USA Today has launched an instant message alert service that gives its readers easy access to breaking news and all their other favorite features through their AOL Instant Messenger client.

According to MediaPost, once you've opted in to the service, you simply type a keyword or phrase into the AIM dialog box to set up alerts to receive an IM when a new headline with the keyword is posted on USAToday.com.

We don't know if the alerts work with the mobile AIM client, but it would make a lot of sense.