The Benefits of Google Alerts

23 replies
I have heard of Google Alerts but never used it until just recently and honestly, my only regret is not using it sooner - it's amazing. Here are the benefits I've found so far from using Google Alerts:

1. Blog Commenting - I set up one alert for the main keywords of one of my niches. Now I am alerted to new blog posts or articles published online. The benefit of this is that because these blog posts are related to my niche, they are perfect for me to comment on. So this is a great way to find relevant blogs for blog commenting.

2. Find other websites using my articles - legally or illegally. This is with a Google Alert set up for my name. Yesterday I got an alert and checked the article and found that they had taken it from ArticlesBase. ArticlesBase, just like EzineArticles, requires for an article to be used from their site the resource box must remain intact including any links. With my article, they had included the resource box but removed my links. I have now contacted them and asked them to remove it from their website and am waiting on a reply. If I hadn't been using Google Alerts I would never have found this article and I wonder just how many others I've missed before using GA.

3. Just keep an eye on your competition. When using Google Alerts for your main keyword phrase you can see when articles are published for that phrase so you are, in a way, keeping an eye on your competition. Although they may publish articles and blog posts using other keyword phrases, you will be able to keep an eye on those that are competing for the same phrase.

So if you aren't using Google Alerts - you should be
#alerts #benefits #google
  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    Right on Sheryl,
    I too have some set up for different things. I like that you made a strategy out of it.
    Awesome post thanks for sharing it
    -Will
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    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      I've used Google Alerts for many years, but never for any of those purposes, LOL!
      Thanks again for sharing.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
    Sheryl, I love G alerts. Umm, well, except for the fact that I died more than once last year.
    ref: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...illing-me.html ...lol

    My thinking is that 2011 will be a better year!

    Have a Great Day!
    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
      Originally Posted by Michael Mayo View Post

      Sheryl, I love G alerts. Umm, well, except for the fact that I died more than once last year.
      ref: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...illing-me.html ...lol

      My thinking is that 2011 will be a better year!

      Have a Great Day!
      Michael
      Headline - Columbia Fire department spreads Mayo on street ...

      lol that's too funny!
      Signature
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  • Profile picture of the author Shazia Mirza
    Thank you for your recommendation!

    I'm gonna start using this right away!
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  • Profile picture of the author Janice Sperry
    I never thought about your point #2. I have never spent much time looking or worrying about the plagerizers but you have come up with a fast simple way to catch a few.
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  • Profile picture of the author PhoebeSmellyCat
    Nice post, Sheryl!

    I have been using Google Alerts for some time now (although it's for non IM topics), and have thought about using it to watch for keywords.

    Of course, leave it to me to forget all about it (short attention span) until I read your post.

    Good tips and thanks for the reminder!
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  • Profile picture of the author IdeaLady
    Another good use of Google Alerts is to get ideas for blog posts and articles. I have Google Alerts set for several of my keywords and use news and other alerts as inspiration for posts.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
      Originally Posted by IdeaLady View Post

      Another good use of Google Alerts is to get ideas for blog posts and articles. I have Google Alerts set for several of my keywords and use news and other alerts as inspiration for posts.
      Another good one Cathy - thanks. I hadn't even thought to use it that way but I sure will now
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      • Profile picture of the author bradlean
        I'll go ahead and try google alerts.

        Never try that yet!

        Thanks for the idea!
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  • Profile picture of the author tritrain
    I use Google Alerts to let me know when I get backlinks.

    Also, it is handy for reputation management (when people mention your name), news, and an assortment of other things.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Worner
    Hey Sheryl!

    Visit this link, it contains instruction on how to serve DCMA notices to scammers and rip-off artists: Domaining Diva » Blog Archive » What You Can Do About “Paypal Dispute Ripoff Artists”

    If they refuse to remove the content, then their website gets shut down.

    Chris
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
      Chris, I believe you may have just posted to the wrong thread or you didn't
      read the thread prior to making your post?

      I could be wrong.

      Have a Great Day!
      Michael
      Originally Posted by Chris Worner View Post

      Hey Sheryl!

      Visit this link, it contains instruction on how to serve DCMA notices to scammers and rip-off artists: Domaining Diva » Blog Archive » What You Can Do About "Paypal Dispute Ripoff Artists"

      If they refuse to remove the content, then their website gets shut down.

      Chris
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      • Profile picture of the author Chris Worner
        Originally Posted by Michael Mayo View Post

        Chris, I believe you may have just posted to the wrong thread or you didn't
        read the thread prior to making your post?

        I could be wrong.

        Have a Great Day!
        Michael
        Originally Posted by Sheryl Polomka View Post

        2. Find other websites using my articles - legally or illegally. This is with a Google Alert set up for my name. Yesterday I got an alert and checked the article and found that they had taken it from ArticlesBase. ArticlesBase, just like EzineArticles, requires for an article to be used from their site the resource box must remain intact including any links. With my article, they had included the resource box but removed my links. I have now contacted them and asked them to remove it from their website and am waiting on a reply. If I hadn't been using Google Alerts I would never have found this article and I wonder just how many others I've missed before using GA.
        It was in relation to point 2 in the original post.

        Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author Sheryl Polomka
    Thanks Chris I just had a read and it does have the DMCA letter example which will come in handy if they don't remove my article. I've bookmarked that link so I"ll give the site owners that stole my article a couple of days to respond and if they don't then I'll proceed. When I contacted them I did say that if they didn't remove it I would take further action so hopefully they will just take it down.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
    LOL... I said I could be wrong!

    Actually I reread the thread twice after I started the post and still missed it.

    Maybe I should call it a day, watch a video and relax for a while.

    Have a Great Day!
    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author WD Mino
    Michael:
    Everytime I see your name I am reminded of jack mayo-An officer and a gentlemen -You always conduct yourself as such
    thanks
    -Will
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    "As a man thinks in his heart so is he-Proverbs 23:7"

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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Mayo
    Will, Thanks for the Kudos!

    It's a good thing that I'm not a sue crazy kinda of guy. If I were then I could have
    solved any financial problems I may have had at the time by... Oh, never mind...lol
    That's not me...

    Have a Great Day!
    Michael
    PS, Sheryl, Sorry, I didn't mean to change the subject.
    Warriors, We now return to our Original Posted Topic.
    Have a Great Day!
    ~MM~
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  • Profile picture of the author Jermaine Tabor
    I've been using GA for a few years to track my name, pen names, competitor names, article titles I create, keywords im interested and as a father... my kids names as well.

    All handy information sent right to my inbox and only cost a few seconds to set up each alert
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  • Profile picture of the author masterofinternate
    Nice post Sheryl!!!!
    I've been using Google Alerts for a long time. Whenever I build a new site I set up Google Alerts too to keep myself alarming for the keyword. I only choose to get alerts from blogs. Now whenever someone posts a blog on my keywords I get alarmed about it. So I can attain their blogs very first and add a quality comment to their blogs.
    Anyways, thanks a lot for remembering everyone about this best friend again.
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  • Profile picture of the author mikemcmillan
    I kind of gave up on people ripping of articles, but that's a good idea to keep up on it easily. Now, if I could just line them all up against a wall and... well, you know. --Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Great tips for those that don't know about Google Alerts, Sheryl.

    I've been using them for quite some time, and have one set on my name. I was alerted that another "Dennis Gaskill" was arrested for trying to steal a gun from a gun show, resisting arrest and few other things. A few months later I was alerted that he'd killed himself in jail or prison (I forget which).

    Amazing!
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author miawallace
    I just set up a new alert today Before I learned about this I spent way too much time trying to find relevant blogs, etc.
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