How to Find the Publishers of a Website: 7 Easy Ways
When you come across a website, whether for research, business, or collaboration, it’s often crucial to know who the publisher is.
This information can help you understand the website's credibility, origin, and potential for partnerships.
In this blog post, we’ll explore various methods to identify the publisher of a website, provide useful examples, and share links to important tools that can assist in your search.
1. Check the About Us Page
The most straightforward way to find the publisher of a website is by visiting the "About Us" page. Most reputable websites have this section where they provide detailed information about their mission, history, and the team behind the content.
Example: If you visit the Company page of The New York Times, you’ll find information about the publisher, the editorial team, and the newspaper’s history.
2. Look for the Contact Information
Another way to discover the publisher is by checking the contact page. Websites often list the publisher's name or the organization responsible for the content in the contact details, along with email addresses and phone numbers.
Example: On The Guardian’s contact page, you can find various contacts for editorial, advertising, and other departments, which may give you a clue about the publisher.
3. Using a Company Search and Email Finder Tool
A company search and email finder tool like Skrapp can provide valuable information about a publisher and their website. With Skrapp, you can access details about a company's team members, including their names, designations, and email addresses.
Example: Using Skrapp Company Search to search for domain-related emails can often lead to identifying the publisher or main contact person.
4. Use WHOIS Lookup Tools
WHOIS databases are a treasure trove of information. They store registration details about domain names, including the name of the registrant, which is often the publisher. Tools like Whois.com and ICANN WHOIS allow you to search for this information.
Example: By entering a domain name in the Whois.com search bar, you can find out who registered the domain, their contact details, and the date of registration.
5. Examine the Website’s Footer
Many websites include publisher information in the footer, along with other important details like copyright, terms of service, and privacy policy.
Example: At the bottom of BBC's homepage, you can find links to editorial policies and information about the BBC's governing body, which acts as the publisher.
6. Check for Publisher Tags in the HTML Source Code
For those comfortable with a bit of technical work, examining a website's HTML source code can reveal publisher details. Look for meta tags like og:site_name or article:publisher within the code.
- Right-click on the webpage and select "View Page Source."
- Use Ctrl + F (or Cmd + F on Mac) to search for keywords like "publisher" or "site_name."
Example: Inspecting the source code of Forbes might show tags that include the publisher's name.
7. Explore Social Media Channels
Websites often link to their social media profiles, where the publisher's identity is usually clear. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can provide direct links to the publisher's or organization’s profiles.
Example: A visit to CNN’s LinkedIn page reveals the network's ownership and associated publishers.
Conclusion
Finding the publisher of a website is essential for understanding the source and credibility of online content. By using the methods and tools mentioned in this guide, you can easily uncover publisher information for any website. Whether you’re a researcher, marketer, or just curious, these strategies will equip you with the knowledge you need.
