Can't Find Someone on Reddit? Here's How to Do It Without Their Username

Reddit has a built-in search tool that may help find the person in question, even if the interested party does not know their username. First, enter keywords connected to the individual's comments or posts in the search bar. If a specific topic is being discussed, use the terms to narrow the results. The seeker may also search according to subreddit by adding 'subreddit:nameofsubreddit' to the search.

This especially helps if the requester knows where they were active. Another practical approach is using 'author:'as the search term. They can also input "author:PartialUsername" if one recalls part of the target's user details. This will yield possible matches from which one may select. Though the Reddit search is not always perfect, combining these approaches can help track down the person being looked for.

Google may be the alternative if the built-in search does not yield the required results. One can use the "site;reddit.com" operator to search for posts made by a specific individual. Just type 'site:reddit.com,' followed by the keywords username or both. For example, if one remembers the person was discussing washing powder, the search parameters could be as follows.

site:reddit.com "washing powder" "potential username"

If the requester only remembers a part of the username, then it would be

site:reddit.com "Keyphrase" author: Partialusername

This approach allows Google's advanced indexing to pull up discussions on Reddit that may not appear on the platform's search bar results. Experimenting with different keyword combinations is advisable to increase the chances of finding the person in question.

If there is a link to a Reddit post but the seeker does not remember the username of the person who made it, they can still find it by checking the comment history. Clicking on a username in a post or a comment will navigate to the person's profile. Here, it is possible to view their past activities, including the individual's posts and any replies.

There are cases where the username is not immediately visible, like when viewing the archived type threads or shared post links. However, if the username is not immediately visible within the given link, like when viewing a thread where their post appears but the name is not visible, one may check the comment section. If other users had replied to their posts, they could have mentioned the poster by name. Seeking responses including the "u/[username]" may also reveal identity. This approach is useful for parties engaged in discussions on their post.

Some users on Reddit cross-link their accounts in other comments or posts. If they mentioned another thread that they participated in, it may be possible to do a username search by following the link. Users active on different subreddits may reference posts when discussing similar subjects. Similarly, other Redditors may have shared or quoted it in another thread if the original post got traction. Hence, searching for keywords from the post in other forums or subreddits may lead back to the original poster's username.

If the person's interests are known or there are frequently discussed subjects, one may find them through relevant subreddits. Most users live in communities that align with their professions, causes, or hobbies. Begin by finding subreddits the parties could have participated in, then browse the posts and comments for anything matching their writing style. For example, if they talked about cryptocurrency or entrepreneurship, one can check if their posts appear.

Search for particular terminology or opinions they regularly use in discussions. If there are specific topics that the individual discussed, then one can enter keywords in the search bar within a specific subreddit. For example, people in the entrepreneurship or cryptocurrency space may be sought by inputting 'blockchain regulations' and 'mobile payments' to narrow the results.

Similarly, some users also use a distinct way of phrasing or tone to explain things, which makes it easier to recognize them even if the exact username is not available. Combining this method with Reddit search or Google may improve one's chances of finding them.

If one is trying to find a person on Reddit, but their content is no longer available, archives or third-party tools may be of assistance. Though the platform does not offer a history of deleted posts or comments, external tools might have stored previous data. One may also note that not every third-party service is reliable. Some are known for violating privacy policies or terms of service. The following are a few tools that may be used.

• Wayback Machine: This tool takes snapshots of pages. If you have a link to an old Reddit post but the content has been removed, enter the URL into the Wayback search bar. It will illustrate a cached version of the page.
• Pushshift is a database where historically archived Reddit comments or posts may be viewed before they were edited. This tool is great for finding deleted information, though the data may not always be up to date because of the Reddit API restrictions.
• Google stores cached versions of Reddit pages that may still have usernames or deleted posts. To check if the post is there, search for the Reddit link on Google. Click on the three-dot menu next to the result and select the cached tab if it is there. It can temporarily show an older version of the page being searched before it was removed.

That said, not every data retrieval tool is authorized by Reddit. Accessing deleted and removed content may also result in ethical considerations. It would be advisable to follow Reddit's guidelines on user privacy when using any of these methods. Secondly, some tools might not work because of API restrictions or missing information.

If struggling to find someone on the platform, asking for help from the subreddit communities is possible. These are especially those dedicated to tracking down lost content. Subreddit groups like r/tipofmytongue are great at helping users recall things they cannot remember. These include posts, discussions, or even usernames. When posting to ask for assistance, include all details about the user or the content that comes to mind. These are discussed topics, phrases used, and subreddits where they were active. Please be mindful that some users might not want to be found. Avoid sharing personal details or doxxing.

It is essential to respect user privacy and to ensure the search is done for ethical reasons. Reddit was founded on anonymity, so many users remain private for personal or security reasons. Tracking someone down or engaging in intrusive searches without consent goes against Reddit's services' terms. For example, some may have changed Reddit usernames.

Others may have deleted their accounts as they probably want to remove their presence from the platform. Respect their decision and avoid using unauthorized options to retrieve their information. Similarly, violating policies on harassment and doxxing could lead to bans from subreddit communities and legal consequences.

Finding a person on Reddit without a username can be problematic, but many methods exist to track down posts or comments. The utilization of Reddit's built-in search, Google site search, browning comment histories, and third-party archive tools may assist in finding individuals. There are subreddit communities like r/tipofmytongue that can help locate content.

These techniques may be helpful, but it is important to search ethically and responsibly. Since Reddit was created for users to interact anonymously, respecting individual privacy should be one of the main priorities. Avoid violating Reddit policies when searching for a person, and always consider that they may not want to be found if they have already deleted their account.