Finding a Reddit account by username or email
The simplest way to find someone on Reddit is to search for their username directly. Go to reddit.com, type the username into the search bar at the top, and select "Users" from the filter menu. If the account exists and is public, their profile will appear with their username, when they joined, and their post history.
Reddit usernames are case-insensitive, so searching for "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" will return the same account. If you know someone's email address, Reddit's search function won't find them by email — Reddit doesn't index email addresses publicly. However, if the person has posted their email in comments or posts, a general Google search for that email plus "reddit" may surface their profile.
Keep in mind that many Reddit accounts are private or have limited visibility. A user can delete their posts and comments, set their profile to private, or use a throwaway account that shares no identifying information. If you search for a username and nothing appears, the account may not exist, may have been deleted, or may be set to private.
Key Takeaways
- Search for a Reddit username directly on reddit.com using the search bar and selecting "Users" to find public profiles.
- Reddit does not index email addresses, so you cannot search by email, but you can search for an email address on Google along with "reddit" to find posts where someone shared it.
- Private accounts and deleted posts won't show up in searches, and many users create throwaway accounts with no identifying details.
- A person's post history, comments, and joined date are visible on public profiles, which can help you confirm you found the right account.
Using Google to search for Reddit posts by a specific person
Google indexes Reddit posts and comments, so you can search for someone's Reddit activity without using Reddit's own search. Type the person's name in quotes, followed by "site:reddit.com" — for example: "John Smith" site:reddit.com. This will return any Reddit posts or comments where that exact name appears.
This method works best if the person uses their real name on Reddit or mentions identifying details in their posts. If they use only a username with no personal information, a Google search won't help. You can also search for specific details you know about them — a workplace name, a hobby, a location — combined with site:reddit.com to find their activity.
Be aware that this search returns any mention of the name across all of Reddit, not just posts by that person. You may see comments where someone else mentioned them, or unrelated people with the same name. You'll need to click through results to find the actual account.
Searching by email address or phone number
If you have someone's email address or phone number, you can search for it on Google combined with "reddit" to see if they've posted it publicly. Type the email or phone number in quotes, followed by site:reddit.com — for example: "john@example.com" site:reddit.com. If the person has shared that contact information in a post or comment, it will appear in the results.
This approach only works if the person has actually posted their contact information on Reddit. Most people don't share email addresses or phone numbers publicly, so this method often returns no results. If it does return results, you can click through to find their username and profile.
Finding Reddit accounts through linked social media or websites
Some Reddit users link to their other social media accounts, personal websites, or portfolios on their profile. If you're looking for someone and you know their Twitter handle, Instagram username, or personal website, you can check those accounts to see if they mention a Reddit username. Conversely, if you find their Reddit profile, you can look at their profile page to see if they've linked to other accounts.
Reddit allows users to add a bio and links to their profile. Click on a username to view their full profile page, and look for any external links or mentions of other accounts. Some people include their Reddit username on their personal website or social media bio, which can help you confirm you've found the right person.
What you can and cannot see on a public Reddit profile
A public Reddit profile shows the user's username, when they joined, their total karma (points earned from upvotes), and their post and comment history. You can see what communities they participate in, what they post about, and roughly when they're active. You cannot see their email address, real name, location, or any private messages they've sent.
Reddit does not display a user's IP address, browsing history, or any information they haven't chosen to share publicly. If someone has deleted their account, their username will no longer appear in searches, though some of their old posts may still be visible under the username "[deleted]".
Privacy considerations and Reddit's terms of service
Reddit's terms of service allow you to view public profiles and search for users, but they prohibit harassment, doxxing (publishing someone's private information), or using Reddit data for purposes like creating databases of users. Searching for someone's public profile is permitted, but using that information to contact them outside Reddit, track them across the internet, or harass them violates Reddit's rules and potentially local laws.
If you're searching for someone for legitimate reasons — reconnecting with a friend, verifying someone's identity, or researching a topic — public profile searches are appropriate. If your intent is to track, harass, or harm someone, that crosses into illegal territory depending on your location and actions. Many jurisdictions have stalking and harassment laws that apply online.
When a Reddit search doesn't find what you're looking for
If you search for a username and find nothing, the account may have been deleted, suspended by Reddit moderators, or shadowbanned (a state where the user can post but no one else can see their content). You can also try variations of the username — adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens, since people often use similar usernames across platforms.
If you're searching by name or email and getting no results, the person may not use Reddit, may use a completely different username with no identifying information, or may have set their profile to private. Some subreddits also require membership to view user profiles, so you may need to join the community to see certain accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find someone's Reddit account if they use a fake name?
Not through a direct search. If they use a completely fictional username with no personal details in their posts, you won't be able to find them by name. You could search for other identifying information they've shared — a workplace, hobby, or location — combined with site:reddit.com, but this is less reliable and may return unrelated results.
Does Reddit show me who viewed my profile?
No. Reddit does not notify users when someone views their profile or searches for their username. Your profile visits are private, and the person you're searching for will not know you looked them up unless you interact with their posts or send them a message.
Can I search for deleted Reddit accounts?
Deleted accounts no longer appear in Reddit's search, but some of their old posts may still be visible under the username "[deleted]". You can search for specific content they posted using Google's site:reddit.com search, which may return archived versions of their posts even after the account is gone.
What's the difference between a deleted account and a suspended account?
A deleted account is removed by the user and no longer appears in searches. A suspended account is removed by Reddit for violating terms of service, and the username may still appear in old posts but the profile page will show as unavailable. Neither type of account can post or comment.
Is it legal to find someone's Reddit account and contact them?
Finding and viewing a public Reddit profile is legal. Contacting them through Reddit's messaging system is also legal. However, using their Reddit information to find their real name, address, or other private details and contacting them outside Reddit may violate harassment or stalking laws depending on your intent and location. Stick to Reddit's own messaging system if you want to reach out.