Social media has revolutionised the way we connect, communicate, and gather information. For investigators and researchers, platforms like X (formerly Twitter) offer unprecedented opportunities to track down individuals, connect with communities, and uncover valuable insights. But effectively using X to find people requires not just a basic understanding of the platform, but also strategic skills.

X offers a variety of tools to help you locate individuals or groups.

1. Start with the Basics

Begin with the search bar at the top of your X home page. Simply type in the name, username, or keyword associated with the person you’re seeking. For example, if you’re searching for “Jane Aussie,” X will display users, tweets, and hashtags matching that term.

2. Use Advanced Search Features

For more targeted results, tap into Twitter’s Advanced Search (https://x.com/search-advanced). This tool enables you to refine results using multiple filters:

• Keywords: Search for tweets containing specific words, phrases, or hashtags. You may also exclude words.
• Language: Narrow by language to ensure results align with your requirements.
• People: Limit results to tweets from specific accounts or tagged mentions.
• Dates: Focus on tweets sent during specific time frames.

For instance, if you’re looking for insights on discussed in 2021, you can limit results to that period.

3. Explore Mentions and Replies

Check out the mentions and replies of relevant users. Often, individuals interact or tag mutual connections in their replies, offering additional leads in your investigation. Tools like X Pro (https://pro.twitter.com/) can simplify this process by displaying mentions in an organised column.

4. Search Geolocated Tweets

If location is a key factor, use Twitter’s geolocation feature. You can search tweets originating from a specific city or region by including location filters like “near:” or “geocode:” in your search. For example:

“Jane Aussie” near:Darwin

Geolocation is especially useful for researchers investigating locally.