How Does ZoomInfo Get My Information? [The Inside Scoop]

Have you found yourself, or has anyone reported that you’re found on ZoomInfo’s database? Well, you’re not alone. Many wonder how ZoomInfo gets its information. 

But if you’re wondering exactly how Zoominfo got my information, here it is:

ZoomInfo collects information by tracking email signatures through its contributory network, scanning online sources with machine learning, and integrating data from third-party partnerships. This basically creates a complete database of business contacts and profiles.

But that’s just the surface. ZoomInfo’s methods for gathering information are as intriguing as they are effective. Stay tuned to uncover the layers behind this powerful tool and understand its impact on data privacy and business intelligence.

Let’s start!

What is ZoomInfo?

ZoomInfo is a sales intelligence platform that helps sales and marketing teams gather contact information for potential customers. Originally known as DiscoverOrg, it was co-founded in 2007 by CEO Henry Schuck. 

Well, ZoomInfo became its name after acquiring Zoom Information, Inc. in February 2019. This merger expanded its market intelligence and industry coverage. In June 2020, ZoomInfo completed its IPO, marking a significant milestone. 

The platform is particularly recognized for providing up-to-date business emails and phone numbers. This makes it easier for companies to build leads and contact potential customers.

 ZoomInfo also offers various pricing tiers, including standard, preferred, and premium options, catering to different business needs.

Therefore, ZoomInfo stands out for its vast database and ability to offer detailed insights. That’s why it’s a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes.

How Does ZoomInfo Get My Information?

Zoominfo has piles of knowledge of the users. here’s how it gets the information:

Contributory Network

ZoomInfo uses a large network of contributors who share data from their email interactions. This helps validate and update contact information.

Machine Learning Analysis

The platform employs machine learning to continuously scan online sources like corporate websites, news articles, and SEC filings. It’s for data about industries, locations, revenue, and other company attributes.

Human Research and Verification

A team of in-house researchers at ZoomInfo works on verifying the data collected by automated processes and improving the database’s accuracy.

Third-Party Data Sources

ZoomInfo supplements its data collection with information from trusted third-party sources. It includes public company records, government data, and social media feeds.

Email Signature Tracking

Through integrations with email systems, ZoomInfo captures data from email signatures. This provides rich data sources for contact information.

Role of Contributory Networks in ZoomInfo’s Data Collection

ZoomInfo’s data collection heavily relies on its contributory network, a big group of people who share data with the platform. These contributors let ZoomInfo use smart tech to scan email signatures right from their inboxes. 

This excellent method helps ZoomInfo keep its information on millions of people and companies fresh and up-to-date.

Even with many alternatives out there, ZoomInfo stands out. Every month, this network goes through 20 million email signatures, updating details on four million people and a million companies. It’s this huge network that keeps ZoomInfo’s data so updated and reliable. 

So, if you’re using ZoomInfo, you’re tapping into a goldmine of constantly updated and accurate information.

What Type of Information Does ZoomInfo Collect?

Here are the types of information that ZoomInfo likely collects:

• Contact Details: ZoomInfo gathers contact information such as phone numbers and email addresses of business professionals.
• Professional Profiles: The platform compiles detailed profiles that include job titles, work history, and company affiliations.
• Email Signatures: Through its contributory network, ZoomInfo tracks and analyzes email signature lines to extract and update contact information.
• Company Information: Data about companies, including industry type, company size, revenue, and location, are collected.
• Technographics: Information about the technologies and tools used by companies is gathered to provide insights into their tech stack.
• Public Records and Third-Party Data: ZoomInfo integrates data from public records and third-party sources to enrich its database.
• Social Media Feeds: Social media profiles and activities are also scanned for additional professional information.
• Machine Learning Analysis: Automated analysis of various online sources, such as corporate websites and news articles, is conducted to keep the data current.

How Does ZoomInfo Work in Machine Data Extraction?

ZoomInfo uses advanced machine learning algorithms to gather and process data from various online sources. Here’s how they do it:

Continuous Online Scanning

ZoomInfo’s machine learning systems constantly scan the internet. They look at corporate websites, press releases, news articles, and even filings from the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

This helps them find new and updated information about companies and business people.

Targeted Keyword Algorithms

To make their searches more effective, ZoomInfo uses algorithms that focus on specific keywords. This method helps them find relevant data more quickly. 

They can pinpoint information about industries, company locations, revenue, and other important business attributes.

Technographics Information Gathering

ZoomInfo’s system doesn’t just stop at basic company information. It also searches for technographic data. This means they look at what technologies companies use. 

Their system scans over 28 million site domains every day to gather this type of information.

Human Research and Verification

While machine learning does a lot, ZoomInfo also has a team of human researchers. These people check the data collected by the machines. They make sure it’s correct and useful.

Integration with Third-Party Sources

ZoomInfo doesn’t rely solely on its own data gathering. They also use information from trusted third-party sources. This includes data from public companies, government sources, and social media. 

Ensuring Data Accuracy with Human Verification at ZoomInfo

Well, we already talked a little bit about human verification. But it’s an important step in ZoomInfo. Basically, ZoomInfo combines advanced technology with human expertise to ensure the accuracy of its data. 

So, we’ll talk in detail about how they do it:

Team of Research Experts

ZoomInfo has an in-house team dedicated to checking the data collected by their machine learning systems. The team here works on improving the database continuously. This makes sure that the information is correct and useful for you.

Verifying Algorithm Performance

The human research team at ZoomInfo doesn’t just check data; they also verify the performance of their algorithms. This means they make sure the automated systems are working as they should and accurately gathering data.

Expanding Data on Contacts and Companies

This team also focuses on expanding the information available in ZoomInfo’s database. They add new details about contacts, funding, and conferences, providing deeper insights into companies.

Inside Information

From the ZoomInfo review, we found that the important role of this team is to find inside information about companies. This helps sales teams get ahead by providing them with valuable insights that can’t be found through automated processes alone.

Continuous Improvement and Quality Assurance

The human verification process at ZoomInfo is all about continuous improvement. The team constantly works on making the database better and more reliable, ensuring high-quality data for you.

ZoomInfo’s Integration of Third-Party Data Sources

ZoomInfo enhances its database by integrating data from various third-party sources. Here’s how they incorporate this external data in a more detailed way:

Supplementing Automated Data

ZoomInfo uses trusted third-party sources to add to the data collected through its automated processes. This includes information from public companies, government data sources, and social media feeds.

This provides a more complete view of businesses and individuals.

Merging with Public Company Data

Information from public companies plays a great role in ZoomInfo’s database. This data helps enrich the profiles with more detailed and specific information about companies. It includes their financials, mergers, and acquisitions.

Utilizing Government Data Sources

Government records and data sources are needed for ZoomInfo. They provide authoritative and official information on businesses. This is important for verifying the accuracy of the data in ZoomInfo’s database.

Incorporating Social Media Insights

Social media feeds offer a wealth of information about companies and individuals. ZoomInfo integrates this data to capture the latest updates, trends, and public perceptions. These are valuable for sales and marketing teams.

Enhancing Data Quality and Depth

By combining third-party data with its own, ZoomInfo ensures that the information provided is not only vast in quantity but also deep in quality. This integration helps in offering a more rounded and accurate profile of businesses and individuals.

Ethical and Privacy Concerns in ZoomInfo’s Data Practices

ZoomInfo’s data collection methods raise several ethical and privacy issues. Here are major points to consider:

• Privacy and Data Protection: ZoomInfo claims to prioritize privacy and data protection. They have systems to check the accuracy of their data and allow people to opt-out. 
• Transparency in Data Collection: There is a need for clear transparency about how ZoomInfo collects data. You and the people whose data is collected should easily understand ZoomInfo’s methods and purposes.
• Power Imbalance: ZoomInfo benefits from aggregating data, but the individuals whose data is used often do not receive any compensation. This creates a power imbalance, raising questions about fairness and equity.
• Consent and Control: Concerns about whether individuals have given consent for their data to be used by ZoomInfo are accurate. The control individuals have over their data and how it’s used is a critical issue.
• Accuracy of Information: The accuracy of the data collected by ZoomInfo is crucial. Inaccurate data can lead to misleading business insights and decisions.
• Ethical Tightrope: ZoomInfo’s operations are on an ethical tightrope, balancing between aggregating publicly available data and respecting individual privacy. This balance is complex and requires careful consideration.

How did Zoominfo Vacuum Up and Sell my information?

Many users have concerns about how their private phone number was obtained and sold by ZoomInfo. Here are the key points from the discussion:

Data Broker Practices

ZoomInfo, as a data broker, collects information from public sources or purchases it from companies that users have permitted to sell or share their data.

Public and Purchased Data

The information ZoomInfo gathers can include details made publicly available or data sold by other companies. This may include contact information like phone numbers.

Legal Concerns

Some users express concern about the legality of this practice. They question whether companies, including employers, have the right to sell or share personal data without explicit consent.

Lack of Profit Sharing

From a review, we found out that a use highlights the issue of data brokers. Such as ZoomInfo using personal data for profit, without sharing any of those profits with the individuals whose data is being used.

Privacy and Consent

This tool reflects broader concerns about privacy and consent in the digital age. Here personal information can be easily traded without any individual’s knowledge.

How to Remove Yourself from ZoomInfo

If you don’t want to be part of ZoomInfo’s database, follow these steps to remove yourself:

• Visit the Opt-Out Page: Go to ZoomInfo’s opt-out page.
• Enter Your Work Email: Provide the work email address listed on ZoomInfo’s website, complete the CAPTCHA, and click “Get code”.
• Email Confirmation: Check your work email inbox for a confirmation email from ZoomInfo.
• Press the Received Code: Use the code sent to you via email and click “Confirm”.
• Request Deletion: Check the box stating “I would like to delete my information”, select your reasons for deletion, complete the CAPTCHA, and click “Remove”.

Por Tips: If ZoomInfo does not have a record of your current work email, you’ll be asked to fill out a form with more information and opt out of the sale of your personal information.

Conclusion

If you’re still thinking about how ZoomInfo gets my information,  it’s a mix of advanced technology and ethical practices. ZoomInfo uses a contributory network, machine learning, and human checks to gather its information. 

While this ensures you get up-to-date data, it also brings up questions about privacy and consent. 

However, ZoomInfo manages to strike a balance, highlighting the complex nature of data collection in today’s world.

FAQs

Does ZoomInfo get data from other companies?

Yes, ZoomInfo integrates data from third-party sources. This includes public company records, government data, and social media, to expand their database.

How does ZoomInfo handle privacy and individual consent?

ZoomInfo takes privacy seriously and offers options for individuals to opt out of their database. They aim to be transparent about their data collection practices.

How did ZoomInfo get my phone number?

ZoomInfo gathers phone numbers through its vast network of contributors who share contact details from their email interactions. Plus, ZoomInfo uses machine learning to scan online sources and integrate data from third-party partnerships. This includes publicly available phone number information.