Google explains how to handle state-specific product pricing in search results. Here’s what to know.

The post Google Shares SEO Guidance For State-Specific Product Pricing appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

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I have started to count…

…Not how many awards we have won this year, or how many dollars have been secured (we already count those all the time).

…Not how many days in advance of a formal deadline a grant is submitted (we already track that too).

Rather, I have started to count how much time is collectively spent by our team, and the clients we support, navigating two-factor or multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems in order to gain access to grant application portals.

Two-factor and MFA systems are designed to enhance security, and in a world grappling with cyber threats, their implementation by grantmakers seems like a well-intentioned step. I agree that protecting sensitive grantee data and ensuring the integrity of financial transactions is paramount. However, what seems to be unacknowledged in the rapidly accelerating use of these systems over the past year are the significant inefficiencies and frustrations these systems are inadvertently creating for grant applicants and grantmaking organizations, impacting not only small organizations but also larger, more complex entities.

For small, volunteer-led, or community-based organizations, navigating MFA can be a considerable burden. Often, the individual responsible for grant applications juggles multiple roles and might lack dedicated IT support. The requirement for a second device or login—typically a smartphone for an authentication app, or constant access to a specific email account—can introduce significant hurdles. A forgotten password, a lost phone, or a change in volunteer personnel can quickly lead to a lockout, demanding time-consuming support calls and delaying critical application submissions. This challenge is compounded by the fact that grantmakers employ all sorts of MFA systems, forcing applicants to manage a bewildering array of authentication methods and apps. Each unique system adds a layer of complexity and potential for error, diverting precious time and resources away from crafting compelling proposals and maintaining a mission focus.

Furthermore, the challenges extend beyond smaller organizations. Large nonprofits, universities, and research institutions, although possessing more robust IT infrastructures, face a different set of MFA-induced inefficiencies. In these organizations, the grant-seeking process is often a collaborative effort involving multiple staff members. A development director might initiate an application, a program manager might input project details, and a finance officer might submit budget information or financial reports. When MFA is tied to a single individual’s cell phone or specific email address, it creates a bottleneck. If that individual is out of office, on vacation, or moves to a different role, access to the portal can be severely hampered.

Imagine a scenario where the grant report is due, and the MFA is linked to the former grants manager’s personal phone. The current team is left scrambling, trying to regain access to a vital portal, often under tight deadlines. This is not an imaginary scenario for our team—it is one we experienced with a client that had experienced a change in staff recently. This reliance on a single point of failure within a multi-stakeholder process can lead to significant delays, missed deadlines, and increased administrative overhead. It forces larger organizations to devise workarounds, which can compromise internal security protocols or create unnecessary layers of communication and coordination.

Imagine another scenario where a program officer who has always been incredibly accessible to their potential and current grantees must now also address the IT issues that accompany the implementation of MFA systems. The time they would usually spend interacting with organizations about their currently funded programs or potential projects is now reduced by the time they have to spend supporting the additional IT system issues. Again. Not an imaginary scenario for our team, nor am I thinking imaginary for others, either—we have experienced this firsthand.

Although security is undeniably crucial, a balance must be struck. The cumulative effect of these seemingly small inefficiencies is disproportionately impacting the very organizations that often need funding the most, regardless of their size. Grantmakers should consider the user experience alongside security protocols, perhaps exploring more flexible or organization-centric authentication methods, such as shared organizational accounts with accompanying individual log-in access that allows for staff turnover and out-of-office time, or offering more accessible technical support. Otherwise, their well-intentioned efforts risk creating unnecessary barriers and additional work for themselves, inadvertently hindering the vital work of their grantees.

The post Multi-Factor Systems Causing Inefficiencies Added Stress in Grant-Seeking Processes appeared first on DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services.

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Google has released an open-source tool that lets large language models like Gemini connect to Google Analytics, enabling natural conversations with your data.

The post Google Makes It Easier To Talk To Your Analytics Data With AI appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

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