Method & limitations

Follow a lead. Verify its source.

Maigret checks public profile locations associated with a username. The app sends requests to the selected websites and interprets their responses using site rules. The available targets and behavior depend on your app version, selected scope and the sites’ current availability.

A match does not prove identity

A public page at a matching username is a lead to examine. It does not establish who controls the account, whether two accounts have the same owner, or whether the content is current. Open the original public page and use independent, lawful evidence before reaching a conclusion.

Missing, blocked and uncertain are different

A page can be unavailable because it does not exist, because the website blocks a request, because a request times out, or because the site’s response has changed. A successful HTTP response alone does not prove a profile exists. “Not found” does not prove a handle is available to register.

3.1 classification preview

The following describes version 3.1 in development. Version 3.0 may use different labels and does not contain the complete preview workflow.

• Found: the executed rule supports a public-profile candidate. Check the original source.
• Not found: the executed check found evidence consistent with no profile at that location.
• Needs review: ambiguous or conflicting signals require manual inspection.
• Unavailable or incomplete: a block, limit, network failure or skipped check prevents a reliable conclusion.

The 3.1 implementation combines Maigret and Sherlock-compatible rule data, records coverage and preserves uncertainty. A count of configured rules is not a count of independently verified working sites, and a wider paid scan does not guarantee additional findings.

Keep the scope proportionate

Start with your own accounts, authorized work or other lawful public-source research. Search only what you need, stop when the purpose is met, and avoid retaining unrelated personal information. Maigret does not provide private-account access, authentication bypass or ongoing background surveillance.

Practical guides

• Audit your own public footprint
• Check creator and brand handles
• Interpret username-search results
• Define an authorized investigation

See privacy details for where requests go, or contact support about a result.