Adrian Crismaru

Adrian Crismaru is the founder and CEO of Wiremo, a company that builds tools for Local SEO professionals and small businesses. With over 15 years of experience in SaaS and digital marketing, Adrian has founded and sold multiple successful projects, including HideIPVPN, CactusVPN, and Wiremo.

He specializes in Google Business Profile optimization and local ranking strategies that help physical businesses get more visibility, traffic, and reviews. Adrian is also the creator of GTrack, a Google Maps Rank Tracker used by agencies and business owners to monitor and improve their local search positions.

Through Wiremo’s products and his own research, Adrian focuses on simplifying Local SEO, automating Google review management, and helping businesses build trust online.

Expertise: Local SEO, Google Business Profile Optimization, Review Management, SaaS Development, and Marketing Automation.

Website

Are Anonymous Reviews Good or Bad?

Business November 20th, 2025

Person wearing an Anonymous-style Guy Fawkes mask standing in front of colorful graffiti, symbolizing anonymous reviews.

Quick Summary:
Anonymous reviews are still common across review platforms, but their credibility has dropped significantly. While anonymity protects privacy, it also increases fake reviews, reduces customer trust, and provides room for manipulation by competitors. Businesses in 2025 are advised to limit anonymous reviews and encourage real-identity submissions.

In 2025, customer reviews still play one of the most influential roles in consumer decision-making. Most online shoppers depend on reviews before choosing a product, visiting a local business, or committing to a service. Reviews help build social proof, provide transparency, and give customers more confidence about where they spend their money.

However, not all reviews carry equal weight. A review becomes powerful only when potential customers believe it is real and trustworthy. This is where the tension between anonymous reviews and credibility has become increasingly important. Though some platforms allow anonymous submissions, the question remains: Do anonymous reviews still help or harm your business?

What Are Anonymous Customer Reviews? (2025 Perspective)

Anonymous reviews are reviews submitted without displaying the real name, image, or identifiable details of the reviewer. While the reviewer may technically be logged in on platforms like Yelp, Google, Amazon, or Wiremo, their public identity remains hidden.

Many platforms have stayed flexible with identity requirements to encourage more user participation. Even in 2025, despite increasing concerns about online authenticity, customers can still choose to publish under pseudonyms or no name at all. On Wiremo, for instance, customers can go anonymous when leaving a review, which can help protect personal privacy and prevent retaliation in sensitive cases.

However, this flexibility comes with downsides. When accountability decreases, the likelihood of manipulation increases. Today, anonymity is often associated with:

Fake positive reviews are generated to boost ratings artificially
Negative attacks from disgruntled competitors
Exaggerated comments from anonymous trolls
Biased opinions without accountability
Unverifiable experiences

Why Do Some Customers Prefer to Remain Anonymous?

Top Reasons Customers Go Anonymous:

To protect privacy
To avoid retaliation from businesses
To freely express criticism
To avoid unwanted contact
To feel safer sharing negative experiences

Anonymity is not always a bad sign. Some users genuinely want to share their experiences but don’t want their names affiliated with the review for personal or safety reasons. This is extremely relevant for:

Health-related services (psychologists, clinics, therapists)
Sensitive product categories (legal help, finances, addiction support)
Service industries where retaliation has historically occurred

For these users, anonymity allows honest feedback without fear. But this must be weighed against the risks of reduced trust for the business.

Why Anonymous Reviews Can Damage Credibility

Consumers Distrust Reviews Without Identity

A recent U.S. survey involving over 3,000 consumers revealed:

63.1% support anonymous reviews
44.6% distrust anonymous reviews

While a portion of customers advocate for privacy, the lack of identity significantly affects how others interpret the review. When a review does not show a real name or profile photo, people wonder:

Is this person even real?
Is the business writing its own reviews?
Was this written by a competitor?
Is this review manipulated?

Anonymous Reviews Reduce Conversion Rates

2025 Trend:
E-commerce stores and local businesses that allow anonymous reviews see **10–25% lower conversion rates** compared to those with verified identities.

Customers want to know that a real person shared the experience. When identity is missing, the emotional trust connection drops. Shoppers hesitate. And businesses miss sales.

The Hidden Dangers of Anonymous Reviews

1. Increase in Fake Positive Reviews

Businesses sometimes attempt to boost their ratings by posting anonymous “customer” reviews. Because there is no verifiable identity, fake reviews can slip in easily, especially on smaller platforms without strong moderation.

2. Competitor Sabotage

Negative anonymous reviews often originate from competitors attempting to damage another business’s reputation. Since the reviewer is anonymous, proving malicious intent becomes extremely difficult.

Wiremo covers this topic in more detail here: How to protect your business from unethical competitors.

3. Online Bullying and Exaggeration

Some anonymous users leave overly emotional, exaggerated, or unfair negative reviews simply because anonymity gives them confidence. These reviews can harm a business far more than constructive feedback with identifiable authors.

4. Loss of Customer Trust in the Review Section

If your review section contains too many anonymous comments, new customers may assume your business is manipulating reviews, even if those reviews are real.

5. Harmful Misinformation

Anonymous reviewers can spread false accusations or misleading information without consequences, making it harder for businesses to defend themselves or request corrections.

Why Authenticity Matters More in 2025

Consumer behavior has shifted dramatically in the last five years. With the rise of AI-written content, bot-generated reviews, and automated reputation tools, authenticity is now more valuable than ever.

Data Points (2025):

Real-name reviews receive 48% more upvotes
Consumers trust reviews with a profile photo 3× more
Verified purchase reviews convert 32% better
Shoppers spend more time reading reviews that show identity

In other words, customers buy from brands they trust, and identity builds trust.

Anonymous Reviews vs Verified Reviews (Side-by-Side)

Anonymous Reviews	Verified Identity Reviews
Lower credibility	High trust factor
Higher risk of manipulation	Difficult to fake
Often emotional or exaggerated	More thoughtful and detailed
Less impact on conversions	Boosts sales and confidence
Can damage reputation	Strengthens brand image

Should Your Business Allow Anonymous Reviews in 2025?

Short Answer: You can allow them, but we do not recommend enabling them as a default.

Wiremo continues to support anonymous reviews because they still serve a purpose in certain industries. But based on current data and marketplace behavior, businesses achieve better results with transparent, identifiable feedback.

Wiremo’s 2025 Recommendation

To maximize trust, conversions, and review quality:

Encourage real names whenever possible
Use verified purchase tags
Enable identity confirmation via email
Limit anonymous reviews to sensitive categories only
Moderate review sections for authenticity

Wiremo gives you full control over your review strategy, allowing you to balance privacy with credibility. While anonymous reviews remain available, the best long-term results come from transparent and authentic feedback.

Start using Wiremo

Wix Payments Complete Overview

Business November 17th, 2025

WIX payments gateway payment with a smartphone at a wireless payment terminal.

Building strong credibility as an online seller starts with choosing the right payment gateway for your Wix eCommerce store. Your payment provider directly affects security, checkout experience, customer trust, and conversion rates.

One of the most popular choices today is Wix Payments, Wix’s in-house payment processing solution. In 2025, Wix has expanded availability, improved fraud protection, and now supports more payment methods than ever before.

But is it the right payment gateway for your business? And is it better than PayPal or Stripe?

Let’s dive into the updated 2025 guide.

💡 2025 Quick Summary Wix Payments

Wix Payments is Wix’s native payment processor; no third-party gateway required.
Supports major cards + local methods like iDEAL, Giropay, and Klarna (country-based).
No Wix transaction fees, only standard processing rates.
Fully PSD2-compliant with 3D Secure 2.0 authentication.
Includes centralized payouts, chargeback handling, and a unified dashboard.

What Is Wix Payments?

Wix Payments is the official built-in payment processor for Wix eCommerce. It replaces the need for external services and lets you manage payments, payouts, refunds, disputes, and verification inside your Wix dashboard, no plugins or extra integrations.

In 2025, Wix Payments supports:

Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Amex, JCB, Diners
Maestro & CUP (where available)
iDEAL (Netherlands)
Giropay (Germany)
Pay Now by Klarna (Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria)

How to Connect iDEAL or Giropay in 2025

Netherlands (iDEAL) Setup:
Dashboard → Accept Payments → Wix Payments → Connect

Germany (Giropay) Setup:
Dashboard → Accept Payments → Giropay → Connect Me

Other Payment Methods You Can Offer Alongside Wix Payments

PayPal
AliPay
POS (U.S. only)
Manual offline payments (bank transfer, cash, cheque)

Wix supports over 50+ payment gateways in total, depending on your region.

Who Can Use Wix Payments? (Supported Countries 2025)

As of 2025, Wix Payments is available in 17 supported countries (expanded from the previous 15). Supported currencies vary by region.

Supported Countries (2025):

Belgium (EUR)
Netherlands (EUR)
United States (USD)
Germany (EUR)
Italy (EUR)
United Kingdom (GBP)
Ireland (EUR)
Brazil (BRL)
Spain (EUR)
Switzerland (CHF)
Portugal (EUR)
Lithuania (EUR)
Finland (EUR)
Austria (EUR)
Canada (CAD)
(NEW) Poland (PLN)
(NEW) Sweden (SEK)

If your country is not on this list, Wix Payments cannot be used.

Prohibited Products (Updated for 2025)

Wix Payments restricts 50+ categories of products. Some major prohibited areas include:

Adult entertainment & erotica
High-risk financial services
Intellectual property violations
Nonprofits & fundraising
Regulated products (alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, cannabis, weapons)

Always check the full list here.

Wix Business Plans Required for Wix Payments

From November 17, 2025, service fees for cross-border international payments in Wix Payments will apply.

United States: 1.5%
EU countries: 1%
United Kingdom: 1%
Canada: 1%
Switzerland: 1%

Cross-border fees are added in addition to the standard processing fee for a payment method.

Please note that no cross-border fees are applied to payments made from one EU country to another.

Wix Payments Fees (2025)

No Wix transaction fees.
You only pay the processing fee for each successful payment.

- Zero fees for refunds
- Zero fees for chargebacks (unlike Stripe’s $15 or PayPal’s $20)

Standard processing fee (U.S. example):
2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Fees vary by country and currency.

Wix Payments vs Stripe vs PayPal (Updated 2025 Table)

Payment Gateway	Countries	Processing Fees	Currencies	On-Site Checkout	Chargeback Fee
Wix Payments	17	2.9% + 0.30	5	Yes	Free
Stripe	46	2.9% + 0.30	135+	No	$15
PayPal	200+	2.9% + 0.30	25	No	$20

Security & Compliance

PCI DSS Level 1 compliance
PSD2 + Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)
3D Secure 2.0 authentication
Encrypted HTTPS/TLS checkout
Fraud detection & machine-learning monitoring
Dedicated security team active 24/7

Wix Payments is considered highly secure and suitable for small businesses through to medium-scale eCommerce brands.

How to Set Up Wix Payments

Step 1: Connect Wix Payments

Go to your Wix Dashboard
Click Accept Payments
Select Wix Payments → Connect
Click Complete Setup

Step 2: Verification

Wix will review your business documents, bank account, industry type, and product category. Verification normally takes 1–3 business days.

Your account is ready once approved.

Wix Customer Support

If you need assistance, Wix provides customer support in multiple languages.

Language	Callback Hours
Portuguese	24/7
English	24/7
German	Mon–Fri, 9–18 GMT+1
French	Mon–Fri, 9–18 GMT+2
Spanish	24/7
Hebrew	Sun–Thu 8–21, Fri 8–14
Russian	Mon–Fri 8–17 GMT+1
Japanese	Mon–Fri 8–17 JST
Italian	Mon–Fri 8–17 GMT+1

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free and easy setup
No chargeback or refund fees
Centralized payouts and dashboard
Supports card + local European payment methods
Fully PCI DSS and PSD2 compliant
On-site checkout improves conversions
Can be used alongside PayPal

Cons

Still limited availability (17 countries)
An extensive prohibited products list
Must complete setup within 30 days or payments are refunded
Some support languages have restricted hours

Wix Payments FAQ

1. Can I sell in multiple currencies?
No, your store processes payments in one currency at a time.

2. Does Wix Payments support subscriptions?
Yes, you can sell memberships, plans, and recurring services.

3. How often are payouts sent?
Daily, weekly (Mondays), or monthly (1st of the month).

4. Minimum transaction amount?
Varies by region, e.g., $1 USD, €1 EUR, £1 GBP, 1 CHF, 1 CAD.

Should You Use Wix Payments in 2025?

If Wix Payments is available in your country, it remains one of the best options for Wix stores in 2025. Its zero transaction fees, native integration, on-site checkout, and powerful unified dashboard make it ideal for sellers focused on simplicity and conversion rate improvement.

However, offering multiple payment methods, especially PayPal, ensures you don’t lose customers who prefer other gateways.

All in all, Wix Payments is a strong, secure, and modern payment solution built for Wix store owners who want a streamlined checkout experience with minimal technical complexity.

Tags: Wix, wix overview, wix payments

Top 5 Great Locksmith App Shopify List

Apps-Collections November 16th, 2025

Locksmith App Shopify – Access Control Settings on Laptop

If you’re looking for a great locksmith app to help manage your business, look no further! In this blog post, we’ll display the top 5 great locksmith app Shopify list. With a Locksmith app, you can streamline your customer's shopping experience and protect your key products and analytics from competitors as well as display your exclusive listings to only to whom you want.

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Tags: locksmith app shopify, locksmith shopify app, shopify locksmith app

Top 15 Inspiring Shopify Jewelry Stores

Business November 3rd, 2025

Shopify Jewelry Stores, Modern Retail Display Inspiration

Looking for inspiration for your Shopify jewelry store? Want to know what works and what doesn't? You have come to the right place!

There have been a plethora of jewelry stores emerging lately with all kinds and styles of jewelry suitable for all styles and aesthetics.

In fact, with the pandemic, many jewelry stores have switched to an online store instead of a physical one which costs more in the long run, so online stores have proved to be more beneficial for all.

With the rise of eCommerce, it has increasingly become very simple to set up a store of your own, especially with Shopify.

Because of these reasons, Shopify is increasingly becoming the leading choice of online business owners. With over 800,000 stores being powered by Shopify in 2022, it is surely one of the best choices to start your Shopify jewelry store with. And in this article, we’re going to go through the top 15 inspiring Shopify jewelry stores.

Let’s start!

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Tags: shopify jewelry store, shopify store, shopify stores

10 Fantastic Shopify Gift Card Apps

Apps-Collections November 2nd, 2025

Woman holding a gift card while shopping on a Shopify store using her laptop

Do you want to give your customers the option to buy gift cards for your Shopify store? If so, you're in luck! There are a number of fantastic Shopify gift card apps that can help you do just that. In this blog post, we'll take a look at 10 of the best Shopify gift card apps out there. We'll compare and contrast their features, pricing, and more, to help you choose the right one for your store. So without further ado, let's get started!

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Tags: gift card app shopify, gift card apps shopify, shopify gift card app, shopify gift card apps, shopify gift cards app

10 Best Shopify App Store Ads

Apps-Collections November 1st, 2025

Person reviewing app performance charts on tablet and laptop

Whether you’re a startup, existing business, or e-commerce store, one of the best ways to increase your visibility and draw more customers to your shop is through Shopify app store ads. But not all apps are created equal; some are better than others in terms of design, usability, and effectiveness. In this post, we’ll take a look at 10 of the best Shopify app store ads on the market right now so that you can make an informed decision about what might work best for your business. With these top picks, you’ll be able to reach new audiences, drive more conversions and sales, and ultimately grow your business!

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12 Squarespace Wedding Website Examples

Business October 8th, 2025

Soft pastel flowers resting on an open book over white fabric, representing aesthetic inspiration for Squarespace wedding website examples.

Can you hear that? Wedding bells are ringing, which means that the absolute chaos of planning a wedding is about to commence.

Wedding planning, in general, is very stressful, especially communicating with wedding guests and telling each one of them about the venue, the date, the time, and the existence of a gift registry.

However, technology has advanced, and this chaos can totally be avoided through a Squarespace wedding website examples.

Making a beautiful website for your future wedding is a terrific choice, but it must be attractive and have wonderful colors that draw viewers into your tale.

Drawing inspiration from people who have made remarkable wedding websites is one way to create a cutting-edge wedding website.

You can find many website examples in this article to use as inspiration.

You will discover one or two website examples that will inspire countless ideas and assist you in creating that beautiful wedding website for your lovely tale.

With Squarespace, you can easily create a customizable website with its pre-built website templates and drag-and-drop elements to create and modify webpages or hire a designer who brings your design to life and creates a website that best fits your aesthetic.

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Tags: squarespace, squarespace wedding, squarespace wedding examples

Microsoft Rewards: How It Works & Why It’s Worth It

Business October 7th, 2025

Microsoft Rewards banner showing Windows laptop, Xbox controller, and mobile app interface

Creating or signing in with a Microsoft account gives you access to the Microsoft Rewards program, a free, global loyalty system that lets you earn points for simple everyday activities such as searching the web, browsing with Edge, using the Windows search bar, shopping in the Microsoft Store, and playing on Xbox. The program is optional, privacy-conscious users can opt out at any time, and your points can be redeemed for gift cards, Game Pass subscriptions, sweepstakes entries, digital content, and even donations to over a million nonprofits.

TL;DR Quick Summary:

Microsoft Rewards is a free loyalty program that offers points for everyday activities like Bing searches, browsing on Microsoft Edge, buying from the Microsoft Store, and playing on Xbox. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, Game Pass, sweepstakes entries, and charity donations. If you already use Microsoft products, it’s one of the easiest rewards programs to benefit from.

Getting Started With Microsoft Rewards

Sign in

You may already be enrolled without realizing it. Start by signing in with your existing Microsoft account. If Microsoft has ever sent you store receipts, Xbox notifications, or Outlook newsletters, you already have an account.

Sign in

Visit your Rewards dashboard

Your dashboard is the home base for your points: it shows your daily activities, quizzes, streaks, and special promotions. Once you open the dashboard for the first time, your account becomes fully active and ready to earn.

Start earning & redeeming

You can start earning rewards immediately. Microsoft displays personalized earning options on your dashboard, including daily sets, trivia games, search point boosts, Xbox quests, and more.

Every activity contributes to your monthly tally, which affects your membership level and unlocks richer earning opportunities.

What Is the Microsoft Rewards Program?

The Microsoft Rewards program is Microsoft’s global loyalty platform built around user activity across its ecosystem. Microsoft tracks your interactions with Bing, Edge, the Windows search box, and store purchases to personalize your experience and reward your engagement.

Unlike many reward programs, Microsoft Rewards doesn’t require a subscription, a credit card, or a premium tier. It’s entirely free, and the more you use Microsoft’s products naturally, the faster your points accumulate.

Ways to Earn Microsoft Rewards Points

Microsoft Rewards is built around everyday actions, which means you don’t need to change your routine drastically to benefit. Here’s a detailed breakdown of all the ways to earn points in 2025.

Search with Microsoft Bing

PC Search: Earn points every time you search using Bing on a desktop or laptop.

Mobile Search: Searching on Bing through your mobile browser or the Bing app earns additional points and sometimes offers bonuses.

Windows Search Box: When you search using the Windows taskbar’s built-in search box, your queries may count toward your daily points if they're powered by Bing.

Tip: If you're aiming for Level 2, daily Bing searches alone can get you halfway there each month.

Browse with Microsoft Edge

Using Edge as your main browser steadily increases your earning potential. Edge users often receive exclusive point-boosting promotions such as streak challenges, quiz multipliers, and daily browsing bonuses.

Earn with Xbox

Xbox players can earn points through:

Daily Xbox Quests
Weekly Game Pass Ultimate challenges
Monthly achievement quests
Featured promotional tasks

Completing these can earn hundreds of points every week. In select markets, even simple achievements, like playing a game for 10 minutes, count toward your point balance.

Shop at the Microsoft Store

When signed in, purchases from the Microsoft Store earn you points automatically:

Games & add-ons
Movies & TV shows
Apps and subscriptions
Microsoft hardware

Note: Subscriptions, gift cards, and certain digital products may not qualify. Purchases are capped at 20,000 points per month.

Daily Quizzes, Streaks, and Personalized Offers

Your Rewards Dashboard offers several daily opportunities to earn quick points:

Daily Sets: Three quick activities (1-click quizzes) for easy points.
Trending Topics: Click through to read short articles or view collections.
Trivia Quizzes: Earn up to 40 points even if you answer incorrectly.
Streak Bonuses: Maintain a daily streak for increasingly larger point rewards.
Seasonal Promotions: Event bonuses for holidays, Xbox updates, and more.

Pro Tip: Maintaining a long streak can add thousands of bonus points over a year.

Understanding Levels in Microsoft Rewards

Microsoft Rewards uses a tiered system that determines how fast you can earn points and what rewards are available to you. Levels reset monthly, and staying active is the easiest way to maintain your benefits.

Level 1

Earn points from all supported activities.
3 points per PC search, up to 30/day.
3 points per mobile search, up to 60/day.
1 point per £1 spent in the Microsoft Store.

Level 1 is ideal for casual earners but comes with lower daily caps.

Level 2

Requires 500+ points per month.
3 points per PC search, up to 90/day.
3 points per mobile search, up to 60/day.
10 points per £1 spent on Microsoft Store purchases.
Includes exclusive discounts when redeeming points.

If you want to maximize earnings, Level 2 is where the program becomes significantly more valuable.

Level 2 + Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Unlocks the highest point multipliers.
Earn 20 points per £1 spent in the Microsoft Store.
Access Xbox Game Pass Ultimate quests with boosted payouts.

This tier is best suited for gamers who regularly play Xbox or use Xbox cloud gaming.

Rewards You Can Redeem

Rewards for You

Xbox & Microsoft Store gift cards
Sweepstakes entries for high-value prizes
Game Pass Ultimate months
Retailer gift cards (varies by market)

Rewards vary by region, but the most common redemptions are Xbox gift cards and Game Pass subscriptions, which give the highest value per point.

Rewards for the World

You can donate points to over 1 million nonprofits, including global humanitarian efforts, animal shelters, education groups, children’s charities, and organizations like Girls Who Code.

How Much Are Microsoft Rewards Points Worth?

The value of Microsoft Rewards points is generally consistent across regions:

1 point ≈ $0.001
10,000 points ≈ $10 in rewards.

Some rewards, such as Xbox gift cards, offer a slightly better conversion rate, while sweepstakes entries offer higher value potential but no guaranteed benefit.

Important: Points expire after 18 months of inactivity. Simply earning or redeeming any points resets this timer.

Is Microsoft Rewards Worth It?

Yes, Microsoft Rewards is absolutely worth it, especially if you already use Bing, Xbox, Windows, or the Microsoft Store. The program rewards your everyday digital habits and provides real monetary value over time. Here’s why it stands out as one of the best free rewards programs in 2025:

1. You Earn Points Automatically From Daily Activity

You don’t need to change your behavior; searching the web, browsing Edge, or using Windows search all generate points in the background.

2. The Rewards Are Valuable

Gift cards, Xbox subscriptions, movie rentals, digital content, and donations provide real, usable value. Many users report saving $50–$150 a year just by staying consistent.

3. Level 2 Greatly Increases Earning Speed

Once you reach Level 2, your daily earning caps jump, and you unlock better store multipliers and exclusive discounts.

4. Xbox Integration Is Excellent

Game Pass Ultimate quests can produce hundreds of points per week, making gaming financially rewarding.

5. Donations Make a Real Impact

You can support nonprofits around the world without spending any money.

6. No Subscription or Credit Card Required

Unlike other reward systems, Microsoft Rewards is entirely free and doesn’t push premium tiers or hidden fees.

7. Works for Casual and Power Users

Casual users might redeem a gift card every few months, while committed earners can redeem multiple rewards monthly.

8. Easy to Maintain

Daily sets take less than two minutes, streaks motivate you to stay active, and everything is simplified on the dashboard.

9. Great for Families

Kids can earn points through Bing searches and quizzes, while parents redeem for shared rewards like Game Pass or Xbox gift cards.

10. No Risk, All Reward

There’s no downside unless you prefer not to share basic usage data. For most users, the value far outweighs the minimal effort required.

💡 Ready to Start Earning Rewards?

Start Earning with Microsoft Rewards

Microsoft Rewards FAQ (2025)

1. What is Microsoft Rewards?

A free loyalty program where you earn points for using Microsoft services, including Bing, Xbox, Windows, and Microsoft Store.

2. Does it cost anything?

No. It's completely free to join and use.

3. How do I earn points?

You earn from Bing searches, using Edge, completing daily sets, shopping, and playing Xbox in supported regions.

4. What are Levels 1 and 2?

Levels determine your daily earning caps. Level 2 offers higher limits and better store multipliers. Level 2 + Game Pass Ultimate adds Xbox-specific point boosts.

5. Do points expire?

Yes, they expire after 18 months of inactivity. Any earning or redeeming resets this timer.

6. Can I donate my points?

Yes. You can donate to over 1 million global nonprofits, including education, environmental, and humanitarian organizations.

7. Is Microsoft Rewards available worldwide?

Availability varies by market. You can check your Rewards dashboard to see which earning and redemption options apply to your region.

8. How many points can I earn daily?

Level 1 users usually earn around 90 points/day, while Level 2 users can earn 150–250 points/day or more, depending on promotions.

9. What can I redeem points for?

Gift cards, Xbox Game Pass months, retail cards, sweepstakes entries, and charity donations.

Tags: bing, microsoft, microsoft reward

How to Use Instagram Hashtags for Best Results

Business September 27th, 2025

Instagram Hashtags Symbol in Storage Container

Instagram is one of the most powerful marketing platforms for e-commerce businesses and content creators. With more than 1 billion active users every month, understanding how to leverage Instagram hashtags effectively can significantly impact your reach and engagement.

Important Update: Instagram significantly changed how hashtags work in late 2024. The platform removed the ability to follow hashtags, shifting focus toward algorithm-driven content discovery based on engagement and content quality.

Whether you want to take advantage of Instagram for marketing or personal use, understanding the current hashtag landscape is crucial for success.

What are Instagram Hashtags?

Instagram hashtags are words or phrases preceded by the hash (#) symbol that categorize and organize content on the platform. Unlike previous years, hashtags now serve primarily as metadata to help Instagram's algorithm understand your content rather than being direct growth drivers.

Current Reality: Instagram's CEO, Adam Mosseri, has confirmed that hashtags "don't really matter" for reach anymore. Instead, the algorithm prioritizes SEO-friendly captions, engagement quality, and user intent.

Why Use Hashtags On Instagram?

While hashtags are no longer the primary growth mechanism, they still serve important functions:

3-5
Optimal hashtag count per post

70%
Reduction in hashtag-driven reach since algorithm changes

30
Maximum hashtags allowed (but not recommended)

Content Categorization

Hashtags help Instagram's algorithm understand what your content is about, allowing it to show your posts to users interested in those topics through search and discovery features.

Search Discoverability

Users can still search for specific hashtags to find relevant content. Strategic hashtag use ensures your content appears in these searches when relevant.

Community Building

Hashtags remain valuable for building communities around specific topics, brands, or campaigns, even without the follow feature.

Key Strategy Shift

Focus on creating engaging, keyword-rich captions with a few highly relevant hashtags rather than stuffing posts with 20+ hashtags. Quality engagement signals matter more than hashtag quantity.

How to Find the Best Instagram Hashtags Now

With Instagram's algorithm changes, finding effective hashtags requires a more strategic approach focused on relevance and niche targeting.

New Approach: Instead of chasing high-volume hashtags, focus on 3-5 highly relevant, niche-specific hashtags that accurately describe your content and target audience.

Research Your Niche Community

Understand what your specific audience is searching for and discussing. Use hashtags that your target community actively uses and searches for, not just popular generic tags.

Analyze Successful Content in Your Space

Look at posts that perform well in your niche. Note which hashtags they use, but more importantly, observe how they write their captions and engage their audience.

Use Instagram's Search Insights

When you search for hashtags in Instagram's search bar, you'll see the post count and related hashtags. Aim for hashtags with 10K-500K posts for the sweet spot between reach and competition.

Leverage Hashtag Research Tools

Here are updated tools that can help you find relevant hashtags:

TagBlender

This free Instagram hashtag generator provides niche-specific suggestions and remains effective for finding relevant hashtags within your industry.

Free Instagram Hashtag Generator – TagBlender

All Hashtag

All Hashtag generator offers thousands of suggestions with filtering options to find the most relevant tags for your content.

Hashtag Generator, All Hashtag Tool

Types of Instagram Hashtags That Still Work

Niche Hashtags

Industry-specific tags like #travelblogger, #foodblogger, or #sustainablefashion that connect you with targeted communities.

Branded Hashtags

Custom hashtags for your brand or campaigns. These are more valuable than ever for building recognition and tracking user-generated content.

Location Hashtags

Geographic tags like #LondonLife or #TokyoEats help you connect with local audiences and communities.

Community Hashtags

Tags that connect specific professional or interest groups, such as #SmallBusinessOwner or #DigitalNomads.

Long-tail Hashtags

Specific, descriptive phrases like #VeganGlutenFreeDesserts target highly relevant audiences with less competition.

Seasonal/Event Hashtags

Time-sensitive tags for holidays, seasons, or special events that can boost visibility during relevant periods.

Current Instagram Hashtag Best Practices

The "3-5 Rule"

Instagram's Creator account officially recommends using only 3-5 hashtags per post. This approach focuses on quality and relevance over quantity.

Place Hashtags in Your Caption

Recent updates show that hashtags in captions perform better for search ranking than those added in the first comment. Integrate them naturally into your caption text.

Focus on Keywords in Captions

Instagram now prioritizes keyword-rich captions over hashtags. Write captions that include terms your audience might search for, using natural language rather than keyword stuffing.

Avoid Banned and Overused Hashtags

Stay away from hashtags that have been banned or are overly saturated. Tags like #followforfollow or generic terms with millions of posts can actually hurt your reach.

Avoid These Mistakes:

Using the same hashtag set for every post (Instagram may flag as spam)
Using irrelevant hashtags just because they're popular
Ignoring hashtag performance analytics
Using banned or broken hashtags can hurt visibility

Test and Rotate Your Hashtags

Don't use identical hashtag sets for every post. Create a bank of relevant hashtags and rotate them to avoid being flagged for repetitive behavior.

Monitor Your Hashtag Analytics

Use Instagram's analytics tools or third-party platforms like Later to track which hashtags drive the most engagement, reach, and profile visits.

Instagram Stories and Hashtag Strategy

Instagram Stories still support hashtags effectively, allowing up to 10 hashtags plus 1 clickable hashtag sticker per story.

Pro Tip: You can hide hashtags in Stories by making them very small or placing stickers over them, while still maintaining their search functionality.

Stories Hashtag Best Practices:

Use hashtags that are currently trending in your niche
Include at least one branded hashtag to build campaign awareness
Mix broad and specific hashtags for maximum reach
Place hashtags strategically so they don't interfere with your visual content

Hashtag Strategy for Business Growth

For e-commerce businesses, a hashtag strategy should integrate with your overall content marketing approach.

Create a Hashtag Content Calendar

Plan your hashtag strategy alongside your content calendar, ensuring hashtags align with your marketing campaigns, product launches, and seasonal promotions.

Build Brand Community with Custom Hashtags

Develop branded hashtags that encourage user-generated content. Ask customers to use your branded hashtag when sharing photos with your products.

Campaign Example: Create contests where followers share content using your branded hashtag for a chance to be featured on your page or win prizes.

Track Competitor Hashtag Performance

Monitor which hashtags your competitors use successfully, but don't copy them directly. Instead, find adjacent or more specific hashtags that target the same audience.

Integrate with Influencer Campaigns

When working with influencers for user-generated content, provide them with a mix of your branded hashtags and relevant niche tags to maximize campaign reach.

Advanced Hashtag Optimization Techniques

SEO-First Approach

Treat your Instagram posts like search-optimized content. Include keywords naturally in your captions that people might type into Instagram's search bar.

Long-tail Hashtag Strategy

Instead of using broad hashtags like #fitness, use more specific ones like #homeworkoutforbusynoms or #veganbodybuilding to reach highly targeted audiences.

Hashtag Performance Testing

A/B test different hashtag combinations on similar content to see which approach drives better engagement and reach for your specific audience.

23%
Higher engagement with strategic hashtag use vs. random selection

40%
Improvement in content discovery with niche hashtags

Cross-Platform Hashtag Strategy

Adapt your successful Instagram hashtags for other platforms, but remember each platform has different hashtag cultures and best practices.

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

Critical Mistakes That Hurt Performance:

Using irrelevant hashtags: Only use hashtags directly related to your content
Hashtag stuffing: More is not better; focus on 3-5 quality hashtags
Ignoring banned hashtags: Research hashtags before using them
Not tracking performance: Monitor which hashtags drive real results
Copying competitors exactly: Find your own niche-specific approach

How to Check if a Hashtag is Banned

Search for the hashtag on Instagram. If no recent posts appear or you see a message about content guidelines, the hashtag may be banned or restricted.

Future of Instagram Hashtags

Instagram continues to evolve toward AI-driven content discovery and semantic understanding. The platform now better understands content context through visual recognition and caption analysis.

Future Focus: Prioritize creating high-quality, engaging content with natural language captions. Use hashtags as supporting metadata rather than your primary growth strategy.

Preparing for Continued Changes

Focus on building genuine audience engagement
Develop a strong brand voice and consistent visual style
Create content that encourages saves, shares, and meaningful comments
Use analytics tools to track performance beyond just hashtag metrics

Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Hashtags

Q1: How many hashtags should I use per Instagram post in 2025?

Answer: Instagram's Creator account officially recommends using only 3-5 hashtags per post. While you can use up to 30 hashtags, the platform now prioritizes quality and relevance over quantity. Focus on highly relevant, niche-specific hashtags rather than using the maximum allowed.

Q2: Should I put hashtags in my caption or in the first comment?

Answer: Recent updates show that hashtags perform better when placed directly in your caption rather than in the first comment. Instagram confirmed that hashtags work equally in both locations, but caption placement may have a slight advantage for search ranking. Integrate them naturally into your caption text for the best results.

Q3: Do Instagram hashtags still work in 2025?

Answer: Yes, but their role has significantly changed. Instagram removed the ability to follow hashtags in late 2024, and CEO Adam Mosseri confirmed hashtags "don't really matter" for reach anymore. However, they still help with content categorization, search discoverability, and community building. They're now supporting tools rather than primary growth drivers.

Q4: How can I check if a hashtag is banned or broken?

Answer: Search for the hashtag directly in Instagram's search bar. If no recent posts appear, you see a message about community guidelines, or the hashtag shows very few results despite being popular, it may be banned or restricted. Some hashtags like #elevator and #humpday have been banned despite seeming innocent. Always research hashtags before using them in your strategy.

Q5: Can I reuse the same hashtags for every post?

Answer: No, you shouldn't use identical hashtag sets for every post. Instagram may flag this as spam behavior and reduce your reach. Instead, create a bank of 15-20 relevant hashtags for your niche and rotate them based on your specific post content. Each post should have hashtags that accurately describe that particular piece of content.

Q6: What are the best free tools for Instagram hashtag research?

Answer: The top free tools currently available are TagBlender (tagblender.net) for niche-specific suggestions, Seekmetrics (seekmetrics.com/tools/hashtag-generator) for AI-powered recommendations, and All Hashtag (all-hashtag.com) for comprehensive hashtag analysis. These tools help you find relevant hashtags with the right balance of reach and competition for your content.

Key Takeaways for Instagram Hashtag Success

Instagram hashtags have evolved from growth hacks to strategic content categorization tools. Success now comes from understanding your audience, creating quality content, and using 3-5 highly relevant hashtags that genuinely describe your posts.

Remember: engagement, content quality, and authentic community building drive Instagram success more than any hashtag strategy. Use hashtags to support your content, not replace good marketing fundamentals.

Stay adaptable, monitor your analytics, and focus on providing value to your audience. The brands that thrive on Instagram are those that evolve with the platform while maintaining authentic connections with their communities.

Tags: hashtag, instagram, results

Local Rank Tracker for HVAC

blog August 18th, 2025

A local rank tracker for HVAC companies is essential for heating and cooling businesses that want to capture customers through Google searches. When homeowners search for "HVAC near me" or "emergency heating repair," your company needs to appear at the top of Google Maps results. Local SEO rankings directly impact how many service calls and installation jobs your HVAC business receives each month.

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