I also learn a lot about how to fact check on my own just by seeing what you link and what you must have been searching to get those sources !

Thank you! I'll use this as an opportunity to show yall the "secrets".

The main thing I do is google dorking. For example if i need to find a tweet from a screenshot I'll do as follows: site:x.com "[text from tweet]"

For an article I'll go "[title of article]" [author] or site:[newssite] "[title of article]"

If there's a bunch of new articles popping up and i need to find an old one I'll use the google advanced search filters or "before:yyyy-mm-dd"

If I'm just trying to verify a claim it's the trick to know the right keywords, finding multiple sources independently saying the same thing (so not all copying the same one article) and verifying whether those sources are actually trustworthy on the topic they're reporting on. I wouldn't use a republican politician's site for news on a celebrity/current events but if it's a bill they've introduced I'll cite them on it. The closer to the original event/announcment/statement you can get the better.

archive.org is my best friend for finding deleted/altered articles and pages, and circumventing paywalls. I try where possible to archive pages myself as well.

Using multiple search engines is also useful, als they'll push different things.

For news from (south)east Asia i use Baidu, and for Russia Yandex.

A crucial part of the “hacking” process used in cybersecurity is the recon phase. “Recon” is short for “reconnaissance,” which means gathering as much information and data on the selected target or victim machine. While a lot of recon can be in-person and not technical, “Google Dorking” is one technical method of information gathering that can be used during the recon process.

Mastering Google Dorking for 2026 Cybersecurity Investigations

Understanding Modern Dorking Principles

Google Dorking remains a foundational skill for digital investigators and ethical hackers in 2026. By leveraging advanced search operators, you can uncover publicly exposed data that remains indexed but hidden from standard users.

Use the site operator to restrict searches to specific domains.

Combine filetype and intitle operators to locate sensitive documents.

Target configuration files or log data using specific file extensions.

Advanced Techniques for OSINT

As search engines evolve with AI-driven indexing, mastering precision is essential for effective reconnaissance. Modern investigators must adapt to changing search algorithms to maintain their information-gathering edge.

Utilize boolean logic to refine complex queries for faster results.

Incorporate inurl operators to identify directory listings and portal pages.

Monitor for cached versions of pages to retrieve removed intelligence.

Security and Ethical Considerations

Performing a Dorking investigation requires a firm commitment to ethical guidelines and responsible disclosure. Security professionals should use these techniques primarily to audit their own infrastructure or identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors do.

Always verify the legality and scope of your investigation parameters.

Practice responsible disclosure if you discover exposed sensitive information.

Google hacking, also named Google dorking, is a computer hacking technique that uses Google Search and other Google applications to find security holes in the configuration and computer code that websites use. Here are some Google dork queries