Where to look for the author or owner of a website
The author or owner of a website is usually listed in one of three places: the footer of the homepage, a dedicated "About" page, or the domain registration records. Start by scrolling to the bottom of the site's main page — most websites put contact information, copyright notices, or an organization name in the footer. If that's blank, look for an "About Us," "Contact," or "Who We Are" link, usually in the main navigation menu or footer. If neither of those reveals the person or organization behind the site, you can search the domain registration records through a WHOIS lookup tool, which shows who registered the domain name and when.
The method that works depends on what kind of site you're looking at. A news outlet or business will typically have a clear author byline on articles and an "About" page with staff information. A personal blog might list the author's name at the top of posts or in a sidebar. A corporate site will show the company name and often an address. Government sites display the agency name and sometimes the specific office responsible for that page. The harder a site makes it to find this information, the more reason to be cautious about trusting what it says.
Key Takeaways
- Check the footer of the homepage first — most sites list the author, organization, or copyright holder there.
- Look for an "About," "Contact," or "Who We Are" page, usually linked from the main menu or footer.
- Use a WHOIS lookup tool to search domain registration records if the site itself doesn't say who owns it.
- News articles and blog posts often have author bylines at the top or bottom that link to the writer's profile or bio.
- Sites that hide their author or owner information are worth treating with extra skepticism.
Check the footer and "About" page first
The footer — the section at the very bottom of a webpage — is where most websites put their ownership information. Scroll all the way down on the homepage and look for the site name, company name, organization name, or copyright statement. You might see something like "© 2024 TechNews Inc." or "Published by Sarah Chen." Some footers also include an address, phone number, or email address for the organization.
If the footer doesn't help, look for an "About Us," "About," "Who We Are," or "Contact" link. These are usually in the main navigation menu at the top of the page or grouped with other links in the footer. The About page will often list the author's name, the organization's mission, staff members, or the person who started the site. For news sites and blogs, this page might include photos and biographies of the writers and editors.
Search for author bylines on individual articles
If you're trying to find who wrote a specific article or blog post, look for a byline — the author's name printed at the top or bottom of the piece. On news sites, the byline usually appears just below the headline or at the very end of the article. On blogs, it might be in a box at the top or in a sidebar next to the post. The byline often links to the author's profile page, which may include their email, social media accounts, or a short biography.
Some sites list multiple authors or editors. A news article might show the reporter's name, the editor's name, and the publication name. A blog post might credit the writer and the photographer separately. If you see a name you don't recognize, click on it — the profile page will usually tell you more about that person's role and background.
Use WHOIS lookup to find domain registration information
A WHOIS lookup shows the public registration records for a domain name — the information that was submitted when someone registered the web address. To do a WHOIS search, go to a free WHOIS lookup tool like WHOIS.com, ICANN Lookup, or GoDaddy's WHOIS tool. Type the domain name (for example, "example.com") into the search box and click search. The results will show the registrant name, organization, email address, phone number, and registration date.
Keep in mind that many domain owners use privacy protection services, which hide their personal information behind a proxy company's details. If you see "Privacy Service" or "Redacted for Privacy" in the registrant field, the actual owner's information is hidden. In that case, you can try contacting the domain registrar (the company listed as the administrative contact) to ask for more information, though they may not be able to share it. For business sites, the organization name in the WHOIS record is usually reliable even if the individual owner's details are hidden.
Look for author information on social media and news bylines
If a website links to social media accounts — Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram — those profiles often contain more information about the author or organization. A Twitter profile might show the person's job title, location, and a link to their website. A LinkedIn profile will list their work history and professional background. These social accounts can help you verify that the person or organization is who they claim to be and understand their expertise or potential bias.
For news articles, search the author's name in Google News or on the publication's website to see what else they've written. This can help you understand their beat (the topic they cover), how long they've been writing, and whether they have a track record of accurate reporting. Some journalists also maintain personal websites or blogs that list their credentials and past work.
Verify the information you find
Once you've found a name or organization, it's worth doing a quick check to make sure it's legitimate. Search the author's name or organization name in Google to see if they have a professional website, news articles about them, or social media profiles. For organizations, check whether they have a physical address, phone number, and staff directory. For individual writers, look for their byline on other reputable sites or their professional profiles on LinkedIn.
Be especially cautious if a site hides its author information, uses a vague organization name, or provides no way to contact them. Legitimate news outlets, businesses, and organizations make it easy to find out who they are and how to reach them. If a site makes it difficult to identify the author or owner, that's a sign to read it with skepticism and cross-check any claims with other sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a website doesn't list an author or owner anywhere?
Try a WHOIS lookup to find the domain registration information. If that's also hidden or unhelpful, search the site's name or URL in Google to see if other sites mention who runs it. If you still can't find the author, that's a red flag — consider whether you should trust the information on that site.
Can I find out who owns a website if they used a privacy service?
Privacy services hide the registrant's personal details, but the domain registrar's contact information is still public. You can try emailing the registrar's administrative contact to ask for more information, though they may not be able to share it. For most purposes, knowing the organization name and the registrar is enough to verify basic legitimacy.
What's the difference between the author and the website owner?
The author wrote a specific article or post. The website owner or publisher runs the entire site. A news site might have dozens of authors but one owner (the publication). A personal blog usually has one author who is also the owner. The WHOIS record shows the owner; bylines show the author.
How do I know if an author's credentials are real?
Search their name on LinkedIn, Google Scholar, or the organization's staff directory. Look for their byline on other established sites. Check whether they list degrees, certifications, or years of experience. Be skeptical of vague titles like "wellness expert" or "tech guru" without specific credentials or past work you can verify.
Is it safe to contact a website author or owner directly?
Yes, if you use the contact information listed on the official website or in the WHOIS record. Avoid clicking links in emails claiming to be from the author unless you initiated contact first. If you want to report an error or ask a question, use the contact form on the site itself rather than searching for a personal email address.