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How Can I Set Up Real-Time Notifications for New Mentions?

Updated over a month ago

For teams that need to stay on the cutting edge of every conversation, daily or weekly summaries are not enough. Whether you are managing a PR crisis, tracking a viral campaign, or engaging with customers in real time, you need to know about new mentions the moment they happen.

Real-time notifications in BrandMentions make this possible. They deliver instant alerts the moment new mentions of your tracked keywords appear online. This feature enables proactive brand management and is available on specific BrandMentions plans.

How to Set Up Real-Time Notifications

Setting up real-time notifications is simple. You can configure them when creating a new alert or by editing an existing one. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Alerts Section
    From your main BrandMentions dashboard, click on Alerts in the left sidebar to open your Alerts dashboard.

  2. Create or Edit an Alert

    • To create a new alert, click the + New Alert button.

    • To edit an existing alert, locate it in your list and click the Edit icon.


  3. Select Your Project and Notification Channel
    Choose the project you want to monitor and the channel where you want to receive your alerts. You can select:

    • Email for inbox alerts.

    • Slack for real-time team notifications.

    • RSS Feed: Integrate your alerts into an RSS reader for consolidated monitoring.

    • Webhook: Send alert data to a custom URL for automated integrations.


  4. Choose “Real-Time” as the Frequency
    In the Frequency section, select Real-Time from the available options. This activates immediate notifications for new mentions.


  5. Save Your Alert
    Click Save to confirm your settings. Your alert will now deliver instant notifications whenever a new mention is detected.

When to Use Real-Time Notifications

Real-time notifications are powerful but should be used strategically to avoid alert fatigue. Below are the best use cases where real-time awareness provides the most value:

Use Case

Why Real-Time Is Essential

Crisis Management

In a crisis, every second matters. Real-time alerts help your team respond quickly and coordinate actions before an issue escalates.

Customer Support

Monitor social media and online platforms for customer feedback. Responding instantly improves customer satisfaction and builds trust.

Campaign Tracking

Track live mentions during product launches or marketing campaigns. See audience reactions as they happen and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Influencer Engagement

Engage promptly when an influencer mentions your brand. A fast, authentic reply can strengthen the relationship and amplify visibility.

Best Practices for Using Real-Time Notifications

  • Prioritize Critical Projects
    Use real-time notifications only for key projects where timing is crucial, such as crisis management or live events.

  • Combine with Spike Alerts
    Enable Spike Alerts to detect sudden increases in mentions. This helps you differentiate between normal activity and potential viral moments.

  • Review and Adjust Regularly
    Monitor the number of notifications your team receives. If volume becomes overwhelming, switch some alerts to daily summaries.

Why Real-Time Notifications Matter

Real-time notifications turn passive monitoring into active brand management. Instead of discovering important mentions after the fact, you are instantly informed and ready to act. This approach keeps your team agile, responsive, and always in control of your brand reputation.

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