Apart from using Google as the search engine, there are also other very useful online research tools that the Big "G" has developed and made available in recent times to help users get a richer experience researching online. And one of the latest of these tools is "Google Alerts".

Even though this tool is still in its beta stage, it is still very much functional. Here's how it is useful for your online niche research system.

Easy of Use: With Google Alerts, you don't have to go out there on the web and manually monitor every change that occurs in your area of focus, niche or industry. Google automatically scrubs the web for the latest news stories, web results, blog posts, videos and even the latest blog posts in your niche. These are then automatically sent to your email address daily, weekly or as soon as they become available, depending on your preset preferences. What better way is there to keep an eye on your industry and be always up to date with the happenings in it? This way, you can update your own website and blogs or send your list of subscribers hints about these latest trends.

Cost-Free: Unlike other research tools, Google Alerts is 100% free. You don't need to pay a dime to take advantage of it. You can therefore, save your advertising and online research dollars for some other projects, like Google AdWords, etc. What more could you ask for?

Reliability: Apart from the fact that the use of Google Alerts is totally free, it is also very reliable. If you take into consideration the fact that the alerts that the news, video, blog, web and other alerts that you will be receiving are also only those ones that belong to the top 20 listings. This is crucial to your online research because you will be getting only the best sources. This also makes sure that you are not overloaded with useless information, only those that are top of the list.

Now that you know how invaluable is this tool to your online research and niche business, here is how to sign up for this service. It is a simple 3-step process.

1.Open an Account: Go to https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount?hl=en and follow the instructions to open a Google account, if you don't have one already. Next, you should head over to http://www.google.com/alerts?hl=en and configure your preferences for the Google Alerts you would like to receive.

2.Check Regularly: Depending on how often you set to receive updates to your email about the niche or industry of your choice, check you email regularly and through your Google account's "Manage Your Alerts" link, you can view, create, edit, verify and even delete alerts.

3.Reflect the Changes: You will now apply the information in these alerts to your web business. Whether it is creating new content, developing a new product or sending a mailing about these trends to your email list, don't let these information collect dust on your computer. Doing something with them is the difference between success and failure in Internet niche marketing.