Unclear deletion timeframe
Start broad, then tighten date windows once you identify likely activity spikes in captures.
How to Find Deleted Tweets
Step-by-step tutorial for finding deleted tweets with date filters, validation, and exports.
This walkthrough is designed for repeatable research. It emphasizes traceable steps so you can defend the result quality.
Quick answer: Find deleted tweets by combining URL-based lookup, precise date windows, and timestamp verification across multiple archive captures.
Step-by-Step
- Define the target: tweet, user profile, and suspected deletion timeframe.
- Search the target URL in Xarchive and capture all returned timestamps.
- Check nearest pre- and post-event captures for consistency.
- Validate the content in at least two captures when available.
- Export results and keep timestamps with source URLs in your report.
Common Failure Cases
Conflicting capture content
Use the nearest timestamp to the event and document both states if the archive changed across captures.
Missing original tweet URL
Use profile captures and date-based navigation to recover references to missing direct links.
Data Source and Limitations
Data source: Internet Archive CDX index (https://web.archive.org/cdx/search/cdx). Results depend on what was publicly crawled and stored.
Run This in Xarchive
Search captures, preview snapshots, and export your verified set in one flow.
Related Guides
FAQ
Should I trust a single archive capture?
For higher confidence, compare nearby captures and keep original timestamps in your notes.
Is this workflow useful for journalism and OSINT?
Yes. The method is designed for verification use cases where timing and provenance matter.
What export format is best?
CSV is easiest for spreadsheets, JSON for engineering workflows, and HTML for quick sharing.
Last updated: February 25, 2026