Definition
A block explorer is a website or application that presents blockchain records in a searchable format. It can help users look up a transaction identifier, inspect a block, examine outputs associated with an address, or estimate how many confirmations a payment has received. The displayed information is usually assembled by software that queries and indexes a node's data. An explorer is a viewing service, not the authority that makes transactions valid. Its labels, address groupings, fee estimates, and token interpretations may include assumptions beyond the underlying ledger. A missing result can reflect an indexing delay, a network mismatch, or an unconfirmed transaction the service has not seen. Looking up an address on a public service can also reveal interest in that address to the operator. For sensitive verification, distinguish raw blockchain evidence from the explorer's additional presentation and analysis.
Source references
References accompanying this glossary entry:
- https://bitcoincore.org/en/doc/30.0.0/rpc/blockchain/getblock/
- https://bitcoincore.org/en/doc/30.0.0/rpc/rawtransactions/decoderawtransaction/
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