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Creating a Search Agent (MediaAgent)

NewsMachine’s search service is based on Boolean search principles. This guide explains how to create and configure a MediaAgent to monitor media sources effectively.

1. Creating an Search Agent

Types of Agents

NewsMachine offers three types of agents:

  • MediaAgent™: Monitors media sources.
  • SiteAgent™: Monitors specific websites.
  • SocialAgent: Monitors specific social media platforms.

This guide focuses on creating a MediaAgent.

Steps to Create a MediaAgent

  1. Log in to NewsMachine.
  2. Navigate to Monitor in the top menu.
  3. Select Agents in the submenu and then click Create MediaAgent in the left-hand menu.
  4. Enter a descriptive name for your agent.

medielista

Note: When creating a SiteAgent you can choose whether the agent should be private (for personal use) or shared (available to a workgroup).

2. Selecting Sources

  1. Click the Edit Media List button (top right corner).
  2. Choose sources for the agent to monitor.
  3. If you choose Standard, the agent monitors all sources included in your subscription.

📌 Related article: Managing search agents: errors, updates and filtering

3. Configuring Keywords

boolean diagram

Your search string is created using three search / keyword boxes:

Or-Box (Extends Search)

  • Words entered here are automatically combined with OR (no need to type “OR”).
  • If any word in this box appears in a document, it generates a hit.
  • Each new term must be entered on a new line.
  • There is an invisible AND between the Or-Box and the And-Box.

And-Box (Refines search)

  • All the words in this box must be present in a document for there to be a match.
  • If you type (Or keyword And keyword), it ensures that at least one of the words appears.
  • There is an invisible NOT between the And Box and the Not Box.

Not Box / Stop Word Box (Excludes Terms)

  • Enter words to be excluded from the search results.
  • You don’t need to type “NOT”, it is applied automatically.
  • If any word in this box appears in a document, it will be excluded from results.

4. Saving and Activating the Agent

Once you have filled in your search criteria, you must confirm your settings. You have three options:

  1. Cancel: Ignores all changes.
  2. Search & Save: Activates the agent and performs a historical search based on your search profile as far back as material exists.
  3. Save: Activates the agent but only starts searching from the moment of activation (no historical search).

5. Additional Settings

Notes field

  • Add comments for reference (for example, changes made to the agent).
  • This is particularly useful when multiple users share an agent.

Real-Time Alert

  • Set notification preferences per recipient.
  • Select the format for reports (default formats are available).

Alarm period

  1. To set alert period click on Advanced setting in the menu
  2. Define how often notifications should be sent:
    • Immediately (When it happens): Instant notifications (may result in high email volume).
    • Delayed (5, 10, 15 or 30 minutes): Batches multiple alerts into fewer emails.

Search Scope

  • Title: Searches only within document titles.
  • Entire document (default): Searches the entire text.

Stock Exchange Lists

  • Exclude hits from stock market reports (useful for filtering out finance-related content).

My Agents

Under Monitoring > Agents > Agents you can view and manage all your agents. This section provides key details about each agent, including:

  • Whether an agent is active or inactive.
  • The ability to activate or deactivate an agent with a single click. Deactivating an agent pauses its search for matching documents.

Types of Agents

Agents can be classified as public, private or shared:

  1. Public Agents: Provided by NewsMachine’s editorial staff. You can activate them by selecting subscribe. Once activated, you can customize them to suit your needs.
  2. Personal Agents: Agents that you create and use privately.
  3. Shared Agents: Agents to which multiple users have access. Shared agents come in two types:
    • View-Only Shared Agents: You can see search results but cannot make changes.
    • Editable Shared Agents: You have administrator rights, allowing you to edit the agent while others only view the results.

Important Distinction

Shared agents should not be confused with receiving reports. Reports are a separate function.

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