Using the Internet to Find Someone: Search Engines and Beyond
The internet can be a great tool to use when you try to find someone you’ve lost contact with. There are a variety of free or low-cost search methods you can use that can help you find someone. The challenge lies in knowing which search methods to use and how to conduct a productive search. An internet search strategy will save you time, effort and frustration.
If you are trying to find someone online, start with the broadest search methods first. Begin by checking search engines such as google.com, yahoo.com, msn.com and ask.com.
Search Engines
There are several key points to remember when checking search engines:
1. Search engines only retrieve information on web pages that are currently stored on server databases. They do not access the internet “live.” The information they retrieve is therefore always somewhat “stale.” If you believe someone has a website, blog or other internet content posted online, check search engines at regular intervals before abandoning them as a locator tool.
2. Websites are often overlooked by search engines. Home or personal web pages that are not deliberately submitted for search engine inclusion may never be returned in search results.
To appear in search engine results, another web page already contained within a server database must link to a site. Alternatively, someone must actively promote their site with search engine placement in mind. This is one reason search engines sometimes fail to yield information present on personal web pages or websites.
3. Despite the enormity of search engines such as google.com, it is estimated that any one search engine contains only 50% of the information published on the World Wide Web. For that reason it is worthwhile to check more than one search engine.
To increase the odds you will successfully find someone via search engines, be sure to use smart search tactics such as quotation marks, information snippets and Boolean Search techniques. If you have a good idea what country you should be searching, check the major search engines’ country specific versions (such as www.google.com.au for Australia).
Blog Directories
Blogs have fast become a free, easy way for individuals to create their own websites. Though many blog search engine directories are incomplete at this time, it may be worthwhile to check them out. You could find someone via their own blog posts or in comments on other blogs.
Try searching blogs with the same techniques utilized for search engines. The following are some of the fastest growing blog search engines currently available:
• Technorati – www.technorati.com
• Google Blog Search – www.blogsearch.google.com
• Blogpulse – www.blogpulse.com
E-mail Search Engines
If trying to find someone via a search engine proves fruitless, it could be they have no website, blog or employer web page contact listing. However, they could still be using email to communicate via the internet. It is possible you could locate their e-mail address via an e-mail search engine directory.
Many of the most popular search engines feature e-mail address search directories. Yahoo! People, Bigfoot, and Infospace are three fairly straightforward, easy to use sources that do not require registering your own personal information. Consider searching all three directories to maximize your chances of success.
Keep in mind that like regular search engines, e-mail search engines are limited in their scope. In order to be listed or appear a person usually must actively register. Email address and contact information might also appear if someone posts to groups or sites routinely updated on servers. However, such posts are often made under a fictitious “username” while real contact details are kept private.
Digital Directories
Often advertised as “people finders,” there is a multitude of digital directories available online which you can search for free. But keep in mind these too are limited. Be wary of paying for additional information they claim to locate beyond what is provided for free. Information you pay for may be outdated or could even refer to someone else. It could be information you already have or can find on your own while you search for free.
It is possible a free people finder could provide you with a current address and telephone number of an individual. This is especially true if they have been in the same location for sometime and are not in hiding. Try a variety of free people finder services to conduct the broadest, most thorough search.
Below are three of the many online digital directories you might search when trying to find someone:
• Skipease.com
• Zabasearch.com
• Zoominfo.com is particularly useful if you believe you are searching for a professional individual, or someone who may find it advantageous to be found for business reasons.
Does it Pay to Be Persistent?
The internet truly is expanding at an astounding rate. The information an internet search will yield changes on a daily basis. Search engines, blog and email directories as well as online people finder services are constantly striving to provide more information than the competition.
There are no guarantees that utilizing a broad-to-narrow search strategy will help you find someone online. But a strategic and persistent approach will ensure your search is as productive as possible.
Article by John Dobson of OZpeopletrace. OZpeopletrace is a professional people finder service specializing in locating individuals in Australia. To learn more about OZpeopletrace visit www.ozpeopletrace.com.au.
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