Social media investigations can unlock a wealth of evidence for legal, fraud, and criminal cases. But if you're not using the right social media investigation tools, your investigation is likely to be frustrating and inefficient—not to mention risky. 

There’s always a risk that the social media platform may reveal your identity to the subject you’re investigating through suggested friends or an accidental click on a like button. And of course, there’s always a risk that the incriminating evidence you’ve found will be edited or deleted before you manage to preserve it. Worse perhaps, is the risk that said evidence won’t hold up in court because of how it was collected.

That’s why the right social media investigation tools are essential. They don’t just save time; they ensure that the evidence you collect is accurate, admissible, and properly preserved.

Headlines of major legal cases involving social media evidence

In this article, we'll cover the different kinds of social media investigation tools available, the benefits of using SOCMINT / social media investigation tools, our top 21 favorite social media investigation tools that will save you time and frustration, and finally, our favorite social media investigation resources for SOCMINT investigators. 

How Social Media Investigation Tools Help Uncover Crucial Evidence

If you’ve ever needed to:

• Track down a suspect's online activity
• Verify an alibi
• Investigate fraudulent insurance claims by analyzing location check-ins and social media posts
• Uncover harassment, cybercrime, or copyright violations with a defensible digital trail…

…then you already know how valuable social media forensics can be. 

Social media investigation tools can help SOCMINT investigators collect, analyze, and preserve digital evidence from platforms like Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), Instagram, Reddit, Discord, and more. Instead of spending hours manually searching for posts or piecing together scattered data, digital investigation tools can streamline the process—saving time and making sure the evidence you collect stays intact and legally admissible.

There are several types of social media investigation tools for different aspects of social media forensics, depending on what you’re investigating:

• Search and discovery tools – Quickly find user profiles, posts, and conversations across multiple platforms. These are a must-have for tracking online activity.
• Reverse image search tools – Need to verify the source of an image? These tools help track where an image has appeared online and can help verify authenticity.
• Metadata and geolocation tools – Extract hidden data from images, videos, and posts, to pinpoint locations and verify timestamps.
• Evidence capture and preservation tools – Capture and store social media data in a defensible format, ensuring your evidence will hold up in court.
• Analysis and monitoring tools – Track trends, analyze sentiment, and identify connections between users, often used in advanced SOCMINT tools.

Overcoming Challenges in Social Media Investigations with the Right Tools

If you're reading this, you've likely found yourself conducting social media investigations manually, and know how time-consuming and inefficient it can be. 

SOCMINT investigators will spend hours:

• Scouring platforms for evidence 
• Trying to verifying identities and authenticity of evidence
• Piecing together timelines from scattered posts
• Trying to capture full comment threads, reactions, and post context. (Especially challenging because platforms frequently collapse or hide content.) 
• Trying to capture evidence in a legally defensible format, as screenshots are unreliable and can be easily manipulated.

Investigators need solutions that streamline evidence collection, ensure accuracy, and maintain legal integrity. This is where automation is key. Specialized tools can help you locate evidence faster, verify authenticity, and preserve findings in a legally admissible format. 

Here are 22 of the most helpful social media investigation tools being used in digital investigations today.

The 22 Most Useful Social Media Investigation Tools By Category

Search & Discovery Tools

1. Social Searcher

What is it for? Locating social media profiles across multiple platforms.

By inputting a name or username, investigators can quickly identify linked accounts, even when users attempt to maintain anonymity. 

Key Features:

• Real-time social media search across multiple platforms.
• Keyword and hashtag monitoring.
• Sentiment analysis.
• Email alerts for new mentions.

Specific Use Cases:

• Tracking brand mentions and reputation.
• Monitoring social media for potential threats.
• Gathering intelligence on individuals or groups.
• Finding related social media accounts.

Pricing:

• Social Searcher offers a free plan with limited searches.
• Paid plans offer more searches, features, and historical data. Check their website for current pricing.

2. Reddit User Analyzer

What is it for? Providing insights into a Reddit user’s activity, including posts, comments, and subreddit participation.

For investigators, Reddit can be a goldmine of information, and this tool helps consolidate a user’s digital footprint.

Key Features:

• Aggregates a user's posts and comments.
• Analyzes subreddit participation.
• Provides a consolidated view of user activity.

Specific Use Cases:

• Analyzing a user's interests and affiliations.
• Identifying patterns in a user's online behavior.
• Gathering information for background checks.

Pricing:

• Free

3. Redective

What is it for? Collecting detailed data on Reddit users, including posts, comments, and interactions.

Similar to Reddit User Analyser, Redective allows social media investigators to collect detailed data on Reddit users. It aggregates all of their posts, comments, and interactions, making it easier to analyze behavior patterns and potential connections during social media forensics.

Key Features:

• Aggregates a user's posts, comments, and interactions.
• Provides a detailed view of Reddit activity.

Specific Use Cases:

• Analyzing behavior patterns.
• Identifying potential connections.
• Gathering data for social media forensics.

Pricing:

• Free

4. Advanced Search (X/Twitter)

What is it for? Filtering tweets by various criteria to track conversations, uncover deleted posts, and analyze public discussions.

X/Twitter’s built-in advanced search function is one of the simplest yet most effective social media investigation tools. Investigators can filter tweets by date, location, hashtags, and mentions to track conversations, uncover deleted posts, and analyze public discussions related to a case.

Key Features:

• Filters tweets by date, location, hashtags, and mentions.
• Boolean operators for complex searches.
• Ability to search for replies, and specific media.

Specific Use Cases:

• Tracking conversations related to a specific topic.
• Uncovering deleted tweets.
• Analyzing public sentiment.
• Tracking events in real time.

Pricing:

• Free (built into X/Twitter).

5. WebMii

What is it for? Gathering public data on an individual from various online sources.

WebMii is a people search tool that scans public databases, news sites, and social media platforms to compile user information. It is particularly useful for digital investigators who need to quickly gather public data on an individual.

Key Features:

• Scans public databases, news sites, and social media.
• Compiles user information from various sources.
• Provides a summary of online presence.

Specific Use Cases:

• Gathering background information on individuals.
• Verifying identities.
• Locating contact information.

Pricing:

• Free

6. Pipl Search

What is it for? To identify personal, professional, and social information online.  

Pipl Search is arguably the most sophisticated people search engine available to investigators. Pipl collects information from Internet sources like public records, listings, directories, and online archives—but it also boasts its own exclusive sources. Pipl has global coverage, with over three billion online identities and 25 billion individual identity records at its disposal. All you need is a single data point (like a name, phone number, or email address) and Pipl will quickly provide you with all available data for that person. This information can include associated social media accounts, all known telephone numbers, physical addresses, places of employment, educational history, etc.

Key Features:

• Aggregates data from multiple sources.
• Global coverage of online identities.
• Reverse phone, email, and address lookup.
• Social media account discovery.

Specific Use Cases:

• Identifying individuals for background checks.
• Verifying identities in fraud investigations.
• Locating people.

Pricing:

• Pipl is a paid service with different plans for individuals and businesses. Contact Pipl for specific pricing.

Reverse Image Search Tools

7. TinEye

What is it for? Reverse image search to find the origin of an online image. 

TinEye is an incredibly simple but useful online tool that allows you to conduct a reverse image search.  All you need to do is upload an image to TinEye, and the tool will tell you where it appears on the Internet. So if, for example, you have an image associated with a Facebook profile, you can use TinEye to see where else that picture is used online—perhaps on another social media platform like Strava, YouTube, or TikTok. Have a look at the tutorial below to see how TinEye can help you find the origin of an image posted to social media.

Key Features:

• Reverse image search: Finds where an image appears online.
• Image matching by exact match or altered versions.
• Browser extensions for quick searches.
• API access for developers.

Specific Use Cases:

• Verifying the authenticity of profile pictures.
• Identifying copyright infringement of images.
• Tracking the spread of misinformation through manipulated images.
• Finding other online profiles associated with a person.

Pricing:

• TinEye offers free searches for personal use.
• Paid API plans are available for businesses and developers, with pricing based on search volume. Check their website for current API pricing.

8. FaceCheck ID

What is it for? Performing face recognition searches to find online images of a specific person.

This is particularly useful in helping to track individuals across various platforms.

Key Features:

• Facial recognition search across the internet.
• Searches for images that contain a specific face.

Specific Use Cases:

• Identifying individuals across different platforms.
• Finding additional images of a person.
• Tracking individuals online.

Pricing:

• FaceCheck ID is a paid service with varying subscription levels. Check their website for current pricing.

9. PimEyes

What is it for? Advanced facial recognition to find online images of a given face.

PimEyes is an advanced facial recognition tool that scans the internet for matches of a given face. Social media investigators frequently use it to track down individuals through photos that they appear in online.

Key Features:

• Advanced facial recognition search.
• Scans the internet for matches of a given face.

Specific Use Cases:

• Tracking down individuals through photos.
• Identifying individuals in online images.
• Finding online images of a person.

Pricing:

• PimEyes is a paid service with different subscription plans. Check their website for current pricing.

Metadata and Geolocation Tools

10. GeoSpy AI

What is it for? Determining the location where a photo was taken, even without GPS metadata.

GeoSpy AI allows investigators to determine where a photo was taken by analyzing metadata and image patterns. This tool is valuable in social media investigations where geolocation plays a critical role, such as verifying an alibi or linking an image to a specific location. By leveraging AI-driven location data, investigators can extract valuable intelligence from photos even when GPS metadata is missing.

Key Features:

• AI-driven analysis of image patterns and metadata.
• Location determination even without GPS metadata.
• Analysis of environmental clues in images.

Specific Use Cases:

• Verifying the location of a photo for alibi verification.
• Linking images to specific locations in criminal investigations.
• Determining the geographic origin of online content.
• Intelligence gathering.

Pricing:

• GeoSpy is available exclusively to qualified law enforcement agencies, enterprise users and government entities. Contact them for more information.

11. Pic2Map

What is it for? Determining the location of a photo by analyzing embedded GPS metadata.

Investigators can use it in social media investigations to find out and verify where an image was actually taken.

Key Features:

• Analyzes embedded GPS metadata in photos.
• Determines the location where a photo was taken.

Specific Use Cases:

• Verifying the location of a photo.
• Confirming the authenticity of geotagged images.

Pricing:

• Free

12. FotoForensics

What is it for? In-depth analysis of digital images, including metadata extraction and error-level analysis (ELA).

Investigators use this tool in social media forensics to detect altered or manipulated images, ensuring authenticity in collected evidence.

Key Features:

• In-depth image analysis.
• Metadata extraction.
• Error-level analysis (ELA).
• Detects image alterations.

Specific Use Cases:

• Detecting manipulated images.
• Verifying image authenticity.
• Analyzing digital evidence.

Pricing:

• Free

13. 29a.ch Photo Forensics

What is it for? Detecting image alterations and viewing metadata.

This forensic image analysis tool helps investigators detect image alterations and view metadata. It is valuable for social media forensics, ensuring that collected visual evidence has not been tampered with.

Key Features:

• Forensic image analysis.
• Detects image alterations.
• Views metadata.

Specific Use Cases:

• Ensuring collected visual evidence has not been tampered with.
• Analyzing image authenticity.

Pricing:

• Free

Social Media Analysis & Monitoring Tools

14. Inflact Tools

What is it for? Analyzing Instagram accounts, tracking activity, and identifying connections.

Inflact offers multiple tools that can be used for social media investigations on Instagram, including an Instagram downloader, profile analyzer, search tool, and anonymous viewer. Investigators can use these tools to track activity, analyze engagement patterns, and identify connections between Instagram accounts. 

Key Features:

• Instagram downloader.
• Profile analyzer (engagement, followers, etc.).
• Hashtag generator.
• Anonymous story viewer.

Specific Use Cases:

• Analyzing the activity of Instagram accounts.
• Identifying connections between users.
• Downloading content for evidence preservation.
• Tracking trends.

Pricing:

• Inflact offers various paid plans with different features and limits. Check their website for current pricing.

15. #onemilliontweetmap

What is it for? Real-time analysis of trending X/Twitter topics and their geographic origins.

Social media investigators can use it to track public sentiment, monitor crisis events, or investigate how misinformation spreads. By mapping out where tweets originate, investigators gain insights into user activity and regional trends.

Key Features:

• Real-time analysis of X/Twitter topics.
• Geographic origin tracking.
• Trending topic analysis.

Specific Use Cases:

• Tracking public sentiment.
• Monitoring crisis events.
• Investigating misinformation.

Pricing:

• Free

16. BoardReader

What is it for? Searching message boards, forums, and blogs for relevant discussions.

Since a lot of investigative content exists outside mainstream social media, this tool is useful for social media investigations that require deeper analysis beyond Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Key Features:

• Searches message boards, forums, and blogs.
• Keyword and phrase search.

Specific Use Cases:

• Finding discussions outside mainstream social media.
• Gathering intelligence from forums and message boards.
• Tracking specific topics across various online communities.

Pricing:

• Free

17. Soda PDF Online OCR Document Scanner & Converter

What is it for? Extracting text from images, PDFs, and scanned documents.

This tool extracts text from images, PDFs, and scanned documents, making it invaluable for investigators handling screenshots, handwritten notes, or non-searchable documents. Social media investigators can use it to convert visual evidence into searchable text for analysis.

Key Features:

• Optical character recognition (OCR) for images and PDFs.
• Converts scanned documents to editable text.
• Online accessibility.

Specific Use Cases:

• Extracting text from screenshots or images for analysis.
• Converting handwritten notes to digital text.
• Making non-searchable documents searchable.

Pricing:

• Soda PDF offers free online tools with limitations.
• Paid plans provide more advanced features and higher usage limits. Check their website for current pricing.

18. Athlinks.com

What is it for? Tracking race and sports participation records.

In insurance fraud cases, investigators can use it to verify if someone claiming an injury has been participating in marathons or triathlons, contradicting their claim.

Key Features:

• Tracks race and sports participation records.
• Searchable database of athletes and events.

Specific Use Cases:

• Verifying participation in athletic events.
• Identifying inconsistencies in insurance claims.
• Gathering information for background checks.

Pricing:

• Athlinks offers free basic searches.

19. Have I Been Pwned?

What is it for? Checking whether an email address has been compromised in a data breach.

It is a useful resource in social media investigations, as exposed emails often link to social media accounts, giving investigators additional leads.

Key Features:

• Checks if an email address has been compromised in data breaches.
• Provides information on affected websites and data.

Specific Use Cases:

• Identifying potential security risks.
• Gathering leads for social media investigations.
• Verifying email addresses.

Pricing:

• Free

Evidence Capture & Preservation Tools

20. Blastup Instagram Video & Photos Downloader

What is it for? Downloading Instagram videos and photos for documentation purposes.

Though not explicitly meant for digital investigations, Blastup provides tools that can assist in downloading Instagram videos and photos for documentation purposes. 

Disclaimer: While this tool can help collect evidence for social media forensics, investigators must ensure that any saved content is authentic and legally admissible. For evidence to stand up in court, you have to ensure that the evidence was not tampered with after downloading. Screenshots or simple downloads alone are not enough—authentication through digital signatures or hash values is recommended to prove that the data has not been altered after downloading.

Key Features:

• Downloads Instagram videos and photos.
• Saves content for documentation purposes.

Specific Use Cases:

• Preserving Instagram content for evidence.
• Archiving posts and stories.
• Documenting online activity.

Pricing:

• Blastup offers free and paid options, depending on the volume of downloads and features. Check their website for current pricing.

21. Wayback Machine

What is it for? Retrieving archived versions of websites and web pages.

It is a critical tool for retrieving deleted content and helping investigators uncover erased posts, website updates, or missing social media pages that may contain valuable evidence.

Key Features:

• Archives websites and web pages.
• Captures past versions of online content.
• Allows retrieval of deleted or changed pages.

Specific Use Cases:

• Retrieving deleted social media posts or website content.
• Verifying past online activity.
• Documenting website changes over time.

Pricing:

• The Wayback Machine is a free service.

22. WebPreserver

What is it for? Automated forensic preservation of social media and web content in legally-defensible format.

WebPreserver is an automated forensic preservation tool for social media and web content that can literally complete weeks of evidence collection in under an hour. Its auto-expand feature automatically expands long collapsed posts, comment threads, and replies, ensuring hidden content is captured without you having to manually expand these sections. WebPreserver can even capture entire websites, Instagram accounts, and videos in two clicks. WebPreserver is a browser-based plugin compatible with but you need to purchase a license through the WebPreserver website. See how the tool works by visiting this page—or simply check out the video below.

Key Features:

• Automated capture of web pages and social media content.
• Forensic-grade preservation with digital signatures.
• Capture of dynamic content and collapsed comments.
• Browser extension for ease of use.

Specific Use Cases:

• Preserving social media evidence for legal cases.
• Capturing online content for internal investigations.
• Maintaining chain-of-custody for digital evidence

Pricing:

• WebPreserver is a paid service. Contact us for detailed pricing.

The Top 5 Best Internet Investigations / SOCMINT Websites & Resources

For social media investigators and OSINT professionals, having the right online resources is just as important as having the right tools. These SOCMINT and internet investigation websites provide essential resources for investigators.

1. OSINT Framework

What is it for? A directory of OSINT tools for finding publicly available information.

OSINT Framework is a well-organized directory of OSINT tools designed to help investigators find publicly available information across the internet. It provides categorized resources for tracking social media activity, domain lookups, email searches, and more. Whether you need to locate a user’s online footprint or gather background information, this site is a go-to resource for digital investigation tools.

2. Makeawebsitehub

What is it for? Identifying the latest social media platforms and apps. 

Have you ever heard of Peanut, Caffeine, or Steemit? What about Ello, Triller, or WT Social? While it can feel as if platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube dominate the social media landscape, new apps and platforms are being released all the time. Makeawebsitehub.com regularly updates a list of the latest social media apps, which can be very useful for expanding your online investigations and finding those lesser-known platforms that might be hiding useful evidence.      

3. Free OSINT and Online Research Resources - Toddington

What is it for? A collection of OSINT tools, training materials, and research techniques.

Covering everything from social media investigations to cybersecurity and deep web searches, it’s an excellent reference for professionals looking to enhance their investigative skills with advanced digital investigation tools.

4. osintambition/Social-Media-OSINT-Tools-Collection

What is it for? A compilation of SOCMINT tools for social media forensics.

It includes links to search engines, monitoring platforms, and automated tools that streamline the process of identifying, tracking, and analyzing social media activity. Investigators can use it to cross-check data and validate findings across multiple platforms.

5. OSINT Team Resources

What is it for? A curated list of internet investigation websites and guides.

OSINT Team offers guides for professionals in law enforcement, fraud detection, and corporate investigations. Their collection includes tools for tracking social media accounts, retrieving deleted content, and verifying identities—making it a valuable asset for social media investigations.

BONUS: Pagefreezer Resources

Pagefreezer provides specialized content for professionals conducting social media forensics and online investigations. Some of our most valuable guides include:

• Reddit SOCMINT Guide – A detailed look at how to collect and analyze investigative data from Reddit.
• TikTok Investigation Guide – Best practices for tracking and preserving evidence from TikTok.
• Accessing and Collecting Evidence on the Dark Web – A must-read for investigators working on cases involving hidden online communities.
• The Essential Online Investigation Guide for Websites, Social Media, and Team Collaboration Tools – Covers best practices for collecting and storing online evidence.
• Screenshots Aren’t Enough – DIY Website & Social Media Collections – Explains why screenshots alone don’t hold up in court and how to properly capture digital evidence.

The 3 Most Crucial Best Practices for Social Media Investigations

When conducting social media investigations, using the right social media investigation tools is only part of the equation. To ensure that your findings are reliable, defensible, and legally admissible, keep these three critical principles in mind:

1. Capture Evidence Right Away—Before It Gets Deleted

Social media content is highly volatile. Posts, comments, and profiles can be edited, deleted, or made private at any time, making it essential to act fast. Social media investigators should use digital investigation tools to capture evidence immediately. Automated tools like WebPreserver can expand hidden comments, capture long timelines, and save posts before they disappear, ensuring no crucial data is lost.

2. Always Preserve Context and Metadata

A screenshot alone is not enough for a thorough social media forensics investigation. Capturing all contextual information—such as timestamps, engagement metrics, and post metadata—is key to understanding how the content appeared at the time of collection. Tools like WebPreserver ensure that you can collect social media investigation data in its native format, including comments, reactions, shares, and associated media, so it can be analyzed accurately.

3. Evidence MUST Be Legally Admissible

For evidence to hold up in court or legal proceedings, it must be authenticated and tamper-proof. Using private investigator tools that provide digital signatures and hash values ensures that the collected data maintains its chain of custody. WebPreserver and similar SOCMINT tools help you preserve content in a legally defensible format, protecting against challenges to its authenticity.

By leveraging the right social media forensics tools, you can streamline digital investigations, preserve critical evidence, and ensure findings hold up in court. The right tools don’t just speed up the process—they make investigations more accurate, defensible, and legally sound.

Looking for more tips and advice related to online evidence collection? Have a look at our Essential Online Investigation Guide for Websites, Social Media, and Team Collaboration Tools below.