Internet, Networking, & Security Around the Web 10 Best Free Ways to Find Someone Online People-finding resources, all 100% free by Tim Fisher General Manager, VP, Lifewire.com Tim Fisher has 30+ years' professional technology support experience. He writes troubleshooting content and is the General Manager of Lifewire. our editorial process Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tim Fisher Updated on May 14, 2020 Around the Web Browsers Cloud Services Error Messages Family Tech Home Networking 5G Antivirus VPN Web Development Around the Web View More Tweet Share Email Need to find someone online? With all the new websites available to help you find someone online, people are finding surprising tidbits of information about their coworkers, loved ones, and friends that often don't turn up in a simple web search. There's not a single source where you can find all the information you might want to uncover on someone. However, the web presents us with more ways than ever before in history to find that long-lost connection, see what a former work colleague might be up to, or do a quick background check on a potential love interest. Use the following tools to put together small pieces of information that you can use to form a more complete profile. 01 of 10 Free Search Tools Tetra Images / Getty Images 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. Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Better Web Searches 02 of 10 Google S3studio / Getty Images 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. How to Use Google to Find People Online 03 of 10 Niche Search Engines John Lund / Getty Images 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. Here Are the Best Free Websites For Finding People Online 04 of 10 Directories Manuel Breva Colmeiro / Getty Images 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. How to Find Out If Someone Has Passed Away 05 of 10 Military Search Tools Roberto Westbrook / Getty Images 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. How a Free Military Search Can Help You Find Military Records 06 of 10 Find a Phone Number Jeffrey Coolidge / Getty Images 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. How to Find Someone's Phone Number Online 07 of 10 Public Records Westend61 / Getty Images 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. Here Are the Best Free Websites For Finding People Online 08 of 10 Images Johner Images / Getty 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. 09 of 10 Newspapers and Archives Koron / Getty Images 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. Do You Know About These News Sources Online? 10 of 10 Social Media Jutta Kuss / Getty Images One of the largest and most popular social networking sites online is Facebook, which boasts memberships in the billions. Using just an email address, you can track someone's Facebook profile, find out what companies, schools, or organizations they're affiliated with, and see recent status updates. 6 Easy Ways to Search for People Using Facebook Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. 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