Ok, so for the longest of time I had no idea what google alerts were or how the heck I even began to use one. I figured that since I had no clue what it was, there must be many others who are not sure what or how to use it. Hopefully by the time you finish reading this article, you will have a better grasp.
First, what are google alerts?
Well, this is a rather simple thing to answer. Google Alerts is a service offered by Google that will email you whenever their search engine recognizes their keyword phrases. You enter in any type of term. One I suggest adding is your name. Everytime someone uses my name on a website, I get an email from google alerts showing me where my name is used. The other day, Marti Garaughty used a post of mine in his Art of Marketing piece and I was notified. If that had not been set up, I would have never had a clue he gave me a prop.
Let look at it from another standpoint. Maybe you are wanting to keep current on all this info taking place in the finance market with the big companies like Merrill or AIG for your clients. You can set up an alert for those keywords and receive links for thos articles straight into your inbox.
Below is an excellent demo video from Bonnie Boots on how to set up and use google alerts.
Some of the things I love about these alerts is that they are free & the frequency of the alert can be set. For example if my name, Jeremy Blanton is used, I want to be notified immediately. Also, if my website, www.dennisgblanton.com or www.myrtlebeachhomesblog.com is used I want to know right away. Other things like local keywords I don't need every time something pops in, or my email box will be on overload. So for keywords like Myrtle Beach Real Estate and Myrtle Beach Real Estate Expert, those terms are set to be delivered to my inbox on a daily basis.
Time to set up an alert takes about 30 seconds, so I highly recommend if you are not using them, start today!
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Jeremy so glad you posted on this, I have done so several times. Can't figure out why everyone isn't doing it at least on their name. If someone mentions me in a post, then I know it.
However, I do follow lots of alerts for my city etc...
Jeremy: I have been using Google Alerts for some time. I also have alerts set up for my competitors names and you can also plug in a chunk of text from one of your blogs to see if anyone is copying you or hijacking your copy. Don't forget your tag line too.
hi Jeremy, the Boots video is a great find, thx for adding it to the group, You're absolutely right, without Google Alerts we'd miss a lot of stuff we need to know, especially related to our name, biz, area, etc...
Actually I saw your post as I was checking thru the new stuff in the group but I received a Google Alert even before I saw this. It works sooooooooooooo well. Have a great weekend!
Jeremy, I see this as a good news bad news story. If you are mentioned too much Google Alerts gets kind of annoying. I can see where in real time you know what is going on but Google Alerts can just add to more information overload. Maybe "not knowing" is more peaceful in your life.
I love google alerts Jeremy. If I am on overload I just save the email for later to look at Gary it doesn't bother me and I would rather know if someone is messing with my stuff
I constantly use google alerts - for myself, my organizations, my colleagues, my competition, my neighborhoods, my topics of interest. Then I use rules to send the alerts to other mailboxes than my general Inbox.
Who knows who is on alert for your name? Now anyone can now spy on their competition, find out where you are posted on line, guess brokers now have a easy tool to keep up with their agents online activity... the list goes on.
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That is a good idea. I look at that page all the time and never really paid attention. Thanx!