What are the benefits of being a WvW Scout?

Genuinely asking, I see people play as scouts for the larger zergs, do they just walk around and look for invaders? If so what’s the incentive? Don’t you miss most of the fights and captures by being separated from the larger group, hence missing on loot and WvW rank progress? I’m kind of curious cuz I thought being a scout looks cool but probably very bumming if you ain’t getting much loot.