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    Downdetector
    Internet Utility / Outage Monitoring

    Downdetector

    by Downdetector

    "Real-time outage monitoring for the internet's broken moments"

    92%

    Rating

    4.6/5

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    Community

    Overview

    Tom Sanders and Sander van de Graaf built Downdetector into a digital lifeline for anyone frustrated by a frozen browser or a silent app. The platform aggregates real-time outage reports from its own pages and social media feeds like X to show exactly when services go down. A visual map highlights the geographic spread of these issues while lists rank cities by report volume.

    Unlike traditional tools that ping servers, this service relies on crowdsourced data to distinguish between localized glitches and widespread failures. Users often turn to the site before contacting customer support, making it a first stop during major disruptions affecting platforms like Discord, Steam, or YouTube.

    The business model operates as a free public utility funded through advertising rather than user subscriptions. This approach allows the team to expand coverage continuously, adding emerging apps like Roblox and integrating granular mobile network data without charging consumers.

    Key Features

    • Visual heat map showing outage severity by location
    • Real-time ranking of most affected cities
    • Social media integration for rapid detection
    • Comparison graphs against historical baselines
    • Mobile-responsive design for on-the-go checking

    Specifications

    Data SourceCrowdsourced user reports and social media APIs
    Monitored ServicesOver 5,000 websites, apps, and ISPs
    Geographic CoverageGlobal with city-level granularity
    Update FrequencyReal-time

    Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • • Instantly identifies if an issue is widespread or isolated
    • • No registration required to view live status updates
    • • Highly accurate during major global outages
    • • Free access to all monitoring tools

    Cons

    • • Occasional false positives during high traffic spikes
    • • Relies entirely on user reports which can be delayed
    • • Limited diagnostic detail compared to enterprise tools

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Downdetector a legit site?
    Yes, Downdetector is a legitimate and highly trusted platform founded by Tom Sanders and Sander van de Graaf that aggregates real-time user reports to verify service outages accurately.
    How do I check if my internet is down using Downdetector?
    Users can visit the website, search for their specific Internet Service Provider (like Spectrum or Verizon), and view the real-time outage graph to see if others in their area are affected.
    Is Downdetector free to use?
    Yes, the service is completely free for all users, generating revenue through advertisements and business partnerships rather than charging individual subscribers.
    Why is Downdetector showing an outage when my service works?
    The platform relies on crowd-sourced data, so occasional discrepancies occur if your connection is stable while others nearby are experiencing issues, or if the system detects a spike in error reports.
    What services does Downdetector track?
    Downdetector monitors thousands of services including major social media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram), gaming sites (Steam, Roblox), streaming services (Netflix, YouTube), and major ISPs.

    Keywords

    internet outage checkerservice status monitorwebsite down detectorcrowdsourced outage trackingISP status pageapp failure trackerreal-time connectivity diagnostics

    Sources

    Downdetector Official SiteWikipedia EntryX Status UpdateSite Comparison DataMirror Site Archive

    Product Info

    Brand
    Downdetector
    Manufacturer
    Downdetector Inc.
    Category
    Internet Utility / Outage Monitoring
    Released
    2013-05-15
    Availability
    Available
    Founders
    Tom Sanders and Sander van de Graaf
    Launch Year
    2013
    Primary Revenue Model
    Advertising and B2B partnerships
    Notable Monitored Platforms
    Discord, Steam, Netflix, X, Facebook, Roblox
    Market Position
    Leading consumer-facing outage monitoring tool

    Where to Buy

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