Question 1

What is Sentinel Search?

Accepted Answer

Sentinel Search is a search and research platform that indexes the spoken word inside video content, making it searchable with exact timestamps. Beyond search, the platform provides Coverage (cross-voice topic analysis), Custom Feeds (self-updating monitoring pages), and a suite of analytical tools to help you understand what public figures are saying — and when they said it.

Question 2

What is a 'Voice'?

Accepted Answer

A Voice is our term for a content creator or public figure whose catalog we've indexed. Each Voice has their own page showing their complete catalog of episodes — searchable, filterable, and organized. You can browse the full roster on the Voices page, or explore it by category on the Browse page.

Question 3

How does Sentinel Search work?

Accepted Answer

Sentinel Search indexes the spoken word inside video content with timestamps. When you search, it finds every matching moment and links you directly to the exact point in the source video where it was said. No reading required — you hear it in their own words.

Question 4

How current is the data?

Accepted Answer

The index updates continually. Most new episodes from tracked Voices appear shortly after they are published.

Question 5

Can I request a Voice to be added?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Submit the channel through the Voice Request page and it goes straight into the queue — popular requests are prioritized.

Question 6

How accurate are the search results?

Accepted Answer

Every result comes from Sentinel Search’s index of the spoken word and links straight to the moment in the source video. Verification is built in: open any result in Video Check and confirm it against the video itself before you rely on it.

Question 7

Can I search for exact phrases?

Accepted Answer

Yes. By default, Sentinel Search looks for all keywords you enter. For exact phrase matching, put your search in quotes (e.g., "climate change policy").

Question 8

Why can't I find something I know exists?

Accepted Answer

A few possibilities: the Voice may not be indexed yet, the episode may be too recent to be processed, or the exact wording may differ from your search. Try alternative phrasings — shorter, distinctive fragments work best.

Question 9

What do the timestamps link to?

Accepted Answer

Each result includes a timestamp that links directly to that moment in the source video. Clicking it opens the video at the exact second where the statement begins.

Question 10

What is Sentinel Coverage?

Accepted Answer

Coverage is Sentinel Search's cross-voice topic analysis system. Choose any subject — a news story, a theme, a person, a claim type — and see every voice that covers it, with every relevant episode. It's designed to break you out of the echo chamber by showing every perspective, not just one.

Question 11

What are Custom Feeds?

Accepted Answer

Custom Feeds are pages you create that live on the platform. Search Feeds track a specific search term across voices and update automatically as new content is published. Category Feeds combine multiple dimensions — like a person, a theme, and a claim type — into a single cross-referenced feed.

Question 12

Do Custom Feeds update automatically?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every feed you create becomes a permanent, living page. As new content is published and indexed, your feed updates with any matching results.

Question 13

Can other people see my Custom Feeds?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Custom Feeds are public pages on the platform. This is by design: when you create a feed, you're contributing to the Sentinel Search ecosystem, and other users can discover and benefit from the feeds you build.

Question 14

What's the difference between all the tools?

Accepted Answer

Each tool serves a different purpose: Search finds matches. Video Check verifies them in the player. Workbench filters and refines results. The Overview provides visual analysis of your dataset. Historical Context shows timeline patterns. And the Enhanced view gives you a detailed data table with full metadata.

Question 15

What is the Video Check tool for?

Accepted Answer

Video Check lets you confirm search results by watching the actual video. Jump to exact timestamps, review the context before and after the match, and be certain of what was said before citing or sharing.

Question 16

How does Historical Context work?

Accepted Answer

Historical Context displays all matches on a visual timeline, showing when statements were made. This helps identify patterns — like whether someone started discussing a topic before or after a particular event.

Question 17

Is Sentinel Search free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Sentinel Search is currently in open access. Every tool is available to everyone while the platform grows with its community.

Question 18

Will there be paid plans?

Accepted Answer

Paid plans are on the roadmap and previewed on the Pricing page. When they launch, payments will be handled securely through Stripe, and subscriptions will be cancelable anytime from your account settings.

Question 19

What data do you collect about me?

Accepted Answer

We collect standard account information (email, name) and usage data (searches performed, features used). We don't sell personal data to third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Question 20

Are my searches private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your search history is private to your account. We don't share individual search data with other users or third parties.

Question 21

Do you store the videos themselves?

Accepted Answer

No. We index the spoken content and metadata only. Videos remain on their original platforms — when you play a video on Sentinel Search, it streams directly from the source.

Frequently asked questions

General

Search & Results

Coverage & Custom Feeds

Tools & Features

Account & Billing

Privacy & Data

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