# 4plebs ## URL ## Description 4plebs.org is an archive site that primarily focuses on archiving threads from various boards on the 4chan image board. This includes popular sections such as /pol/ (Politically Incorrect), /x/ (Paranormal), /tg/ (Traditional Games), and several others. The site provides a searchable database of past threads, allowing users to find and revisit discussions and content that have been posted on 4chan, which typically removes threads after a certain period. The archive is used by researchers, enthusiasts, and casual users who are interested in exploring or referencing the content that has been posted on 4chan in the past. As an example, a researcher studying internet culture may use 4plebs.org to compile data on specific trends or topics discussed within 4chan's communities over time. **Features** * **Search:** filter searches across Thread No., Subject, Username etc. and search for content in specific boards. * **Browse archives:** you can browse the following boards which have been archived: * `adv/` Advice * `/f/` Flash * `/hr/` High Resolution * `/o/` Auto * `/pol/` Politically Incorrect * `[s4s]` Sh\*t 4chan Says * `/sp/` Sports * `/tg/` Traditional Games * `/trv/` Travel * `/tv/` Television & Film * `/x/` Paranormal * **API:** access to a programmable interface to download and search for content. The example below shows the results of searching for the term *Bellingcat* across all archives:

Screenshot of search results for the term 'Bellingcat'

## Cost * [x] Free * [ ] Partially Free * [ ] Paid ## Level of difficulty
1
## Requirements * **Web**: any modern web browser. * **API:** no key or credentials required. ## Limitations * **Incomplete archive:** posts from 2006-2009 have not yet been imported to the archive. Some 2010-2013 archives are partially imported (see: for more detail). Additionally, the tool only archives 11 boards. * **Takedown requests:** some content has been removed as a result of takedown requests. For more detail see: * **Personal information:** Personal information related to emails or on-site reports are not archived. * **API rate limits**: All endpoints have dynamic rate limits. See [response status code 429](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Status/429) and [Retry-After header](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Headers/Retry-After). ## Ethical Considerations * **Privacy and Consent**: Although 4plebs archives public posts, researchers should be mindful of the privacy expectations of individuals who made those posts. Not all users understand or anticipate their contributions being analyzed or quoted in research. * **Bias and Representativeness**: Data collected from 4plebs may not be representative of broader populations or viewpoints. Research findings should be contextualized within the scope and limitations of the data source. * **Ethical Use of Content**: Be cautious and respectful when using content that may be sensitive, offensive, or controversial. Researchers should critically evaluate the necessity and implications of including such content in their work. * **Amplification*****:*** Think carefully about what you publish, so as to avoid unwittingly amplifying some of the potentially harmful messaging present on 4Chan. See [The Oxygen of Amplification](https://datasociety.net/library/oxygen-of-amplification/) by Whitney Phillips. ## Guide To effectively use 4plebs, especially for beginners or those looking to refine their skills, the following resources are highly recommended: **Official Wiki** * **Articles** 4plebs has been used in the course of various online investigations, including: * [*The Folly of DALL-E: How 4chan is Abusing Bing’s New Image Model*](https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2023/10/06/the-folly-of-dall-e-how-4chan-is-abusing-bings-new-image-model/) by Bellingcat * [*Where in the World is Q? Clues from Image Metadata*](https://www.bellingcat.com/news/rest-of-world/2021/05/10/where-in-the-world-is-q-clues-from-image-metadata/) by Bellingcat * [*The Measure of Hate on 4chan*](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/the-measure-of-hate-on-4chan-627922/) by R. Thompson for Rolling Stone #### Developer Resources * * [Documentation from original developers](http://foolfuuka.readthedocs.io/en/latest/code_guide/documentation/api.html) **Community and Support** * * Email: ## Tool provider Unclear (some of the website developers are listed here: ) ## Advertising Trackers * [x] This tool has not been checked for advertising trackers yet. * [ ] This tool uses tracking cookies. Use with caution. * [ ] This tool does not appear to use tracking cookies. ## Page Maintainer Bellingcat Volunteer Team --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://bellingcat.gitbook.io/toolkit/more/all-tools/4plebs.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.