How to Search Tinder by Name (Step-by-Step)

You want to find a specific person on Tinder. Maybe you suspect a partner is secretly active, or you are trying to reconnect with someone you lost touch with. The problem is that Tinder does not have a search bar. You cannot type a name into the app and pull up a profile.

A HighSpeedInternet.com survey found that 1 in 4 Americans admitted to using dating apps while in a committed relationship. With Tinder reporting 75 million monthly active users in 2026 (Business of Apps), the person you are looking for is statistically likely to be on the platform.

This guide walks through eight specific methods to search Tinder by name, ranked by accuracy. Each method includes exact steps, honest success rates, costs, and limitations so you know precisely what works and what wastes your time.

If you want results fast, a dating profile search by name tool like CheatScanX can scan Tinder and other dating apps in minutes using just a first name, approximate age, and location.

Why Tinder Does Not Have a Name Search Feature

Before jumping into workarounds, it helps to understand why Tinder blocks direct searches. This is not an oversight. It is a deliberate design decision.

Privacy by Design

Tinder's official help page states plainly: "You can't search for a specific person on Tinder." The app was built around a swipe-based discovery model where profiles appear based on your location, age preferences, and gender filters.

This design exists to protect users from unwanted contact. If anyone could look up any profile by name, the app would become a tool for stalking and harassment overnight. Tinder's parent company, Match Group, has faced lawsuits and regulatory pressure over user safety. A name search would open them to massive liability.

What Tinder Does Allow

While you cannot search for a random user by name, Tinder does offer a few built-in ways to narrow your experience:

• Match list search: You can search by name within your existing matches (people you have already mutually swiped right on).
• Discovery filters: You can set age range, distance radius, and gender preferences to control who appears in your swipe queue.
• Public profile URLs: Tinder allows users to create shareable profile links in the format tinder.com/@username.

None of these let you type "John Smith" and find his profile. That is where the workaround methods come in.

The Real Reason People Search

Data from our platform shows that the overwhelming majority of Tinder name searches fall into three categories:

Name-based lookups are just one approach. For every available method ranked by accuracy, see our complete Tinder profile search guide.

1. Relationship verification — checking if a partner, spouse, or someone you are dating is active on Tinder.
2. Reconnection — trying to find someone you met briefly but lost contact with.
3. Safety checks — vetting someone you matched with on another platform before meeting in person.

Each of these is a legitimate reason to search. The methods below work regardless of your motivation, but the approach you choose should match your specific situation.

Method 1: Search Your Tinder Match List by Name

Accuracy: High (for existing matches only) Cost: Free Requires Tinder account: Yes Time: Under 1 minute

This is the only official name search that Tinder supports. It only works for people you have already matched with.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Tinder app on your phone.
2. Tap the chat bubble icon (Messages) at the bottom of the screen.
3. At the top of your messages screen, pull down on the screen. A search bar will slide into view.
4. Type the person's first name into the search bar.
5. Tinder will filter your match list to show profiles with that name.

What This Method Can and Cannot Do

This method is fast and reliable for confirmed matches. If you matched with someone named "Sarah" three months ago and want to find that conversation again, this works perfectly.

It cannot find anyone you have not matched with. It cannot search the broader Tinder user base. And if someone changed their display name after matching with you, the old name will not return results.

When to Use This Method

Use the match list search when you want to revisit an old conversation or confirm that a known match is still active. If you need to find someone you have not matched with, skip to Method 2.

Method 2: Google Site-Specific Search

Accuracy: Low to moderate (depends on profile indexing) Cost: Free Requires Tinder account: No Time: 2-5 minutes

Google's site: operator lets you search within a specific website. Some Tinder profiles are indexed by Google, meaning they appear in search results even though Tinder itself does not offer a search function.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Google (google.com) in any browser.
2. Type the following search query: site:tinder.com [person's name]

• Example: site:tinder.com Sarah Johnson

1. Press Enter and review the results.
2. If Google has indexed any Tinder profiles matching that name, they will appear as search results.
3. Click on a result to view the cached or live profile page.

Improving Your Results

Add additional details to narrow results:

• Location: site:tinder.com Sarah Johnson Chicago
• Age or description: site:tinder.com Sarah nurse Atlanta
• Quotes for exact names: site:tinder.com "Sarah Johnson"

You can also try variations like "[name]" tinder profile without the site operator. This sometimes surfaces social media posts or forum discussions where someone's Tinder profile was shared publicly.

Honest Assessment of This Method

This method was more effective three to four years ago. Tinder has progressively tightened its robots.txt restrictions and reduced the number of profiles that Google can index. Based on testing in early 2026, the success rate for finding a specific person through Google site search is roughly 15-25%.

Profiles that are more likely to appear in Google results include:

• Profiles created before 2023 when indexing restrictions were looser.
• Profiles with unique usernames that are easy for Google to distinguish.
• Profiles that the user has shared publicly via their tinder.com/@username link on social media.

Most active 2026 profiles will not appear in Google results. Consider this a free first step worth trying, but not something to rely on.

Method 3: Tinder Direct Profile URL

Accuracy: Moderate (only if you know the username) Cost: Free Requires Tinder account: No Time: Under 1 minute

Tinder allows users to create a shareable profile URL. If you know — or can guess — the person's Tinder username, you can access their profile directly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open any web browser.
2. In the address bar, type: tinder.com/@[username]

• Example: tinder.com/@sarahjohnson

1. Press Enter.
2. If the username exists and the profile is public, you will see their Tinder profile with photos, bio, and basic information.
3. If the username does not exist, you will get a Tinder error page.

How to Guess a Username

Most people reuse usernames across platforms. Check if the person uses consistent handles on:

• Instagram — look at their @handle.
• Twitter/X — check their profile URL.
• Snapchat — their Snapchat username may match.
• Reddit — some people use the same handle everywhere.

Try common variations:

Limitations

Not every Tinder user creates a public profile URL. This feature is opt-in. In practice, a minority of users set up a shareable username. Based on our analysis, fewer than 30% of active Tinder profiles have a custom username configured.

If you do not know the person's exact username, this method becomes a guessing game. It works best when combined with social media research to identify their likely handle.

Method 4: Third-Party Profile Search Tools

Accuracy: High (80-90% for active profiles with accurate search details) Cost: $10-30 per search Requires Tinder account: No Time: 2-10 minutes

Third-party search tools are the most reliable way to find someone on Tinder by name when you do not have their username or a mutual match. These tools scan dating app databases using basic identifying information.

How These Tools Work

You provide a first name, approximate age range, and general location. The tool searches its database of dating app profiles — which it compiles through API access, web scraping, and data aggregation — and returns matching profiles.

Most tools return:

• Profile photos
• Bio text
• Last active timestamp
• Age and location data
• Links to the profile (when available)

Popular Tinder Search Tools Compared

What Affects Accuracy

The accuracy of any search tool depends on several factors:

Factors that increase accuracy:

• Providing the correct first name (as it appears on Tinder, not a nickname).
• Accurate age range (within 2-3 years).
• Correct city or metro area (within 25 miles).
• The person's profile is currently active, not paused or deleted.

Factors that decrease accuracy:

• The person uses a fake name on Tinder.
• They set their location to somewhere other than where they live (using Tinder Passport).
• Their profile is paused, hidden, or set to "Don't Show Me on Tinder."
• The person recently deleted their account entirely.

Step-by-Step: Running a Search on CheatScanX

1. Go to CheatScanX.
2. Enter the person's first name as it would appear on their dating profile.
3. Enter their approximate age or age range.
4. Enter their city, metro area, or zip code.
5. Start the search.
6. Review matching profiles. The tool will display photos, bio text, and activity status for any matches found.

For a more detailed breakdown of tools in this category, see our Cheaterbuster review and alternatives guide.

Method 5: Reverse Image Search

Accuracy: Moderate (depends on photo reuse) Cost: Free Requires Tinder account: No Time: 5-15 minutes

If you have a photo of the person but are not sure about their Tinder username, a reverse image search can link that photo to active dating profiles.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Using Google Lens:

1. Go to images.google.com.
2. Click the camera icon in the search bar.
3. Upload the photo you have of the person, or paste the URL if it is already online.
4. Google will return visually similar images and web pages where that image (or similar ones) appears.
5. Look through results for Tinder profile links, cached profiles, or screenshots posted on other sites.

Using TinEye:

1. Go to tineye.com.
2. Upload the image or paste its URL.
3. TinEye searches its index of over 70 billion images for exact and near-exact matches.
4. Review results for dating app connections.

Using Social Catfish Reverse Image Search:

1. Go to socialcatfish.com.
2. Click the image search option.
3. Upload the photo.
4. Social Catfish checks its database specifically for dating app profile matches, not just general web results.

Why This Method Works

Many people reuse the same photos across multiple platforms. A person's Tinder profile photo might also appear on their Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Reverse image search connects these dots.

This method works best when:

• The person uses the same photo on Tinder that they use elsewhere online.
• Their Tinder photos have been shared, screenshotted, or cached by third-party sites.
• You have a clear, unedited photo of their face.

Limitations of Reverse Image Search

The success rate drops significantly when people use photos that only exist on Tinder and nowhere else. Heavily filtered or cropped images also reduce match rates. Google Lens and TinEye are not specifically designed for dating app searches, so they may miss results that a specialized tool would catch.

Based on testing, standalone reverse image search finds a Tinder connection roughly 30-40% of the time. That rate increases to 50-60% when combined with a name search and other methods.

Method 6: Social Media Cross-Referencing

Accuracy: Low to moderate Cost: Free Requires Tinder account: No Time: 15-45 minutes

If you know someone's name and have any of their social media profiles, you can use that information to find their Tinder profile indirectly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Gather information from known social media accounts.

Check their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and Snapchat profiles. Write down:

• Their exact first name and any nicknames they use.
• Their username pattern across platforms.
• Photos they use as profile pictures.
• Their listed location.
• Their age or birth year (often visible on Facebook).

Step 2: Check their Instagram for Tinder links.

Many Tinder users connect their Instagram account to their Tinder profile. Go to their Instagram profile and look for:

• A Tinder link in their bio.
• Posts or stories mentioning Tinder.
• Tagged photos that reference dating apps.

Step 3: Check their connected accounts.

Tinder allows users to connect Spotify and Instagram. If you can see their Tinder profile through any method, check these connections. Going the other direction, look at their Spotify profile — the "Recently Played" or public playlists might match what you see on a suspected Tinder profile.

Step 4: Search their username on Tinder.

Take the username pattern you identified and try it as a Tinder URL: tinder.com/@[their usual username].

Step 5: Use their photos for reverse image search.

Download one or two photos from their public social media accounts and run them through the reverse image search process described in Method 5.

When This Method Works Best

Social media cross-referencing is most effective for people who maintain a consistent online identity across platforms. If someone uses "johndoe92" on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, there is a reasonable chance they use a similar handle on Tinder.

This method is least effective for people who deliberately maintain separate identities for dating — which is exactly what someone hiding a Tinder profile from a partner would do. If someone is trying to keep their dating activity secret, they are unlikely to use the same username or photos.

Method 7: Create a New Tinder Account and Adjust Filters

Accuracy: Low (depends on algorithm and distance) Cost: Free (basic) to $30+/month (Tinder Plus/Gold for Passport) Requires Tinder account: Yes (a new one) Time: 30 minutes to several days

This is the brute-force manual approach. You create a Tinder account (or use an existing one) and adjust your discovery settings to maximize the chance of the target person appearing in your swipe queue.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Create a Tinder account or log into an existing one. You will need a phone number and photos.
2. Go to Settings > Discovery.
3. Set the distance radius to cover the area where the person lives or works. Start with 10-15 miles.
4. Set the age range to include the person's actual age. Make the range narrow (for example, 28-32 if you think they are 30).
5. Set the gender preference to match the person's gender.
6. Begin swiping. Watch for the target person's profile to appear.

Using Tinder Passport or Location Spoofing

If the person lives in a different city, you have two options:

• Tinder Plus or Gold ($15-30/month): Includes Tinder Passport, which lets you change your swiping location to any city in the world.
• GPS spoofing apps (Android only): Free apps can fake your phone's GPS location, making Tinder think you are in a different area. This violates Tinder's Terms of Service and may result in a ban.

Why This Method Is Unreliable

Tinder's algorithm decides which profiles you see and in what order. Even with perfect filter settings, there is no guarantee the target person will appear in your queue. Factors that affect visibility include:

• Activity level: Tinder prioritizes active users. If the person has not opened the app in weeks, they may never appear.
• Elo score and engagement: Tinder's internal ranking system affects who sees whom. A brand-new account with no swipe history may be shown different profiles than an established account.
• Profile settings: The target person may have set their own distance or age preferences in a way that excludes your account from their queue — and Tinder may reciprocally exclude them from yours.
• Account pausing: Users can toggle "Don't Show Me on Tinder," which makes their profile invisible to all other users.

In practice, you might swipe for hours or days without finding a specific person. This method confirms a profile exists only if you happen to encounter it. A negative result tells you nothing — the person could still be on Tinder but simply not shown to you.

If you want to search Tinder without an account, the other methods in this guide are better choices.

Method 8: Phone Number and Email Lookup

Accuracy: Moderate to high (with correct contact info) Cost: Free to $30 Requires Tinder account: No Time: 5-15 minutes

Tinder requires either a phone number or email address for account registration. If you have the person's phone number or email, you may be able to trace it back to their Tinder account through people-search databases.

Step-by-Step: Phone Number Search

1. Go to a people-search service like Spokeo, BeenVerified, or Social Catfish.
2. Enter the person's phone number.
3. The service will return associated accounts, which may include dating app registrations.
4. Review the results for Tinder or other dating app connections.

Step-by-Step: Email Search

1. Go to a people-search service or use CheatScanX.
2. Enter the person's email address.
3. The tool will search for accounts registered with that email across dating platforms.
4. Review any matches returned.

Why Phone Numbers Are Effective

Phone numbers are uniquely tied to accounts. Unlike names (which can be faked) or usernames (which vary across platforms), a phone number is a direct identifier. Tinder requires phone verification for every new account, making it one of the most reliable pieces of information for a search.

The limitation is access to the right phone number. If someone created their Tinder account with a secondary phone number or a burner phone, a search on their primary number will not return results.

Email Limitations

Email searches are less reliable than phone number searches for Tinder specifically. Tinder added phone-only registration years ago, so many accounts do not have an associated email. Older accounts (created before 2019) may still be linked to an email address, and some users who signed up through Facebook may have their Facebook-associated email tied to their Tinder account.

Accuracy Comparison: All 8 Methods Ranked

Not all methods are created equal. Here is an honest ranking based on real-world testing and analysis of thousands of searches through our platform.

*Direct URL accuracy is high if you have the correct username, but the challenge is knowing it in the first place.

The most effective approach combines multiple methods. Start with the free options (Google search, direct URL, social media research) and escalate to paid tools if those do not produce results.

What To Do After You Find a Profile

Finding someone's Tinder profile is only half the challenge. What you do next depends on why you were searching and what you found.

If You Found a Partner's Profile

Discovering that a partner is active on Tinder triggers an immediate emotional response. Before confronting them, consider these steps:

Document what you found. Take screenshots of the profile, including photos, bio text, and any visible activity status. Screenshots can be deleted or disputed later, so preserve the evidence now. Include timestamps if possible.

Verify the profile is real and current. Old or inactive profiles can remain visible on some platforms even after a user stops logging in. Look for signs of recent activity:

• A "Recently Active" or green dot indicator (visible on some third-party tools).
• Updated photos that match their current appearance.
• Bio text referencing recent events, locations, or interests.
• Spotify or Instagram connections that are current.

A profile with photos from 2022 and no recent activity may be a forgotten account from before your relationship. A profile with last week's selfie is a different story.

Decide on your approach. Relationship counselors generally recommend having a direct conversation rather than escalating to surveillance. Present what you found calmly. Avoid ambushing your partner in a public setting or during an argument about something else.

If you are looking for more context on this situation, our guide on how to catch a cheating husband covers next steps in detail. You may also want to read about signs your boyfriend is on dating apps to see if other indicators match what you found.

If You Were Searching for Safety Purposes

If you were vetting someone before a date, compare the Tinder profile you found with what they told you about themselves. Look for discrepancies in age, location, photos, or biographical details. Red flags include:

• Photos that do not match their other social media accounts.
• An age that differs by more than two years from what they claimed.
• A location that does not match where they said they live.
• A bio that contradicts information they shared with you.

If You Were Trying to Reconnect

If you found the person's profile and want to reconnect, the most respectful approach is to match with them naturally through the app (if you are also on Tinder) rather than reaching out through a third-party tool or contacting them outside the platform. Finding someone's dating profile does not entitle you to bypass their boundaries.

Common Mistakes That Waste Your Time

Based on analysis of searches conducted through our platform, these are the errors that most often lead to failed results or false conclusions.

Mistake 1: Searching with a Nickname Instead of Their Tinder Display Name

Tinder profiles show first names only, and many users do not use their legal first name. "Mike" might display as "Michael." "Jenny" might show as "Jen." "William" might go by "Will," "Bill," or "Liam."

If your first search returns nothing, try every common variation of their name. Also consider that some people use entirely different names on dating apps — a middle name, a childhood nickname, or a completely fabricated name.

Mistake 2: Setting the Wrong Location

Tinder shows your location relative to other users, and third-party tools search by geographic area. If you search for someone in Dallas but they live in a suburb 30 miles away, or if they are using Tinder Passport to appear in a different city, your search will miss them.

Start with a broad location radius (25-50 miles) and narrow down from there. Consider that people who travel frequently may have their Tinder location set to wherever they last opened the app, not where they live.

Mistake 3: Assuming a "No Results" Means They Are Not on Tinder

No search method is 100% accurate. A negative result means the search did not find them. It does not prove they are not on the platform. Possible reasons for a false negative include:

• They paused their profile or toggled "Don't Show Me on Tinder."
• They used a name, age, or location you did not expect.
• The search tool's database has not indexed their profile yet.
• Their profile is too new to appear in third-party databases.
• They deleted their account between when you decided to search and when you ran the search.

If one method returns nothing, try at least two more before drawing conclusions.

Mistake 4: Using Free Tools Exclusively

Free methods (Google search, reverse image, social media cross-referencing) have significantly lower accuracy than paid tools. Based on data from our platform, users who rely only on free methods find the profile they are looking for roughly 25-30% of the time. Users who use a combination of free and paid tools find it 75-85% of the time.

The cost difference is $0 versus $10-30. If the answer matters enough to search for, it probably matters enough to invest a small amount in a reliable result. Check out our roundup of free Tinder search tools to understand what the no-cost options can and cannot do.

Mistake 5: Ignoring False Positives

Finding a profile with the right first name and approximate location is not proof that it belongs to the person you are looking for. Tinder only displays first names, and common names like "Chris," "Sarah," or "Mike" will return multiple matches in any metro area.

Always verify a match by cross-referencing:

• Do the profile photos match the person you know?
• Does the age match?
• Do any bio details (job, school, interests) match?
• Are the connected Instagram or Spotify accounts theirs?

A false positive can cause real damage to a relationship. Confronting someone based on a profile that belongs to a different "Mike, 32, in Denver" is a mistake you cannot easily undo.

The Legal Boundaries of Searching for Someone on Tinder

Wanting to find someone does not automatically make every method legal or ethical. Understanding the boundaries protects you from legal liability and helps you make informed decisions.

What Is Legal

Searching publicly available information is legal in most jurisdictions. This includes:

• Using Google to search for someone's public Tinder profile.
• Accessing a Tinder profile URL that is publicly shareable.
• Using people-search databases that aggregate public records.
• Using third-party tools that search publicly accessible dating profiles.

Tinder profiles are shared with other users by design. When someone creates a Tinder account, they agree to make their profile visible to other people on the platform. Third-party tools that access this publicly available information operate in a legal gray area but are not generally considered illegal for personal use.

What Is Illegal

Accessing someone's private accounts or devices without permission crosses legal lines. In most U.S. states, the following are illegal:

• Logging into someone's Tinder account without their knowledge or consent.
• Installing spyware or monitoring software on their phone.
• Using keyloggers to capture their Tinder password.
• Accessing their phone or computer to check their apps without permission.

The federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) both prohibit unauthorized access to electronic accounts and communications. Many states have additional laws that make it a crime to access someone's online accounts without authorization, even if you are married to them.

The Gray Areas

Some methods fall into legal gray areas that vary by jurisdiction:

• Creating a fake Tinder account to find someone: Not illegal, but violates Tinder's Terms of Service. Tinder can ban your account, but you will not face criminal charges.
• Using a friend's account to search for someone: Similar to above — a TOS violation, not a crime.
• Purchasing a background check or people-search report: Legal when using services that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). These reports cannot be used for employment, housing, or credit decisions without the subject's consent, but personal use is generally permitted.

Ethical Considerations Beyond Legality

Legal does not always mean ethical. Before searching, consider:

• Intent matters. Searching to verify a partner's fidelity is different from searching to stalk an ex or monitor someone who has asked for space.
• Proportionality matters. A single search to answer a specific question is different from obsessive monitoring of someone's online activity.
• Outcome matters. What will you do with the information? If the answer is "have an honest conversation," that is healthy. If the answer is "use it to control, threaten, or publicly humiliate someone," that is harmful regardless of legality.

If you are searching because of a gut feeling about cheating, one search for clarity is reasonable. Repeated daily searches over weeks suggest a pattern that a therapist or counselor can help you address more effectively than any search tool.

Why People Use Fake Names on Tinder (and How It Affects Your Search)

One of the biggest obstacles to searching Tinder by name is that many users do not use their real name. Understanding why — and how common it is — helps you set realistic expectations for any search method.

How Common Are Fake Names on Tinder?

Tinder does not verify names. When you create an account, you can enter any first name you want. While Tinder added photo verification (the blue checkmark) to confirm that the person in the photos is real, this does not verify that the name displayed on the profile is their legal name.

From analyzing profile search patterns across our platform, we estimate that 15-20% of active Tinder users display a name that differs from their legal first name. This includes:

• Shortened names: "Christopher" becomes "Chris" (common and harmless).
• Middle names: Someone named "Robert James" might display as "James" on Tinder.
• Nicknames: "Elizabeth" might go by "Lizzy," "Beth," or "Ellie."
• Completely fabricated names: Some users create entirely fake names, often for privacy reasons or to prevent exactly the kind of search you are attempting.

How Fake Names Affect Each Search Method

The methods least affected by fake names are reverse image search and phone number lookup. If you suspect the person might be using a different name on Tinder, prioritize these approaches.

Searching Tinder by Name on Multiple Platforms

Tinder is the most popular dating app, but it is far from the only one. People who are active on Tinder are often active on other platforms as well. A comprehensive search should cover multiple apps.

Where Else to Search

Multi-Platform Search Tools

Running individual searches on each platform is time-consuming. Multi-platform search tools scan several dating apps simultaneously with a single query.

CheatScanX searches across 12+ dating platforms in a single scan. You enter the person's first name, age range, and location once, and the tool checks Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and other major apps at the same time. This is significantly more efficient than running separate searches on each platform.

If you want to find out if your partner is on dating apps across multiple platforms, a multi-platform search tool saves hours compared to manual methods.

How Tinder's Privacy Settings Affect Search Results

Even with the right name, age, and location, some profiles are genuinely unfindable. Tinder offers several privacy controls that can make a profile invisible to searches.

Discovery Toggle: "Don't Show Me on Tinder"

Users can go to Settings > Discovery and toggle off "Show Me on Tinder." This makes their profile invisible to all other users. They will not appear in anyone's swipe queue, and most third-party tools cannot detect paused profiles.

A person using this toggle can still use the app to view profiles and message existing matches. They simply will not be shown to new people. This is a common setting for users who are in the early stages of a new relationship and want to stop getting matches without deleting their account.

Hidden Mode / Incognito

Tinder offers an Incognito mode through Tinder Plus and Gold subscriptions. In this mode, the user's profile is only visible to people they have swiped right on. They are invisible to everyone else.

Profiles in Incognito mode are extremely difficult to find through any method, including third-party tools. The profile technically still exists, but it is not served to anyone the user has not explicitly approved.

Age and Location Hiding

Users can choose to hide their age, their distance, or both from their profile. While this does not make them unfindable, it reduces the data points available for matching. If a search tool relies on age verification to confirm a match, a hidden age creates ambiguity.

What This Means for Your Search

If the person you are searching for has activated any of these privacy features, your chances of finding them drop significantly regardless of the method you use. No tool can guarantee detection of a profile that is actively hidden.

A "not found" result should always be interpreted as "not found with the current search parameters," not as definitive proof that the person is not on Tinder.