Book Not Found
When you scan or search for a book and it’s not found in our database, here’s what you can do.
Why Books Aren’t Found
Section titled “Why Books Aren’t Found”Common Reasons
Section titled “Common Reasons”- Very new releases — Books released in the last few days may not be in databases yet
- Self-published books — Some indie or self-published books aren’t in standard book databases
- Older editions — Very old printings may have outdated or missing ISBNs
- Regional editions — Some international editions aren’t in US databases
- Non-book items — Journals, magazines, or other items with barcodes
Barcode Issues
Section titled “Barcode Issues”- Wrong barcode scanned — Some books have multiple barcodes (price codes, store codes)
- Damaged barcode — Worn barcodes may scan incorrectly
- ISBN-10 vs ISBN-13 — Older books may have different ISBN formats
Finding the Right ISBN
Section titled “Finding the Right ISBN”The ISBN is the unique identifier for a book. To find the correct one:
- Check the back cover — Look for a 13-digit number starting with 978 or 979
- Check inside — The copyright page often lists the ISBN
- Look for “ISBN” — The number should be labeled
[Screenshot: where to find ISBN on a book]
Tip: If you see two numbers, use the 13-digit one (starting with 978 or 979).
Try Different Search Methods
Section titled “Try Different Search Methods”Search by Title
Section titled “Search by Title”- Go to Add Books → Search
- Type the exact title as it appears on the book
- Try variations (with/without subtitle, series name)
Search by Author
Section titled “Search by Author”- Search the author’s last name
- Browse their books to find the right one
Search by ISBN
Section titled “Search by ISBN”- Type the full 13-digit ISBN
- If not found, try removing any hyphens
- Try the 10-digit ISBN if the book is older
If the Book Still Isn’t Found
Section titled “If the Book Still Isn’t Found”Check Online
Section titled “Check Online”Search for the book on:
- Amazon or Goodreads — Verify the ISBN and title
- WorldCat — Find library catalog records
If you can find the book’s ISBN elsewhere, try entering it exactly as shown.
Add Manually (Coming Soon)
Section titled “Add Manually (Coming Soon)”We’re working on a feature to let you add books manually when they can’t be found automatically. Stay tuned!
Report the Missing Book
Section titled “Report the Missing Book”Help us improve our database:
- Contact support
- Include the book’s title, author, and ISBN
- We’ll work to add it to our database
Scanning the Wrong Barcode
Section titled “Scanning the Wrong Barcode”Books often have multiple barcodes:
| Barcode Type | Location | Use |
|---|---|---|
| ISBN barcode | Back cover, starts with 978/979 | ✅ This one! |
| Price barcode | Back cover, smaller, 5 digits | ❌ Won’t work |
| Store barcode | Inside or on sticker | ❌ Won’t work |
Look for the barcode with 13 digits starting with 978 or 979.
Related Articles
Section titled “Related Articles”Still Need Help?
Section titled “Still Need Help?”If you can’t find a specific book, contact support with the book details.