How to Spot Fake News

By Zaynab Salim
Apr 01, 2024
10 min read

Fact-Checking

Do you know how to spot fake news? While misinformation and disinformation are nothing new, spotting them in today’s digital age can be a daunting task. An immense amount of information is being shared every day – on social media, in print and broadcast media, on blogs, etc. – making it increasingly difficult to discern fact from fiction and credible sources from untrustworthy ones.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into some essential strategies for spotting fake news so you can safeguard yourself (and those around you) against its many negative consequences.

What Is Fake News?

Fake news – sensationalized or fabricated information presented as legitimate news – has become a widespread issue in the modern media landscape. It can take various forms, from outright, deliberate falsehoods to misleading content designed to manipulate public opinion.

There are some signs that suggest news might be fake:

Sensationalist or clickbait headlines
A lack of credible sources
Unverified information, images, or videos
Biased or one-sided content
Poorly written content with lots of errors

Although fake news sounds like a new term, according to Merriam-Webster, it was actually coined at the end of the 19th century. Before the advent of the internet, individuals had to rely on print media outlets for their news. Sensationalist newspaper reports were common – exaggerated headlines sold more newspapers.

Today, most reputable sources are subject to strict journalistic guidelines and ethical standards. For example, The New York Times has an ethical journalism handbook, and the USA Today Network adheres to the Principles of Ethical Conduct For Newsrooms. Similarly, many UK news outlets are regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

However, the internet has made it possible for anyone to publish and distribute information. Much of this information is subject to little (or no) regulation or editorial protocol. Many individuals now get their news from social media platforms and other online sources, which aren’t necessarily reliable.

Types of Fake News

Fake news can take many different forms, and it isn’t always created for nefarious purposes; sometimes it can be used as satire or in other forms of entertainment. One thing all types of fake news have in common, though, is that the information can be misunderstood and taken as truth.

Here is a list of nine types of fake news:

Deliberate misinformation: Stories intentionally created to mislead readers, often to manipulate public opinion or drive web traffic. They are entirely false and designed to appear as legitimate news.
Misleading content: Genuine information presented deceptively, distorting facts or omitting context in a way that leads to misinterpretations. This can include exaggerated headlines or selective reporting.
Imposter news sites: Websites that mimic the appearance of reputable news outlets but publish false or misleading information. They exploit the trust associated with legitimate sources in order to deceive readers.
Clickbait: Sensationalized or exaggerated headlines designed to attract attention, often leading to content that is unrelated to the headline. The primary goal of clickbait is to generate revenue through increased traffic.
Satire or parody: Content created for humor or critique, imitating the style of real news but intended as entertainment. While not meant to deceive, such content can be misunderstood and shared as factual news.
Manipulated Content: Genuine information or imagery that has been altered to deceive, such as edited photos or videos that misrepresent reality. This includes deepfakes and other forms of digital manipulation.
False context: Similar to manipulated content, this is shared with false contextual information, such as using old images to depict current events.
Fabricated content: Completely false information with no basis in reality, created to deceive audiences. These stories are entirely invented and lack any factual foundation.
Propaganda: Information, often biased or misleading, used to promote a particular political cause or point of view. Propaganda aims to influence public perception and advance specific agendas.

How Does Fake News Spread?

On Social Media

One of the most alarming aspects of fake news is how rapidly it can spread. On social media, stories can be shared at the click of a button, meaning false narratives can quickly reach a vast number of people. This can have serious consequences, fueling distrust in institutions, dividing communities, and even influencing political outcomes.

Here’s how fake news can spread on social media:

Lack of oversight: Social media platforms often lack established editorial standards, allowing unverified information to circulate freely.
Echo chambers: People tend to engage with like-minded communities that will reinforce their existing beliefs. Within these echo chambers, fake news that aligns with prevailing opinions is more readily accepted and shared.
Viral sharing: Any internet user can quickly share content with large audiences and may do this without verifying the story’s accuracy.
Bots and trolls: Automated accounts (bots) and individuals (trolls) deliberately spread false information to manipulate public opinion or cause disruption.

In Traditional Media

As we mentioned earlier, traditional media outlets like TV, radio, and newspapers often have editorial protocols in place to ensure the quality of their content. Unfortunately, not all of them are rigorous in verifying what is being distributed. In fact, some outlets might actually be intentionally spreading fake news to promote a particular agenda.

Fake news can spread through traditional media channels due to:

Human error: Journalists may inadvertently report inaccurate information due to the time constraints of a publishing schedule or insufficient fact-checking.
Sensationalism: The pressure to attract viewers or readers can lead to the publication of exaggerated or misleading stories.
Source manipulation: Reliable media outlets can be misled when their sources provide false information, which is then reported as news.
Echoing social media: Traditional media outlets might pick up stories trending on social media platforms without thorough verification.

Fake News Examples

While there are many popular examples of fake news, sometimes, it can be hard to detect. Here are five real-world examples:

Pizzagate was an infamous fabricated theory that falsely alleged that a Washington, D.C., pizzeria was involved in a child trafficking ring linked to prominent political figures. Despite being thoroughly debunked, the conspiracy gained traction online and even led to a violent incident at the restaurant.
The Onion is a satirical news agency that – humorously – calls itself America’s Finest News Source. Despite being explicitly intended for comedy, people still occasionally believe that their stories are true. One of their posts entitled Trump Informs Nation They Better Start Liking Those Little Canned Wieners, claimed that the US president warned Americans that they would have to get used to eating more simply due to newly imposed tariffs on international food that he called “fancy crap.”
A digitally manipulated video spread a story that the COVID-19 vaccine would contain a microchip. Video clips of Bill Gates and other famous faces were combined with footage from unrelated news reports to create a false narrative. The video was shared over 27,100 times on Facebook, causing widespread outrage and panic.
There are many surprising examples of clickbait that actually work and attract an audience because they incite our curiosity. Headlines like You Won’t Believe What … Did, The Shocking Truth Behind This Popular…, or Discover the Ancient Secret for… get attention because they have visual appeal, make promises, or trigger us emotionally; they rarely deliver on their appeal.
The Denver Guardian was an imposter news site created to mimic a legitimate outlet called The Guardian. It published false stories, including one about an FBI agent who was connected to a politician and found dead in an apparent murder-suicide after he leaked some of the politician’s emails. The Denver Guardian has since been shut down, but new sites like that are created all the time. In the US, fake news websites outnumber legitimate local news sites.

What Are the Consequences of Fake News?

As you’ve probably already figured out, fake news presents a profound challenge to those who seek access to real, honest, and truthful information. When misinformation spreads freely, public trust in media and institutions deteriorates, making it increasingly difficult for anyone to distinguish fact from fiction.

This impact can extend beyond mere confusion. In some situations, fake news has even endangered lives by promoting unproven medical treatments and undermining confidence in scientifically validated theories. In political contexts, misinformation campaigns can manipulate electoral processes, sway voter opinions, and destabilize democratic institutions.

Economically, businesses may suffer substantial losses through consumer boycotts when targeted by false claims about their products or practices. Depending on the country, people who spread damaging falsehoods may risk defamation lawsuits and associated penalties.

You also need to consider the psychological impact of fake news; it can reinforce existing biases and deepen the polarization of society. When individuals become entrenched in echo chambers or information bubbles that only confirm their preconceptions, they get disconnected from anyone else who doesn’t hold the same beliefs. If that happens, constructive dialogue becomes almost impossible.

How to Combat Fake News

Combating fake news requires critical thinking and a proactive approach. You should always:

Check the source. Before believing a story, verify the source’s credibility. Look for reputable news outlets known for their journalistic integrity. It’s also worth checking to see if multiple credible sources have reported on a story.
Be vigilant. Many websites attempt to present themselves as legitimate when they aren’t. Some tell-tale signs of a fraudulent site include a misspelled domain name or a missing padlock (the icon to the left of the URL in the address bar that indicates a secure site when present).
Review the headlines. Some headlines use the shock factor to draw people in, exaggerating or making up claims. They may also use “zombie stats” – false statistics repeated so often that they start to be perceived as facts. Read beyond the headline and scrutinize the article’s content before sharing it.
Evaluate the content. This is where fact-checking comes in. Pay close attention to objectively verifiable facts (e.g., names, places, dates), and cross-reference the information with other sources. Fake news can be based on true events, but the authors may distort those events, changing the locations, dates, or timelines. Fact-checking tools like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact can help you debunk false information.
Evaluate bias. Be aware of potential biases in reporting. Typically, reputable sources will discuss a variety of perspectives on an issue. If a source is very one-sided, it may be trying to promote a particular (often harmful) narrative. Try to seek diverse viewpoints and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.
Examine supporting evidence. Look for supporting evidence like quotations from specialists or primary and secondary sources. Be wary of articles that rely solely on anecdotal evidence or speculation.
Analyze the language and layout. User-friendly websites with clear, easy-to-read content are generally more trustworthy. Lots of spelling or grammar mistakes can indicate a less-than-meticulous editing process, which should raise questions about the article’s validity.

By employing these strategies, you can become a more discerning consumer of news and help combat the spread of fake news.

Become a Fact-Checker

In an era inundated with misinformation, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to discern fact from fiction.

Our How To Fact-Check course has a whole module dedicated to deepfakes, misinformation, and fake news and will teach you exactly how to verify the veracity of different types of content. You’ll also learn valuable skills, such as how to identify reliable sources, analyze complex data sets, and effectively apply fact-checking processes.

Curious? You can even try two lessons for free!

Updated on April 28, 2025