Ahoy, Monday! We start this party, as always, with trivia. The world’s first website, created by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, is still online today. What year did this website first appear? Was it … 1965, 1978, 1983 or 1991? Answer’s at the end of this newsletter.

☀️ Keep this newsletter free to you by checking out today’s sponsor. Ryse is setting the smart shade marketplace on fire. Here’s how you can be one of their investors. Now, let’s dive in and pass along the top tech news so you’re up to date in less than five minutes! — Kim

If you're like me, you scan online reviews before adding that big something to a shopping cart, whether it’s choosing a new plumber or finding a place to get sushi or … OK, you get the idea. And you probably are like me: Up to 99% of buyers look up online reviews before purchasing, well, anything.

But here's the fly in the ratings soup: Reviews have never been less trustworthy. We're surrounded by brigading (engineering lots of positive posts) and review bombing (engineering lots of negative posts).

No wonder the percentage of people who trust digital reviews as much as personal referrals has fallen from 79% in the past couple of years to only 49% in 2023.

"Kim, I know. It's a problem." Then let's talk about what to do. Keep this list as a handy little reference when shopping for gifts, big-ticket items and destinations — or just figuring out what the heck to trust.

Pics or it didn’t happen

Snaps of the product, place or results are more challenging to fake than just words on a screen. Scan those photos for timestamps or, better yet, for EXIF data. You might uncover when and where the photo was taken, making sure it's legit. Apps like Exif Pilot can help you dissect the image info. That's a pro move!

Unfriend social media reviews

You know social media reviews can be sketchy. So, let's pivot. Sure, Google Business Profile is solid, but how about crowdsourced map reviews like those on Waze? Yep, you can get some real insider info on local businesses from customers and road warriors. The BBB is an excellent place to see reviews, too.

Negative Nellies need not apply

Don't get lured into the negativity spiral. Instead, apply the 24-hour rule. Check out a company's response to recent negative reviews. They're likely more reliable if they've addressed issues within a day. Also, make it a habit to skim through a company's replies to customer reviews; they can be revealing.

Bypassing big-box bewilderment

Amazon's a juggernaut, but let's sidestep it. Did you know smaller online forums like Reddit's r/BuyItForLife offer stellar recommendations from people who've had products for ages? Of course, you can't beat Consumer Reports. I use this site for every major purchase.

Critics’ corner, unplugged

Watch out for review bombing, but don't just rely on big-name critics. Dig into niche blogs and even academic critiques, too. Ever tried Google Scholar to find in-depth analyses? Trust me, you might see details even the critics miss. I just searched for my name, and dang — I've been writing about tech for a long, long time! Yessiree, just an overnight success, I am.

Next-level personal referrals: Go beyond the obvious

So, you're talking to friends and family and maybe even dipping into Facebook Groups and subreddits for advice. Good moves, but let's get even craftier.

Ever thought about leaning on LinkedIn for authentic recommendations? If you're part of specialized online forums or communities — say, an alum network or a hobby-specific group — those are prime grounds for getting in-depth, personalized reviews.

What about me? I probably have experience or an opinion, too. Drop me your questions on my site. I’d love to help you out.

🚘 Did you hear someone left a positive review of the DMV online? The manager saw it and immediately fired everyone. (Seriously, isn’t the DMV the worst place ever?)

Amazon bought Ring for $1.2 billion. Google paid $3.2 billion for Nest. Wish you'd gotten in early? RYSE is a tech company going after a booming market — smart shades. Their public $1.25/share offering is open for a limited time.

Did you know the “Shark Tank” sharks said, "No, thanks" to Ring? The 10% stake they offered to the sharks went from $700,000 to $10 million. RYSE pitched on the Canadian version of the show, “Dragons' Den,” and got two offers.

They just secured their first retail deal, and you can invest in their company before their product stocks the shelves of over 100 Best Buy stores.

🚔 Go directly to jail: If you head to TikTok and look up the hashtag for “borrow tips and tricks,” it’s filled with useful tips on how to shoplift. Yeah, I don’t see TikTok taking them down soon — these vids have more than 8.9 billion views.

You got served: The FTC is set to drop an antitrust lawsuit on Amazon after four years of combing through its business practices. What's the beef? They say Prime rules keep competitors' prices high and strong-arm sellers into using Amazon's logistics and ad services. What took them so long?

📖 Hitting the limit: Amazon says authors can’t publish more than three books a day to the Kindle Direct Publishing forum. This move to tackle AI-written work comes after a self-published book spewed lies about the Maui fire. Show me the human that can write three books a day.

Pass the gas: Colorado offers up to a $6,000 rebate to switch to an EV. To qualify, trade in your gas-powered car that’s at least 12 years old or has failed emissions. Tack on the federal EV savings, and that’s up to $13,500 in total. Sweet deal. In the market for an EV? Ask your dealer about state and federal rebates.

“RoboCop” IRL: The NYPD is sending a robot cop to patrol New York’s biggest subway station. The 420-pound bot will roll around the Times Square station from midnight to 5 a.m. Who knows if it’ll work, but the city’s only paying $9 an hour to use it and it won’t be sleeping on the job.

Waste not, want not: Researchers found a new material for your 3D prints — coffee grounds. And, unlike the plastic used in most 3D printers now, it's biodegradable. Their vision: Print whatever you want, and when you’re sick of what you’ve printed, toss it back in the printer to pump out your next idea.

Gimme a break: The anonymous creator of an AI social media influencer is fighting back against people who say it has unfair beauty standards. They say it's the same as humans who Photoshop, filter and airbrush their pics. Fair point, but Milla Sofia will never age, wake up bloated or get stretch marks. I bet the creator's a dude.

🛏️ Hard science: Biohacker Bryan Johnson — a 47-year-old with the lung capacity of an 18-year-old — says he keeps only three things in the bedroom: His bed, a laser face shield to fight wrinkles and a device to measure his nighttime excitement. He says it’s a good marker for youth.

Got a few spare minutes during your drive? Or maybe you're chilling at home? Sounds like the perfect time to tune in to The Kim Komando Show podcast!

I keep it real, breaking down the latest tech trends, cybersecurity tips and gadget reviews into snack-sized, easy-to-understand episodes.

👉 Download an episode today!

AI and resumes: A match made in heaven. Kinda … sorta … not really. But you’d better believe that’s what’s taking the first pass when you apply for a job.

If you can’t get past the bot, it’s a strikeout for you. Here are a few mistakes that could land you in the digital trash heap.

Making all the important info an image. Resume-scanning bots read words. If all your skills are in a snazzy image, it won’t take in any of that info.

You used a crazy font. Or even a subtle-but-special one. Use a default font so you don’t confuse the system. Stick with one of the defaults in the program you used to make your resume.

You’re being too clever. AI isn’t the greatest with sarcasm or flowery language. Be clear and concise about your experience and skills, and don’t assume the algorithm scanning your resume will know you’ve done X, Y or Z because of a job title.

All your language is generic. Scanners match words from the job you’re applying for to your resume. Use the exact words and phrases in the job description in your resume (if you’ve done them).

You only add, never delete. Adding experience is excellent, but you need to update your resume to match. Once you’re past entry-level, no one cares what college classes you took. Years into your career, the details of your first job probably don’t apply.

You never follow up. Humans pick up what AI misses. Don't be shy if you love the idea of a specific position. Find the hiring manager or another employee on LinkedIn and ask if they got your application. Just be polite about it!

Insider tech tip: If you’re submitting your resume online, put about 10 keywords from the job description in your document in a white font. The bots that filter resumes will “see” these words and look upon you favorably, but human eyes won’t detect them.

⭐ Searching for a job or maybe you know someone who is? Be a pal and share these tips. And we’re hiring, too. Check out our career center.

I firmly believe you should always have a copy of your data and not just depend on sites and apps to keep it for you. Think about all the treasured snapshots of summer vacation selfies with pals and that delicious bagel you have on Instagram.

If you ever delete your account, they're gone forever. Download them now while you're thinking about it.

🪄 And just like that, you've unlocked the magic door to send your stories, snaps and videos straight to Google Photos, Apple Photos, Dropbox or wherever you store pics.

May we all be as happy as Dave.

👀 The answer: The world's first website launched in 1991 to give details about the “World Wide Web Project.” It’s super boring looking but still online right here.

“The main problem with the internet is that there is no way to validate most facts.” — Abraham Lincoln, 1865.

Get it? Oh, tough crowd. Be sure to check out today’s sponsor, Ryse, which is all over the smart shades marketplace. Hit reply to this email if you want to tell me something. I’ll see you again in your inbox tomorrow with the best tech newsletter in the world! — Kim