22 min read
Social Media Screening for Employers: Reports Starting at $29.99
- Tracy Shatus
- Mar 31
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 4
A resume only tells part of the story. Employers, hiring managers, and even individual contractors are increasingly turning to social media background screening to understand a candidate's public digital behavior. But what does that actually mean and how do you do it responsibly?
At Global Background Screening (GBS), we believe in using cutting-edge technology paired with human intelligence to give our clients a deeper, more accurate understanding of the people they bring into their organizations.
What is Social Media Screening?
Social media screening is the process of reviewing a candidate’s publicly available digital activity. It scans Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Reddit, Linkedin and even search engines, for signs of behavior that could reflect on a company’s reputation or workplace culture.
When conducted within the guidelines of the FCRA, EEOC, and GDPR, and with informed candidate consent, social media screening is both legal and ethical—and incredibly useful when done right.
What does a Social Media Screen Flag on a background check?
Our AI-powered tools scan content going back up to 7 years, checking for potential red flags in the following categories:
Violent or Gory Content
Profanity or Disparaging Language
Prejudice or Hate Speech
Self-Harm or Threats
Drug & Alcohol Mentions or Images
Nudity or Explicit Material
Sexual Harassment or Suggestive Content
Political Extremism or Volatility
Bullying or Harassment
Importantly, these are not automatic disqualifiers - context matters, and every flagged item is verified by a trained analyst before it ever reaches your inbox.
Two Levels of Social Media Screening – Built for Different Needs
At GBS, we offer two levels of social media screening, depending on how deep you want to go:
✅ Basic Social Media Screening – $29.99
This option focuses only on what the applicant has personally posted.
Analyzes text, images, video, and audio
Includes flagged content from their own profiles only
Does not scan comments, likes, or shares made on other accounts
Additional Keywords can be added at no additional cost
Best for: Standard hires or internal reviews where you just want to know what’s publicly visible on their profiles.
✅ Premium Social Media Screening – $39.99
A more comprehensive review that expands visibility beyond the surface.
Analyzes text, images, video, and audio
Reviews likes, shares, reposts, and replies across public content—even when made outside of their own profile
Offers deeper insight into a candidate’s behavior and public digital engagement
Additional Keywords can be added at no cost
Best for: High-visibility roles, leadership positions, or roles involving sensitive brand, youth, or public interaction.
Add Custom Keywords at No Extra Cost
With Global Background Screening’s social media reports, employers can request custom keywords to be included in the scan
Why Add Custom Keywords?
Custom keywords help tailor the screening to your unique risk concerns. For example:
Company Name or Brand – Want to see if an applicant has made negative or inappropriate comments about your business or industry? Add your company or brand name.
Executive or CEO Names – Protect your leadership team from potential online attacks or red flags.
Sensitive Topics – Industry-specific concerns (e.g., "SEC," "FDA," or “OSHA”) can be flagged if relevant.
School or Organization Names – For volunteer roles or partnerships, you can monitor how applicants talk about connected institutions.
You can submit up to 25 custom keywords per report request. These keywords will be scanned across all public social media content and highlighted in yellow for you, for up to 7 years back.
🛠️ Example: An applicant applying to "BlueTech Systems" might be scanned with added keywords like “BlueTech,” “Blue Tech".
AI + Human Review = The GBS Difference
While many screening providers offer automated scans, Global Background Screening takes it further. Our reports are not only powered by AI, they’re also carefully reviewed by expert analysts, ensuring accurate context, eliminating false flags, and delivering a more thoughtful result.
"AI helps us scale and move fast, but it’s the human review that gives our clients the clarity and confidence they need to make smart decisions. This combination is what sets GBS apart."— Carlos Crameri, CTO of Global Background Screening
Is Social Media Screening Legal?
Yes, when conducted properly and with informed consent, social media background checks are legal in the United States and many countries around the world. However, there are strict laws and guidelines that must be followed to ensure fairness, privacy, and non-discrimination.
At Global Background Screening (GBS), we follow all federal and international regulations, including:
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) – United States
The FCRA governs how background checks, including social media checks, can be used by employers. To remain compliant:
Consent Is Required – Employers must obtain written authorization from the candidate before initiating any background check, including social media screening.
Permissible Purpose – Background checks must only be conducted for employment-related purposes (e.g., hiring, promotion, retention).
Pre-Adverse Action Notification – If negative information from a social media check may impact a hiring decision, the employer must:
Provide the applicant with a “pre-adverse action notice”
Include a copy of the report and a Summary of Rights under the FCRA
Give the applicant an opportunity to dispute or explain the information
Adverse Action Notice – If the decision is finalized, an official adverse action notice must be sent.
💡 GBS handles this entire Adverse Action process for you, including proper documentation and audit trails with just 2 clicks on your screening dashboard.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – European Union
If you're screening candidates in the EU or EEA, the GDPR applies. GBS ensures compliance through:
Explicit, Informed Consent – Candidates must freely and clearly consent to the screening, knowing what platforms may be reviewed and how their data will be used.
Data Minimization – We only collect relevant, job-related information, and we don’t access private or protected accounts.
Right to Access & Correction – Applicants have the right to view and request corrections to any personal data collected.
Right to Erasure ("Right to Be Forgotten") – In some cases, applicants may request deletion of their screening data.
Secure Data Storage – All personal data is stored on encrypted servers and follows strict access controls.
Want to Try It?
You can order social media screening reports directly through our e-commerce platform, with no setup fees and results in 1–3 business days. Add additional services like Criminal Records, Civil searches, drug testing or more!
Disclaimer
Global Background Screening (GBS) is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. All content, including reports and recommendations, is intended for informational purposes only.
Every organization is responsible for ensuring their own compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Before taking any adverse action based on the results of a social media background check, GBS strongly recommends that you consult with your internal legal counsel or an employment attorney to evaluate the findings and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
