How Do You Fact Check Something? A Practical Guide to Fact-Checking Content

The process of checking that a fake or deceptive site is not published for public viewing, and not just a site but any type of content like reports, statements, or social media posts is called fact-checking.

Fact-checking can be done in-house by the editors and publishers of the content team before publishing, or sometimes people hire third-party services for the same this is known as external fact-checking. Have you ever tried this? I must say even if you have no idea but after reading this article, you can try to fact-check.

So, How to Fact Check?

I’ll tell you the essential points to consider while fact-checking.

1. The Credibility of the Author

Make sure that the author writing or speaking content has up-to-date information about the topic and domain. This can be done by looking up the person on his/her LinkedIn or even by a quick Google search to check credentials.

Adding a slightly variant version of the whole story is one thing but biased articles are serious red flags.

2. ‘About Us’ Section

All the well-managed and reputable websites have a section of ‘About Us. Always check a website for the same, if it is missing then there is something fishy. This is basically like a learning tool for the company and the website as it helps you understand their brand better and also gives you information like their contact details.

The Icy Whiz team talked to Leah Bodenhamer, Content Manager at NMI, about strategies to ensure the accuracy and credibility of online content before sharing. Here is what she said:

“More than 60% of office workers use AI in their day-to-day work, according to Deloitte. Although tools like ChatGPT can be helpful, they’re also notorious for creating false data and statistics.

Before sharing digital content with others—or citing something in your work—double-check the information by reviewing the content’s sources.

For instance, does the content include quotes from a subject-matter expert (SME)? Does the author have relevant industry experience? Does the article backlink to or cite credible sources?

(Remember, Wikipedia is not a credible source.) If a piece of online content makes a statement without backing it up, that’s your first red flag.”

3. Content Bias

Learn to separate fact from fiction, and check if the online articles are written in a partial manner.Check if the author used his own beliefs or emotional language for persuasion.

Make sure that there are no provocative headlines and always present information fairly. Judge hard to sort truth, without ignoring evidence no matter how small.

4. Data Expiration

It is just not medicines or perishables that have a fixed shelf life, even data comes with an expiration date. Make sure all the data that has been added is up-to-date information, accurate, and that the article cites sources to avoid fake news.

5. Source Reliability

Always make sure that articles contain unfiltered truth. Even the best researchers fail at times if proper checking is not done. An article cites sources, check those thoroughly because sometimes even a well-known URL might turn out to be a source of fake news stories.

Sometimes official-sounding associations can actually be really biased think tanks providing only a fringe view, not all photographs or false YouTube videos.

6. Content Verification

Make sure to be fully aware of the topic of the article before fact-checking it. To avoid fake news read as much as possible about the topic, verify the news article, and prevent the use of exaggerated and provocative headlines.

If you still feel there is something wrong, use better tools for publishing knowledgeable online articles.

We interviewed Ihor Lavrenenko, CEO of Dental SEO Expert, on this. Here is what he had to say:

“At Dental SEO Expert, we consistently employ cross-referencing techniques, where we compare information across multiple reputable sources to validate data accuracy.

This method helped us enhance the reliability of the content we produced for a dental clinic’s marketing campaign. It resulted in patient trust and engagement, reflected by a 20% uptick in website interaction.

Additionally, we emphasize the importance of checking the credentials of content authors. We scrutinize the expertise and background of authors to ensure they are recognized authorities in their fields, which was crucial in our campaign targeting dental health myths.

Individuals can contribute to combating misinformation by being proactive in verifying the information they encounter before sharing it. Encouraging critical thinking and the habit of questioning the source and validity of online data can significantly reduce the spread of inaccuracies.

In our campaigns, we educate our audience on the importance of these practices through webinars and interactive posts, empowering them to make informed decisions and promote digital literacy.”

7. Searching Data

Keep a check on how you perform a search, and what is your own search attitude.

Is your search language biased, are you falling prey to fake news spans? Are you stuck on a particular point in your head and thus you’re having difficulty in separating fact from fiction?

8. Sensational Content

Anything posted online, especially on social media platforms that look sensational has a high chance of being fake. Make a point to fact-check before you believe the same or spread the news.

If it is too raunchy or juicy it might even be a publicity stunt and the more sensation it creates, the more skeptical you should be.

9. Pictures

You need to be very careful with all pictures that you see online, it has become really difficult to differentiate between a real and virtually created online image as there are very strong editing tools available that can be used very easily even by a layman.

Some tools like Google reverse image can help you decode the actual source and information of the picture, whether it is a digitally created piece or manipulated in any sort.

Kartik Ahuja, a Digital Marketer at kartikahuja.com, talked to the Icy Whiz team about methods to ensure the accuracy and credibility of online content before sharing. Here is what he said:

“When I conduct research online before posting anything, I make sure to consult a wide range of sources.

I may then compare several points of view and determine whether the information is consistent. I occasionally even use reliable websites to fact-check what I’m reading to make sure it’s accurate. 

Being up-to-date is crucial for a digital marketing consultant, since in this industry, trustworthiness is everything. People can contribute to the fight against disinformation by refusing to believe everything they see online. 

Before sharing information, they ought to confirm it again, particularly if it looks too good—or bad—to be genuine. Furthermore, in the current digital era, raising awareness of the value of fact-checking can be quite effective in thwarting misinformation.”

Now I’ll Explain to You Why Fact Checking is Important

It is important to check facts, proofread, and edit any online article or digital and social media content. If it is fake news, it will impact the opinion of the people who will read it. This will create misinformation and they might make decisions based on the knowledge that they attained via those articles.

Posting content that is biased or defaming in any manner, can tarnish a person or brand’s image. We know how news spreads, fake news also spreads like fire. The reputation once affected takes a long time to regain its value.

There can be legal consequences for spreading fake news and a brand might sue the author for spreading a fake news story and it might become a big case.

• Always make sure the author is genuine and so is the content to prevent any kind of legal action.
• Consult experts before publishing and research the background of the author check LinkedIn, and his domain knowledge, and verify sources too.

How to Solve the Problem?

Although the problem is big and widespread, you can start small by making small differences. Innovative national educational programs, news literacy projects, and other awareness campaigns can help people understand what is fake news and how it is harmful.

These will also help them understand what are the red flags that need to be avoided while you fact-check.

This can be started early even in middle school where middle school students can be taught how to fact check, explain domain manipulation, and even basic things like the use of capital letters.

High school students who are older and have a better understanding should be taught how to edit and proofread any content, they must learn to fact-check using tools and other sources.

Abid Salahi, Co-Founder and CEO of FinlyWealth shared his views on combating misinformation in today’s digital age. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

“As a tech CEO, I champion accuracy and integrity in online content. We uphold a “verify twice, share once” policy, cross-validating all facts with trusted sources before circulating them.

Everyone can help fight the wave of digital misinformation by adopting this same pause-and-validate mindset. 

Double-check the details, corroborate the facts, and only then—pass it along. By making this small but significant effort, we can turn the tide on misinformation and ensure a more credible digital world. After all, your one share could spark a chain of truth!”

I Hope Now Fact-Checking Is Easier for You

Fact-checking is done to avoid misinformation in any manner so that fake news does not reach the audience and affect their opinion about anything. It is important to avoid any ill consequences like defamation of a brand or a person and to prevent any legal actions.

We can reduce misinformation and fake news by making people aware of the consequences and running innovative national educational programs.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on May 22, 2024 by Pragya