New #HootTip for #SXSW ~ Keyword and Search Streams in HootSuite


Hoot Tip of the DayThere are so many ways to use HootSuite for monitoring the social web, that even advanced Owls may need a refresher from time to time. In the spirit of SXSW, we’ve got a new #HootTip to help you explore more of the handy features in the HootSuite dashboard.

Hoot Tip: When to Search, When to Keyword

Using social channels is a great way to find new information. Learn what people are saying about various events or get updates related to topics you’re interested in — like music or festivals, for example.

With HootSuite, you can create both Twitter Search streams and Keyword Tracking streams, all without leaving the dashboard. But the question is, when do you search, and when do you keyword?

In brief, the Twitter Search function in HootSuite will allow you to quickly search for terms and then filter all Tweets on that topic within your stream. You can also view trending topics as well as the explanations for why they’re trending.

This is distinct from Keyword Tracking, which allows you to track multiple, distinct terms within one column. And you don’t need advanced knowledge of Twitter search arguments, so you can track all Tweets with “SXSW”, “social media” or “Austin” in one stream.

Here’s how you create a Keyword Tracking Stream:

1. Click the “+ Add Stream” button

How to Add a Stream in the HootSuite dashboard

2. A window will then pop up that says, “Add Stream”. Stay on the default social network (which is Twitter). From here, click the Keyword column

Select the Keyword Tab in HootSuite

3. Add the keywords you’d like to track. When you’re finished, click “Create Stream”

Add up to three words for Keyword Tracking in HootSuite

Alternatively, to save a Search Stream within the dash, type your search word in the search box on the upper left side of HootSuite. A window will then pop up displaying search results. At the bottom of the window, there is a button that says, “Save as Column”. Click this button, and your search will be saved as a column.

Keep an eye out for a new #HootTip each week – they’re short, sweet and Re-Tweetable so you can share your HootSuite expertise with your friends and followers. Some lucky RTers may just find themselves with a #HootKit… it’s our way of saying “thanks for spreading the word.”

Author: Ashley Jane Brookes

Ashley Jane Brookes has written 88 posts for the HootSource blog..

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Comments

  1. susan March 31, 2011 at 11:49 am

    I’m very new to all of this, so forgive me if this is a silly question, but is there not a way to set up keyword streams for facebook?

    Reply
  2. Richard May 12, 2011 at 5:14 am

    This sentence brought me here from search: “You can also view trending topics as well as the explanations for why they’re trending.” But, alas, no explanation is given. How do you view trending topics in a column? Can this be done with an explanation? Thanks

    Reply
  3. Ed June 28, 2011 at 2:27 am

    Hi,

    We are testing HootSuite to become our N.1 Twitter tool. It’s a great tool but we have a question regarding the total number of keywords we can place in a stream.
    At this moment we use a self made program to filter a good 100+ keywords/phrases… With a total of three words per stream that will give us like 40 streams to make…

    Is there an easier way to great a good overview of the keywords we want to search (automatically)?

    Thanks for your time and insight!

    Greetings,

    Ed

    Reply
  4. Mary August 23, 2011 at 10:17 am

    Please help! My keyword stream stopped working almost two weeks ago. No results ever appear. How can I bring it back? Thank you.

    Reply
  5. Tanvir January 17, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    Can I post on my searched stream? Please help me.

    Reply

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