Best Methods for Finding Someone on LinkedIn 

In this internet era, businesses and professionals rely on several tools to verify identities, expand their networks, and research potential connections. LinkedIn has evolved into a trusted platform for professionals - whether you are looking for employment, verifying someone’s identity, growing your network, or reconnecting with former colleagues. 

Nonetheless, when verifying public records - including business licenses, academic databases, work history, property records, phone directories, and legal disputes - LinkedIn Search plays a key role by providing additional information and verifying individuals’ professional identities. Be aware that public records help you conduct due diligence by uncovering legal disputes and regulatory violations, allowing you to make informed decisions and minimize the risks of fraudulent LinkedIn profiles.

Use LinkedIn's Built-in Search Tools 

Finding the right person on LinkedIn requires more than typing a name in the search bar. However, using LinkedIn’s search bar and advanced filters and leveraging Boolean search techniques can help refine your search and locate specific profiles more efficiently. To use the LinkedIn search bar, details such as full name, job title, and company should be provided to facilitate a quick search. 

Searching by Name

Whether you are looking for a colleague, a possible business connection, or hoping to reconnect with a former colleague, LinkedIn makes it simple to search for people by name. To start a name search, enter details such as the person’s full name into the search bar at the top of the LinkedIn homepage. As you type, LinkedIn will suggest matching profiles; if you are not satisfied with the results, press Enter to view the full list. 

Filtering by Location, Industry, and Company 

When searching for professionals in a specific area, industry experts, or employees at a particular company, LinkedIn filters help refine your search to get relevant results. After generating search results via a name search, you can refine your results by using different filters like location, industry, or company. 

Whether you are interested in searching for professionals in a specific location, industry, or company, click on the “Locations”, “Industry”, “Current Company” or “Past Company” filters, respectively, and select the area you are interested in. If you need to find individuals with a specific job title, use “Title” filter to target professionals with a particular role, as this ensures you get connected to the right person based on their current or past positions. These filters enable you to search quickly and efficiently, helping you find the right professionals on LinkedIn.

Finding Profiles Without Logging In (Google Search Method) 

If you do not want to log into LinkedIn but want to find someone’s profile, Google search operators can be used to locate public profiles directly from search engine results. Simply type site:linkedin.com “Name” into the Google search bar, and Google will show LinkedIn pages that match your search.

Nonetheless, if the person has a common name, you may need to narrow your search by adding details such as their job title, location, company, or industry, as Google will help you find the right profile easily. Adding these details fine-tunes your search, helping you quickly find and connect with the right professional. 

Be aware that by using these strategies together, you can efficiently search for and find LinkedIn profiles on Google without signing in.

How to Find Someone on LinkedIn Without Knowing Their Name

Even if you don’t know someone’s name, LinkedIn offers alternative ways to locate their profile. You can try searching by email, syncing contacts, or exploring mutual connections and shared groups.

Searching By Email Address

LinkedIn allows users to search and connect via email addresses linked to their profile if you don't know their names. To search for someone’s profile, simply type the email into LinkedIn’s search bar. If the person’s profile is linked, their email and their privacy settings allow it; their profile may appear in the results. Keep in mind that LinkedIn prioritizes privacy, so searching might not work. If the profile doesn’t show up, try adding the email under My Network > More options to see if LinkedIn suggests them as a connection.

Searching By Phone Number

LinkedIn does not allow users to search directly by phone number. Even though you try to enter their phone number into the search bar, it is unlikely to work unless their phone number has been made public. 

Another option is to save the number in your contacts and synchronize them with LinkedIn under Settings > Sync contacts, which may suggest their profile if they have linked their number. Similarly, you can type their phone number into Google along with site:LinkedIn.com to see if any results come up. This usually works if their contact information is publicly visible on LinkedIn or any other indexed website.

Searching Through Mutual Connections and Groups 

Individuals who have a general idea of whom they might be connected to can also search via mutual connections. They can visit a colleague’s LinkedIn profile and check if their connections are visible, look through the list of displayed connections, or use the search bar within their connections to filter by company, industry, or job title. Once you find a likely connection, you can send a connection request or ask your mutual contact for an introduction. Keep in mind that many individuals or professionals join LinkedIn groups related to their interests, job roles, or industry. When searching for professional profiles on the platform, go to the “Groups” section on LinkedIn for specific groups. Thereafter, browse the displayed list of members to see if the person you are looking for is active in any group or discussion. If you find them, you can send a connection request or message them if the group permits.

Using Public Record and External Tools to Find LinkedIn Profiles

Searching for someone on LinkedIn can sometimes be challenging, especially when they have a common name or limited visibility on their profile. Whether you are verifying a person’s identity, employment history, or professional credentials or are simply looking to reconnect with someone, using public records databases alongside LinkedIn’s search features can make your search more accurate and reliable. 

Public records databases, including full names, locations, employment history, business registrations, and professional licensing boards, provide detailed information about an individual. This makes it easier to help you confirm whether a LinkedIn profile matches the individual you are searching for. Likewise, it helps recruiters, hiring managers, and business professionals verify LinkedIn profiles before making important decisions. 

FAQs About Finding People on LinkedIn 

Finding someone on LinkedIn can be challenging or straightforward, depending on their privacy settings and the information you have. Whether you are searching without a LinkedIn account, dealing with private profiles, or using phone numbers or email to track someone, here are some useful tips to guide you. 

Can You Find a LinkedIn Profile Without an Account? 

Interested parties who wish to track someone can do so without using a LinkedIn account by simply using Google search operators, and it will display profiles matching your search. Nevertheless, if the profile is set to be private, interested parties might not find the desired results.

What If Someone Has a Private LinkedIn Profile? 

When a LinkedIn user sets their profile to private, interested parties can only access limited information about them. This means that details such as job title and basic details may be hidden. Nonetheless, if you want to search for such profiles, you can do so via mutual connections or by reaching out through professional groups. 

Can You Find a LinkedIn Profile Using Just an Email? 

Even though LinkedIn does not have a public email search feature, you can find someone’s profile through their email, as you can try to add them as a contact. As such, if their email is linked to their profile, LinkedIn might suggest their profile under “People You May Know”. Similarly, another option is using Google search operators or external people search tools such as RecordsFinder, which might help locate LinkedIn profiles associated with an email address.

How Do You Find an Old LinkedIn Profile? 

Whether you are trying to find your old forgotten account or someone else’s, LinkedIn offers an account recovery tool that allows you to provide your old details and check for associated accounts. Likewise, checking your inbox for LinkedIn notifications might lead you back to the profile. Also, searching via Google search operators by providing the person’s detailed information can be a good option if you are trying to check whether the profile exists.

Does LinkedIn Notify Users When You Search for Them? 

LinkedIn does not notify people when someone searches for them. However, they might see that you visited or viewed their profile, especially premium users, or if your profile visibility settings allow them to see who viewed their pages. Nonetheless, if you prefer to search discreetly, switching to private mode on your LinkedIn settings before viewing profiles will be a good option.