Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is the structured use of information available from public sources. In an investigation, public pages, company records, domain information, advertisements and other openly accessible material may help answer a defined question.
Source and date matter
Online information changes. A dated record of a page, source and access method can help explain what was available at a particular time. Where possible, information should be checked against another independent source. Search results and copied descriptions can repeat the same incorrect claim, so repetition is not necessarily confirmation.
Relevance and proportionality
Public information should be collected only when relevant to the agreed scope. OSINT does not mean accessing private accounts, bypassing login controls, impersonating someone or gathering unrelated personal details. A public profile may use a false name or copied image, and an apparent match needs further assessment.
Leads are not conclusions
Shared names, images, contact details or web content can suggest a possible relationship, but each link needs context. The source might be a third-party directory, user-generated entry or outdated page. A finding should describe what was observed, what supports an interpretation and what remains uncertain.
The related service page describes OSINT and digital intelligence. For domain and infrastructure questions, see infrastructure analysis.