In short: Zeal uses OCR to read the text inside post images. Standard OCR is part of Zeal's core detection and catches brand names, slogans and product codes hidden in photos; Advanced OCR is an add-on that reads numbers far more reliably and covers other languages, including non-Latin scripts.
Understanding OCR
Counterfeiters often put the details that give them away inside the product photo rather than the post text: a brand name on a banner, a price on the image, a serial number on a box. OCR (optical character recognition) is how Zeal reads that text during Detection, so it can be checked like any other post text.
Zeal offers two levels of OCR:
Standard OCR (core): included. Fast, low-cost reading of text across every new post.
Advanced OCR (add-on): built on Google Cloud Vision. Reads the harder cases standard OCR gets wrong, especially numbers and languages beyond English.
1. Standard OCR
Keyword filters only read titles and descriptions, so sellers put the brand name or "50% off" straight into the product image. Standard OCR reads it anyway, and keeps up with the volume of new posts.
How it works
Standard OCR recognises shapes, not meaning, which makes it fast, low-cost and effective. It identifies each character by matching it against a stored library of fonts. Think of a librarian who recognises a "B" not because they understand the word "Book", but because they've learned to spot two loops stacked on a vertical line.
It then uses common letter patterns to correct likely errors, for example changing "cl0se" to "close".
What it's best at
Uncovering hidden text in images
Catches brand names, logo text or a "clearance" price in photos that the post text never mentions, scanning every new post in real time.
Supply-chain tracking
Reads batch numbers, serial numbers and distributor codes to trace where genuine goods leaked out of authorised channels.
Print-on-demand
Flags trademarked names and slogans on high-volume posts, with near-perfect accuracy on clean, typed fonts.
Learn more: Keyword Intelligence · Logo Detection · AI Smart Filtering
2. Advanced OCR (add-on)
Every OCR engine reads text; Advanced OCR reads the text standard OCR gets wrong. Built on Google Cloud Vision, it's tuned for what really shows up in market: reliable numbers and many languages. It suits brands whose infringements hinge on product codes, or who operate in markets where posts aren't written in English.
Note: Advanced OCR is an add-on and isn't included as standard. To switch it on for your Program, speak to your Account Manager.
Accurate number recognition
Numbers are often the details that give a counterfeit away, and they're among the hardest text for standard OCR to read. Advanced OCR is far more reliable on:
Serial numbers: check a post against your genuine ranges.
Model and batch codes: tell genuine-but-diverted stock apart from outright counterfeits.
Prices and quantities: surface suspiciously low pricing, even when it only appears in the image.
Broad language coverage
Infringements don't only appear in English, so your detection shouldn't stop there. Advanced OCR reads text across a far wider range of languages and scripts than standard OCR, including non-Latin alphabets, so infringements are caught in every market you operate in. Supported languages include:
English
French
German
Spanish
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional)
Japanese
For the full list, see Google Cloud Vision supported languages.
Advanced OCR in action
Where the add-on makes the biggest difference.
Spotting fakes by their serial numbers
A counterfeit trainer is posted with a photo of its box and serial number. If a digit or two is misread, the match fails; Advanced OCR reads the full code, so you can check it against your genuine ranges and confirm the fake.
Tracing grey-market stock
Diverted goods often give themselves away through their batch or model codes. Reading those codes reliably lets you tell diverted stock from counterfeits, and act on each appropriately.
Reading prices from the image
Some sellers put the price in the photo instead of the price field, to dodge keyword filters. Advanced OCR reads it, so suspiciously low pricing still surfaces as a signal.
Catching infringements in local-language markets
Where posts are written in Cyrillic, Arabic or Chinese script, Advanced OCR reads the text, so they're detected just like English-language posts rather than slipping through.
Protecting brands with non-Latin names
Where your brand name or packaging appears in a non-Latin alphabet, Advanced OCR recognises it in images, keeping detection consistent across every market.
Learn more: Image Match · AI Image Feature Detection
3. Finding posts by OCR text
Want to see every post where a word appears inside the images? Filter by the text OCR has read, such as your brand name, a slogan or a word like "replica".
In the search bar, open the dropdown on the left and select Text in OCR to include.
Type the word or phrase you're looking for in the Search... field (for example, "solene"), then click Apply.
Tip: To filter posts out instead, select Text in OCR to exclude. It's useful for hiding results where the text is legitimate, such as your authorised resellers' names.
Learn more: Using Filters · Saved Filters
4. Standard vs Advanced OCR
Not sure whether you need the add-on? Compare the two at a glance.
| Standard OCR | Advanced OCR |
Best for | Brand names, slogans and codes at high volume | Numbers, codes and non-English text |
How it reads text | Matches character shapes against a stored font library | Google Cloud Vision |
Brand names, slogans and logo text | Yes | Yes |
Serial numbers, codes and prices | Yes, less reliably | Yes, far more reliably |
Languages | More limited range | Wide range, including non-Latin scripts (e.g. Chinese, Cyrillic, Arabic) |
Availability | Core (included) | Add-on |
Learn more: AI Smart Filtering · Understanding the Zeal Workflow
Quick reference
Not sure where to go next? Start here.
If you want to know… | Look at… |
How to catch brand names or slogans hidden in photos | 1. Standard OCR |
How to trace where genuine goods left authorised channels | Supply-chain tracking |
How to read serial numbers, batch codes or prices from images | 2. Advanced OCR (add-on) |
How to find posts with specific text in their images | 3. Finding posts by OCR text |
Whether you need the add-on | 4. Standard vs Advanced OCR |
Whether a language is supported | |
How to add Advanced OCR to your Program | Your Account Manager |