#google shopping marketplace

[elalaonlineshoping]

[priceintelguru]

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[blues824]

hi blue!! ^_^ can i request prompts 21 and 10 with rook pretty pleaseeee ★

You requested: Mistletoe + Secret Santa

Preface: You are married to Rook, and this happens in the future. You have 3 children (2 girls, 1 boy), and their appearances are not described, and they can either be biological or adopted. Gender-neutral reader as well. I used Google Translate, as I speak Spanish and not French.

Rook Hunt

The children were very excited to go to the market, and you could tell by the way the three of them took your hands and dragged you and your husband towards the bustling marketplace. For the holidays, instead of buying a bunch of presents, the children wanted to do a Secret Santa so that the gifts were personal and heartfelt. 

Juliette (your oldest), Adeline (your middle), and Pierre (your youngest) all wrote things that they wanted, and depending on who they got, you would give them their recipient’s wishlist. Your husband and yourself did not put your names in, as you wanted to give them a chance to build a sibling bond.

“Come on! Or the presents will all be gone!” Juliette shouted. You laughed as you picked up Pierre, who was only a toddler. In turn, Rook tossed Adeline up and over his shoulder, making the little girl laugh as well

Once you arrived at the entrance, you had the girls go with Rook and you took Pierre with you. You then made a plan to meet up with one another back at the entrance in an hour, and your husband hoisted Juliette over his shoulder as well as he marched in the opposite direction you were going. You set your son down and let him take your hand to lead you wherever he wanted to go.

You were aware that he had gotten Juliette, and so you brought him to the toy vendors to see what horses they had to offer. Yeah, one thing about your daughter was that she was obsessed with horses. Adeline was interested in archery. Pierre loved stealing your phone and taking photos of pretty flowers that he found near your cottage.

The little boy was shouting in excitement as he found a tiny horse figurine. It came with a few different accessories, kind of like the Build-A-Bear’s back in your world. You let Pierre customize the horse as you paid for it, and the pure excitement on his face made your heart melt. You purchased a gift bag as well so as to not show his sisters the gift and reveal which name he chose.

~~~~~~~~

On the other side, a man with his two young daughters was being dragged around to secretly buy a gift for his wife as well as their secret santa gifts. Juliette had pulled Adeline’s name, and Adeline had pulled Pierre’s name. Now, with Juliette, it was going to be a bit difficult because her younger sister was extremely smart and observant.

As they wandered about the different stands, Rook spotted something. It was mistletoe, fake, as real was poisonous when consumed, and you had young children around. The chances of your son putting it into his mouth were greater than desired, but that was the reality. Anyway, he stopped to purchase a sprig. The owner was a florist, and he spotted a bunch of red roses as well.

“Souhaitez-vous acheter une rose pour votre [Parent Title]?” He asked his children. (Would you like to purchase a rose for your [Parent Title]?) The two little girls nodded and he handed them three roses. Then, he kept the sprig of mistletoe for himself as well as another rose.

“Papa, didn’t you give [Parent Title] a rose when you first confessed to them?” Adeline asked.

“Yes, I did, mon doux ange, but their radiance could put even the most beautiful rose to shame.”

~~~~~~~~

An hour later, you all regrouped, and your daughters acted as though you hadn’t seen them for years. You showered them both in kisses and hugged them, asking them how their shopping went, before you went to kiss your husband. Your children were very used to your public displays of affection, and instead of getting ewwwww’s, you got acceptance.

Heading towards your cottage, Rook had Pierre on his shoulders, the little boy laughing as you held the hands of your little girls, who were singing a French song that their father had taught them when they were just babies. Your son was butchering many of the words, but he had the melody right if that counted for something.

Opening the front door, the girls ran in and immediately started shouting for you to sit down so you could receive your presents. You were confused at what they were saying, but you turned to see your husband smiling with that smile that managed to get you to both date, marry, and start a family with him.

You sat on the couch, and Rook placed your little boy on your lap as he, Juliette, Adeline, and Pierre held 4 roses out for you. You gasped as you took each individual flower, gathering them in a bouquet and smelling them.

“Merci, mes amours!” You exclaimed, placing kisses on each child. Before you got to Rook, however, he handed you a box, and when you looked inside, you saw mistletoe. You felt pressure being taken off your lap and it was your big man taking your little man off and putting him on the couch as he extended an arm out to you to help you up.

Accepting his hand, you were hoisted up and nearly fell, only for you to be caught and dipped down. The air in your lungs was sucked out in the passionate kiss that your husband gave to you, and when you broke apart, one sentence was said to your children.

“Go to your rooms, children~”

[so-i-did-this-thing]

Where do you find all your neat little trinkets and such? Is it just accumulated over the years, or do you use marketplace, or antique malls, commissioning stuff? I want to add more to my home, but I don't really know where to look outside of hyper specific ebay searches.

I guess, more succinctly, how do you Find Things?

Heya! Finding cool stuff is a lot about doing just enough research. I'll show you how my mind works.

Let's say I saw this cute cat in the wild. I want to buy it, maybe see if it's something fun to collect.

If I use Google lens on the photo, I get some promising results - this is something that was mass-produced!

Let's click on a result.

I've learned something! This ceramic is called "redware" and the figure is from the 1950s. So, off to another web search.

Oh! A maker name! "Shafford." This will make future searches easier. And look - there are other related cats - it looks like as various household items! (If you further researched the original cat, you'd also learn it is a tape measure and was made in Japan.)

Now, let's say you don't have a photo to start with, or just a vague idea of something you might want. Let's hop to Facebook marketplace and see if anyone is selling cute ceramic black cats.

All of these results could go down their own research paths, but again, I'm using the example of the Shafford cats.

Armed with some knowledge, it takes just a few searches to find an impressive haul. Honestly, if that wasn't 5 hrs away from me, I'd buy that lot in a heartbeat, selling/gifting what I don't want.

For future searches, you now have two paths:

Search for things using basic terminology to find sellers who aren't super knowledgeable. So, something like "vintage kitchen cabinet". You might luck out and find a seller who just wants the thing gone, they don't know its value, and it might be a steal for you!

Search again using the specific terms you have picked up from your research. So, "jelly cabinet." This will get you in front of listing from experts, where you are likely to find a better quality item at the current market price.

That is how I found this for my kitchen, btw.

Learn the common synonyms and mispellings. Bookcase, bookshelf. Captain's desk, secretary desk.

Click on seller stores and profiles to see related items. As you research, you will start to stumble across other items and figure out your sense of taste. You will find cool shit you never knew existed. You will learn new search terms as you pick up bits of history. You will also start stumbling across online speciality sites, or local resources, like antique shops and vintage fairs. You might learn what estate sales are, or about auctions open to the public. You start developing a habit of scouting out shops and sales when you're in a new town. You put big fairs and small swap meets on your calendar. You build relationships with contemporary artists who make things you like.

My sense of style is something I've actively been refining for decades now, and it isn't just vintage tchotchkes. I do this for clothing, for the crafting I'm into, etc. Curiosity and style go hand in hand and the best part is that your eye and research chops will only improve, even if you're just window shopping.

I hope this helps!

[rays-of-fire-and-ice]

Returnal: Summer

Two Weeks of Hitsuhina 2024: Day 5 - Go with the Clouds / Hobbies

Rating: K/General

Setting: between the ten-year time-skip and No Breath from Hell oneshot.

Synopsis: While visiting a town in the World of the Living with Toshiro, Momo begins to have a strange feeling she’s been there before.

AN: this has been a stop-start fic since March of this year. It first came to me when I happened to be listening to World #07 Blues from the DiamondDust Rebellion OST (YT | Spotify) and looked at the clouds towering high in the sky on the horizon (in scientific terms, the formation is referred to as a cumulus congestus cloud… yes I looked it up in case anyone was curious XD). Since then, I was struggling to figure out what this fic was going to be about, because it felt like there was more to it than Momo and Toshiro have a day off int he World of the Living.

It didn’t really crystalise until I was thinking on the theme 'go with the clouds' and I figured out why Momo was feeling the way she was about the town.

A few notes before we begins:

In terms of what they’re wearing in this fic, imagine whatever you want, but I saw Toshiro in the Black Hole Disco attire (not with the headphones and wearing a pair of three quarter pants instead, but yes, he’s wearing the bucket hat), and Momo is in the outfit on the left here and her hair done up in a side ponytail

A shoutengai is a type of shopping district in Japan. It can be considered a market of sorts, where you can buy the usual things you’d find at marketplaces like groceries, meals and snacks, cosmetics, clothes, housewares and more. They vary in size from town to town, but regardless they can also host big social events like festivals. Most of my research for this came talking about them with a friend who’s been to Japan and from quick google searches. If I got anything inaccurate, please let me know so I can fix it.

The rats Hitsugaya mentions are the Ryukyu long-tailed giant rat. It’s a rodent native to Japan, specifically the Ryukyu Islands and it has long hairs that look like spikes.

The cup mentioned in this fic is here.

Momo is acting out of character at certain points, and is harsh at one point, This is deliberate, and I hope it makes sense why this is the case as you read along.

If I had to recommend any music to listen to, anything from the Clannad anime soundtrack will work.

I hope you all enjoy this one!

__________________________________

The sun bears down on the back of Hitsugaya’s neck. He tilts the brim of his hat back to shade it, and despite the heat, he’s not experiencing the usual sluggishness that comes with the summer weather.

Regardless, the action gets Hinamori's attention. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” he assures.

“It’s not far,” she encourages, gesturing to the buildings ahead of them on the horizon. “I wonder why the senkaimon dropped us off here? I thought it would be near one of the shrines.”

He shrugs. “It’s probably an old pathway. There might have been a shrine here once but it’s been lost to time. We’ll have to make a note to Twelfth Division when we get back”

She only nods, then continues towards the town. He doesn’t immediately follow.

The senkaimon had taken them to the outskirts, and he might have complained if not for the view and scenery it offers them. Aside from the sidewalks bordering either ride of the road, the powerlines coming down the hill and going into the town, there’s no other human-made structures out here. They’re on a flat plane in a valley, with flowers and tall grass on either side of the road. Bordering the area in far distance are hills and mountains, and towering high above them are clouds that slowly move across the sky.

Save for the few cars that have passed them, their shoes scraping along the footpath, and the swaying grass, it’s quiet. There’s a peacefulness here that is rare in most places he’s been to in the World of the Living.

He looks back to Hinamori, watching the ends of her skirt flutter in the wind and her cloth bag jostle around her shoulder. Out of everything, however, it the purposefulness in her strides that catches his attention the most.

“Why here?” he’d asked when she’d shown him pictures of the town on her denreishinki.

She’d given a small shrug, but her gaze never left the images. “I just thought it looks like a nice town to visit. I didn’t want to go somewhere too cold or hot, and I didn’t feel like going to a city. It's built up, but it also has a lot of nature. Maybe we could go for a walk there or do some shopping?"

There was something about her in that moment. She wasn’t being dishonest, but she hadn’t told him the whole truth, maybe even didn’t realise there was more to her choice than she knew. As if an unconscious force made her pick this place for their visit.

He brushes the thought aside for now, catching up to her and taking in the serenity around them.

_________________________________

It’s that feeling again. Something clinging to the edge of her heart, and fluttering at the back of her mind, hazy and out of reach.

Hinamori can’t decide if she should be perplexed by it or find it uncomfortable. It had started when she’d been searching for places she and Hitsugaya could visit for their day trip. More specifically, when this town showed up more than once as a recommended day trip destination.

The feeling intensifies now that they walk down the town’s main street. She tries to focus on her surroundings, taking in the architecture of the buildings around her. They’re mostly modern, but occasionally there’s a building that’s out of place, as if transported from another time. They’re well maintained, with obvious repaired having been made to their roofs or walls, but still maintaining their traditional look. They remind her of the buildings in the Junrinan’s business district.

There aren’t a lot of people around to considering it 'bustling', but there's enoguh to make her think the town isn't as small as one might assume based on the maps and pictures she'd seen. There’s a few residents that even have their pets with them, either carrying them or keeping them on leash.

“Look at that dog, Shiro-chan!” Hinamori quietly gushes when she spots a small, white Japanese Spitz with it’s owner across the street. “It’s so fluffy!”

Hitsugaya only snorts and watches the dog trot down the footpath.

“…You know, it kind of looks liked you.”

He lets out a strangled sound which briefly catches the attention of a few around them. “How?!”

“Well, it’s fur looks like your hair, it’s got a very determined stride, and…” She raises a hand to her lips, stifling a giggle and covering the teasing smile curling her lips.

He glares at her, even as blush faintly colors his cheeks. “We didn’t come here for you to compare me to a dog.”

“No, I suppose we didn’t.” She fishes out her denreishinki from her pocket, bringing up the map of the main and connecting streets. “Come on, lets go find the shoutengai.”

 There are a few in this town, but the one that’d been recommend on a several Human websites she’d browsed through was the biggest of them all. It’s home to the usual types of shops, like clothing and homeware stores, but also obscure places like a tiny café that has hedgehog-themed food and beverages, a bookstore selling rare novels and collectables, and a confectionery shop with candies in all sorts of shapes and sizes and flavors.

It's several minutes later when they come across it. It’s hard to miss with the crowd gathered within and the different colored lanterns swaying beneath the shoutengai sign.

Hinamori stops before they cross the street to it’s entrance. “You sure about this?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I know you’re not a fan crowds, so…”

He shrugs. “It's not like we're staying here the whole time."

She smiles in gratitude. “Okay.” Even so, she can’t help but offer, “After this, we can go wherever you want.”

“There's that walking trail you mentioned before, I guess.” Before she can agree to it, he walks past her. “Come on.”

Crossing the street, they manoeuvre their way through the crowds in front until they’re inside. When they enter, Hinamori has to stop to take it all in.

Above them is a semi-circular glass roof, and hanging from it and the beams dotted every several meters are lanterns. Beneath them are smaller signs for all the store and stall within the alleyway. Despite the crowds packing the district, there’s an airy feel to the place. Something lively and cheerful. She grins, finally knowing she made the right decision to come here.

She grabs Hitsugaya’s wrist, and while he lets out a surprised grunt, she points to the nearby candy store, “I saw that one in the blogs! Let’s go check it out.”

They didn’t stay in the store long, with Hinamori buying several bags of sweets for Women’s Association members – Nanao had been keen for everyone to get ideas for their next event, maybe making and selling sweets might inspire them, Hinamori reasoned to herself – and for her captain – he likely misses treats from the World of the Living, she further reasoned.

Hitsugaya stays close as they wonder from store to store. A part of her wishes he’d peel off and go look at something himself, but he’s never been much of a shopper.

From there, she peruses all the store fronts, ducking in when something catches her eye. When she comes upon the hedgehog-themed café, it takes everything in her – and Hitsugaya's small lecture about saving funds – to not buy several of the hedgehog-shaped foods or pay to pet one of the hedgehogs there.

“I’m surprised,” he mutters when they leave.

She lets out a nervous laugh. “At least I only got one thing.” Said thing is packet of two cookies, stowed away with the other candies.

“Not that.” He shakes his head. “Since when have you liked those sorts of creatures? You used to run from the spiny rats in the Junrinan.”

“That was different! Besides…I was younger then, I didn’t know they were harmless.” She turns back to the front windows of the café, watching the Humans hold and pet the tiny creatures. “Besides, those little guys wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

“They literally have spikes!”

“Sounds like you are the one scared of them, Shiro-chan.”

“I am not!”

She laughs at his outrage. “You know, I think they remind me of you too.”

With a loud grumble, he stalks ahead of her. “I’m going to the bookstore.”

"You mean the one we were in before?"

"No, the other one."

That makes her stop. “There was a bookstore?”

He spins on his heel, and when he notices her surprise, his embarrassment turns to teasing. “How did you miss it?”

“You should’ve pointed it out to me!”

He shrugs. “Well, I’m going there. You’ll have to find it yourself.”

She blinks at his audacity, then scrambles to catch up to him. “Hey, wait up!”

She avoids bumping into Humans while trying not to lose sight of him. When a couple comes in front, she has to skid to a stop.

“Ah, sorry!” she quickly apologises, before going around them. Hitsugaya is gone. She sighs wearily. Well, at least he decided to go somewhere on his own.

Deciding to join him later, Hinamori wonders from shop to shop. She comes to another homemade housewares store a few minutes later, browsing the shelves at the front packed with cutlery and ceramics, varying in shapes and designs. She thought to buy a new cup for herself, something different from what she typically found in the Soul Society. When her eyes fall on a black and blue cup, another idea comes to mind.

It’s not his birthday yet, she thinks, and I don’t really have an occasion to give this to him anytime soon. Still…

She picks the cup up, turning it around in her hands. It’s mostly black, but there’s a shiny sliver of the brown clay at the base and blue colors the inside and covers the rim, as if water were spilling out over the lip. It’s the perfect size for tea and light in weight despite the sturdy construction.

The price tag makes her purse her lips, but after a beat, she walks into the store and straight to the cashier before she changes her mind.

Maybe I can wait until his birthday? she wonders after coming out of the store, bag now a bit heavier with the boxed up purchase. It’s only five months away, it’s not too long of a wait, right? It’ll save me having too…

A painting displayed on an easel catches her eye. It makes her come to a complete stop in the middle of the arcade, with Humans wondering around her none the wiser to the shock that thrums through her. She can’t understand this reaction, and that feeling that’d been lingering rushes forward like a tidal wave crashing up against the walls of her mind.

With slow steps, she treads to the painting. She barely registers that it’s a part of a small stall belonging to an artist, with several other paintings on display. She only sees the landscape rendered in muted acrylic paints. There’s a forest, with trees to thin but so tall they obscure the clouded sky. At the base of the trunks is a rocky bank, with stones colored brown and grey, and a small ring of dirt separated it from the green grass and flora of flowers and shrubs. The lake lapping at the bank is a pale blue-grey.

However, she’s seen that lake with her own eyes so many times, knows that it's actually a brighter, more vibrant blue. But how can she?

 _________________________________

Hitsugaya walks out of the bookstore, a parcel in one hand and with his brow furrowed deeply. He’d expected Hinamori to follow him; she never misses the chance to visit a bookstore whenever they go out. Then again, she rarely gets to visit the World of the Living and she always gets caught up in the sights and sounds she’s never experienced before.

Hitsugaya will never admit he likes seeing her like this. This peace the Seireitei has been experiencing for the past eleven years allows her to be happy again without worry or restraint. Yes there had been the few strange moments before and during this trip, but seeing her in the stores gleefully browsing and picking up things to decide if she should buy them or not, even watching her debate whether or not she wanted to pet a hedgehog, it’s a balm for the part of him still unable to let go of what happened over ten years ago.

He scans the district, first to the left towards the exit, then to the right. He puts his hat back on and begins walking the way he’d come before leaving her. Worst case scenario, he can call her denreishinki and meet up at the strange café again. Proving to himself that she can be happy, that he can be happy, as times goes on.

He glances down at the parcel. It has string wrapped around it and tied off in a bow with a tag dangling from one of the ends.

She’s going to want to know about it. It’s rare for him to buy anything on any shopping venture he goes on. I could give it to her now and make the apology. He glances at the Humans around him. No, not here. When we go on the walk.

Through the crowds, Hinamori's profile into view. He makes his way to her, but the closer he approaches, the clearer her expression becomes and the quicker his steps get. She clutches the straps of her bag tightly, and her widened eyes stare at a painting. The furrow in her brow, something caught between distress and confusion, makes him surge forward, bumping into Humans without care.

Someone approaches her, however, knocking her out of this state. He forces himself to a stop, well within her view. Still, she focuses on the stranger as she raises her hand in reassurance and offers a wobbly smile. The Human – the artist of the painting, Hitsugaya assumes – bows her head, and again, Hinamori waves her hand and says something. They speak for a moment, and at one point Hinamori points a trembling hand at the painting.

He finally catches her eyes when he takes slower steps towards her. Hinamori visibly relaxes when their gazes meet.

“Ah, here’s my friend now. I better get going!” She bows to the artist. “Sorry again, I didn’t mean to cause a scene.”

“Oh, no, you didn’t! I was worried my painting had affected you somehow.”

“No, really, it was fine. Thank you for telling me about it.” Then, a bit too quickly, she leaves.

“What was that all –?” She walks past without so much as glancing at him. It only alarms him more. He catches up to her in a few steps and grabs her wrist, forcing her to stop. “Hinamori?”

She doesn’t look at him, staring ahead at the exit. After a shaky breath, she lowers her head, her bangs falling over her temples. “Can we leave? I need to get some air.”

He loosens his grip. “Yeah, sure.”

They make their way out, ending up on a quieter street. He lets her lead the way, taking a short walk through a park. He thinks to speak, to ask about what happened back there, but he waits, knowing she’ll bring up in her own time.

By the time they get to the other side of the park, where a road curves down a hill lined with building on their side and giving them a view of a forest sprawled out below. She opens her mouth, but closes it and presses her lips into a thin line.

“Looked like you were affected by that painting,” he offers.

Again she hesitates, but after a shake of her head, she says, “Yeah. It sounds crazy, but I’ve made a drawing of the place in that painting.”

His brow furrows. “Huh?"

“The thing is…I don’t know where that place is.”

“What?”

They’d been walking down the incline, and she brings them to a stop. “Remember when we were in the Junrinan I started drawing pictures of my past?”

He nods.

“I'm certain one of those drawings was of that place. By the time I was drawing it, I’d started to forget where it was and why I remembered it.”

“You're saying the place in that painting is from when you were a Human?"

"I think so..." She lets out a soft, choked sound. "But it might not be. Maybe it looks a lot like one of the places I drew, but it's not it."

Does this explain her strange behavior at certain points? Did something about this town resonate with long forgotten memories for her? Could this town even be...?

He’s out of his depth with this one. What can he say or do to make this better? “It’s not unheard of for a Shinigami to remember places from their past.”

Hinamori blinks. “Huh?”

“When I was a seated officer,” Hitsugaya continues. “I remember rumours among the officers too, about Shinigami acting strange when they were assigned to certain places, and as a result they needed to be transferred. I never paid it much mind, until one of my subordinates came back from a posting requesting to be transferred. He recognised certain buildings in a city he thought he’d never been too. He couldn’t understand it, and tried so hard to explain it to Matsumoto and I when he returned.” He tries to make his shrug casual, but it's too stiff. "That might be happening to you now."

“I guess. It was considered strange I remembered my past life for as long as you did when I arrived the Soul Society.” She sighs. “Sorry, our trip wasn’t supposed to be like this.”

“It’s fine, you couldn’t have known.” He steps closer to her. “Do you want to head back to the Soul Society?”

He expects her to either nod or say something to the effect of, ‘Not yet. I still need to make this a trip worth going on.’ He doesn’t expect the pursing of her lips or the balling of her hand into a tight fist around the straps of her bag.

“The thing is,” she says, “I asked that artist where that place was, and she said it’s here.”

The air around them changes, becoming thicker. It's all the confirmation he needs.

When a car rushes past, it jolts him to speak. “And you want to go looking for this place?”

She becomes rueful. “Yeah, I do.”

His eyes narrow slightly. “Are you sure that’s wise? Considering how you reacted before, it might not be a good idea.”

She vehemently shakes her head. “I need to find it! I don’t know how I know it, but if I go there, I’m certain I’ll understand.”

“But it’s from before your life in the Soul Society. What do you hope to gain from it?”

There’s a flicker in her gaze. “I don’t expect you to understand, and if you want to head back to the Seireitei, you can.” She turns and begins walking away. “She told me where I can find it, and I’m going there.”

He’s certain she meant no ill intention or malice behind her words, but he can’t help the pang that runs through his chest. He’s left speechless while watching her go. What’s gotten into her?

“As if I’m leaving,” he grumbles, rushing after her.

She doesn’t look back at him, her gaze searching for something around the town. They walk in tense silence until Hinamori points out a street sign for a shrine that's on the right. "She said to go left of this sign into the forest."

He doesn't like the grim determination in her eyes as they cross the road and walk between the tall trees. There's a dirt path winding around, leading from the flat they stand on down a gentle incline. "Then what?" he asks.

"Follow the path. At some point there's an old broken statue with white and purple flowers at the base."

She presses on, those purposeful strides back again. His hand balls into a fist at his side. "Oi."

She stops but only half turns back to him.

He sighs and folds his arms. "If we don't find anything in twenty minutes, I'm strongly advising we turn back."

She narrows her gaze at the ground.

"Hinamori."

She gives a curt nod. "Fine."

They continue on, walking in silence once more. He doesn't like this, and yet, he can see something softening in her. Is doubt creeping in? He finds he likes that even less.

But what would she want to get out of returning to something she can't remember? That causes her to act like this? He can't think of a similar experience, and even if he could, it's likely he still couldn't fully relate to what she's thinking and feeling right now.

He's certain they're comign up to the twenty minute mark. He pauses on the path to check his denreishinki, but something bothers him in his periphery. To his right, in the far distance, past the tree and shrubbery, there's something grey.

“Hey,” he says, tapping her shoulder, then pointing it out.

When they get closer, Hitsugaya still can’t make out what it is. It’s what was described to Hinamori, but it could be the base of a lantern or a statue, maybe even the broken remains of a pillar. Nothing in the area gives him any clues. As the painter had said, however, at it's base are white and purple flowers either swaying or trying to cling and snake their way by the stone surface.

He’s about to speak, but stops at Hinamori’s intense gaze. It’s like the one had with the painting, as if she were caught somewhere else.

“Hinamori?” When she doesn’t respond, he touches her shoulder. “Oi, you’re spacing out again.”

She jolts with a hitch of breath. “I…” Her head tilts up. “Do you hear that?”

Now that she mentioned it, there’s a sound, one that isn’t like the birds chirping or the rustling of leaves. “Sounds like water.” Lapping water, to be exact. “We must be getting close.”

She nods, but stops. She looks down, finds something, and her gaze scans further down the hill. He frowns, trying to see what she does. It’s several heartbeats later when he notices the path hidden amongst the grass and foliage. It hadn’t been trodden on in quite some time, maybe even decades.

He startles when she sudden runs away, sandaled feet scrapping on the path. He nearly drops his parcel when leaps into action and sprints after her.

_________________________________

She’s gone into a state between shock and something heartfelt. She can feel tears burning in the corners of her eyes, but she can’t understand why. Shrubs and grass scratch at her legs and skirt, but none of it stops her. She’s utterly compelled to keep running, following something she doesn’t understand. The feeling from before has gotten worse, clawing at her heart.

The sound of water, the stone ruin they’d come upon, it fired something old within her, like a muscle memory she hadn't used in a long time.

Through the trees, a lake glitters ahead, and it only makes her run faster. She hears Toshiro call out behind her, sounding alarmed and confused.

The trees and foliage thin out the closer she gets, until all she can see and hear is the waves lapping on the shore. The stony bank rushes up to greet her, and she comes a skidding, abrupt stop before she falls into the water.

“What’s gotten into you?!” Hitsugaya exclaims from behind her. “You can’t just run off like that!”

She ignores him, is too caught up in the sights and smells. The tree line, the rocky bank, and beyond them are the valley’s mountains. The lake is shaped like a tear drop, wide up one end and narrow down the other, likely leading to a river or some larger body of water. There’s a small pier on the wider end, and judging from the bleached patches of wood, it hasn’t been maintained. She looks beyond it, tracing along the tree line. There are pockets where there’s no flora, as if something had once been there but has since crumbled away, left to age and vanish with time.

Something had been there, something she knew.

She lets out shuddering breaths, inhaling in the fresh, floral air. The smell of several flowers, some dangling from the trees, others from the shrubs that are dotted within the forest. It’s the smell of a distant time.

“I know this place,” she says, breathless. “I’ve been…” She shakes her head, dislodging a tear from the corner of her eye. “But that’s impossible. I-I’ve never been here.”

Hitsugaya’s shoes crunch in the pebbled bank as he comes to her side. He watches her for a moment longer, a deep furrow in his brow, then looks around the area. “What makes you so sure?”

“I-I’ve never heard this town,” she insists. “I’ve never even had to come to this part of the World of the Living for missions! Yet, I know it. I drew it! I…” She sobs without tears. “I’m so confused.”

She’d hoped coming here would explain why she felt these strange emotions, why she had drawn a picture of this lake and forest. She doesn’t understand the ache in her heart or the threat of tears. Her head is light, bordering on spinning.

The gentle but firm grip around her forearm bring her back to her sense. She meets her friend’s concerned gaze. She’s mostly found him to be a calming presence, and looking his eyes and focusing on her breath, it’s no different now. "Shiro-chan..."

He doesn't react to nickname. She might've laughed if not for the situation.

She thinks back on what he’d said before about subordinate who also experienced the same emotions as her. It occurs to her again that Hitsugaya can’t fully understand what’s happening to her. His life has always been in the Soul Society. He had no Human life to forget.

Yet here he is, trying to understand, and how had she reacted? She bows her head and rests a hand on top of his. “I’m sorry. I said some harsh words to you before.”

“Forget about it.”

“No, it wasn’t right. I don’t know what possessed me to come here. I don’t know why I thought I’d know what this place is if I came here. If anything, it’s just made me more confused.” She shakes her head. “I took out my frustration on you, I shouldn’t have. And I shouldn’t have come here, either. I really am sorry."

Hitsugaya breaks his gaze away, staring off to the side. For a time, there’s just the lapping of water, the distant calls and chirping of birds, and a gentle breeze that sways the branches of the trees and flora.

“You filled our sketchbook with so many drawings of places and people I didn’t know.” The furrow in his brow deepens. "I felt...I wish I could..." he clenches his jaw, clearly frustrated he can't bring himself to fully express how he felt about it. Still, the fact he's trying warms her heart.

“I wouldn’t know anything from those drawings anymore.” She shakes her head. “I wish I knew more. I wish I knew why know this place. I don’t know what to do, Hitsugaya-kun.”

“Are you certain about that?”

Is she? On one hand, coming here had only left her with more questions and confusing emotions. On the other, it doesn’t feel right to leave yet, as if something keeps her tethered here.

“What would you do?” As soon as she asks the question, she wants to take it back. He isn’t like most Souls. He has no earthly connection of any kind; no ancestors or memories to forget from another world. For him, there is the older woman he calls ‘Baa-chan’. She has no bloodties to him, but she is family to him nevertheless.

She can tell he's weighing whether they should leave or stay. She lifts her hands off his and slips out of his grip. “Let’s just head back.”

He sighs. “It’s not what you want though, is it?”

She presses her lips together. “What good will staying here do?”

“You tell me.”

She can’t help but chuckle, and the small twitch in the corner of his lip only makes her smile involuntarily. “You’re not being fair right now.”

“I think I’m being very fair. This is your decision, Hinamori. You’ve clearly been to this place before in your past and returning to it is making you existential. What say do I have in that?”

"But you do! I feel like I'm dragging you into this."

"I'm not a child anymore, I chose to come here."

He’s right really, but she still expected him to try and convince her to leave. He can worry too much, after all. But then again, the eleven yearlong peace has also mellowed him out a little. What moves her more is that he’s willing to stay and see whichever choice she makes through to the end. He’s always been like that, but it never ceases to amaze her how kind and loyal he can be.

She looks to the pier. “Maybe we could walk over there? I don’t really know why, but…”

“All right.”

Before she sets for the pier, she gestures to the parcel he holds. “Do you want to put that in my bag? You shouldn’t have to carry that the whole time.”

She nearly frowns at his hesitation. Before she can ask, he leans towards her bag. “Sure.”

She opens it for him and he drops the parcel in. “I’ll give it back to you when we get return to the town.” It’s only then it occurs to her he’d actually bought something. She grins as she starts up the bank and he follows. “What is it, by the way?”

“A book.”

“Oh? Are you getting back into reading?”

“Something like that.”

She pouts at his vagueness. “Aw, come on, you can tell me.”

“I will later. In the meantime, lets get to the pier.”

She decides to let it go. It had been a small diversion from the tumult of emotions going through her. She finds, however, walking along the bank with only their food steps and the sounds of nature is somewhat calming. If it weren’t for how she is feelings, she could take in just how beautiful the area is. She had tried to draw it from memory, but if only she could sketch it now.

Does she want a memento of this place? That begs the question: what happens when she leaves? Will she long for this place for the rest of her days? The thought of that makes her clutch a hand to her chest. She’s dealt with far worse, but knowing this place could haunt her for decades to comes fill her with a dreadful anxiety.

“Hinamori?”

She shakes her head. “No, I’m fine.”

She senses he wants to ask more, but he says nothing. Again, she’s reminded of his kindness. She presses her lips together hard to ignore the burn of tears tingling at the backs of her eyes. She’ll have to make it up to him somehow. None of this was right, not when today was about having fun and relaxing together.

As they near the pier, her heart flutters anew. “Do you think it’s safe to walk on?”

“Only one way to find out.”

She raises a brow at him.

Hitsugaya shrugs. “It doesn’t look that old. Besides, the lake seems shallow, you'll barely get wet.”

Is he trying to lift her spirits again? It doesn’t quite work this time, but she still indulges him with a small smile.

They comes to a stop where the ground transaction between dirt and wooden planks. Hinamori twists slowly in all directions. Behind them is one of the patches without trees. To the untrained eye, there’s nothing to see here, but she notices the strange bumps in the dirt and the odd what a hedge is shaped. Moss and a shrub have completely overtaken a featureless stone sculptures – not unlike the one that saw before – and there’s raised lines running through the dirt and grass. The shrubbery had completely grown over something round and wooden propped against a tree; she can’t make out what it is.

“I don’t think anyone has been here for a long time,” she says.

“Given there’s no official path to here, yes,” Hitsugaya replies.

“I wonder why?”

He walks over to the strange shrub. “Some things are just left to be forgotten. The World of Living is not like ours. The Humans move on quicker.”

The flicker of sympathy in her chest almost makes her forget about why she’d come over here. Still, she offers, “But we do move on, for better or worse or without even realising.”

He looks over his shoulder at her. His expression unreadable, but his usual frown has softened away.

Swallowing against the growing tightness in her throat, she returns her attention to the pier. She places a careful step on to the wooden planks. At the next, there’s a groan. Still, it feels stable.

She treads the rest of the way slowly, coming to a stop near the end. The view is even more beautiful from here, giving her a vista that’s only the lake below, the trees in the middle, and the sky. The clouds have gotten taller since they first arrived.

Her heart seizes and the air is squeezed out of her lungs. A spark. No, a flash, like the afterimage of a lantern after she blinks – the form is there for a second, but quickly dissolves into something shapeless, and then into only colors that fade into nothing. Two hands, one smaller than the other – she’s certain hers is the bigger one – and the lake in the lower half, the line of trees and bank in the middle, and high above is the sky. The hands reach – no, one points – to the clouds towering over the forest and reflecting in the water. The arms are clad is yukata sleeves, here’s in white with Sakura blossoms, the other in yellow and white flowers. Is there a boat on the waters too? With a fishing net cast out on one side? There’s laughter, childish and high-pitched.

She’s held by the memory, unable to breathe for a second that seems to stretch on forever. There’s clouds, but they’re not from the memory. She’s back in the present, Hitsugaya standing at her side. She gasps, trying to catch her breath and hunches over.

“Hey!” He shifts to stand in front of her and holds her shoulders. “What’s going on?”

She wets her lips before she looks to him. “I think…I think I remembered something," she struggles to get out. “I think it’s of me and…a sister?”

She can’t explain how she knows the other hand belongs to a sibling, but saying it aloud makes tears suddenly form again. “I had a sister.”

Hitsugaya only nods, prompting her to keep going.

“I had a sister, and now…she’s gone. I had…parents too.” It’s so obvious, and yet it’s as if it’s only occurring to her now. She’s never had to think about since losing her memories. Her heart hammers against her chest and she’s struggling to regain her breath. “I died before them. I have no idea what happened to them. I could have seen or met them in the Soul Society and never even known it.” A more horrifying thought takes hold. “They might even be Shinigami right now and I’d never know it.”

“Hinamori.” Hitsugaya says her name more pressingly. “Slow down. Breathe.”

“I can’t I –" Tears blur in the corners of her eyes. "What can I do? They’re gone. What am I supposed to do?”

She grunts at the sudden cold pressed near the nape of her neck. Hitsugaya’s hands had left her shoulders and now hold the underside of her jaw. Her tears stop, her mouth agape, but her breath returns.

Seeing her calm down, Hitsugaya’s gaze turns apologetic and he sips his hands away. “You decide, and tell me what I can do."

She’s going in circles. How can she come to terms with all of this? The wind picks up, throwing her ponytail off her shoulder and billowing her skirt. Leaves and petals scatter in the air, some falling on the lake and others amongst the grass.

She takes one of his hands and squeezes it. “Thank you, Shiro-chan.”

Letting go, she walks off the pier and he follows. She goes to the ruins, coming to a stop in the middle of the raised lines. It feels right to stand here, she can’t explain it. “I think there used to be some kind of boat shed here. I’m guessing my… family would come here to fish.” She shrugs weakly. “I don’t know for sure, I’m only guessing.”

She looks to the strange shrub. When approaching it, she can’t explain the uncertainty that it evokes within her. There’s nothing threatening about it, but there’s nothing familiar or knowing about it either.

The shrubbery is more like vines, with branches winding around the tree trunk, and it’s leaves shiny and big. She pulls at a clump, breaking it apart with ease. She takes a few more handfuls while Hitsugaya comes to stand behind her. Again she expects him to voice his concern, but he remains silent.

When she brushes several branches aside, she can make out what’s beneath. The wheel of a cart. It’s so aged she’s certain even applying the tiniest bit of pressure to any part of it would reduce it to splinters beneath her fingertips. Yet it still had its shape.

She thinks about her sketchbooks, stored in the back of her closet and collecting dust. She hasn’t looked at her first ones in years, and she didn’t have any reason not to. But maybe, she was scared to look and remember a time when she had memories of another time. It shouldn’t matter to her, that life ended, had been gone for close to a century.

She wonders if she was blessed or cursed with remembering her old life when she came to the Soul Society. The desperation she’d had the time when trying to draw everything from that life tells it’s the latter, yet she can’t discount the former either. To know one has lived a life before this, no matter how short, to have experienced things – good and bad and somewhere in between – that they may be experienced only once or for the first time again.

She looks back to Hitsugaya then. She’d experienced a lot with him, he makes up a lot of her childhood memories. In the first years of knowing him, the special and novelty of discovering a new world captivated her, but as both wore off, it made a part of her long for the place in her memories. She’d wanted to go back, until the memories went and she didn’t know what she could miss from her life as a Human.

Perhaps this is what all these emotions are, returning to her after all this time. The grief of a girl who wanted to go back, now has to find it’s all gone and the shame having forgotten about it.

It couldn’t be helped, was inevitable for every Soul. Hers. Her Human family too. The Soul Society is so vast that it’s incredibly rare for one to find their family from when they were a Human. She recalls rumors in the beginning of lieutenancy that Ikkaku had a younger sister he’d reunited after she became a Shinigami – despite how dismissive many were at the time, it turned out to be true.

However, in the event it old families found each other, it’s not always for the best. She’d heard whispers in her Academy days of Shinigami born in two very different districts, and finding each other again, only to resent each other for being born in a district higher or lower than each other. She even heard a story where an officer found their brother, only for them to die by his hands because he resented him for ‘leaving their family behind’. The validity of such stories is always contested, so rare is it for Shinigami to find old family members.

If she did meet her sister or parents again, she can’t say for certain how she will react. Would the memories of her previous life come flooding back to her? Would she simply just know it’s them but not remember a thing? Would they know who she is?

She stands, not breaking her gaze from Hitsugaya. She has this life to live, to be with him and everyone else. New family and friends to make and be with, and perhaps, one day even, someone to spend the rest of her life with until she’s reincarnated back to the World of the Living and starts that new life.

Hitsugaya opens his mouth, about to speak, but she stops him when she strides forward and pulls him into a hug. “I’m okay now,” she reassures. “I think I’ve figured it out.”

Hitsugaya is too stunned by her actions to speak at first. Eventually, he relaxes but doesn’t hug her back. “You have?”

She nods. “Thank you for coming here with me. I couldn’t have done this without you, really.”

Several heartbeats pass his arm come loosely around her shoulders and torso. She can sense his confusion, and why wouldn’t he be? It’s like the subordinate he mentioned: how can she express this experience in words? Could she even draw it?

She pulls back just far enough to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry again that I derailed our day.” She offers a rueful smile. “It’s hard to explain. I may never be able to –”

“It can’t be helped.” His words would sound cold if not for how soft his tone was. “So long as you’re all right, then it’s only for you to know.”

She blinks, stunned at first, then her smile widens into a grin. “Thank you.”

But it's not as simple as that. Not yet. Time would help it to make it that way. No, right now, it's too much. Her grin wavers, and that grief, that overwhelming shame, crashes over her like a wave. She bows her head, and the tears fall. "I'm..."

Hitsugaya isn't alarmed, doesn't even utter a word. He tugs on her arms, signalling her to return to the hug, and she does, sobbing into his shoulder.

If only he could've met her old family. If only her two lives could exist at once. If only she didn't know such feelings as these. It's life. It's hurt and relief. It's knowing he's here, has always been, even at her worst moments.

She stands with him for several minutes, coming up when she's certain there' s no tears left to shed. She wipes her face with the back of her arm and quietly apologies for wetting his shirt's shoulder. He says nothing, only raising a hand to catch the few stray tears clinging to the edge of her jaw.

After a beat, they watch the waves of the lake, the swaying of the flora and trees, and the slow migration of the clouds across the sky. Perhaps she should find a way to say goodbye to this place, to this old life. She can’t think of a way, and perhaps leaving with someone from her new life is fitting.

It feels like the right time to leave, but they remain for quite some time, even ending up sitting on the bank in companionable silence. In a moment of boldness, she rests her head on his shoulder, exhaustion slowly seeping into her. He doesn’t go rigid like she half expects.

“Will you come back?”

She glances at Hitsugaya, but he continues to stare out at the lake. He’s always had a striking appearance, but it’s in moment like these she questions if her feelings of friendship are something more.

“No,” she eventually answers. “I won’t.”

When she leaves, will the memories that led her to this place disappear again? Will she recall this day with fondness or melancholy? She doesn’t know, only time will tell.

An hour later, when they make their way back to the hidden path, she only looks back to the pier once. The feeling of rather than the visual of the memory burns in the back of her mind. It might be the last time she remembers it. It could be gone forever, buried like the wheel beneath the vines and flora. There will be no traces of it left in this world or in the Soul Society. She had already forgotten it once, and she will again.

It didn’t mean it didn’t happen or never mattered. So many things are forgotten, big and small, and yet, they live on in some way, consciously or not. She carries the memory and her old life in every step she takes into her new one without knowing. Every experience, remembered or not, has made her who she is.

________________________

Later, after coming through the senkaimon, giving her gigai back, and then parting ways with Hitsugaya, she returns to her room. Exhausted, she considers not joining everyone in the mess hall for dinner, but she’s hungry and it might concern them she isn’t there.

The clothes and bag she’d worn are her own, bought while on a mission in the World of Living just over a decade ago. She changes back into her uniform, ready to go down to the mess hall until she remembers her bag. She lifts it from her bed and takes out the boxed-up mug. She'd strongly considered giving it to him once they returned, another apology for how today turned out.

 She makes a mental note get wrapping paper tomorrow in her break before putting it in her closet. It’ll be there for a while, but at least she doesn’t have to worry about getting him a birthday present for this year.

She goes to take out the bags of candy and the hedge-hog shaped cookie, but halts at the parcel. I forgot to give it back to him! Taking it out, she drops her bag and makes for the door, intending to sprint to Tenth Division before going to dinner.

The tag on the parcel flips over, and the characters written on the back make her pause. It’s her name, and beneath it ‘Sorry it’s late’. She frowns. This is meant for me?

Thinking back to before they parted, Hitsugaya had stared at her bag for longer than she expected. She wouldn’t have needed to remind him of parcel, he knew it was still in there.

She walks backwards until the backs of her knees hit her bed and she sits down. What had he meant by ‘Sorry it’s late’? White day had been and gone, there wasn’t any special event where she was expecting anything from him. If only he were here so could ask. Shell have to ask him when he sees her next.

 She pulls on the string bow, then tears away the brown paper. A book. One she’s never heard of before. The cover shows a green valley and sky sparsely clouded. A woman stands in the foreground, back facing the reader, her head tilted upwards. The title, Gone with the Clouds, and the author’s name are high above the woman, making appear she’s looking at them.

She raises her head to the bookcase against her wall. There’s two rows of books, with a third starting to be occupied by the last three novels she’d gotten – one she bought earlier in the year, the other two collections of haiku poems from Izuru for her birthday. It contends with a purple vase that needs flowers in it and the gift from Hitsugaya and Rangiku for one of her birthdays of tiny figurines of a boy, short-haired and in a blue kimono, and a girl, pig-tailed and in a floral white and red kimono.

On other shelves are old copies of the Seireitei Communication that feature articles or creative contributions from her friends, a tea set she’d bought but has yet to use, the wooden box of color pencils given to her by Shinji last year for her birthday, the box of her colored and black charols, a stack of unused sketchbooks, a baking recipe book, a clay Chappy made by Ichika, a star plushies given by Kazui, a framed photo of her and then Women’s Association at their festival stall, the chest with her old hair accessories – her hair cloth, ribbon, clip, and a bandana given to her by Renji – and an lavender scented candle she’d last lit a few years ago.

She rises from her bed and goes over to slide the book in next to haiku collections.

A birthday gift. It’s a birthday gift.

She lets out a chuckle at the realisation. Honestly, he couldn’t have written it on the tag? This years had been like one of the few others where she didn’t get a gift from him, until today almost three weeks later. Maybe he’d intended to give it to her himself, but then her search for the past diverted things. In the end, she got a memento for this day, and there’d be no way to detach it from it. Not that she’d want to, because for better or worse, today happened.

She slides the book on to the shelf, becoming a part of everything she’d either brought herself or received from someone else. All from her life here.

[dumb-phone-diaries]

So It's been like 2 months now since I started using the dumb phone. I had a few teething problems but I've actually solved a lot of the issues I mentioned in my last post. I've gotten much more used to the keyboard now and I've found a lot of shortcuts that i didn't realise were there at first so I'm now texting like a pro again.

The audiobook situation is not perfect but i've loaded this thing with a 32 gig SD card, and I found a wonderful opensource program called Libation, which scans my audible account, downloads my books and spits them into chapters all in one step. The bonus side effect of this is that I now have all of the books I've paid for stored on my computer hard drive where they won't disappear is audible changes their minds about hosting them.

This is probably very illegal and you should definitely not download it here: https://getlibation.com/

Granted, the books I'm currently listening to have chapters that are an hour long or so, and I can't exit out of the mp3 player without losing my spot. This has honestly been a blessing in disguise because it forces me to not be distracted every time I get a text message. have to wait for the end of the chapter before I can look at it. I can answer the phone without losing my place.

So yeah. the MP3 player could be better, and honestly there's no reason why it shouldn't be, I'm certain this thing has the capability, it's just shitty programming. But I'm dealing.

More significantly though. I've honestly been surprised at just how quickly my need to scroll has just gone. there wasn't even much of an adjustment period. for a couple of weeks I'd find myself occasionally picking up up my phone, unlocking it, and then locking it again and putting it down cuz there's nothing on there. But very quickly I just don't do that anymore. I don't even think about it that often. All the anxiety that I thought I was soothing, all the noise in my head that I thought i was turning off by scrolling, has just gone. The call was coming from inside the house, guys.

About once a week I come to my laptop and scroll tumblr for a few minutes, maybe half an hour, and I'm using pintrest very rarely if it's the best search engine for something I'm looking up, and I use facebook only for marketplace and my business page, and instagram again only for my business. It's forcing me to be very intentional about those things.

I've also rediscovered my ability to sit and stare into space. I haven't had the brain capacity to read a book with my eyes recently, so over breakfast I'm just... sitting and eating. Which I suppose is quite mindful. but also I'm just spacing out so maybe not. But that's something I haven't been able to do for a long time. It's nice.

I do need to get a camera though I think. I do need it for the business, I can't keep stealing my husband's phone to take pics, and sometimes he's not around when I want to make a post. Also I just like taking photos. The camera in the phone is sufficient for sending pics of things I found in the shops to my husband and sister, or sending my timesheet to my boss because his shitty software won't let me clock in on PC. But it's not good enough for product pics or anything like that.

I'm also now carrying my planner/journal/filofax thing around with me which is something i've been working toward doing for a long time. I don't have access to google calendar while out and about now so I need to write down my appointments properly. I bought a new bag that fits my journal, purse and book. I feel very cute using my planner in public.

So yeah. It's going well so far. I think this may be feasible as a permanent change.

[theacecouple]

fyi the doc asks u to sign in

Assuming you're talking about the Google Form we use to collect information for MarketplACE vendors, yes it does ask you to sign in and this is out of our control.

Google requires this in order to upload files and we do ask our MarketplACE vendors to submit a photo to represent their shop which appears on our website along their listing, as you can see here.

However, if privacy is your concern, we do not receive your email nor any personal information that is not typed directly into the form in the question fields.

This is what we see when we have a new response

And clicking on "View Response" shows us only the form answers exactly how you answered them.

This form is open to all Ace and/or Aro-owned small businesses. If you fill out the form, you'll be featured on our website alongside 175 fabulous aspec shops.

We also conclude every episode of our podcast by shouting out a featured MarketplACE vendor of the week.

Anyone interested can fill out this form here

[cindylouwho-2]

Etsy Delays Canadian Regulatory Operating Fee For Shops It Failed to Notify

On August 14, Etsy sent the above email to some Canadian shop owners, admitting they failed to notify some of us - "a small group of sellers" - that the corporation introduced a 1.15% Regulatory Operating Fee for all Canadian shops that starts August 15. Sellers who received this email will not be subject to the fee until August 29th, and even got an apology!

We should expect a lot of complaints tomorrow as some Canadian sellers become aware of this fee increase for the first time. I have still not received any notification for my jewellery shop - no emails, no dashboard pop ups that some others have reported. (I even logged into my closed shop to check, and it also lacked a notification.) It's extremely unlikely I am the only one.

Given that Google and Amazon are implementing similar fees but are waiting until October, only delaying the fee for 14 days when Etsy admits responsibility for the lack of earlier notification seems quite unfair. Why does everyone else get 30 days warning, but "a small group" only gets 15 days, solely because Etsy screwed up?

What Is Going On?

If you missed my other reports and don't know what this is about, the Canadian Digital Services Tax Act now charges companies 3% on several different categories of digital income such as marketplace service revenue and advertising services revenue. 

Etsy is not charged 3% tax on sellers' gross income; they are being taxed on some of the fees they charge us. If the goal is to force Canadian sellers to cover the whole amount owed, it's not clear why the company is not just applying a 3% fee on our fees, instead of this much higher cash grab. My calculations show that 1.15% of my gross income on Etsy's platform is almost 3 times as much money as 3% of the fees I pay Etsy would be. It's also a 10% fee increase for me, and they still haven't told me they will will be doing this.

Remember, Etsy pays a lot of tax in the United States (see this financial report at page 105) but does not charge US sellers any extra amount to cover those taxes. Forcing sellers from other countries to pay more when Americans don't is just another way Etsy loves to keep commerce inhumane for its non-US shops.

[pixelpromote]

Top Digital Marketing Trends to Watch in 2025

Digital marketing has evolved significantly in recent years, making this field even more exciting. In 2025, several key trends will emerge that will not only transform the marketing landscape but also help your content rank higher. Understanding and adopting these trends effectively is essential.

1. The Growing Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

"In 2025, AI-powered marketing will be the biggest trend in the digital world. It will enhance the use of data and provide a superior consumer experience. With AI, companies can understand customer behavior and deliver personalized experiences based on their needs. Visit editpulse.xyz to explore how we can help you leverage AI for your business.

Examples:

Tools like ChatGPT and Jasper make content generation easier.

AI can recommend products based on a customer’s past purchase behavior.

2. Importance of Personalization

"Today's consumers demand personalized experiences. They are drawn to brands that understand their individual needs and preferences.

Key Points:

Email Marketing Personalization: Sending emails based on customer names, past purchase history, and preferences.

Website Personalization: Displaying content tailored to the customer’s preferences after they log in. Visit http://editpulse.xyz/ to learn how we can help personalize your marketing strategy."

3. Rise of Short-Form Video Content

Short-form video content will dominate marketing strategies in 2025. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts will help brands connect more effectively with their audience.

Examples:

A restaurant promoting its new menu via short videos.

A fashion brand showcasing its new collection on Instagram Reels.

4. Voice Search Optimization

Voice search is becoming a critical component of digital marketing. In 2025, the usage of voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri will continue to grow. know more click here

Tips:

Make your website voice-search friendly.

Use long-tail keywords that align with voice search queries.

5. Data Privacy and Ethical Marketing

Data privacy will take center stage in 2025. Brands must prioritize transparency and ethical practices in their marketing efforts.

Key Points:

Obtain consent from customers, which will build trust.

Keep data secure and confidential.

6. Growth of Micro-Influencer Marketing

In 2025, micro-influencers (10,000–50,000 followers) will prove to be more effective for brands. They have a dedicated and highly engaged audience.

Examples:

A beauty brand promoting products through micro-influencers.

A fitness brand collaborating with fitness influencers.

7. Expansion of Social Commerce

Social media is no longer just a medium for connection; it has become a platform for shopping. Social commerce will continue to grow in 2025.

Examples:

Customers can use Instagram’s “Shop Now” feature to buy products directly.

Small businesses can sell their products on Facebook Marketplace.

8. Importance of Interactive Content

Interactive content such as quizzes, polls, and live videos will gain popularity in 2025. These formats allow users to engage with brands more effectively.

Examples:

A fitness brand using Instagram polls to gather feedback on new products.

An education platform engaging students through quizzes.

Conclusion

In 2025, leveraging new technologies and strategies in digital marketing will be crucial. To achieve success, adopt these trends and build stronger relationships with your customers. For more information, visit [Your Website Link].

Remember, by prioritizing consumer experiences and embracing innovation, you can take your brand to new heights."

This keeps the flow intact while inserting the link without changing the message. You can replace editpulse.xyz with your actual website URL. http://editpulse.xyz

[ultrainfinitepit]

The other weekend, I took a little trip to the MOMENT Tiny Object Marketplace at the Google Mountain View Campus. You can find lots of my pins there, alongside adorable little objects, stickers, earrings, and more by tons of talented makers!

I picked up some washi tape by BoboDesignStudio, a print by woodymakesthings, and a sticker and tiny sculpture by Malisa Suchanya.

The shop is open until January 2024, if you're in the area I recommend checking it out!

[kairiaka]

Shop Updates: Moving from RedBubble & Etsy

With Etsy becoming a cesspool of Dropship & AI (and theft growing rampant with no support to the sellers), I knew I was going to have to move shops eventually.

But with RedBubble taking all the money from my sales (which wasn't a lot, but I worked hard for those dimes!) and my designs getting stolen, I think it would be best to shutter that one too.

I wasn't making a lot from RB (maybe $25/year), but that money did help during the holiday season. But RB really fell off after initiating those new seller tiers (and fees).

Of course, with the closure of the RB, I'll have to supply my own inventory (thinking of trying Vograce!)-- at least I can control the quality now. I can't vouch for the stickers, but the shirts and notebooks were hit-and-miss.

(I'm currently researching marketplaces to switch to. The ones I've crossed out:)

Makerplace (The traffic is low; might consider it in the future if it grows)

Shopify (Not a large enough maker to warrant my own site; Google has also made it impossible to find small shops/punishes storefront using SEO)

TikTok Shop (Unstable longevity; I don't use TikTok)

Instagram Shop (Meta's AI-Scraping, and IG is already an Advertising Hellscape)

Facebook Marketplace (Also owned by Meta)

Amazon (...No, just no)

Mercari (Has become unhinged; fees are forever changing and seen/witnessed too many horror stories from there; was fun while it lasted)

And as far as Printers, I'm not using StickerMule (for various reasons-- mainly the owner's remarks, but also past ordering experience).

[literaticat]

I’ve been researching agents before I query my MG Fantasy, and after [many many hours of research] I only have SEVEN agents I feel would be a good fit ??? I thought I’d have, like, 30 on my list!! I’ve read lots of query advice about doing agent research and finding good fits so many I’m taking it toooo far? The writers I follow on socials will query 40-50 agents and I don’t even know how to find that many! I guess my question is… should I cast a broader net and if so…. How do I best figure out who to query without just spamming my book out there (not my style).

I mean listen maybe you are just *choosy* and there's nothing wrong with that. (I confess, I'm a bit of a snob myself!) -- But I am guessing there are more than 7 good agents that do MG fantasy. ;-)

Maybe you already did all this, idk, but here's how I'd personally do it, it's a three-pronged approach from broad/general to specific.

FIRST -- I'd start a spreadsheet and begin filling it out by looking up all my favorite authors (who write my kinda book) just to see who their agents are. Listen, you gotta start somewhere. This info will often be in their acknowledgments or google author name + agent. Make a note of these names because they may well come up later!

SECOND -- I'd get a (Free) QueryTracker account. With this, just the most basic thing, I narrowed down in five seconds that there are 87 agents who are open to MG Fantasy queries specifically. Now, a lot of these are multiple people at the same agency which you'd have to narrow down, some agents might have only put "Middle Grade" and not SPECIFIED fantasy but they do in fact take fantasy -- but this is a start. You're starting to familiarize yourself with names, and this is just another way to cross-reference. I WOULD NOT USE THIS AS MY MAIN RESEARCH TOOL -- but it is useful to know about!

THIRD, and most importantly/usefully, I'd get a Publishers Marketplace account. I wanna say this is $25 a month (though maybe the price has changed idk, but it's around that) -- you don't need to keep the account but getting it for a month would be incredibly useful. The thing to do, IMO, is, instead of immediately just combing through deals -- a tedious process -- start by going to Dealmakers.

Go to "Browse Top Dealmakers" and select Agency > Children's: Middle Grade Fiction > Overall. You'll get the top 100 agencies for MG Fiction sales. It looks like this:

From here, you can click each individual agency name and see an overview of all their sales and deals with TONS of info, or click "View Deals" and see all the deals in this category. You could also go in the top and switch it to "Agents" and look at the top 100 agents, but a lot of them will be at the same agencies, and you should only choose one per, so that's for later when you are narrowing it down!

With all of this info, you SHOULD have a fairly robust list of agencies that do MG fiction and have a track record of sales. (There are at least 60 or so on there that have multiple MG sales in the past 12 months!) -- note that, of course, the size of the agency has something to do with this too, though -- agencies with multiple agents doing the deals obviously will have more deals in a category - a one-person shop or an agency with only one kids specialist will obviously have lower total deals, but that doesn't make them less good. So don't be swayed by just Size of Agency, the nature of the deals are important, too.)

Anyway -- let's say that there are 40 agencies here that seem like great possibilities. They have clearly done multiple MG sales, you've heard of their books, etc.

Within those agencies, there might be one obvious "MG Fantasy" agent -- OR, there might be multiple you could choose from. So when you are whittling that down, you can go to their agency website, read their bio, read their wishlist, read their client list, etc. Maybe a couple of the agencies will get knocked out at this point because actually, it seems that none of the MG deals were fantasy and nobody seems to like fantasy in their bios -- but I'M BETTING that there will be more than 7 people on the list at the end of this process!

GOOD LUCK!

[prezeblogupdates]

The Importance of SEO for Loc

In today?s competitive marketplace, local businesses struggle to stand out and attract customers. With the heightened use on internet queries, SEO techniques has become a vital tool for businesses to improve visibility, connect with clients, and drive revenue. This article will explore why SEO is important for local businesses and how it can revolutionize their digital presence. Defining Local SEO Local SEO is a specialized subset of SEO that is aimed at boosting the visibility of businesses in geographic-specific searches. When potential customers search for products or services near them, local SEO ensures your business shows up at the first page of the listings. Local SEO includes updating your Google My Business profile, focusing on location-specific keywords, and creating local citations to build credibility. This strategy is important for businesses that depend on foot traffic, such as restaurants, boutiques, and service providers. Benefits of SEO for Local Businesses Increases Visibility Local SEO allows businesses to climb in search rankings. Data suggests that the initial results of Google receive upwards of 90% of clicks. By optimizing local keywords, businesses can gain visibility, making it simpler for customers to locate them. Draws in Specific Audiences Local SEO targets users who are specifically looking your services in your area. For example, a potential buyer searching for "best pizza near me" is more likely to visit a local pizzeria than someone scrolling through unrelated content. This priority on user intent leads to better prospects. Establishes Authority A solid online presence indicates reliability and reliability. Updating your Google My Business profile with precise data, glowing testimonials, and updated photos can build confidence among prospective clients. Boosts Profitability Unlike offline promotions, SEO offers ongoing advantages at a minimal investment. Once implemented, your business can benefit from steady leads without ongoing expenses for ads. Steps to Apply Local SEO Update Your Online Listings Ensure your business information is correct. Add professional visuals, address customer testimonials, and include your operating times. A well-optimized profile significantly improves your chances of appearing in the top listings. Use Geographic Keywords Research and include keywords relevant to your area and offerings. For example, "plumber in Brisbane" or "best coffee shop in Scottsdale" can attract specific users to your ideal audience. Utilize Customer Testimonials Motivate satisfied customers to write testimonials on websites like Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Good ratings enhance your credibility and play a role in SEO rankings. Develop Geo-Targeted Articles Content, landing pages, and write-ups customized to your local audience can add to your presence. For example, writing about "top events in [city]" can engage nearby audiences. Conclusion SEO is an essential strategy for local businesses?it?s crucial. By prioritizing local SEO strategies, businesses can enhance discoverability, engage their audience, and ultimately increase revenue. Whether you run a boutique, a caf?, or a service-based business, focusing on local SEO secures your business stays ahead in the modern market. Start optimizing today to enjoy the benefits in the near future! https://theimportanceofseoforlocalbusinesses.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-importance-of-seo-for-local.html Professional SEO Brisbane team

[wartiztechnologies]

A Guide to Building Your Ecommerce Website Effectively

Building an effective eCommerce website is a crucial step in creating a successful online business. The right design and functionality not only attract customers but also provide them with an enjoyable shopping experience. Wartiz Technologies, with its expertise in web development, can help you build an eCommerce development services platform that stands out in the competitive online market.

1. Define Your Goals and Audience

Before diving into the design and development, it’s essential to clearly define your business goals and target audience. Are you looking to sell products directly, provide a marketplace for other vendors, or offer a subscription-based service? Understanding these aspects will help shape the overall structure and features of your site.

At Wartiz Technologies, we work with you to pinpoint your objectives and ensure that your website reflects your vision while catering to your customer base's needs.

2. Choose the Right Platform

Selecting the right eCommerce platform is critical for long-term success. Popular options like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento offer various features, but it’s important to choose the one that aligns with your business needs. If you require a highly customizable site, WooCommerce or Magento might be ideal. For a simpler, user-friendly experience, Shopify could be the best fit.

Wartiz Technologies can guide you through these choices, considering factors like scalability, ease of use, payment integration, and product catalog management.

3. Design for User Experience

A user-friendly design is at the heart of every successful eCommerce website. It’s essential to create a clean, intuitive layout that makes navigation easy for visitors. The goal is to ensure that customers can quickly find what they’re looking for without getting frustrated.

Focus on:

Simplified Navigation: Categories, filters, and search options should be easily accessible.

Mobile Optimization: A mobile-friendly design is crucial as most shopping is now done on smartphones.

Visual Appeal: Use high-quality images and a consistent color scheme to match your brand.

Wartiz Technologies excels in creating responsive and visually appealing designs that enhance the overall user experience, ensuring that visitors stay engaged and convert into customers.

4. Optimize for Speed and Performance

Website performance plays a vital role in both user experience and search engine rankings. Slow-loading pages can frustrate visitors and lead to abandoned carts. Optimizing images, enabling caching, and using content delivery networks (CDNs) are some strategies to ensure fast load times.

Wartiz Technologies employs best practices to optimize the performance of your eCommerce site, reducing bounce rates and improving your site's overall effectiveness.

5. Implement Secure Payment Gateways

Security is a significant concern for online shoppers. Ensuring that your site is equipped with secure payment gateways is crucial to protect sensitive customer data. Popular options like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net offer safe and seamless payment processing.

We prioritize security at Wartiz Technologies by integrating reliable payment solutions and enabling SSL encryption to safeguard transactions.

6. SEO and Content Strategy

Search engine optimization (SEO) is fundamental for driving organic traffic to your site. Your eCommerce website should be optimized for relevant keywords, product descriptions, and alt tags for images. A well-structured content strategy with blogs, guides, and customer reviews can also improve rankings.

Our team at Wartiz Technologies ensures that your eCommerce site is SEO-friendly, helping you reach a wider audience and increase visibility in search engine results.

7. Analytics and Continuous Improvement

Once your website is live, tracking its performance is essential to understanding customer behavior and identifying areas for improvement. Tools like Google Analytics provide insights into traffic, sales, and user interactions.

Wartiz Technologies offers ongoing support to help you analyze data, make informed decisions, and implement continuous improvements to maximize sales and customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Building an eCommerce development services for website that delivers a seamless shopping experience and drives business growth requires careful planning, the right tools, and expert implementation. Wartiz Technologies is here to help you navigate the process, ensuring that your website is optimized for both user experience and business success.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to improve your existing site, contact Wartiz Technologies to turn your eCommerce vision into a reality.

[jewelexperts]

Expert Jewelry Website Development at JewelExperts.com

In today’s competitive online marketplace, a professional jewelry website is not just an asset—it’s an essential tool for success. At JewelExperts.com, we specialize in creating visually stunning, highly functional, and fully optimized e-commerce websites for jewelry brands. With a team of experienced developers and designers dedicated to jewelry-specific solutions, we deliver robust e-commerce platforms that increase visibility, enhance user engagement, and drive conversions. Our approach combines the latest in technology and user experience to meet the unique needs of jewelry businesses, whether you’re launching a new online store or revitalizing an existing one.

Why Choose JewelExperts.com for Your Jewelry Website Development?

Jewelry e-commerce presents unique challenges: from high-value products requiring high-definition images to customers seeking customizable, personalized experiences. At JewelExperts.com, we understand these challenges and have tailored our services to offer solutions specific to the jewelry industry.

1. Customized E-Commerce Solutions for Jewelry Retailers

Unlike generic website builders, we offer customized e-commerce solutions that prioritize jewelry-specific needs. From product catalog designs that showcase pieces in high resolution to secure checkout processes that build trust with customers, we ensure every aspect of your website enhances the shopping experience. Customization options include:

Product Visualization: High-resolution imagery, 360-degree views, and 3D renderings bring jewelry pieces to life.

Product Filters and Search Options: Customers can filter by metal, stone, style, and more, ensuring they find exactly what they’re looking for.

Jewelry Customization Tools: Allow customers to personalize rings, bracelets, and necklaces with engraving, stone selection, and size adjustments.

2. SEO-Driven Web Design to Maximize Visibility

Our team integrates SEO best practices into every stage of the design process to ensure your jewelry website ranks highly on Google and other search engines. By optimizing product pages, metadata, and site structure, we help your jewelry site achieve the visibility it needs to attract potential customers. Key elements of our SEO approach include:

Keyword Optimization: We conduct in-depth keyword research to target terms that drive traffic, like “luxury diamond jewelry,” “custom engagement rings,” and “fine jewelry online.”

Mobile Optimization: With a significant percentage of jewelry shoppers browsing on mobile devices, our responsive design ensures a seamless experience on all screen sizes.

High-Quality Content: We integrate informative, keyword-rich descriptions and blogs that not only engage visitors but also help improve search engine rankings.

3. Secure and Scalable Platforms for Growth

Security and scalability are essential for any e-commerce website, especially in the jewelry industry where transactions involve high-value products. JewelExperts.com develops websites on platforms known for robust security and scalability, including Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. These platforms provide:

Secure Payment Processing: Advanced SSL encryption protects sensitive customer data, ensuring a secure shopping experience.

Inventory Management: Real-time inventory tracking enables seamless integration with point-of-sale systems, helping you manage stock effectively.

Scalability: As your business grows, so too can your website. We ensure your e-commerce platform can handle increased traffic, inventory, and customer interactions without compromising performance.

4. Visual Design Tailored for Jewelry Brands

A jewelry website should reflect the elegance and luxury of the products it showcases. Our design team at JewelExperts.com uses visually captivating designs tailored to resonate with jewelry buyers. From sophisticated color palettes to intuitive layouts, our design philosophy ensures your website reflects your brand’s aesthetic while prioritizing user experience. Highlights of our visual design approach include:

Elegant Layouts: Clean, modern designs that focus on showcasing jewelry pieces.

Color Schemes: Customizable color schemes that align with your brand identity and appeal to your target audience.

Optimized User Interface (UI): Seamless navigation and logical product categorization create a smooth user journey, guiding customers from discovery to purchase with ease.

5. 3D Jewelry Rendering Services for Enhanced Product Display

In the jewelry market, visual appeal is critical. At JewelExperts.com, we offer 3D rendering services that allow your products to stand out in a crowded online space. These lifelike renderings provide a realistic view of your jewelry, increasing customer engagement and confidence in their purchase decisions. Benefits of 3D rendering include:

Realistic Visuals: Showcase every detail of a product, from intricate designs to gemstone clarity and metal finish.

360-Degree View: Customers can view the piece from every angle, which helps them understand the craftsmanship and quality of the product.

Reduced Returns: By providing a true-to-life view, customers are more confident in their purchase, reducing the likelihood of returns.

6. User-Friendly CMS and Inventory Management Integration

An e-commerce website for jewelry should not only attract and convert visitors but also be easy to manage. Our team integrates content management systems (CMS) and inventory management tools that simplify product uploads, price updates, and inventory tracking. With our systems, you can:

Easily Update Content: Update product descriptions, prices, and images without technical assistance.

Track Inventory: Real-time inventory management keeps your website updated with accurate stock information, helping you avoid overselling.

Order Fulfillment Integration: Streamline your order management process with integration options that automate order processing, shipping, and notifications.

7. Conversion-Focused Copywriting and Product Descriptions

Great copy can make a significant difference in converting visitors to buyers. Our professional copywriters understand the art of conversion-focused writing, creating product descriptions and calls-to-action that speak directly to jewelry shoppers. Each product description emphasizes quality, style, and the emotional connection that fine jewelry often represents. Our copywriting services cover:

Engaging Product Descriptions: Detailed descriptions that convey the luxury, craftsmanship, and unique attributes of each piece.

SEO-Optimized Blog Content: Informative articles that provide value to your customers while driving organic traffic to your website.

Compelling CTAs: Effective calls-to-action that encourage visitors to make a purchase or explore other products on your site.

8. Ongoing Support and Optimization for Long-Term Success

Launching a successful jewelry website is only the beginning. To remain competitive, you need ongoing support to ensure your website continues to perform at its best. Our services at JewelExperts.com include ongoing maintenance, updates, and performance optimization to keep your website relevant and competitive. This support includes:

Regular SEO Audits: We analyze website performance, keyword rankings, and traffic patterns to identify new opportunities.

Content Updates: We assist in updating content to ensure it aligns with SEO best practices and current trends.

Technical Support: Our team is available to address any technical issues, from server performance to security updates.

9. Success Stories: Proven Results for Our Clients

Our portfolio of successful jewelry websites speaks for itself. JewelExperts.com has helped multiple jewelry brands establish and expand their online presence, driving sales and customer loyalty through our specialized services. Clients like Grand Diamonds, Forevery, and Diamonds International have achieved significant online growth thanks to our tailored solutions.

By combining expert design, cutting-edge technology, and marketing-driven strategies, we have a proven track record of transforming jewelry websites into high-performing e-commerce platforms. Each website is built to support the brand's goals and long-term growth.

Conclusion

An exceptional jewelry website requires more than just good design—it needs to be strategically optimized for search engines, visually appealing, user-friendly, and equipped with the right tools to convert visitors into loyal customers. At JewelExperts.com, we understand the intricacies of the jewelry industry and build e-commerce solutions tailored to meet these specific needs.

If you’re ready to elevate your jewelry brand with a website that stands out in search rankings and captivates your audience, JewelExperts.com is here to help you achieve online success.

[cindylouwho-2]

RECENT SEO & MARKETING NEWS FOR ECOMMERCE, MAY 2024

As promised, here are the important news stories from marketing recently: SEO, social media, advertising, and more.

If you want to get this news twice-weekly instead of just once a month, become a paying member of my Patreon: patreon.com/CindyLouWho2

TOP NEWS & ARTICLES 

In the biggest SEO news perhaps ever, a massive list of Google ranking elements was leaked this week. Here’s an overview, including links to the two main leak announcements and their analysis. It would seem that Google wasn’t always honest when they told us some algorithm elements did or did not exist. Google took nearly 2 days to speak publicly about it, but didn’t say much. Expect a lot more analysis in the coming weeks. 

Instagram is updating its algorithm to favour original creators and smaller accounts, and remove reposted content from recommendations. “This won’t affect “a set of publishers” identified by Instagram with licensing agreements or resharing permissions from content creators, according to the blog post.”

Google is adding AI Overviews to US search immediately, with other countries to follow in the future. "AI Overviews gives answers to queries using generative AI technology powered by Google Gemini. It provides a few snippets of an answer based on its understanding of queries and the content it found on the topic across the web.” Right now, it is only affecting a small number of queries, however. While these will sometimes cover similar topics to featured snippets, the latter still exist. Early testing indicates that it does not currently show up when a search appears to be about buying something. Which is good, because you can’t turn it off, other than filtering your search to “Web” after doing it.  Oh, and Google did not waste time figuring out how to include advertising in the AI overviews - it took just one week. As with most much-heralded AI launches, AI Overviews are fumbling badly; here’s a summary of the many news articles mocking Google, including for recommending people glue cheese onto their pizza so it stays in place. 

Chrome has yet again announced that it will not end the use of tracking cookies on schedule; the new target date for starting to wind down their use is early 2025.

Reminder that your old Google Analytics files (aka Universal Analytics) will no longer be available after July 1, so download them now! “...consider archiving back to 2018 or so to ensure you have pre-pandemic data since the pandemic really presented data anomalies for many companies.” There is a spreadsheet add-on to make this easier. 

SEO: GOOGLE & OTHER SEARCH ENGINES 

Google’s March 2024 Core Update finished rolling out April 19. “A Google spokesperson said, “The updates led to larger quality improvements than we originally thought – you’ll now see 45% less low quality, unoriginal content in search results, versus the 40% improvement we expected across this work.” Experts are struggling to analyze it, in part due to how long it lasted. Not surprisingly, Reddit was a big winner, and sites with a lot of ads and affiliate links continue to lose. 

An update on how long your titles should be for Google. “So whether your titles get cut off or rewritten in SERPs, Google still uses the HTML title tag for ranking considerations, not the titles shown in SERPs.” The author’s research is too limited to draw reliable conclusions from, and most other research in this area over the last decade shows that shorter titles tend to rank better. However, she has pulled together many recent statements on title length and how it works, which is useful reading. 

A reminder that “keyword difficulty” is a subjective score that different tools may not agree on, and that also depends on your overall site/shop and its history. This applies to all sorts of keyword tools, including those used for marketplace sites. 

It looks like Google adding its AI to search results will have a strong impact on traffic, as it will answer questions without the need to click, and “only 47% of the top 10 traditional search results are sources for SGE.” [SGE is now called AI Overviews.] That means if a page is outside the top 10 now, it may still be used to generate the answers, and could even get clicks from being displayed in SGE. 

Still with AI, Google was fined €250 million by France for using news media to train its AI, Gemini. 

Google admits to deindexing many, many pages in February, due to quality issues. 

A recent article dissects why Google search is so bad these days, and largely blames one man. While you can read the original here, you may want to start with a decent summary and the reaction from Google and the SEO community. 

Here’s a full list of Google changes and announcements from April.

Not Google

Both Microsoft and Google had excellent first quarters, with ad revenue up 12% and 13% respectively. “Bing reached over 140 million daily active users.”

OpenAI is apparently not starting their own search engine, contrary to rumours.

SOCIAL MEDIA - All Aspects, By Site

General

Here’s another of the periodic posts that tries to figure out the best times to post on different social media sites. It covers Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter and Pinterest. 

Direct Messages are now available on Bluesky. 

Facebook (includes relevant general news from Meta)

In another recent AI fumble, Meta has introduced an AI assistant to its various products in several countries - but you can’t turn it off in the search bar. It may also show up in group chats, including discussions about parenting. “The Associated Press reported that an official Meta AI chatbot inserted itself into a conversation in a private Facebook group for Manhattan moms. It claimed it too had a child in school in New York City, but when confronted by the group members, it later apologized before its comments disappeared.”

Here’s more on Meta’s automated ad issue that is ramping up costs but decreasing sales for many, including small businesses. 

Meta is now offering its Verification for Business subscription package to more countries, and has added new tiers as well. 

While Meta had a strong 1st quarter financially, it projects weaker results through 2025 as it spends a ton on money trying to guide its AI offerings to profitability. 

Instagram

Instagram added some new features, including “Reveal”, which blurs Stories, and only releases the content once you DM the creator. 

Reels under 90 seconds perform better on Instagram than longer ones. 

To help avoid scammers on Instagram, learn how to identify and block fake accounts. 

Instagram’s Creator Marketplace - where businesses can search for influencers to promote their product - is now available in 10 more counties, including Germany, France and Indonesia. 

LinkedIn

You should be optimizing LinkedIn posts for the platform itself and outside search engines. The article includes tips for both personal and business pages.

LinkedIn is adding games you can play once a day, which sounds weird for a professional network. 

Pinterest

Pinterest’s summer trend report has arrived; apparently maximalism is in yet again.  

Reddit

Reddit is one of those sites that is getting worse lately as people try to get Google ranking through it (which is a whole other SEO story I have covered in these updates before).

ChatGPT will now be training on Reddit comments. The agreement meant a huge stock boost for Reddit. 

Reddit is trying to attract more French-speaking users by auto-translating the site in real-time using AI. 

After plenty of user complaints, Reddit is starting a new awards scheme. 

Snapchat

You can now edit your Snapchat messages within 5 minutes of sending, if you subscribe to Snapchat Plus. 

Threads

Meta wants more content on Threads, and is willing to pay well-known creators to create it. Invite only, of course.  

You can now filter out unwanted words on Threads. 

TikTok

While the US government has voted to ban TikTok if the company isn’t sold, there is a lot of time left before that could happen, and a legal battle to be fought. TikTok has already filed a lawsuit, as have some major creators. Meanwhile, small business owners and creators are understandably worried. From an article by the BBC: “According to March 2024 data from TikTok, more than seven million small US businesses use TikTok, and the company reported it drove $15bn (£12.04bn) in revenue for these enterprises in 2023.”

How to rank on TikTok: the Ultimate Guide. Some of the tips include hashtags, keywords, and choosing the right thumbnail. 

There are several ways to remove (or avoid) the TikTok watermark if you want to use your TikTok content on other platforms. 

Twitter

Twitter’s domain has finally switched over to X in some locations [but I will still call it Twitter].

(CONTENT) MARKETING (includes blogging, emails, and strategies) 

Time to gear up your content marketing plans for June. 

ONLINE ADVERTISING (EXCEPT INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL MEDIA AND ECOMMERCE SITES) 

Search ads are converting less while costing more, something that has been going on for a few years now. “Advertisers are paying more for leads and clicks, while Alphabet, Google’s parent company, keeps reporting record profits.” This is one of the reasons the US Department of Justice argues that Google is a monopoly. 

Not enough AI in your ads? Google is solving that through video ads and more virtual try-ons. 

Google Shopping is going to start showing how many people have bought from each site recently, although businesses can opt out. 

Google is removing keywords from Google Ads accounts if they have received zero impressions in the past 13 months. While you can reactivate them, Google discourages that. 

You may be able to run Google’s Performance Max ads through particular marketplaces now or in the near future, if your marketplace signs up. For some businesses, selling through a marketplace might be cheaper than setting up a site. 

Social media advertising is now bigger than search ads, according to a recent report. Almost ⅔ of these ads are on various Meta properties. 

BUSINESS & CONSUMER TRENDS, STATS & REPORTS; SOCIOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY, CUSTOMER SERVICE 

Slow economic growth in the United States in the first quarter of 2024 sparked worries that the rest of 2024 will be as bad or even worse. Even McDonalds is stressing that consumers can only take so much inflation. 

US ecommerce sales were up in the first quarter, more than overall retail. 

Some consumers are finding that ecommerce is tiring, offering too many options and no easy way to shop quickly. “Despite an increased emphasis on personalized experiences in recent years, 7 in 10 customers feel either no improvement or an increase in the time and effort required to make a purchase decision.” 

MISCELLANEOUS (including humour) 

Before returning orders to Amazon, make sure your cat isn’t in the box. (It’s fine, fortunately!)