Frequently asked questions
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How it works
How does a scan work?+
ConsentScout loads your URL in a real headless browser (Playwright/Chromium), exactly as a visitor would. It records every cookie set before and after the page loads, detects consent management platforms (CMPs), checks for Google Consent Mode and TCF signals, and then produces a verdict based on whether non-required cookies were set without consent.
What do the verdict labels mean?+
Pass — no non-required cookies were set before consent was given, and a recognised CMP was detected. Warn — a CMP was detected but some signals are ambiguous or missing (e.g. Google Consent Mode not configured). Fail — non-required cookies (analytics, marketing, etc.) were set before any consent interaction. Error — the page failed to load (timeout, DNS failure, HTTP 4xx/5xx).
What consent signals do you check?+
CMP detection (OneTrust, Cookiebot, TrustArc, CookieYes, Usercentrics, and 20+ others), IAB TCF 2.x, Google Consent Mode (GCM) including whether defaults are set to denied, Microsoft UET consent mode, and cookie banner visibility.
What is a CMP?+
A Consent Management Platform — software installed on a website to collect, record, and signal user consent choices. Examples include OneTrust, Cookiebot, and CookieYes. Without a CMP, or with one misconfigured, trackers may fire before a user has consented.
Technical
Where do scans originate from?+
All scans currently originate from servers within the European Union. This is relevant because some sites serve different cookie behaviour to EU visitors (stricter consent rules apply under GDPR/ePrivacy). US or global scanning regions may be added in future.
Why do I get different results when scanning the same URL?+
Websites are dynamic. Results can vary due to A/B testing, rotating ad scripts, server-side caching, CDN edge behaviour, or scripts that load conditionally based on timing. Running a scan 2–3 times and comparing results gives a more reliable picture. Bulk scanning and scan history (Pro) make this easier.
Why do I need to keep my browser open during a bulk scan?+
Each scan runs on our servers, but your browser is what drives the queue — it submits each URL in turn and waits for the result. Keeping the page open is also how we validate that a real person is behind the request, rather than an automated system. We see a significant volume of bot and AI-driven scanning, and an active browser session is one signal we use to manage that. Results already completed are saved and remain available in your dashboard if you do close the page. If you need unattended or scheduled scanning, the API is the right tool.
My site appears blocked from scanning.+
This usually means the site has bot protection (Cloudflare, PerimeterX, etc.) that identified the scanner and returned a block page, or we have manually blocked the domain at the site owner's request. If you believe it's a false positive, contact us.
How do I stop my site from being scanned?+
Contact us with your domain and we will add it to the block list. We respect ownership rights and process requests promptly.
Data & cookies
A cookie has been incorrectly categorised.+
Cookie classification is an evolving challenge — our database is updated regularly but no automated system is perfect. If you spot an error, let us know the cookie name, domain, and the correct category and we will get it fixed.
What is a HAR file?+
A HAR (HTTP Archive) file is a complete log of every network request the browser made during the scan — URLs, headers, timings, and response codes. It is useful for in-depth audits, as evidence in compliance reports, or for debugging which scripts are firing and when. HAR export is available on the Pro plan.
I think the scan result is wrong.+
We are always improving accuracy. If you believe a result is incorrect, please contact us with the URL and a description of what you expected to see. Screenshots or HAR files are helpful if you have them.
Plans & billing
What counts as a scan?+
One scan = one full headless-browser load of a URL. Monthly limits reset on your billing date. Bulk scanning counts each URL in the batch as one scan.
Can I upgrade or cancel at any time?+
Yes. Upgrades take effect immediately. Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing period — you keep full access until then.
Do you issue VAT invoices?+
Yes. Stripe generates a VAT-compliant invoice for every payment, available to download from your billing portal.
Where can I see all plan features and pricing?+
Full details are on the Pro page, including a feature comparison table across Free, Starter, Pro, and Agency tiers.