Documentation & Guides

Overview

Sentinel is a comprehensive analytics and optimization platform built around four specialized modules. Each module focuses on a specific dimension of how search engines evaluate website quality and user engagement. Sentinel helps you understand, analyze, and optimize the behavioral signals that search engines use to evaluate your website.

How Search Engines Use Behavioral Signals

Modern search engines use user behavior metrics as ranking signals. Dwell time (how long a visitor stays on your page), bounce rate (the percentage of visitors who leave immediately), and click-through patterns all influence where your pages appear in search results. Sentinel's modules give you data-driven insights into these signals so you can make informed optimization decisions.

Platform Overview

Sentinel uses a distributed data collection architecture with geo-distributed infrastructure and intelligent analysis to provide deep insights into traffic patterns, engagement metrics, and competitive positioning across search and display channels.

Quick Start Guide

Follow these steps to set up your first analysis project:

Dashboard Tour

The Sentinel dashboard is your central hub for managing all projects and viewing analytics. Here's what you'll find:

• Project Overview: Active projects with real-time data collection progress and performance metrics.
• Analytics: Detailed metrics including data points collected, geographic distribution, and performance trends.
• Module Panels: Individual configuration panels for each of the four optimization modules.
• Network Status: Monitor connection health, rotation patterns, and geographic distribution of your data collection infrastructure.
• Logs: Detailed activity logs with timestamps, target URLs, and outcome status.

Dwell Time Bot

The Dwell Time Bot helps you understand and improve how visitors engage with your content. It monitors on-page engagement metrics such as time-on-page, scroll depth, and internal navigation patterns to identify areas for improvement.

Configuration Options

Bounce Rate Bot

The Bounce Rate Bot provides insights into bounce rate patterns across websites for competitive SEO research. Monitor how engagement metrics differ across your pages and competitor pages to understand what drives visitor retention.

Configuration Options

AdSense Clicker Bot

The AdSense Clicker Bot helps you test and optimize display ad placements for better revenue performance. It analyzes ad placement effectiveness, viewability, and engagement patterns to help you maximize your ad revenue.

Configuration Options

Google Ads Clicker Bot

The Google Ads Clicker Bot lets you research competitor paid search presence and ad positioning. Gain competitive intelligence on which keywords competitors are bidding on, their ad copy strategies, and their search result placements.

Configuration Options

Network Settings

Sentinel uses geo-distributed data collection infrastructure to ensure accurate, location-aware analytics. Network routing is managed automatically, but you can customize settings:

• Rotation Interval: How often to rotate data collection endpoints (per session, per request, or timed).
• Country Targeting: Restrict data collection to specific countries or regions.
• Sticky Sessions: Maintain the same endpoint throughout a single session for consistency.
• Dedicated Pools (Enterprise): Your own pool of dedicated endpoints not shared with other users.

Analysis Scheduling

Schedule analysis tasks to run at specific times or distribute data collection throughout the day for comprehensive coverage:

• Continuous: Run analysis around the clock at a steady rate.
• Scheduled Windows: Define specific hours of the day to collect data.
• Traffic Curve: Align data collection with natural traffic patterns including peak hours and quiet periods.
• Day-of-Week: Adjust analysis volume by day of the week.

Geographic Targeting

Target specific regions and countries for your analysis projects. This is essential for local SEO research and for understanding region-specific search results.

• Country-Level: Target by individual country.
• Region/State: Target specific states or regions (available in US, UK, EU).
• City-Level (Enterprise): Target specific metro areas with dedicated data collection endpoints.

API Authentication

All API requests require an API key sent via the Authorization header:

Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

Generate your API key from the dashboard under Settings > API Keys. API access is included with every plan.

Projects API

Manage projects programmatically using the REST API:

GET    /api/v1/campaigns          - List all projects
POST   /api/v1/campaigns          - Create a project
GET    /api/v1/campaigns/:id      - Get project details
PATCH  /api/v1/campaigns/:id      - Update a project
DELETE /api/v1/campaigns/:id      - Delete a project
POST   /api/v1/campaigns/:id/start - Start a project
POST   /api/v1/campaigns/:id/stop  - Stop a project

Analytics API

Retrieve project analytics and session data:

GET /api/v1/analytics/overview           - Overall statistics
GET /api/v1/analytics/campaigns/:id     - Project-specific analytics
GET /api/v1/analytics/sessions          - Session list with filters
GET /api/v1/analytics/sessions/:id      - Individual session details

Frequently Asked Questions