And by Google Alerts, I mean the web service that's supposed to search the interwebs for whatever key word you choose (often a name) and email you links anytime someone mentions you.
I set one up for myself a few weeks ago, mostly to keep track if anyone mentions me in a blog post, I want to make sure I see it and am able to thank them. When you read a lot of blogs, sometimes it's hard to keep track of all of them.
I ask this, because my Google Alert is only like 25% successful.
For example:
On some days it emails me links to blogs that I commented on. Which makes sense. But it only sends like one or two, even though I comment on closer to 40 blogs a day. Why doesn't it send me the other 38 links that I commented on?
Twice now I was mentioned on two other blogs, for unrelated things. The exact reason I set up the Alert in the first place. In both these instances, Google Alerts didn't pick up on these posts.
Am I doing something wrong? Does anyone else use Google Alerts successfully? Or should I be using another Alert service?
P.S. Happy Valentines Day! This is the day, 30 years ago, Twin and I were allowed to come home from the hospital after being born. Good times.
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32 comments:
I didn't even know about this function so you're one step ahead of me! PS: welcome home ;o)
I don't know what it is either, but it sounds cool! (If it worked right, that is, lol)
~JD
My name is just too impossible to try and do anything related to Google with. So is any combination of my name.
I know a lot of people use it, though, so maybe someone else can help you out.
Yeah I've been using it for like six months. It's pretty hit or miss. It definitely doesn't catch everything. Mine doesn't catch my coments but it does catch those blogs where mine is on the blogroll.
I find more stuff searching on Google myself than Google finds for its alerts. The last straw was when it decided Polenth was a typo, and started sending back anything with the word Pole in it. Now I just do my own searches.
I've not used it, so I can't be of any help. I'm not terribly surprised it works shoddily, at best, but that's all I got.
I had no clue about it either.
Happy Come Home from the Hospital Day.
Haha, you actually informed me about this wonderful function! I'll let you know if there are any issues like this when I sign up. Thanks :)
I do know about it but never took the time to set it up. I'm sure like most things Google that 25% is better good. :)
Happy V-Day!
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
I set up Google alerts for both my name and my book title. It often pulls up posts and sites I miss, but you're right, it pulls up weird stuff sometimes. And a few links come through because someone has me in his sidebar.
Jessica - thanks! And i don't know if it can be counted a step ahead if it doesn't work
Justine - right? It would save a lot of time
Summer - luckily my name is pretty unique, so that helps. But you could set up an alert for your blog title
Hannah - which is weird, because mine only rarely catches blogroll mentions
Polenth - Hah! Yeah i've had a few where i check the link cuz it seems weird and i can't find anything on it
Teebore - i just want it to work and i don't know why it doesn't
Tara - thanks!
Saumya - let me know if it works consistently for you
Jules - fair enough. Though it's surprisingly easy to set it up
Alex - i just don't understand why it doesn't work hardle at all.
Oh dear. I don't know much about the alerts either, but I think some investigation may be in order. Hope you get it to work :)
Lindsay - yeah, i'll probably end up googling it. Which is apropos. Or possibly ironic. Or coincidental.
I must admit I'd never heard of google alerts, so I can't help with your query. But I will be checking it out!
I used it for awhile but my name is too common. Not to mention they changed the spelling of "Mary" To both Mari and Marie. I mean really was that too hard for their system?
Google alerts? What are Google alerts? I am so out of the loop it's scary. Beautiful cat photograph! Have a great Valentines, Sarah.
That cat’s face it crazy. I haven’t used Google Alerts. Honestly, I just didn’t know what it was for. It’s sounds like it’s hit and miss for everyone, but I think I’ll try it anyway.
I just signed up and found my name on a blog. I was able to pop in and say thanks for the shout out.
I haven't found google alerts to be that successful. I didn't think about using it for my name though. Genius.
I didn't know about Google Alerts but, whoa, I am stuck on the fact that you comment on 40 blogs a day! That's like a full time job! Lol... wow, you must make some awesome connections with other writers. :D
It doesn't work for crap...or I set it up wrong. But I've had it for about 6 months and it's useless. If you are getting 25%, that's far better than mine alerts me.
If you figure it out, PLEASE let me know.
Happy Valentines Day and Twin Coming Home Day! :)
Hugs,
Lola
It seems to be a great idea that just isn't implemented very well. I toyed with it a few weeks ago but gave up on it. If anyone knows how to make it useful, I'd be interested too.
Ellie - well let us know if it works for you
Mary - that's ridiculous. It should only search for exactly what you type in
Roxy - for reals, i wouldn't even worry about it. Judging by the comments, no one can get them to work
Holly - well then, you're one step up on my google alerts experience. Wouldn't it be nice if it did that for everyone who used it? You'd never miss a shout out or blog award again!
Kari - yeah i just tried it out with my name first, since it's pretty unique, before i built one for other topics
Dangerous - it does take me a couple hours a day. But i always compare myself to Alex who does like 100 a day!
Lola - i highly doubt you set it up wrong. It seemed so easy to do. I'll probably do some research and then write another post with my findings
Shannon - it seems that's the general consensus with it
Tony - if i find anything out, or a better tool, i'll let everyone know
I haven't tried, as I didn't even KNOW. I have a friend who uses something called pingback, but I don't know anything about THAT either (I think it is for where your blog traffic is coming from)... Mostly I'm no help at all... I will check out the Google Alerts though...
That cat is freaking me out.
But I have no help for the Google alert thing. None whatsoever. Sorry :D
I've been using Google Alerts for a while, and I know it doesn't catch every instance I'm mentioned in another person's blog. It doe often (not always) tell me that's I've posted a blog, which is not something I need to be alerted to.
I haven't used it yet.
Google does some funny things. For example: Their stats in analytics are totally different from the ones you get through blogger's dashboard.
I had no idea you could do this! Crazy!
I've officially set that up now. I'll let you know how it goes.
I came late to this party to see if anyone knew the answers, but no dice, eh?
A funny thing about Google alerts. My husband has me on both Google and Yahoo alerts and he gets way more hits on me than I do. I don't know why.
I've checked his alerts too, and they're no different than mine.
Sorry I haven't been much help. I do like alerts though. I might not get all the places that list me, but I get a few and it gives me a chance to thank them for the mention.
I've googled my name and all I get are pictures of a bunch of strippers. Then all I wish is that my parents would have named me better.
Nikki
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