Configure how often to check for changes. Finding the right balance between timely notifications and token usage is key to efficient tracking.
Understanding Check Frequency
Check frequency determines how often Trackr visits your tracked URL to look for changes. More frequent checks mean faster change detection but use more tokens.
How It Works
- Frequency is set in days, hours, and minutes
- Minimum frequency: 15 minutes
- Maximum frequency: 90 days
- Each check consumes tokens based on your task settings
Setting Your Frequency
High Frequency (15 min - 1 hour)
Best for time-sensitive content that changes frequently.
- Stock availability updates
- Breaking news headlines
- Flash sale prices
- Live event updates
⚠️ Uses more tokens per day
Medium Frequency (1-12 hours)
Ideal for most tracking scenarios. Balanced approach.
- Product prices
- Blog post updates
- Content changes
- Daily updates
✓ Optimal token usage
Low Frequency (12 hours - 7 days)
For content that changes infrequently.
- Weekly newsletters
- Monthly updates
- Policy changes
- Seasonal content
💰 Lowest token cost
Understanding Token Costs
Each check consumes tokens. The frequency you choose directly affects your daily/monthly token usage.
Token Cost Formula
Daily Cost = (Base Cost + Rendering Cost + Screenshot Cost + Upload Costs) × Checks Per Day
- Base Cost: 10 tokens per check (standard)
- Rendering Cost: 0-50 tokens (depends on rendering level)
- Screenshot Cost: 5 tokens (if enabled)
- Upload Costs: 1-2 tokens per channel (if enabled)
Example Calculations
Basic Task (Every 6 hours)
- Frequency: Every 6 hours = 4 checks/day
- Base cost: 10 tokens
- No rendering, no screenshots
- Daily cost: 40 tokens
- Monthly cost: ~1,200 tokens
Advanced Task (Every 30 min)
- Frequency: Every 30 min = 48 checks/day
- Base: 10 + Rendering: 30 + Screenshot: 5
- Total per check: 45 tokens
- Daily cost: 2,160 tokens
- Monthly cost: ~64,800 tokens
Frequency Optimization Tips
Tip #1: Start Conservative
Begin with a longer frequency (e.g., every 6-12 hours) and adjust based on how often the content actually changes. You can always increase frequency later.
Tip #2: Match Content Update Patterns
If a blog posts new content every Tuesday at 9 AM, checking every hour is wasteful. Set a frequency that aligns with known update schedules.
Tip #3: Use Different Frequencies for Different Tasks
Not all tracking needs are equal. Use high frequency for critical time-sensitive content and lower frequency for less urgent tracking.
Tip #4: Monitor Your Token Usage
Regularly review your token consumption in the dashboard. Adjust frequencies for tasks that aren't providing value to optimize costs.
Common Frequency Patterns
| Use Case | Recommended Frequency | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Availability | 15-30 minutes | Time-sensitive, changes quickly |
| Product Prices | 1-6 hours | Moderate changes, daily monitoring |
| Blog Posts | 6-12 hours | Updates typically once per day |
| News Headlines | 30 min - 1 hour | Breaking news requires quick detection |
| Policy Pages | 1-7 days | Rarely changes, low priority |
| Event Schedules | 12-24 hours | Daily updates sufficient |
Quick Decision Guide
🚨 Urgent (15-60 min)
- • Flash sales
- • Stock alerts
- • Breaking news
- • Live events
✓ Standard (1-12 hours)
- • Product prices
- • Content updates
- • Daily news
- • Regular checks
💤 Relaxed (12h-7 days)
- • Weekly updates
- • Policy changes
- • Seasonal content
- • Rare changes
Next Steps
After setting your frequency, learn about browser rendering options to ensure JavaScript-heavy sites load correctly.
Learn About Browser Rendering
