Saved searches are powerful. You create a search query once and reuse it many times. Sometimes saved searches just allow you to click and run a search that you previously configured. Other times, saved searches run for you regularly and notify you of new results.

Two of my favorite examples are in the latter category:

• Craigslist: You can set up a saved search for something you want to buy. (For instance, “dining room table” in Pittsburgh under a certain price point.) Anytime a new post matches your search query, you get an email.
• Google Alerts: You can set up a saved search for any query on the web, and get notified of new articles.