How to Investigate Online Usernames & Aliases: Techniques for Uncovering True Identities

In the past, bullying was something that happened face-to-face, but now, in our global village, it’s taken on a whole new form. The internet has given everyone a platform to voice their opinions, no matter how harsh or hurtful.

From pop sensation Selena Gomez to top politicians like Golriz Ghahraman to the average American, no one is safe from online bullying. Believe it or not, about 60% of kids and 40% of adults have fallen victim to cyberbullies.

Most online bullies hide behind self-chosen usernames, making it easy for them to mask their true identity and say or do whatever they please. On top of that, we often get friend requests from usernames we don’t recognize, leaving us to wonder who’s really behind that screen and whether we can trust them with our personal information.

The good news? There’s a way to fight back. By learning the tools and techniques to investigate online aliases and usernames, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from cyberbullying, stalking, and other online threats. We’ve broken down these strategies into a simple, step-by-step guide that’s easy to follow, even if you’re not a tech wizard.

How Usernames Play a Key Role in Identifying the Personality of a Person:

Before you jump into creating an account on any social platform, the first thing you’ll need to come up with is a “Username.” Most people pick something other than their real name, a name that represents their hobbies and interests, or maybe a special number that means something to them.

Usernames are like a sneak peek into a person’s world. They can hint at someone’s passions, connect them to a subculture, or even mark an important date or moment in their life. This digital identity not only defines how users interact with online communities but also shapes how others perceive them in these virtual spaces. It’s interesting to note that about 5% of Facebook’s monthly active users are believed to be fake accounts.

For instance, a username like @girlasmr20 probably tells you that this person is into ASMR or posts content related to it. When you’re trying to decode a username, here’s what you should focus on:

1. How does a username reflect the self-image of its creator?

 For instance, a username like “WarriorQueen88” conveys a sense of empowerment and identity, telling that the person has a strong feminine side. 

2. What can the language of a username reveal about the user’s background or location?

 For example, a username like “SolDeVerano” indicates a Spanish-speaking origin or cultural influence.

What insights can be gained from usernames referencing specific cultural elements, such as sports teams or fictional characters?

 For example, a username like “Potterhead42” might reflect a person’s interest in a particular book series and its community.

4. How do numbers in usernames provide clues about personal milestones or affiliations? 

For instance, the inclusion of “1985” in a username like “Rockstar1985” suggests the user’s birth year or significant event.

Search Engines:

To figure out who’s behind a username, the simplest trick is to enter it into various search engines like Google or Bing. This search can reveal other accounts or profiles with the same username across the internet. The more unique the username, the easier it is to track down the person. 

According to a general market survey of search engines, 85% of traffic finds accurate information that is very useful to them. 77% of users who do not find accurate information use the same search engine to find better results, this time using a different combination of keywords.

By checking these search results, you can uncover additional profiles and gather clues about the individual’s online presence. So, just start searching and see where the username takes you, it’s a straightforward way to reveal more about who’s behind the screen.

Google Search within URL:

The easiest and simplest technique is to find the username on the Google search engine. Google is simple and efficient for finding usernames because it offers powerful search algorithms that quickly index vast amounts of information from across the web.

By using advanced search operators like quotation marks, site-specific searches, and keyword exclusions, you can narrow down results to find exact matches and relevant profiles. 

Step-by-Step Guide Using Google 

• Enter the username you want to investigate into the Google search bar.
• Add the word (inurl:) before the username.
• Review the search results on Google.

• Add “ before and after the username when searching.

• This technique helps find related profiles on different social media platforms with the same name.

Bing:

For further cross-referencing, add the username to another search engine, Bing. Bing has a knack for digging deep into the web to find those hidden clues that other search engines might miss. So, when you’re trying to figure out who’s really behind that mysterious username, Bing is your best bet.

Step-by-Step Guide Using Bing:

• Enter the username into Bing’s search bar, placing, (commas) on both sides of the name.
• Review the search results to see if the same username appears on other profiles across different websites.

Yandex:

Yandex is like a detective that’s really good at finding things others might miss. It’s especially useful when you want to dig into usernames from parts of the web that other search engines don’t cover as well. If you’re trying to figure out who’s behind a username, Yandex is a smart choice.

Step-by-Step Guide Using Yandex:

• Enter the username into Yandex’s search bar, adding (commas) on both sides of the name.
• Check the search results to see if the username appears on other profiles across different websites.

E-mail address:

We all juggle a bunch of email addresses, Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, and more. In fact, in 2022, there were over 4.2 billion active email users globally, and that’s set to hit 4.7 billion by 2026. Guess what? A lot of times, a username is just a variation of an email address. So, if you’re tracking down someone online, checking their email might give you a solid clue. 

Step-by-Step Guide Using Email Addresses:

• Add @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @hotmail.com after the username to see if any email addresses linked to the username are available online.
• If you find a relevant email address, use it on email search tools like Truth Scouts to gather more information about the person behind the username.

Social Media:

Even if someone is using a fake social media profile, they still like, comment, and share posts that match their interests and beliefs.As of August 16, 2024, Facebook has 3.065 billion monthly active users (MAUs). This makes it the most used social network in the world, with 38.7% of the global population using it monthly. What a person does on social media can reveal a lot about their true identity and personality. So, by finding their Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn profile, you can uncover who they really are. 

Facebook

• Log in to your Facebook account.
• Type the username into the Facebook search bar at the top.
• Press “Enter” to see the search results.
• Filter the results by selecting “People” from the left-hand menu.
• Browse through the profiles to find the person matching the username.
• Click on the profile that matches to view their public information.

Instagram

• Open the Instagram app or go to Instagram.com and log in.
• Tap on the search icon (magnifying glass) at the bottom of the screen.
• Enter the username in the search bar at the top.
• Instagram will show you matching accounts under “Accounts” or “Top” results.
• Scroll through the list to find the exact username.
• Tap on the username to view their profile and posts.

LinkedIn

•  Log in to your LinkedIn account.
• Enter the username in the LinkedIn search bar at the top.
• Press “Enter” to display the search results.
• Select “People” from the filter options to narrow down the results.
• Look through the profiles to find a match with the username.
• Click on the profile to see their professional details and connections.

Username Aggregators:

Username aggregators are handy tools that collect posts and content from different social media sites using usernames or hashtags. They pull everything into one place, so you can see all the activity related to a specific username.

These tools are super useful for finding the true identity behind a username because they give you a complete view of what that person is posting, sharing, and interacting with online. By looking at all this gathered content, you can get a clearer picture of who they really are and what they’re interested in. There are many search tools available online, and most of them are free and easy to use. 

1.WhatsMyName

• Go to WhatsMyName.app.
• Enter the username you want to investigate into the search bar.
• Click the “Search” button.
• Review the results to see where that username appears across different platforms and websites.
• Click on the links provided to view more details and gather information about the username.

2. Usersearch

• Visit Usersearch.org.
• Type the username into the search field.
• Hit “Search” to start looking for results.
• Browse through the information to find profiles or details related to the username.
• Use the information from the search results to learn more about the user’s online presence.

3. Knowem

• Go to Knowem.com.
• Enter the username into the search box on the homepage.
• Click “Search” to see where the username is used across various social media and websites.
• Analyze the results to find out which sites the username is associated with.
• Explore the linked profiles for additional information about the username.

4. Peekyou

• Navigate to Peekyou.com.
• Enter the username in the search bar.
• Click the “Search” button to begin the search.
•  Review the profiles and data that appear in the search results.
• Use the information to piece together more details about the username’s identity.

Wrap Up:

This is your ultimate guide to uncovering the mysteries behind online aliases and usernames. With these techniques, you’re armed and ready to dive deep into the digital world. From scouring search engines and adding commas like a pro to leveraging username aggregators, you’ve got the tools to unveil who’s really behind that mysterious handle. 

Think of yourself as a digital detective, piecing together clues and connecting the dots. Remember, in the vast web of usernames, there’s always a trail waiting to be discovered.