Introduction
Whether you’re trying to reconnect with a lead, verify an inbound inquiry, or just satisfy your curiosity — figuring out who owns an email address is a skill worth mastering. But how do you do it efficiently and ethically?

In this guide, we’ll walk through actionable steps and tools that professionals use to uncover the identity behind unknown or unfamiliar email addresses — especially in a B2B context.

1. Start With Google

The simplest starting point is a Google search. Wrap the email address in quotation marks (e.g., "[email protected]") to find exact matches. If the email has been used publicly, it may show up on discussion boards, business sites, or social media.

2. Use Reverse Email Lookup Tools

There are dedicated platforms that specialize in this kind of identification. Some notable ones include:

• Hunter.io — Email verification plus associated data.


• Pipl — Deep web search engine for personal data.


• BeenVerified — Public records and social media scans.


• Clearbit — Especially useful for B2B context with company-level data.

Most of these tools are freemium and offer valuable results even with a few credits.

3. LinkedIn + Email Patterns

If you know the domain (like @acmecorp.com), you can search LinkedIn for employees at that company. Many organizations use standard naming conventions for emails (e.g., firstname.lastname@). With a bit of deduction, you can often match a name to an email.

4. Inspect Email Headers

If you’ve received an actual email, open the message and look at the full headers. This technical info can reveal where the email originated and whether it passed authentication checks. Useful in identifying spam or impersonation.

5. Outreach Context: Use the Right Channel

Sometimes it’s not just about identifying the person — it’s about figuring out the best way to reach them once you do. Should you email, call, or text?

This article breaks down exactly how to find out who an email belongs to and what your next steps should be depending on your outreach goal. It’s especially useful for recruiters and salespeople navigating complex touchpoints.