Track Your Art's Online Presence: Smart Google Alert Tips for Creatives
As a creative, your work is your fingerprint. Whether you’re a visual artist, illustrator, author, or pattern designer, what you create sets you apart. But in today’s online world, protecting your brand and intellectual property can feel like a major task.
Copycats and unauthorized usage aren’t just annoying—they’re threats to your livelihood. Fortunately, there’s a simple, free tool that can help you keep an eye on things: Google Alerts. Here’s how to set it up step by step, especially for those of us who aren’t exactly tech wizards.
What Are Google Alerts?
Google Alerts is like a digital watchdog that scans the internet for you. It sends you an email whenever your chosen keywords pop up online. Think of it as your personal assistant, letting you know if someone mentions your brand name, unique product titles, or even specific phrases from your site or portfolio.
With Google Alerts, you can:
Catch unauthorized use of your work.
Stay on top of your online reputation.
Spot opportunities to engage with your audience or collaborators.
Discover new articles, blogs, or forums talking about your work.
Why Creatives Need Google Alerts
For visual artists, illustrators, and pattern designers, Google Alerts helps you keep tabs on your artwork or designs and detect unauthorized use. Authors can monitor for excerpts from their books or articles being shared without permission. By being proactive, you’ll not only protect your creative assets but also strengthen your online presence.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Google Alerts
Even if you’re not super tech-savvy, setting up Google Alerts is a breeze. Here’s how:
Log into Your Google Account
Head over to Google Alerts.
If you’re not already signed in, log into your Google account. Don’t have one? No problem—it’s free and easy to create.
Log into Google Alerts: https://www.google.com/alerts
Decide on Your Keywords
Think about the terms most tied to your brand. These might include:
Your full name or artist pseudonym.
Your brand or studio name.
Unique product or series names (e.g., "Whimsy Flora Collection").
Key phrases from your website, like a tagline or a standout description.
For writers, consider specific lines or excerpts from your work.
Create Your First Alert
In the search box on the Google Alerts page, type your keyword or phrase.
Example: If your studio name is "Art by Ana Wilson," enter:
"Art by Ana Wilson"(the quotation marks ensure Google searches for that exact phrase).
In this example, I created an alert for my name, as used on my media accounts. As you can see, Google automatically pulls up two of my accounts. If you continue to scroll down, you should see a list of recent mentions.
Fine-Tune Your Settings
Next, click Show Options to tailor your alert:
How often: Choose how frequently you want updates (e.g., daily, as-it-happens, or weekly).
Sources: Select where Google should search (e.g., News, Blogs, Web, Videos, Books, or Discussions).
Language: Pick the language(s) your audience uses.
Region: Focus on specific locations if that’s relevant.
How many: Choose between all results or just the most relevant ones.
Deliver to: Pick your preferred email address for alerts.
Selecting Google Alert options. Under “how often” I recommend selecting “once a week” to streamline your alerts.
Review and Hit "Create"
Look at the preview under the search box to see sample results. Happy with what you see? Click the blue Create Alert button.
Set Up More Alerts
Don’t stop at one! Add alerts for your name, website URL, product titles, or any other phrases unique to your brand.
How to Delete an Alert
Your Google Alert screen will list the number of alerts you have set up. To delete an alert, simply click on the trash can to the right of the specific alert.
Pro Tips for Google Alerts Success
Be Specific: Use quotation marks around phrases to filter out irrelevant results.
Tweak as Needed: If an alert pulls in junk results, adjust your keywords or add more specific terms.
Take Action: If you catch unauthorized use, don’t ignore it. Contact the site owner, issue a takedown notice, or consult a lawyer.
Engage: Not all mentions are bad! Use alerts to find positive mentions of your work and connect with those audiences.
Safeguard Your Creativity and Strengthen Your Brand
Google Alerts takes just a few minutes to set up, but it can save you countless hours of worrying or searching for mentions of your work online. Whether you’re stopping copycats or finding opportunities to share your story, this tool helps you stay informed and in control.
So go ahead—set up your alerts, take charge of your online presence, and protect what’s uniquely yours. After all, your creativity deserves nothing less than the spotlight!
