Using BrandMentions alerts, you can move from a reactive approach to a proactive competitive strategy, giving you the ability to anticipate competitor moves and identify new opportunities to strengthen your market position.
This guide explains how to use alerts in BrandMentions to build a smart, automated competitive intelligence system that keeps you one step ahead of the competition.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Competitor Alerts
Setting up competitor alerts in BrandMentions is simple and highly effective. Follow these steps to create a system that continuously monitors competitor activity.
Step 1: Create a Dedicated Project for Each Competitor
For the most accurate and organized tracking, create a separate project in BrandMentions for each key competitor. This approach helps you isolate their activity and analyze trends over time.
In each competitor project, track:
The competitor’s brand name
Their main product names
The names of key executives (such as the CEO, CMO, or spokesperson)
Having individual projects for each competitor makes it easier to manage and compare data across multiple brands.
Step 2: Create a Suite of Alerts for Each Competitor Project
Once your competitor projects are in place, set up multiple alerts that capture activity from different perspectives. Here are some of the most effective competitor alert types to create:
Alert Type | Configuration & Strategic Value |
Competitor Spike Alert | Configuration: Enable a Spike Alert for each competitor project. |
Competitor Negative Sentiment Alert | Configuration: Create a real-time alert that tracks mentions of your competitor with negative sentiment. |
Competitor Media Coverage Alert | Configuration: Create an alert for competitor mentions from high-authority news sites and industry blogs. |
Daily Competitor Summary | Configuration: Create a daily email summary for each competitor project. |
Best Practices for Competitor Monitoring
To get the most out of your competitor alerts, consider these best practices:
Be Specific with Keywords
Use exact brand names and product terms to avoid irrelevant results. Include variations or abbreviations if your competitors use them frequently.
Leverage Sentiment Filters
Separate negative and positive mentions into distinct alerts for faster analysis and strategic response.
Combine Real-Time and Summary Alerts
Use real-time alerts for time-sensitive events and daily or weekly summaries for strategic reviews.
Review and Adjust Regularly
Competitor strategies change. Revisit your alert configurations periodically to ensure they reflect current market dynamics.
Gaining a Competitive Edge with BrandMentions Alerts
By creating and maintaining a structured set of competitor alerts, you can turn BrandMentions into a real-time competitive intelligence engine.
This data-driven approach allows you to monitor your rivals’ performance, spot emerging opportunities, and make smarter, faster business decisions. With the right alerts in place, you’ll always know what your competitors are doing and how to stay one step ahead.