Scans over time
Use the Smart Link time-series chart to spot launch peaks, sustained traffic, and unexpected drops.
This article explains how to read the Scans Over Time chart in Smart Link analytics and what kinds of traffic patterns are most useful in day-to-day campaign operations.
What the chart shows
Scans Over Time plots Smart Link activity across the Start Date and End Date you choose in the analytics view.
It helps you answer questions such as:
- When did traffic spike?
- Did a launch create one burst or sustained activity?
- Did traffic slow down after the first few days?
- Did one update or placement change improve performance?
Scans Over Time is the time-series block at the top of the per-link analytics page after you click Run.
How to read the pattern
| Pattern | What it often means |
|---|---|
| sharp spike at launch | A poster drop, email send, or campaign announcement drove immediate attention |
| steady traffic over several days | The Smart Link is being discovered continuously across one or more placements |
| sudden drop after a peak | Launch interest faded, a placement was removed, or the campaign needs another push |
| repeated smaller peaks | Traffic may be linked to recurring pushes such as social posts, store events, or newsletter sends |
What to compare with this chart
The chart becomes more useful when you compare it with the rest of the Smart Link analytics page:
- compare it with
Scans by Variantto see which placement caused a peak - compare it with
Top UTM Sourcesto see which tracked source may explain the lift - compare it with
Top Referrerswhen traffic comes from websites, partner pages, or newsletters
Good operational uses
Use Scans Over Time to:
- confirm whether a new print placement actually started driving scans
- measure the effect of a new email or social post
- spot when a high-performing placement is losing momentum
- decide when a QR asset needs fresh promotion or a new distribution push
A practical example
Imagine one Smart Link is used on:
- a storefront poster
- a newsletter CTA
- a partner event stand
If the chart shows a sharp peak on the day the newsletter was sent, then flatter traffic after that, you know email created the burst. If the chart keeps climbing during the partner event weekend, the event placement is likely adding sustained volume.
When the chart looks empty
If you expected traffic but the chart has no visible activity:
- confirm the
Start DateandEnd Date - make sure you are analyzing the right Smart Link
- verify that users are actually going through the Smart Link rather than sharing the final destination directly
- run a fresh test scan and recheck analytics
Related
Smart Link Analytics
Run the full per-link analytics page and understand where this chart sits in the wider reporting view.
Scans by variant
Use variant data to explain which placement is driving the traffic pattern you see.
Tracking gaps
Diagnose missing or incomplete activity when the chart does not match your launch reality.