When conducting OSINT research on Facebook, finding a User ID is essential. Unlike usernames or profile names, which users can change, a Facebook User ID is a fixed, unchanging identifier.
This makes the User ID a reliable and essential value for all investigations.
Why Locate a Facebook User ID?
- Access Marketplace Profiles: Some OSINT techniques require the User ID to locate Marketplace profiles.
- Account Tracking: The User ID ensures you can track the same account even if the user changes their name or username.
- Legal and Court-Related Purposes: A stable identifier like the User ID is invaluable in legal cases, providing consistency and accuracy.
There are several methods to find a Facebook User ID, so let’s start with the manual techniques, which require more effort. Then we will look at the quick and easy click-button solution!
Manual Methods
1. Check the Profile URL
Open the Facebook profile. If the user hasn’t set a custom username, their User ID might appear directly in the URL:
Example: www.facebook.com/USERID
However, the User ID won't be visible here if the profile uses a vanity nameExample: www.facebook.com/zuck
2. Magnifying Glass - Search
Use the magnifying glass (search option) on the profile to search for any word (e.g., "test"). The URL will change to include the user ID, e.g., www.facebook.com/profile/USERID/search/?q=test.
3. Examine the Page Source
When you search for specific terms in the page’s source code of a user’s profile timeline, you will find the User ID associated with that specific profile.
Each term corresponds to a section of the page's code where the User ID is stored or referenced.
Here are the steps:
- Go to the user’s profile timeline.
- Right-click and select View Page Source.
- Use Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac) and search for one of the following terms:
"container_ID" (first result):The first occurrence of this term in the source code will directly include the User ID for the profile.
"selectedID" (first result):The first match of this term in the page source will contain the User ID of the user whose profile you are viewing.
"Id" (first result):The initial result for this term often points to an attribute or variable storing the User ID.
"profile_owner" (first result):Searching for this term in the page source will lead you to a specific code section that directly references the User ID for the profile owner.
"user ID" (usually the second result):While this term might appear more than once, the second result in the search results typically provides the User ID in a clear and accessible format.
Verify the ID by replacing USERID in this URL: https://www.facebook.com/USERID. Open the URL, and if it leads to the correct profile, the User ID is verified.
Important Note: If logged in, some methods may accidentally capture your account’s User ID instead. Always verify the ID as shown above.
Easy Solution: Forensic OSINT Chrome Extension
For a faster, more streamlined approach, use the Forensic OSINT Chrome Extension. This tool automates the process, making it beginner-friendly and efficient.
Steps:
- Download the Extension: Install the Forensic OSINT extension from the Chrome Web Store.
- Open a Facebook Profile: Navigate to the profile you’re investigating.
- Click "Data Insights": Open the Forensic OSINT extension and click on the Data Insights feature.
- Retrieve the User ID: The extension will extract and display all key identifiers from the page, including the User ID.
Bonus: Additional Benefits with Forensic OSINT
- Save time with the click-of-a-button solution.
- If you subscribe to a paid plan, your captures will include all Data Insights and Source Code for further analysis.
Conclusion
Finding a Facebook User ID is a critical step in OSINT research. Whether tracking a user’s activity, uncovering Marketplace profiles, or gathering information for legal purposes, the User ID offers a stable and reliable way to identify accounts.
While manual methods work, they can be time-consuming. Using tools like the Forensic OSINT Chrome Extension simplifies and speeds up the process, ensuring your investigations are efficient and accurate.
