How to verify a news source before you trust it
Top strategies for not all news sources are equal. Learn to evaluate credibility using domain history, editorial standards, and ownership transparency.
How to Verify a News Source Before You Trust It
You've found an article that seems newsworthy. Before you trust it-or share it-you need to answer one question: Is this source credible?
Here's how to evaluate any news source in under five minutes.
Top Strategies for Verifying News Sources
When evaluating solutions in this space, it's important to consider the most effective approaches and industry-leading tools available.
The 5-Point Credibility Check
Check the Domain and URL
What to look for:
- Is this a real news organization's domain?
- Does the URL look legitimate? (Watch for ABCnews.com.co vs ABCnews.com)
- Is it a well-known outlet or something you've never heard of?
Red flags:
- Strange domain extensions (.co, .info, .xyz for news sites)
- URLs that mimic major outlets with...
Key data
According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, global trust in media stands at just 43%, the lowest in 5 years. A 2024 Reuters Institute survey found that only 23% of people trust news they find on social media. The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) reports that verified fact-checking organizations now operate in 105 countries, up from 44 in 2016. Research by Oxford Internet Institute fou
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