Quick answer
Do not overwrite yesterday’s evidence with today’s status.
Keep the original URL and append dated changes. A source that later redirects or disappears is still part of the research history, and the earlier observation should remain distinguishable from the new one.
Label what each URL is supposed to prove
| URL type | Useful label | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Album home | Uploader context and collection navigation | That it identifies one exact product |
| Item page | Photos, caption, code and visible details for one result | That its source or price is current |
| Catalog result | A discovery route and category context | That the result has been verified |
| Marketplace source | Options, amount, seller page or checkout context | That it matches the album without comparison |
Use a compact record that can survive a revisit
Row ID: your own stable reference
Category and item clue: enough to recognize the candidate
Album URL: exact item page when available
Source URL: kept in a separate field
Visible identity clue: watermark, account or authorized contact context
Date checked: the observation date, not a freshness claim
Status: keep comparing / needs answer / archived
Reason: one sentence tied to visible evidence
Append a dated change instead of replacing the old value
If a source URL changes, add a new line such as “2026-08-21 — original source now redirects; replacement shown in the album has a different color code; relationship unconfirmed.” Keep the original observation above it. This makes it possible to distinguish a changed page from a mistaken earlier note.
Review a saved row in five steps
- Open the item URL and confirm the same category and clue are still visible.
- Check the source URL separately and compare code, option and images.
- Review only the fields that matter for the current decision.
- Add the new date and observation without deleting the earlier state.
- Keep, pause or archive the row with a new reason.
Keep redirects and replacements visible
When a saved URL redirects, record both the original address and the final page. A redirect can be a routine site change, but it can also lead to a broader category, a different item or a new domain. Compare the visible code and option before accepting the destination as a replacement. If the relationship cannot be explained from an authorized source, keep the new page as a separate lead rather than merging it into the old row.
Archive without deleting the lesson
An archived row can prevent duplicated work. Keep the URL, final date and archive reason, but remove unsupported ratings and personal data that are no longer needed. Useful reasons include “item cannot be identified,” “source mismatch,” “essential measurements unavailable” and “authorized access not available.”
