Alerts 

Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic. Read more.

Activities

1. Watch tutorial video or read the GoogleGuide article below.
2. Set up a Google Alerts on topic(s) of your choice.
3. Look at the other services similar to Alerts.
4. Blog about your experience.

Tutorials

How to set up a Google Alerts.

Using Google Alerts

Most articles on Google Alerts are about competitive intelligence and marketing. This article has an interesting take on using it to detect copyright violations/plagiarism.

Like Alerts

Twilert

This Twitter application lets you "receive regular email updates of tweets containing your brand, product, service, well any keyword you like really."

These services allow you to get updates from many services

Alerts.com

You can manage alerts from every available service (eBay, Craigslist, headline news, and more) all in one place. "Whether it’s the weather, news, traffic, birthday or event reminders, price notifications or the latest scores of your favorite team you decide when you want them, and how you want them delivered."

Windows Live Alerts

This free service lets you receive news through your Windows Live® Messenger or Windows® Messenger accounts, your e-mail, or your mobile device.

Yahoo! Alerts

Yahoo! Alerts is a free, personalized notification service that instantly informs you of what you consider important and relevant via email, instant message, pager, or cell phone. You can customize your Yahoo! Alerts content and how it is delivered to you.

Blog Prompts

1. Useful to you and/or your library?
2. How have you used any of these alert services?
3. Suggestions for using Alerts?