Frequently Asked Questions

We use Claude 3.5 Sonnet (by Anthropic) to read and analyze book content. The AI examines text across 25 content categories and compares findings against your custom thresholds. Analysis takes 3-5 seconds per book and results are cached so the next parent gets instant answers.

No — Shelf Checkout is values-neutral. YOU set the filters based on YOUR family's values, whether that's conservative Christian, progressive secular, or anything in between. We don't impose a worldview; we give you the tools to enforce yours.

Very good but not perfect. AI can miss context or nuance, which is why we include community verification. Parents can report inaccuracies, and we aggregate feedback to continuously improve analysis quality. Think of it like Wikipedia — crowd-verified over time.

Yes, any book with an ISBN. New releases, classics, obscure indie titles — if it has a barcode, we can analyze it. Coverage is limited only by whether book text is available (which it usually is for commercially published books).

That's where we shine! Most review sites rely on human reviewers who can't keep up with the ~300,000 new books published every year in the US alone. Our AI analyzes on-demand, so even a book published yesterday gets a verdict in 3-5 seconds.

We're complementary, not competitive. Common Sense Media has in-depth human reviews but limited coverage. We offer instant AI analysis on any book with 25 customizable filters and per-child verdicts. Use both for ~$6/month if you want deep reviews + fast personalized decisions. See full comparison →

Absolutely. Your family info stays on your device. We never see your kids' names, ages, or reading lists. We only collect book ISBNs (to cache analysis) and optional anonymous feedback. No accounts, no tracking, no ads. Read our full Privacy Policy →

Designed for parents of kids who read independently — typically ages 6-18. Whether you have a precocious 2nd grader or a high schooler, you can set age-appropriate thresholds. The app works for picture books through young adult novels.

Yes! We're launching on iPhone first, with Android coming soon after. Both versions will have identical features. Sign up for notifications to know when your platform is ready.

$1.99/month. Unlimited book scans, unlimited reader profiles, all 25 content filters. No annual commitment, cancel anytime. Think of it as less than the cost of one latte for peace of mind on every book your kids read.

Absolutely. Teachers and homeschool educators use Shelf Checkout to vet classroom libraries and reading lists. The same subscription works for one kid or 30 students. Create profiles for different reading groups and batch scan your entire library over summer break. Learn more for educators →

Report it! Every book has a feedback button. Tell us what the AI missed or got wrong, and we aggregate that feedback to improve future analysis. Think of it like community-verified Wikipedia — gets better over time as more parents contribute.

Sometimes, yes. The AI needs to understand plot points to detect themes like death, divorce, or violence. If you're reading the book yourself and want to avoid spoilers, be aware that content summaries may reveal key story elements. We prioritize giving parents the info they need over spoiler-free summaries.