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Google Alerts....What should I be searching for?

By Becky Troutt

Industry Observer with No longer practicing real estate as of 2008.

December 17, 2007 11:39 PM

I am just now finally getting around to using the Google Alerts feature. But I'm not exactly sure what to type in there for it to search for. Of course I typed in my name and a couple other things I have been trying to keep up on in the news, but what else should I be searching for? I feel like I'm asking a dumb question, but as I sit here starring at the screen to type in search terms, I'm not sure what search terms I should be typing in there! LOL....

What are you using Google Alerts for? Are you spying on competition? Waiting for news about a specific topic? Looking to see what pops up under your name? Are you searching under keywords for your area, like maybe Bradenton Real Estate? What do you use them for? What types of words are you typing in for it to search for? Have you found any specific terms related to the real estate business in general that have led you to some great information? Do you mind sharing those terms with the rest of us?

If you don't know what Google Alerts are, click here to read more.

It's a neat little feature. I just set this thing up about 10 minutes ago and already a couple of alerts have come in.

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Kris Wales

Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI

Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Becky, I have 3 alerts set up. One for my name, one for macomb county real estate (my main search/keywords that I use while blogging) and one for my name & the word "activerain".

Dec 17, 2007 11:46 PM

Marc Grossman

Marc It Sold! - Longwood, FL

GRI, Greater Orlando Real Estate Broker

Becky, It's nice to set your name up for a search to see where you are coming up on. But, and not offense here, I think it's a waste in a way. How may people are going to search by your name for Bradenton real estate? I think you could have better keywords to choose from. This will then tell you where you come up on those lists.

Dec 18, 2007 12:14 AM

Ann Cummings

RE/MAX Shoreline - NH and Maine - Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth NH Real Estate Preferrable Agent

Hi Becky - this isn't a stupid question at all. I asked one of my friends who I knew used Google alerts what I should be watching, and he helped me with that. I do similar to what Kris does. I don't think it's a waste to set one up for your name - even if no one searches that way, you'll know when your name comes up somewhere and it's a great way to keep tabs on what's being written about you. Use your keywords as search alerts.

I love the REALTOR banner you have on the right side of your blog - LOVE it! I might just have to set one up for me.

Ann

Dec 18, 2007 12:23 AM

Becky Troutt

No longer practicing real estate as of 2008. - Bradenton, FL

Marc, I think you're missing the whole idea of the alerts. It's not to see who is searching for me under my name if I set an alert up that searches for Becky Troutt. It's to see who is writing about me somewhere.

For instance if you write a post about something and were to mention my name in your post, because I have the Google Alert set up to search for anything under my name, it will then notify me of your post once Google finds it. I can then go see what it was you had to say about me! ;)

If I search for Bradenton Real Estate, I can then see other agents in my area stories and what they are writing about that pertains to Bradenton Real Estate.

Dec 18, 2007 12:25 AM

Jon Sigler

Coldwell Banker Realty - South Windsor, CT

Sigler Sold Another! 860-306-8029

Well based on your post of yesterday on appraisals, you might want to add a search on appraisal technology, or something similar. Try Real Estate Marketing, Internet Real Estate Marketing, or Point 2 since I see those as themes in your "groups". I'd search Point 2 , since it might be helpful in learning what is up with them that they might not be talking about. What is important to you? I've got one set up on Apple, it is a pet stock of mine that I love to follow. I had one set up on Identity Theft, but stopped it since it was to much reading and I haven't figured out a better key word to search since.

Dec 18, 2007 12:33 AM

Rey Gallegos

Supreme Lending (NMLS ID #2129) - Las Vegas, NV

FHA, VA, Home Loans Las Vegas, NV

This is intersting. I didn't know about this but will look into it.

Dec 18, 2007 02:31 AM

Thanks for the ideas ya'll....

Dec 18, 2007 04:24 AM

Becky, I understand and agree with what you are saying, but I use the alerts to see where I'm coming up and if the keywords that I'm using need to altered, etc. for better placement

Dec 18, 2007 07:34 AM

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Becky Troutt

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