How to set a Google Alert

Posted August 13th, 2011 by Fred

A good tool for citizen watchdogs to use is a Google Alert. This allows you to track news stories about your local politicians, who probably don’t get much media coverage. You can also use it, hint hint, to cover your favorite teaparty group, local issues, or even your own name.

1.)  Go to Google’s homepage and make sure that you are signed in (if you don’t have an account you will need to set one up.)

2.)  Click on the “more” tab at the top left corner.

3.)  Click on the “even more” tab that appears on the drop-down menu.

4.)  Scroll down to “Specialized Searches” and click on “alerts.”

5.)  Enter the keywords that you want searched (ex. Vicki Truitt, NE Tarrant Tea Party, Grapevine City Council), how often, and what e-mail account to send them to. You can create as many as you want.