Help
The links below will help you when you’re using Scoot, whether you’re trying to find a local business or want to make sure your business is listed on Scoot.
If you still have any unanswered questions, please complete our feedback form or call Customer Services on 01642 881088.
- About Scoot
- What is Scoot?
- Who owns Scoot?
- Finding a Local Business
- How do I use Scoot?
- Do I have to pay to use Scoot?
- What sort of information can I find on Scoot?
- How many results will I get for my search?
- In what order do the results appear?
- Do businesses pay to advertise on Scoot?
- Is Scoot W3C compliant?
- Scoot on the Move
- Can I use Scoot on my mobile phone or PDA?
- Advertising on Scoot
- How can I promote my business on Scoot?
- Some of the business listings on Scoot are highlighted: how do I highlight my business listing?
- Can I make my business appear higher up in the search results?
- What are search tags?
- What are location tags?
- How do I add photos to my business listing?
- How do I add special offers or coupons to my listing?
- How do I add a video to my business listing?
- Can I buy banner advertising on Scoot?
- What is my username and/or password?
- What do I do if I forget my username and/or password?
- Can I change my username and/or password?
- Listing Your Business on Scoot
- How do I add my business to Scoot?
- How do I change my business details?
- I’ve added my business to Scoot – why can’t I find it?
- Can my business be listed more than once?
- How do I delete a business from Scoot?
- What do I do if my business appears under the wrong category?
- Can my business be listed under more than one category?
- What search locations will my business appear in?
- Can I change the location of my business on the map?
- Will you use my email address for marketing purposes?
- Becoming a Registered User
- Why should I sign up as a registered user?
- Can I set a default location on Scoot?
- Can I save the details of my favourite businesses?
- If I sign up as a registered user, will you use my email address for marketing purposes?
- If I sign up as a registered user, will you sell my data to third party organisations?
- What do I do if I forget my username and/or password?
- Scoot Data
- Where does Scoot get its information from?
- I know a business that’s not listed on Scoot – can I add their details?
- Scoot Network Partners
- What are Network Partners?
- How can I become a Network Partner?
What is Scoot?
Scoot is an online business directory that helps you find suppliers of products and services in your local area, day or night. Unlike most search engines, we only give you relevant results. So no more trawling through page after page of stuff you don’t want. And, because we keep in touch with local businesses, our information is up-to-date. Learn more about How to Scoot
Who owns Scoot?
Scoot is a registered trademark of Enable Media Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITV plc. Enable Media Ltd is incorporated in England and Wales with its registered office at 200 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8HR. Company registration number 5178759. VAT number GB 197 0041 67. For details of Scoot's operating address, please view the Contact Us page.
How do I use Scoot?
First, search for a business in a chosen location
From the Scoot home page, simply enter the name of the business or type of business that you’re looking for (eg plumber, hairdresser, shoes, jobs, etc) in the WHO OR WHAT box and the location (eg Leeds, W1, TS18 3TU, lake district, south east, etc) in the WHERE box, then click SCOOT to get your results.
What results will you get?
The results will provide you with more than just a business name and address. Many of the businesses we list include lots of other useful information. You’ll find business categories, facilities, opening times, payment methods, maps, directions, website links, photos, coupons and even videos.
Your results will display 10 to a page with the details of each business shown in an easy-to-view tabbed format. Just click through the tabs to see different types of information or, alternatively, click the ‘View all details’ link at the foot of the listing to see all the information we have about that business displayed on one page.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the results, take a look at the control panel on the right hand side of the page. Here Scoot will show you other businesses that also operate in the location you’re searching or suggest alternative nearby locations.
Too many results?
In the control panel on the right hand side of the results page, you will find lots of facilities to help you narrow your search. You can:
- Click the ‘map’ button to view all the businesses on that page on a map
- Click the ‘nearest’ button to re-order the results to display by nearest to a place or postcode
- Drill down to smaller areas within your chosen location
- View more specific categories
- Click the ‘filter’ button to filter your results by a number of attributes that describe each business, eg hotels with swimming pools, plumbers offering 24-hour call out, or businesses with videos attached to their listings.
Register for even more functionality
As a registered user of Scoot, you can enjoy the benefits of additional functionality including:
- The ability to personalise your search preferences
- A personal address book where you can store details of your favourite businesses
- View details of coupons or special offers from your favourite businesses and have them sent to you by email (your details will not be disclosed directly to any businesses).
Registration is free and all we need from you is your name, an email address, username and password.
Use Scoot on the move
As well as using Scoot via the web at www.scoot.co.uk or via phone on 118 606 (calls cost 79p per call, then 14p per minute thereafter if you are connected to the business), you can also use it whilst you’re on the move:
- Via Vodafone mobile on 333
- On your iPhone
- On any web-enabled mobile phone at www.scoot.co.uk/mobile/
- The normal charges of your mobile operator will apply.
Do I have to pay to use Scoot?
You can use Scoot on the Internet at www.scoot.co.uk anytime for free. Calls to 118 606 cost 79p per call, then 14p per minute thereafter if you are subsequently connected to the business. If you use Scoot via your mobile phone, the normal charges of your mobile operator will apply.
What sort of information can I find on Scoot?
The listings on Scoot provide you with more than just a business name and address. Many of the businesses we list include lots of other useful information. You’ll find facilities, opening times, payment methods, maps, directions, website links, photos, coupons and even videos.
How many results will I get for my search?
Scoot will return up to a maximum of 500 results displayed 10 to a page. If you don’t get enough results or you can’t find what you’re looking for, Scoot will show you other businesses that also operate in the location you’re searching or suggest alternative nearby locations. If there are too many results and you want to narrow your search, you can view all businesses on a map, re-order the results to show the nearest to a place or postcode, drill down to smaller areas within your chosen location or view more specific categories. You can also filter your results by a number of attributes that describe each business, eg hotels with swimming pools, plumbers offering 24-hour call out, or businesses with videos attached to their listings.
In what order do the results appear?
Scoot will return results that match all or some of your search criteria. Exact matches will appear towards the top with those that satisfy only some of your criteria lower down the list. Highlighted listings may appear at the top of the search results. These are listings for Scoot advertising customers who have paid for their listing to appear higher in the results and to give you extra information such as detailed descriptions, photos, special offers and even videos. Only advertisers that exactly match your criteria will appear at the top. No advertisers will appear in the results unless they match all or some of your criteria
Do businesses pay to advertise on Scoot?
Every business in the land can have a free listing on Scoot. However, we invite businesses to pay an advertising fee to add more detail to their listing, such as business descriptions, photos, logos, videos, etc, and for their businesses to appear higher in the list of search results. We do not allow advertisers to appear in business categories or buy search tags that are inappropriate for their business activity, thus ensuring that no advertisers will appear in the results unless they are relevant to your search. Advertisers are identifiable as they appear in the results highlighted in green. Some businesses also pay for banner advertisements which you will see at the top and bottom of the results pages. Charging businesses to enhance their listings means that we will always be able to offer you the benefits of using Scoot free of charge.
Is Scoot W3C compliant?
We are committed to ensuring that the Scoot website is accessible to all and that we comply with guidelines set out by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) as outlined at Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 1.0 (WCAG 1.0).
Can I use Scoot on my mobile phone or PDA?
You can use Scoot:
- Via Vodafone mobile on 333
- On your iPhone iPhone
- On any web-enabled mobile phone at www.scoot.co.uk/mobile/
- The normal charges of your mobile operator will apply.
How can I promote my business on Scoot?
There are many opportunities to promote your business on Scoot - from maximising all the information you can include for free to attracting even more customers actively seeking goods and services in your area by taking advantage of our cost-effective advertising solutions. With more than 70% of the UK adult population now online, advertising on the Internet is a great way to promote and generate leads for your business. By advertising on Scoot, you can highlight your listing to make it stand out from the competition, achieve a higher ranking in the search results, add search tags that describe your business, products or services and under which you would like your listing to be found, upload photos and images, add multiple locations, include coupons or special offers, or reach an even wider audience with our online video advertising services. For further information, just follow the Advertise link.
Some of the business listings on Scoot are highlighted: how do I highlight my business listing?
You can highlight your listing to make it stand out from the competition by taking advantage of one of our cost-effective advertising solutions. By purchasing a Basic Listing, your directory entry will be highlighted and appear above the free listings in the search results. If you choose a Priority Listing or Super Listing, your entry will be more prominently highlighted and guaranteed a position towards the top of the results as well as enjoy a number of other benefits like additional search tags, photos and coupons. Please note, however, that no listings will appear in the results unless they match the user's search criteria. This ensures that the user finds the information they want quickly and accurately, and you get genuine leads. Visit our Advertise section for more information.
Can I make my business appear higher up in the search results?
You can make your business listing appear higher in the search results by taking advantage of one of our cost-effective advertising solutions. Purchasing a Basic, Priority or Super Listing on Scoot will ensure that your listing appears towards the top of the results, just so long as your business is relevant to the user's search. Advertisers also gain other benefits such as the opportunity to include additional information about your company and specify search tags which are powerful key words or phrases that describe your business, products or services and under which you would like your business to be found. Visit our Advertise section for more information on how to enhance your business listing.
What are search tags?
Search tags are powerful key words or phrases that describe your business, products or services and under which you would like your business to be found. A search tag can be an alternative way of describing your business activity, an attribute (eg 'swimming pool' for a hotel; 'food available' for a pub; '24 hour call-out' for a plumber, etc), or a product, service or brand name that you sell. Search tags will enable your business to appear higher in the search results and are available to advertisers only. Please follow the link for more information about advertising on Scoot.
What are location tags?
Every business listed on Scoot will appear under the locations indicated in their business address. The locations can be a district, town/city, full or partial postcode, county, geographical area (eg north west) or, where appropriate, a national park (eg Lake District). This gives your business every chance of being found for the locations entered by Scoot users. If you are a Scoot advertising customer and your business operates in multiple geographical areas, you can purchase specific locations in addition to your main business address. Please follow the link for more information about advertising on Scoot.
How do I add photos to my business listing?
You can add photos to your business listing if you are a Scoot advertising customer with a Priority or Super Listing. Just go to the Advertise section and log in with your username and password to gain access to your account. From the menu, click Edit Your Details and then choose the Gallery tab to upload photos and images. From your account, you can also make other changes to your listing such as amending your business description or search tags, or promoting your business further by adding a coupon or special offer to attract customers to you. Always remember to click the purple tab and save your changes before you log out. Follow the link to find out how to advertise your business on Scoot.
How do I add special offers or coupons to my listing?
You can add a special offer or coupon to your business listing if you are a Scoot advertising customer with a Priority or Super Listing. Just go to the Advertise section and log in with your username and password to gain access to your account. From the menu, click Edit Your Details and choose the Special Offer tab to add to or amend your offer details, which can include both text and a photo or image. You can specify the terms of the offer and include promotional codes, if required, and request the user to print off the coupon for presentation at your business premises. From your account, you can also make other changes to your listing such as amending your business description or search tags, or adding photos and images. Always remember to click the purple tab and save your changes before logging out. Follow the link to find out how to advertise your business on Scoot.
How do I add a video to my business listing?
You can add a video to your business listing if you are a Scoot advertising customer with a Basic, Priority or Super Listing. Scoot and its parent company, ITV, are at the forefront of online video advertising and can offer you a unique opportunity to promote your products and services to a large local audience through the Scoot directory and the ITV Local broadcast website. Our online video advertising services are especially formulated to suit the needs of small and medium-sized businesses and include the production of your video as well as placing it within your business listing on Scoot where potential customers can view it 24/7. You can also play your video as a pre-roll advertisement on itvlocal.com to reach an even wider local audience.
If you have a pre-existing video, you can host it on YouTube or another reputable video hosting website and we will place a link to it within your business listing on Scoot for a nominal charge. It may also be possible to play this video on itvlocal.com depending on the video format.
Follow the link to find out more about Scoot Online Video Advertising.
Can I buy banner advertising on Scoot?
Banner advertising is available only to businesses who have bought a Basic, Priority or Super Listing. Banners appear at the top of the search results, and appear only to users searching for your products or services in your local area to ensure they are shown only to your target audience. Follow the link to find out how to advertise your business on Scoot.
What is my username and/or password?
When you become a Scoot advertising customer, we will provide you with a secure username (which is your account ID) and password that enables you to log on to your Scoot account to add to or amend your business details. You can change your business description, contact details, search tags, attributes, photos/images and coupons/special offers all from your easy-to-use account pages. You can log on by visiting the Advertise section of the website and clicking Customer Login. Alternatively, just search for your business listing and click the 'Update this listing' link at the foot. You will then be asked to insert your username and password. Any changes you make to your listing will appear live on the website almost immediately. To protect the integrity of our data, you cannot change your business name, parts of the address or category online. If you want to change any of these details, please send an email to our Content Manager or call Customer Services on +44 (0) 1642 881088.
What do I do if I forget my username and/or password?
If you can't remember your username or password, go to the Customer Login and click the 'Forgotten Password?' link. We will then send you your username and password details by email. If you experience any difficulties, email Customer Services or call them on +44 (0) 1642 881088 and they will be pleased to help you.
Can I change my username and/or password?
Your username is a unique identification code for your business and cannot be changed. When you become a Scoot customer, we will issue you with a secure password to access your account. If you feel you need to change this password, please email Customer Services or call them on +44 (0) 1642 881088. For security reasons, you cannot change your password online.
How do I add my business to Scoot?
If you can't find your business listed on Scoot, you can add it free of charge. Simply follow the 'Is Your Business Listed?' link from the Scoot home page, then insert your company name and postcode to see if your business is already listed on our database. If not, you will be presented with a form to complete. Once you submit your details, we will check them and, for security purposes, contact you by telephone for verification before displaying your free listing on the website. This process usually takes 2-3 days to complete.
How do I change my business details?
From your business listing, click 'Update this listing'. You will then be presented with a series of tabbed pages containing the details of your listing for you to amend. Always click on the purple tab to save and submit your changes. Once you submit your details, we will check them and, for security purposes, contact you by telephone for verification before displaying the changes on the website. This process usually takes 2-3 days to complete. If you are a Scoot advertising customer, click 'Update this listing' and log in with your username and password. Any changes or additions you make to your listing will become live straight away.
I've added my business to Scoot - why can't I find it?
Your listing won't appear straight away. Once you submit your details, we will check them and, for security purposes, contact you by telephone for verification before displaying your listing on the website. This process usually takes a few days to complete.
Can my business be listed more than once?
If you are a single business operating from a single address, your business can only be listed once on Scoot. If your business genuinely operates out of more than one address, eg multiple retail outlets or multiple office locations, then these can be included. Follow this link to add your business free of charge.
How do I delete a business from Scoot?
To protect the integrity of our data, this cannot be done online. If, for some reason, you wish your business details to be deleted from Scoot, please send an email to our Content Manager or call Customer Services on +44 (0) 1642 881088.
What do I do if my business appears under the wrong category?
Each business on the database will appear under at least one business category which we consider to be the category that best describes their main business activity. We also ensure that each category features a limited number of synonyms that ensure the user easily finds the type of business they are looking for. For example, businesses listed under the category 'Public House', will also be found for the search term 'pub'. To protect the integrity of our data, you cannot change your category online. So, if you think your business appears under the wrong category, please send an email to our Content Manager or call Customer Services on +44 (0) 1642 881088.
Can my business be listed under more than one category?
Each business on the database will appear under at least one business category which we consider to be the category that best describes their main business activity. We also ensure that each category features a limited number of synonyms that ensure the user easily finds the type of business they are looking for. For example, businesses listed under the category 'Public House', will also be found for the search term 'pub'. We understand, however, that some organisations with multiple business activities should appear under more than one category. Therefore, to ensure that our users as well as listed businesses get the best possible experience from Scoot, we will list businesses under more than one category where this is justified. To protect the integrity of our data, you cannot amend your category online. So, if you think your business should appear under more than one category, please send an email to our Content Manager or call Customer Services on +44 (0) 1642 881088.
What search locations will my business appear in?
Every business listed on Scoot will appear under the locations indicated in their business address. The locations can be a district, town/city, full or partial postcode, county, geographical area (eg north west) or, where appropriate, a national park (eg Lake District). This gives your business every chance of being found for the locations entered by the users. If you are a Scoot advertising customer and your business operates in multiple geographical areas, you can purchase specific locations in addition to your main business address. Please follow this link for more information about advertising on Scoot.
Can I change the location of my business on the map?
You can change the location of your business on the map by clicking the 'Update this listing' link from your listing and selecting the Map tab. Just click and hold the marker, then drag it to the correct place on the map and release. For security reasons, no changes made to your listing will appear live on the website until they have been verified with you by telephone. If you are a Scoot advertising customer, just log in and follow the process above. When you save and submit your map change, it will appear on the site straight away.
Will you use my email address for marketing purposes?
From time to time, we should like to send you information by email about new Scoot features, products and services. If you receive unwanted email from us, please click the 'unsubscribe' link contained within the email and we will ensure that we no longer communicate with you by this method. For further information, please view our Privacy Policy.
Why should I sign up as a registered user?
As a registered user of Scoot, you can enjoy the benefits of additional functionality including:
- The ability to personalise your search preferences
- A personal address book where you can store details of your favourite businesses
- Details of coupons or special offers from your favourite businesses displayed on screen and/or sent to you by email (your details will not be disclosed directly to any businesses).
Registration is free and all we need from you is your name, an email address, username and password.
Can I set a default location on Scoot?
Yes, you can. By becoming a registered user you can personalise your search preferences as well as save your favourite businesses to a personal address book. Where possible, Scoot will detect your approximate location from your computer's IP address, but you can amend this by accessing your account with your username and password. Every time you search, Scoot will remember your location and return results in that area. Registration is free and all we need from you is your name, an email address, username and password.
Can I save the details of my favourite businesses?
Yes, by becoming a registered user you have access to a personal address book where you can save details of your favourite businesses. To save a business to your address book, click the star in the bottom right hand corner of the listing. The star will turn yellow to indicate it has been saved.
If I sign up as a registered user, will you use my email address for marketing purposes?
When you register, you will be given the opportunity to specify what type of information, if any, you wish to receive from us by email. If you do not opt in, we will not send you information by email. You can amend your opt in preferences at any time by logging into your account with your username and password. For further information, please view our Privacy Policy.
If I sign up as a registered user, will you sell my data to third party organisations?
No. When you register, you will be given the opportunity to specify what type of information, if any, you wish to receive from us or our parent company, ITV, by email. If you do not opt in, neither Scoot nor ITV will send you information by email. We will not provide your data to companies outside the ITV group. You can amend your opt in preferences at any time by logging into your account with your username and password. For further information, please view our Privacy Policy.
What do I do if I forget my username and/or password?
Click MyScoot - Log in from the home page, then follow the 'Forgotten your password?' link. If you have forgotten your password, enter your email address as indicated and we will send you your password by email. You can edit your account profile at any time by logging on through MyScoot.
Where does Scoot get its information from?
As well as collecting its own information by staying in touch with local businesses, Scoot uses data produced in whole or in part by 118 Data Resource Limited (Market Location).
I know a business that's not listed on Scoot - can I add their details?
If you are the owner of, or you know the details of a business that doesn't appear to be listed on Scoot, you can add it by following the 'Is Your Business Listed? link from the Scoot home page. You will be asked to search for the business by name and/or postcode. If the business is not already listed, follow the link to the blank business submission form and enter the relevant information. Once the details have been submitted, we will contact the business concerned for verification before making them live on the Scoot website. For security reasons, no details added or amended via the website can be displayed until they have been verified.
What are Network Partners?
As well as offering users detailed business listings through our own online business directory, Scoot works with a range of Network Partners reaching across a wide variety of websites, increasing the promotional opportunities for your business listing. Including national portal, local government and highly targeted niche sites as well as Internet TV and mobile technologies, Scoot powers millions of searches every month through its Network Partner programme, Scoot API and downloadable Scoot search boxes. Follow the link to see a selection of our Network Partners. If you are interested in becoming a Scoot Network Partner, please take a look at our API in the first instance. If this does not meet your needs, complete the enquiry form on our Network Partner Features page.
How do I become a Network Partner?
Scoot powers millions of searches every month through its Network Partner programme. If you are interested in becoming a Scoot Network Partner, please take a look at our API in the first instance. If this does not meet your needs, complete the enquiry form on our Network Partner Features page.