Deep Search vs Google for finding a person
Google finds pages. Deep Search finds the person those pages are about.
A web search is the right first move when you know exactly which page you want. When all you have is a name, you end up opening page after page and working out which ones describe the same person.
The real question in people search vs Google search is not which one finds more pages. It is who does the sorting. Deep Search groups the pages into possible matches, lets you pick the person you mean, and writes up what the pages say about them, with a source for each fact.
Deep Search vs Google, side by side
| Deep Search | Google search | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts from | A person's name, plus optional details | Any words you type |
| Groups results into people | Yes, into possible matches you pick from | Usually not. You get a list of pages |
| Common names | Each match shows a source count, plus role and company when listed | You sort the pages yourself |
| Tells you how sure it is | Yes, a Strong, Possible or Weak badge on each match | No |
| Report with numbered sources | Yes, every fact links to its page | Not built for reports on a person |
| Email addresses and phone numbers | Removed from every result | Shown wherever a page publishes them |
| Speed | About a minute or two | Instant |
| Cost | Free to search, subscription for full reports | Free |
How to Google a person well
A careful web search gets you a long way for free. Here is how to Google a person without drowning in results.
- Put the full name in quotation marks. You mostly get pages where the first and last name appear together, not pages that mention each one somewhere.
- Add one detail at a time. Try the company, then the city, then the job title. One detail narrows the results. Several at once can hide the page you need.
- Try spelling variants. Search nicknames, a dropped middle name, a former surname or another spelling.
- Search one website. Add
site:and a domain to see only pages from that site, such as a company's own team page.
Two independent pages that agree are worth more than one page that says a lot. For more, read our guide to finding someone online.
When Deep Search is the better tool
Deep Search is the better choice when a web search leaves all the sorting to you.
- The name is common. Instead of one long list, you get possible matches, each with a Strong, Possible or Weak badge and a count of its sources. You pick the person you mean.
- You need the evidence laid out. The full report can include work history, education, public profiles and public photos linked to the person. Every claim links to the public page it came from.
- You would rather not see contact details. Email addresses and phone numbers are removed from every result, so the report stays on what the person does, not on how to reach them.
A search takes about a minute or two, and searching is always free. Subscribe any time to unlock the full report. See how it works for the three steps, Search, Pick and Read, and the pricing page for the details.
When a web search is enough
Use a web search when you want one specific page, such as a company's website or a news story. It is also enough when the name is rare and the first results clearly describe the same person.
So in people search vs Google search, you rarely have to pick one. Start with the free web search, and switch to Deep Search when sorting the results becomes the job. If you mostly want someone's professional background, see how Deep Search compares with LinkedIn.
Deep Search vs Google: questions
No. A search engine returns pages for whatever words you type. Deep Search starts from one person's name, reads public web pages about them, groups those pages into possible matches, and writes a report on the person you pick.
A web search is free, and often it is all you need. Deep Search is free too for finding and sorting matches: pages grouped into people, with a badge that says how well each fits. A subscription unlocks the full report, with a source for every fact.
Yes, in either order. A quick web search suits one specific page. Deep Search suits a common name, where the results mix several people. Every fact in a report links to its source page, so you can check it yourself.
No. It only looks at public pages about the person you searched for, and it leaves out email addresses and phone numbers. A web search shows any page that matches your words, including pages that publish contact details.
Try it on a name you know
Search any name for free. Subscribe any time to unlock the full report.