Harpd Answers · Explained
How often is Harpd data updated?
Live boards update continuously as Rank Points and visits change. Each dataset carries its own data date, which moves only when a record actually changes — never because the site was rebuilt.
Quick answer
How often is Harpd data updated?
Harpd data has two update rhythms. The live boards move continuously as Rank Points are added and visits are recorded. The published datasets carry a `lastUpdated` / `updatedAt` that reflects the most recent record-level change, not the time the file was generated.
- Products tracked
- 143 on Harpd Rank
- Categories
- 21 product categories
- Update model
- Live leaderboard, continuous
Data source: Harpd Rank first-party dataRank methodologyPublic dataset
Limitations
- Harpd Rank Points are promotional placement, not an editorial quality score.
- Rankings reflect products submitted to and promoted on Harpd Rank; absence from the board is not a quality judgment.
Data source: Harpd Rank first-party data
How it works
The mechanics, plainly
A dataset's data date is derived from its records: the newest `updatedAt` across the rows. Regenerating a file without changing a record does not move the date. Closed monthly and weekly periods are frozen into archives that never change again, which is what makes research figures reproducible.
How it compares
Harpd vs the traditional approach
| Aspect | Harpd / this model | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Live boards | Continuous | Published periodically |
| Dataset date | Newest record change | Build or export time |
| Closed periods | Immutable archives | Overwritten |
| Staleness signal | Per-record and per-dataset dates | Usually one site-wide date |
Why it matters
A date that moves on rebuild is worse than no date, because it implies freshness that does not exist. Deriving the date from record changes means the date answers the only question that matters: when did this data actually last change?
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a Harpd figure is current?
Read the data date attached to the dataset or fact. If the figure is older than your need, refetch — the live board will have moved.
Why did the data date not change after a deploy?
Because no record changed. The date tracks record-level updates by design, so a rebuild cannot make stale data look fresh.
Are old monthly reports still accurate?
They are accurate as descriptions of their closed period, which never changes. They are not descriptions of the current board — each report states its period for exactly that reason.