I'll bring pizza!

March 27, 2003 10:47 AM

Hey, can I come over later? Did you know that by entering a phone number (in the form of 555-123-4567) into Google, it will not only pull up the name and physical address associated with the phone number (be it home or business), but also happily provide a map with directions on how to get there? A helpful technological supplement to what a traditional phone book already offers? Or a disturbing tool for stalkers?
posted by robbie01 (20 comments total)

Yes. Yes I did know that. I think in fact a lot of people did, it's not a new feature by any means...
posted by jonson at 10:49 AM on March 27, 2003

It doesn't work on unlisted numbers! Yay!
posted by Woolcott'sKindredGal at 10:50 AM on March 27, 2003

I didn't know google could do that.
It doesn't seem to like cell phone numbers, though. I tried my cell phone number and the cell phone numbers of about ten different friends. All turned up no listings.

on preview: I guess this is because cell phone numbers are generally unlisted.
posted by darainwa at 10:53 AM on March 27, 2003

doesn't seem to work with Canadian numbers neither
posted by VeGiTo at 10:54 AM on March 27, 2003

Does it only work with American numbers? I couldn't get it to come up for my number, and I am listed...
posted by Jughead at 10:55 AM on March 27, 2003

I tried 10 different Canadian numbers, and it didn't work on any of them.
posted by grum@work at 10:56 AM on March 27, 2003

Give us a test #, none of the ones I tried worked.
posted by riffola at 10:56 AM on March 27, 2003

I tried a couple of listed numbers that didn't come up. So that's good.
posted by Red58 at 10:56 AM on March 27, 2003

Seriously. Old news. Good to see it isn't working any better now then it used to. Try my work number if you want, Riffy: 310-482-4200 But no calling and asking if we have Olive Oil in a bottle.
posted by jonson at 11:00 AM on March 27, 2003

Hey, it does work, robbie01. How disturbing...
posted by xiffix at 11:03 AM on March 27, 2003

xiffix! For shame!!
posted by jonson at 11:04 AM on March 27, 2003

Google has added the convenience of US street address and phone number lookup to the information we provide through our search box. You'll see publicly listed phone numbers and addresses at the top of results pages for searches that contain specific kinds of keywords.

To find listings for a US business, type the business name into the Google search box, along with the city and state. Or type the business name and zip code. Entering the phone number with area code will also return a complete business listing.


To find listings for a US residence, type any of the following combinations into the Google search box:

first name (or first initial), last name, city (state is optional)
first name (or first initial), last name, state
first name (or first initial), last name, area code
first name (or first initial), last name, zip code
phone number, including area code
last name, city, state
last name, zip code
If your query results in business and residential listings, both categories will be listed for your convenience.

To have your residential or business phone and address information removed from the Google PhoneBook, click here.

end of story...
posted by zerofoks at 11:05 AM on March 27, 2003

It doesn't work on unlisted numbers! Yay!

I believe a Criss+Cross Directory does, but it'll cost ya. I think I remember seeing another internet way to find name/address with only a listed phone #, but I can't remember where.
posted by Shane at 11:08 AM on March 27, 2003

If someone wants to find me badly enough that they'll pay to get my number, I want to know what they have to say. Or at least get a description for the police...
posted by Woolcott'sKindredGal at 11:13 AM on March 27, 2003

My dad forwarded me a "THINK OF THE CHILDREN!"-type viral e-mail screaming about this. Like the post, it also noted that Google provided a map along with the address, as if this was a particularly nefarious feature. Also like this post, it neglected to mention Google's FAQ and Google's form for removing residential numbers from the reverse lookup.
posted by delapohl at 11:13 AM on March 27, 2003

The data is also at least a year old. 2 numbers I checked were right person, wrong address, or old person assigned the number.
posted by tellmenow at 11:17 AM on March 27, 2003

works on mathowie's phone number, as listed with network solutions. works on my phone number too. doh.

time to opt out!
posted by VulcanMike at 11:17 AM on March 27, 2003

and let me say, that's a sweet looking neighborhood (his, not mine)
posted by VulcanMike at 11:21 AM on March 27, 2003

A helpful technological supplement to what a traditional phone book already offers? Or a disturbing tool for stalkers?

How about "a helpful technological supplement to disturbing stalkers and normal people alike"?

Like most of the internet. I recently had what I'd intended to be an email-only encounter turn a little odd (but thankfully, benign) as the result of a clever googler. I think I'm going to be taking my address off of my online resume soon, though, perhaps replacing it with a PO Box.
posted by namespan at 11:22 AM on March 27, 2003

Thanks jonson, that worked splendidly.
posted by riffola at 11:58 AM on March 27, 2003