10 Best Free Ways to Find Someone Online

Free Search Tools

If you're looking for someone, and you're not sure where to start, the web can be an incredibly useful resource. There are several web search tricks to be aware of that can get you pointed in the right direction. All of these tools are free at the time of writing​ and can be used to build up a more complete picture of who or what you are looking for. 

Google

As one of the world's most popular search engines, Google is a natural choice to find pretty much anything you might be looking for. Google is able to uncover an astonishing amount of information and is one of the best tools you can have in your people-finding arsenal.

Look up addresses, business information, phone numbers, satellite photos, published books, and a whole lot more using advanced Google search techniques.

Niche Search Engines

As we become more connected and socially aware on the web, more personal information than ever before is being shared, which in turn creates more personal information that's able to be found.

Niche search engines focus on picking out only information that's specifically related to what you're searching for, whether that be social networking updates, background information, or comments on a website. Use several of these search engines to find information that might not have otherwise been picked up in a typical search. 

Directories

Phone directories, business directories, and obituary indexes can all be useful resources when looking up information on someone. Specialized directories can help you find almost any phone number, business indexes can find an astonishing amount of corporate information, and there are a wealth of sites that can aid you in finding death notices, obituaries, or interment information.

Military Search Tools

Many people look back with pride on their military service days and want to relive those experiences with their fellow soldiers. There are free sites and search resources that can help you do just that, anything from connecting with veterans on social networking sites to job directories specifically tailored to those who have served in the armed services.

Find a Phone Number

Whether you want to find a phone number, verify one you already have, or figure out who's calling you, the web can help you do that. Even unlisted phone numbers can sometimes be found online using a few smart research tricks.

Public Records

Public records are one of the hottest searches on the web. Not all public records are publicly accessible, and some aren't posted online. However, there's a surprising amount of information that can be accessed on the web or used to jump-start your search for public information.

Images

When you're looking for someone, don't forget to check for relevant images and photos. Many times searches for someone using image search engines or advanced image search options can turn up a surprising amount of information that wouldn't be found otherwise.

Newspapers and Archives

Traditional newspapers are printed on paper, but most local, state, and national papers have some kind of presence online that you can utilize to find all kinds of information.