diff --git a/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications.md b/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications.md
index 8feda699bc..2fde7f597f 100644
--- a/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications.md
+++ b/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications.md
@@ -54,8 +54,13 @@ mentions](/help/restrict-wildcard-mentions) in large streams.
 
 ## Alert words
 
-Zulip lets you to specify **alert words or phrases** that notify you whenever
-the alert word is included in a message. Alert words are case-insensitive.
+Zulip lets you to specify **alert words or phrases** that send you a desktop
+notification whenever the alert word is included in a message. Alert words are
+case-insensitive.
+
+!!! tip ""
+
+    Alert words in messages you receive while the alert is enabled will be highlighted.
 
 ### Add an alert word or phrase
 
diff --git a/help/search-for-messages.md b/help/search-for-messages.md
index 83baffd8b2..84b6869856 100644
--- a/help/search-for-messages.md
+++ b/help/search-for-messages.md
@@ -87,7 +87,9 @@ Zulip offers the following filters based on the location of the message.
 ### Search your important messages
 
 * `is:alerted`: Search messages that contain your [alert
-  words](/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications#alert-words).
+  words](/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications#alert-words). Messages are
+  included in the search results based on the alerts you had configured when you
+  received the message.
 * `is:mentioned`: Search messages where you were
   [mentioned](/help/mention-a-user-or-group).
 * `is:starred`: Search your [starred messages](/help/star-a-message).