How to Check an Online Claim Before Sharing
Quick answer
Identify the exact claim, trace it to its original source, and check independent evidence. Look for dates and missing context before deciding whether it deserves to be shared.
Step-by-Step
Write the claim in plain language
Separate the specific factual statement from opinion, emotion, and dramatic framing.
Find the original evidence
Locate the underlying document, dataset, interview, or complete statement when possible.
Check context and independent reporting
Compare dates, definitions, and other credible accounts before accepting the interpretation.
Quick Check
Two quick choices. A next step for you.
- 1Your situation
- 2A closer look
What are you facing right now?
What if several accounts repeat the story?
Do the accounts cite independent evidence?
What if the screenshot looks convincing?
Can you find the original material?
What if I cannot verify the claim?
Are you about to share it?
Could this story be missing context?
What seems incomplete?
Your next step
Choose your situation to read the advice.
What if several accounts repeat the story?
They all cite the same source
Trace the claim to that original source. Repetition is not independent confirmation when accounts rely on the same unverified claim.
I have not checked their sources
Open the references and check whether they are independent. Count the evidence, not the number of accounts repeating it.
What if the screenshot looks convincing?
Yes, I found the original page
Read the original in context and check its date. Compare it with the screenshot before treating the claim as established.
No, I only have the screenshot
Do not rely on the image alone. Look for the original page or document; screenshots can omit context or show altered or old information.
What if I cannot verify the claim?
Yes, I planned to pass it on
Withhold sharing if you cannot verify it. Do not present the claim as established fact.
No, I am still investigating
Record what remains unknown and what evidence would resolve it. Keep the claim separate from verified facts.
Could this story be missing context?
The date or setting
Find the original source and check when and where the event occurred. Compare that context with how the claim is being presented now.
The full statement or evidence
Look for the complete statement, document, or dataset. Compare credible accounts before deciding whether the shortened version supports the claim.
Common Mistakes
Counting reposts as separate evidence
Many reposts can originate from a single unsupported or misunderstood statement.
Ignoring the publication date
Accurate old information may describe conditions that no longer apply.
Reading only the headline
The supporting article may include limitations or corrections missing from its headline.
Important Things to Know
Some claims remain uncertain. Distinguish lack of evidence from proof that a claim is false.
Bottom Line
Share the evidence with the claim, not just the headline. If the source or context remains unclear, pause rather than amplify it.
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