The “Illegal mix of collations” error in WordPress isn’t a Rank Math problem, even though Rank Math is usually where it surfaces. It’s a database foundation problem that quietly breaks analytics, fills your error log, and spreads to other plugins. Here’s what’s actually going wrong, the SQL to fix it permanently, and why the cheap-host fix never sticks.
Tips and Tricks
Quick solutions to everyday digital problems. No comprehensive tutorials, just the three-click fixes and workarounds we’ve learned from managing websites for two decades.
When you need someone to show you the shortcut to that annoying problem, you’re in the right place.
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How I Unsubscribed from an Unwanted Google Group (Without a Google Account)
Stuck getting spam from a Google Group you never joined? I break down how a spammer added our alias address to a Google Group, why unsubscribing wasn’t straightforward, and how I used Postmark and PowerShell to send an unsubscribe request even though we didn’t have a Google account.
Why I Ruthlessly Report Spam (And You Should Too)
I’m ruthless about spam. If I didn’t sign up, I unsubscribe or report it. Here’s why reducing inbox clutter matters, how much time spam wastes, and how I handled a particularly annoying case from Google Groups. Want to run proper email campaigns? We can help with that too.



