Blackbird OSINT: how to use it, and a browser alternative
By FreeUsername · Reviewed · Editorial policy
Blackbird is a Python OSINT tool built on the WhatsMyName dataset. It searches usernames across hundreds of platforms and can turn the results into PDF or CSV reports. Here is what it does, how to run a username search with it, and how it compares with a web checker.
Username search (CLI). Project: github.com/p1ngul1n0/blackbird
What is Blackbird?
Blackbird is developed by Lucas Antoniaci (p1ngul1n0). Its README says it searches more than 600 platforms and is fully integrated with the WhatsMyName project, which it credits for low false-positive rates.
Besides plain searching it has filters, PDF and CSV export, and an optional AI feature that writes a behavioral and technical profile from the list of sites where a name was found. The README says only site names are sent for that, under a free daily limit. Blackbird can also search by email address.
The code is public on GitHub. We did not find a license file in the repository when we reviewed it, so check the repository before reusing the code.
Our test (October 2026): On October 25, 2026 we ran Blackbird (git commit c8329b2) with default settings and a 10-second timeout on 10 usernames. It checked 692 sites in about 41 seconds per name and found 83 to 160 profiles for five well-known handles. On five made-up handles it reported no hits at all, the cleanest result in our test. By default it does not show how many checks failed. Read the full benchmark.
How to use Blackbird
- Clone the repository and install the Python requirements.
- Run blackbird.py with --username and the handle you want to check.
- Add the PDF flag described in the README if you need a report.
- Read the project docs for filters and the optional AI setup.
Example commands from the project's README (check it for the current version):
git clone https://github.com/p1ngul1n0/blackbird
cd blackbird
pip install -r requirements.txt
python blackbird.py --username johndoeBlackbird vs FreeUsername
| Feature | Blackbird | FreeUsername |
|---|---|---|
| Sites checked | 600+ platforms per its README | 3,450+ sites, on our own engine (WhatsMyName data plus sites we add) |
| Data source | WhatsMyName dataset | WhatsMyName dataset plus sites we add, on our own engine |
| Setup | git clone, Python requirements | Nothing to install. It runs in the browser |
| Export | PDF and CSV | JSON and CSV (no PDF) |
| Email search | Yes | Email and phone tools are coming soon, not live yet |
| Automation | CLI | No API and no CLI |
| Profile details | Optional AI-written profile from site names | Name, avatar and bio where a found profile exposes them |
| Price | Free | Free, no sign-up |
Based on Blackbird's own documentation as of 2026-10-13. Tools change; the project page is the final word.
Pros and cons of Blackbird
Pros
- Uses the vetted WhatsMyName data, so false positives stay low.
- PDF and CSV reports straight from the command line.
- Runs locally; free to use.
Cons
- Needs Python, git and a terminal.
- Coverage is close to the WhatsMyName list alone, smaller than tools that merge several lists.
- No license file was in the repository when we reviewed it in October 2026; check the repository for its current license before reusing the code.
Who Blackbird is for
Blackbird suits people who want WhatsMyName-quality results in a terminal and like having a PDF report at the end. If you do not want to install Python, our browser checker covers more sites with its own engine.
Try a username search in your browser
Free, no sign-up. Checks 3,450+ sites; the username is not stored or logged.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Blackbird online?
Blackbird is a command-line tool you run yourself. For a browser search, our checker searches 3,450+ sites on our own engine.
How do I install Blackbird?
Clone the GitHub repository, run pip install -r requirements.txt, then run python blackbird.py --username followed by the handle.
Blackbird vs FreeUsername: what is the difference?
Blackbird runs locally and makes PDF reports. FreeUsername runs in the browser, checks more sites on its own engine, keeps blocked and unknown results separate, and exports JSON or CSV.
Is Blackbird open source?
The source is public on GitHub. We did not find a license file in the repository when we reviewed it, so read the repository before reusing the code.
Related tools and guides
- WhatsMyName: Open username dataset
- Sherlock: Username search (CLI)
- Maigret: Username search (CLI and web UI)
- Social Analyzer: Profile finder (API, CLI, web app)
- All OSINT tools compared
- OSINT username search · Reverse username lookup · Platform username checkers
- Username OSINT for beginners
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