If trying to perform a reverse phone look up, the very first reflex might be to “Google” a list of phone directories or reverse lookup services. However, very few people know that the popular search engine itself has a phone book directory which can be used to find someone’s phone number, or find someone WITH their phone number. The reason why it is so little known is because it is “hidden” inside the search feature.
The phonebook tool simply lists information from white page directories, the same as your run-of-the-mill phone book, and provides you with the name, address, phone number and map-coordinates for any US resident or business you might be looking for.
How do I access and use it?
Syntax is the key to using Google Phonebook successfully. Simply log on to Google.com, and type “phonebook:” (IMPORTANT: “phonebook” must have a small-case “p” and be followed by the colon), which will open the engine’s phonebook tool. Then type the first and last name (in no particular order) followed by the state and city if possible; to help narrow your search, type “r” for residential before phonebook and “b” for business. If the search criteria do not specify which, it will show separate results for both categories.
To run a reverse phone lookup, replace the name and state with the 9-digit phone number you wish to track down, using the dash-format between the digit series.
Examples:
rphonebook: Jane Smith Houston TX (city is optional)
bphonebook: Restaurants New York
phonebook: 555-123-4567
What if I don’t wish to be listed on Google?
There are many good reasons to prefer anonymity, especially when it comes to a search engine where anyone can look you up. Google does consider such a desire from the general public, and offers a way to remove you from their search engine, by filling a form on the Google Phone Book Removal Page.
Removing yourself from Google does not mean you are clear of all the online directories; it only means that Google will not disclose your information on THEIR listing’s results. Other online reverse lookup and phone search sites are not affected by it.
Are there limitations?
Google Phonebook does not appear to work for any other country than US, and does not include cell phone numbers; their listings only gather legally available information found in your basic US White Pages. Since the phone book itself is updated only once a year, Google’s tool may appear to offer outdated information in some cases; the search engine does not refresh the information as it changes, but only as it is made available in White Page directories.
