, as it showcased its gameplay along with dates for its upcoming full release and Xbox Series X|S beta test.

Google Search Live expands globally where AI Mode is available

26 March 2026 at 22:59

Today, Google released Google Search Live globally where AI Mode is available, for these languages and regions. This brings Search Live to more than 200 countries and territories.

Google credits its new audio and voice model,Β Gemini 3.1 Flash Live, which it says β€œdelivers even more natural and intuitive conversations.” The β€œnew model is also inherently multilingual, which means that people around the world can now speak with Search in their preferred language,” Google added.

How it works. To use Search Live, open the Google app onΒ AndroidΒ orΒ iOSΒ and tap the Live icon under the Search bar. From there, you can ask your question out loud to get a helpful audio response, then continue the conversation with follow-up questions or dive deeper with helpful web links. If you want to ask about something in front of you, like how to install a new shelving unit, you can enable your camera to add visual context. This way, Search can see what your camera sees and offer helpful suggestions, plus links to more information on the web.

You can also access Search Live if you’re already pointing your camera withΒ Google LensΒ β€” just tap the Live option at the bottom of the screen to have a real-time, back-and-forth conversation about what you see in the real world.

More. Last September, Google made Search Live with video available in the U.S, prior to that, it was an opt in beta and before that it was talk and listen, without video.

Why we care.Β This is another way users can have conversations with Google’s AI instead of typing queries. Answers could increasingly bypass traditional clicks, and further erode traffic to websites. The inclusion of links (citations at the bottom) means publishers and brands could still see some benefits, but most searchers likely will have little need or desire to click on those links or dig deeper after getting their answer.

Google PMax gets new exclusions, expanded reporting features

26 March 2026 at 22:40
Ads control dashboard

Google is launching new Performance Max controls and reporting: audience exclusions, expanded reporting, and budget forecasting tools.

What’s new. Google announced a mix of β€œsteering updates” and β€œactionable insights” for PMax:

  • First-party audience exclusions: You can exclude customer lists to shift spend toward net-new customer acquisition instead of repeat conversions.
  • Budget reporting: A new in-platform report projects end-of-month spend and shows how daily budget changes impact performance.
  • Full audience reporting: You get detailed breakdowns by demographics, including age and gender.
  • Network segmentation: You can segment placement reports by network, now under When and where ads showed.

Why we care. These updates help address concerns about PMax’s lack of control and transparency. Exclusions help you avoid wasting spend on existing customers, while improved reporting gives you clearer signals for optimization, budgeting, and brand safety decisions.

Google’s announcement. New Performance Max steering and reporting updates coming in 2026

(PR) The Expanse: Osiris Reborn Gets New Gameplay Trailer, Closed Beta in April

26 March 2026 at 23:17
Soon, fans of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn will be able to don the armor of a Pinkwater mercenary and experience part of the game themselves. Starting April 22, the closed beta will be available on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 to everyone who purchases the Collector's Edition or Miller's Pack on the website. The closed beta will give players a feel for the game's combat, movement in the zero-g environment, and dealing with life and death on a remote space station. Additionally, Owlcat Games revealed that the game will launch in Spring 2027 on PC (via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG) and on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, with a Day 1 launch on Xbox Game Pass. Fans can wishlist the game now.

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn is a story-driven action RPG set in The Expanse universe with focus on companions, player choices, and dynamic third-person combat. As a Pinkwater Security mercenary who survives a catastrophic incident on Eros, players have to build a team to fight back against Protogen and their experiments. Though the game is set in the same universe as the books and show, it focuses on its own story and characters.

(PR) Hooded Horse Reveals Vaunted, a Sci-Fi Tactical RPG by Former Blizzard Developer

26 March 2026 at 22:58
Hooded Horse is proud to announce a new title joining its roster of world-class strategic and tactical games, developed by industry veterans who have worked on everything from StarCraft to Guild Wars. Announced at the Xbox Partner Preview, Lost Lake Games' debut title, Vaunted, is an upcoming tactical RPG that challenges players to seize the ultimate score.

Vaunted throws players into a galaxy where chaos reigns supreme, and a millennium has passed since the fall of the last galactic empire. A galaxy where mercenaries and treasure hunters scrap over priceless imperial relics buried in far-flung ruins. Join dysfunctional frenemies Dyse, Gendril, and Kyvaath as they battle against ruthless rivals, monstrous aliens, and giant robots in search of the ultimate score. That is, if they can get their angry benefactor off their backs!

Nacon Unveils Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish, New Action RPG From Teyon

26 March 2026 at 22:44
During the Xbox Partner Showcase, NACON and the studio Teyon, acclaimed for its previous game RoboCop: Rogue City, were pleased to unveil their new project set in the World of Darkness universe: Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish. One of the most iconic licenses in the role-playing game world returns 20 years after the release of the last video game in this universe. In this first-person, single-player action RPG, players take on the role of a monster hunter in an expansive version of New York, tracking their prey among citizens unaware of the secret world surrounding them. Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC Steam in summer 2027.

Hunter: The Reckoning - Deathwish immerses players in a dark New York where vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural horrors lurk and scheme in the shadows. Players assume the role of a Hunter, or humans who have discovered the horrifying truth that monsters secretly rule our world and decided to track them down. Players customize their Hunter just like the tabletop RPG, and explore the city at their own pace, searching for clues and side quests that may give them an edge against enemies as powerful as they are dangerous.

(PR) S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope Expansion Launching Summer 2026

26 March 2026 at 22:41
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope, the first major expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, is coming to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PC, and PlayStation 5 in Summer 2026. Step into a fresh expedition across the Zone - a massive nonlinear expansion packed with dozens of hours of gameplay. Expect haunting stories, twisted characters, and that same heavy atmosphere of decay... with just a flicker of hope breaking through.

It's time to step into a new chapter of a well-known conflict. Duty, one of the oldest factions, sees the Zone as a threat that must be contained and destroyed. On the other side, Freedom believes it's a gift - something to explore and harness for the greater good. For a time, this tension was held together by a fragile peace. But deals like that rarely last. In Cost of Hope, players once again take on the role of Skif, the protagonist of the core game, as he navigates events unfolding alongside Heart of Chornobyl. After installing the DLC, a signal on the PDA will trigger the new storyline as the game unfolds. As always, your choices shape what happens next - and the consequences could affect not just the Zone, but far beyond it.

(PR) Rebellion Announces Alien Deathstorm, New First Person Action Horror Game

26 March 2026 at 22:32
Rebellion, the UK independent video game studio behind the smash hit Sniper Elite franchise, Zombie Army series, and Atomfall, has revealed Alien Deathstorm. Announced live at today's Xbox Partner Preview, Alien Deathstorm is a brand new, raw, visceral first-person action horror game that takes place on a remote off-world colony that is being devastated by a cataclysmic storm and alien creatures.

In Alien Deathstorm, you play as the Combat Engineer, a highly trained first responder, who has been dispatched to a remote, off-world colony that has suffered a complete loss of communications. Arriving days or potentially weeks ahead of a full rescue fleet, your job is to determine what has caused the colony to fall silent and try to save as many lives as possible.

(PR) NVIDIA GeForce NOW Gets Five New Titles

26 March 2026 at 22:25
That gaming backlog won't clear itself - GeForce NOW is here to help. Stream the latest titles straight from the cloud across a variety of devices. This week, five new titles are ready to play instantly in the cloud gaming platform's library. Screamer drifts onto the scene with retro‑racing attitude and pixel‑perfect speed. Plus, Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.1, "Unraveled for Daybreak," touches down.

Hit the Gas
Screamer from Milestone roars back onto the track as a blistering arcade racer that thrives on speed, precision and pure retro attitude. Tight corners and neon‑soaked straights define a style built for thrill seekers who crave the rush of classic '90s racing action. The mix of sharp visuals, snappy handling and roaring engines creates an experience that's equal parts vintage energy and modern muscle. Running on GeForce NOW, Screamer puts pedal to the metal with ultralow latency and buttery‑smooth streaming. In the cloud, every race launches instantly, every drift hits with full force and every victory feels just a little louder.

Super Meat Boy 3D Gets March 31 Launch Date

26 March 2026 at 22:22
Super Meat Boy 3D, the 3D remake of the "tough-as-nails" platformer will officially launch on March 31, according to a new release date trailer published as part of an Xbox Partner Preview. It will be available for the Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and the Xbox Store, the PS5, and for the Nintendo Switch 2 via the Nintendo eShop. It will also be a day-one Xbox Game Pass and Cloud gaming title, so it will see quite a wide release.

Super Meat Boy 3D is meant to be a 3D reimagining of the original 2D precision platformer that originally launched way back in 2010, which has sold an estimated 2.6 million+ units, according to conservative estimates. Pricing has not yet been announced for Super Meat Boy 3D, but the original Super Meat Boy still retails for $14.99 16 years after release. The 3D version of the game will require at least an AMD Ryzen 3 3100 or Intel Core i3-10100, 8 GB of memory, and an AMD Radeon RX 6400 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or 1650 to play.

Microsoft Works to Expand Dark Theme Support Across Windows 11

26 March 2026 at 22:19
Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system officially has a dark mode, but many UI elements, menus, and applications from Microsoft still lack proper dark mode support. Microsoft is working to address this issue in the world's most widespread operating system. Since the introduction of WinUI, many releases and versions have been shipped with the operating system. For example, Windows 10 retains many UI elements from the Windows 7 era and earlier versions. However, Microsoft plans to modernize the entire UI ecosystem with more WinUI 3 for a modern look and feel, which will also enhance dark mode support. According to Marcus Ash, who leads Microsoft's Windows Design and Research team, the overhaul is near. When a user on X asked when dark mode support would come to Regedit, Marcus Ash responded:
We are pushing to get our tools and techniques to the point where we can implement the dark theme in more areas across Windows. No timelines to commit to yet for Regedit. As we make progress in various legacy system panels and dialogs, we will keep improving consistency.

Apple takes on Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace with new business platform

26 March 2026 at 22:47

Set to debut on April 14 in more than 200 countries and regions, Apple Business brings together the company's existing enterprise programs – Apple Business Connect, Apple Business Essentials, and Apple Business Manager. The new service represents Apple's most comprehensive effort yet to provide small and mid-sized companies with integrated...

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China-Linked Red Menshen Uses Stealthy BPFDoor Implants to Spy via Telecom Networks

A long-term and ongoing campaign attributed to a China-nexus threat actor has embedded itself in telecom networks to conduct espionage against government networks. The strategic positioning activity, which involves implanting and maintaining stealthy access mechanisms within critical environments, has been attributed to Red Menshen, a threat cluster that's also tracked as Earth Bluecrow,

Data centers get ready β€” the Senate wants to see your power bills

26 March 2026 at 22:23
Senators Josh Hawley and Elizabeth Warren want the Energy Information Administration to gather more details about how data centers use power β€”Β and how that affects the grid.

Nixxes releases PC Patch 1.1 for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

PC Patch 1.1 has landed for Death Stranding 2 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has received PC patch 1.1, which adds new performance optimisations and fixes to the game. This includes a bug that prevented PC gamers from accessing Death Stranding 2’s VR Training Missions, and another that prevented Steam Friends from loading in […]

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Automated traffic is growing 8x faster than human traffic: Report

26 March 2026 at 21:41
Human vs AI traffic

Automated traffic grew 23.5% year over year in 2025 β€” about eight times faster than human traffic, which rose 3.1%, according to HUMAN Security’s State of AI Traffic report.

  • AI-driven traffic appears to be a major contributor to that growth, with average monthly volume increasing 187% year over year, while traffic from AI agents and agentic browsers (e.g., OpenAI’s Atlas, Perplexity’s Comet) grew nearly 8,000% year over year.
  • Automated traffic is defined in the report as: β€œAll internet traffic generated by software systems rather than human users, including traditional automation such as search engine crawlers, monitoring bots, and conventional scraping tools, as well as AI-driven traffic.”
  • This report follows Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince’s prediction that bots could overtake human web usage by 2027.

Why we care. Search is increasingly shaped by more than human queries, crawling, and indexing. AI agents now participate in discovery, comparison, and transactions β€” within Google’s evolving results and across AI-driven interfaces.

The details. HUMAN groups AI-driven traffic into three broad categories:

  • Training crawlers collecting data for models. They still dominate at 67.5% of AI traffic, but their share is declining as scrapers and agents scale.
  • Real-time scrapers that feed AI search and answers. Scraper traffic grew nearly 600% in 2025, driven by AI-powered search and real-time answer engines.
  • Agentic AI systems that execute tasks autonomously. Smaller in share, but growing fastest and most disruptive.

AI agents behave more like users. These systems aren’t limited to reading content. They increasingly navigate funnels, log in, and transact. In 2025:

  • 77% of observed agent activity (requests) occurred on product and search pages.
  • Nearly 9% touched account-level interactions.
  • More than 2% reached checkout flows.

About the data. HUMAN analyzed more than one quadrillion interactions (requests/events) across its customer base in 2025, with aggregated, anonymized data from 2022 to 2025. It classified AI-driven traffic into training crawlers, AI scrapers, and agentic AI using user-agent strings, infrastructure signals, and observed behavior, noting limits in self-declared bot identity, which may undercount or misclassify some AI-driven activity.

Bottom line. Traffic is becoming less purely human, and discovery is no longer confined to search engines. Optimization now means deciding which machines can access, interpret, and act on your content.

The report. The 2026 State of AI Traffic & Cyberthreat Benchmark Report

Google-Agent user agent identifies AI agent traffic in server logs

26 March 2026 at 20:38
Google-Agent

Google introduced a new user agent, called Google-Agent, that signals when AI agents act on users’ behalf, marking an early shift toward agent-driven web interactions.

What happened. Google added Google-Agent to its list of user-triggered fetchers on March 20 and has begun a gradual rollout.

  • The Google-Agent user agent identifies requests made by AI agents running on Google infrastructure, including experimental tools like Project Mariner.

How it works. Google-Agent appears in HTTP requests when an AI agent visits a site to complete a user-initiated task.

  • Example use cases include browsing pages, evaluating content, or taking actions such as submitting forms.
  • This differs from Googlebot and other crawlers, which run continuously in the background without direct user prompts.

IP ranges. Google shared the IP ranges for its desktop agent:

Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; Google-Agent; +https://developers.google.com/crawling/docs/crawlers-fetchers/google-agent) Chrome/W.X.Y.Z Safari/537.36

And the IP ranges for its mobile agent:

Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 6.0.1; Nexus 5X Build/MMB29P) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/W.X.Y.Z Mobile Safari/537.36 (compatible; Google-Agent; +https://developers.google.com/crawling/docs/crawlers-fetchers/google-agent)

Why we care. This lets you identify agent-driven traffic in server logs. You can now distinguish traditional crawl activity from visits triggered by real users through AI agents. That should help you track agent-assisted conversions, understand emerging user behavior, and prepare for agentic search.

What they’re saying. According to Google’s announcement:

  • β€œThe Google-Agent user agent is rolling out over the next few weeks, and will be used by Google agents hosted on Google infrastructure to navigate the web and perform actions upon user request.”

What to watch. Early volumes will be low as the rollout continues, but now is the time to establish a baseline. What to do:

  • Monitor logs for Google-Agent activity.
  • Make sure CDNs and WAFs aren’t blocking the published IP ranges.
  • Validate that key site actions, including forms and flows, work for automated agents.

Dig deeper. Google’s releasing Google-Agent: Here’s what to know

Dusk Developer and New Blood CEO Level Harsh Criticisms Against DLSS 5 "At This Rate Why Make Game Art At All?"

26 March 2026 at 21:51
DLSS 5 has been under fire almost since the moment NVIDIA revealed the technology. While some, including some game developers and studios, have seen the ML-based technology as a positive for game development, and while there are still questions surrounding the practical applications of DLSS 5, many have criticized both NVIDIA and DLSS 5 for "sloppifying" games and drastically altering the artist's intent. Recently, David Szymanski and Dave Oshry, the game developer behind Dusk and Iron Lung, and the CEO of game studio New Blood Interactive, respectively, spoke about DLSS 5 in an interview with PC Gamer, echoing many of the concerns of gamers and leveling harsh criticisms at NVIDIA for the way it has handled the response to the new tech.

Oshry, who later expanded on the interview in a post on Bluesky, opened his comments by asking "First of all, who asked for this!?" and going on to say that DLSS 5 deviates from the original idea behind DLSS 5, which was fundamentally a technology used to increase frame rates using an upscaled image without substantial detail loss. He criticizes NVIDIA for calling a generative AI product DLSS, stating that "they're hiding this Gen AI bullshit behind the DLSS moniker because they think we're stupid," encouraging gamers to push back against the tech and vote with their wallets, "just like we did with NFTs and crypto games." Oshry mentions that one of the common defenses for DLSS 5 is that its optional, but goes on to question where tech like DLSS 5 leads while criticizing NVIDIA for recent hardware trends: "You know what's not optional? Paying more for lessβ€”which is what we've been doing with NVIDIA for years now." He continues along this line further down, comparing the tech to the other NVIDIA tech that either flopped or was left by the wayside, like 3Dvision and PhysX, and more modern tech, like RTX and Path tracing, all of which had their merits, questioning the merits of DLSS 5. "This is fundamentally changing the way video games look based on artificial intelligence that's been trained on Instagram models and Epstein memes. Are you serious?" The game developer closes off by sarcastically asking "At this rate, why make game art at all? Why not just draw some shapes and colors and let AI generate what it thinks it should look like? After all, who cares, the only thing that matters is "realism" right?" Oshry's full statement follows.

Khleb – Passive automatic nutrition tracking from smartplate and smartglass


Khleb builds a passive nutrition tracking system using smart plateware that captures calories and macronutrients automatically. Its smartplate and smartglass combine spectroscopy, computer vision, and precise weight sensing to determine what and how much you eat, then sync the data to the Khleb app and connected health platforms.

You just eat as usual with no photos, phones, or manual logging, while clinical-grade sensors deliver high-fidelity dietary insights at home.

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ShipSignal – Find validated product ideas and reach your first customers


ShipSignal helps founders find validated product ideas and reach their first customers. It scans Reddit, Hacker News, Google Trends, Product Hunt, app stores, and YouTube to surface real demand, then scores opportunities with revenue estimates. ShipSignal delivers deep market intelligence, competitor breakdowns, unit economics, and week-by-week build guides. It also generates targeted lead lists and a go-to-market playbook so you can ship faster and start conversations with buyers on day one.

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Google Adds New Performance Max Controls And Reporting Features

26 March 2026 at 20:56

Google introduces Performance Max updates, including audience exclusions, budget projections, and expanded reporting to give advertisers more visibility and control over campaign performance.

The post Google Adds New Performance Max Controls And Reporting Features appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

Alleged Nvidia RTX 60 series GPU Specifications Leak

It looks like Nvidia’s RTX 60 series doubles down on path tracing A new leak has unveiled alleged specifications for Nvidia’s RTX 60-series GPUs, along with performance targets. If these rumours are correct, Nvidia’s next-generation RTX graphics cards will use GR20x β€œRubin” series silicon with TSMC 3nm silicon. According to Red Gaming Tech, Nvidia’s RTX […]

The post Alleged Nvidia RTX 60 series GPU Specifications Leak appeared first on OC3D.

Intel confirms that its Core Ultra 9 290K PLUS CPU will not be released

Intel confirms that it’s never going to release its Core Ultra 9 290K PLUS CPU When Intel released its Core Ultra 5 250K PLUS and Core Ultra 7 270K PLUS CPUs (see our review here), a lot of people had a simple question: Where’s the Core Ultra 9 290K PLUS? The simple answer is that […]

The post Intel confirms that its Core Ultra 9 290K PLUS CPU will not be released appeared first on OC3D.

SMX Now: Learn how brands must adapt for AI-driven search

26 March 2026 at 19:11
AI Search Picks Winners Here's the GEO Strategy Behind It

Visibility is no longer just about ranking. It depends on whether your content is discovered, evaluated, and selected in AI-driven search experiences.

We’re kicking off our new monthly SMX Now webinar series on April 1 at 1 p.m. ET with iPullRank’s Zach Chahalis, Patrick Schofield, and Garrett Sussman on how you must adapt.

The session introduces iPullRank’s Relevance Engineering (r19g) framework for executing Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) through an omnichannel content strategy. You’ll learn how AI search uses query fan-outs to discover and select sources, and how to structure content so it’s retrieved, surfaced, and cited.

It also emphasizes that GEO success isn’t universal. It requires testing, tailored strategies, and a three-tier measurement model spanning discovery, selection, and citation impact.

Save your spot

Search Engine Land is proud to be a media partner for iPullRank’s upcoming SEO Week event.

The parts of Performance Max you can actually control

26 March 2026 at 19:00
The parts of Performance Max you can actually control

While initially criticized as a black box, Performance Max has evolved into a fairly critical campaign type. With each passing quarter, Google has introduced more functionality and visibility.

Additional reporting is helpful, but what matters is what you can actually act on. While you can’t control everything in Performance Max, there are specific levers that can have a meaningful impact on performance. Here are the parts of PMax you can control and how to use them effectively.

Control what you can: Search terms and placements

One of the most exciting updates in the last year to Performance Max has been the ability to add these campaign-level negative keywords.Β 

In the past, you could contact Google to add these in. It was somewhat cumbersome and involved filling out an Excel doc, forwarding it to Google, and giving them permission to implement.Β 

With the inclusion of the search terms report, we’re now able to select a keyword and quickly add it to the campaign-level negative keyword list, just as we can with a search or shopping campaign.

Another way to optimize PMax is to review and monitor the placements report. Most recently, Google has moved the Performance Max placements report out of the reporting section of the Google Ads account and into the Where ads have shown section at the campaign level. While this makes analysis easier by removing additional steps, we still only have impression-level reporting on placements.Β 

We can use this information to decide whether to add these placements as negative placements at the account level. This is found in Tools > Content suitability > Advanced settings > Excluded placements.Β 

While this isn’t ideal, there’s still useful insight we can glean from this report, such as ads appearing in kids’ programming or driving a high number of impressions from mobile apps.

Use budget signals to improve efficiency

Also located in the When and where ads showed section is the ad schedule. Even if you hadn’t selected an ad schedule when creating the campaign, Google automatically dayparts performance hourly.Β 

Google typically recommends an open ad schedule, but if you have a limited budget, restricting your ad schedule during off-peak or non-converting hours is an excellent way to increase efficiency.Β 

You can do this by creating a campaign-level ad schedule within Campaigns > Audiences, keywords, and content > Ad schedule. Make sure your Performance Max campaign is selected in the top left dropdown menu.

Dig deeper: Top Performance Max optimization tips for 2026

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.


Refine targeting with the right constraints

Demographic exclusions are a relatively new feature at the campaign settings level for Performance Max. Unfortunately, reports for these campaigns are hard to obtain, limiting informed decisions on demographic exclusions.

This functionality is helpful if you’re aware of specific demographics that aren’t actively in the market for specific products or services. To make adjustments, go to Campaign-level settings > Other settings > Demographic exclusions. From here, you can turn on age or gender exclusions:

Demographic exclusions

While PMax initially didn’t even provide device-level reporting, a new feature lets you opt out of serving on certain devices.

If you opt into all device targeting when launching a PMax campaign, you should periodically review device performance and adjust accordingly. This is best done by segmenting at the campaign or asset group level by device. Device-level data is extremely helpful for determining which device is better suited to reach your goal.Β 

Likewise, if you almost always opt out of certain devices when launching a campaign, this data makes it easier to either launch with all device targeting enabled and monitor performance, or add a device you hadn’t initially added to see how it impacts performance. Device-level targeting is also available at the campaign level, under Other settings.

Device settings

Improve inputs: Creative and AI assets

Ad assets play a large role in the display, YouTube, and Discover network performance of a PMax campaign. For many, there’s still a gap in producing high volumes of quality image and video creative.

While still evolving, AI assets are getting closer to filling these gaps β€” enabling us to more effectively target these additional networks. As newer iterations of LLMs emerge, this will become a primary way to generate video content and professional-looking images.

Google already offers generative AI image assets from shopping feed products that look relatively impressive. But we’re still a ways out from seeing high-quality AI-generated videos without the well-known glitches we typically see in this type of content.

Dig deeper: How to reduce low-quality leads from Performance Max campaigns

Understand the limits of control in Performance Max

The channel controls report gave more insight into where ads were serving. I have an unpopular opinion on this report. While helpful, there’s little we can do within the campaign to improve performance. Because of this, the report is frustrating.Β 

We’ll likely see channel controls available within Performance Max in the near future β€” similar to what we already have in Demand Gen campaigns. For now, adjust creative and bids to sway volume within certain networks. To opt out of certain networks completely and focus on shopping, then a feed-only Performance Max campaign will do just that.

Performance Max is evolving from a black box to a critical asset in a marketer’s toolkit. The steady stream of new functionality, from campaign-level negative keywords to detailed placement and ad schedule reports, shows Google’s commitment to providing greater control.Β 

Use these levers β€” strategic exclusions, device adjustments, and budget-aware scheduling β€” to move beyond set-it-and-forget-it and run Performance Max campaigns with precision and efficiency.

Microsoft provides much needed update on Windows 11's dark mode in refreshing moment of transparency

Microsoft's head of design and research for Windows has provided an update on the progress of Windows 11's incomplete dark mode, confirming that tooling is being put in place to make dark mode more consistent across the OS.

Scythe Releases Magoroku Dual-Tower CPU Cooler

26 March 2026 at 19:56
Scythe has introduced the Magoroku (SCMR-1000) dual-tower air CPU cooler. The launch comes from the company's Japan headquarters, following the shutdown of the Scythe European branch announced on April 26 last year. The cooler itself isn't entirely new, an early prototype surfaced around mid-2024, with a more polished unit later shown at Computex 2025. Standing 155 mm tall, the Magoroku is designed to fit a wider range of cases while still offering a full dual-stack heatsink layout. The cooler measures 134 x 155 x 142.5 mm, including its bundled 120 mm fans. The fan uses a standard 4-pin PWM connector, operates between 350-2,000 RPM, and at full speed, it can reach up to 60.29 CFM, with a maximum noise of 26.88 dBA. Static pressure is rated up to 2.45 mmH2O.

Cooling is handled by six 6 mm nickel-plated heatpipes feeding into the dual-tower heatsink. The cooler weights 1,036 g with the fan installed, putting it in line with other budget-oriented dual-tower designs. A thin vibration-dampening rubber layer is also included on each of the fans. Compatibility includes Intel LGA 1851, 1700, 1200, and 115x platforms, alongside AMD AM4 and AM5. The Scythe Magoroku is scheduled to go on sale starting April 10th, priced at Β₯4,980 (tax included) or about $32 (at the current exchange rate), right in the affordable market segment.

Sony and Honda pull the plug on $90,000 Afeela EV as electric dreams stall

26 March 2026 at 18:50

The cancellation marks the latest retreat in a broader industry pullback from electric vehicle programs, as automakers grapple with falling demand, shifting regulations, and rising costs. More than a dozen global carmakers have already delayed or abandoned their all-electric goals, reversing commitments made when government incentives and climate policies favored...

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Intel's upcoming 'Wildcat Lake' low-power series breaks cover in Geekbench listing β€” 'Core 3 304' is twice as fast in single-core performance versus last-gen

Wildcat Lake is the successor to Twin Lake, which itself was a refresh of Alder Lake-N. These are ultra-budget CPUs aimed at embedded devices, cheap laptops, mini-PCs, NAS devices, and more, where efficiency is key. The Core 3 304 is part of the Wildcat Lake family and represents a huge jump over its predecessors in early Geekbench results.

US Senators call for a halt to Nvidia GPU exports in the wake of the Super Micro scandal β€” looming Chip Security Act may put a wrench into Huang's China ambitions

26 March 2026 at 19:35
As the Super Micro smuggling scandal unfolds, U.S. senators have urged the government to halt Nvidia GPU exports to China, as the Foreign Affairs Committee prepares the Chip Security Act, which will impose location tracking for all exported AI accelerators.

Dusk AI – Chat with AI companions who remember you and build lasting bonds


Dusk AI offers AI companions with real long-term memory so your chats persist and characters remember you over time. Choose from personas across romance, fantasy, and more, and build ongoing relationships that carry details from every conversation. It adapts to your preferences and saves context after dark, letting you roleplay and explore stories that grow with you.

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Murlyn – Simulate how every stakeholder reacts to any high-stakes document


Murlyn is a decision intelligence platform that lets you paste any high-stakes document and simulate how each stakeholder will respond. You can build a panel by role, seniority, deal size, and industry, watch reactions in real time, surface objections and blind spots, and get an AI rewrite that holds up in the room. Teams use it for cold emails, proposals, board decks, job offers, and competitive analysis, with plans for solo users to enterprises.

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Why hiring the weirdos works

26 March 2026 at 18:38
When you’re building at breakneck speed, hiring a trusted team is crucial for an early-stage startup. Bland CEO and co-founder Isaiah Granet has tactical advice on how the company managed to find hidden talent in unlikely places.Β 

AMD unveils its high-performance AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition CPU

AMD officially unveils its Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition CPU AMD has today announced its Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition CPU, the company’s first-ever consumer-grade CPU featuring 3D V-Cache across all CPU chiplets. This CPU has 192MB of total L3 cache. This accelerates the performance of many workloads by keeping more data on chip, reducing […]

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Report: Clickout Media turned news sites into AI gambling hubs

26 March 2026 at 18:36
Parasite SEO

A company called Clickout Media is being called out for buying trusted news and niche sites, replacing them with AI-generated gambling content, and abandoning them after Google penalties. Some call this β€œparasite SEO,” but to me it sounds more like large-scale search spam.

What’s happening. The company acquired sports, gaming, and tech sites, then rapidly shifted them from editorial coverage to casino and crypto content, PressGazette reported.

  • Sites were stripped of original reporting, filled with AI-written articles, and used to push offshore gambling links, according to former employees.

How it works. The strategy relies on buying domains with existing authority, then exploiting their ability to rank in Google. Content typically followed a pattern:

  • Legitimate coverage continues briefly to preserve credibility
  • Gambling content is introduced and scaled
  • AI-generated articles and fake author profiles replace human writers
  • Revenue comes from affiliate deals with casino operators, sometimes tied to player losses

The impact. Several previously active publications now appear deindexed, with layoffs and closures following. In some cases, even charity websites were repurposed to host gambling content.

What they’re saying. Google prohibits publishing content at scale for the primary purpose of manipulating rankings. It refers to extreme cases like this as β€œsite reputation abuse,” a violation that can trigger manual actions and removal from Google’s index and search results.

  • β€œWhile we aren’t able to comment on a specific site’s ranking on Search, our policies prohibit publishing content at scale for the primary purpose of manipulating search rankings,” Google said about this case.

Why we care. This isn’t SEO in any meaningful sense. It’s reputation abuse designed to game rankings at scale.

The report. The SEO parasites buying, exploiting and ultimately killing online newsbrands by Rob Waugh at PressGazette.

How to use first-party data to find high-impact content ideas

26 March 2026 at 18:00
How to use first-party data to find high-impact content ideas

Like it or not, everyone is fishing in the same pond. As content marketers and SEO practitioners, we all have the same subscriptions to Semrush and other SEO tools, giving us access to the same data as our competitors.

If we all have the same tools, aren’t we just writing the same content?

There’s a better way.

You may be sitting on a wealth of data about your target audience and your existing customers, and you don’t even know it. These insights are invisible to your competitors, yet they’re unread, unanalyzed, and underutilized by the marketing team.

The problem: Third-party tools can create an over-commoditized content echo chamber

While SEO toolsets are invaluable (and I’ll always be using one, pretty much daily, for the rest of my career), they aren’t a failsafe way to ensure you’re creating the best content for your audience. These tools measure existing search demand through their own data, giving the best estimate of keyword traffic and search results.

However, when these aren’t viewed through the lens of your own customers, the result can be content that’s oversaturated in your market, overwhelming anyone looking for help or answers online.

When your content isn’t unique to your current or target audience, your organization and its offerings may get lost in the sea of SEOs and content strategists at your competitor organizations, who are trying to follow the same best practices and strategy.

It’s time to better utilize your own data to implement content campaigns that drive interest from the very audience that’s already shown a proven interest.

What first-party data actually is

For the purposes of this article and marketing content creation, first-party data is any data from current, potential, or past customers that’s only accessible internally. The top β€œ5 goldmines” where I’ve consistently found nuggets of content foundations and insight are:

  • Internal site search queries: What visitors couldn’t find on your site, but keep searching for.
  • Sales call transcripts: The exact language and questions prospects say before they buy.
  • CRM data: Spotting patterns in deal stages, objections, and lost deals.
  • Support tickets: The issues and questions your product or service keeps failing to answer, leading to frustrated customers.
  • Email replies and metrics: What the audience actually responds to versus what they ignore.

These five areas are a great place to start collecting and utilizing first-party data to its full potential.

Dig deeper: How to harness the power of data gathering for SEO

Why this data wins

This data is key to better, more-targeted content marketing for three reasons.

It’s proprietary

This data is confidential and only available to your internal team. Often, it’s not even accessible to everyone and may require favors from data analysts or web developers to pull. That’s what makes it so unique. Competitors can’t find or replicate it, no matter what SEO tools they have.

It reflects real buyer language

This relates to the β€œcurse of knowledge” cognitive bias, where you know so much about a topic that you assume others do as well. One of my favorite examples is the β€œfacial tissue” market. You may know facial tissue as β€œKleenex,” even though that’s technically a brand name for a type of facial tissue.Β 

With many consumers using a competitor’s brand name colloquially, how do competitors refer to their own product? Because most people likely aren’t searching β€œfacial tissue” with the intent to buy, it’s up to manufacturers to determine the language their audience uses to find alternatives.Β 

Even though employees at XYZ Tissue Co. know the product is technically β€œfacial tissue,” that doesn’t mean their customers do.

It maps to your full marketing funnel

While third-party keyword data usually skews to the top of the funnel, first-party data captures mid- and bottom-funnel content gaps that drive conversions and brand loyalty, not just traffic.Β 

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How to get content ideas from first-party data: The specifics

We know these data sources are valuable. So, how do we use them? Let’s break it down.

Internal site search

Site search is one of my favorite sources of insight and inspiration. It’s active, ongoing, real-time data showing how your target audience is trying to interact and engage with you through internal site search. No matter what the data looks like, it can hold a wealth of information about what content your users expect to find on your website.

If you don’t have site search on your website, you can create it using Google’s programmable site search feature. While it will provide internal site search data, it may also display ads or external results on users’ results pages.

To use site search effectively, export the queries monthly, clean the data to remove spam, then cluster by theme (such as product collections or service offerings). Finally, run it through keyword research tools to flag anything with high keyword volume and low competition that’s missing from your site.

Bonus: For products or services your customers are searching for that don’t exist, it might be useful to send that data to the R&D department for potential new offerings to consider.

Dig deeper: Why internal site search can be your competitive edge in enterprise SEO

Sales calls and CRM data

Use a service like Gong, Chorus, or manual transcriptions from sales calls and CRM data to look for recurring needs, questions, and objections across customers from all stages of the purchasing funnel.

If, for instance, you see continued resistance to your enterprise SaaS analytics platform due to the long onboarding process, consider creating a time-bound, step-by-step guide that makes it painless for anyone to switch analytics platforms. This can be great collateral for the sales team to address popular objections.

In the CRM, you can also filter lost deals by reason. For instance, finding β€œwent with competitor” + common objection could lead to a comparison or differentiation article that highlights your features vs. the competitors you keep losing deals to.

Besides reviewing the data, ask the sales team directly on a call or email about their most common objections. Because they’re constantly in communication with potential customers, they’ll likely know immediately the top objections they receive regularly.

Support tickets

The support team can also be an invaluable resource. In addition to asking the support team directly what problems they solve for customers on a daily basis, look in your customer support ticket queue and dashboard to find old and new tickets with recurring issues (your top 10 most common complaints are probably content gaps you need to address ASAP).

An explainer blog post, knowledge base article, or PDF guide that tackles the issue from an actionable angle can not only give you more content to promote, but also help the support team with materials to share with your customers.

Email replies and metrics

Depending on the industry, your email lists’ reply inboxes may be exploding with valuable customer data. At a supplements company I worked at, we regularly received customer responses to our email marketing campaigns. They asked questions about products, gave suggestions, and even offered enthusiastic reviews we could feature on our website.

You can also look at the metrics.Β 

  • If your monthly newsletter is the highest-performing email, should you increase it to a biweekly newsletter?Β 
  • If your product features never get high conversions, is that because of the content, or are they more interested in value-focused blog posts and videos?

Dig deeper: How to apply β€˜They Ask, You Answer’ to SEO and AI visibility

The first-party advantage

Don’t take your first-party data for granted. Build automated pipelines for report generation, conversation follow-ups, and content creation from these sources to build momentum around the topics your audience most wants to hear.

While competitors can copy your articles, they can never copy your customer conversations. Try it out this week: audit a first-party data source and see what content ideas you can find.

Google updates structured data for forum and Q&A content

26 March 2026 at 17:21
Q&A forum content cards

Google expanded its structured data support for forum and Q&A pages, adding properties that help you signal reply threads, quoted content, and whether content is human- or machine-generated. The update aims to reduce how Google misreads discussion and Q&A content.

What changed. Google’s QAPage docs now support commentCount and digitalSourceType. DiscussionForumPosting docs now support sharedContent plus the same commentCount and digitalSourceType.

The details. In Q&A markup, you can use commentCount on questions, answers, and comments to show total comments even if not fully marked up. answerCount + commentCount should equal total replies of any type.

How it works. digitalSourceType lets you flag whether content comes from a trained model or simpler automation. Use TrainedAlgorithmicMediaDigitalSource for LLM-style output and AlgorithmicMediaDigitalSource for simpler bots. If omitted, Google assumes human-generated content.

What’s new for forums. sharedContent lets you mark the primary item shared in a post. Google accepts WebPage, ImageObject, VideoObject, and referenced DiscussionForumPosting or Comment, including quotes or reposts.

Why we care. This gives you more precise control over how Google reads modern community content β€” especially forum-heavy sites, support communities, UGC platforms, and Q&A sections. Google can better distinguish answers from comments, count partial threads across pagination, and identify when a post mainly shares a link, image, video, or quoted reply.

The documentation. It was updated March 24.

The $30 Xbox Game Pass problem could be fixed without dropping the price

26 March 2026 at 17:00
Subscription fatigue is real, and at $360 a year, Game Pass Ultimate is a major culprit. However, the grapevine suggests a major shake-up is coming under new leadership. If Xbox wants my $30, they need to stop giving me what they want to sell and start giving me what I actually play.

Satechi Launches Wired Slim LX3 Keyboard and Slim LX Mouse Series

26 March 2026 at 18:08
Satechi has added a wired keyboard and mouse to its Slim LX lineup, both sharing the same clean, minimal aesthetic the series is known for. The Slim LX3 is a full-size wired keyboard with a numeric keypad and navigation keys, with a slim profile measuring just 1.7 cm tall and 550 g. It connects via USB-C with a bundled USB-A adapter and works across macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, and iPadOS. A dedicated physical switch allows switching between Mac and Windows. The Slim LX mouse pairs an anodized aluminium body with a metal scroll wheel, weighing in at 92.5 g and measuring 11.05 x 6.12 x 2.84 cm. It is ambidextrous, rated for 3 million clicks, and also uses USB-C with a USB-A adapter included. Cable length on both is 120 cm.

Both come in Silver or Space Black and are available now at the Satechi website and select retailers. The Slim LX3 keyboard is $49.99, while Satechi Slim LX mouse is $24.99.

AMD Announces Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition Desktop Processor with 192 MB L3 Cache

26 March 2026 at 17:46
AMD today launched the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition Socket AM5 desktop processor. This processor is positioned above the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, and is the much awaited implementation of 3D V-Cache memory on both CCDs (CPU complex dies) of the processor. The 16-core/32-thread processor is based on the Zen 5 microarchitecture, and features a total of 192 MB of shared L3 cacheβ€”that's 32 MB of on-die L3 cache plus 64 MB of 3D V-Cache that's contiguous with it, across both CCDs. This enables the maximum possible gaming performance, as worker threads of the game can be located on either of the two CCDs and benefit from large last-level cache. The base clock is 4.30 GHz, with a boost clock of 5.60 GHzβ€”100 MHz lower boost than the 9950X3D, and the same clocks as the 9850X3Dβ€”no word if these are the same for each CCD.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition is positioned to be a 16-core Zen 5 Flagship part, and to ensure the chip has not just the most cache, but also the highest possible clock speeds in the series, and retain its overclocking capabilities, AMD expanded the TDP of the processor to 200 Wβ€”the highest ever for an AMD Ryzen part. AMD is offering gaming performance rivaling its latest Ryzen 7 9850X3D part, but with significantly improved productivity performance in applications with large cached data-sets, such as software development, AI training and inferencing, and video production. The company's first-party productivity benchmarks show the 9950X3D2 post significant single-digit percentage gains over the 9950X3D. AMD did not announce price, but said that the 9950X3D2 Dual Edition will be available from April 22, 2026.
Known specifications of the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition follow.

(PR) Samsung Display Develops QuantumBlack, a Low-Reflection, High-Durability Film for QD-OLED Monitors

26 March 2026 at 17:44
Samsung Display announced today that it has developed a new low-reflection, high-durability film that further reduces light reflectance while enhancing display durability.

Samsung Display announced the development of 'QuantumBlack,' a low-reflection and high-durability film that reduces light reflection by 20% compared to the company's previous film and increases panel hardness to 3H. The company confirmed that this technology will be fully applied to all new QD-OLED monitor products launched this year. To highlight the unique value of this technology, Samsung Display named it 'QuantumBlack ' and recently completed trademark registration.

Intel Officially Confirms: Core Ultra 9 290K Plus Won't be Released

26 March 2026 at 17:32
When the rumor mill for Intel's "Arrow Lake Refresh" began, we expected three SKUs: Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, and a flagship Core Ultra 9 290K Plus. However, we later discovered that Intel is not launching the flagship SKU and will only release the Core Ultra 5 and Core Ultra 7 models. Instead, Intel chose to focus on delivering value with its Core Ultra 7 270K Plus SKU, which features 8 P-Cores and 16 E-Cores with a maximum turbo boost of 5.5 GHz. For individual boosting frequency, P-Cores reach up to 5.4 GHz, with a base speed of 3.7 GHz. E-Cores have a maximum boost frequency of 4.7 GHz and a base speed of 3.2 GHz. The main reason for canceling the flagship SKU is product overlap, as the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus would have the same core configuration as the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus, just with slightly higher clock speeds. Consequently, Intel decided not to launch this SKU. It has now been confirmed by Intel Germany for PC Games Hardware that Intel will definitely not introduce this SKU at any point in the future.
Florian Maislinger, Tech Communication Manager, Intel GermanyIntel is excited to deliver exceptional value with our Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus are positioned to deliver outstanding gaming performance and incredible value compared to our competition. Our objective was to maximize performance for the desktop SKUs that are most widely available. As a result, Intel is not launching a U9 290K Plus SKU.

(PR) Corsair Launches Next-generation MM Mousepad Family, with the MM Glass Large as its Flagship

26 March 2026 at 17:30
Corsair, a leading maker of performance gaming peripherals, announced the new MM mousepad family, a complete lineup of precision gaming mouse pads engineered to take professional precision to a whole new level. Leading the family is the MM Glass Large, Corsair's first ever glass gaming mousepad, built with a surface for ultimate speed, yet still keeps players firmly in control. With a soft touch surface, noise reduction treatment, anti-snag rounded edges, and an incredibly grippy polyurethane anti-slip base, it's built to go beyond the expectations of standard mouse mats and the full MM family brings that same commitment to precision to every playstyle and setup.

(PR) Perixx Launches PERIMICE-719R/RX: A Rechargeable Ergonomic Vertical Mouse Designed for Smaller Hands

26 March 2026 at 17:30
Perixx has introduced the PERIMICE-719R/RX Series, a new wireless ergonomic vertical mouse designed specifically for women seeking a more natural hand position, reliable everyday performance, and flexible charging options. With a focus on comfort and usability, this series also provides an excellent fit for users with smaller hand sizes.

At the core of the PERIMICE-719 Series is its ergonomic vertical design, which keeps the wrist in a neutral, upright "handshake" position. This helps reduce strain and discomfort compared to a traditional mouse, making it a practical solution for long hours of work, whether in office environments or home setups.

(PR) Espressif Unveils ESP32-S31 Dual-Core RISC-V SoC with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 Capabilities

26 March 2026 at 17:19
Espressif Systems (688018.SH) proudly announces the upcoming release of ESP32-S31, a high-performance dual-core Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.4 + IEEE 802.15.4 + Ethernet System-on-Chip (SoC). Building on Espressif's proven track record, this versatile SoC addresses the growing demand for advanced IoT applications including consumer and industrial appliances, smart speakers, voice-controlled devices, and automation systems requiring comprehensive wireless connectivity, edge AI capabilities, rich HMI, and robust security features.

ESP32-S31 delivers comprehensive wireless connectivity by combining Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) in 2.4 GHz band, Bluetooth 5.4 with both Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) and Classic (BR/EDR) support, plus an IEEE 802.15.4 radio enabling Thread and Zigbee protocols for diverse IoT applications. ESP32-S31 will provide a seamless support for Matter protocol over Wi-Fi as well as Thread radio.

Claude Extension Flaw Enabled Zero-Click XSS Prompt Injection via Any Website

Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed a vulnerability in Anthropic's Claude Google Chrome Extension that could have been exploited to trigger malicious prompts simply by visiting a web page. The flaw "allowed any website to silently inject prompts into that assistant as if the user wrote them," Koi Security researcher Oren Yomtov said in a report shared with The Hacker News. "No clicks, no

Masters of Imitation: How Hackers and Art Forgers Perfect the Art of Deception

Unmasking impostors is something the art world has faced for decades, and there are valuable lessons from the works of Elmyr de Hory that can apply to the world of defensive cybersecurity. During the 1960s, de Hory gained infamy as a premier forger, passing off counterfeit masterworks of Picasso, Matisse, and Renoir to unsuspecting collectors and renowned museums. Over the next several decades,

ThreatsDay Bulletin: PQC Push, AI Vuln Hunting, Pirated Traps, Phishing Kits & 20 More Stories

Some weeks in security feel loud. This one feels sneaky. Less big dramatic fireworks, more of that slow creeping sense that too many people are getting way too comfortable abusing things they probably shouldn’t even be touching. There’s a little bit of everything in this one, too. Weird delivery tricks, old problems coming back in slightly worse forms, shady infrastructure doing

GitHub Copilot will use your data for AI training by default, but you can opt out

26 March 2026 at 17:14

GitHub describes this training data as inputs, outputs, code snippets, and associated context, but the fine print goes into more detail. According to the company, it can also include code surrounding the cursor, comments and documentation, file names, repository structure, navigation patterns, chats with Copilot features, and even thumbs-up or...

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ASUS ROG brings next-level gaming to DreamHack 2026 with AMD

ASUS is going large at DreamHack 2026 with its AMD-powered hardware ASUS ROG will be at DreamHack 2026 this weekend in Birmingham (March 27th-29th), where the company will host a massive β€œFree-to-Play Gaming Zone” with ASUS AMD/Radeon-powered systems and ROG OLED monitors. At DreamHack, ASUS will showcase its latest hardware. This includes ASUS’ first public […]

The post ASUS ROG brings next-level gaming to DreamHack 2026 with AMD appeared first on OC3D.

How GSC’s branded query filter changes SEO reporting and analysis

26 March 2026 at 17:00
How GSC’s branded query filter changes SEO reporting and performance analysis

In November 2025, Google solved a persistent SEO reporting challenge: separating branded from non-branded search performance directly in Google Search Console (GSC). The feature is now fully rolled out to eligible properties.

For years, we’ve relied on regular expression (regex) filters, custom dashboards like Looker Studio, or third-party tools β€” approaches that were often inconsistent and difficult to maintain. Now, GSC’s branded query filter brings that capability natively into one of the most widely used organic reporting platforms.

With this shift, a key gap in SEO reporting becomes easier to address β€” along with some of the assumptions behind it. Brand demand and discovery can now be evaluated independently, improving performance interpretation and enabling clearer, more defensible reporting grounded in first-party data.

How GSC’s branded query filter works

At its core, the feature does exactly what it promises. It automatically filters queries into:

  • Branded queries (queries containing recognized brand terms).
  • Non-branded queries (all remaining discovery queries).

The filter appears directly in:

  • Performance > Search results > + Add filter > Query.
  • Query groups.
  • API-accessible data exports.

Together, these features enable:

  • Grouping queries by topic or intent.
  • Filtering those groups by branded versus non-branded.
  • Building layered reports without external processing.

Dig deeper: Google expands Search Console branded queries filter to all eligible sites

Why branded vs. non-branded reporting has been inconsistent

Separating branded from non-branded search performance isn’t new. What’s changed is how practical it is to do consistently.

Historically, we’ve built this segmentation manually using:

  • Regex rules in GSC performance reports.
  • Keyword tagging in third-party rank-tracking tools.
  • Custom dashboards pulling from GA4 or BigQuery.
  • Query classification via exports.

These approaches worked, but they were fragile and difficult to maintain at scale. Common challenges included:

  • Character limits on regexes.
  • International sites with language variants.
  • Misspellings that would slip through.
  • No shared standard for what counts as a branded term.

Without a consistent framework, segmentation varied by team, tool, and implementation β€” making it difficult to rely on as a repeatable reporting practice. When data is difficult to access, it doesn’t shape everyday decisions.

GSC’s branded query filter doesn’t make third-party tools obsolete. They remain valuable for competitor brand analysis. GSC becomes the authoritative source for first-party branded performance, while cross-tool comparison shifts from a workaround to a validation step.

The center of gravity shifts back to GSC β€” right where we want it.

Why SEO performance looks different when you split the data

Branded traffic is both a signal of brand awareness and a high-converting traffic source. It also skews performance when blended with non-branded data.

Without segmentation, reporting often leads to misleading narratives:

  • β€œOur organic CTR is improving” (driven mostly by branded growth).
  • β€œI’m seeing rankings as stable” (while non-branded discovery is declining or vice versa).
  • β€œTraffic was flat year-over-year” (masking rising/declining brand demand).

These patterns make it difficult to understand what’s actually driving performance.

Separating branded and non-branded data allows you to distinguish between brand demand and discovery and evaluate each on its own terms. It also makes it easier to answer key questions:

  • Are we growing brand demand or non-branded reach?
  • Is our content strategy increasing non-branded visibility?
  • If nothing else, is the current strategy working as it should be?

Dig deeper: SEO analytics: How to interpret SEO data and anomalies

How branded vs. non-branded data reveals what’s really happening

Measuring brand health

Branded search trends are among the clearest signals of brand awareness and trust. Monitoring organic performance for branded terms can surface gaps and opportunities across other channels.

GSC - Measuring brand health

For example, using a regex filter to isolate branded performance, this ecommerce property shows clear year-over-year declines over the last three months. That raises important questions:

  • Has search demand for the primary branded term increased or decreased?
  • Was paid search spend for branded terms adjusted?
  • Are there social, video, or PR opportunities that aren’t being fully leveraged?
12% year-over-year decline in branded search demand

In this case, further analysis using tools like Keyword Planner (via Google Ads), Google Trends, and third-party keyword platforms showed a 12% year-over-year decline in branded search demand. That contributed to a 32% decrease in branded clicks.

There are additional factors worth exploring β€” including paid spend and brand sentiment β€” but isolating branded performance helps pinpoint where to investigate next.

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.


Interpreting performance correctly

Non-branded queries typically drive the majority of organic traffic, while branded queries make up a smaller share but convert at significantly higher rates. These differences reflect user intent.

Searches that include a brand name are usually navigational or transactional, while non-branded queries signal discovery.

As a result, impressions, clicks, CTR, and conversions behave differently across branded and non-branded segments.

Searches that include a brand name often indicate intent to visit that brand’s website (see the ecommerce property CTR comparison chart below). Because of this, branded queries are considered bottom-of-funnel and more likely to convert.

Ecommerce branded CTR vs non-branded CTR

Efficiency, strategy, and measuring discovery

Non-branded performance remains the clearest proxy for:

  • Topical authority.
  • Content effectiveness.
  • Organic discovery and reach.

Tracking non-branded visibility separately allows teams to answer:

  • Are we reaching new users?
  • Is our content strategy expanding keyword footprints?
  • Did recent core algorithm updates, which typically create keyword volatility, impact non-branded traffic?
Ecommerce - non-branded impressions dropped

In the ecommerce example above, non-branded impressions dropped sharply around Sept. 12, 2025 β€” a period when performance should have been trending upward heading into back-to-school, Halloween, and the holiday season.

In this case, the decline was not tied to SEO strategy. Instead, non-branded impressions dipped following Google’s retirement of the &num=100 parameter in Search Console reporting in mid-September 2025.

Because branded queries typically rank higher, they were less affected by this change, making the issue harder to detect in blended data.

Dig deeper: Is SEO a brand channel or a performance channel? Now it’s both

More than a feature: A shift in SEO measurement

Most SEO teams already separate branded and non-branded performance, but consistency has been the challenge.

With native segmentation now built into GSC, achieving that consistency becomes far easier. What once required workarounds can now be done directly within the primary reporting interface.

It’s easy to view the branded query filter as just another GSC feature. In reality, it represents something larger:

  • Standardized brand classification.
  • Native segmentation inside first-party data.
  • More consistent and reliable SEO reporting.
  • Stronger ties between SEO and broader marketing performance.

This shift changes how SEO work gets done. Teams gain clearer visibility into brand demand trends and discovery performance, and can spend less time reconciling discrepancies across tools and more time interpreting results.

As adoption grows, branded versus non-branded reporting will likely become the default rather than an advanced, custom setup. Reporting becomes more consistent, and performance narratives are easier to support with shared data.

If you’re focused on driving impact, the opportunity is to move beyond reconciling data and toward more confident, consistent interpretation and communication.

LinkedIn Ads on a budget: How one playbook drove sub-$10 CPL

26 March 2026 at 16:00
LinkedIn Ads on a budget- How one playbook drove sub-$10 CPL

LinkedIn Ads consistently delivers some of the highest-quality B2B leads in paid media. But it also has a reputation for being very expensive β€” for both cost-per-click (CPC) and cost-per-lead (CPL) metrics.

Because of that reputation, I wanted to test a theory: that I could get low CPCs and low-cost qualified leads from LinkedIn Ads by creating a highly valuable, audience-specific piece of content.

As an agency, we usually run LinkedIn Ads campaigns for our clients. We don’t really run many paid ads for ourselves. However, to have the most control over this test, I decided that Saltbox Solutions would be the guinea pig. (Disclosure: I’m the director of strategy at Saltbox Solutions, a B2B-focused PPC and SEO agency.)

The results were impressive.

We spent less than $1,000 and generated a significant volume of leads at a sub-$10 CPL. For advertisers on a shoestring budget, LinkedIn Ads may not be out of reach as previously thought. It just requires a solid strategy.

Here’s what I did, why it worked, and how you can apply the same framework to your own campaigns β€” regardless of your advertising budget.

The campaign setup

The goal of this campaign was to get our target audience to download our 2026 B2B Demand Gen Playbook β€” a hefty, 23-page guide created specifically for B2B marketing decision-makers. The timing was key because many marketing leaders were already planning for 2026 in Q4 2025.

For this LinkedIn Ads campaign, I used a document ad format + a lead generation objective. The document ad lets the audience flip through and preview the content before downloading, with four pages available to preview before requiring a download to access more.

I also used a lead gen form for contact capture, since it’s fairly frictionless β€” the form lives within the LinkedIn platform and autofills most of the contact information from a user’s profile. There was just one campaign for this test, with three ad copy variations for the document ad.

In terms of budget and bid strategy, the campaign used a $600 lifetime budget and a $15 manual bid.

Audience research before the asset existed

This is what allowed for such low CPLs. Before writing a single word, I did deep audience research to figure out what they really cared about and what would be useful to them.

I knew exactly who I wanted to talk to (and who would be a good fit for the agency): B2B marketing decision-makers at larger companies with a dedicated marketing team. They worked mostly in a demand generation capacity and needed help prioritizing the channels that would make sense for their 2026 goals.

From there, the research focused on understanding what they would actually need in that planning process. It involved:

  • Mining client meeting notes and calls for recurring questions, common pain points, and frequent requests that kept coming up during planning season.
  • Using SparkToro to plug in my ideal customer profile (ICP) details and explore the questions, topics, and channels the audience was already engaging with.
  • Scanning LinkedIn, where I’m active and where a majority of my network is in B2B marketing, for real-time insight into what people were worried about.
  • Reviewing Reddit threads and B2B marketing communities I’m part of, which were super helpful for getting at the questions marketing leaders had.

The main question throughout this process was, β€œIf I were in my audience’s shoes, what resource would actually be helpful right now?”

One big advantage I had: My audience is me. I’m a B2B marketer talking to other B2B marketers. Being plugged into the same communities and conversations made it much easier to put a personal spin on the content and write like a human.

Dig deeper: 5 LinkedIn Ads mistakes that could be hurting your campaigns

Creating the playbook

Once I had a clear picture of what my audience needed, the focus shifted to going deep. The goal was to create a genuinely useful resource, not a thinly veiled sales pitch disguised as a playbook.

That took time to get right. But that depth is likely what drove the 76% lead form completion rate. When people could preview the document in their feed and see that it was substantive, they trusted it was worth downloading.

A few other notes on creating the playbook:

  • Timeliness: It was created to address a very timely and important marketing activity – annual planning. Because of that, 2026 became the focal point of the cover, and the content was framed around the moment the audience was already in.
  • Contextual CTAs: Calls to action to get a free audit were sprinkled into sections that dealt with PPC and SEO/GEO, which are the services we actually provide. The CTAs felt earned rather than forced because they were relevant to the surrounding content.
  • Cover design: A lot of effort went into how the guide looked. Knowing it would be promoted as an ad, the goal was to make it pop in the LinkedIn feed and grab the audience’s attention.

The targeting strategy

For audience targeting, I used a few different layers:

Saltbox - LI Ads Targeting

I also excluded a few attributes deliberately after viewing the audience insights:Β 

Saltbox - LI Ads Exclusions

The resulting audience was about 54,000 people. It could’ve been smaller and still delivered great results.

Job title targeting would also be worth testing. The leads were qualified as-is, but it would be interesting to see what the results would look like with more specific role targeting.

Dig deeper: LinkedIn Ads retargeting: How to reach prospects at every funnel stage

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Ad copy strategy: Don’t be boring

Three ad variations were used to test different copy angles. All three used the same document ad format and lead gen form. The only variable was the copy.

Here are the variations.Β 

Version 1:

Saltbox Lead Gen V1

Version 2:

Saltbox Lead Gen V2

Version 3:

Saltbox Lead Gen V3

A few principles guided the ad copy process:

  • Each variation led with a strong hook. The first sentence had to grab attention and make people want to keep reading.
  • The copy ran longer than you typically see in ads to give a clearer sense of the guide’s tone and value before the click.
  • Common fears and questions the audience already had were addressed, such as translating high-level strategy into execution and staying visible in AI search results.
  • The tone leaned into a β€œwe’ve got you” approach rather than being overhyped or promotional. B2B buyers are skeptical and respond to guidance and valuable information, not pressure.
  • The copy also had some personality, with a slightly cheeky edge while staying professional. For example, it called out common situations, such as having a beautiful strategy deck but never executing the plan.

Campaign and ad results

Recapping the campaign’s overall performance from Jan. 5 to Jan. 31:

Lead Gen Campaign Performance

One interesting note is that while the CPC bid was set at $15, the average CPC actually came in way under that at $5.41.

The average CTR was also above LinkedIn’s typical benchmark of 0.50%, and the lead form completion rate was over 75%.

LinkedIn lead gen campaigns have delivered strong results across many client engagements. But even by those standards, this performance was pretty good.

And for the specific ads, V2 was the winner by far:

Lead Gen Ad Performance

The LinkedIn Ads algorithm zeroed in on that one and gave it pretty much all the airtime. It makes sense β€” that had the most eye-catching hook, β€œSteal our best demand gen ideas.”

Dig deeper: LinkedIn Ads or Google Ads? A framework for smarter B2B decisions

Pausing the campaign: What happened next

The campaign was intentionally stopped at 60 leads. We’re a small, boutique agency, and the goal was to be thoughtful about nurturing the leads generated rather than flooding the funnel with volume that couldn’t be followed up on well.

Of the 60 leads, roughly 56 were qualified β€” a remarkable outcome for a prospecting campaign.

Our approach to working these leads has been organic LinkedIn engagement rather than a hard sell. No cold pitch sequences. Just showing up in their world as a familiar, credible presence.

As the person who wrote the playbook, I’m also personally reaching out to downloaders to ask for feedback on what they found useful and what they were hoping to see that wasn’t there. That insight will directly shape the next version of the guide and any future content assets created.

The campaign is still in the nurture phase. The primary goal of this test was to validate the model, not generate an immediate pipeline. On that measure, it exceeded expectations.

What made this work and what could be done differentlyΒ 

Looking back at the campaign as a whole, a few things stand out as the real drivers of performance:

  • Audience research came first. The target audience was clearly defined before anything was created. The content, the targeting, and the copy all flowed from that. As a result, it was very specific.
  • The content was timely. Releasing a 2026 planning guide early in the year, when everyone was back from the holidays, really worked in this campaign’s favor.
  • Depth built trust before the form appeared. The preview paired with substantive ad copy had a positive impact on lead form completion rate.
  • The copy sounded like a person, not a brand.

What could be done differently next time:

  • Despite the high conversion rates, adding a bit more friction to the form completion process may help. The fact that it was so easy to fill out the form means that the audience may not remember actually downloading it.
  • Following up with the leads faster after downloading would be a priority. The same approach of asking for feedback would still apply, rather than a sales pitch.
  • Running it longer and getting more leads would provide a larger data set to learn from.
  • Testing more ad copy variations against the winner.

How to do this yourself

Whether you’re running lead gen for a client or testing it on your own business, here are some tips to make it work:

  • Do your audience research before you create the asset: Reddit, SparkToro, community forums, and your own client conversations are all underutilized sources of real audience pain points, and you get pointers on the language they use.
  • Build something genuinely useful: If it’s a thinly veiled promotion, you’re wasting your audience’s time.
  • Match your content topic to a timely moment your audience is already in: What season, event, or planning cycle are they navigating right now?
  • Give your ad copy some personality: Test a hook that stands out, or at least is something that sounds like it was written by a real person.
  • Start small intentionally: Validate CPL and lead quality before scaling. A $500 test can tell you a lot.
  • Let the winner run: Early creative testing gives you the signal you need to spend efficiently at scale.
  • Align your content and your targeting precisely: If you wrote the guide for marketing decision-makers, make sure the campaign isn’t picking up sales roles.

From test to repeatable model

We plan to relaunch this campaign once we’ve gathered enough feedback from the first wave of downloaders. The playbook itself is a living document. It will be updated as the industry shifts, particularly with the wave of ads in AI Overviews and responses.

This was one content asset and one campaign. More are in the works, and this test gave a lot of confidence in the approach.

The platform isn’t the problem. The strategy and offering might be what is driving up the cost.

If you’re willing to put the work into research, producing a quality asset, and getting the messaging right, LinkedIn Ads can be one of the most efficient B2B lead generation channels available.

[Webinar] Stop Guessing. Learn to Validate Your Defenses Against Real Attacks

Most teams have security tools in place. Alerts are firing, dashboards look clean, threat intel is flowing in. On the surface, everything feels under control. But one question usually stays unanswered: Would your defenses actually stop a real attack? That’s where things get shaky. A control exists, so it’s assumed to work. A detection rule is active, so it’s expected to catch something. But very

Coruna iOS Kit Reuses 2023 Triangulation Exploit Code in Recent Mass Attacks

The kernel exploit for two security vulnerabilities used in the recently uncovered Apple iOS exploit kit known as Coruna is an updated version of the same exploit that was used in the Operation Triangulation campaign back in 2023, according to new findings from Kaspersky. "When Coruna was first reported, the public evidence wasn't sufficient to link its code to Triangulation β€” shared

Elon Musk wants judge recused for liking LinkedIn post mocking $2 billion verdict

26 March 2026 at 16:03

Musk and Tesla filed the recusal motion this week in Delaware's Court of Chancery, arguing that Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick "supported" a LinkedIn post criticizing Musk and Quinn Emanuel, the law firm representing him. The filing says that this wasn't the default thumbs-up reaction but LinkedIn's heart-in-hand "Support" emoji, which the...

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Intel’s Binary Optimization Tool tested and explained β€” how the iBOT translation delivers up to 18% faster gaming performance, 8% on average

26 March 2026 at 16:46
Intel’s new Core Ultra 200S Plus CPUs come with a unique feature: Binary Optimization Tool. We’ve put it to the test in 10 games with the 250K Plus and 270K Plus, and came out with an 8% uplift on average.

Corsair's discounted 32GB Vengeance is the cheapest DDR5 on the market by a big margin β€” $300 sale price is $60 less than next best option

26 March 2026 at 16:23
You can grab 32GB of DDR5-6200 Corsair Vengeance RAM for $300.99 right now. That's a $130 discount on its (current) list price, a serious saving in a market that the AI boom has left in ruin.

The mega Argos Big Red sale is back again β€” get up to 50% off top-rated tech for your spring refresh

The Argos Big Red Sale has returned, with discounts of up to 50% available across tech, appliances, toys, furniture, and homewares β€” I've found the 13 best deals for you right here.

Chillio – Unified IPTV streaming with fast playback and AI search


Chillio is a smart IPTV player that unifies content from your accounts and delivers smooth, high-quality streaming on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and now Android TV (Beta). Browse smart sections, recommendations, cast favorites, and ratings to quickly find what to watch, and use the full guide to see what's on and plan ahead. Save favorites, watch offline, and tailor filters, folders, and settings to your taste. Search with AI, keep profiles personal, and share content with others, all free and built for speed and polish.

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Nintendo raises the cost of its first-party physical games, and we can probably blame AI

Physical games are expensive, especially on Switch 2 Nintendo has announced that starting with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, all future Switch 2 first-party games will have different prices for their physical and digital editions. Moving forward, the game’s physical edition will be more expensive. Nintendo states that this is due to the cost of […]

The post Nintendo raises the cost of its first-party physical games, and we can probably blame AI appeared first on OC3D.

Why CPC keeps rising – and what to do by Bluepear

26 March 2026 at 15:00

WordStream by LocaliQ’s 2025 benchmarks show nearly 87% of industries saw year-over-year CPC increases. The cross-industry Google Ads average reached $5.26 per click. High-intent verticals are higher: legal services average $8.58, and the most competitive B2B categories approach or exceed $8 to $9 per click.

These increases reflect structural shifts in how search results pages are designed, how auctions are optimized, and how inefficiencies compound across paid search accounts. Many remain invisible until a structured PPC audit uncovers them. Protecting the budget you already have β€” starting with your branded terms β€” is where recovery begins.

Here are the five trends every advertiser needs to understand right now.

What’s driving your CPC

More advertisers are chasing the same finite inventory

Search advertising is, at its core, an auction. When more advertisers compete for the same keywords, prices rise. Global PPC spend continues to surge (Quantumrun Research), while available click slots on results pages haven’t grown at the same rate. More money chasing the same inventory yields higher prices.

The pandemic permanently accelerated this shiftβ€”brands that hadn’t invested seriously in paid search entered Google’s auction and didn’t leave.

Google’s AI Overviews are squeezing in

One of the most consequential structural changes in paid search over the past decade is the SERP itself. Google’s AI Overviews now occupy prominent space for informational and exploratory queries. As they expand through 2024 and 2025, they reduce the number of organic and paid listings visible above the fold.

A late-2025 Seer Interactive analysis of 3,119 search terms across 42 organizations found paid CTR on queries with AI Overviews dropped 68%β€”from 19.7% to 6.34%.

The mechanism is straightforward: as AI Overviews take more real estate (Skai), fewer paid placements appear above the fold. Impression share tightens. Automated bidding competes more aggressively for what remains, and prices rise.

The nuance: users who click past an AI Overview tend to be further along in the buying journey. WordStream’s data shows roughly 65% of industries saw higher conversion rates despite rising CPCs. The implication is clear: shift budget toward high-intent transactional queries where AI Overviews are less likely, and away from informational queries where they dominate.

Smart bidding is making the whole auction more expensive

Modern Google Ads campaigns increasingly rely on automated bidding strategies, such as maximizing conversions or target CPA. Per Google’s Smart Bidding documentation, the system sets a precise bid for each auction based on predicted conversion likelihood β€” prioritizing performance over cost control.

When nearly every competitor uses the same logic, it creates a self-reinforcing loop of rising bid pressure. This is a market-wide dynamic you can’t reverse β€” only adapt to.

Unauthorized brand bidding is inflating your costs from the inside

While you can’t control platform algorithms or the macroeconomy, one major driver of CPC inflation is within your control.

When affiliates, partners, or competitors bid on your trademarked keywords, they enter an auction that should be nearly uncontested. Each additional bidder drives your branded CPC up, and you pay twice: once to create the demand, and again when a third party captures that same searcher at the bottom of the funnel.

The effects compound. AI Overviews have already compressed available click inventory; unauthorized brand bidding then inflates the cost of the inventory you win.

Detecting violations requires more than manual SERP checks. Unauthorized bidders often use cloakingβ€”geotargeting away from your headquarters or dayparting outside business hoursβ€”to evade detection. With a self-service platform like Bluepear, you can run automated 24/7 monitoring across search engines, geographies, and devicesβ€”capturing ad copy and landing page evidence to dispute invalid affiliate commissions and enforce trademark guidelines at scale. Fewer bidders on your branded terms mean less auction pressure and lower CPCs on traffic you already own. It’s one of the few paid search levers that doesn’t require a broader strategy overhaul to move.

What to do about it: three priorities for advertisers

The data points to three clear priorities as you navigate this environment:

  • Protect your branded baseline. Branded keywords reflect demand you already created. Systematically monitor who else is in that auction and remove unauthorized bidders with automated brand protection tools β€” one of the highest-leverage actions available right now.
  • Anchor optimization to cost per acquisition. WordStream’s 2025 benchmarks show a higher CPC can deliver a higher-quality, further-down-funnel user and a lower CPA. The headline CPC number is increasingly a poor proxy for campaign health.
  • Build first-party data infrastructure. You’re best insulated from continued CPC inflation when your bidding algorithms use high-quality, proprietary conversion signals β€” reducing reliance on the platform’s broad audience approximations.

Average CPCs are at their highest levels in years, and that trend is unlikely to reverse. Advertisers who manage costs most effectively have adapted their strategies accordingly.

Not sure how many unauthorized bidders are in your branded auction right now? Register with promo code BRANDAUDIT: Bluepear team will deliver a customized audit of your branded search landscape within 48 hours!

For the latest insights on branded search and paid search protection, follow Bluepear on LinkedIn.Β 

(PR) Samsung Announces the Samsung Browser for Windows

26 March 2026 at 14:34
Samsung Electronics today announced the official launch of Samsung Browser for Windows, extending its popular mobile browser experience to PC with seamless cross-device continuity and new agentic AI capabilities designed to make the browsing experience easier and more intuitive.

Browse Seamlessly From Mobile to PC
Samsung Browser for Windows bridges the gap between devices, allowing users to seamlessly continue browsing as they move between mobile and PC. Beyond simple synchronization of bookmarks and browsing history, users can pick up exactly where they left off. For instance, users can continue exploring the same webpage when moving between mobile and PC, creating a more seamless cross-device experience. With Samsung Pass integration, users can securely store personal information and sign in to websites or autofill profiles with ease.

(PR) Durabook Launches the Z14I-HG Fully Rugged Mobile AI Workstation

26 March 2026 at 14:23
Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, today announced the launch of its new Z14I-HG fully rugged mobile workstation. Powered by Intel Core Ultra processors with integrated AI Boost NPU and NVIDIA RTX Ada Generation GPUs, the Z14I-HG delivers up to 682 TOPS of AI performance and workstation-class graphics acceleration directly at the edge. This enables demanding workloads such as real-time 3D rendering, AI inference, computer vision, digital twin simulation, and advanced data analytics to be performed on-site without reliance on cloud infrastructure.

The Z14I-HG is built to operate in environments where conventional laptops cannot function reliably. Combining rugged durability with workstation-level graphics and AI computing, the Z14I-HG is designed for defence operations, industrial automation, field engineering, AI-powered inspection, geospatial analysis, and mobile command applications.

PixelHush – Auto-blur secrets in your editor and browser while recording


PixelHush helps developers share code safely by automatically hiding tokens, API keys, and passwords whenever screen recording starts. Install the extension in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or Antigravity and it detects recorders like OBS, Loom, Zoom, and more with zero setup.

Use the Chrome extension to blur secrets on dashboards and repos across the web. PixelHush runs silently, keeps tutorials and demos clean, and offers Free and Pro plans with broader recorder detection and priority support.

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Vidlink – Add clickable cards to any video so viewers click what you mention


Vidlink adds interactive cards to any video so viewers can click products, resources, and sites at the exact moment you mention them. Paste a YouTube link or upload a file, set links with timecodes, then share a single link where cards appear inside the player and open instantly.

Creators use it for recipes, reviews, outfits, music, and courses, and brands make shoppable ads. It’s free to start and doesn’t require an account to create your first video.

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Nvidia issues stutter fixes with its new GeForce Hotfix 596.02 driver

Nvidia addresses Arknight: Endfield stuttering with their newest GeForce Hotfix Nvidia has issued a new GeForce Hotfix driver, addressing stuttering issues within the company’s recently released GeForce 595.97 driver. This is the second GeForce Hotfix driver released this month, with the first Hotfix addressing overclocking bugs, issued in Resident Evil Requiem, and game crashes. Nvidia’s […]

The post Nvidia issues stutter fixes with its new GeForce Hotfix 596.02 driver appeared first on OC3D.

(PR) Cincoze Launches DX-1300 High-Performance Compact Industrial Computer

26 March 2026 at 13:43
Cincoze has announced the latest addition to its Rugged Computing - DIAMOND product line: the DX-1300 high-performance compact industrial computer. The DX series, already used for numerous large-scale projects, has garnered a strong reputation for its high performance, compact design, and comprehensive functionality. The newly released DX-1300 builds on this legacy, featuring the latest Intel Core Ultra 200S processor, a compact footprint of 242 Γ— 173 Γ— 75 mm, rich I/O, and versatile expansion options to meet a wide range of application needs. The DX-1300 serves as the ideal edge computing platform for high-end image processing, AI inference, and multitasking data integration applications in space-constrained environments.

The DX-1300 is powered by the Intel Arrow Lake-S platform Core Ultra 200S processor, featuring an integrated CPU, GPU, and NPU hybrid computing architecture that delivers up to 36 TOPS of AI computing power. Compared to the previous generation, AI inference performance has increased by up to 3.5 times, supporting demanding edge AI applications such as real-time video analysis, smart inspection, and data analytics. Furthermore, it supports up to 96 GB of 6400 MT/s DDR5 CSODIMM memory, significantly enhancing data transfer efficiency and reducing latency. This bolstered performance still fits in a chassis measuring only 242 x 173 x 75 mmβ€”a footprint comparable to an 11-inch iPadβ€”making it perfect for integration into equipment control cabinets, production line machinery, and in-vehicle systems where space is at a premium.

(PR) Sharkoon Announces S40, S50 ARGB, and S60 ARGB CPU Coolers

26 March 2026 at 13:40
With the S60 ARGB, S50 ARGB and S40, Sharkoon expands its portfolio of all-in-one liquid coolers with three powerful solutions for different systems. From the 360 mm variant for maximum performance to the compact 240 mm version, the models offer efficient cooling, modern features and easy integration into current PC builds. The 360 mm radiator of the S60 ARGB ensures maximum cooling performance, even for demanding gaming systems and workstations. Three pre-installed 120 mm ARGB PWM fans provide strong airflow with adjustable noise levels. The square pump head with mirror effect and ARGB lighting adds a modern visual touch.

With its 240 mm radiator, the S50 ARGB is ideal for more compact systems requiring strong cooling performance. Two pre-installed 120 mm ARGB PWM fans deliver efficient airflow with precise control. The large pump head with mirror effect and ARGB lighting ensures a modern appearance. The 360 mm radiator of the S40 ensures reliable cooling performance even under high load and is aimed at users seeking maximum performance in a deliberately functional, streamlined design. Three pre-installed 120 mm PWM fans provide strong airflow with adjustable noise levels. The large square pump head emphasizes its clean, minimalist design.

(PR) Global Shipments of OLED Monitors Surge 92% in 2025; ASUS Secures Market Leadership

26 March 2026 at 13:27
TrendForce's latest findings show that global OLED monitor shipments hit 2.735 million units in 2025, a 92% YoY increase. This impressive growth was mainly fueled by aggressive promotional efforts by brands in the fourth quarter. Furthermore, 27-inch 240 Hz QHD models gained considerable popularity due to their excellent price-to-performance ratio, significantly increasing shipments. The launch of new 280 Hz models further energized the market.

Looking ahead to 2026, total shipments are expected to grow by 51% YoY as brands continue to roll out new products and marketing strategies gain further traction.

(PR) Gigabyte Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X Now Available Featuring CQDIMM

26 March 2026 at 12:15
Gigabyte, the world's leading computer brand, announces the availability of its Z890 Plus series motherboards that support the new Intel Core Ultra 200S Plus series processors. Led by the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X, the Z890 Plus series brings next-generation memory capability with CQDIMM support, one-click performance boosting through Ultra Turbo Mode, and an upgraded feature set inspired by previous flagship designs.

Highlighting the CQDIMM and GIGABYTE's exclusive D5 DUO X Technology, the Z890 AORUS ELITE DUO X and Z890M FORCE DUO X WIFI7 models are engineered to achieve uncompromising performance without tradeoffs between memory capacity and speed, enabling full 256 GB capacity with two 128 GB CQDIMM modules. To ensure stable high-frequency operation, D5 DUO X Technology integrates an optimized motherboard circuit design that reduces memory channel loading and enhances signal integrity, alongside advanced BIOS tuning that intelligently manages timing, signal synchronization, and voltage management.

AltBot – Discord chat translation in under a second, flat-rate, no external AI APIs


AltBot translates Discord messages across language-specific channels in real time. Type in English and it appears in Korean, Japanese, and 12 other languages in under a second. Replies, threads, reactions, and files sync too. One server subscription covers everyone, with no per-user or per-message fees. The free plan includes the same translation quality and sync, while paid plans add more languages, topics, and priority processing. Unlike bots built on Google Translate or DeepL, AltBot runs its own AI model on dedicated hardware, and messages never leave our servers. Currently in public beta with Free, Basic ($19,99/mo), and Premium ($54,99/mo) plans. Start free, no card required.

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WebRTC Skimmer Bypasses CSP to Steal Payment Data from E-Commerce Sites

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new payment skimmer that uses WebRTC data channels as a means to receive payloads and exfiltrate data, effectively bypassing security controls. "Instead of the usual HTTP requests or image beacons, this malware uses WebRTC data channels to load its payload and exfiltrate stolen payment data," Sansec said in a report published this week. The attack,

Intel's impressive Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is now available in limited quantities β€” Don't miss an "incredible deal for content creators who moonlight as gamers"

Intel's eagerly anticipated Core Ultra 250KF Plus desktop CPU, the most affordable of the bunch, is now available to buy in limited quantities. It's a perfect option for value-conscious gamers and creators, and I don't expect stock to last long.

(PR) ASRock Unveils Intel Arc Pro B70 Graphics Cards

26 March 2026 at 12:08
ASRock Inc., a global leader in motherboards, graphics cards, mini PCs, gaming monitors, and power supplies, today officially launched the all-new Intel Arc Pro B70 graphics, further expanding its professional graphics card lineup. The company introduced the workstation-focused Intel Arc Pro B70 Creator 32 GB and Intel Arc Pro B70 Passive 32 GB.

The Intel Arc Pro B70 series features up to 32 GB of VRAM, specifically engineered to meet the demands of modern AI inference. Powered by latest-generation Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) AI engines, these cards deliver exceptional AI performance and support multi-GPU configurations under Linux for large language model (LLM) workloads. Also, it features Independent Software Vendor (ISV) certifications and optimized drivers with a significant performance boost across various APIs, particularly OpenGL.

(PR) Thermaltake Launches SWAFAN EX INFINITY and CT EX INFINITY ARGB Sync Fans

26 March 2026 at 12:06
Thermaltake, a leading PC DIY brand for premium hardware solutions, proudly introduces the SWAFAN EX INFINITY ARGB Sync PC Cooling Fan and CT EX INFINITY ARGB Sync PC Cooling Fan, two new additions to its ARGB fan lineup designed to elevate both system cooling and visual presentation. Featuring Thermaltake's Dual Infinity Mirror Lighting, the fans create layered reflections that add striking depth and illumination to modern PC builds.

Both models are available in Black and Snow editions and feature MagForce 2.0 Quick Connection Design for faster installation and cleaner cable management. Built with a 28 mm-thick frame and Hidden Screw Design, the fans enhance cooling performance while maintaining a smooth, uninterrupted surface that highlights the lighting. They also support 5 V motherboard RGB synchronization, compatible with ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome.

(PR) Team Group Introduces T-Create Classic H514 M.2 NVMe Gen 5 SSD

26 March 2026 at 11:27
Team Group Inc., a global leader in memory solutions, today announced the launch of the T-Create Classic H514 M.2 PCIe 5.0 SSD, designed to meet the growing demand for high-performance data storage in the generative AI era. Built on the PCIe Gen 5 x4 interface, the SSD delivers up to 14,200 MB/s read and 13,300 MB/s write. Its ultra-fast data transfer capability significantly enhances the efficiency of accessing large creative assets and supports the performance requirements of video editing, image processing, visual effects, and 3D modeling software. The H514 also enables smooth and stable workflows for local AI model inference and training, empowering professional creative output.

Featuring an advanced 6 nm controller, the T-Create Classic H514 delivers ultra-low read and write latencies of just 0.05 ms and 0.015 ms, respectively. This minimizes data response times and enables seamless coordination with the CPU and GPU, ensuring smooth system performance even when handling complex, high-resolution projects or multi-layered creative tasks. Built with advanced 3D NAND flash, the H514 offers capacities of up to 4 TB, supporting the deployment and storage needs of large AI language models ranging from 7B to 175B parameters. By enabling local data storage, the SSD provides creators with more responsive and stable creative workflows.

Valve Prepares for Steam Frame Launch with Android Upload Options in Steamworks

26 March 2026 at 11:11
Valve has long been preparing its software stack for the arrival of both the Steam Machine and the upcoming Steam Frame, and the latest update sees the gaming giant add a long list of fixes, QoL improvements, and features to SteamVR as well as changes to the developer back-end in order to prepare for the Steam Frame. As pointed out by u/FantasySynthDev on r/Steam on Reddit, Valve's developer back-end now includes the option to select Android as a supported operating systemβ€”a change that delivers on Valve's promise to increase Android support for the Frame at GDC.

The new toggle seems to be there to indicate to users that there is an Android version of the game available, but the Redditor notes that checking the box and uploading an Android build does not yet make an Android version available for download in Steam, further suggesting that this is more preparation for the Steam Frame. Steam has also added documentation for the Android APK upload and VR testing workflows in the Steamworks documentation. While the Steam Frame and Steam Machine may not launch as early as many gamers had hoped, these changes to the back-end and documentation suggest that the new hardware may not launch as long after the "first half of 2026" plans as many feared when Valve declined to announce pricing earlier this year.

Sionda – Proofread messages fast with tone and clarity feedback


Sionda is a simple AI tool that helps you figure out if your message sounds right before you send it. Instead of rewriting everything, it focuses on tone and clarity so you can keep your voice but avoid coming off awkward, too harsh, or unclear.

Whether it's a work email, text, or something sensitive, Sionda gives you quick, honest feedback so you can hit send with confidence and not second guess it afterward.

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Transmute – Self-host and convert images, video, audio, and documents privately


Transmute is an open-source, self-hosted file converter you run on your own hardware. It converts images, video, audio, documents, data, fonts, and more with a clean web UI and a REST API. Built on FastAPI and powered by FFmpeg, Pillow, and Pandoc, it delivers private, fast conversions without file size limits, watermarks, or third-party uploads. Deploy quickly with Docker and manage conversions programmatically or through drag-and-drop.

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Mynth – Generate images via one unified API across any model


Mynth provides a single, consistent API for image generation across models and providers. Send one payload and get the same response every time while it adapts parameters, handles unsupported options, and lets you swap models without glue code. It includes a fully typed TypeScript SDK, webhooks, sync/async modes, and public access tokens for frontend polling. Use Magic Prompts powered by RAG to enhance prompts, apply built-in content rating, and auto-select image sizes so you can ship production image features in minutes.

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Chrome Goldmine – Discover 9,600+ expired, profitable Chrome extensions and rebuild manuals


Chrome Goldmine is a curated database of expired Chrome extensions that helps builders quickly find profitable rebuild opportunities. It includes 9,600+ extensions with revenue estimates, monetization strategies, failure reasons like Manifest V3 issues, and competitor analysis. You get an interactive Notion database, a downloadable CSV, implementation manuals, and a market research report, all delivered as a one-time purchase with lifetime access. It's designed for indie hackers, solo SaaS founders, and agencies to spot six-figure opportunities, validate ideas, and brief developers without months of manual research.

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Say It Better – Craft tough messages that sound clear, calm, and confident


Say It Better helps you rewrite delicate messages so they land with clarity and respect. Paste what you want to say, choose how it should sound, and get a balanced version that trades apologies for confident, direct language. Use it to set boundaries, give feedback, or decline requests without friction, making tough conversations easier for both sides.

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booteek AI – AI visibility solution for independent restaurant and bar owners


The way people find places to eat and drink is changing. More are skipping Google Maps and TripAdvisor and just asking ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews, such as β€œWhere’s the best brunch spot in Porto?” or β€œFind me a cocktail bar in Manchester.” When AI answers these questions, it doesn’t look at ads but at structured data, reviews, and digital signals β€” information many independent venues don’t manage.

That’s the problem we’re solving. booteek AI is an AI visibility platform for independent restaurant and bar owners. Chains have marketing teams for this, but independents don’t. We fill that role.

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becvio – AI strategy for rental portfolios with health scores and stress tests


Becvio is a free portfolio intelligence platform for real estate investors. It scores every property from 0 to 100 based on DSCR, cap rate, cash on cash, LTV, and occupancy, giving you an instant health grade for your entire portfolio. It replaces the spreadsheets, disconnected calculators, and guesswork most investors rely on.

Becvio stress tests your properties against rising rates, vacancy spikes, and rent declines. It includes over 16 deal calculators, AI-powered strategy recommendations based on your actual data, a community deal database with real investor numbers, wealth creation tracking, and market intelligenceβ€”all in one platform built specifically for rental property investors.

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Warframe Gets Official Switch 2 Version Alongside New Warframe in Latest Update

26 March 2026 at 03:12
Digital Extremes has officially launched Warframe for the Nintendo Switch 2 with its Shadowgrapher update that also introduces the game's latest game mode and a new playable warframe, Follie. Warframe was available for the original Nintendo Switch and for the Switch 2 via the Switch 2 eShop, thanks to the handheld's forward compatibility capabilities, but this latest Switch 2 version is optimized for the new game console. According to the announcement, the Switch 2 version will be playable at 60 FPS and 1080p in both docked and handheld mode, with faster load times and Switch 2-optimized controls, including support for mouse mode using the right Joy-Con.

Warframe for Switch 2 also supports DLSS, better audio and shader quality, and volumetric lighting, meaning the game will look a lot more like it does on a reasonably powerful gaming PCβ€”there was a noticeable decrease in quality on the original Switch. It also features cross-save and cross-play with other platforms, and players who log in on the Switch 2 between March 25 and April 15 will get a free Ambimanus pack with a Vericres Warfan weapon, a warfan skin, the Slicing Feathers mod, three-day affinity and credit boosters, a Broadsword Past/Future sigil, and the Buddies in Gaming glyph.

The AI skills gap is here, says AI company, and power users are pulling ahead

26 March 2026 at 01:44
Anthropic finds AI isn’t replacing jobs yet, but early data shows growing inequality as experienced users gain an edge, raising concerns about future displacement and workforce divides.

Convicted spyware chief hints that Greece’s government was behind dozens of phone hacks

26 March 2026 at 01:19
The spyware founder's comments are the most direct suggestion yet from anyone inside Intellexa that the Mitsotakis government authorized the hacking of dozens of phones belonging to senior Greek government ministers, opposition leaders, military officials, and journalists.

Our favorite gaming PC has gotten its price taken to somewhat more affordable levels β€” once you see it's ungodly specs, you will see why its so pricy

26 March 2026 at 01:21
The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 10) is one of our favorite PC desktops for gaming, and Lenovo is giving PC players a chance to experience its RTX 5070 and Intel Core Ultra 7 265K configuration with a 10% discount.

This SSD with 4TB and 7,300 MB/s read speeds will solve my gaming PC's storage woes β€” and it's got an exquisite $550 discount you won't find on Amazon

26 March 2026 at 01:17
Newegg has procured an exclusive 44% discount for the 4TB variant of the WD_BLACK (SN850X) internal SSD with heatsink, giving PC gamers a rare opportunity to upgrade their rig's storage space without cripplling their budget.

Nintendo First-Party Digital Editions Will Be Cheaper than Physical from May 2026

26 March 2026 at 02:16
Just days after it was revealed that Nintendo would be cutting Switch 2 production by as much as a third, Nintendo USA has confirmed that it will be changing its pricing structure for Switch 2 exclusives, specifically relating to the digital editions. As of May 2026, digital versions of Switch 2 exclusive games will cost less than the physical versions, and the first game to receive the new pricing structure is Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, which retails at $59.99 for the digital version and $69.99 for the physical version.

As one might expect, Nintendo blames the increased cost of physical games on the cost of distribution, with physical media obviously requiring physical logistics channels and additional physical packaging and storage media, which increases costs. Nintendo's wording, which refers specifically to "new Nintendo published digital titles," suggests that this pricing change will not apply retroactively, at least not initially, suggesting that games like PokΓ©mon Pokopia will still cost $69.99, regardless of whether they're physical or digital versions.

PixelPanda – Generate studio-quality product photos and UGC videos in seconds


PixelPanda is an AI photoshoot platform for product photography, UGC marketing videos, and background removal. Upload a product, choose a style or model, and generate listing-ready photos and talking-head videos in seconds. The platform includes AI model generation, background removal, image upscaling, and fashion try-on, plus ad-ready layouts for Amazon, Shopify, and social channels. Over 10,000 e-commerce brands use PixelPanda to create studio-quality assets fast without costly shoots.

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SalesExchange – Match with commission-based sales reps to scale revenue


Inside Sales Manager connects companies with motivated commission-based sales reps through real, posted opportunities. Companies post opportunities, set terms, control visibility, and chat with interested reps to expand coverage without adding full-time headcount. Sales reps browse and request opportunities, message companies in-app, track status, and earn referral fees or commissions.

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trefolio – AI portfolio tracker for European investors


trefolio is a portfolio tracker built for European investors. You can import from DEGIRO, IBKR, Trading 212, or Revolut in one click. It offers real-time quotes, AI stock analysis, dividend projections, and performance metrics in 35 European languages. There is a free tier available and a Pro plan for €4.99/month.

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Google unveils TurboQuant, a new AI memory compression algorithm β€”Β and yes, the internet is calling it β€˜Pied Piper’

26 March 2026 at 00:38
Google’s TurboQuant has the internet joking about Pied Piper from HBO's "Silicon Valley." The compression algorithm promises to shrink AI’s β€œworking memory” by up to 6x, but it’s still just a lab experiment for now.

OpenAI closes Sora AI Video Generator and cancels $1bn Disney partnership

OpenAI’s AI video slop generator is dead – Will OpenAI soon follow? OpenAI has confirmed that it has discontinued its Sora AI video generation tool and has pivoted away from video generation tools entirely. Now, OpenAI appears to be focusing on other forms of AI. Presumably, this will be forms of AI that weren’t burning […]

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(PR) Maxsun Launches 32 GB Arc Pro B70 Series Graphics Cards

26 March 2026 at 00:14
MAXSUN today announced the official release of its Intel Arc Pro B70 Series graphics cards, delivering a decisive leap forward in AI computing and professional visualization. Built on a close collaboration with Intel, the new lineup follows the widely acclaimed B60 series and raises the bar with more powerful hardware specifications and a deeply optimized software ecosystem. The result? A platform engineered for AI developers, multi-GPU deployments, and high-intensity professional workloadsβ€”without breaking a sweat.

Massive Memory, Effortless Performance
Equipped with 32 GB of VRAM and 32 Xe cores, the MAXSUN Intel Arc Pro B70 series eliminates memory bottlenecks once and for all. Whether handling large-scale AI models or complex visual workloads, the cards ensure seamless data throughput and consistently stable performance. In other words, "out of memory" just became someone else's problem.

(PR) Edifier Releases M90 Compact 100 W Speakers with HDMI eARC

25 March 2026 at 23:15
Edifier, a global leader in premium audio solutions, today announced the availability of the Edifier M90. Unveiled at CES 2026, the Edifier M90 represents a defining milestone signalling the beginning of the brand's next chapter in home-entertainment audio.

Designed to elevate everyday listening, the M90 features HDMI eARC for seamless, low-latency connectivity with desktop audio, TVs, and streaming platforms, delivering a richer, more immersive experience for movies, games and streaming. With 100 W of bi-amplified power, larger 4-inch aluminium mid-low drivers for deeper bass and silk-dome tweeters for smooth, detailed highs, the M90 delivers powerful, high-fidelity sound. Enhanced connectivity and a flexible design allow it to transition easily from desktop to living-room setups, making the M90 a compact, all-purpose speaker solution.

Researchers build experimental drone that flies without moving parts

25 March 2026 at 23:23

The concept, known as a solid-state ornithopter, replaces the typical network of actuators with electricity-driven materials that deform when voltage is applied. This approach could represent a turning point for next-generation aerial vehicles, combining principles of aerodynamics, materials science, and biomechanics into a single design model.

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Before yesterdayTech

Jury finds Meta and Google negligent in landmark social media addiction trial

25 March 2026 at 21:50
Evidence presented at the trial swayed the jury to the plaintiff's side, demonstrating that Meta understood how addictive its platforms could be among teens in particular and that it was actively researching the issue and using its findings to increase engagement among young users.

(PR) Sparkle Announces Intel Arc Pro B70 and Intel Arc Pro B65 Series Graphics Cards

25 March 2026 at 22:55
SPARKLE, a leading manufacturer of professional graphics solutions and AI computing platforms, today announced the launch of the SPARKLE Intel Arc Pro B70 and SPARKLE Intel Arc Pro B65 series graphics cards. Designed to deliver powerful AI acceleration and workstation-class graphics performance, these new GPUs expand the Arc Pro B-Series lineup for modern professional computing environments.

The SPARKLE Intel Arc Pro B70 delivers up to 367 TOPS (INT8 Dense) of AI performance, enabling accelerated AI inference, engineering simulation, rendering, and advanced visualization workloads. With powerful compute capability and large memory capacity, the GPU allows professionals to handle complex datasets and AI-driven applications with greater efficiency.

(PR) CRKD Introduces the Next Evolution of Pocket-Sized ATOM+ Keychain Controller

25 March 2026 at 22:07
CRKD, the premium collectible gaming brand known for their highly popular Nitro Deck, and line of premium rhythm gaming products, announced today ATOM+, the next evolution of its collectible keychain controller, designed to deliver powerful gameplay in an ultra-compact form. Expected to begin shipping from June 2026, the ATOM+ is compatible with a wide variety of gaming platforms including Nintendo Switch 2 | 1, PC, mobile devices, tablets, and Smart TVs, bringing big features to a small package, and delivering full-fat gaming on the go.

Small enough to attach to a keychain, backpack or just about anywhere you can imagine, the ATOM+ defies convention, expanding upon the original ATOM with a host of sophisticated features including Thumbsticks for maximum gaming compatibility, and utilizing TMR (Tunnelling Magnetoresistance), technology, a next-generation magnetic sensor designed to forever eliminate Stick Drift, and provide superior precision compared to traditional mechanical Thumbsticks or Hall Effect sensors.

NVIDIA Releases GeForce 596.02 Hotfix Beta Driver to Address Game Stuttering

25 March 2026 at 21:40
NVIDIA has officially released its second hotfix driver this month, GeForce 596.02 Hotfix, addressing the stuttering issue found in the previous 595.97 WHQL, which was released just yesterday. According to the official driver changelogs, the only game experiencing stuttering was Arknights: Endfield, which was apparently severe enough for NVIDIA to issue a complete hotfix driver. No other changes have been included in this hotfix release. NVIDIA notes that the quality of hotfix drivers is usually unknown, as they go through a much shorter quality testing pipeline than WHQL drivers. These hotfix drivers are designed to provide quick iterations and changes so that gamers who installed the new game-ready or regular WHQL drivers aren't left dealing with game stutters while waiting for the next driver release. Finally, NVIDIA advises that if you aren't experiencing any issues with your current 595.97 WHQL driver, it's best to wait for the next WHQL release to ensure your system remains as stable as possible. The next WHQL release will integrate the changes from the 596.02 Hotfix driver, so you won't have to worry.

DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 596.02 Hotfix Beta.

Forza Horizon 6 Gets Lax PC System Requirementsβ€”1080p, 60 FPS on GTX 1650 and Day-1 Steam Deck Support

25 March 2026 at 21:28
With the May 19 launch of Forza Horizon 6 just around the corner, Microsoft and Playground Games have officially revealed the minimum hardware requirements for the new racing game, and, at least on the low end, Forza Horizon 6 will not ask players for a lot when it comes to hardware. The minimum spec for the game to run is an Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600 paired with 16 GB of RAM, an SSD, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, Radeon RX 6500 XT, or Intel Arc A380 GPU. This should make the game playable at 1080p, 60 FPS at low settings preset. For 1440p at 60 FPS and high settings, or the recommended hardware spec, Horizon 6 will demand an Intel Core i5-12400F or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, Radeon RX 6700 XT, or Intel Arc A580 GPU and 16 GB of memory.

The "Extreme" requirements, which target 4K native at 60 FPS, call for an Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700X with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT with 24 GB of RAM, while the "Extreme RT" option, which targets 4K upscaled with Ray Tracing enabled, bumps up the GPU requirement to an RTX 5070 Ti or an AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT as well as requiring 32 GB of RAM and an NVMe SSD. The game also supports DLSS 4, AMD FSR 3 and 4, and Intel XeSS 2.1, as well as Ray Traced Reflections and Global Illumination, and the engine aims for "high, uncapped framerates," and will support both the Valve Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally handhelds, although there is no word on whether there will be a graphics preset for the handhelds.

The legendary 3dfx Voodoo is back in FPGA form

25 March 2026 at 21:48

3dfx Voodoo graphics accelerators are likely to remain a key part of retro modding projects and gaming ventures for years to come. The Voodoo chip is now almost perfectly emulated in several DOS-based emulators, such as DOSBox-X, and PC emulators like PCem and 86Box, while hardware modders continue developing their...

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Subspace – A nutrition label for job postings


Subspace checks what you can’t see behind job postings so you avoid dead ends. Paste a direct link from a company careers page and it scores the listing for signals like whether it’s still active, salary disclosure, hiring manager, role substance, and employer quality, then returns a clear Job Health Score. Start free with limited checks, or go Pro for unlimited checks, a full seven-category breakdown, and a job board sorted by listings worth applying to.

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LeakBase Admin Arrested in Russia Over Massive Stolen Credential Marketplace

The alleged administrator of the LeakBase cybercrime forum has been arrested by Russian law enforcement authorities, state media reported Thursday. According to TASS and MVD Media, a news website linked to the Russian Interior Ministry, the suspect is a resident of the city of Taganrog. The suspect is said to have been detained for creating and managing a criminal site that allowed stolen

Apple overhauls its app developer platform with 100 new metrics, more tools

25 March 2026 at 21:26
Apple is adding 100+ new App Store Connect metrics, giving developers deeper, first-party insights into monetization, subscriptions, and user behavior as it doubles down on its app ecosystem in the AI era.

Bernie Sanders and AOC propose a ban on data center construction

25 March 2026 at 21:15
Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced companion legislation to halt construction on new data centers until Congress passes comprehensive AI regulation.

Google Analytics Launches Scenario Planner and Projections

25 March 2026 at 21:07

Google Analytics launched Scenario Planner and Projections to help advertisers forecast performance, optimize budgets, and plan cross-channel media spend more strategically.

The post Google Analytics Launches Scenario Planner and Projections appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

Is your PC ready for Forza Horizon 6? PC Requirements Released

Forza Horizon 6’s system requirements are a breath of fresh air for PC gamers Playground Games has officially released its PC system requirements for Forza Horizon 6, and it’s great news for PC gamers. On PC, the newest Forza game will be highly scalable, supporting platforms as low-end as Valve’s Steam Deck and ASUS’ entry-level […]

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(PR) NVIDIA DLSS 4 Comes to Forza Horizon 6, Screamer & Subliminal

25 March 2026 at 21:02
Each week, new games and apps integrating NVIDIA DLSS, NVIDIA Reflex, and advanced ray-traced effects are released or announced, delivering the definitive PC experience for GeForce RTX players. This week, Screamer launches with DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, followed by Subliminal on the 31st. And Playground Games has announced that Forza Horizon 6 is launching May 19th with DLSS 4 and ray tracing.

Additionally, we've unveiled NVIDIA DLSS 5, which delivers an AI-powered breakthrough in visual fidelity by infusing pixels with photorealistic lighting and materials, bridging the gap between rendering and reality.

Iqunix Plans Shine-Through Keycap Update for MQ80 and Magi-Series Low-Profile Mechanical Keyboard

25 March 2026 at 20:47
Shine-through keycaps are one of the points of contention where the enthusiast keyboard market and fans of gaming and budget keyboards clash. With the rise of enthusiast-grade pre-built mechanical keyboards, though, things have become complicated, with buyers of mid-range and more affordable enthusiast-tier mechanical keyboards often longing for shine-through keycaps on those keyboards. This was one of the common gripes about Iqunix's Magi and MQ series low-profile mechanical keyboards when they launched, despite the overall positive community sentiment surrounding those keyboards. According to a new post by the official Iqunix team on r/Iqunix on Reddit, the brand has heard the community's feedback regarding shine-through keycaps and is planning to release shine-through keycaps for its MQ80 and Magi-series low profile keyboards.

Iqunix says it has not yet confirmed production with the OEM, but has reached out to the community in an interest check, since it will be small-batch production, and the brand needs 1,000 units spoken for before entering production. The idea with Iqunix prototyping and selling the keycaps itself is that it will color-match the keycaps with the aluminium keyboard cases and ensure compatibility with the Kailh Choc V2 low-profile switches and the north-facing lighting on the MQ and Magi-series keyboards. It has not yet released images of the keycaps on the Magi-series keyboards, but the white versions of the MQ80 and the Magi keyboards are two very different colors, with the Magi taking on a sort of creamy off-white color, suggesting that there will be three colorways for the keycaps. The keycaps will be PBT and follow the same profile as the original Magi and MQ80 keyboardsβ€”that is to say, uniform height with a spherical top.

(PR) CRKD Announces ULT PRO Wireless Gaming Controller

25 March 2026 at 20:27
CRKD, the premium collectible gaming brand known for their highly popular Nitro Deck, and line of premium rhythm gaming products, announced today the ULT PRO, a next-generation professional wireless gaming controller featuring multi-platform connectivity and an array of state-of-the-art technology.

Ideal for professional or competitive gamers who demand precision, customization, and multi-platform compatibility, the ULT PRO sets a new standard in performance, yet is priced competitively, allowing any gamer to take advantage of its premium feature set. Compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 | 1, PC, mobile devices, tablets and Smart TVs, the ULT PRO offers exceptional versatility, seamlessly adapting to a wide variety of gaming platforms.

(PR) Razer Introduces the 2026 Blade 16 Gaming Laptop Series

25 March 2026 at 20:11
Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the 2026 evolution of the Razer Blade 16. While maintaining its iconic, industry-leading chassis as the thinnest gaming laptop in Razer's history, the new 2026 model shifts into a new gear of performance for gamers, content creators, and professionals who demand power on the go.

By prioritizing the latest silicon breakthroughs from Intel and faster-than-ever memory clock speeds, the new Blade 16 is engineered for those who demand the latest-generation processing in a form factor that remains impossibly slim.

Meet the 91-year-old gamer who beat Resident Evil Requiem the old-fashioned way

25 March 2026 at 20:21

Yang's meticulous, analog approach has captivated gaming communities in China and abroad, where clips of him leafing through notebooks filled with hand-sketched maps and puzzle notes have drawn admiration and nostalgia in equal measure. His accomplishment – finishing Resident Evil Requiem entirely unaided – has been hailed by fans as...

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Getly – Buy and sell digital products with instant downloads and 80% payouts


Getly is an independent marketplace for buying and selling digital products like templates, design assets, music, video, courses, and AI prompts. Creators keep 80% per sale, accept Stripe or stablecoins, and deliver instant downloads to buyers. The platform offers creator stores, analytics, marketing automation, bundles, and a Pro subscription with unlimited downloads from a curated catalog. Shoppers can browse thousands of items, filter by price and rating, and checkout securely worldwide.

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Feevio – Speak a quick note and turn it into a ready-to-send invoice


Feevio turns your voice notes into polished invoices and quotes so you can bill clients before details fade. Speak what you did, who it was for, and time or rates, and it drafts clear line items, handles totals and tax, and applies your branding. Use it on phone or desktop to capture jobs, tidy the draft, and email a professional PDF in minutes. Track revenue and outstanding invoices, keep client records together, and bulk-download PDFs when it’s time to share paperwork.

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newnity – USDC crowdfunding with on-chain escrow


newnity is a crowdfunding platform built on Base (Coinbase's L2) where creators launch campaigns and backers fund them in USDC. Every campaign uses on-chain escrow with all-or-nothing settlement: if the goal is met, the creator receives the funds. If not, every backer is automatically refunded. No middleman holds your money.

Supporters earn XP for every campaign they back, building reputation across the platform. Creators can run campaigns for games, music, digital art, and more. Transaction fees on Base are fractions of a cent. Currently live on Base Sepolia testnet, with mainnet launching in Summer 2026.

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HowΒ soap opera-TikTok hybridsΒ became a billion-dollar business

25 March 2026 at 19:30
Over the past few years, a new category of mobile apps has quietly exploded intoΒ a multi-billion dollar business.Β They’reΒ called β€œmicro dramas” β€” short-form, mobile-first scripted shows designed to be watched vertically on your phone. Think soap opera meets TikTok, complete with secret billionaire romances, disapproving werewolf mothers-in-law, and cliffhangers engineered to keep users tapping. The leading […]

Meta launches new initiative to support entrepreneurship, drive AI adoption

25 March 2026 at 18:45
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a memo to staff that small businesses have always been a big part of the company's business model, and that while tens of millions of entrepreneurs already use its platforms to grow and connect with customers, the company wants to do more in the space.

How to write for AI search: A playbook for machine-readable content

25 March 2026 at 19:00
How to write for AI search- A playbook for GEO-friendly copy

Once upon a time, in the delightfully chaotic 1990s, web copywriting was all about exact-match keywords and relentless meta tag stuffing. As algorithms matured, so did SEO copywriting.Β 

Now, with proposition-based retrieval systems, writing like you’re in the business of tricking a crawler into seeing relevance through keyword repetition is no longer a viable strategy.Β 

Below is a playbook for generative AI-friendly copywriting, broken down into self-contained, high-density concepts.

The β€˜grounding budget’: Quality over quantity

Large language models (LLMs) don’t seek less information. They seek higher information density. Google’s Gemini operates on a limited budget of retrieved information, according to research by DEJAN AI, which analyzed over 7,000 queries.

The grounding budget is roughly 1,900 words per query, split across multiple sources. For an individual webpage, your typical allocation is around 380 words. You’re competing for a tiny slice of a fixed pie, so being precise helps the AI’s matching process.

  • Weak retrieval: β€œCoffee maker” (Generic)
  • Strong retrieval: β€œSemi-automatic espresso machine” (High density)

Moving structure inside the language

If Schema.org is the external scaffolding of a building, structured language is the load-bearing internal frame. Language itself is the structure we provide machines, such as β€œsemantic triplets” (subject β†’ predicate β†’ object). When a copywriter moves structure inside the language, the sentences become inherently machine-readable.Β 

Google’s passage ranking, AI Overviews, and third-party LLMs like ChatGPT all evaluate content at the passage level using similar retrieval infrastructure. A sentence that works for one works for all of them.

A properly structured sentence fulfills four strict data criteria:

  • Names the entities: Explicitly identifies subjects and objects (e.g., β€œNotion Team Plan”).
  • States the relationships: Defines how entities interact using clear verbs (e.g., β€œcosts”).
  • Preserves the conditions: Includes context that makes the statement true (e.g., β€œ$10 per user per month”).
  • Includes specifics: Provides verifiable details rather than marketing fluff (e.g., β€œincludes 30-day version history”).
FeatureThe marketing fluffStructured language (GEO-friendly)
Exampleβ€œOur revolutionary platform makes managing your team easier than ever. It is affordable and comes with great support.β€β€œThe Asana Enterprise Plan [Entity] streamlines [Relationship] cross-functional project tracking [Specifics] for teams over 100 people [Condition], starting at $24.99 per user [Data].”
Machine utilityLow (Vague, hard to extract)High (Decomposable into atomic claims)

Best practices for AI-friendly copywriting

Traditional copywriting flows like a row of dominoes. When an AI β€œchunks” your page, it snaps those dominoes apart. If your sentences aren’t load-bearing on their own, the logic collapses.

Rule 1: Every sentence must survive in isolation

Ensure every single sentence explicitly names its subject. Vague pronouns like β€œthis,” β€œit,” or β€œthe above” become dead bits when extracted.

  • Broken: β€œIt also includes unlimited cloud storage.”
  • Anchorable: β€œThe Dropbox Business Standard Plan includes 5TB of encrypted cloud storage.”

Rule 2: State relationships, don’t just list entities

Keyword stuffing introduces inference errors. Effective structured language explicitly states the relationship between nodes.

  • The keyword dump: β€œWe offer SEO, PPC, and content marketing services.”
  • The structured relationship: β€œOur agency integrates PPC data into SEO strategies to lower the cost per acquisition (CPA) by an average of 15% within the first 90 days.”

Rule 3: Build β€˜anchorable statements’

Provide anchorable statements instead of fluff: dense passages equipped with clear claims and specific evidence.

The gold standard example:

  • β€œRamon Eijkemans is a freelance SEO specialist at Eikhart.com, specializing in enterprise SEO for platforms with 100,000 or more pages. He developed the LLM Utility Analysis framework, a five-lens content scoring system that measures the likelihood of content being selected and cited by AI systems, covering structural fitness, selection criteria, extractability, entity and propositional completeness, and natural language quality, based on research into passage retrieval architectures, Google patent evidence, and proposition-based extraction systems. The framework is the subject of this Search Engine Land article.”

The AI inverted pyramid: Engineering β€˜citation bait’

Research shows LLMs reliably extract claims near the beginning or end of a text. Adding more content often dilutes your coverage.Β 

  • β€œPages under 5,000 characters get about 66% of their content used. Pages over 20,000 characters? 12%. Adding more content dilutes your coverage.”

Here’s the four-step formula for citation bait.

  • The direct answer: Open with a dense, 40-60 word declarative statement answering the β€œwho, what, why, or how.”
  • Context and detail: Follow up with nuance, maintaining high semantic density.
  • Structured evidence: Use bulleted lists, tables, or numbered steps (extractable data).
  • Follow-up alignment: Anticipate the next logical prompt in clearly labeled H2 or H3 subheadings.

Clear headings above a paragraph can improve its mathematical relevance (cosine similarity) to AI systems by up to 17.54%.

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.


The 5 lenses of LLM utility

Developed by Ramon Eijkemans, this scoring system measures the likelihood of content being cited:

  • Structural fitness: Does the prose build hierarchy and relationships?
  • Selection criteria: Is the information dense enough to win the grounding budget?
  • Extractability: Are there broken references or vague pronouns?
  • Entity completeness: Are subjects and relationships explicitly named?
  • Natural language quality: Is the structure rich without being β€œrobotic”?

Here’s a table of the most common pitfalls when it comes to extractability:

PatternExampleProblem
Unresolved pronoun (what?)β€œIt features a 120Hz display”What device?
Vague demonstrative (what + what?)β€œThis gives it an advantage”What gives what an advantage?
Context-dependent (which?)β€œThe above specs outperform the competition”Which specs? Which competition?
Stripped conditions (when? how much?)β€œThe price has dropped significantly”From what? To what? When?
Assumed knowledge (what? who?)β€œThe popular supplement helps with recovery”Which supplement? Recovery from what?
Relative claim (how much? compared to what?)β€œOur fastest-selling product”How fast? Compared to what? Over what period?

Source: From structured data to structured language

Practical content testing tips

To ensure your high-value pages are programmatically extractable, run these four stress tests on your mid-page copy.

The isolation test

The action: Select a single sentence completely at random from the middle of a webpage and read it in total isolation.

The goal: If the sentence relies on preceding paragraphs to make sense or uses vague pronouns (e.g., β€œThis allows for…”), the page has a utility gap. Every sentence should be self-contained.

The context test (β€˜Scroll twice and read’)

The action: Scroll down twice on a homepage so the hero banner and primary H1 disappear, then start reading from wherever your eyes land.

The goal: If a reader (or a machine β€œchunking” that section) can’t immediately identify the product or service without the top visual layout, the mid-page text fails the context test.

The disambiguation test

The action: Read a mid-page sentence out loud and ask: Could this apply to the deforestation of the Amazon or a steamy romance novel?

The goal: If a sentence is wildly generic (e.g., β€œWe empower our clients to achieve more”), an LLM will struggle to map it to your specific entity. Specifics prevent misinterpretation.

The URL accessibility test

The action: Run the live URL through an LLM agent or NotebookLM.

The goal: If convoluted JavaScript, heavy code bloat, or aggressive bot protection prevents an agent from β€œseeing” the raw text, generative search engines may skip the content entirely.

AI search content optimization FAQs

Here are answers to common questions about optimizing content for AI search.

Is generative engine optimization (GEO) a legitimate discipline?

Yes. Formalized by researchers at the University of Washington and Columbia, it focuses on optimizing for β€œcitation frequency” through dense, condition-preserving sentences.Β 

Traditional SEO relies on bolt-on machine-readable code to make human narratives SEO-worthy. AI search optimization requires embedding explicit entity relationships and structure directly inside your copy.

What is the ideal section length for chunking?

Open with a dense 40-60-word declarative statement. Information buried deep in long paragraphs is rarely retrieved.

Does copywriting for AI search help traditional SEO?

Yes. Because Google uses vector embeddings to evaluate content at the passage level, structuring language for an LLM improves traditional visibility.

Is longer content better?

No. Density beats length. Pages under 5,000 characters see a 66% extraction rate, while pages over 20,000 characters plummet to 12%.

What is the inverted pyramid for AI copywriting?

The AI inverted pyramid means abandoning the slow, conversational introduction and placing your core entities, exact claims, and specific conditions in the very first sentence to guarantee flawless machine extraction.

Write for humans, structure for machines

The content creator is now a machine-readability engineer. Our job is to build narratives that are persuasive to humans while being programmatically extractable for neural networks.

If your content lacks explicit entity relationships, perfectly self-contained sentences, and highly β€œanchorable” citable claims, the machines will simply look right through you.

Google March 2026 spam update done rolling out

25 March 2026 at 18:51

Google released the March 2026 spam update less than 24 hours ago and it is already done rolling out. The update finished today at 10:40 a.m. ET.

  • This update was released yesterday (March 24) at 3:20 p.m. It took 19 hours and 30 minutes to fully roll out, which is super fast.

Why we care.Β This is the second Google algorithm update announced in 2026. It’s unclear what spam it targeted, but if you see ranking or traffic changes in the next few days, the Google March 2026 spam update could be the cause.

More on spam update.Β Google’sΒ documentationΒ says:

β€œWhile Google’s automated systems toΒ detect search spamΒ are constantly operating, we occasionally make notable improvements to how they work. When we do, we refer to this as aΒ spam updateΒ and share when they happen on ourΒ list of Google Search ranking updates.

For example,Β SpamBrainΒ is our AI-based spam-prevention system. From time-to-time, we improve that system to make it better at spotting spam and to help ensure it catches new types of spam.

Sites that see a change after a spam update should review ourΒ spam policiesΒ to ensure they are complying with those. Sites that violate our policies may rank lower in results or not appear in results at all. Making changes may help a site improve if our automated systems learn over a period of months that the site complies with our spam policies.

In the case of a link spam update (an update that specifically deals with link spam), making changes might not generate an improvement. This is because when our systems remove the effects spammy links may have, any ranking benefit the links may have previously generated for your site is lost. Any potential ranking benefits generated by those links cannot be regained.”

Impact. This update should only impact sites spamming Google Search, so hopefully you didn’t see any major negative impact.

Intel Arc Pro B70 Shows Up on Newegg With April Release Date and $949.99 Price

25 March 2026 at 19:45
Intel just announced the Arc Pro B70 and B65 GPUs with the Arc Xe2 Battlemage architecture, featuring 32 and 24 Xe2 cores, respectivelyβ€”see TechPowerUp's launch coverage fore more detailsβ€”but it did not include information on pricing or availability. Fortunately, for those interested in the workstation graphics cards, Newegg has listed the Arc Pro B70 online, spilling the beans on price and a prospective launch date.

According to the pre-order page, the Arc Pro B70 will cost $949.99 and launch on April 24, 2026. Unfortunately, there is no listing for the Arc Pro B65 just yet, but that should launch around the same time as the B70 and will likely be priced somewhere between the B60's current retail price of $659.99 and the Arc Pro B70's $949.99 price, thanks to the increased VRAM on the B65.

Intel Arc Pro B70 and Arc Pro B65 GPUs bring 32GB of RAM to AI and pro apps β€” bigger Battlemage finally arrives, but it's not for gamers

25 March 2026 at 19:02
Intel's Arc Pro B70 and B65 GPUs bring options for more raw compute, 32GB of RAM and multi-GPU scalability to the market for local AI explorers looking to run inference workloads for relatively low prices.

GlassWorm Malware Uses Solana Dead Drops to Deliver RAT and Steal Browser, Crypto Data

Cybersecurity researchers have flagged a new evolution of the GlassWorm campaign that delivers a multi-stage framework capable of comprehensive data theft and installing a remote access trojan (RAT), which deploys an information-stealing Google Chrome extension masquerading as an offline version of Google Docs. "It logs keystrokes, dumps cookies and session tokens, captures screenshots, and

Sony and Honda give up on their joint EV project

25 March 2026 at 18:14
The Sony-Honda joint venture has killed plans for its Afeela sedan and SUV electric vehicles. The news comes shortly after Honda reversed its plans to launch more electric vehicles in the U.S.

Arinna raises $4M seed round to solve the space power problem

25 March 2026 at 17:00
Arinna builds solar cells specifically for spacecraft and has developed an ultrathin new material that it expects to be far more flexible and more efficient than current technology.

How to optimize influencer content for search everywhere

25 March 2026 at 18:00
How to optimize influencer content for search everywhere

Influencer content isn’t just a brand awareness play. It’s showing up in Google SERPs, Google AI Overviews, and AI answers, making keyword strategy an essential part of every influencer brief.

When we brief an influencer, we assign them a keyword. Not as a nice-to-have, but as a required part of the strategy, usually woven into the script, the caption, the on-screen text, and the hashtags.

That might sound like an SEO team overreaching into an influencer team’s lane. But in 2026, the lane lines don’t exist.

Social content is search inventory. If your influencer marketing program isn’t built around that reality, you’re leaving a significant and measurable share of voice on the table.

Search journeys now span platforms, formats, and sources

For most of search’s history, optimization meant ranking on Google. That’s still important, but it’s no longer the full story.

TikTok Creative Center Keyword Insights
TikTok Creative Center Keyword Insights

Today, nearly half of U.S. consumers (49%) use TikTok as a search engine. Gen Z may lead that adoption, but it cuts across generations.

Over a third of consumers now prefer to start their search journey with AI tools like ChatGPT over Google. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest have also become primary discovery engines for product research, how-to queries, and purchase decisions.

This is what search everywhere may look like in practice:

  • A user searches β€œbest lightweight running shoes” on TikTok and watches three creator videos.
  • Then they ask ChatGPT for a comparison.
  • Next, they Google for brand reviews to look at Reddit commentary and What People Are Saying content.
  • Then they navigate to a brand’s site.

Each of these touchpoints is a search moment, and there’s a strong chance they involve influencer content. The brands showing up at every step are the ones treating influencer marketing content as search content from the beginning.

Ross Simmonds, CEO of Foundation Marketing, shared with me:

  • β€œInfluencers exist on practically every platform, whether we’re talking about LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, or TikTok. They’re creating content every day. When people search, whether through Google or directly on these platforms through things like Ask Reddit or TikTok search, they’re coming across content that influencers have created.”
  • β€œIf those influencers understand best practices around search and discoverability, they’re more likely to create content that ranks not only on native platforms, but also directly in the SERP. That’s a marketer’s dream.”

Dig deeper: Why creator-led content marketing is the new standard in search

Why your influencer’s video is now a SERP result

This is where things get concrete.

What people are saying SERP feature for β€œbest skin care for moms”
What people are saying SERP feature for β€œbest skin care for moms”

Google’s What people are saying SERP feature is a carousel that appears directly in search results and surfaces user-generated and creator content from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Reddit for relevant queries.

It’s now a default feature in U.S. search results and consistently shows up for mid- to bottom-of-funnel keywords, exactly where purchase decisions are made. A brand can appear in this SERP feature (either directly or indirectly via an influencer) without ranking in the traditional Top 10 results.

β€œShort videos” SERP feature for β€œskin routine for moms”
β€œShort videos” SERP feature for β€œskin routine for moms”

Additionally, the Short videos SERP feature is another prime spot for your influencer content to take up shelf space on Google. This means an influencer video optimized with the right SEO keyword can surface in multiple spots on Google for a commercial query your brand’s own site might never rank for.

It’s not theoretical. It’s happening now.

Google AI Mode referencing TikTok and Instagram content for a hair curling prompt
Google AI Mode referencing TikTok and Instagram content for a hair curling prompt

Meanwhile, AI answers are pulling from social content at scale. An analysis of 40 million AI search results found Reddit to be the single most-cited domain across ChatGPT, Copilot, and Perplexity. Ahrefs research confirms that YouTube mentions and branded web mentions are among the top factors correlating with AI brand visibility in ChatGPT, AI Mode, and AI Overviews.

Samanyou Garg, CEO of Writesonic, shared with me:

  • β€œYouTube is the No. 1 cited domain for Gemini. And 35% of the channels getting cited have under 10K subscribers. We checked the correlation between views and citations. It’s basically zero.
  • β€œWhat actually correlates? How well the creator describes the topic in their video description. So if an influencer makes a video about your product and writes a lazy two-line description, you’re leaving AI visibility on the table.”

The more creators talk about your product with consistent language, the more confident AI becomes in recommending you. So if your influencer content doesn’t contain the SEO keywords your audience is actually searching for, it won’t be surfaced in all the places that matter.

Dig deeper: Short-form, big impact: What creators can teach performance marketers

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.


The keyword isn’t optional

Sample influencer brief with keyword included as a standard
Sample influencer brief with keyword included as a standard

Keyword research should be a standard step in every influencer campaign. Start by identifying your target keyword from data across three sources:

  • Existing keyword targets shared by the organic strategists.Β 
  • In platform searches for what’s trending and/or suggested auto completes.
  • AnswerThePublic searches for both brand and non-brand terms related to the campaign theme.

Once the keyword is identified, embed it into every element of the creator’s content:

  • Script: Spoken naturally, ideally in the first half of the video, where TikTok’s algorithm is most attentive to audio signals.
  • Caption: Written to open with or include the keyword, supporting both platform and Google indexing.
  • On-screen text: Reinforcing the keyword visually for accessibility and algorithm legibility.
  • Hashtags: Used to connect the content to the broader topic the keyword lives in.

Don’t confuse this with keyword stuffing. It’s modern content architecture.

There’s a big difference between a creator naturally saying, β€œIf you’re searching for the best running shoes right now…” versus a brand clunkily forcing a phrase into otherwise natural content. The influencer brief sets the requirement, yes, but the creator’s job is to incorporate their unique voice.

Ashley Liddell, co-founder and Search Everywhere director at Deviation, shared:

  • β€œWe assign keywords to influencers based on real search behaviour across platforms, not just brand messaging, and map demand from TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and Google, then align specific queries to creators whose content style and audience best fit that intent.
  • β€œEach brief gives a clear search-led direction, including topic, angles, and format, while leaving room for the creator’s own creativity. The goal is to make influencer content discoverable in-platform search while ensuring it remains engaging in-feed.”

Once the content is live, track whether the creator’s post is surfacing for the target keyword across:

  • The native platforms (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, etc.)
  • Google SERP features
    • Videos and Short videos carousel
    • What people are sayingΒ 
  • Standard organic resultsΒ 

Screenshot and log positions immediately (because rankings can quickly shift). This data tells a story clients aren’t used to seeing from an influencer program.

Influencers extend your search everywhere footprint

Our search everywhere optimization framework
Our search everywhere optimization framework

There’s a reason this matters beyond any individual campaign. Google organic CTRs have declined dramatically, by as much as 61% on queries where AI Overviews appear.

With Google SERP features increasingly highlighting video and social content, traditional web content is losing surface area on the SERPs. Social content, conversely, is gaining traction, and we cannot ignore this.

For brands, influencer content has taken on a much stronger value: scalable, authentic, human-first search inventory distributed across platforms where their audiences spend time. It doesn’t replace a traditional SEO program, but it extends reach into channels where creator voices tend to outperform brand-owned content.

Younger audiences search socially first. In some categories, a meaningful share of consideration-stage audiences see creator content before they ever search for your brand. If your influencers don’t use the language your audience searches, you’re invisible in the moments that matter most.

Search everywhere optimization comes down to one thing: showing up where your audience actually searches with content worth stopping for.

Dig deeper: Why social search visibility is the next evolution of discoverability

The operational reality: Putting things into practice

The biggest barrier to building keyword optimization into influencer programs is structural. SEO and influencer teams often sit within different parts of an organization, owned by different teams with different KPIs, and little reason to collaborate.

Even when those teams are close, a common hesitation remains: adding a keyword requirement to a creator brief may make the content feel scripted or inauthentic. That concern is valid, but somewhat misplaced. A keyword isn’t a constraint on creativity β€” it’s a topic signal.

Creators integrate talking points, product messaging, and brand language into their content all the time. A search term is no different, as long as the brief gives them room to use it in their own voice.

Closing that gap requires a few concrete changes.

  • SEO and influencer strategy should share a brief template. The target keyword, along with guidance on how to integrate it naturally, should be a standard field, not an afterthought. If the influencer lead and the SEO lead aren’t in the same briefing conversation, that’s the first thing to fix.
  • Keyword selection should be platform-specific. What users search on TikTok differs from what they search on Google. TikTok search is more conversational and trend-based. Pull keywords from TikTok’s own autocomplete, not just a traditional keyword tool, then validate on AnswerThePublic, and cross-reference with existing organic targets to find terms that work across surfaces.
  • Approval workflows should include keyword checks. When reviewing a script, a caption, or a live post, include a keyword compliance check. If the keyword is missing, ask the influencer for a revision before the content goes live. This sounds small, but it’s the difference between content that ranks and content that doesn’t.
  • Reporting should include search metrics. Did the post surface on TikTok for the target keyword? Did it appear in one of Google’s video sections or β€œWhat People Are Saying”? These are trackable, reportable metrics, and they belong in campaign reports alongside reach, engagement, and conversions.

Influencer content has always shaped brand perception. Today, it also shapes search visibility across social platforms, Google’s evolving SERP features, and AI-generated answers.

Brands that recognize this apply a search strategy to a channel that, until recently, operated without it. You treat every influencer video as search content β€” briefing keywords and reporting on search performance as you would for other organic channels.

Influencer content is search inventory. The only question is whether you’re optimizing it.

How schema markup fits into AI search β€” without the hype

25 March 2026 at 17:00
How schema markup fits into AI search β€” without the hype

Does schema markup really benefit AI search optimization? Some suggest it can 3x your citations or dramatically boost AI visibility. But when you dig into the evidence, the picture is far more nuanced.

Let’s separate what’s known from what’s assumed, and look at how schema actually fits into an AI search strategy.

How schema fits into AI search now

Search is shifting from surfacing a SERP with blue links to AI Overviews, generative answers, and chat‑style summaries that collate content in addition to links.Β 

To get your content to appear in this model, your site has to be understood as entities β€” singular, unique things or concepts, such as a person, place, or event β€” and the relationships between them, not just strings of text.​

Schema markup is one of the few tools SEOs have to make those entities and relationships explicit and understandable for an AI: This is a person, they work for this organization, this product is offered at this price, this article is authored by that person, etc.​

For AI, three elements matter the most:

  • Entity definition: Which brands, authors, services, or SKUs exist on the page.
  • Attribute clarity: Which properties belong to which entity (e.g., prices, availability, ratings, job titles).​
  • Entity relationships: How entities connect (e.g., offeredBy, worksFor, authoredBy, and sameAs schema tags).​

When schema is implemented with stable values (@id) and a structure (@graph), it starts to behave like a small internal knowledge graph.Β 

AI systems won’t have to guess who you are and how your content fits together, and will be able to follow explicit connections between your brand, your authors, and your topics.​

Dig deeper: Why entity authority is the foundation of AI search visibility

How AI search platforms use schema

Two major platforms have confirmed that schema markup helps their AIs understand content. For these platforms, it is confirmed infrastructure, not speculation.

What about ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI search platforms?Β 

We don’t know how these platforms use schema yet. They haven’t publicly confirmed whether they preserve schema during web crawling or use it for extraction. The technical capability exists for LLMs to process structured data, but that doesn’t mean their search systems do.

Dig deeper: When and how to use knowledge graphs and entities for SEO

Research on schema and AI

Here are a few studies that show how schema can benefit AI search.

Citation rates

A December 2024 study from Search/Atlas found no correlation between schema markup coverage and citation rates. Sites with comprehensive schema didn’t consistently outperform sites with minimal or no schema markup.

This doesn’t mean schema is useless, it means schema alone doesn’t drive citations. LLM systems appear to prioritize relevance, topical authority, and semantic clarity over whether content has structured markup.

Extraction accuracy

A February 2024 Nature Communications study found that LLMs extract information more accurately when given structured prompts with defined fields versus unstructured β€œextract what matters” instructions.

Put differently, LLMs perform best when you give them a structured form to fill out, not a blank canvas. When models are asked to extract into predefined fields, they make fewer errors than when told to simply β€œpull out what matters.” 

Schema markup on a page is the web equivalent of that form: a set of explicit entity, brand, product, price, author, and topic fields that a system can map to, rather than inferring everything from unstructured prose.

What the research tells us

This tells us that LLMs have the technical capability to process structured data more accurately than unstructured text.Β 

However, this doesn’t tell us whether AI search systems preserve schema markup during web crawling, whether they use it to guide extraction from web pages, or whether this results in better visibility.

The leap from β€œLLMs can process structured data” to β€œweb schema markup improves AI search visibility” requires assumptions we can’t verify for most platforms.

For Microsoft Bing and Google AI Overviews, schema likely improves extraction accuracy, since they’ve confirmed they use it. For other platforms, we don’t have confirmation of actual implementation.

Dig deeper: Entity-first SEO: How to align content with Google’s Knowledge Graph

Get the newsletter search marketers rely on.


What we don’t know about schema and AI search

AI search is so new β€” for example, ChatGPT search only launched in October 2024 β€” that companies haven’t disclosed their indexing methods. Measurement is difficult with non-deterministic AI responses. There are significant gaps in what we can verify.

To date, there are no peer-reviewed studies on schema’s impact on AI search visibility, or controlled experiments on LLM citation behavior and schema markup.

OpenAI, Anthropic, Perplexity, and other platforms besides Microsoft or Google haven’t published their indexing methods.

This gap exists because AI search is genuinely new (ChatGPT search launched in October 2024), companies don’t disclose indexing methods, and measurement is difficult with non-deterministic AI responses.

How schema builds an entity graph

In traditional SEO, many implementations stop at adding Article or Organization markup in isolation. For AI search, the more useful pattern is to connect nodes into a coherent graph using @id. For example:​

  • An Organization node with a stable @id that represents your brand.
  • A Person node for the author who works for your organization.
  • An Article node authoredBy that person and publishedBy that organization, with about properties that declare the main topics.
{  
  "@context": "https://schema.org",  
  "@graph": [  
    {  
      "@id": "https://example.com/#organization",  
      "@type": "Organization",  
      "name": "Example Digital"  
    },  
    {  
      "@id": "https://example.com/#person-jane-doe",  
      "@type": "Person",  
      "name": "Jane Doe",  
      "worksFor": { "@id": "https://example.com/#organization" }  
    },  
    {  
      "@type": "Article",  
      "@id": "https://example.com/blog/schema-markup-ai-search",  
      "headline": "Schema Markup for AI Search",  
      "author": { "@id": "https://example.com/#person-jane-doe" },  
      "publisher": { "@id": "https://example.com/#organization" }  
    }  
  ]  
} 

That connected pattern turns your schema from a set of disconnected hints into a reusable entity graph. For any AI system that preserves the JSON‑LD, it becomes much clearer which brand owns the content, which human is responsible for it, and what high‑level topics it is about, regardless of how the page layout or copy changes over time.​

AspectTraditional SEO schemaEntity graph schema
StructureSingle @type object per page@graph array of interconnected nodes ​
Entity IDNone (anonymous)Stable @id URLs for reuse across siteΒ 
RelationshipsNested, one‑way (author: β€œname”)Bidirectional via @id refs (worksFor, authoredBy) ​
Primary benefitRich snippets, SERP CTR ​Entity disambiguation, extraction accuracy for AI ​​
AI impactMinimal (tokenization often strips)Β Makes site a unified knowledge graph source if preservedΒ 
ImplementationEasy, page‑by‑pageRequires site‑wide @id consistency ​

Dig deeper: How structured data supports local visibility across Google and AI

Recommendations for implementing schema for AI search

For AI search, the best way to position schema right now is to:

  • Make entities and relationships machine-readable for platforms that preserve and use structured data (confirmed for Bing Copilot and Google AI Overviews).
  • Reduce ambiguity around brand, author, and product identity so that extraction, when it happens, is cleaner and more consistent.
  • Complement topical depth, authority, and clear brand signals, not replace them.

Use schema markup for:

  • Improving visibility in Bing Copilot.
  • Supporting inclusion in Google AI Overviews.
  • Enhancing traditional SEO.
  • Making content easier to parse (good practice regardless of AI).
  • Maintaining a low-cost implementation with potential upside as platforms evolve.

However, don’t expect:

  • Guaranteed citations in ChatGPT or Perplexity.
  • A dramatic visibility lift from schema alone.
  • Schema to compensate for weak content or low authority.

Priority schema types (based on platform guidance) include:

  • Organization (brand entity identity).
  • Article or BlogPosting (content attribution and authorship)
  • Person (author authority and entity connections).
  • Product or Service (commercial entity clarity).
  • FAQPage (Q&A content formats).

Dig deeper: The entity home: The page that shapes how search, AI, and users see your brand

Implement schema for AI search today

Schema markup is infrastructure, not a magic bullet. It won’t necessarily get you cited more, but it’s one of the few things you can control that platforms such as Bing and Google AI Overviews explicitly use.

The real opportunity isn’t schema in isolation. It’s the combination of structured data with proper entity relationships, high-quality, topically authoritative content, clear entity identity and brand signals, and the strategic use of @graph and @id to build entity connections.

Intel officially launch their ARC PRO B70 and B65 GPUs

Big Battlemage arrives with Intel’s ARC Pro B70 and B65 graphics cards Intel has officially launched its first β€œBig Battlemage” graphics cards, new, higher-end Xe2 discrete GPUs that stand above Intel’s prior products. The Intel ARC Pro B70 will become available today, March 25th, with pricing starting at $949, while the ARC Pro B65 will […]

The post Intel officially launch their ARC PRO B70 and B65 GPUs appeared first on OC3D.

Windows 11 to become β€œcalmer and more chill” OS with β€œfewer upsells”

Expect fewer upsells in the future from Windows 11 Big changes are coming to Windows 11, as Microsoft appears to be finally taking feedback seriously. Microsoft has confirmed that it plans to make Windows 11 more performant and reliable. Additionally, Microsoft appears to be looking into removing mandatory logins from the OS, freeing PC users […]

The post Windows 11 to become β€œcalmer and more chill” OS with β€œfewer upsells” appeared first on OC3D.

I want to see Dell's new feature on PCs everywhere β€” its first Copilot+ mini PC supports five external monitors thanks to customizable ports

Dell just announced its first Copilot+ mini PC running on Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 chips, and I'm in love with its customizable port selection that unlocks up to five external displays with a mix of 4K and 5K resolutions.

(PR) Dell Announces New Dell Pro Notebooks, Workstations, Monitors and Peripherals

25 March 2026 at 17:59
Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) today introduces a transformed commercial portfolio spanning Dell Pro notebooks, Dell Pro Precision workstations, desktops, monitors and client peripherals. Thinner, lighter and more powerful, the new lineup brings a bold, refined design language to commercial devicesβ€”prioritizing sleeker silhouettes, premium materials and modern details that elevate everyday productivity. With advances in cooling, power efficiency and support for on-device AI, the portfolio delivers improved performance and long battery life in more portable form factors, enabling a consistent, elevated experience for everyone from frontline workers to senior executives.

Why it matters
Users want sleek, powerful devices. IT needs security, manageability and budget discipline. Dell's reimagined commercial portfolio delivers both. Advanced engineeringβ€”modular architecture, improved thermals, AI-ready siliconβ€”allows thinner, lighter designs that maintain enterprise-grade performance and control. Organizations can now deploy modern hardware that professionals prefer without compromising on the standards IT demands.

Intel Announces Xeon 600 Workstation Processors Implementing "Redwood Cove" P-cores

25 March 2026 at 17:21
Intel launches the new Xeon 600 series "Granite Rapids-WS" processors targeting workstations and HEDTs (high-end desktops). These had been announced in February. These processors mainly target AI development, where you take advantage of Intel AMX (FP16) accelerators, and a fully-fledged AVX-512 instruction set, along with a large PCIe I/O. The key talking point with this processor is its Compute complex. The processor comes with up to 86 "Redwood Cove" P-cores. These are the same P-cores powering Core Ultra "Meteor Lake" processors, and feature Hyper-Threading, besides a full-fat AVX-512 pipeline. The top-speed SKU hence comes with an 86-core/172-thread configuration, with a maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 4.80 GHz. Intel claims that the core-configuration offers a 61% multithreaded performance gain over the previous generation.

The Intel Xeon 600 series is built in the LGA4710 package, and supports Intel W890 chipset. It is configured with an 8-channel DDR5 memory interface (16 sub-channels), supporting up to 4 TB of ECC DDR5 memory, with speeds of up to DDR5-8000 being supported. The processor's PCIe root complex puts out 128 PCI-Express Gen 5 lanes. Intel is also offering CPU overclocking features with these processors. There are as many as 11 processor models, with core-counts ranging from the top 86-core/172-thread down to 12-core/24-thread, all models come with 8-channel ECC DDR5 memory and PCI-Express 5.0 x128. All processor models support Intel vPro remote manageability feature-set.

Intel Intros Core Ultra Series 3 vPro "Panther Lake" Processors for Commercial Notebooks

25 March 2026 at 17:21
Intel today announced its ambitious Core Ultra Series 3 vPro "Panther Lake" mobile processors for commercial notebooks. The processors build on the Core Ultra Series 3 processors launched in the consumer segment earlier this year, bolstering them with the entire Intel vPro platform for remote manageability and enhanced enterprise security. The new "Panther Lake" microarchitecture debuts the Intel 18A foundry-node, a must-win foundry note for Intel that offers superior transistor density, energy efficiency, and clock speeds compared to the TSMC N3 foundry node on which Intel built its previous Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" and Core Ultra Series 2 "Arrow Lake" mobile processors.

The new "Panther Lake" architecture introduces the new "Cougar Cove" P-core that's optimized for Intel 18A node with enhancements to its branch predictor, memory disambiguation, and TLB improvements to provide a minor IPC increase over the previous "Lion Cove" P-core. The new "Darkmont" E-core further pushes up IPC over the previous "Skymont." Intel Thread Director sees further improvements for more accurate scheduling. The processors launching today come with the entire constellation of Intel vPro manageability features, including Device Discovery, Innovation Platform Framework, Unique Platform ID, total memory encryption with multi-key, Stable IT Platform, Intel AMT, platform service record, remote erase, one-click recovery, and CET. Security features include Intel TXT, platform trust technology, VT with redirect protection, Boot Guard, BIOS Guard, partner security engine, linear address-space separation, and Intel Threat Detection technology.

Intel Announces Arc Pro B70 and Arc Pro B65 GPUs, Maxes Out Xe2 "Battlemage" Architecture

25 March 2026 at 17:21
Intel today announced the Arc Pro B70 and Arc Pro B65 graphics cards for advanced AI compute workloads on workstations, and professional visualization. The two primarily target local inferencing, software development, and deployments in multi-GPU configurations for rack scale AI GPU compute acceleration. The Arc B70 GPU in particular stands out, because it is the most powerful discrete GPU based on Intel Xe2 "Battlemage" graphics architecture, with 32 Xe cores, and a 256-bit wide GDDR6 interface. If you recall, the Arc B580 gaming GPU only comes with 24 Xe cores and a 192-bit interface, and we for long wondered if Intel would ever max out the silicon for a more powerful SKU. The Arc B70 is that SKU.

The Intel Arc Pro B70 is configured with 32 Xe cores (Xe2-HPG), 256 XMX engines, and 32 Ray Tracing Units. It comes with 32 GB of GDDR6 memory across a 256-bit wide memory interface, with 608 GB/s of bandwidth on tap. The card comes with a PCI-Express 5.0 x16 host interface. The Arc B70 offers a peak throughput of 367 TOPS (INT8). On the graphics side of things, it supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.3. Compute APIs include Intel's own oneAPI, OpenCL 3.0, and OpenVINO. Its media engine supports AV1, HEVC, VP9, and H.265 hardware-accelerated encode and decode. Display outputs include four DisplayPort 2.1 ports. The card comes with power draw ranging between 160 W to 290 W depending on partner implementation (230 W for the Intel reference card). Intel will provide certified drivers for Windows 11, Windows 10, and Linux.

Citrix VDI Gets Intel Low-power Island E-core Awareness and HDX Super Resolution

25 March 2026 at 17:20
Citrix announced that the Citrix VDI (virtual desktop) platform has been updated with greater awareness of Intel Hybrid core architecture, particularly for processors with low-power island E-cores (LPE cores). The company also announced that Citrix will leverage Intel Video Processing Library to implement a display stream super resolution feature that should improve image-quality in virtual desktop sessions. Since Citrix is essentially "GeForce NOW for work," the client's side of the application has a tiny compute footprint, of decoding the display stream from the server, and conveying user inputs to it. The new LPE-core awareness lets Citrix Desktop confine its workload to the low-power island, allowing the processor to clock-gate, or even power-gate the main CPU complex, significantly improving battery life on commercial notebooks handed out by businesses to their employees.

First-party testing by Citrix shows that LPE-core awareness is found to reduce power consumption by up to 25% on commercial notebooks. For administrators, the update requires no IT policy changes, simply deploy the latest version of Citrix desktop across clients, and the application will automatically detect and work with processors featuring low-power island E-cores. LPE cores were introduced by Core Ultra "Meteor Lake" mobile processors. These got a major update in significance with Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake," where all "Skymont" E-cores of the chip are located in the low-power island of the SoC tile, separate from the Compute complex. The latest Core Ultra 300 "Panther Lake" builds on LPE core concept with up to 4 "Darkmont" LPE cores.

AMD Joins Intel in Raising PC CPU Prices by Up to 15%

25 March 2026 at 17:16
Last week, we reported that Intel is preparing to increase CPU prices by 10% across its client PC sector. However, a new report from Nikkei Asia suggests that AMD is also joining this trend, with plans for a PC CPU price hike as well. Reportedly, AMD Ryzen CPUs could see prices rise by 15% compared to the same time last year, when prices were typically around the MSRP at retailers. Now, as CPU demand has depleted inventories and the focus remains on server and data center CPU production, capacity for the client segment has been significantly reduced, leading to little to no inventory for PC enthusiasts. Large OEMs like HP and Dell are among the first to feel the pressure from the dwindling supply chain and have reported a significant gap between demand and supply for their PC systems.

Nikkei also notes that both AMD and Intel have informed their clients that CPU price increases will take effect by the end of March and into April, which should start to manifest very soon. What used to be a one or two-week wait from order to CPU shipment has now stretched to a process lasting eight to twelve weeks. This means that a CPU batch ordered in April might not arrive until June. This period is expected to be the worst in terms of supply in the second quarter of this year. Even if OEMs are willing to pay extra to secure CPU supply, availability is lacking. The CPU shortage is worsening daily, coinciding with the ongoing memory and storage shortage we are already experiencing.

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The Kill Chain Is Obsolete When Your AI Agent Is the Threat

In September 2025, Anthropic disclosed that a state-sponsored threat actor used an AI coding agent to execute an autonomous cyber espionage campaign against 30 global targets. The AI handled 80-90% of tactical operations on its own, performing reconnaissance, writing exploit code, and attempting lateral movement at machine speed. This incident is worrying, but there's a scenario that should

Russian Hacker Sentenced to 2 Years for TA551 Botnet-Driven Ransomware Attacks

The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) said a Russian national has been sentenced to two years in prison for managing a botnet that was used to launch ransomware attacks against U.S. companies. Ilya Angelov, 40, of Tolyatti, Russia, was also fined $100,000. Angelov, who went by the online aliases "milan" and "okart," is said to have co-managed a Russia-based cybercriminal group known as TA551 (aka

Device Code Phishing Hits 340+ Microsoft 365 Orgs Across Five Countries via OAuth Abuse

Cybersecurity researchers are calling attention to an active device code phishing campaign that's targeting Microsoft 365 identities across more than 340 organizations in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. The activity, per Huntress, was first spotted on February 19, 2026, with subsequent cases appearing at an accelerated pace since then. Notably, the campaign leverages

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