News alert is a free service from Google that notifies you when new articles about your search terms appear online. It works by monitoring the web for topics you specify, including blogs, news articles, videos and scientific research. You can set up as many alerts as you want and choose how often you get notified, either as it happens or once per day. This is one of the most important tools for your business because it allows you to keep up with what is being said about your company and competitors, as well as keeping tabs on the news and happenings around your clients.
Mastering the art of media alerts—also known as media/news advisories and media releases—is essential for PR professionals. Whether it’s a simple, one-page announcement of an upcoming event for local reporters or a full-blown press release distributed via wire services, media alerts are an efficient way to communicate your client’s story to a larger audience.
To create a news alert, log into your Google account and click the “News alerts” button. Enter your search topic and select a frequency of notifications (either as it happens or once a day). You can also create an alert by selecting a specific region, language and source. Be sure to avoid keywords that are too broad, such as “AI development” or “blockchain innovation,” as they’ll quickly flood your inbox with irrelevant content. Stick to a few key phrases or names that are relevant to your business and its reputation to ensure the accuracy of your alerts.
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