How To Spot Trends By Using Blogs
 

I just found out about this nifty tool. It helps you to spot trends by analyzing the world of blogs!

Put in a search term, and you'll get a nice graph out (of up to the last 6 months), telling you how many times that term has been mentioned.

You can see clear "spikes" for some obvious "time-sensitive" news... For example, try it with the search terms "Mel Gibson", "Snakes on a Plane", and "Steve Irwin" - and you'll see what I mean!

Check it out yourself... http://www.blogpulse.com/trend

(You only need to put in a "Display Label" if you put in more than one search term...)

By the way, the same web site has another nifty tool too... They call it a "conversation tracker". You can see how a post on one blog gets picked up by other blogs... It's pretty nifty. :) http://www.blogpulse.com/conversation

Let us know if you spot any interesting trends! :)

- Dien

Re: How To Spot Trends By Using Blogs
 

Its a cool tool Dien - but the practical purposes are limited.

The tool doesn't allow you to spot trends. But once you know about the trend, you can then use the tool for some secondary research and see how well that trend is doing.

Re: How To Spot Trends By Using Blogs
 

How about a tool that tracks what others are searching for on THAT tool?!?

THAT would spot trends, yes?

Cheers!

-- TW

Re: How To Spot Trends By Using Blogs
 

That's why there's a Ton of Keyword Tools out there. :)

And an update and reminder on the Best Trend type resources...

See what the world is searching for...
http://www.google.com/trends

These Trend web sites will connect you to "Everything" you've always wanted to know about Trends But were afraid to ask. ;)
http://www.psfk.com/
http://www.trendwatching.com/

http://www.trendhunter.com/
And their 14 Trend type publications at the bottom of the page!

Studying... Searching and Marketing Trends can be very Profitable...

A Great business idea to Seriously Do... and Lots of Fun!

Phil

Re: How To Spot Trends By Using Blogs
 

When you said "See what the world is searching for (w/google trends link), it was a little misleading.

You don't 'see what the world is searching for.' You see IF/HOW MUCH the world is searching for what YOU enter into the tool.

It has no answers except answering what you (specifically) ask it.

That's useful, yes -- but not nearly as useful as if it just listed what was being searched -- ranked for most to least.

Cheers!

-- TW

Re: How To Spot Trends By Using Blogs
 

I Agree!

I just copied the Copyright Tag line of our Google Buddies. :)

Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin

http://www.google.com/corporate/execs.html

I'll let them know...

You don't 'see what the world is searching for the next time these guys visit Google. ;)

http://www.cambrianhouse.com/google/

Phil