Social Analyzer: how to use it, and a lighter alternative
Social Analyzer from qeeqbox looks for a person's profiles across more than 1,000 sites and scores each hit instead of giving a simple yes or no. It comes as an API, a CLI and a local web app. This page explains how it works, how to run it, and when a browser checker is enough.
Profile finder (API, CLI, web app). Project: github.com/qeeqbox/social-analyzer · License: AGPL-3.0 · Last reviewed 2026-10-13
What is Social Analyzer?
Social Analyzer is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license. Its README describes it as an API, CLI and web app for analyzing and finding a person's profile across 1,000+ social media websites, with modules you can switch on or off for each investigation.
Its detection gives each result a rating from 0 to 100 (No, Maybe, Yes) built from several detection techniques, with the aim of fewer false positives. It can take screenshots, run OCR, generate name permutations, extract metadata and draw a graph of the patterns it finds.
The README notes that some law enforcement agencies use the project, and that their detection database differs from the public one.
How to use Social Analyzer
- Install the Python package with pip, or clone the repository to run the Node.js web app on your own machine.
- Run the module with --username and the handle you want to check.
- Add options such as --metadata or --top to extract details or limit the run to top-ranked sites.
- For the web app, install with npm and open the local address it prints.
Example commands from the project's README (check it for the current version):
pip3 install social-analyzer
python3 -m social-analyzer --username "johndoe"
python3 -m social-analyzer --username "johndoe" --metadataSocial Analyzer vs WhatsMyName Apps
| Feature | Social Analyzer | WhatsMyName Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Sites checked | 1,000+ per its README | 3,166 sites, merged from the WhatsMyName, Sherlock and Maigret lists |
| Result type | Rating from 0 to 100 (No, Maybe, Yes) | Four statuses: found, not found, blocked, unknown |
| Screenshots and OCR | Yes | No |
| Profile details | Metadata and pattern extraction | Name, avatar and bio where a found profile exposes them |
| Setup | Python package or local Node.js web app | Nothing to install. It runs in the browser |
| API | Yes | No API and no CLI |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Free hosted tool, not open source |
| Price | Free | Free, no sign-up |
Based on Social Analyzer's own documentation as of 2026-10-13. Tools change; the project page is the final word.
Pros and cons of Social Analyzer
Pros
- Confidence scores instead of a binary result.
- Screenshots, OCR, metadata extraction and graphs in one tool.
- Several ways to run it: API, CLI or local web app.
Cons
- Heavier setup: the web app needs Node.js, and screenshots need a browser engine.
- AGPL-3.0 has obligations if you modify it and offer it as a network service.
- More than most people need for a quick handle check.
Who Social Analyzer is for
Social Analyzer fits analysts who want scored results, screenshots and metadata for a case file and can run software locally. For a quick look at where a handle is used, a browser checker gets you there faster.
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
Is there a Social Analyzer online version?
The project runs as a local web app, CLI or API that you install. If you want a hosted browser search, our username checker needs no install.
How do I install Social Analyzer?
The quickest route is pip3 install social-analyzer, then python3 -m social-analyzer --username followed by the handle. The README also covers running the Node.js web app.
Social Analyzer vs WhatsMyName Apps: which should I pick?
Pick Social Analyzer for scored results, screenshots and metadata on your own machine. Pick WhatsMyName Apps for a fast browser search across a larger merged site list with JSON or CSV export.
Related tools and guides
- Maigret: Username search (CLI and web UI)
- Sherlock: Username search (CLI)
- SpiderFoot: OSINT automation framework
- Blackbird: Username search (CLI)
- 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 Social Analyzer or its authors.