If you're interested in finding information about someone online, one option is to Google search their phone number. Whether the number belongs to a person, university, government organization, or business, searching the number on Google will provide you with information. 

However, when it comes to finding a phone number of an individual or business using Google, more information is often needed. Here are some ways you can use Google to successfully search for phone numbers.

Personal phone numbers

In the past, Google offers an official phone book search feature. Although the feature no longer exists, users can effectively use the search engine to conduct a personal phone number lookup. If you're looking for the phone number of an individual, start by searching for their name. 

When searching for more than just the first or last name, place quotes around the name to narrow down the search results. A broad search will yield a wide variety of results, but may help you locate the phone number or other contact information.

Another option is to search for the individual's name in combination with their ZIP code, like "John Doe 12345." Ensure that the ZIP code you're using to search is accurate for their current place of residence

Business phone numbers

Google is also a useful resource for looking up business phone numbers. In most cases, locating the phone number of a business is easier than tracking down a personal phone number. Because businesses encourage prospective consumers to contact them, finding their contact information is an easier task.

Start by entering the name of the business and an accurate ZIP code. If you're not sure of the name of the business or the business's ZIP code, try conducting a broad search for the specific type of business, like "Italian restaurant." Google will yield a variety of results, including maps and contact information that meet your search criteria.

Another way to search for business phone numbers is to search for the business type and the city the business is located in, such as "Boston dentists." Google will provide information regarding dentists that work in the Boston area, allowing you to sort through relevant businesses to find more information.

Many businesses also list their phone number, location, and contact information on Google Maps. When a regular Google search fails to yield the right results, try using Google Maps to search for the business.

Other ways to use Google to find phone numbers

If the previously mentioned methods fail, you have other ways to look up a phone number using Google. Try conducting a search on a specific website to look up an individual's phone number. Although this method typically only works for websites with contact information, like university and government websites, it may be useful for sites like Facebook.

Searching for someone's phone number together with their email address or username can provide relevant results. Since some websites list phone numbers, email addresses, and usernames, searching for one may lead you to the other. 

In addition, finding someone's profile online with the help of a username may help you locate other personal information. When conducting this type of search, make sure to include the name of the individual, as well as the word "phone" or "number."

Because Google does not host phone numbers, it's not always a useful tool for finding phone numbers online. In some cases, other online tools and search engines can provide more relevant results. For example, Go Look Up, an information as a service company, provides phone number and address lookups, making it easier to find personal information about a specific individual online.