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Several explorer sites are claiming to be the “Google” search for NFTs. Which one actually holds up? In a time when 80% of NFTs in a top marketplace are “unoriginal” or “fake,” a good NFT search engine can be a significant tool to protect you and your digital assets. From Bored Ape to Weird Whales, hacking and theft controversy is everywhere. It is more important than ever to verify the data coverage and detailed asset information for each NFT to ensure a secure and legitimate transaction process.
In this article, we have compiled the most noteworthy NFT search engines and listed out the pros, cons and usability of each to help you find the best tool for your needs!
Top 4: Fingible
Fingible is a simple explorer for tracking NFTs through three main search functions: text, reverse image and counterfeit detection. As an extension of API service provider NFTPort, the Fingible search engine feels like an afterthought. The user interface is very minimalistic and search options are somewhat misleading. For instance, the counterfeit detection search is just a regular Contract and Token ID (CID) search which is also offered by NSE.
Pros:
- Simple and straightforward interface
- Includes special search options such as Reverse Image and Counterfeit Search
Cons:
- Unclear if project is still ongoing. No project updates since announcement.
- The Counterfeit Search solution is misleading — only displays similar assets, but unable to show users which one is authentic.
- Information only includes on-chain data with no extra information provided.
- Limited coverage (Only includes NFTs minted on Ethereum and Polygon)
- Loading is very slow
Top 3: NFTLabs
NFT Labs is an aggregator site for tracking NFTs that focuses specifically on tracking and promoting NFTs from Nifty Gateway, Foundation, Rarible and Super Rarible. It is easy to filter and browse their assets. However, selection is somewhat lacking and certain NFT data is missing due to partial implementation.
Pros:
- Clear asset coverage: 737,195 (last known)
- Homepage loads quickly and is easy to navigate
- NFT category breakdown is nice and includes: Discover, Newest and Recently Sold
- Fast loading
Cons:
- Filter options are nice but lack of different search options makes it difficult to find exact products in such a large space
- Unclear if project is still ongoing. No project updates.
- Information only includes on-chain data with no extra information provided
- Limited coverage (Only includes NFTs minted on Binance Smart Chain and Ethereum)
Top 2: HEBYS
Hebys is an aggregator site for tracking NFTs on all major blockchains and marketplaces. The user interface is compelling due to the useful sorting, filtering and ranking system which makes it easy to discover new NFTs. However, coverage is unknown and additional asset information to ensure NFT authenticity (not a forgery) is not provided. Lack of specific search criteria can be limiting for those who want to look for a specific asset.
Pros:
- Multichain Support
- Whitepaper suggests that the product will have ongoing development
- NFT database viewing experience is pleasant and site offers suggested NFTs
- NFT information includes trading history which is a nice bonus
- Fast loading
Cons:
- Filter options are nice but lack of different search options makes it difficult to find exact products in such a large space
- According to the whitepaper, information is just “crawled” from on-chain data. No extra information regarding NFT authenticity or metadata is provided.
Top 1: Numbers Search Engine
Numbers Search Engine is a product on Product Hunt. It launched on Product Hunt on Aug 30, 2022, getting #2 on launch day and #1 in Web3 category in the launch week.
Numbers Search Engine (NSE) is the most comprehensive NFT search engine to find asset information, integrity and copyright. Although perhaps not the most user-friendly, it has the most utility out of all the search engines rated here. NSE not only helps users to find the NFT marketplace page or on-chain information, but can also show the integrity of the NFT. It uses network and asset registration to support searches rather than just crawling other NFT databases. NSE provides a way to help creators check and monitor their copyright.
Pros:
- Multichain support
- Highest coverage with nearly 50 million assets
- Largest variety of search options
- Asset Profiles provide comprehensive information about each NFT with many metrics to grade the authenticity (integrity score, NFT characterization, asset history, licensing and more)
- Active project with regular updates on blogs and social media (recent launch with Product Hunt shows #1 in Web 3.0 category)
Cons:
- Search results are limited to 10 outputs (no infinite scrolling) makes browsing more difficult
- Some keyword searches lack relevant results
- Desynced search results due to image file being pulled from decentralized storage
Comparison Table
Wrap-up
Using the right NFT search engine can make all the difference when navigating the world of digital assets. With the pros and cons listed above, we hope you can make an informed decision on which explorer is a good fit for your needs.
Although every explorer site claims to be the next “Google” search for NFTs, which do you think actually meets the bar?
How much should be done to ensure that NFTs are authentic and traceable?
How important is coverage or having a nice user experience?
Don’t forget to share your thoughts and comments below!
