Great internet research tool – Google Alerts
Ever want to keep up to do with what’s happening on websites or blogs about a certain subject?
I have and while running Google search has and continues to be a big part of what I do in my do to day functions I found that using Google Alerts is a great way to keep an eye on what’s being said or reported about something.
You don’t even need a Google account for this service.
Let’s look at how to set it up:
1. Go over to http://google.com/alerts
2. Enter the words you want to be used in “Search Terms”
3. In “Type” you can choose blogs, videos..etc. Comprehensive being a combination.
4. In “How often” you can the frequency. If once per day is enough, once a week or “as it happens”. The last option meaning you’ll likely receive many emails.
5. Enter your email.
And then you’ll receive updates right in your email. And in these emails you have 3 options at the bottom of each message.
1. Remove this alert
2. Create another alert
3. Manage your alerts
As I have a google account, I suspect number 3 may not be there if you do not. But I’m not %100 sure on that one.
And there you have it. A powerful tool to use if you need to keep informed on certain topics or are conducting market research on a certain subject.
I successfully use Google Alert more than 3 years. I propose my students to use Google Alert_Google mail for their studeis as well.
I should like to add that it is very important to select keywords in the previous stage before using Google Alert. I use a lot of different search engines and other tools for analysis and selecting keywords, e.g. I test http://marketsamurai.com.
Next usefull tool is my blog http://zigmasb.wordpress.com where I save the most important web research (online research, internet research, e-research, Web clipping, note taking) tools and analyze statistics of visitors and their queriies.
Ther are more tools that shopuld be used as an integrated part with Google laeert, e.g. Free Mind or other mainmapping tool.
Hi Zigmas,
Free Mind is actually something I’ve used quite frequently in the last few years.
There are so many great tools out there.
Great to have your input.
Thanks for the comments!
I have come to take Google Alerts for granted, it’s a great time saver, instead of doing numerous Google searches in order to keep up to speed with the niches your in, just simply create a Google Alert.
Why chase the latest information when you can automate it and make the latest info chase you.
I also use Google Alerts to give me up to the minute rumors on the financial markets which have helped me stay 12 to 24 hours ahead of major price sensitive events with particular securities, I’m not sure Google themselves know the true value of this great online tool!
Great post by the way!
I’ve taken it for granted as well.
Tools like these make research and staying up to date so much easier!
Not sure Google if google knows the value of that tool or not, but I applaud them for creating it!
Thanks for the comments!