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A reader wrote a question about using Google Alerts to monitor your online reputation with Twitter. It is a problem I have not encountered and decided to do a little research. Maybe a reader has a better answer.
Here is the question:
Curious: the Google alert I placed for my name only pulls up about one tweet per day, regardless of how many times I am tweeting. So it makes me wonder why it chooses a particular tweet each day.
Dan
Google Web Alert for: Dan XX, danXX, @danXX
| Twitter / Dan XX: In search of authenticity … In search of authenticity – Lynn Dessert explores the value of transparency in personal branding: http://bit.ly/aXPDXu. |
I have replaced XX for his last name to protect privacy.
In my search to find some answers, Google FAQs was a good start. This question and answer may give Dan some ideas of what to modify in his alert phrases.
I’m not getting the alerts that I expected. How do I get more relevant results?
If the alerts that you are receiving for a particular query are not what you expected, then chances are that the terms you have picked are too broad or include incorrect punctuation. Try performing the same query on the property (Google News, Web, Video, etc.) from where you want to generate the alerts. If the results are too broad, then narrow down your terms. Also try putting quotes around searches with multiple keywords.
If the search returns no results, here are a few other suggestions:
- Make sure all words are spelled correctly.
- Try different keywords
- Try more general keywords
- Try fewer keywords
This may not answer why Google Alerts pulls a particular tweet, thought it may answer why you are not receiving more tweets. A few other sources, here and here, offer some additional insights on what to do differently.
There are some other alternatives on how to monitor Twitter activity; one of these services may provide more consistent information feed because they are designed specifically to meet this need.
Here is a twist that I found – what if you want Google alerts to post to Twitter or Facebook? Here are a few options to check out:
- Twitterfeed - Duct Tape Marketing gives a good overview on how to set it up
- AlertRank – Adam Green, Mr. Google Alerts tells you how to do it
Finally, if you are trying to manage incoming email like most of us, consider an RSS feed. Google alerts and other services give you the option to use a feed instead of having one more piece of email to open.
I have not answered why Google is so selective, maybe an expert can provide some insight!
Article by Lynn Dessert
Lynn Dessert is an executive coach and training expert on cognitive development and personal effectiveness - facilitating behavior change for individuals and teams. Clients consult her to design and deliver HBDI leadership development programs and career minded individuals engage her for personal development. Lynn is the author of Elephants at Work and owner of Leadership Breakthrough, Inc. specializing in Executive, Leadership and Career Development. Start your discovery process by contacting her at 585.249.5149 today.
Lynn has written 299 awesome articles for us at Elephants at Work
Twitter: @http://twitter.com/LynnDessert | Facebook | Google+ | Blog → Elephants at Work
