Yasni

Yasni GmbH operates a specialized search engine focused on individuals, positioning itself as a tool for both finding people and managing one's own online reputation. Founded in July 2007 by Steffen Rühl, Christian Rühl, and Robert Ziesche, the company launched its online service, Yasni.de, in October of the same year. The initial idea stemmed from co-founder Steffen Rühl's personal need for a more structured way to find information about people online, as he found general search engines increasingly cluttered. Rühl's background includes experience in marketing and product management at companies like JobScout24 and adtech AG, as well as a history in the gaming industry.

The platform functions as an aggregator, pulling publicly available information from various online sources and presenting it in a consolidated format. Users can search for individuals and find a comprehensive overview of their digital footprint, including associated networks, pictures, and other public data. The service is designed for a broad audience, from those looking to reconnect with old friends to individuals vetting business partners or job applicants. A key feature is the ability for registered users to create a personal profile, or "Exposé," to differentiate themselves from namesakes and actively manage the information associated with their name. This positions Yasni as a reputation management tool, allowing individuals to control and present their online identity.

The business model appears to be primarily freemium. The core people search is free, and the company generates revenue through premium services and partnerships. For instance, in April 2010, Yasni introduced a paid premium monitoring service. The company has also generated revenue through collaborations with other firms. After its initial self-funded launch, Yasni attracted investment in 2008 from the Mountain Business Angels group, which fueled its expansion into other countries and languages. By 2010, the company had reported reaching profitability with a seven-figure gross profit. The platform is available in 15 languages across 21 country domains.

Keywords: people search engine, online reputation management, personal data aggregator, digital footprint, Yasni GmbH, Steffen Rühl, person search, online identity, public information search, contact search, reputation protection, digital profile, people finder, professional networking, background check, brand monitoring, Christian Rühl, Robert Ziesche