Blackbird OSINT: how to use it, and a browser alternative

Blackbird is a Python OSINT tool built on the WhatsMyName dataset. It searches usernames across hundreds of platforms and can turn the results into PDF or CSV reports. Here is what it does, how to run a username search with it, and how it compares with a web checker.

Username search (CLI). Project: github.com/p1ngul1n0/blackbird · Last reviewed 2026-10-13

What is Blackbird?

Blackbird is developed by Lucas Antoniaci (p1ngul1n0). Its README says it searches more than 600 platforms and is fully integrated with the WhatsMyName project, which it credits for low false-positive rates.

Besides plain searching it has filters, PDF and CSV export, and an optional AI feature that writes a behavioral and technical profile from the list of sites where a name was found. The README says only site names are sent for that, under a free daily limit. Blackbird can also search by email address.

The code is public on GitHub. We did not find a license file in the repository when we reviewed it, so check the repository before reusing the code.

How to use Blackbird

Clone the repository and install the Python requirements.
Run blackbird.py with --username and the handle you want to check.
Add the PDF flag described in the README if you need a report.
Read the project docs for filters and the optional AI setup.

Example commands from the project's README (check it for the current version):

git clone https://github.com/p1ngul1n0/blackbird
cd blackbird
pip install -r requirements.txt
python blackbird.py --username johndoe

Blackbird vs WhatsMyName Apps

Feature	Blackbird	WhatsMyName Apps
Sites checked	600+ platforms per its README	3,166 sites, merged from the WhatsMyName, Sherlock and Maigret lists
Data source	WhatsMyName dataset	WhatsMyName, Sherlock and Maigret lists
Setup	git clone, Python requirements	Nothing to install. It runs in the browser
Export	PDF and CSV	JSON and CSV (no PDF)
Email search	Yes	Email and phone tools are coming soon, not live yet
Automation	CLI	No API and no CLI
Profile details	Optional AI-written profile from site names	Name, avatar and bio where a found profile exposes them
Price	Free	Free, no sign-up

Based on Blackbird's own documentation as of 2026-10-13. Tools change; the project page is the final word.

Pros and cons of Blackbird

Pros

Uses the vetted WhatsMyName data, so false positives stay low.
PDF and CSV reports straight from the command line.
Runs locally; free to use.

Cons

Needs Python, git and a terminal.
Coverage is close to the WhatsMyName list alone, smaller than tools that merge several lists.
No license file found in the repository at review time.

Who Blackbird is for

Blackbird suits people who want WhatsMyName-quality results in a terminal and like having a PDF report at the end. If you do not want to install Python, a browser checker covers the same dataset and more.

Try a username search in your browser

Free, no sign-up. Checks 3,166 sites; the username is not stored or logged.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Blackbird online?

Blackbird is a command-line tool you run yourself. For a browser search, our checker covers the WhatsMyName sites Blackbird uses, plus the Sherlock and Maigret lists, for 3,166 sites in total.

How do I install Blackbird?

Clone the GitHub repository, run pip install -r requirements.txt, then run python blackbird.py --username followed by the handle.

Blackbird vs WhatsMyName Apps: what is the difference?

Blackbird runs locally and makes PDF reports. WhatsMyName Apps runs in the browser, checks a larger merged list, keeps blocked and unknown results separate, and exports JSON or CSV.

Is Blackbird open source?

The source is public on GitHub. We did not find a license file in the repository when we reviewed it, so read the repository before reusing the code.

Related tools and guides

WhatsMyName: Open username dataset
Sherlock: Username search (CLI)
Maigret: Username search (CLI and web UI)
Social Analyzer: Profile finder (API, CLI, web app)
All OSINT tools compared
OSINT username search · Reverse username lookup · Platform username checkers
Username OSINT for beginners

Names and trademarks belong to their owners. WhatsMyName Apps is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Blackbird or its authors.