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Shutter showdown: Stock vs. AI photos
I love making AI-generated pics. I’ve spent hours tinkering with prompts to see what I can dream up. But here’s the big question I get from business owners: Do AI images or good old-fashioned stock photos work better in marketing? Let’s put them head-to-head.
🙋♀️ Clicks love a human face
When we compare ad performance, stock photos win out on:
- Clicks: Stock photos hit a 0.53% CTR vs. 0.49–0.52% for top AI versions.
- Conversions: Real people boost conversions by up to 45%.
- Trust: Genuine images got lower bounce rates and higher engagement.
Why the gap? Our brains know when a face looks almost real but not quite right. That’s the “uncanny valley” effect. Stock gives you the real deal.
💸 When “free” costs you
Sure, AI is a budget-friendly shortcut. But let’s break down the real costs:
- Adobe Firefly: Included with Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, starting at $54.99 a month.
- ChatGPT Teams: Runs $25 to $30 a month, with limits on AI image generation.
- Midjourney: A basic plan starts at $10 a month, up to $120 a month for pro-level features.
Free-tiers only let you generate a handful of visuals each day. Not exactly unlimited creativity.
On top of that, sell-through rates favor traditional photos: 13% of stock images make at least one sale vs. 9% for AI. Those wasted impressions can cost you more than a stock photo subscription.
🛡️ Keep your brand safe
Bad visuals aren’t just awkward. They hurt your bottom line. AI-generated content can sneak in extra fingers, weird shadows, distorted text or inconsistent lighting. Not the look you want for your brand.
Too hot to handle
👩🍳 Forget Gordon Ramsay. These gadgets bring the fun and the flavor.
- 🔥 King of the grill: Alpha Grillers’ BBQ set (34% off) has all the tools you need to rule burger night.
- ☕ Double the whisk: From lattes to matcha, 238,000+ folks gave this milk frother (20% off) 4.4 stars.
- 🥘 One-pot wonder: With 18 functions, this rice cooker (10% off) can steam, sauté, you name it.
- 🧂 Shake things up: These electric salt and pepper grinders (41% off) do all the twisting for you.
- 🍿 Pop culture: Snoopy says ditch the microwave bags for a Peanuts-themed popcorn maker ($35).
🎁 Not sure what to grab?An Amazon gift card never disappoints. Then see what else is cooking on my storefront.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
TSA’s new travel warning: Don’t fall for ‘Free Airport Wi-Fi’
You know the drill: You hit the airport, find a seat near your gate, and your first thought is, Where’s the free Wi-Fi? You see a network called “Free Airport Wi-Fi” or “Airport_Guest” and think, Perfect.
The TSA says: Stop right there. Their latest warning is the digital equivalent of “Don’t take candy from strangers.” Public Wi-Fi, especially in airports, is a hacker’s playground.
💻 Share your Chromebook safely: If someone needs to borrow your Chromebook, turn on Guest Mode, so they can’t access your personal data. Sign out, then on the login screen, select Browse as Guest at the bottom, and hit Accept and continue. FYI: Remind them that downloads and bookmarks won’t be saved.
Don’t live in fear: Get the best home protection with no wires or contracts, and setup takes just 30 minutes. You’ll get sensors, HD cameras and 24/7 monitoring. Right now, get 50% off a new system when you sign up for a professional monitoring plan.
Is Kodak going out of business?
For 133 years, Kodak was the biggest name in photography. So why is it facing bankruptcy talks and a fight to stay alive? The answer in this short podcast.
After age 40
Your brain loses about 5% of its volume every decade, making it harder to remember details. One way to fight back? Learn a musical instrument (paywall link). It stimulates memory, coordination and problem-solving all at once, building new neurons and pathways. After all, you can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish.
🕒 Stay focused on Windows 11: Need to work without distractions? Go to Settings > System > Focus. Set your Session duration, and choose options like Do Not Disturb or Hiding taskbar flashes. When you’re ready, click Start focus session, and a timer will begin in the Clock app to keep you on track.
This iPhone trick saves your laundry
Cold wash or dry clean only? Your iPhone can decode every tag so you never ruin another pair of pants. Here’s how.
⚠️ Crypto vultures circling: The FBI says scammers are dressing up as lawyers to target people already burned by crypto fraud. They dangle “fund recovery” promises, then demand up-front crypto or gift cards. Victims get dumped into staged WhatsApp groups with fake bankers before losing even more money. These guys make MLMs look like charity work.
Lug nutty
🚘 Save yourself stress (and a tow truck bill) with these upgrades.
- 🪫 Dead battery? Skip the AAA wait. This jump-starter (20% off) doubles as a power bank for your phone.
- ✨ See the light: Drive safely at night with a headlight restoration kit (10% off). No tools needed.
- 🛒 Grocery hero: Hang your bags on these headrest hooks (45% off, four-pack). 4.6 stars & 62,000+ reviews.
- 😎 Sunglass HQ: Magnetic suede holders (20% off, two-pack) keep your shades steady on bumpy rides.
- 🛻 Fold and go: This trunk organizer (24% off) is sturdy when you need it, folds flat when you don’t.
🛠️ ICYMI: I rounded up the best DIY tools that’ll make you look like a pro. Check your inbox, then cruise over to my Amazon shop for more.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
3-second tech genius
No skills? No problem. George, your AI host, shows you AI art tools that bring your craziest ideas to life. Plus, secret hacks to supercharge your gadgets … and a surfing cat.
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
🤯 Fake YouTubia: A Wired report found at least 120 YouTube channels cranking out AI-generated celeb drama, like phony talk show fights using still images and robotic voice-overs. One video shows Mark Wahlberg getting roasted on The View. Didn’t happen. This isn’t fake news, it’s full-on delusion theater.
📂 Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: Keep three copies of your important files — two in different types of storage and one stored off-site. For example, save the originals on your computer, another copy on an external hard drive or USB stick, and the last one in cloud storage online. Overkill? Maybe. Covered? Always.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
We got scammed out of $200K
Bill and his wife thought they were investing in crypto. Instead, they got wiped out. Then, how AI could take down Google Chrome. Plus, Silicon Valley’s obsession with “super smart” babies, the secret world of spy radio, and crypto’s path to your 401(k).
Happy ‘National Relaxation Day’
😌 Rest assured, it’s a real thing … and the perfect excuse to treat yourself.
- 🧘♀️ Instant zen: An essential oil diffuser (46% off) brings the spa home. Such a great gift idea!
- 💪 Knot today, tension: This massage gun (35% off) has 4.5 stars and 34,000+ reviews for a reason.
- 🧊 Chill out: Memory foam pillows (27% off, two-pack) with cooling gel mean no pillow flipping at 2 a.m.
- 🔥 One-wrap wonder: Hot or cold, this therapy wrap (20% off) will soothe your hurt foot, elbow or wrist.
- 💋 Kiss dryness goodbye: Grace & stella’s lip mask (41% off) hydrates and repairs while you sleep.
💝 Because you deserve it: Why stop here? Click through to my Amazon page for more cozy comforts and gift-worthy gems.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Open multiple app windows on iPad: You can run two instances of the same app for better multitasking. For example, in Mail, tap the three dots at the top of the screen, select New Window, and another Mail window will open. Now swipe along the bottom to check one email while working on another.
Not a waste of space: If you’ve been eyeing Starlink for internet access, prices just dropped in some U.S. markets. Residential plans are $99 a month (down from $120), and the Lite plan starts at $65 (was $80), depending on where you live. The dish is now $175, about half what I paid. I hate being an early adopter.