In the last post I talked about using Google Alerts to notify you if someone mentioned your name, business, or specific product. What if you want to spy on the thoughts of other people talking about more broad topics related to what you sell or personal interests?

Try Google Reader.

I use it all the time to read about people’s thoughts and experiences while in waiting rooms. You’d be surprised how many people blog about the discomfort they feel when waiting to see their doctor. Anyhow, I have found Google Reader to be an excellent automated tool that will seek out blog posts with the general terms and words that I specify.

In order to use Google reader, you must sign up for the service (it’s FREE). If you already have a Gmail email address account then it will be added to your other account services. Once your subscription begins, you can enter a term or phrase you want Google to search for in blogs and news feeds. To do this, use the Add Subscription button (on the left). Each “feed” will be listed as a link below, and will also show up every time you start Google Reader.

Google Reader has two presentation modes and can be changed with the two blue tabs on the top right of the interface. I keep my Reader settings in the Expanded view mode since I like to get a brief snippet of what is in the post/article. This is unlike the List view mode where it only shows the Headline.

So what is the difference between Google Reader and Google Alerts? Not much really, but I believe it’s more how you use them. I use Alerts for very specific terms like my name and the division of the business where I work. I also use Alerts for more specific terms because I pay more attention to my email inbox than I do any other application on the computer. In specific term cases, response speed is a factor. I use Reader to corral posts on more general terms because I don’t want to clutter my email inbox with alerts every time someone types the individual phrases/words “waiting room” or “magazine.”

Give it a try! I think you will be pleasantly surprised how much insight you get when you can quickly review the personal thoughts of others all over the world. You may even find some blogs so entertaining that you’ll want to keep reading week after week by adding their RSS feed to your iGoogle account. Reader can also be a helpful resource when you need ideas and/or topics to talk about on your own blog.