How to Find Someone’s Email Address: 13 Recommended Methods

Do you ever wonder if your messages will reach the intended recipient? Though email is an important part of communication, finding someone’s email address isn’t easy. Hence, if you want to reach out to a prospect, you must know how to find someone’s email address!

You can find someone’s email using various methods, including email lookup tools, social media searches, and company websites. Besides, you can explore tools like Swordfish AI, LinkedIn, or Twitter Advanced Search to simplify your search.

In this write-up, we’ll explain each method for finding email addresses in detail and give you the tools and tips you need to do an effective email search.

How to Find Someone’s Email Address: Top 13 Methods 

Now that you understand why you need correct email IDs for your contacts to reach out to, here’s how to find someone’s email address using our top 13 recommended methods for B2B professionals:

1. Use an Email Lookup Tool

If you can’t find email addresses for potential clients, an email address lookup tool is the quickest solution. This tool searches public sources for contact details using specific criteria.

These services use social media profiles, publicly available records, and company websites or leverage extensive databases they manage to match the credentials you input and try to provide you with a list of accurate email addresses and other data.

Suppose you know details like names and company websites of the prospects. In that case, you can input them into the email lookup tool and receive complete contact information, like emails for a specific contact, or do bulk searches on some services.

Swordfish AI 

While there are several free and paid email lookup services, our recommendation for the best email lookup service is Swordfish AI. Swordfish AI hosts a contact database for 3.5+ billion verified profiles that you can access to find accurate email addresses.

Features like Reverse Lookup let you acquire information like social profiles, names, current employment, residential addresses, and email addresses after you input one credential related to your contact. 

Here’s what you need to do: use reverse email lookup–

Step 1: Visit Swordfish AI.

Step 2: From the drop down option “Products” in the top left corner of the site, select “Reverse Lookup.” 

Step 3: Except for the “Email” section, you can use any of the other 4 ways to find someone’s email address.

Step 4: Type in what you have: social URLs, name and company, address, or just the number. Once you have it, click “Search”. 

Remember that you need to sign up to view the full results. You can find email addresses free of charge with limited features with our free trial, too.

Try Swordfish Ai

Hunter 

Hunter.io helps you find business email addresses using the Email Finder feature. You can input the prospect’s full and company domain names to find their valid email ID. You can also use their Chrome Extension to find emails.

You can make a free account by signing up for 25 free searches and 50 monthly verifications. Upgrade to a paid account with prices starting at $49 per month for 500 searches.

Voila Norbert 

Voila Norbert functions similarly to Hunter, where you can input a person’s full name and company domain to find email addresses associated with them. The service requests the mail host to verify the email address.

Voila Norbert offers 50 searches for their free trial, with premium plans starting at $49 per month for 1,000 searches.

Snov.io

Snov.io lets you conduct bulk and individual searches based on full names and company domains. You’ll get 150 free searches, while premium membership costs $39 monthly for 1,000 single domain searches and 500 bulk domain searches.

2. Utilize Google Search 

People worldwide head to Google instinctively to search for various queries. B2B users trying to figure out how to find email addresses can do the same using simple searches with keywords or advanced search operators.

Basic Search Queries

You can narrow down the list of potential email addresses for priority business contacts by using keywords like “email” and “contact” in various combinations to find the correct match. Examples include:

• [firstname] + [lastname] + email/email address
• [firstname] + [lastname] + contact/contact info/contact me
• [firstname] + [lastname] + LinkedIn
• [firstname] + [lastname] + [company]
• [firstname] + [lastname] + [website]
• [firstname] + [lastname] + [company] + contact

Advanced Search Operators

If you don’t find any luck with the above search combinations, you can narrow your search intent further by using advanced search operators like quotation marks (“ ”) to specify your query.

Users with more information on your prospects, like the website for their current company, can use the query string “site:companywebsite.com” along with their searches. Examples of these searches can look like this:

• [full name] + “email”
• site:companywebsite.com + [fullname] + email
• site:companywebsite.com + [fullname] + contact
• site:companywebsite.com + [firstname].[lastname] @ companyname.com
• site:companywebsite.com + [firstname]_[lastname] @ companyname.com

3. Gmail Email Finder by Name

If you’re wondering how to find an email address in Gmail, here is how to figure out someone’s email –

• Open Gmail: Log into your Gmail account.

• Use the Search Bar: At the top of the Gmail page, you’ll find a search bar.

• Enter the Name: Type the name of the person whose email address you’re trying to find into the search bar.

• Review Results: Press “Enter” or click the search icon. Gmail will display all emails related to the name you entered.

• Find the Email Address: Browse through the search results. The person’s email address should be visible in the sender or recipient field of the emails listed.

4. Finding Email Addresses from Social Media

Social media platforms often serve as valuable resources for gathering contact information, including email addresses. By exploring user profiles and utilizing specific platform features, you can effectively locate email addresses for business or personal communication. 

Here’s a guide on how to find email addresses from additional popular social media platforms:

1. Look Up on Facebook

Prospects often leave contact details on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. You can navigate to their profiles and search for email addresses to reinforce your interactions with them.

People usually include their updated email addresses in the “About” section of their Facebook profile. You can click on this section from your prospect’s profile to find their email address.

While you can do the same by opening a prospect’s Twitter bio, the method is unreliable as it isn’t guaranteed that your business contact will add an email address to this section. You need the Twitter Advanced Search to dig deeper and find the email.

2. Use Twitter Advanced Search

The first approach to finding anyone’s email address on Twitter is to send your contact a direct message (DM) or mention them in a Tweet to get their attention and follow you back.

However, this method can often feel intrusive. Since some users hide their email addresses on their bios using a dot or an “at,” you must use Twitter Advanced Search to find exact phrases from select accounts.

Try searching for words and phrases like “email,” “email at,” “contact,” “reach,” etc., for specific profiles to find every instance the account has mentioned the keyword you provided.

3. Use LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a popular social media platform for industry professionals operating in various niches. Prospects often place their email address in their “Contact Info” section to contact interested business partners directly.

You can first request to connect with your prospect on LinkedIn and open their profile to view their “Contact Info” once they accept your request.

Alternatively, you can export your connections to find email addresses for connected prospects. Here’s how to find someone’s email address by exporting LinkedIn connections:

1. Click “Me” on the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
2. Select “Settings and Privacy.”
3. Click “Data Privacy” and scroll down to “Getting a copy of your data.”
4. Select Connections > Request archive to receive a spreadsheet of your connections with their verified email addresses.

4. Use Instagram

Instagram is great for finding email addresses, especially if you’re looking at business accounts. These accounts often have an “Email” button right in their bio. For personal accounts, you’ll need to be more careful and considerate when asking for their email. 

Here’s what you can do:

• Open Instagram: Start by opening the Instagram app on your device or going to the Instagram website.

• Search for the Profile: Use the search bar to find the person you’re looking for. You can type in their Instagram handle or keywords related to their profile.

• Visit Their Profile: Click on their profile to see their posts, bio, and any public contact info.

• Look for the Email Button: If it’s a business account, there might be an “Email” button under their bio. Click this to see their email address.
• Access the Email: If there’s an “Email” button, tap it. This will either open your email app with a new message addressed to them or show their email address so you can copy it.
• For Personal Accounts: If it’s a personal account without an email button, you might want to send a polite direct message asking for their email. Start with a friendly introduction and explain why you need it.

• Send a Direct Message: If you opt to send a message, keep it respectful and wait for their reply. Make sure your own profile looks professional to help your chances of getting a response.
• Respect Privacy: Always respect their privacy, especially if they decide not to share their email with you.

5. Check Out Snapchat

Snapchat is designed with privacy in mind and focuses on temporary content, which makes it challenging to find users’ email addresses directly. 

If you need an email address from someone on Snapchat, you’ll need to connect with them personally. Here’s how to go about it:

• Open Snapchat: Start by launching the Snapchat app on your mobile device.

• Find the User: Use the search feature to find the person from whom you need the email. You can search by their Snapchat username or real name if you’ve already added them as a friend.

• Initiate Contact: Send a snap or a message to start the conversation. It’s good to keep it light and friendly, like commenting on a public story they’ve posted.

• Build a Connection: If you’re not already close, try to build some rapport with your initial messages. Having mutual friends can also make this new connection feel more natural and trustworthy.
• Politely Request the Email Address: Once you’ve established a conversation and it feels appropriate, explain why you need their email and ask politely if they would share it. Make sure your reason is clear and reasonable to increase the likelihood of a positive response.
• Wait for Their Reply: Allow them some time to reply. They may give you their email directly, or they might not feel comfortable sharing it. Whatever their decision, show respect for their privacy.

6. Open TikTok

TikTok makes it convenient for users, especially those with business or creator accounts, to include contact details like email addresses in their bios. 

This setup is helpful for potential collaborators or fans who want to reach out directly. Some accounts might also have a contact button, simplifying the process further. 

Here’s how to do it:

• Open TikTok: Launch the TikTok app on your smartphone or visit the TikTok website on a web browser.

• Search for the User: Use the search bar at the top of the screen to locate the user you want to contact. You can search by their username or related keywords.

• Access the Profile: Click on the user’s profile to view it. This is where you’ll see all their public information, including videos, likes, and bio.

• Examine the Bio: Go to the bio section at the top of the profile page. Look for any email addresses listed—users often include them for business inquiries.
• Use the Contact Button: If it’s a business account, there might be a ‘Contact’ button. Clicking on this may show the email address or provide a way to send an email directly through your default email app.
• Copy the Email Address: If you find an email address, either copy it manually or click any direct link to start composing an email.
• Reach Out Appropriately: When you contact them, introduce yourself and clearly state why you’re reaching out. This helps ensure your communication is professional and respectful.

7. Go to YouTube

YouTube channels often provide a way for viewers and potential business partners to contact the channel owner directly through the “About” tab. The availability of an email address depends on the channel owner’s preference to be contactable. Here’s how to find it:

• Find the Channel: Use the search bar to enter the name of the channel whose email address you are looking for. Click on the channel name from the search results to access the channel.

• Go to the About Tab: On the channel’s homepage, click on the “About” section, which is typically found on the top panel beside the channel name.

• Locate Email Details: In the “About” section, scroll down to the “Details” area where you might see a heading labeled “For business inquiries”.

• View Email Address: Click on “View Email Address”. You may be asked to complete a captcha to confirm you’re not a robot.

• Copy the Email Address: After completing the captcha, the email address will be displayed. You can now copy this address to use for sending emails.

8. Use WhatsApp

WhatsApp is mainly used for messaging and calls, connecting users through mobile numbers. To get an email address from someone on WhatsApp, you need to start a conversation and directly ask for it. 

This approach works best if you already have a connection with the person or if they’ve agreed to communicate with you. Here’s how you can do it:

• Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp app on your device.

• Select the Contact: Browse through your WhatsApp contacts or use the search function to find the person from whom you need the email address. You should already have their phone number saved in your contacts.

• Start a Conversation: Begin a chat with the contact. It’s good to start with a friendly greeting and perhaps a little small talk before you make your request.

• Politely Request the Email Address: After ensuring the conversation goes smoothly, politely ask if they would share their email address with you. Be sure to explain why you need it, which helps provide a context that might make them more willing to share the information.
• Wait for Their Response: Allow some time for the contact to reply. They may send their email address directly in the chat, or they might request more details about why you need it.
• Thank Them: Regardless of their response, thank them for their time. If they share their email address, express your gratitude. If they decide not to share it, respect and thank them anyway.

5. Search On Company and Personal Websites

While searching the company website seems like an obvious place to start, most people often overlook this method. Companies often have an “About Us” page with contact details for team members, executives, and stakeholders.

The “Contact Us” page is often presented as a form to communicate directly with the organization’s representatives, who can help you connect to key decision-makers in the company.

If the page you’re viewing is a blog or a self-owned website, you can find the required email address in the “About the Author” section.

6. Use DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo is a privacy-oriented search engine people often use as an alternative to Google. You can conduct an exact search by using the “@domainname.com” format on DuckDuckGo to view all the publicly available email addresses associated with the domain.

You can also include full names to narrow down your search. This method works on DuckDuckGo and not search engines like Google or Bing because the latter uses the “@” symbol for social media tags.

7. Subscribe to Your Prospect’s Email Lists

Most companies include an option for website visitors to join their weekly newsletters. You can search through the company website or the blogs prospective companies publish to enroll for their email campaigns and be a part of their mailing list.

A significant benefit of subscribing to your prospect’s email list is receiving updates and content from personal email addresses. These often come from the prospects whose contact information you’re looking for.

If they aren’t, you can still build rapport with your target company’s team members or stakeholders with casual conversations and eventually ask them to introduce you to the person you want to connect with to add them to your sales funnel as a qualified lead.

8. Crawl Through WHOIS Data

WHOIS is a domain lookup tool that documents publicly available information for domain owners whenever they register new domains and websites. You can find basic information about the domain owner, like email addresses, company details, etc.

However, WHOIS is effective for finding contact information for smaller companies reliably. Larger organizations often register for a domain but assign its maintenance to their technical teams, so you might not be connecting with your target stakeholder.

9. Automate Guessing with Email Permutator

If none of the above methods help you find the email address you’re looking for, you can try guessing your prospect’s email address using a combination of their name and company with the most common email structures.

Instead of putting in several hours of manual effort, you can use the Email Permutator tool to automatically create a list of possible emails based on the inputs you provide.

Here’s how to find someone’s email address using MetricSparrow’s Email Permutator:

1. Input the first and last name with the domain address of your prospect.
2. Select “Permutate!”

1. Select “Copy to Clipboard.”
2. Paste the list on an Excel spreadsheet or check it using Gmail by pasting it on the subject line. Hover over the possible email addresses till information for a verified profile shows up on an email account.

However, using an Email Permutator can get tedious when you’re trying to search for email addresses in bulk. There is also no guarantee that you’ll find the exact prospect you want.

10. Connect with the Company’s Support Chat

Reaching out through a company’s support chat is a clever, indirect way to find someone’s email address. When you’re on their website, look for a chat bubble—usually in the bottom right corner. 

Start a conversation with the support team by asking general questions about their services or products. Gradually, steer the conversation towards requesting the email address of someone specific in the company you need to contact for more detailed information. 

Be polite and explain why emailing them directly could benefit both parties. Remember, the support team is there to help, and if you make a reasonable request, they might just provide you with the contact information you need.

10. Use Ahrefs Content Explorer

Ahrefs Content Explorer is not only a valuable tool for digital marketers and SEO professionals but can also be creatively used to find email addresses. Here’s how you can use it:

• Search for Relevant Content: Start by searching for topics, articles, or blogs related to the company or individual you’re interested in. This tool helps you find content that has performed well on social media or has a high number of backlinks.

• Check Author Details: Once you identify relevant articles, look at the author’s bio or the contact information provided within the article for an email address. Authors often include their contact details to facilitate further communication.

• Explore Further: If the email address isn’t listed directly in the article or bio, check for links to the author’s personal blog or website. These sites often provide more direct ways to contact them, including more comprehensive contact information.

11. Find Contacts of Media Employees with Pressfarm

Pressfarm is a tool primarily designed to help businesses connect with journalists and media professionals. It can also be an effective resource for finding email addresses. Here’s how to use Pressfarm:

• Sign Up for Access: Start by signing up for Pressfarm to get access to their database, which includes media contacts across various industries.
• Use the Search Function: Once you have access, use the search function to locate journalists or bloggers who cover topics relevant to the company or individual you’re interested in.
• Access Contact Information: When you find a relevant contact, their email address is typically listed along with their profile. This makes it straightforward to reach out directly.

This method is especially useful if you’re looking to get in touch with someone for PR purposes, interviews, or to share your story with a broader audience.

12. Search Online Directories for Contact Information

Online directories can be gold mines for finding email addresses. Websites like Whitepages, Spokeo, or even professional directories specific to an industry, hold vast amounts of contact information. Start by entering the name of the person or company you’re interested in. 

These directories often return a list of potential matches, including email addresses, phone numbers, and sometimes even physical addresses. 

Keep in mind the information might not always be up-to-date, and accessing detailed contact information might require a subscription or a fee. Always use this information responsibly and with respect to privacy laws.

13. Using Phone Number 

If you are on the lookout for how to find someone’s email address by phone number, here are a few ways – 

• Use a Contact Syncing App: Install a contact management app that syncs with your phone contacts and can integrate with email accounts. Many smartphones have built-in functionality or third-party apps like Google Contacts on Android. 

• Sync Your Contacts: Ensure your phone contacts are synced with the app. This process usually happens automatically if you give the app permission to access your contacts.
• Link to Email Account: Connect the contact management app with your email account, allowing it to sync contact information, including email addresses that are associated with phone numbers.
• Search for the Contact: Once syncing is complete, use the app’s search feature to find the contact by their phone number. If their email address is linked to their phone number and has been shared with you previously, it should appear in their contact details.

Importance of Finding The Right Email Address

You must always contact the correct email address for an effective lead generation strategy, whether through cold emails or re-engaging with warm leads. A valid email address is an active profile, verified, and deliverable.

Valid email IDs are crucial for email marketing because your outreach needs to reach the correct targets if you want your message to have the desired impact and generate more leads. You could be wasting time sending your carefully crafted emails to inactive or outdated contacts.

Knowing the correct email address boosts your chances of getting a response and reaching important business contacts before your competitors to foster better client relationships. Your teams can consistently move qualified leads through your sales funnel and close more deals.

Why Is It Important to Use Someone’s Personal Email Address?

Finding someone’s email address can work in more ways than you know. Here’s how it can be useful – 

• Direct Communication: Personal email addresses allow you to reach someone directly, ensuring your message is seen by the intended recipient without getting lost in general or corporate inboxes.
• Higher Response Rates: People are more likely to respond to emails sent to their personal address, increasing the chances of engaging in meaningful conversations.
• Personal Touch: Using a personal email address can add a personal touch to your communication, making it more likely for the recipient to feel a connection and respond.
• Avoid Corporate Filters: Emails sent to personal addresses are less likely to be caught by corporate spam filters, increasing the chances your email will be read.
• Better for Sensitive Information: Personal emails are often more secure for sending sensitive information, as they are less likely to be monitored or accessed by others within a company.
• Long-term Contact: People may change jobs or roles within a company, but their personal email addresses are likely to remain the same, making it a reliable way to keep in touch over time.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Email Searching

Do’s:

• Verify the authenticity of the email address to ensure it’s active and belongs to the person you’re trying to reach.
• Use reputable email lookup tools that respect privacy laws and data protection.
• Keep your search focused by using specific keywords and operators to narrow down results.
• Respect privacy by not invading personal space or using the email for spam.
• Follow up if you don’t receive a response initially, but give it some time before doing so.

Don’ts:

• Don’t rely solely on one method; use a combination of tools and strategies for the best results.
• Avoid using found email addresses for spamming or unauthorized marketing.
• Don’t ignore privacy laws and regulations regarding email searches and outreach.
• Refrain from guessing email addresses, as this can lead to sending emails to wrong or non-existent addresses.
• Avoid overloading the recipient with multiple emails or too much information in the initial contact.

Tips to Make an Email Search More Efficient

• Narrow your search parameters by including location, industry, or specific keywords related to the person or company.
• Utilize social media platforms where individuals might have listed their email addresses publicly.
• Keep an organized list of where and how you found email addresses to track effectiveness and avoid duplication.
• Use email verification tools to check the validity of an email address before sending a message.
• Leverage networking sites like LinkedIn, where professionals are more likely to share contact information.
• Consider using browser extensions related to email finding and verification for quicker searches.

Conclusion

So, how to find someone’s email address?

Finding someone’s email address involves several straightforward strategies. You can start by checking their social media profiles, as people often list their contact information in their bio sections. 

Moreover, utilizing search engines with specific queries can also provide good results. If they are professionals, websites related to their work or business might display their email. Also, using your network to ask mutual contacts directly can be a direct way to obtain someone’s email. 

By employing these methods thoughtfully, you can successfully find the email addresses you need while respecting privacy and boundaries.

All the best!

Try Swordfish Ai

FAQs 

How can I find an email address for free?

To find an email address for free, consider checking social media profiles, searching online directories, using specific Google search queries, or trying the free versions of email lookup tools like Swordfish AI.

What precautions should I take when using email lookup methods?

When using email lookup methods, make sure you comply with data protection laws, respect individuals’ privacy settings, and never use the contact details you find for spamming or unauthorized activities. Always obtain explicit consent when required.

How should I approach someone after finding their email address?

When you contact someone whose email address you’ve found, be polite and straightforward. Introduce yourself, clearly state why you’re emailing, and explain how you found their email address. It’s important to give them an option to opt-out of future communications.

Is it legal to use email lookup tools to find someone’s contact details?

Yes, it’s legal to use email lookup tools to find someone’s contact details as long as you follow privacy laws and get the necessary consent. Use these tools responsibly and for legitimate reasons.

How do I ensure my outreach emails are GDPR-compliant when using email lookup tools?

To make sure your outreach emails are GDPR-compliant, you need to get explicit consent from individuals before emailing them. Also, honor any opt-out requests promptly and provide an easy way for recipients to unsubscribe from future communications.