Kraemer Family Library
Creating Custom Search Alerts
A custom search alert is an option to receive email/rss updates (auto-alerts) when new research matching your search criteria is added to the database. Most library databases have an option to create custom search alerts, but the way to create search alerts differ depending on the database vendor.
About RSS
RSS is another way to receive search alerts. This guide will show how to subscribe to RSS search alert feeds, but does not cover general information about RSS or RSS aggregators. For this type of information see What is RSS?.
Alerts in Gale/InfoTrac Databases
Databases using the Gale/InfoTrac interface make it quite easy to set up search alerts.
Begin the search alert setup process by conducting a search on your topic of interest. When you have developed a search that you want to turn into an alert, click "Create a Search Alert."
A new window will open with information for creating a search alert via email or RSS. You can create an email alert by submitting your email address and how often you want an email alert. For RSS, you can copy the URL they provide into any RSS aggregator and recieve updates automatically.
Alerts in EBSCO databases
Databases using the EBSCO interface offer both RSS and email search alert options. Creating an RSS search alert is easy, but setting up an email search alert requires a My EBSCOhost account.
RSS Search Alerts in EBSCO databases
Begin the search alert setup process by conducting a search on your topic of interest. When you have developed a search that you want to turn into an alert, you can click either the RSS icon found above the search results (as circled below) or the Alert/Search/Save link. If you clicked on the Alert/Search/Save link, a pop up window will open and you need to select the Create RSS Feed link. Both links take you to directions to subscribing to the RSS feed along with the unique search alert URL.
Email Search Alerts in EBSCO databases
Email search alerts require a My EBSCOhost account. This is a free service for managing citations/abstracts found in EBSCO databases. If you do not have a My EBSCOhost account, you can create one by clicking on the Sign In To My EBSCOhost link at the top right corner of the page. This will take you to a My EBSCOhost login page. Click on the "I'm a New User" link to create an account.
Begin the search alert setup process by conducting a search on your topic of interest. When you have developed a search that you want to turn into an alert, click the Alert/Search/Save link and select the Create An Alert link. This will prompt you to login to your My EBSCOhost account if you are not already so.
After you are in your My EBSCOhost account, give a name and description to the search. You can also add more databases in the search alert, but this is purely optional. Select save search as Alert and click Save.
You will be prompted to set up preferences on notification frequency, longevity of search and more. Fill out your preferences and enter the email address you wish to receive these alerts. Click Save and your alert has been created.
Alerts in Scopus
Scopus offers both RSS and email search alert options. Creating an RSS search alert is easy, but setting up an email search alert requires an account in Scopus.
RSS Search Alerts in Scopus
Begin the search alert setup process by conducting a search on your topic of interest. When you have developed a search that you want to turn into an alert, click on the RSS icon near the top of the page (circled in image below). Name your RSS search alert and click continue. Scopus creates an unique RSS feed for your search. You can copy that URL into your RSS aggregator or if you see your RSS aggregator icon listed (such as Google Reader), click on that to seamlessly upload your RSS feed into your aggregator.
Email Search Alerts in Scopus
A Scopus account (or a ScienceDirect account) is required to set up email search alerts. Scopus accounts are free. If you do not already have an account, you may register at Scopus Account Registration.
Begin the search alert setup process by conducting a search on your topic of interest. When you have developed a search that you want to turn into an alert, click on the Save as Alert link (circled below). You will be prompted to login to your Scopus account if you are not already in it. You can rename the search alert, change email address and set the frequency of the alerts. Click Submit and your email search alert is ready.
