<p>There is funny site <a href="http://bitcoinstrings.com/" rel="noreferrer">http://bitcoinstrings.com/</a> I am not sure that it is what are you looking for but just in case...</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-01T11:34:17.340Z
Yes its funny. But it still doesn't let you search the blockchain
yazz.com
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-01T13:13:27.143Z
Are you interested in blockchain.info site messages? Try google advanced search like https://www.google.ru/search?q=clue+site:blockchain.info (this query for word "clue")
amaclin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-03T10:54:57.073Z
No, I am interested in blockchain transaction messages, not site messages
yazz.com
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-03T15:23:32.730Z
In fact, transactions do not have text fields. But there are some ways to include arbitrary data (text, images) in transaction. Read this article http://www.righto.com/2014/02/ascii-bernanke-wikileaks-photographs.html
amaclin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-01T07:51:37.243Z
2014-09-01T07:51:37.243Z
amaclin
<p>In fact that text is a <a href="https://blockchain.info" rel="nofollow">blockchain.info</a> extension not really present in the blockchain itself. I can't find any text search method in the <a href="https://blockchain.info/q" rel="nofollow">query API</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-01T07:34:35.117Z
I believe you are right, this is not possible right now to search the blockchain.
yazz.com
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-30T16:53:51.230Z
2014-08-30T16:53:51.230Z
keeshux
<p>I found that <a href="https://www.smartbit.com.au/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">smartbit.com.au</a> allows you to search for text included in <code>OP_RETURN</code> outputs. </p>

<p>As an example, searching for "on brink" returns an Eternity Wall message that echos the coinbase of the genesis block.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/uZ9gC.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/uZ9gC.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-20T23:40:22.417Z
While it is hard to give a more comprehensive answer to this question than what is given, I think it could be improved by providing an example for a successful search.
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-20T22:17:41.133Z
2017-12-21T21:22:06.663Z
2017-12-21T21:22:06.663Z
Chrisamato
<p>If we're talking about smart contracts and such (which we are) then there's no text to search from contracts and such. The digital contract functionality doesn't work like Blockchain.info <em>comments</em>.</p>

<p>If you're going to use the Blockchain to lodge a patent for example, you're not uploading the actual patent. A hash is being made of the time (ie perhaps the hash of block at that height) and a hash of the document, which is then concatenated and then hashed again. So at it's simplest it's:</p>

<pre><code>hash( hash(Blockchain time data) + hash(Document))
</code></pre>

<p>Think of it like this: the patent is in an envelope. The envelope is sealed with wax and stamped with a stamp referencing:</p>

<ul>
<li>proof of time and </li>
<li>proof of envelope's contents</li>
</ul>

<p>The text inside the envelope isn't searchable, whilst Blockchain.info comments (analogous to post-it notes in an accounting ledger) might be, though the usefulness is not the same.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-09T12:44:04.637Z
2014-09-09T12:44:04.637Z
Wizard Of Ozzie
<p>Is there a google like search engine which can search for any text that is included with a bitcoin transaction? As I understand it each transaction includes 80 characters of text as well.</p>

<h2>Update</h2>

<p>It is not possible to search the blockchain for text in an easy way</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-01T19:29:12.350Z
It isn't true that *every* transaction contains 80 bytes of text; this is an optional feature and used only occasionally. If you are running a full node such as Bitcoin Core, you could simply grep the block files; then the harder part is identifying the start and end of the transaction and computing its id.
Nate Eldredge
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-05T07:37:55.103Z
There are several methods of sending text in bitcoin transactions. It is not nescessarily 80 characters. One method most often used, is to have a multisig transaction, where some of the publickeys contain the text, instead of being a valid public key.
Willem Hengeveld
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-05T08:24:26.580Z
Would it be useful to make a search engine for all of this? Maybe I should do that
yazz.com
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-08T11:31:20.920Z
It is possible to make search engine. But i doubt that it would be useful for something.
amaclin
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-08T11:46:47.947Z
What about for searching through all those Digital Contract type uses of the Blockchain? I would have thought that was the killer app for Bitcoin?
yazz.com
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-09T12:25:30.870Z
Thanks, that makes alot of sense. So where will the actual data be stored if only the hash is stored on the BlockChain?
yazz.com
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-09T12:26:43.280Z
@AussieCryptocurrency. Add that comment as an answer and I will accept it and award the bounty, as I assume you have got the closest and most correct answer, even if what I wanted to do by searching the blockchain is not possible
yazz.com
<blockchain>
How can I search for transaction text on the blockchain?
yazz.com
# How can I search for transaction text on the blockchain?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-08-30)

Is there a google like search engine which can search for any text that is included with a bitcoin transaction? As I understand it each transaction includes 80 characters of text as well.

## Update

It is not possible to search the blockchain for text in an easy way

**Tags:** blockchain

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It isn't true that *every* transaction contains 80 bytes of text; this is an optional feature and used only occasionally. If you are running a full node such as Bitcoin Core, you could simply grep the block files; then the harder part is identifying the start and end of the transaction and computing its id.  
> **username_2**: There are several methods of sending text in bitcoin transactions. It is not nescessarily 80 characters. One method most often used, is to have a multisig transaction, where some of the publickeys contain the text, instead of being a valid public key.  
> **username_0**: Would it be useful to make a search engine for all of this? Maybe I should do that  
> **username_3**: It is possible to make search engine. But i doubt that it would be useful for something.  
> **username_0**: What about for searching through all those Digital Contract type uses of the Blockchain? I would have thought that was the killer app for Bitcoin?  
> **username_0**: Thanks, that makes alot of sense. So where will the actual data be stored if only the hash is stored on the BlockChain?  
> **username_0**: @AussieCryptocurrency. Add that comment as an answer and I will accept it and award the bounty, as I assume you have got the closest and most correct answer, even if what I wanted to do by searching the blockchain is not possible  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_7 on 2014-09-09. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

If we're talking about smart contracts and such (which we are) then there's no text to search from contracts and such. The digital contract functionality doesn't work like Blockchain.info *comments*.

If you're going to use the Blockchain to lodge a patent for example, you're not uploading the actual patent. A hash is being made of the time (ie perhaps the hash of block at that height) and a hash of the document, which is then concatenated and then hashed again. So at it's simplest it's:

```
hash( hash(Blockchain time data) + hash(Document))

```

Think of it like this: the patent is in an envelope. The envelope is sealed with wax and stamped with a stamp referencing:

* proof of time and
* proof of envelope's contents

The text inside the envelope isn't searchable, whilst Blockchain.info comments (analogous to post-it notes in an accounting ledger) might be, though the usefulness is not the same.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-09-01. Score: 6

There is funny site <http://bitcoinstrings.com/> I am not sure that it is what are you looking for but just in case...

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Yes its funny. But it still doesn't let you search the blockchain  
> **username_3**: Are you interested in blockchain.info site messages? Try google advanced search like https://www.google.ru/search?q=clue+site:blockchain.info (this query for word "clue")  
> **username_0**: No, I am interested in blockchain transaction messages, not site messages  
> **username_3**: In fact, transactions do not have text fields. But there are some ways to include arbitrary data (text, images) in transaction. Read this article http://www.righto.com/2014/02/ascii-bernanke-wikileaks-photographs.html  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2014-08-30. Score: 3

In fact that text is a [blockchain.info](https://blockchain.info) extension not really present in the blockchain itself. I can't find any text search method in the [query API](https://blockchain.info/q).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I believe you are right, this is not possible right now to search the blockchain.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-12-20. Score: 3

I found that [smartbit.com.au](https://www.smartbit.com.au/) allows you to search for text included in `OP_RETURN` outputs.

As an example, searching for "on brink" returns an Eternity Wall message that echos the coinbase of the genesis block.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/uZ9gC.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/uZ9gC.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: While it is hard to give a more comprehensive answer to this question than what is given, I think it could be improved by providing an example for a successful search.  

---

