Google’s Search Box Changed the Meaning of Information

The hallway is bathed in harsh white, a figment of LEDs. Along the walls, doors recede endlessly into the distance. Each flaunts a crown of blue light at its base, except for the doors you’ve walked through before, which instead emit a deep purple. But these are but specks of sand in the desert of gateways.

You are searching for something.

You prepare yourself for an arduous journey. Before the first door you come upon a pedestal. The box that lies on the pedestal gives airs of gildedness despite being as plain as the walls that surround it. It isn’t adorned with a title, but its name echoes in your mind, intuitively: the Answer Box. A plaque reads:

I have crawled through each and every door. Not just the doors in this hallway, but the doors in every hallway in existence, the doors within doors, as well as some doors that I dare not show you, doors that would make you flee in terror. I have seen everything. I am impartial. I have your best interests at heart. I understand what it is you want to know and it is knowable. I have the answer that you seek.

Your finger caresses the latch.

Cataloging the web was doomed from the start. In the summer of 1993, Matthew Gray created the World Wide Web Wanderer (WWWW), arguably the first internet bot and web crawler. During its first official attempt to index the web, the Wanderer returned from its expedition with 130 URLs. But even in the baby years of the internet, this list was incomplete.

To understand how a simple web crawler works, imagine making a travel itinerary that contains three cities: New York, Tokyo, Paris. While visiting each destination, listen for any mentions of other places and add those to your itinerary. Your world crawl is complete when you have visited all of the cities on your ever growing list. Will you have seen a lot of places by the end of your journey? Undoubtedly. But will you have seen the whole world? Almost certainly not. There will always be cities, or entire webs of cities, that are effectively invisible to this process.

A web crawler similarly consults a list of URLs and recursively visits any links it sees. But the resulting index should not be confused with a comprehensive directory of the internet, which does not exist.

I have a theory of technology that places every informational product on a spectrum from Physician to Librarian:

The Physician's primary aim is to protect you from context. In diagnosing or treating you, they draw on years of training, research, and personal experience, but rather than presenting that information to you in its raw form, they condense and synthesize. This is for good reason: When you go to a doctor’s office, your primary aim is not to have your curiosity sparked or to dive into primary sources; you want answers, in the form of diagnosis or treatment. The Physician saves you time and shelters you from information that might be misconstrued or unnecessarily anxiety-provoking.

In contrast, the Librarian's primary aim is to point you toward context. In answering your questions, they draw on years of training, research, and personal experience, and they use that to pull you into a conversation with a knowledge system, and with the humans behind that knowledge system. The Librarian may save you time in the short term by getting you to a destination more quickly. But in the long term, their hope is that the destination will reveal itself to be a portal. They find thought enriching, rather than laborious, and understand their expertise to be in wayfinding rather than solutions. Sometimes you ask a Librarian a question and they point you to a book that is an answer to a question you didn't even think to ask. Sometimes you walk over to the stacks to retrieve the book, only for a different book to catch your eye instead. This too is success to the Librarian.

Best People Search Sites: Top 5 Websites to Find People Online (Free and Paid)

The best people search sites can help you find information on almost anyone. By just entering someone’s name, people search engines can comb through billions of data points and prepare a detailed report that may include current and past addresses, criminal history, contact information, employment history, social media accounts, and more.

People search sites can be used to run background checks on someone you know, locate lost friends, search for family members, and more. Some of the best people search websites also allow you to search for someone by email address, phone number, or social media username.

However, choosing the top people search sites can feel overwhelming, considering how many options there are available. To help you decide, we’ve reviewed the best people finder sites online. Each of the people searching websites below were evaluated on a variety of factors including ease-of-use, reviews, price, accuracy, and features.

BeenVerified is a people search engine that provides a wide range of data points, including your target’s contact details, vehicle information, criminal activity, and more. The people search platform constantly maintains a database of information that it gets from searches of public records, commercial sources, and social media sites to provide accurate and comprehensive reports on any person in the United States.

While most people use people search sites to look up other individuals, you can also use the service to monitor your own public records to see what others can discover about you. This is particularly useful for protecting your privacy, and you can also request your records removed if you feel uncomfortable with being on BeenVerified’s database.

You can also use BeenVerified to reverse-search phone numbers, physical addresses, and emails, helping keep you safe from scammers and potential stalkers.

To access BeenVerified’s services, you must first set up an account and pay for a one-month or three-month subscription. Unlike other people search websites, BeenVerified does not charge you per search on top of this subscription fee but instead gives you unlimited searches for the subscription period.

Once you have a paid account, all you need to do is choose the type of search you want to run and let BeenVerified do the hard work for you. The site may request additional information to narrow its search, such as the person’s address, age, or middle name. While not strictly necessary, this additional information can increase the accuracy of the report you get.

You can run as many searches as you want during your month, and BeenVerified even stores all your reports for you, making it easy to get the information whenever you need it again.

User-friendly interface: BeenVerified is simple and easy to navigate, and its limited range of payment options makes choosing the right plan straightforward.

Wide range of accessible data points: In addition to looking at federal, state, and local public records, BeenVerified scans social media and blog post accounts to provide detailed reports that contain all public information about a person.

Unlimited searches: Most other people search websites will charge per search, which can quickly add up if you’re doing multiple searches in a short period. For instance, if you’re trying to vet neighbors or roommates, you’ll appreciate the unlimited search capability of a one-month subscription to BeenVerified.

Click Here to Learn More About BeenVerified

PeopleLooker is similar to many other people search sites, offering information on United States residents. It boasts bulk search capabilities for premium users and is faster than some of its competitors, making it an appealing option for people who want a no-frills people search solution.

In addition to people search services, the site provides reverse phone number lookup and self-monitoring services to protect your safety and privacy. People search sites often advertise that all searches are anonymous, which means you’ll never know whether someone looked up your details. The only way to keep your privacy secure is with self-monitoring tools, where you do a search on yourself and see what comes up. You can also request to have your record taken off the site, and all search sites must comply with these requests.

If you’ve used a people search site before, you’ll be comfortable with how PeopleLooker works. The platform has invested a lot of time and effort into being user-friendly, which includes making the process streamlined, fast, and accessible. All you need to do is type in your target’s name and wait while the platform writes up a report. You can Excellerate accuracy by providing additional search parameters to narrow down search results and increase your chances of finding the person you’re looking for.

Unfortunately, PeopleLooker doesn’t allow you to pay for a single search. Instead, you must sign up for a subscription plan to access your reports through the platform’s dashboard. This saves your search results, and the subscription comes with reverse phone search, username search, property records searches, and many other useful features.

One way to get around the subscription payment is taking advantage of the trial period of seven days, during which you can use the people search engine for $1, which is the most cost-effective option for a single basic information search.

Mobile functionality: PeopleLooker has invested a lot of time and effort in providing an excellent mobile experience toward becoming the best online people search website. It’s one of the few companies that has apps for both iOS and Android devices, and they have the same functionality as the desktop site.

Good customer service: One of the most common complaints to the Better Business Bureau about people search engines is poor customer service. PeopleLooker has upped its game with a 24/7 customer support hotline and active social media accounts.

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Click Here to Learn More About PeopleLooker

Intelius is a well-established people search engine that received Honor Roll status from the Online Trust Alliance in 2018. While the site mainly focuses on background check services, it’s also an excellent platform for finding contact information on long-lost friends or loved ones or vetting someone you met online.

A very appealing feature that Intelius offers is a reverse phone lookup to help you identify an unknown phone number. You can use the same functionality for email or physical addresses, which can help you avoid stalkers and scammers.

Intelius has consistently refined its user interface, making it one of the easiest people search sites to use. You can choose from several search criteria, such as address history, family members and relatives, social media profiles, or court records, then enter the information you have available. The site may request additional information, which you may provide or ignore, to help narrow its search.

One aspect where Intelius may not be as reliable as other people search sites is transparency about pricing, which remains the biggest customer complaint on the site’s Better Business Bureau page. Users must pay for an unlimited monthly subscription fee to access reports.

Extensive range of reporting options: People use people search sites for a variety of reasons, and it makes sense to provide reporting options for only the information you need. These options help keep your costs low while giving you all the relevant data you want.

Sources of information from 20 billion public records: Intelius has one of the largest information databases, meaning you get higher-quality, more comprehensive information than from other people search sites.

Fast-track option: If you need a person’s information immediately, you can pay an extra fee to skip the queue and get your data faster.

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Click Here to Learn More About Intelius

TruthFinder started offering people finder services in 2015 and has quickly gained a reputation for being a quick and easy way to get basic information on a particular individual. However, while the platform is a great way to discover a person’s criminal history or other warning signs, the site explicitly states that you can’t use this information for employment or tenant screening according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The main purpose of TruthFinder is to reconnect with lost friends or family members, check up on someone you met online before meeting them in person, or maintain your public information profile. If that’s all you want to do, then TruthFinder is a great people search site to use.

When you first visit the TruthFinder site, you’ll see a window where you can enter your target’s first and last name and the state they reside in to conduct a standard people search. You can also choose one of several other search types, including:

As with many other people search sites, TruthFinder uses a subscription model for its detailed reports. You can opt for a single month or sign up for longer periods to save on the monthly fee. If you want to use one of TruthFinder’s alternative services, like phone lookup or reverse email searches, you must subscribe to that service separately.

You can further customize your subscription with add-ons like report monitoring, which lets you download PDFs and monitor reports for updates, and dark web monitoring, which checks for personal information misuse on the dark web.

Dark web scan: Unscrupulous criminals use the dark web to misuse people’s personal information, often by purchasing stolen passwords or credit card information. TruthFinder’s dark web monitoring service helps protect you against identity theft by alerting you the moment it discovers your information on the dark web.

Mobile app: Most people search sites require desktop access, making using these sites on mobile awkward at best. TruthFinder offers a mobile app for Android devices that makes it easy to get in-depth reports no matter where you are.

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Click Here to Learn More About TruthFinder

Instant Checkmate is one of the original people search sites and has spent a lot of time improving its user interface, search capabilities, and overall customer experience. It searches social media accounts, criminal records, and many other sources when compiling its database and works at ensuring its information is as current as possible.

You can use Instant Checkmate for:

As with most people search engines, you can begin your search by simply entering the person’s name, approximate location, and the type of information you want. The platform may request additional information, such as gender, age, and middle name, to help narrow down your request. You don’t need to provide this extra information, but it does help cut down on false positives and inaccurate reports.

Instant Checkmate works on a subscription plan that allows you to conduct unlimited searches as long as you maintain the subscription. However, this subscription only covers people searches, and if you want reverse phone lookup functionality, you’ll need to pay extra per month.

Sex offender search: A feature they particularly like about Instant Checkmate is the sex offender search. This search lets you discover how many registered sex offenders live in your area, and you can change locations for various searches. This feature is extremely useful if you’re moving to a new area and have concerns about the safety of your children.

Mobile app: In addition to the desktop site, Instant Checkmate has an Android app that provides the same functionality. It’s a great option if you prefer browsing on your mobile phone or need to get information quickly and don’t have access to your PC.

Limited trial offers: Limited offers are a great way to try out the service and see whether Instant Checkmate is the right people search engine for your needs. It’s also the most cost-effective way to run a single search, as long as you remember to cancel the auto-renewing subscription before the trial expires.

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Click Here to Learn More About Instant Checkmate

People search sites are online platforms that allow users to find information about individuals based on their names, contact details, or other identifying information. People search websites aggregate data from various public sources and databases to provide details about individuals, such as their contact information, social media profiles, professional history, and more. People search sites can be useful for reconnecting with old friends, finding lost relatives, verifying someone’s identity, or conducting personal background checks. However, it’s essential to use these sites responsibly and adhere to applicable laws and regulations.

Here are some examples of some of the best people search sites:

Choosing the best people search site depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a people search site:

Data Coverage and Accuracy: The quality and depth of information provided by a people search site are crucial. Look for a person search site that has access to a wide range of data sources, including public records, social media profiles, and other reputable databases. The accuracy of the information is equally important, as outdated or incorrect data can lead to misunderstandings or misidentifications.

User-Friendliness: A well-designed and user-friendly interface can make a significant difference in your background search. Look for people search engines that are easy to navigate, provide clear search options, and deliver detailed results in a straightforward manner. Using one of the best people search sites will save you time and frustration during your search process.

Search Options: Comprehensive people search sites should offer multiple search options to accommodate various scenarios. Common search options include name search, reverse address search, reverse phone search, reverse email search, and username search. Having a variety of search methods at your disposal ensures you can find the information you need efficiently.

Privacy and Security: Since people search engines that deal with sensitive personal information, prioritizing privacy and data security is critical. Choose a people finder site that clearly outlines its privacy policy and data handling practices. Look for people search engines that use secure encryption to protect your information and ensure that they comply with data protection laws.

Data Sources and Updates: The best people search websites obtain information from reputable sources and regularly update their databases. Regular data updates are essential to maintain accuracy, especially considering that personal details can change over time.

Cost and Membership Plans: Consider your budget and evaluate the pricing structure of the people search site. Some people search websites offer completely free basic searches, while others require a one-time payment for individual reports or a subscription fee for unlimited searches. Choose a payment option that aligns with your search criteria and frequency.

Customer Support: Check if the people finder website provides customer support and the available channels for assistance. Responsive customer support can be crucial if you encounter any issues or have questions about using the platform.

Reviews and Reputation: Look for user reviews and ratings to gauge the reputation and reliability of the people search site. Positive reviews from satisfied users are a good indication of the site’s trustworthiness.

Legal Compliance: Ensure that the people search site adheres to all relevant laws and regulations regarding data privacy and access to public records. Using a site that respects legal boundaries is not only ethical but also ensures your actions are lawful.

Trial Periods or Free Options: Some people search websites offer trial periods or limited free searches. Take advantage of these opportunities to explore the platform and evaluate its usefulness before committing to a paid plan.

Cancellation Policy: If you opt for a subscription-based service, review the cancellation policy to understand how to terminate your membership if needed. A transparent cancellation process can save you from potential headaches down the road.

Remember, while people search websites can be valuable tools for finding information, it’s essential to use them responsibly and respect individuals’ privacy. Always verify the accuracy of the data obtained and avoid using the information for illegal or unethical purposes.

People search websites come in various types, catering to different needs and offering diverse search options. Here are some common types of people search sites:

Basic People Search Engines: Basic people search engines are designed to help users find individuals by entering basic identifying information, such as their full name, location, phone number, or email address. These popular people search sites typically aggregate data from various public sources, including directories, social media profiles, and other online databases. They provide users with basic contact information such as phone numbers, addresses, and potential relatives.

Background Check Services: Background check services offer more comprehensive and in-depth information about individuals. They access a wide range of data sources, including criminal records, court records, employment history, educational background, known aliases, and more.

Reverse Phone Lookup Sites: Reverse phone number lookup sites specialize in finding information about the owner of a specific phone number. Users can enter a phone number, and the site will provide details such as the person’s name, address, and other associated information. Reverse phone lookup can be useful when you receive calls from unknown numbers or need to identify missed calls.

Reverse Address Lookup Sites: Reverse address search sites allow users to enter an address to discover information about the property and its residents. These people search websites can provide details about the current or past residents, previous addresses, and property value estimates.

Social Media Search Platforms: Social media search tools focus on searching for individuals based on their presence across various social media platforms. Users can enter a person’s name, username, or other identifying information to find their social media profiles and related online activity.

Professional Networking Platforms: While not strictly people search sites, professional networking platforms like LinkedIn provide powerful search features that allow users to find and connect with professionals based on their job titles, companies, educational backgrounds, and other professional details.

Public Records Search Websites: Public records search websites aggregate publicly available information from various sources, including government agencies, court records, and public databases. They can provide a wealth of information such as birth and death records, marriage records, property ownership details, and more.

Genealogy and Ancestry Services: Genealogy platforms are specialized sites that help users trace their family history and create family trees. These services often provide access to historical records, census data, immigration records, and other genealogical resources to help users discover their ancestral roots and connect with distant relatives.

People Finder Apps: People finder apps bring people search functionality to mobile devices, allowing users to perform searches on-the-go. These apps may provide basic contact information, social media profiles, and other details.

When using people search websites, it’s essential to use them responsibly and in compliance with applicable laws and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Always respect individuals’ privacy and avoid using the information obtained for unethical or illegal purposes. Additionally, be aware that the extent and legality of data availability may vary based on regional laws and data protection regulations.

People use people search sites for various reasons, depending on their individual needs and interests. Some common reasons why people use these sites for detailed reports include:

While people search sites can be valuable tools for finding information, it’s essential to use them responsibly and within the bounds of the law. Respect for individuals’ privacy and the legal restrictions on accessing certain types of data, such as sensitive medical or financial information, should always be considered when using these services.

A people search report can provide a wealth of information about an individual, depending on the sources and data coverage of the specific people search site. Some common types of information that can be found in a people search report include:

It’s essential to remember that the data available in a people search report depends on the sources used by the people search site and the data coverage in their database. Not all people search reports will have access to the same information, and the extent of the data can vary based on regional laws and regulations.

There are several free ways to find people online. While these methods might not provide as comprehensive information as paid people search services, they can be useful for basic searches and reconnecting with individuals. Here are some free ways to find people:

Remember to use these free methods responsibly and respect individuals’ privacy. Avoid accessing private or sensitive information without proper authorization, and be cautious about sharing personal details online. While free methods can be helpful for basic searches and reconnecting with people, more comprehensive or detailed information may require using paid people search services or professional background check companies.

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), people search sites, which fall under the category of consumer reporting agencies, cannot be used for certain purposes without the individual’s consent. These prohibited uses include:

It’s important to note that the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires individuals or businesses using consumer reports to have a permissible purpose under the law and to comply with disclosure and consent requirements. Failure to adhere to the FCRA’s guidelines can result in legal penalties and liabilities for the violators. Therefore, it is crucial for users of people search sites to understand and follow the FCRA’s regulations to use consumer reports lawfully and responsibly.

People search sites work by aggregating information from various public sources, online databases, and social media platforms. Users can search for individuals by entering their names, locations, phone numbers, or email addresses. The site then compiles relevant data, such as contact information, social media profiles, employment history, and more, presenting it in a user-friendly report. People search sites streamline the process of finding people and provide valuable insights into their background and online presence.

Yes, there are some free people search sites available. These sites offer basic people search functionality and may provide limited information about individuals, such as contact details and links to social media profiles. However, it’s important to note that the data coverage and depth of information on free people search sites are generally more limited compared to paid services.

Some examples of free people search sites include:

Keep in mind that while these sites may be helpful for basic searches, more comprehensive background checks or detailed information may require using paid people search services or professional background check companies. Additionally, the accuracy and completeness of the data on free people search sites may vary, so it’s essential to verify the information obtained through multiple sources when possible.

Using a people search site, you can find a range of information about an individual, such as their full name, contact details (phone numbers, email addresses, and addresses), social media profiles, employment history, educational background, and relatives. Some sites may also provide data on criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, property ownership, and online activities. Additionally, you might discover mutual connections or friends on social media platforms.

The accuracy of information provided by people search sites can vary significantly depending on several factors:

Overall, while people search sites can be helpful for basic information, they may not always provide complete or entirely accurate data. Users should verify information from multiple sources and use people search sites responsibly, respecting individuals’ privacy and obtaining consent when necessary, especially for more sensitive information like criminal records.

Yes, people search websites are generally legal to use, as they access publicly available information from various sources. However, the legality of using the information obtained from these sites may vary depending on the purpose and local laws. It’s essential to use people search sites responsibly and only for lawful purposes, such as reconnecting with friends, conducting background checks with consent, or genealogy research. Misusing the information or accessing restricted data may lead to legal consequences.

Yes, there are ways to remove your information from people search engines. Start by contacting the specific people search site and inquire about their opt-out process. Many sites provide an opt-out or removal request form where you can request the removal of your information. Keep in mind that the process may take some time, and your data might still appear on other sites, so it’s essential to repeat the process for each site separately.

Yes, people search websites can be useful for finding lost relatives or old friends. By entering their names or other identifying details, you may uncover contact information, social media profiles, or other relevant data that can help you reconnect. While people search sites can be a valuable starting point, keep in mind that the accuracy and availability of information may vary.

The cost of the best people search sites can vary significantly depending on the specific site and the type of services offered. Some people search websites offer basic information for free, while others provide more comprehensive reports for a fee. The pricing models can range from one-time fees for individual reports to subscription plans with varying levels of access and features. On average, a basic report might cost around $1 to $5, while more detailed background checks or subscription plans can range from $10 to $50 per month or more.

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