A check collects the search results for one exact combination: keyword × location × device × source. Sources are Google Search, Bing Search and Shopping.
Worked example
- 10 keywords × 2 locations × 2 devices × 1 source (Google) = 40 checks per run.
- Add Bing: 10 × 2 × 2 × 2 sources = 80 checks per run.
- Run it twice a day for a 31-day month: 80 × 2 × 31 = 4,960 scheduled checks.
Google Search and Shopping are separate sources. When both are selected they use two checks, even if the results come from one request.
You do not need to do this by hand. Project settings shows a check forecast for your current setup, and the new project form shows Checks in your first run before anything starts.
Browsing, filtering and exporting results you already have never uses checks.