What is a “Lost & Found” Page?
Most websites and blogs have an “About” page, and many Digital Gardens feature collections of links or bookmarks. But seldom do we see a declaration of things we’re seeking—people, places, objects, or memories that have slipped away. LostLostFound is a movement to help people reconnect with the people, places, objects, and memories that have shaped their lives. Over time, we lose touch with old friends, businesses close, beloved items disappear, and memories fade.
This movement is about sending a signal into the world, making it easier for others to stumble upon what you’re looking for—whether that’s a childhood friend, a car you once owned, a sandwich shop that vanished, or even a long-lost recipe.
Unlike classified ads or social media posts that vanish quickly, a Lost & Found page lives on your website, blog, or other platforms, making it more discoverable over time by search engines and the right people.
Why a Lost & Found Page?
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “Whatever happened to…?”, a Lost & Found page can help.
Unlike forums, Craigslist, or social media posts that disappear, this creates a lasting signal. If someone searches for the same thing years from now, they might find your page and connect with you.
That said, this isn’t for everyone—if this idea doesn’t resonate with you, that’s okay! But if you’ve been searching for something with no luck, writing about it might just be the missing piece. If the idea of sending out a lasting signal resonates with you, read on.
How to Make Your Lost & Found Page Effective
If you’re writing a Lost & Found page, here’s how to make it effective:
1. Be Descriptive & Search-Friendly
Give as much detail as possible:
- For people: Names, locations, timeframes, shared memories.
- For objects: Brand names, descriptions, serial numbers, old photos.
- For places: Address, city, what it was known for, old websites.
- For recipes: Where you had it, ingredients you remember, what made it unique.
2. Make It Easy for People to Contact You
- Include a way to reach you—an email, a contact form, or comments on the page.
- If privacy is a concern, create a separate email address for responses.
3. Tag & Categorize Your Page
- Use tags and categories like “Lost Friends,” “Old Cars,” or “Missing Restaurants.”
- Consider using #LostLostFound on social media.
4. Update If You Find What You’re Looking For
If someone helps you find what you were searching for, update your post!
Doesn’t [Insert] Site Do That?
You might be wondering: Aren’t there already sites for this?
Yes! There are many great resources for searching, but LostLostFound is different. This movement isn’t about digging through databases—it’s about creating a discoverable breadcrumb trail that lasts.
- Social media is fleeting. Posts get buried and forgotten within days.
- Classified sites like Craigslist expire. There’s no permanence.
- A personal page is discoverable. Google can index it, making it findable for years.
- It invites the right kind of connection. The people who find your page are actively searching for the same thing.
Other Resources vs. Lost & Found Pages
- Classmates.com & Ancestry.com → Good for researching, but limited if your person isn’t listed.
- Craigslist & Facebook Marketplace → Great for finding items, but posts disappear quickly.
- eBay & VIN Lookup Sites → Useful for objects, but they don’t help if your item isn’t actively for sale.
- Yelp & Local Archives → Sometimes helpful for businesses, but hard to trace when they close.
LostLostFound is for when you’ve already searched, and nothing turned up—so you put a signal into the world instead.
Join the Movement
This movement is open-ended and community-driven. Here’s how you can participate:
- Create your own Lost & Found page.
- Tag it with #LostLostFound. Post it on social media, tag it, and link to others in the movement.
- Consider linking to others. Over time, we may create a blogroll or navigation system.
- Improve the movement. Have ideas to make this better? Let us know!
Who’s Behind This?
LostLostFound was created by Dennis Jenders as a way to make our search more accessible. We lose track of people, places, and things all the time—but sometimes, we want them back.
It’s inspired by the work I’ve seen by others, including Derek Sivers and “Now” pages.
If you believe in this idea, write a Lost & Found page of your own and send out a signal.
Together, we can help people recollect what matters.