Introduction
Maybe you want to monitor the internet for a specific product or name popping up. Or maybe you just want to be alerted whenever your name shows up on the web. No matter what the reason Google makes it possible to set up alerts for specific search words or phrases so you’ll be notified when that word or phrase shows up in a new result on Google Search. Creating a Google Search alert only takes a few minutes. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in the YouTube video below.
Steps to Set Up Google Search Alert
- Open a web browser and navigate to www.alerts.google.com. Log into your Google account if you’re not logged in already. You’ll land on the Google Alerts home page.
- Type the text you want to monitor Google Search for in the “Create an alert about” field. In this example I’ll type “Invincible Iron Man 9” to monitor for any new search results where that comic book turns up and receive an alert about those new results.
- Move down to the section directly beneath the input field and then click to expand the “Show Options” drop-down. You’ll see a set of fields that will let you optimize your Google Search alert.
- You can use the How Often field to define how often you’re sent the Google alert with any new results. The Sources option is where you can choose what sources you want to check to find new results that you’ll be alerted about. The Language option lets you choose what language you want to look for new results in. The Region option lets you choose a specific part of the world to check for new results. You can use the How Many section to choose whether you receive alerts for all new results or just the results that Google feels are the best. And finally, use the Deliver To section to send alerts to your Google email or an RSS feed. In this example I’ll choose to have my Google search alerts sent to my Google email address.
- Click “Create Alert” when you’re done. You’ll land back on the Google Alerts screen where you’ll now see your new Google search alert in the My Alerts list. You can click the “Edit” icon to bring up the list of fields associated with your Google alert and modify them as needed. Alternatively, if you want to delete a Google alert you can click the “Delete” icon.
- You can further customize your alerts by clicking the “Settings” icon next to the My Alerts header. A window will open where you can choose a specific delivery time to receive all of your Google search alerts. Alternatively, you can choose “Digest” and choose how often to receive all of your requests, which can be at most once per day or once per week. Click “Save” when you’re finished.
You’ll begin receiving any new Google Search alerts you set up immediately.
Six Reasons to Set Up Google Search Alerts
1. Monitoring Mentions of Name or Brand
Keeping an eye on your online reputation is crucial in today’s digital age. One way to do this is by setting up a Google search alert for your name or brand. By doing this, you can receive notifications every time your name or brand is mentioned online. This can help you stay on top of any negative press or comments, and allow you to respond in a timely manner. It can also help you identify positive mentions, which can be used for social proof and marketing purposes. Monitoring your online reputation can help you build trust with your audience and maintain a positive image online.
2. Keeping Up-to-date on Industry News or Trends
Staying current on industry news and trends is essential for staying competitive in any industry. Setting up a Google search alert for relevant keywords can help you stay informed about the latest developments in your field. This can include new product launches, market changes, or emerging technologies. By staying up-to-date on industry news and trends, you can make more informed business decisions and identify new opportunities for growth.
3. Tracking the Latest Developments on a Specific Topic or Event
If you’re interested in a specific topic or event, setting up a Google search alert can help you stay informed about the latest developments. For example, if you’re following a particular sporting event, you can set up an alert for the event name or the names of the teams involved. This can help you stay up-to-date on the latest scores and news. Similarly, if you’re following a particular topic, such as climate change, you can set up an alert for relevant keywords. This can help you stay informed about the latest research and policy developments.
4. Following Competitor Activity or Market Changes
Keeping an eye on your competitors is crucial for staying ahead in any industry. Setting up a Google search alert for your competitors’ names or relevant keywords can help you stay informed about their activity. This can include new product launches, marketing campaigns, or any other business developments. By tracking your competitors’ activity, you can identify new opportunities for growth and stay ahead of the competition.
5. Staying Informed about Job Opportunities or Hiring Trends
If you’re job hunting, setting up a Google search alert for relevant keywords can help you stay informed about job opportunities. This can include specific job titles or keywords related to your industry. You can also set up alerts for hiring trends, such as companies that are hiring or changes in the job market. By staying informed about job opportunities and hiring trends, you can be more strategic in your job search and identify new opportunities.
6. Tracking Product Reviews or Customer Feedback
If you’re a business owner, tracking product reviews and customer feedback is essential for maintaining a positive reputation. Setting up a Google search alert for your product name or brand name can help you stay informed about customer feedback. This can include positive or negative reviews, which can be used to improve your product or marketing strategy. By tracking product reviews and customer feedback, you can build trust with your audience and improve your business.
