Name the exact claim
Copy the shortest sentence that expresses the claim. Separate a joke, opinion, prediction and factual statement. If the wording is too vague to check, make a note of that rather than filling the gaps yourself.
Go upstream
Find the original source and its date, not merely another account repeating the caption. For an image, look for the earlier context and caption. Several reposts of the same item are still one trail of evidence.
Read what the source actually supports
Does it concern the same place, time and group? A number can be real while the caption uses it in a misleading context. Check the surrounding explanation. If the item points to research, distinguish the study from a press release or commentary about it.
Ask what is still missing
A careful conclusion can be unclear or not checked yet. A confident tone does not fill a gap. Use our Claim Desk to write down your next verification step; it organises your notes and does not certify whether a claim is true.
Choose a useful next action
Keep the link for later, ask for a source, correct your own earlier wording or simply leave it unshared. You do not owe every dramatic post a response. Curiosity is allowed to take its time.
Your small mission
Use Claim Desk on a harmless everyday claim. Avoid entering private information.
Get the free starter →