To perform a social media lookup, you will need to use Google as an investigative tool. This involves using Google's advanced search features called Google Search Operators. The two Search Operators you will use to search social media will be Exact Phrase Match and Site Search. Furthermore, you can also search social media by using the two Operators at the same time.
Searching Social Media:
Use Exact Phrase Match
Use Site Search
Use Exact Phrase Match + Site Search
Performing a Social Media Lookup Via Exact Phrase Match
The one specific Search Operator that works well with a social media search lookup is quotes ("") or Exact Phrase Match. This Operator searches for 100% the exact phrase (Exact Phrase Match) that is being searched within the quotes.
If a social media name is searched inside quotes, only results containing that social media name will appear. This will get rid of a near infinite amount of unwanted similar social media names that will not help you in your social media lookup. Furthermore, you can be more effective in your social media search by searching common variations on the given name.
Performing a Social Media Lookup Via Site Search
You can also specificity search social media platforms only, using Google. This Operator looks like this,
site:
Peter Sandru site:facebook.com
This Operator will only search the social media website that is placed on the end.
Performing a Social Media Lookup Via Exact Match + Site Search
Now you can search one social media platform at a time for an exact social media name.
About the Author
Peter Sandru is an Instructor & Co-Founder of NDIL with over 15 years as a Professional Investigator and certified social media and OSINT Investigator. Peter has spent more than a decade conducting investigations throughout the world, primarily for corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Peter has assisted in the creation of many investigative training programs in various capacities. Over the length his career, Peter has performed numerous social media open-source intelligence investigations on individuals and organizations.