Searching For Tweets:
Effective Strategies & Tools
For Twitter
June 2009
www.intelegia.com
www.twitter.com/citweetz

Introduction
• What is Twitter?
• Why Search For “Tweets”
• Search Methodology
• Search Tools
• Things To Remember
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What Is Twitter?
Twitter is a micro blogging tool that allows
users to send out messages of 140
characters or less.
The messages are known as “Tweets”.
Tweets are composed of:
• Text
• URL (Web address)
Posted URLs are shorten to fit into the http://www.google.com/alerts
140 characters limit.
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Why Search For “Tweets”?
Twitter is another source of information in
real-time.
Tweets are usually a source of:
• Commentary / Opinions
• Hyperlinks
• Breaking news
Content that is available on Twitter and in
http://www.google.com/alerts
Tweets are not indexed by major search
engines.
http://blogsearch.google.com/
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Search Methodology
Searching for tweets is pretty straightforward however; each tool has different
functionalities;
Some of the general rules to follow:
• Use quotation marks to find phrase(s) (i.e., “competitive intelligence”)
• Be aware of the timeframe of when the tweets were sent. (Use advanced search
capabilities)
• Always consider the source of the tweet. (Read the bio on the Twitter page)
• Consider searching in other languages. (Use translation tools)
• Do not forget to use specific search operators (i.e., +, - , AND, OR, NOT)
• Be aware of the different search functionalities of the specific tool
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Search Tools: Twitter Search
Tips to remember:
• Use the advanced search utility
• Know the search operators
• Use “Trends topics” when needed
http://groups.google.com/
http://search.twitter.com/
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Search Tools: Twitscoop
Tips to remember:
• Handy when tracking “the buzz on the
web”
• Use the “Auto Refresh” function
• Possible save searches with valid
Twitscoop account
http://groups.google.com/
http://www.twitscoop.com/
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Search Tools: Twellow
Tips to remember:
• Browse first, search second
• Know what you are looking for before
browsing
• Evaluate the source of the tweets
http://groups.google.com/
http://www.twellow.com
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Search Tools: twazzup
Tips to remember:
• Sort results by clicking on tabs
• Use “mouse over” to have more
information on the source of the tweet
• Consider “Most Popular Links” for
more information.
http://groups.google.com/
http://search.twitter.com/
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Search Tools: tweefind
Tips to remember:
• Search results are determined by things
like number of followers, number of tweets,
number of replies and the number of times
distinct users retweet.
http://groups.google.com/
http://www.tweefind.com/
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Things To Remember
• Twitter is rapidly becoming a source for breaking
news
• Knowing how to search for competitive intelligence
data on Twitter will be essential to marketing,
customer services and branding professionals
• Search tools will be rapidly evolving to respond to
the needs of users.
11 © Intelegia, 2009

About Intelegia
Intelegia, a subsidiary of E&B DATA, is a company that strives to assist
individuals in understanding the changes in the business environment
through internet intelligence. Via training, consulting and publications,
Intelegia aims to provide the best approaches and tools to obtain the best
information and utilize decision-making frameworks.
For training solutions to improve your Twitter researching and analysis
skills, contact Isabelle Poirier at +1 (514) 276-1700 Ext. 104 .
12 © Intelegia, 2009