Thread: anyone still using google alerts?

I've used google alerts in the past, and thought it was pretty cool.
You can have google tell you whenever it find a phrase someplace new, like "trade show marketing" mentioned in a new blog post somewhere.
You can also have it tell you when it finds a new link to your website, or someone else's website.
But it seems like lately it's not sending out very many alerts, even though I know new alerts should be generated. It's almost like it's being throttled or broken. Does anyone else notice this, or are you guys even aware of google alerts?

I got the same problem and I thought it is due to some technical problem, However, now it must be rechecked and I need to diagnosis the problem.

I am still getting them on a daily basis. It all depends on the keywords that you are tracking. Some days there isn't much activity for some industries.

A slow-down could be due more to their current indexing methods for new content, rather than the sending of the Alerts.

Thanks for the input. Sounds like a mixed bag.
I know things could fluctuate, but sometimes I'll find a new article or post in google (so google is aware of it) but it will never trigger the alert it should, or at least I never get an alert. Maybe it's always been that way.
I just don't think the alert system is 100%, or anywhere close.

The Google Alert system is random. It doesn't pick up everything.

Hi,

I tried using it and gave up on Google Alert, I got so many e-mails that had nothing to do with what I was looking for it was unreal I think the system is junk and was just a way to get you to visit sites. I was even thinking that some were paid ads that google would send because they have your email.

Sami

I think the issue with Google alerts is that Google's relationship with Twitter has ended. They no longer have access to the Twitter feed and had to close Google Real Time Search down. So, how good can Google alerts be?

Has anyone tried Topsy - Real-time search for the social web real time search for the social web.

Hi,

I just bookmarked the site. I did a site test and it looks good Your right about Google's relationship with Twitter so it stands to reason about the alerts.

Sami

Originally Posted by bogart

Has anyone tried Topsy - Real-time search for the social web real time search for the social web.

Google alerts performs best for me as by setting google alert for my competitor site, i be able to know that by which they get more results and from which site they get more links. And then by trying to get links from those site more than competitor, one can beat their competitors and can get more results.

I am not using Google Alerts for the last few months since I wasn't getting alert mail. May be, Google Alert is having some technical problems.