Staying ahead in forex and commodity trading requires more than watching charts all day. That’s where alerts come in. With properly configured alerts, you can catch trade setups, monitor key levels, and respond to news—without being glued to your screen 24/7.
In this article, you’ll learn how to set up smart alerts across different platforms, so you never miss an opportunity again.
🔗 Related: How to Create a Winning Trading Routine
🧠 What Are Trading Alerts?
Trading alerts are automated notifications triggered when price or technical indicators hit a condition you’ve predefined. They’re especially helpful for:
- Price breakouts
- Support/resistance zones
- Moving average crossovers
- Fundamental news releases
Alerts can be delivered via:
- Push notification (mobile)
- SMS
- Platform popup
📌 Internal Tool: Position Size Calculator – Combine alerts with proper lot sizing for risk-controlled entries.
⚙️ How to Set Up Price Alerts on TradingView
TradingView is one of the most popular platforms for setting detailed alerts. Here’s how:
🔧 Steps:
- Open your chart (e.g., EUR/USD or Gold).
- Right-click the price level or use the alarm clock icon.
- Select “Add Alert”.
- Choose your condition (e.g., crossing, greater than).
- Set alert frequency (once, every time, etc.).
- Choose notification type (app, email, webhook).
- Hit “Create”.
✅ You can also set alerts based on indicators like RSI, Moving Averages, or MACD.
📘 External Resource: How to Use Alerts on TradingView – Official Guide
📱 Setting Alerts on MetaTrader 4/5 (MT4/MT5)
MT4/MT5 allows basic alerts but with limited customization. Here’s how:
📍 Steps:
- Open the Terminal window (Ctrl+T).
- Go to the Alerts tab.
- Right-click > Create.
- Choose the symbol, price condition, and sound/notification.
- Set expiration and click OK.
🔗 Learn more: How to Trade Breakouts Effectively in Forex
🌐 Using Economic Calendar Alerts
Trading news? Set alerts for major economic events using:
📅 Forex Factory:
- Visit Forex Factory Calendar
- Click on a news item
- Set notification via email
📅 Myfxbook or Investing.com:
- Customizable calendars
- Push alerts for specific news events
- Filter by country, impact level, or instrument
🔗 Internal Link: How to Use Fundamental Analysis to Inform Your Trading
🛠 Tools & Apps for Multi-Market Alerts
| Tool/App | Best For | Alert Type |
|---|---|---|
| TradingView | Forex, commodities, crypto | Price, indicator alerts |
| MetaTrader 4/5 | Execution & sound alerts | Price only |
| Investing.com App | Economic news & market updates | Push notifications |
| Myfxbook | Portfolio + news alerts | Email, in-app |
🧭 Best Practices for Using Alerts
| Do This | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Set alerts at key support/resistance | Prevents chasing price |
| Use alerts to monitor trades | No need to stare at charts constantly |
| Combine with risk tools | Stay calm and objective |
| Avoid too many alerts | Reduces noise and decision fatigue |
🔗 Related: How to Cultivate Patience as a Trader
📷 Suggested Visuals for This Article
- Screenshot of a TradingView alert setup
- MT4 Alert dialog box image
- Sample phone notification from Investing.com or Forex Factory
- A workflow infographic: “Setup Alert → Get Notification → Enter Trade”
🎯 Conclusion: Alerts Make You a Smarter Trader
Setting alerts lets you trade less emotionally and more strategically. Instead of reacting, you’ll start responding—on your terms.
Whether you use TradingView, MT4/MT5, or economic calendars, alerts empower you to act only when it matters, improving both your performance and your peace of mind.
🚀 Want to trade smarter? Open an Exness account and pair it with real-time alerts today.
📥 Join FN Forex Academy to get expert coaching, risk tools, and weekly trade breakdowns.