Journalism tip: Be notified when a Web site changes

It’s easy to use Google Reader or another RSS reader to keep track of news items and press releases on Web sites that use RSS.

But how do you stay on top of Web site changes when the site doesn’t use RSS?

Or what if you want to keep track of something that wouldn’t typically be published in an RSS feed – for example, a published government policy or a list of company executives?

There are several services you can use that will periodically check a Web page you have specified and notify you when it changes.

For those using the Firefox Web browser, I highly recommend Update Scanner.

It is very simple to manage the list of Web sites you are watching, and you have numerous options for how often a page is checked.

Also, because it uses your browser to check the page, rather than a third-party service, such as the e-mail-based services covered next, it is (in theory) more reliable. Your receipt of the updates is not subject to any downtime that befalls a third-party service’s servers.

There are also services that will e-mail you when a Web page changes.

The advantages of an e-mail-based service are that you do not have to use Firefox (for those who prefer another browser, or do not have a choice) and some people may like receiving the updates in their e-mail.

The biggest disadvantage is that you may not receive notification of a change as immediately as you do using Update Scanner.

I have used Change Detection and it is pretty good. It is free to use.

Here are two similar services. I have not tried them, so I can’t vouch for them. It appears they are free, but the free accounts are limited.

• WatchThatPage
• Detect Change

If you have a recommendation for a similar service, please let me know!