OK, this is my second post about using Google, so it might appear that I'm in bed with them or something.  Not so much. Google is the search engine that I prefer to use while I do my work as a Web Researcher.  I'm in no way, shape or form connected to them.

So...

Want another trick of the trade?

It's called Google Alerts. 

I don't always surf the web to do my research.  I'm far too lazy to be that inefficient.  Sometimes I set up an alert in Google and let the research come to my email's inbox. It's actually pretty cool.

According to Google, some handy uses include:

• monitoring a developing news story
• keeping current on a competitor or industry
• getting the latest on a celebrity or event
• keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams

In addition to the boring stuff I do for work that, well, I won't bore you with, I also monitor buzz about Mommycosm.

Want to know how to monitor your blog's buzz?  It's easy peasy.

Go to Google. Look way, way up in the top right hand corner of the page, where it says [sign in]. Click there.

If you don't already have a google account, it will ask you to set one up.  You don't need to use gmail for your email in order to have an account.  I don't.  For many reasons, I use yahoo.

Once you are in your account, look up in that corner again.  This time you will see [My Account].

It will take you to a page where you will see a list.  You want to click onto [Alerts]

Here it gives you a box where you can define your search terms and pick a couple of options about where you want to search and the frequency.  If you want to stay on top of buzz, choose "as-it-happens".

When you're done.  Click onto [Create Alert] and you're ready to roll.  Sit back and let Google Alerts notify you with an email when your search term appears on the web.

Did I not say that it is easy peasy?!