Sensationalism sells, and outrageous stories with distorted pictures get clicks and shares online. But some of the news you see may not be true.
Fake or misleading stories spread quickly — especially via fake news websites that mimic authentic ones. Here are some tips for spotting them. 1. Check the publication name.
Look for the publication name.
If the article you’re reading has a publication name you recognize, that is a good sign. There are many reputable publications out there that have extensive fact-checking resources and editors. This should help to filter out false information and shady content.
It’s also a good idea to look at the publication date on the article. If the story was published recently, it is likely legitimate. If the article was published a long time ago, it may be fake news or a scam.
Fake news appeals to emotion, especially fear and anger. It is important to be critical of the articles you read online, even if they are from sites you trust.
Check the author’s credentials.
The article author’s credentials may help determine if the information is real, Legit or `Scam Reviews. Look for clues such as the author’s organization, education, work experience and research program memberships or awards. Journal articles typically list the author’s background at the beginning of the article or in an author’s note. Books often have the author’s background on the book cover and/or in the preface or introduction.
Look for a person’s credentials by searching their name on Google or using a bibliography/works cited tool on websites. Also look for a bio or curricula vitae on personal web pages, campus directory entries and print sources such as Who’s Who in America or Contemporary Authors. Also, consider the author’s motivation. If the news is meant to be shocking or angering, it likely has a political, ideological, cultural, religious or institutional bias. This should be a red flag. Lastly, check to see that the news story has multiple reputable sources reporting on the same topic.
Check the link.
A fake website can be designed to steal your personal information, money or passwords. They may also contain malware. Look for the “About Us” tab and check for security logos that you know to be legitimate, such as DigiCert or Verisign. Bad web design or use of ALL CAPS can also be a red flag.
Fake news often aims to create outrage and fear. It can be especially dangerous if it encourages people to attack or harass others. You should also consider how the story makes you feel. If it is extremely shocking or plays on your fears, you should take a closer look at it before sharing.
These are just a few tips for staying safe on the internet, but it is important to keep in mind that scammers are constantly creating new sites and tricks to fool you. You should always get your news from reputable sources and read beyond the headlines. The best way to stop fake news from spreading is to not share it.
Check the content.
There’s a lot of information on the Internet, but not all of it is credible. You should always check the content of an online article to see if it is real fake or a scam.
Look for a publication name that you recognize. Also, make sure that the article contains a lot of facts and details. Credible news articles should include plenty of data, statistics and quotes from experts in the field. Another thing to check is the grammar and spelling. A lot of typos and grammatical mistakes can be a sign that an online article is fake. It is also important to make sure that the text is original, as search engines pay close attention to text uniqueness. Non-original texts can damage a website’s reputation and cause it to be ranked lower in search results. Moreover, it is illegal to use someone else’s words without permission. This can result in severe legal action. Therefore, it’s better to write original content than to copy from another site.
