Using Google Alerts: Market intelligence in your inbox

Solid business decisions are based on good information, and in a constantly changing environment, that information has to be current.

Enter Google Alerts, a quick and easy way to get you breaking news and regular updates on what’s happening in your industry.

To get started, simply go to the Google Alerts page.

Google Alerts automatically searches for your keywords

You can enter any keyword, or combination of keywords, and Google Alerts will automatically email you when new articles and resources are posted online that match your search queries. Or you can have your search published to a feed, if you’re an RSS type.

So, why bother?

You can spend hours combing through professional websites and trade magazines, or you can likely find the key information you want to see through a simple search.

Here are some ideas of searches that can keep you in the loop:

• Your name
• Your company
• Your competitors
• Your industry
• Major vendors
• Stock opinions/investment advice
• Technologies that you use, buy, sell or support
• Legislation that impacts your role
• And more!

Anything that you need to keep on top of can be delivered through Google Alerts. The service is completely free, and you can have as many alerts as you want.

How can you use this technology to make you a better businessperson?

Related posts:

1. Track your job search: Office Live
2. 5 sources of market research for your personal brand
3. Career Trends and Career Change: Interpreting Employment Trends in 2010
4. Job Boards: Minimum Attention, Maximum Payoff
5. Featured Article on FYIScreening: Managing your social media brand