As our lives become increasingly involved with the digital world, more people are using app to search people to get information on what our family members and friends are doing online.
However, with myriad choices at their disposal, choosing which app to use when searching for people can sometimes be mind-boggling.
This article will guide you to the common features to look for, compare the relative merits and drawbacks of the most well-known options, and select the best app to suit your needs.
What are people search apps used for?
People search apps are much like detective agencies in the sense that they assist you in finding the person you are looking for and give you more details about him or her.
It will scour a database of public records and collect details of a person, thus painting a picture of a person’s footprint on the World Wide Web.
Here’s why people use these apps and what kind of information they can provide:
- Reconnecting with lost contacts: Social search apps can assist users in finding the modern telephone numbers, emails, or even dwelling addresses of targets.
- Background checks: From a roommate-candidate app to a babysitter or even a date, it provides far more information that can reveal their previous addresses, criminal backgrounds, and even professional licenses.
- Identifying unknown numbers: Some people search apps also offer reverse phone number apps that will help you understand who is calling and how to prevent scams.
- Verifying information: Often, it is easy to find details like employment verification records or property ownership using people search apps.
What the people search apps can provide
The kind of information that you obtain depends on the application that you are using or the individual you are searching for. However, some common finds include:
Contact details: This includes phone numbers, E-mail addresses, and, at times, physical contact addresses.
Social media profiles: some of these apps may connect to a person’s social media profiles, which provides a glimpse into their online presence.
Public records: You can get the previous addresses, criminal background checks, records of ownership, and probably lost relatives.
Why parents might need a people search app?
There are many problems parents have to deal with, especially with the rise of technology, their kids are out there using social media, tagging themselves, etc.
Fortunately, however, people search apps may be useful for parents. And they would like to supervise their children and protect them while using social networks.
– Online safety:
Parents can use such apps to monitor their children’s interactions on social networks. This ensures that one does not fall prey to a possible predator.
– Checking new acquaintances:
Parents can use these applications to learn more about their children’s families and friends and be certain that their children are associated with decent people.
– Monitoring digital footprint:
These apps can be used to find out what is out there about the child. Which in turn helps parents protect their children’s privacy and reputation.
– Locating runaway teens:
Sometimes, they may help the parent monitor information on the whereabouts of a runaway child.
– Vetting caregivers:
These apps can be used by parents to sort through possible candidates for babysitters, tutors, or any type of caregiver.
– Emergency contacts:
These apps can help parents easily find other parents or friends of their children in case of an emergency or any other need.
How to choose the best App to search people?
Choosing the best app to search for people involves considering several factors:
- Accuracy: To ensure that the information is accurate, go for apps that are known to provide factual information.
- Data sources: Select the apps that pull information from other genuine sources to reduce the chances of downloading the wrong information.
- User interface: Choose an app that will be convenient to use and has a user-friendly interface.
- Privacy policy: Make sure that the app does not invade the privacy of a user or does not in any way breach the data protection act.
- Cost: Evaluate various pricing structures and select a suitable one based on the cost and frequency of use.
- Features: Identify what information is necessary and select the application that will help you get this data.
- User reviews: Check the feedback from other people who have used the sites to determine the level of satisfaction and reliability.
- Update frequency: Choose apps that update their data as often as possible to ensure relevancy.
Using tutorial:
Generally, people search apps function using data that is publicly accessible through the internet. Here’s a brief overview of how to use them:
Download and install: Select an application of your choice from the available ones in your device’s store and download it.
1. Set up an account:
Many of the applications will require you to sign up. And this can be done using your email address as a username and password.
2. Input search criteria:
Type in all the details that you have relating to the particular individual you are looking for. This could be an identity, phone number, email address, and or geographical location.
3. Run the search:
The app will then have to scan its databases to search for possibilities that could be a match.
4. Review results:
You will be shown your matches and additional information in relation to them through the app.
Top Apps to search people
There are many instances that may make you search for a particular person through the Internet. Whatever the case, here are a few apps that will make your search a lot easier.
Here are some of the top apps to search for people:
Truecaller
Truecaller may be primarily recognized as a caller ID and anti-spam app, but it has expanded its features to become an all-around people search app.
It is especially used for its features of recognizing unknown numbers and prohibiting certain numbers from calling or sending messages.
Key features:
- Unknown number Caller ID.
- Spam call and SMS blocking.
- Contact information search.
- Business search functionality.
- In-app messaging.
Advantages:
– Large user base leads to a large database in computer system.
– Real-time spam call detection.
– A free basic version is available.
– Bluetooth integration with the phone’s dialer app.
Disadvantages:
- Privacy issues because of access to the user’s contact list.
- Note that some of the features are only available to subscribers of paid services.
- Precision depends on the information provided by users.
Pipl
Pipl is a highly functional people search tool that collects data from various online sources such as social media platforms and public records.
Key features:
– Deep web search capabilities.
– Multidimensional data verification.
– Email discovery and social media profile recognition.
– Professional background information.
– Global search functionality.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive search results.
- Capability of searching information not accessible by standard search engine queries.
- It can be helpful for professional background checks.
- International search capabilities.
Disadvantages:
– Largely targeting corporate entities and self-employed individuals, which may impact actual user engagement.
– It may cost more than other options.
– It may need further validation when filtering for specific search topic.
Spokeo
Spokeo is one of the most popular people search engines that can gather a lot of information about a person from different sources.
Key features:
- Name, E-mail, phone, and Address options.
- Criminal record checks.
- Social media profile discovery.
- Genealogy and ancestry search.
- Reverse phone lookup.
Advantages:
– User-friendly interface.
– Detailed indexes containing different kinds of information.
– Affordable pricing options.
– Regular database updates.
Disadvantages:
- Information accuracy can vary.
- Some users complain that information in results may not be up-to-date.
- A paid subscription is necessary to get full access to the detailed reports.
- Issues related to privacy for those people who do not want others to find their information easily.
Whitepages
Whitepages began as an online version of phone directories and now serves as a people search and background checking service.
Key features:
– Phone number lookups.
– Background checks.
– Business searches.
– Reverse address lookup.
Advantages:
- Company recognition and extensive client list.
- Provides some free simple searches.
- User-friendly interface.
- It is both in the form of a web application and a mobile application.
Disadvantages:
– Full reports can be costly.
– Some of the users complain of being provided with stale information.
– Limited international coverage.
BeenVerified
BeenVerified is one of the most used background checks, and people search websites that collect data from different sources, including public records and the internet.
Key features:
- Criminal record searches.
- Property records.
- Social media account searches.
- Vehicle history reports.
- Unclaimed money search.
Advantages:
– Reports containing detailed information about varied aspects.
– User-friendly mobile app.
– Allows the users to make as many searches as they want, provided they have a subscription.
– Regular database updates.
Disadvantages:
- No free trial available.
- It can be more expensive compared to some or many of its counterparts.
- Several users note that some of the fields contain false information.
ZabaSearch
ZabaSearch is a free people search tool generating simple data collected from public records and other publicly accessible sources.
Key features:
– Name and location-based searches.
– Phone number lookups.
– Address information.
– Age and possible relatives.
Advantages:
- Free basic searches.
- Simple and straightforward interface.
- Quick results.
Disadvantages:
– Less info as compared to the paid services.
– There is no background check or criminal record search tool.
– Information may not always be up-to-date.
– Limited customer support.
TruthFinder
TruthFinder is a people search service that offers extensive reports by searching through the multiple records and databases available on the internet.
Key features:
- Detailed background reports.
- Criminal record searches.
- Social media profile searches.
- Reverse phone lookup.
- Dark web monitoring.
Advantages:
– Comprehensive and detailed reports
– User-friendly interface.
– A subscription allows for a limitless number of searches.
– Self-monitoring tools available.
Disadvantages:
- It is more costly than some of its close rivals.
- No free trial or by-service options.
- Some reports may take a while to come out.
US Search
US Search is a people search engine that provides different ways to search for persons and recover their public record data.
Key features:
– Conducts people finder searches.
– Reverse phone lookups.
– Background checks.
– Criminal record searches.
Advantages:
- Affordable one-time report options.
- Quick search results.
- User-friendly interface.
- A variety of search options.
Disadvantages:
– More limited reports than some of its competitors
– Limited customer support options
– Some users noticed low relevance of the information they received.
Intelius
Key features:
Intelius is a popular people search and background check platform that grants users primary database and online content.
- Provides background checks.
- It can conduct criminal record searches.
- Reverse phone lookup.
- Property records search.
Advantages:
– A large database with a huge volume of information.
– Multiple search options are available.
– User-friendly mobile app.
– The option of occasional reports or regular subscription.
Disadvantages:
- Pricing is still not very clear and may also be relatively costly.
- Some of the users complained about their troubles in the cancellation process.
- Some data in the submitted reports may be considered outdated.
Ethical considerations and better monitoring solution – FlashGet Kids
It is quite reasonable that parents may wish to protect their children from potential dangers on the Internet; however, using people search applications to achieve this is considered unethical.
Here are some important considerations:
Privacy invasion:
Employing those applications to collect data regarding children is an egregious violation of their right to privacy, especially when the data is collected secretly and without the child’s consent.
Trust erosion:
Covert monitoring is detrimental to the parent-child relationship since it destroys the trust between them.
Communication breakdown:
May hamper the development of effective communication within the family since the children are likely to turn to the apps instead of engaging in open discussions with the family members.
Misinterpretation of data:
Data acquired by means of such apps may be biased, and some misunderstandings or conflicts might ensue based on such ‘information.’
Modeling inappropriate behavior:
The children may adopt the culture of violating people’s privacy instead of going straight to tell them what they want to say.
Try the FlashGet Kids
Relying on people search apps is not the most reasonable way of protecting children; it might be more reasonable to try other parental monitor programs, such as FlashGet Kids.
This app offers features designed specifically for family safety:
1. Live monitoring: Parents can get real-time updates on activities performed on the child’s device to address any issue on time.
2. Location tracking: This can help parents protect their children from danger by letting them know their child’s location at all times.
This approach should effectively prevent the erosion of trust while still offering the required level of supervision and control.
It remains essential to remember that supervision must be balanced with the development of trust and the teaching of children how to stay safe online.
Final words
As the search for the ultimate app to search people persists, it is important that people approach this technology with an open mind.
Such applications can be helpful and provide a sense of contact, but at the same time, there are issues of privacy and ethics associated with them.
For parents worried about their children’s safety while using the internet, options like FlashGet Kids can provide much more liberty for your child without compromising safety.
Ultimately, the best app is one that aligns with your values and strengthens rather than one that undermines your interpersonal connections.
