Author
Ayan Malik
Builder and writer, WhatsMyName App
Ayan Malik builds and maintains the username search interface on this site, and writes the guides published here on OSINT, username research and digital privacy.
The comparisons on this site come from running the same searches through each tool rather than from vendor claims, and the platform coverage notes come from watching which entries in the dataset stop resolving over time.
Corrections, questions and platform reports are welcome through the contact page.
Articles by Ayan Malik
- OSINT 10 min readSep 2, 2026How to Search a WhatsApp Username (And What Actually Works)WhatsApp launched usernames in 2026 with no public directory and no search, on purpose. Here is what a WhatsApp handle really tells you, and what works instead.
- OSINT 12 min readJun 3, 2026Free Digital Footprint Checker: Search 732 Platforms by UsernameCheck your digital footprint free by username. WhatsMyName App scans 732 platforms and shows every account registered under your handle in under 90 seconds.
- OSINT 12 min readJun 3, 2026Username OSINT: Complete Guide to Finding Accounts Online (2026)A complete guide to username OSINT. Learn how to find, analyse, and cross-reference usernames across 700+ platforms using free tools including WhatsMyName App.
- OSINT 11 min readJun 3, 2026How to Find Someone Online by Username. Free Methods That WorkFind someone online using their username across 732 platforms for free. Works for reconnecting with lost contacts, verifying identities, and checking digital footprints.
- OSINT 8 min readJun 3, 2026How to Use WhatsMyName App on Your Phone. Android and iOS GuideWhatsMyName App works on any phone browser. No app download needed. Here is how to run a username search on Android or iPhone in under 2 minutes.
- OSINT 8 min readJun 3, 2026WhatsMyName App Web Version. Use It Free in Your BrowserUse WhatsMyName App directly in your browser with no install and no signup. The web version checks 732 platforms instantly. Here is how it works.
- OSINT 11 min readJun 3, 2026How to Find Someone's Social Media Accounts by Username (Free)Find any username across 732 social media platforms at once for free. No signup required. Search Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, GitHub, and 700+ more in seconds.
- OSINT 11 min readJun 3, 2026What is OSINT? A Plain English Guide for Beginners (2026)OSINT stands for open source intelligence, the practice of finding information from public sources. Learn what it is, how it works, and how to try it yourself for free.
- OSINT 10 min readMay 15, 2026How to Check Your Digital Footprint Online (Free, No Signup)Check your digital footprint online for free using username search. See exactly which platforms have accounts under your name in under 90 seconds, no email required.
- OSINT 11 min readMay 15, 2026Best Free OSINT Username Search Tools in 2026 (Ranked and Reviewed)The best free OSINT username search tools in 2026 ranked and compared. Find usernames across hundreds of platforms instantly, no install, no signup required.
- OSINT 11 min readMay 12, 2026What Is Username Enumeration and How Does It Work?Username enumeration is the process of systematically discovering where a specific username exists across the internet. It is one of the…
- OSINT 10 min readMay 12, 2026How HR Teams Use Username Search for Candidate Background ChecksOver 77% of employers check candidates online before making hiring decisions. Most of that checking happens through LinkedIn and a…
- OSINT 11 min readMay 12, 2026Someone Is Using My Username Online: What to Do Step by StepFinding out someone is using your username on social media or other platforms is unsettling. It may be harmless, someone who happened to…
- OSINT 11 min readMay 12, 2026How to Use WhatsMyName App: Complete Step-by-Step GuideWhatsMyName App searches 732 platforms simultaneously and returns real-time results with direct links to every found profile. The basic search…
- OSINT 11 min readMay 12, 2026How to Find Fake Accounts Using Your Name or PhotoFake accounts that use your name, photos, or identity are more common than most people realize. They are created for various reasons, scamming your…
- OSINT 8 min readMay 11, 2026WhatsMyName App vs Sherlock vs Maigret vs Namechk: Which One Should You Use?WhatsMyName App, Sherlock, Maigret, and Namechk compared side by side on coverage, speed, accuracy, and which tool fits which situation.
- OSINT 7 min readMay 11, 2026WhatsMyName App Not Working? Here Are the Real Reasons and How to Fix ThemThe actual causes and step-by-step fixes for WhatsMyName App error results, slow scans, missing platforms, false positives, and pages that will not load.
- OSINT 6 min readMay 11, 2026Is WhatsMyName App Safe? Privacy, Legality, and What It Actually DoesA straight answer on WhatsMyName App safety covering data storage, cookies, legality, open source verification, and who should and should not use it.