Alerts: Introduction to setting up alerts
In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up alerts to help you stay updated on key events, mentions, or trends. Alerts can notify you when specific criteria are met, helping you stay informed without constantly monitoring your data.
1. Accessing the Alerts Page
To begin, navigate to the Reporting Tools section and select the Alerts page. Here, you can create new alerts or manage existing ones.
2. Creating a New Alert
To create a new alert:
- Click the Add New Alert button.
- Enter a Name for your internal use and an Email Subject Line.
You’ll be able to choose from three types of alerts:
- Real-Time Alert
- Volume Spike Threshold
- Audience Threshold
Before we go into the details of each alert type, let’s set up the general alert information.
3. Setting Up Alert Delivery
Choose the method through which you want to receive the alert. The delivery options include:
- App Notification
For this tutorial, we’ll set up an Email Alert. Enter the email addresses of the recipients. You can also contact your account manager to configure a predefined mailing list if needed.
Next, choose a Template from the drop-down menu. Please note that it may take a few minutes for new templates to appear.
4. Choosing the Type of Alert
You have three alert types to choose from. Each alert type offers different parameters to tailor the alert to your needs.
1. Real-Time Alerts
A Real-Time Alert sends a notification each time new content is detected that matches your selected filters. This type of alert is ideal for tracking specific events, mentions, or trends in real-time.
Parameters for Real-Time Alerts:
- You can customize the criteria for the alert, such as Tags, Media Types, Locations, or Sentiment.
- Example: Set an alert to trigger whenever Ford is mentioned in a newspaper from the United Kingdom with a positive sentiment.
Notification Time Frame:
- You can set a time frame for receiving alerts. This helps you avoid notifications at all hours of the day.
- Toggle the time frame feature on and specify when you want to receive alerts (e.g., business hours).
2. Volume Spike Alerts
A Volume Spike Alert is triggered when the volume of content exceeds a specific threshold within a defined time frame. This is useful for detecting sudden increases in media coverage or social media mentions.
Parameters for Volume Spike Alerts:
- You can set your own threshold, such as a percentage increase in content over a specific time period.
- Example: Set an alert to trigger when there’s a 150% increase in coverage over a rolling 3-hour period.
All other filter parameters (like tags or media type) remain the same as in the real-time alert setup.
3. Audience Threshold Alerts
An Audience Threshold Alert sends a notification when content reaches an audience size above your set threshold. This is useful for tracking high-impact media mentions.
Parameters for Audience Threshold Alerts:
- Set a threshold based on the audience size. For example, you can set the alert to trigger when an article appears on a website with over 100,000 readers.
- The Audience Benchmark depends on the media type. For social media, it tracks follower count, while for other media, it’s based on outlet reach.
Example: Set an alert to notify you when Ford is mentioned in a newspaper with a readership of over 100,000. You can also apply multiple media types to track the same topic across different platforms.
5. Finalizing Your Alert Setup
Once you’ve chosen your alert type and customized the parameters:
- Review your settings and ensure they match your needs.
- Click Add New Alert to save your alert.
Your new alert will now appear on the main alerts page, where you can easily manage it. You can edit, delete, or pause the alert at any time.
Congratulations!
You’ve successfully set up your first alert. You will now receive notifications when the specified criteria are met, ensuring you stay informed in real-time. For more advanced features or further assistance, feel free to explore other help articles or reach out for support.