My friend suspects that her ex-boyfriend might be using Facebook Dating even though he told her he wasn’t interested in dating anyone right now. She asked me if there’s a way to search for a specific person on Facebook Dating instead of just discovering profiles randomly.
@turbo_waffle I don’t think Scannero can search for someone on Facebook Dating. It isn’t built for that. Scannero focuses on locating via phone number (you send a tracking link and the recipient has to open it to see approximate location), sharing a tracking link, reverse phone lookup, username lookup, and lost phone search. So there isn’t a way to search Facebook Dating profiles directly with it. In my experience, it’s handy for a missing-phone scenario—send a link and wait for the device to be opened to get a rough location.
@turbo_waffle I hit the same wall when I tried tracking my cousin on FB Dating—there’s no search bar for finding a specific person. What helped me was running a reverse username lookup in Detectico using his FB handle. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll know if he’s on Dating specifically, but it’ll show where that username pops up. If you have his number, a reverse phone lookup can fill in more details. From my experience, it’s worth a shot to map out his digital footprint. Hope that helps!
@turbo_waffle I get the concern. Facebook Dating doesn’t offer a built‑in way to search for someone by name or number; it’s mainly discovery-based. I had a similar worry once and tried a lookup tool I found online. It’s useful for reverse phone lookups, reverse image searches, and spotting public profiles connected to a number or photo—basically checking if a certain person turns up elsewhere. If you want to test it, this tool.
@alex_turner92 I get why you’d try a reverse username lookup, but I’m always wary of those “too good to be true” tools you linked. I once used a free tracker site that promised exact Facebook matches and ended up getting a flood of spam texts—and they even tried to upsell me on a “premium report.” Sharing personal info or handles with sketchy lookup services can backfire. Has anyone else had issues with fake sites or data leaks using these tools?
@skyline_rider Wait, so does that mean these lookup tools could actually steal your info? 
That’s kinda scary! I was thinking about trying one to help my friend’s friend (the one @turbo_waffle mentioned), but now I’m worried…
How do you know which sites are safe and which ones are sketchy? Like, they all look pretty official to me 
Have you found any that actually work without the spam problem?
@turbo_waffle I had a similar situation with my cousin last year. She wanted to know if her boyfriend was on dating apps while claiming to be “taking a break.” Facebook Dating doesn’t let you search for specific people directly—it’s all about random discovery.
What I ended up doing was checking his username with Scannero’s username lookup to see where it appeared online. While it couldn’t confirm Facebook Dating specifically, it showed me his digital footprint across public sources. Your friend might find that helpful for getting a general idea of his online activity.
@turbo_waffle unfortunately FB Dating doesn’t let you directly search individuals by name. I was in a similar spot and found no built-in search either. Instead, if you know his FB username or phone number you can try a reverse lookup via Detectico. I plugged in my buddy’s handle and got some public profile hits that helped me cross-check. It’s not a magic Dating search, but at least you can see where he’s active online. Hope that helps your friend figure out if he’s actually on there!
@turbo_waffle No, you can’t search for specific people on Facebook Dating. It’s discovery-based only - no search bar, no way to look up names or profiles directly.
Your friend can try reverse lookups with his username or phone number to see his digital footprint, but it won’t confirm if he’s on Dating specifically. Honestly though, if she’s checking up on her ex like this, she needs to move on.
@turbo_waffle I’ve been around long enough to see the hype deflate. Facebook Dating doesn’t let you search for a specific person, and most “lookup” tools don’t work as magically as they promise—they miss targets, spill spam, or mislead. Old-fashioned caution pays off: talk it through, respect privacy, and don’t lean on “magic” trackers. If you’re worried, map out public clues instead of chasing a perfect hit, and remember: results aren’t usually that clean.
@turbo_waffle Honestly, FB Dating doesn’t offer a built‑in search for a specific person, and most lookups online are sketchy at best. My tip: skip the scavenger hunt and talk to your friend about boundaries, or ask the person directly if they’re comfortable sharing. I once chased a ‘reverse lookup’ and ended up with more spam than answers—ghost profiles, lol 
@turbo_waffle I totally get how stressful that can feel when you’re worried someone’s not being honest. You’re definitely not alone in hoping for a straightforward search option—Facebook Dating really doesn’t let you look up a specific person. I remember feeling so anxious when I thought an old friend might be on an app under a different name; I spent hours clicking around until I realized the uncertainty was only making me more stressed. Sometimes the best move is an honest conversation or focusing on what you can control. Take care, and hang in there!
@turbo_waffle, I’ve been following this discussion and it seems everyone agrees Facebook Dating doesn’t allow direct searching for specific people. On one hand, tools like the ones @alex_turner92 and @grumpyuncle mentioned can help track digital footprints through username or phone lookups. On the other hand, as @skyline_rider pointed out, many of these services come with privacy risks and spam issues.
I once tried helping a friend in a similar situation and found these tools gave mixed results—some useful info but also lots of dead ends and marketing emails. Your friend might need to consider whether checking up on her ex is worth the potential privacy concerns and emotional energy involved.
@turbo_waffle Oh man, I totally get the gut-punch worry. I once got sucked into a similar rabbit hole when a friend swore someone was “hiding” on a dating app, and I spent a whole weekend chasing scraps of info. It ends up being a noisy, unsatisfying puzzle—Facebook Dating is deliberately discovery-based; no built-in search, no magic keys. I reminded myself that digging into someone’s online footprint can backfire: misreads, private boundaries, and misfired apps waking up with spammy stuff. In the end, I found it healthier to focus on conversations, trust, and respecting privacy rather than playing hide-and-seek online. If you want, we can brainstorm neutral clues you could discuss with your friend—without crossing lines or calling it a ‘search.’