When I type a phone number in Google, sometimes it gives the address,
other times it comes up blank, even though I know that x person lives
at x address.
Any idea why?

Thanks,
R Gardner

Hi there!

Typing a phone number into Google to locate an address only works if
the person you're looking for is listed in an online directory at all.
 You may very well know that Jane Doe lives at 1234 Main St., but if
Jane's number is unlisted or she has specifically requested not to be
listed in an online directory, putting her number in won't help.

(Searching on my own phone number, for instance, yields nothing,
precisely as it should.  My home phone number is unlisted, and my
phone company is not permitted to sell that information to online
directory services.)

Even if the person you're searching for maintains a listed telephone
number, the information associated with it might not appear online -
if that person's telephone company does not sell listings to online
directories, for example.

Other reasons a person may not show up in a search:

-- recently moved
-- directory not updated (update cycles run from 30 days to 12
months!)
-- Google hasn't crawled the directory (Google updates every 4 weeks
or so)

While Google is a super tool for finding just about anything, perhaps
what you *really* need are people finding tools.  People finding tools
are more geared toward the specific searches you have in mind, while
search engines like Google index everything.  The information you want
may be buried in other results returned.  People finding tools index
only online directories.

There is a listing of the most popular people finding tools and
directories here:

Online Directories
http://www.cln.org/email_directories.html

To find an address by using a phone number, use a Reverse Lookup
service:

Reverse Directories - Includes InfoSpace, AnyWho, Bigfoot and more
http://www.reversephonedirectory.com/

To find someone with only an address:

Reverse Address
http://www.reverseaddress.com/

I hope this information is helpful for you!  If you think I've been
unclear, please don't hesitate to ask for clarification, and I'll be
glad to assist you.

--Missy

Search terms included :  [ "online directories" ] and [ "reverse
lookup" ]

---

Clarification of Answer by missy-ga on 24 Oct 2002 19:46 PDT

Hello Googbright,

I was very happy to find that you were satisfied with your answer.  

I see that my colleague has explained how Researchers are paid, I just
wanted to let you know that your rating comments made my inner
waitress very happy - I've spent a large portion of my working life as
a waitress, and 20% is considered high praise!

You made my day!  Thank you!

--Missy

Excellent comprehensive answer, clearly and intelligently written in a
friendly and helpful manner. Did Missy do enough work to deserve a
tip? I would guess that the amount of "legwork" was minimal for this
sort of question, but I believe she should get something. If I knew
how researchers were paid, I'd be better able to decide on what is
appropriate. Are they paid like waiters, for example, who rely on tips
to supplement their small salaries, or are the salaries considered
"real" salaries. Or do they work on commision? I'd love a FREE answer
to this question! I've decided to tip Missy 20%.  Tell her "thank
you."   R. Gardner

Hi googbright,
Researchers receive 75% of the amount of the questions that we answer
(read https://answers.google.com/answers/help.html part C).  Tipping
is totally voluntary (researchers receive 100% of the tip).
(https://answers.google.com/answers/faq.html#tipping)

Thanks for using Google Answers and being generous,
secret901-ga