In Which I Write A Letter To Google Alerts

Dear Google Alerts,

Remember when, over a year ago, I set up an alert for my name? So that way if someone mentioned me on their blog, I wouldn't miss it and would be able to thank them?
Remember how you worked for, like, 2 weeks the you stopped?

No?

Because I do. And though I felt scorned and irritated at you (and at me, for my inability to get such a simple technology to work correctly) I let it go. Because mostly I'm laid back and so I could just shrug my shoulders and move on with my life.

But you know what? Moving on with my life becomes difficult when, after a year of not getting a single damn alert even though I had proof my name had been mentioned on friend's blogs, you suddenly start working again.

Kind of.

Not really.

So I'm writing you this letter to let you know, dear Google Alerts, that I don't EFFING NEED YOU to alert me every time I post a new blog post.

This may be shocking to you, since you are only a digital program, and not even a good one at that, but you don't need to tell me when I update my blog. I was there when it happened. I KNOW.

Please go back to ignoring my alert. OR, if you're feeling magnanimous, start working for real. But right now, this isn't working for me.

Sincerely,

Sarah

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In Which I Have A Question

How many of you use Google Alerts to search for your name (or book, if you have a book published you lucky dog you)?

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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