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Why is My Database Scan different than my Live Scan?

FAQ / Troubleshooting regarding discrepancies between Live and Database scans.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

Minor differences between Database and Live scans are normal due to data update timing and Amazon’s frequent price changes.

  1. Data Updates

    • The ScoutIQ database refreshes every 24-48 hours, covering over 16 million items, while Live scans pull real-time data. Because Amazon prices change every 15 seconds, Live scans will always show the latest information.

  2. Variation Between Scans

    • Minor differences, especially for items on the borderline between “Accept” and “Reject,” are expected. Small price shifts should be disregarded, as prices may continue to fluctuate until your items are live on Amazon.

  3. Database Timing

    • If you download the database early in the 24-48 hour cycle, variations may be slightly larger. Update your database before each scouting session for the best results.

  4. No Results Found / Product Not Found

    • Our database contains over 16 million books and media items in the U.S., making it the largest offline database of any scouting app. However, with more than 44 million books listed on Amazon globally, there may occasionally be items not found in our database. This is because the database is constantly growing and retains information from previously scanned items. If you see the screen below, it means the item is not currently in the database.

      ScoutIQ (original):


      ScoutIQ 2:


      For these situations, we recommend using Data + Live Scanning Mode. This mode combines the speed of Database Only mode with real-time data from Amazon, ensuring you can quickly access information for items not yet included in the database.

  5. Reporting Issues

    • If large discrepancies persist, report these to support at [email protected] with screenshots of both scans and the database’s last update timestamp. We track these to identify any bugs that may need further investigation.

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