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Meta Platforms (META) delivered a quarter that most businesses would be happy to take.For perspective, Meta posted its Q1 earnings report on April 29, 2026, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2026.The headline numbers impressed, delivering another double beat, with operating income coming in much stronger than expected. Unfortunately for the social media giant, Wall Street was focusing mainly on what’s ahead, particularly how it plans to continue building its AI future.Shares dropped 8% to 9% post earnings, and are down more than 7% year to date, despite being up 14% this month, according to Seeking Alpha.Nevertheless, Bank of America analyst Justin Post remained bullish. He reiterated a buy rating on Meta while raising his price target to $835 from $820 on the back of the tremendous strength of Meta’s core ad business and its growing AI opportunity.The problem is that AI is expensive.What overshadowed everything was Meta once again raising its capex to fuel its relentless AI buildout. Nevertheless, BofA backs the broader story, though it’s becoming a case of near-flawless execution.Meta Q1 earnings at a glanceMeta Platforms blew past Wall Street expectations on both the top and bottom lines, posting a superb GAAP EPS of $10.44, which beat estimates by $3.78, while revenue rose 33.1% year over year to $56.31 billion.Advertising was the primary growth driver, with ad sales jumping 33% to $55 billion, while Family of Apps sales skyrocketed 34% to $55.9 billion.Meta guided for Q2 sales of $58 billion to $61 billion, with the midpoint of $59.5 billion most in line with market expectations. On top of that, it kept its full-year expense forecast unchanged at $162 billion to $169 billion, while lifting the capex outlook to $125 billion to $145 billion.Reality Labs remained a drag, losing a whopping $4.03 billion, while family daily active users slipped sequentially amid internet disruptions in Iran and WhatsApp restrictions in Russia.
Source: Seeking Alpha
BofA sees Meta’s AI spend paying offMeta’s AI spending is massive, to say the least, but BofA analysts still feel the core business is strong enough to back it all up.At the core of it, BofA believes AI-driven gains are translated into the company’s primary advertising engine, and will scale as large language models become more ingrained into the ad stack.It’s important to understand that Meta isn’t spending into a weak business.BofA sees 2026 revenue rising to $254.6 billion, with 2027 revenue climbing to $311.3 billion.The rationale has three major parts:Better ads: BofA expects deeper LLM integration, which improves ad performance while attracting more incremental ad spending.More shots on target: Threads, Meta AI, Marketplace, messaging, and subscriptions will create new monetization channels.Attractive valuation: At about 18 times revised 2027 GAAP EPS, Meta currently trades below its 21 times historical average.The engagement numbers also help a ton.BofA notes that AI-powered recommendations led to a 10% increase in time spent on Facebook, while total video watch time jumped more than 8% globally in Q1.Consequently, BofA ended up raising its 2026 EPS to $34.12 and 2027 EPS to $34.46, which shows the company still sees Meta’s tremendous AI buildout as an investment, rather than a problem.Meta earnings historyMeta’s recent earnings performance shows consistent beats across both lines, with sales hovering above 20% in each of the past four quarters.That said, here’s how Meta has fared over the past four quarters.FQ1 2026: EPS of $7.31 beat by $0.49, revenue of $56.31 billion beat by $755.41 million, and revenue grew 33.08% year over year.FQ4 2025: EPS of $8.88 beat by $0.70, revenue of $59.89 billion beat by $1.42 billion, and revenue grew 23.78% year over year.FQ3 2025: EPS of $7.25 beat by $0.58, revenue of $51.24 billion beat by $1.83 billion, and revenue grew 26.25% year over year.FQ2 2025: EPS of $7.14 beat by $1.28, revenue of $47.52 billion beat by $2.68 billion, and revenue grew 21.61% year over year.
Source: Seeking Alpha

Bank of America raises its Meta price target after earnings but flags heavy AI spending concerns ahead.David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Wall Street price targets for Meta Platforms stockJPMorgan cut its price target on Meta Platforms to $725 from $825.UBS lowered its price target on Meta Platforms to $865 from $908.TD Cowen cut its price target on Meta Platforms to $800 from $820.Bernstein lowered its price target on Meta Platforms to $850 from $900.Truist cut its price target on Meta Platforms to $840 from $900.Guggenheim lowered its price target on Meta Platforms to $800 from $850.
Sources: Benzinga, TipRanks
Risks still hang over Meta’s AI storyThough for the most part, BofA’s Meta call leans bullish, its long-term case (backed heavily by AI) comes with serious risks.The first and most obvious concern is spending.Meta Platforms just raised its capex to $125 billion-$145 billion, with BofA estimates at $130 billion for the year.For more color, according to GuruFocus, Meta’s capex-to-operating-cash-flow ratio is 0.59, 48% higher than its 10-year median of 0.40.That level of investment works if AI continues improving engagement and ad performance, but also raises the bar for returns. The second aspect to consider is flexibility.Meta still gets roughly 98% of its sales from digital ads, while we’re seeing its fixed cost jump due to AI infrastructure and data centers.Supporting that is the fact that Meta stock is trading at 5.72 times its forward book value (showing how asset-heavy a business is), which is 201% higher than the sector median. So if there’s any slowdown in ad spending on the back of the macro backdrop, margins could take a big hit.Additionally, there’s growing competition from OpenAI and incumbents, limited or virtually zero buybacks in Q1, and legal overhang from the youth-safety regulatory scandal, which is pressuring usage and monetization.Related: 5-star analyst delivers stunning Micron stock price target

Stop using AI for $20 tasks — use it to make $500 decisions (not for content, for growth)

Key Takeaways

If your searches need to comply with FCRA standards, Background Online’s pricing and breadth of information excels that of the competition. For casual searches, TruthFinder’s quick, simple platform makes it the best option.
Only some types of background check are regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which places limits on the kind of information that you can obtain on others.
People search sites can be a useful tool for finding relatives or doing reverse phone searches. For background checks on potential employees, domestic workers, or tenants, you’ll need to work with an FCRA-compliant company.
We evaluated over 40 data points across 20 vetted background check companies to ensure readers have accurate and helpful information about this type of service.

Our top picks for the best background check sites
People search background check sites
Unlike FCRA-compliant companies, these background search sites cannot be used for employment or tenancy purposes. You can, however, use them to conduct personal searches.

TruthFinder – Best Background Check Site Overall
Instant Checkmate – Best for Unlimited Reports
BeenVerified – Best for Vehicle Searches
Spokeo – Best for Budget Searches

FCRA-compliant background screening sites
The following background screening sites all comply with FCRA regulation on consumer reporting agencies, namely the information they can provide and what it can be used for. This means you may use them for employment and tenancy purposes.

Backgrounds Online – Best Background Screening Site Overall
Checkr – Best for Pre-employment Screenings
TransUnion SmartMove – Best for Tenant Screenings
GoodHire – Best for Small Businesses

Pros

Comprehensive reports with detailed personal data
User-friendly interface with mobile app support
Add-on for report downloads and monitoring
Sample report available

Cons

Flagged for FCRA violations and deceptive marketing practices
Subscription required to access reports
No free trial or single-report option

Why we chose it: TruthFinder offers highly detailed reports that cover a wide range of information, from personal assets to criminal records and employment history. Its intuitive app with a straightforward interface makes starting new searches and viewing existing reports easy.
Although the service only offers monthly plans — you won’t be able to pay for one-off reports — the price of TruthFinder’s services is slightly below that of other background check memberships. And for an additional $3.99/mo, it also lets you download reports as PDFs and monitor reports online for updates to their information.
It bears mentioning that TruthFinder was one of two background check sites which were fined $5.8 million by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2023 for deceiving users about the accuracy of their reports. The company was asked to implement monitoring, disclose material connections and permanently comply with FCRA guidelines, among other things.

TruthFinder Pricing

Membership

Price

Benefits

People Search

$28.33/mo or $47.03 bimonthly

Unlimited person reports, unlimited location reports

Reverse Phone Lookup

$4.99/mo

Unlimited phone reports

Reverse Email Lookup

$29.73/mo

Unlimited person reports, unlimited email reports

Reports may include: first and last name, known aliases, physical address, photos, social media profiles, location history, associated persons, related persons, birth information, phone numbers, email addresses, employment history, educational history, possible associates, business ownership, assets, criminal records, traffic records, court records.
*See disclaimer below for more information.

Pros

Unlimited person or phone reports
Transparent pricing structure
Sample report available
Quick turnaround times

Cons

Flagged for FCRA violations and deceptive marketing practices
Expensive people search membership
No options for single reports

Why we chose it: Instant Checkmate offers unlimited searches, making it ideal for anyone who needs to conduct background checks regularly. It’s especially thorough when it comes to criminal information, featuring search functions for inmates and traffic, criminal and arrest records.
Another highlight of the platform is its streamlined interface that makes navigation easy — both on browsers and on the handy mobile app. On the other hand, Instant Checkmate’s lack of single-report purchase option means it isn’t as cost-effective for those who only need occasional searches.
Like TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate was penalized by the FTC in 2023 for deceptive business practices. It also agreed to settle charges in 2014 for violating FCRA guidelines. While not necessarily a deal breaker — the company was placed under monitoring by the FTC both times — it’s something to consider when choosing a background check site.

Instant Checkmate Pricing

Membership

Price

Benefits

Person Reports

$35.47/mo or $85.13 every three months

Unlimited person reports, unlimited location reports, report monitoring

Phone Reports

$5.99/mo

Unlimited phone reports

Reports may include: birth information, photos, phone numbers, social media profiles, email addresses, address history, employment history, educational history, business ownership, assets, criminal records, traffic records, court records.
*See disclaimer below for more information.

Pros

VIN, license plate and owner detail lookup
Mobile app designed for vehicle searches
Well-organized reports with multiple data sources
Niche services like unclaimed money search

Cons

Less comprehensive people searches
Limited to 100 reports per month
Lack of transparency in pricing

Why we chose it: BeenVerified does VIN and license plate lookups, which provide valuable insight into a car’s past, including accidents, market value, recalls, warranty and ownership history. This makes it a go-to option for used car buyers, automotive professionals and others who may need to run a vehicle history check.
Like other popular background check sites, BeenVerified also features a mobile app to search people, phone numbers, emails and physical addresses. However, it also offers an app specifically for carrying out vehicle checks, making it even easier to keep track of several car records at once.
While the platform is excellent for vehicle searches, it offers less detailed reports in other fields. It’s also easy to miss that BeenVerified’s membership costs $32.89/mo, not $1 or $5 (which are only the price of its 7-day membership for the “Casual” and “Plus” trial plans, respectively).

BeenVerified Pricing

Membership

Price

Benefits

1 Month Membership

$36.89/mo

Up to 100 reports per month which include: background reports, contact information, phone lookups, email lookups, criminal records

3 Month Membership

$71.94 every three months

Same benefits as 1 Month Membership

Reports may include: full name, date of birth, city/state history, phone numbers, email addresses, photos, possible relatives and associates, traffic records, criminal records, court proceedings, litigation history, bankruptcy proceedings, education history, employment history, business associations, social media platforms, blogs and websites.
*See disclaimer below for more information.

Pros

Pay per month or per report

Results from billions of records
Quick searches for basic information
Report monitoring included in membership

Cons

Less comprehensive searches than competitors
Lack of transparency regarding price
No mobile app

Why we chose it: Unlike the other people finding services on our list, Spokeo lets you pay per individual search instead of forcing you into a subscription. This makes it considerably more affordable (and convenient) than the competition for occasional searches. And if you happen to need a large volume of reports, its $29.95/month membership isn’t expensive compared to other sites.
But Spokeo’s affordability comes at the cost of depth. Its reports are broad, but not as detailed as those of more premium services — they lack detail in criminal history and financial records, for example — and the platform’s short turnaround times can sometimes backfire, leading to inaccuracies.
Reports may include: names, aliases, phone numbers, email addresses, birth information, marital status, education level, hobbies and interests, current and past addresses, nearby residents, neighbors, property records, lifestyle data, investments, estimated salary, family members, household demographics, social media profiles, usernames, dating sites, music and gaming accounts. Criminal records, DUIs and sex offenses also available for an additional fee.
*See disclaimer below for more information.

*DISCLAIMER: You may not use the non-FCRA approved service mentioned in this article or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. This service doesn’t provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.)
The information available on this website may not be 100% accurate, complete, or up to date. Do not use it as a substitute for your own due diligence, especially if you have concerns about a person’s criminal history. The service doesn’t make any representation or warranty about the accuracy of the information available through their service or about the character or integrity of the person about whom you inquire. For more information, please review the service’s Terms of Use.
All product names, logos, brands, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Pros

Extensive national and international database
Customizable screening packages
Advanced compliance features
Deep ATS integration

Cons

Requires professional account setup
Limited self-service options

Why we chose it: Backgrounds Online checks all the marks when it comes to a great screening service — comprehensive reports, transparent pricing, position-specific searches, and advanced solutions for compliance, to name a few.
For custom packages, Background Online provides an à la carte experience. You can choose between 22 options as you are guided by a dedicated account manager. Moreover, the platform can sync applicant tracking systems (ATS) with its internal web application, which allows you to request checks while providing the necessary information that is available in its database.
As for compliance, the Applicant Self-Submittal feature allows the people you screen to see and approve all necessary compliance documents. Then, Backgrounds Online produces a report for you to make more informed hiring decisions.

Backgrounds Online Pricing

Membership

Starting price

Screenings

Basic

$29.95 / report

SSN trace, county criminal court search, national criminal database, sex offender registry search, terrorist watch list search

Standard

$49.95 / report

SSN trace, 7-year county criminal court search, 7-year federal criminal court search national criminal database, sex offender registry search, terrorist watch list search, wants & warrants search

Comprehensive

$99.95 / report

SSN trace, 7-year county criminal court search, 7-year federal criminal court search national criminal database, sex offender registry search, terrorist watch list search, wants & warrants search, 3 employment verifications, 1 education verification

Pros

Built-in compliance and HR support

Fast turnaround time on results
Simple, transparent pricing
Configurable workflows

Cons

Some issues with inaccurate checks
Support only available via email

Why we chose it: Checkr hosts a variety of dynamic compliance features, including candidate assessment, online adverse action and individualized assessment tools. These tools streamline the recruitment process, which is otherwise rife with regulatory requirements that change frequently and vary region to region.
Background checks are not only a headache for hiring teams, but can also expose your company to compliance risks — violations and litigation can cost a business millions. Checkr’s “compliance engine” combats this by keeping employers updated with evolving regional laws.
The platform also features fast report turnaround times thanks to its AI-powered technology that clarifies and categorizes adverse findings but also estimates processing times. Unfortunately, this has led to some claims of inaccurate results, and the lack of phone support might make it hard to corroborate this with the Checkr. But overall, the company’s commitment to compliance makes it a standout choice for businesses looking to mitigate hiring risks.

Checkr Pricing

Tier

Starting price

Screenings

Basic+

$29.99 / report

SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist search, national criminal search

Essential

$54.99 / report

SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist search, national criminal search, unlimited county criminal search

Complete

$89.99 / report

SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist search, national criminal search, unlimited county criminal search, unlimited state criminal search, federal criminal search

The options listed above are only valid for businesses that run less than 300 background checks per year. Custom packages are available for those that run more.

Pros

Specialized tenant background screening
Credit reports directly from TransUnion
Eviction and criminal history checks
Direct tenant invitation process

Cons

Less comprehensive for commercial properties
Flagged by the FTC and CFPB for inaccurate reports
Potential privacy concerns

Why we chose it: TransUnion SmartMove was designed for tenant screenings first and foremost. With specialized tools like the ResidentScore — a number that predicts the likelihood of eviction — property managers are able to process potential renters more efficiently.
SmartMove pulls credit data directly from TransUnion, providing accurate financial insights into a potential tenant’s history. The platform’s criminal records and eviction reports help give a fuller picture of an applicant’s risk level, while its pay-per-report pricing model keeps the service free until you decide to fully process an applicant.
One of SmartMove’s standout features is that landlords don’t have to pay for reports — they can ask applicants to cover the cost instead during the process. And although customization options and on the platform are limited, the system is easy to use. Reports are generated quickly, which can help property owners make informed leasing decisions without extensive delays.

TransUnion SmartMove Pricing

Tier

Starting price

Screenings

SmartCheck Basic

$25 / report

ResidentScore(R), criminal background report

SmartCheck Plus

$40 / report

ResidentScore(R), criminal background report, credit report, eviction related report

SmartCheck Pro

$47 / report

ResidentScore(R), criminal background report, credit report, eviction related report, income insights report, identity check report

Pros

Transparent pricing with pay-per-report options?

Affordable industry-specific packages
Built-in dispute resolution tools
User-friendly interface

Cons

Limited international screening options
No customer support via phone

Why we chose it: GoodHire’s combination of affordability, ease of use and compliance support makes it a more accessible option for professional background screening. Said options cover a wide range of industries — from IT and banking to healthcare and nonprofits — or can be picked out to target only specific roles you need filled.
GoodHire also comes with several pre-integrated ATS and human resources information systems, such as FCRA compliance tools and adverse action workflows. Compliance tools are especially helpful for smaller organizations to mitigate the potential legal risks associated with employment background checks.
Another highlight of GoodHire is its interface, both on browsers and on its mobile app. The platform’s dashboard provides results and status updates at a glance, with more urgent information clearly visible from the get-go. And your candidates can view their results in the same simple, mobile-optimized format available to you.

GoodHire Pricing

Tier

Starting price

Screenings

Basic+

$29.99 / report

SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist search, national criminal search

Essential

$54.99 / report

SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist search, national criminal search, unlimited county criminal search

Complete

$89.99 / report

SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist search, national criminal search, unlimited county criminal search, unlimited state criminal search, federal criminal search

What you need to know about background checks
Background checks are not one, but multiple processes undertaken to investigate a person’s past. These involve looking through public and private records for personal information, from identifiers like age, address and social media profiles, to more sensitive data, such as your social security number and credit history.
People carry out checks for a number of reasons. You may want more information on your new next-door neighbor, for example, or to verify that your date really is who he claims to be.
Alternatively, special background checks known as consumer reports may be used by employers or landlords to evaluate potential candidates and tenants. The same goes for people looking to hire domestic workers — including cleaning professionals and nannies.
You can can run a test by going to a background checking site and providing a name, phone number and/or other common identifiable information. You can even do a check on yourself! Doing so will show you what others would see when looking up your profile on one of these sites — and let you dispute any inaccurate information on you.
Types of background check searches
There are two types of background checks: those that comply with FCRA guidelines on consumer reports, and those that don’t. The latter are often called “people search websites” because the information found there cannot be used for the purpose of hiring employees or tenancy. Using them this way could lead to serious legal consequences.
The following are popular types of searches, reports or screenings that you might see on a background screening website and what they entail.

People search, reverse phone lookups, email lookups and address lookups are all types of simple background checks that are typically offered by non-FCRA compliant services. They often provide the same data on a person — the information you input serves as a “key” to find their profile on a platform’s database.
Criminal background checks involve looking through watchlists, sex offender registries, and court records at the county, state, national and federal level for evidence of a criminal history, such as misdemeanors, sanctions and felonies.
Verifications mostly focus on two fields: employment and education. Employment verification consists of obtaining information about someone’s professional history to confirm their resume or job application is accurate. Education verification works much the same way, but by looking for information on someone’s credentials or degree.
Position specific searches are useful for verifying that a candidate for a job post has the necessary qualifications. For example, you may request a drug screening for a federal position, or a motor vehicle record search if you are hiring drivers.
International reports cover different types of background check but are performed to vet people coming from other parts of the world.

These background checks may be offered as individual services or as part of a larger package of services.

Best Background Check Sites FAQs
How long does a background check take?
How long a background check takes will depend on the type of check and how much information is being requested.
A simple background check consisting of a people search probably won’t last more than a couple of minutes, or a day at most. FCRA-compliant background screenings, also known as consumer reports, can take longer — from one to seven business days depending on the information that you request.
How far back does a background check go?
People searches show information from their databases, where they compile full names, possible associates, birth dates, addresses, phone numbers and more from public sources (such as utilities and voter registrations). These can go back decades — as far back as the 1980s in some cases.
How far a background screening for employment or tenancy purposes will go depends on the information you request and the state you request it from. For example, California, New York and Texas limit criminal record reporting to seven years, with some exceptions. A check on your credit or financial history may go back anywhere from seven to ten years.
How much does a background check cost?
A basic check can cost as little as $0.95 for access to a person’s profile. This is because the information you get from people searching websites is supposed to be surface-level data that you may not use for serious purposes beyond learning about a person. Consequently, these websites often charge subscriptions instead of a set price per report in order to make money.
An FCRA-compliant background check can cost anywhere from $10 to $100 for a single report. A check that only looks at criminal history will be less expensive than a comprehensive employment check or a drug screening.
How do you know if you passed a background check?
You will know if you passed a background check after receiving a direct notification from the people who requested the check. You might be notified that you have successfully passed onto the next step of tenancy screening or the hiring process. Alternatively, the person or business that requested your check may notify you of negative information found in your report.
The FCRA requires that you are notified if adverse action is taken based on information found on your background check. Also, if negative information is revealed, the employer or landlord must notify you under the Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA — you have the right to dispute errors.

Methodology
To pick the best background check services, we reviewed 20 background check companies based on over 40 data points grouped under the following categories:
Cost
We compared the prices of each background check platform, taking into account whether the service worked on a per-report basis or as a subscription service (or both). Price isn’t the end all be all — you get what you pay for, after all — but we favored companies with lower individual reports costs, less fees and a wider variety of plan tiers for those that had membership options.
Features
For basic background checks, or people search sites, we listed and compared the types of information each company includes in its identity verification profiles or reports, including full names, age, email, physical address and other personal identifiable information.
We did the same for FCRA-compliant services, but also considered the breadth of their individual report types, such as criminal reports, driving record checks, employment verification reference checks and drug testing. We favored companies that offered a greater number of these in addition to industry packages and add-ons like global watchlist searches.
Reputation
Many companies in the background checks industry have been the subject of legal actions, mostly relating to privacy. We carefully evaluated lawsuits found during our searches and highlighted those that were particularly relevant to consumers or involved regulatory violations. Do note that this research is not based on a comprehensive review of court records.
Customer experience
We evaluated each background check site’s user interface on web browsers and mobile apps (when applicable) to determine if they were easy to navigate and provided key information useful to consumers. Then, to see what customers had to say about each company we researched and read customer service reviews on the Better Business Bureau’s site.
Summary of our top picks
People search background check sites

TruthFinder – Best Background Check Site Overall
Instant Checkmate – Best for Unlimited Reports
BeenVerified – Best for Vehicle Searches
Spokeo – Best for Budget Searches

FCRA-compliant background screening sites

Backgrounds Online – Best Background Screening Site Overall
Checkr – Best for Pre-employment Screenings
TransUnion SmartMove – Best for Tenant Screenings
GoodHire – Best for Small Businesses

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