How to Scan Websites and Manage Domains

Website scanning is a core function of the Captain Compliance platform. It is used to evaluate tracking behavior on websites, including both first-party and third-party technologies. Website scans are also a prerequisite for configuring consent banners and enabling other advanced website-related features within the Captain Compliance app.

This article explains the two available scanning methods and how to add a domain for ongoing monitoring and configuration.

Captain Compliance offers two ways to scan a website. Each serves a different purpose.

The Scanner utility is intended for quick, non-permanent scans.

To access the scanner:

• Navigate to Dashboard → Tools → Scanner

This option is useful for:

• One-off evaluations

• Reviewing third-party sites

• Preliminary assessments without saving the site to your dashboard

The scanner generates a Cookie Report that includes:

• Cookie name

• Domain

• Path

• Classification

• Expiration

Results from the scanner utility are informational and are not tied to ongoing configuration or monitoring.

Adding a domain is the preferred approach for scanning websites you manage or intend to configure within Captain Compliance. This method enables persistent monitoring and advanced configuration.

Although this approach is typically used for your own websites, you may add third-party domains as well. Domains can be removed at any time.

How to Add and Scan a Domain

To scan a website by adding a domain:

• Navigate to Dashboard → Websites

• Select Scan Website

• Enter the domain URL

• Choose one of the following scan options:

  • Whole Website

  • 100 Random Pages

Once initiated, the scan will begin automatically.

Most scans complete in a few seconds and typically take less than one minute.

Reviewing Scan Results

After the scan completes, results are available directly within the website record.

Compared to the Scanner utility, these results are more structured and detailed.

You will see:

• A statistical overview of detected technologies

• A detailed website report

The report categorizes first-party and third-party trackers into the following groups:

• Strictly Necessary

• Functionality

• Performance

• Targeting

• Unclassified

These categorizations are used throughout the platform, including for consent banner configuration and disclosure generation.

If you are scanning a website and adding a domain in preparation for configuring a consent banner, it is important to review classifications carefully.

Best practices include:

• Ensuring all cookies and trackers are properly categorized

• Verifying descriptions are accurate and meaningful

• Reviewing any Unclassified items

If you encounter unclassified cookies:

• You may request that Captain Compliance add them to the global library, or

• You may classify them locally within your specific account

Accurate classification helps ensure correct consent behavior and reliable disclosures.