Link verification
How to Verify OOTDBuy Spreadsheet Product Links
A saved row is only useful while its destination still provides enough current information to verify the same product.
Spreadsheet links can age. A destination may disappear, redirect to a category, replace the original item or keep the same page while changing variants and prices. Verification means checking the live destination, not only confirming that a page opens.
01
Understand how a working link can become misleading
A link may still return a page while the title, images or options now describe something different. Sellers can reuse listings, selected variants can change and a product URL can redirect to a broader search or category.
Treat every saved link as a pointer that needs a fresh check when you plan to use it. The spreadsheet row records discovery context; the live page controls current details.
02
Match the product identity before looking at price
Compare the product type, model description, main images and defining features with the row you saved. Do not let a familiar brand or similar thumbnail substitute for the exact item.
When the destination opens a category or search result, locate the intended product again and record the new direct page only after verifying the match.
- Same product type and intended model
- Images show the same silhouette and included pieces
- Colour or material option remains selectable
- Destination is a product page rather than an unrelated redirect
03
Select the exact variant before comparing price
A displayed starting price may belong to another size, colour or version. Select the intended option and check the live amount, promotion and domestic delivery before comparing it with the spreadsheet reference.
Keep currency conversion separate from the source price. A USD spreadsheet value is a comparison snapshot, not a promise that the final amount will remain unchanged.
04
Check whether the page still provides useful evidence
A product page can technically match while offering too little information for your decision. Look for current option details, useful measurements, material notes and images that cover the category-specific checks you need.
If important evidence has disappeared, keep the row marked as incomplete or compare another destination. A functioning URL is not the same thing as a strong listing.
05
Handle redirects, errors and removed pages consistently
When a link returns an error, redirects to an unrelated page or requires information you cannot verify, do not silently replace the row with the first similar result. Search the product name and defining feature, then verify any replacement from the beginning.
Preserve the original row note long enough to understand why it was replaced. This helps prevent several spreadsheet cards from accidentally pointing to the same substitute.
06
Record a checked date and the fields that changed
A simple checked date communicates freshness without pretending the link will remain stable forever. Record whether product identity, variant, price, measurements and availability were confirmed.
For important pages, recheck before publication and again before acting on the row. This keeps the website useful without refreshing every product automatically each time the local server starts.
07
Use the six-point link verification checklist
Keep the sequence short enough to repeat for every row. A link stays on the shortlist only when the destination answers the questions relevant to the intended purchase.
- The page opens without an unrelated redirect
- Product identity still matches
- Required variant remains selectable
- Live price and delivery context were rechecked
- Measurements and useful images remain available
- Checked date and any changes were recorded
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Does a working URL mean the spreadsheet row is current?
No. The page may open while showing a different item, variant, price or reduced set of information.
How often should I verify OOTDBuy product links?
Recheck important links before publishing a controlled update and again whenever you plan to use a saved row.
What should I do with a redirected product link?
Confirm whether the redirect still identifies the same product. If not, search for a replacement and verify it from the beginning rather than swapping it silently.