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The Best People Search Sites in 2023
In the last couple of decades, people search engines have become increasingly effective and more popular as more digital data ends up in their databases. People use them to search for long-lost relatives, vet new neighbors, and even do background checks on their dates.
We have scoured the market to find the most reliable people search sites and compare their offers. Read on for details and advice on making the best use of these tools and the features they provide.
Truthfinder
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
Truthfinder
- Unlimited reports
- BBB rating of A+
- Dark web scan
Instant Checkmate
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
Instant Checkmate
- Reputable platform
- Quick and accurate reports
- Advanced search filters
Intelius
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
Intelius
- Ease of use
- Different trial plans
- Educational resources
US Search
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
US Search
- Reputable platform
- Unlimited searches
- First-class customer support
BeenVerified
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
BeenVerified
- Comprehensive mobile apps
- Great for car history search
- Discount pricing model
PeopleFinders
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
PeopleFinders
- User-friendly interface
- Reports include business data
- Quick search
What Is a People Search Site?
When looking to reconnect with someone from your past or need to locate a long-lost relative not present on social networks, you can use the services of search sites to find those people.
And even if your long-lost relatives are on social networks, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are using their real names. Search sites allow you to look up aliases or even the last known address or phone number.
Other times, people sometimes need to vet their new neighbors and make sure that they can feel safe around them. This is another side of search sites that is equally important. In order to feel safe, you can check if someone has a previous record of arrests or criminal charges.
You should know that these sites are not consumer reporting agencies regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), meaning that you can’t use the information they provide for tenant screening or to vet potential employees.
Why Do People Use Search Sites?
These are the main reasons users typically turn to people search engines:
To conduct background checks
One of the main reasons people use search sites is to perform background checks. Whether it is a new neighbor or a person you’re dating, it is important to make sure you’re dealing with someone you can trust. You can try out free background check options, but they won’t provide the same accuracy.
To get back in touch with long-lost friends and relatives
Finding people you have lost contact with, especially if they are off the grid and are not using social networks, can be near-impossible through regular channels. People search engines have aggregated databases that allow you to locate lost friends using information such as past addresses, education, aliases, or other persons they are connected with.
To confirming identities
Our daily communication has become overwhelmingly dependent on social networks. You might be making a purchase from someone you met on Facebook and need to confirm that the seller is who they say they are.
How To Use People Search Sites
If you’re trying to conduct a search online, you can use one of the online search engines, such as Google or Bing. But when you use the services of people search providers, you have a much more precise search engine at your disposal.
If you know the name of the person you are searching for, you can go to the name directory and try to find the person you are looking for. The results in the directory are listed alongside other information, such as age and location.
If you know the answers to the follow-up question like “Is the person you are looking for an only child” or “Is the person you are looking for over 40 years of age,” this can help narrow down the search and find the exact person you are looking for.
Most of the best people search websites offer an unlimited number of searches, so if you don’t get the report on the person you wanted to find, you can continue your search with no extra fees.
The Benefits of Using People Search Sites
People finder sites serve two main purposes:
Protect your identity online - Use the people search engines to look for any of your own photos or information you wouldn’t want to share publicly. You can see if there is any material that you wouldn’t like to pop up in searches that your prospective employer may conduct.
You can check if the information that you find about yourself is correct, and you can check if somebody is using your identity online. Make sure that you monitor the dark web to see if your credentials show up on any of the forums or chat rooms.
Confirm or check someone’s identity - If you’re not sure a person is trustworthy, be it a new romantic partner, neighbor, or business associate, you can confirm that they are who they claim to be and if all of the information they have given you about their past is correct or not. Use the people search tools to learn what you need to know to protect your own safety.
People Search Websites: Our Top Picks for 2023
TruthFinder - Best overall
Instant Checkmate - Best for background checks
Intelius - Best for user experience
US Search - Best for legal professionals
BeenVerified - Best for search apps
PeopleFinders - Best for public records search
FAQ
Can you look someone up by their Social Security number?
Yes. You can locate somebody using their Social Security number. If you have a name and the first three numbers of the person’s Social Security number, you can find information about them on the internet.
Most often, people will use sites for people search where they can look up a Social Security number or a few digits of it to match them with the name of the person they are trying to locate or do a background check for.
Can you tell who searches you on Google?
You can’t exactly tell when somebody does a Google search of your name. What you can do is use Google alerts to find out when your name appeared on the web and then use that information to further look for the person who posted your name on the internet. You can use the email search that many services provide to try and locate the person that has used your information on the web.
What is the best people search site?
There are a few online services that stand out in terms of features they offer for the price.
Some sites are better at providing their clients with resources for background checks, while others can prove to be better for locating members of the family you lost contact with or providing security with dark web monitoring. It all comes down to what you’re looking for exactly.