Are Your Google Alerts back? does the re-appearance of alerts signify anything?

[austtr]

When Alerts were first launched I used to get a small trickle of notices. Then they slowly died off and I can't recall getting one for years. They became a non-event and I actually forgot all about them.

Then a few weeks ago, alert notices started coming thick and fast every day.

Anyone else seeing the same thing? I'm wondering if the change to Hummingbird might be related in some way... and does the re-appearance of alerts signify anything?

[engine]

Interesting.
I have not seen an up-tick in alerts from Google, but I have seen an increase from Yahoo (Bing).

I've seen a good number of people saying that Google Alerts were on their way out as they've noticed a decline. I hadn't seen that decline for the topics I monitor.

Perhaps it's industry-specific? Perhaps it depends on the number of alerts you have set and Google were winding it back?

When I first saw the reports of declines, I had a feeling it was google working on monetising the Alert system.

[netmeg]

My alerts kind of petered out for a while but they were well back by May or June. That also might be the cyclical nature of the alerts I have, though. Right now, they're coming in like gangbusters.

[engine]

I'd add, i've been getting alerts just fine and the rate hadn't changed from way back, and through the reports of others declining, and reports of back now. It's been constant. How odd.

[austtr]

I only have about 5-6 sites with an alert so there was never going to be a lot of notifications at the best of times. But when I said they died away I mean absolutely zero for years.

It was a surprise to see them come back.... which obviously led to the question of what has changed.

[ken_b]

I have my Alerts set for once per day. They came like clockwork for a long time, then earlier this year they dwindled to an every-so-often status.

Recently they came roaring back with many more listings each day.

.

[Shai]

same here. Alerts are back at full speed.