Soft Search

A type of credit check that does not leave a visible mark on your credit file that other lenders can see. Soft searches are used by lenders to give you an eligibility indication or pre-approval decision without affecting your credit score. Most comparison sites and brokers perform soft searches, making them safe to use without harming your credit record.

A lender might perform a soft search during a pre-qualification step to indicate likely eligibility before you submit a full application — leaving no visible mark on your credit file.

Related terms