Jeff Bullas

Deactivating your Facebook account is a temporary measure, quite different from permanently deleting it. It is designed for when you want to take a break from the platform.

Here is what generally happens when you choose to deactivate. First, your profile becomes hidden from other users on Facebook. People will not be able to search for you, see your timeline, or view your profile information. It is effectively like you are invisible on the platform.

Second, while your main profile is hidden, some information might still be visible to others. For instance, messages you have previously sent will remain in your friends’ inboxes. However, your profile picture next to those messages will usually revert to a default icon, and your name might not be clickable through to an active profile. Your name could also still appear in your friends’ friends lists, but again, without a link to a viewable profile.

Third, and importantly, Facebook saves all your account information. This includes your photos, posts, friends list, and messages. So, if you later decide to reactivate your account, all of that information should be restored.

Fourth, while your Facebook account is deactivated, you will not be able to use it to log in to other services that are connected to your Facebook login, such as some third-party apps or websites, or Meta Quest if you use Facebook for that.

Fifth, it is worth noting that Facebook Messenger can operate somewhat independently. When you deactivate your Facebook account, you are often given the option to continue using Messenger, or you might need to deactivate Messenger separately if you wish to take a break from that too. If you keep Messenger active, people can still message you there, and your profile would be visible within Messenger.

Reactivating your account is usually quite simple. You typically just need to log back into Facebook using your email address or phone number and your password, and your profile, along with all your previous information, should be restored.

The key difference from deletion is that deactivation is temporary and reversible, allowing you to return whenever you choose. Permanent deletion, on the other hand, means your data is scheduled to be erased and cannot be recovered after a certain period.

Cheers,

Jeff

There is no single “ideal” YouTube video length that guarantees the best engagement for every video in 2025. The optimal length depends heavily on your specific content, your target audience, and how effectively you deliver value within that duration.

However, there are some key principles to consider regarding video length and engagement. First, audience retention is absolutely paramount. YouTube’s algorithm strongly favours videos that keep viewers watching for as long as possible. A shorter video that achieves a high percentage of audience retention, for instance 60 to 70 percent or more, will often perform better in terms of algorithmic preference than a much longer video where viewers tend to drop off quickly. The main goal is to keep viewers engaged from the beginning to the end of your video.

Second, the content itself should dictate the length. Your video needs to be as long as necessary to convey its message or provide its intended value effectively, and no longer. Avoid unnecessarily stretching your content to meet an arbitrary time, and equally, do not rush through complex information too quickly. For example, a detailed tutorial will naturally be longer than a quick entertainment clip.

Third, YouTube Shorts, which are videos under 60 seconds, operate within their own ecosystem. Engagement for Shorts is driven by immediate impact, high completion rates, and often, rewatches. Videos in the 15 to 30 second range frequently perform well here.

Fourth, for longer-form content, which might range from around 7 or 8 minutes up to 20 minutes or even longer for deep dives, sustained audience retention and significant total watch time are critical. Videos over 8 minutes also provide more opportunities for ad placements if your channel is monetised. However, the entire duration must remain engaging to hold viewers. Some analyses suggest a sweet spot for many types of monetised content often falls in the 7 to 15 minute range, as this can balance engagement with ad potential.

A crucial element, regardless of overall length, is to hook your viewer within the first 15 to 30 seconds. If you do not capture their interest quickly, they are likely to move on.

Ultimately, the best approach is to analyse your own data. Regularly check your YouTube Analytics, paying close attention to the audience retention graphs for your videos. This will show you precisely where viewers tend to drop off. Experiment with different video lengths for your specific type of content and observe how your audience responds.

In summary, instead of aiming for one perfect video length, focus on creating content that is precisely as long as it needs to be to be valuable and engaging for your particular audience. High audience retention is the truest indicator of an effective video length.

Cheers,

Jeff

Several critical factors contribute to your website’s loading speed, and focusing on these will generally yield the best improvements for user experience and search engine performance in 2025.

First, image optimisation is absolutely fundamental. Large, uncompressed images are one of the most common reasons for slow websites. You need to ensure images are correctly sized for where they are displayed, effectively compressed (using modern formats like WebP is a good idea), and consider using lazy loading for images that are not immediately visible when the page first loads.

Second, your server response time, often measured as Time to First Byte (TTFB), is crucial. This indicates how quickly your web server begins to send data after it receives a request. A slow server or an inadequate hosting plan will create a bottleneck for everything else. Choosing a quality web hosting provider is important.

Third, the efficiency of your website’s code plays a significant role. Bloated HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files can substantially slow down how quickly a page can be rendered by a browser. Minifying these files, which means removing unnecessary characters without affecting functionality, and deferring non-critical JavaScript to prevent it from blocking rendering, are key practices.

Fourth, leveraging browser caching is very effective for repeat visitors. This allows a visitor’s browser to store static parts of your website locally, such as images, CSS, and JavaScript files, so these do not need to be re-downloaded every time they visit another page or return to your site.

Fifth, using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) can provide a noticeable speed boost, particularly if your audience is geographically diverse. A CDN distributes copies of your site’s static assets to servers located around the world. Visitors then download these assets from a server that is closer to them, which reduces latency and speeds up delivery.

Sixth, optimising how web fonts are loaded is also important. If you use custom web fonts, they can add to load times if not implemented efficiently. This includes limiting the number of font families and weights, using modern font formats like WOFF2, and considering font-display strategies or preloading critical fonts.

Seventh, the sheer number of HTTP requests a browser needs to make to load your page also impacts speed. Every image, script, and stylesheet is a separate request. Reducing these requests, for instance by combining CSS or JavaScript files where appropriate, can help.

It is also worth noting that Google’s Core Web Vitals (Largest Contentful Paint, Interaction to Next Paint, and Cumulative Layout Shift) are key user experience metrics, and improving these underlying speed factors will directly and positively influence these vitals. Regularly testing your site’s speed with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights is also a vital part of the process.

Focusing on these areas – particularly optimised images, a fast server, efficient code, browser caching, and potentially a CDN – will generally lead to the most significant improvements in your website’s loading speed.

Cheers,

Jeff

The “ideal” TikTok video length for maximum reach is not a fixed number, as it really depends on your specific content, your audience, and how engaging your video is from start to finish. However, there are some general principles and observations for 2025.

First, while TikTok has expanded its maximum video length significantly, allowing for videos up to 10 minutes or even longer for some uploads, this does not automatically mean that longer videos get more reach. The platform became popular with short-form content, and user attention spans are still a key factor.

Second, the TikTok algorithm tends to prioritise watch time and completion rate. For shorter videos, say in the 7 to 35 second range, a high completion rate (viewers watching most or all of the video) is a very strong positive signal. If people watch it all the way through, or even rewatch it, that tells TikTok your content is engaging.

Third, for videos that are a bit longer, perhaps up to a minute or even a few minutes if the content is educational or tells a compelling story, sustained watch time and strong engagement signals throughout the video (such as likes, comments, shares, and saves) become even more critical. The aim for TikTok is to keep users on the platform, so content that holds attention will be favoured. Some recent data suggests that videos longer than one minute can achieve greater overall watch time and reach, provided the content is compelling enough.

Fourth, regardless of the total length, hooking the viewer within the first 1 to 3 seconds is absolutely crucial. If you do not grab their attention immediately, they are very likely to scroll past.

The most effective approach is often to let the content dictate the length. Your video should be precisely as long as it needs to be to deliver its value or entertainment, and no longer. Avoid adding unnecessary filler just to make it longer.

It is highly recommended to experiment with different video lengths for your particular niche and audience. Pay close attention to your TikTok analytics. Look at average watch time, completion rates, and how reach varies with different lengths. This data will give you the best insights into what works for your specific content.

In summary, while trends may indicate certain lengths performing well generally (for example, some suggest a sweet spot between 20 and 60 seconds for many types of content), the ideal length is ultimately the one that keeps your target audience engaged for the entire duration of your valuable content. Test, analyse, and adapt.

Cheers,

Jeff

Recording clean audio in an untreated room can indeed be tricky, but there are several effective microphone techniques you can use to significantly reduce unwanted background noise and improve your podcast sound.

First, your choice of microphone is quite important. In a non-soundproofed environment, a dynamic microphone is generally a better option than a condenser microphone. Dynamic mics are typically less sensitive to sounds further away from them and are better at rejecting room echo and ambient noise. Look for one with a cardioid or supercardioid pickup pattern, as these patterns are designed to capture sound primarily from directly in front of the microphone and reject sounds from the sides and rear.

Second, practise close-miking. This means positioning the microphone relatively close to your mouth – for example, around 5 to 15 centimetres (about 2 to 6 inches) away, though this can vary depending on the specific microphone. Speaking closer allows you to reduce the microphone’s input gain (sensitivity). A lower gain setting makes the microphone less likely to pick up softer, more distant background sounds.

Third, pay attention to microphone placement and orientation. Always point the microphone directly at your mouth. Crucially, try to position the microphone so that its least sensitive part (usually the rear for a cardioid mic) is aimed towards the most significant source of background noise in your room. Using a boom arm or a proper mic stand, ideally with a shock mount, will also help prevent vibrations from your desk being picked up.

Fourth, while it is not strictly a microphone technique, try to manage your recording environment as much as possible. Close windows and doors, turn off fans, air conditioners, and any noisy appliances. Record during quieter times of the day if you can. Adding soft furnishings like rugs, curtains, or even cushions around the room can also help to absorb some sound reflections and reduce echo.

Fifth, always use a pop filter. This primarily helps to reduce plosive sounds (the harsh ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds from your voice), but it also assists in maintaining a consistent distance from the microphone, which is part of good close-miking technique.

Sixth, monitor your audio with headphones while you are recording. This will allow you to hear what the microphone is actually capturing in real-time, including any intrusive background noise, so you can make adjustments.

While post-production software can help clean up some noise afterwards, it is always far better to capture the cleanest possible recording at the source. Employing these microphone techniques will make the biggest difference in achieving that in a less-than-ideal recording space.

Cheers,

Jeff

Observing good etiquette when connecting on LinkedIn is important for building a strong and respectful professional network.

When you are sending connection requests, a few practices are key. First, it is highly recommended to personalise your invitation. Rather than using the default message, include a brief, polite note. This note could explain why you wish to connect – perhaps you share professional interests, admire their work, were referred by a mutual contact, or see potential for a valuable connection. A personalised message significantly increases the chances of your request being accepted.

Second, ensure your own LinkedIn profile is comprehensive and presents you professionally. This gives the recipient context about who you are.

Third, after a connection is made, avoid an immediate sales pitch or asking for favours. Focus on establishing a professional rapport first.

Fourth, it is generally more effective to be selective and strategic about whom you invite to connect, focusing on relevance rather than just accumulating numbers.

When you receive connection requests, you also have a considered approach. First, remember you are not obliged to accept every request. It is quite acceptable to decline or ignore invitations from individuals who seem irrelevant to your professional sphere, have incomplete profiles, or whose intentions are unclear.

Second, if you are unfamiliar with the person sending the request, take a moment to review their profile. Look for shared connections, common industry interests, or other points of relevance.

Third, if a request includes a thoughtful, personalised message, it generally warrants a polite acknowledgement if you decide to accept.

In essence, effective LinkedIn networking etiquette revolves around professionalism, respect, and demonstrating genuine interest in making a mutually beneficial connection.

Cheers,

Jeff

Facebook’s algorithm uses a complex mix of thousands of signals to decide what people see in their feeds, and it is constantly being refined. While Meta, Facebook’s parent company, does not publish a simple list of “top three” static ranking factors, we can identify some key areas that consistently influence how content is ranked based on their public statements and industry observations.

First, meaningful interactions and engagement signals remain very important. The algorithm looks closely at how users interact with a post. This includes not just likes, but more significantly, comments that spark genuine conversations, shares (especially those made via Messenger or that include added context from the sharer), and even how much time people spend with a post. Content that fosters back-and-forth discussion is generally favoured.

Second, relevancy and personalisation are at the core. Facebook aims to show each user content that is most interesting and relevant to them personally. This is determined by a user’s past behaviour, such as who they interact with frequently (friends, Pages, Groups), the types of content they typically engage with (videos, photos, links), and topics they have shown an interest in. The system tries to predict what each individual will find most valuable.

Third, content quality, originality, and the source are increasingly significant. Facebook has stated its focus on prioritising high-quality, original content. This means material that is informative, entertaining, or provides unique value, rather than clickbait, engagement bait, or low-quality, unoriginal posts. Original video content, particularly Reels that are engaging, often performs well. The trustworthiness and past behaviour of the content creator or Page also play a part.

It is also worth noting that while the algorithm is sophisticated, factors like the recency of a post and direct user feedback (such as hiding posts or marking them as spam) also contribute to visibility. The system is an ongoing evolution, with AI and machine learning playing a significant role in tailoring the user experience.

For the most accurate high-level understanding, Meta occasionally provides insights into its ranking approaches via its official blogs and transparency centre.

In summary, while there is no simple checklist of just three factors, creating high-quality, original content that genuinely engages your specific audience and encourages meaningful conversation is the most reliable approach to align with how Facebook’s algorithm generally functions.

Cheers,

Jeff

The main UTM parameter you will use to specifically monitor and categorise traffic coming from your email marketing efforts is utm_medium.

When you are setting up the links in your emails, you should consistently use utm_medium=email. This tag tells your analytics platform, such as Google Analytics, that the user arrived at your website via the email channel.

While utm_medium=email identifies the channel, you then use utm_source to give more detail about which email or email system the traffic came from. For instance, you might have utm_source=may_newsletter or utm_source=product_update_email, and this would work alongside utm_medium=email.

In your analytics reports, by filtering or segmenting your traffic by Medium: email, you will be able to see all the visitors and activity attributed to your email marketing, regardless of the specific utm_source or utm_campaign values you have also used.

The other parameters, such as utm_campaign, utm_content, and utm_term, provide additional layers of detail. utm_campaign will name the specific promotion. utm_content can help you differentiate between different links within the same email. And utm_term is less commonly used in email but can identify specific segments or keywords if needed.

However, to directly answer your question, utm_medium=email is the fundamental tag for identifying, tracking, and reporting on traffic from the email channel as a whole.

Cheers,

Jeff