Google Fact Check Explorer is a simple tool that allows online users to verify information by providing fact-checked content from trusted sources especially credible media and fact-checking organisations.
With access to databases from many media and fact-checking organisations across the world, users can search for information to verify its accuracy or otherwise.
READ THIS: How to verify social media profiles, pages
The platform, designed by Google.com, aims to help journalists, researchers, and the public verify information by accessing fact-checks from credible organisations worldwide. It allows users to search for claims, topics, or keywords and see fact-checks published by credible sources, making it easier to combat misinformation. Another tool similar to this is Claim Buster, developed by a team of students from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington.
This Google tool is particularly useful for quickly assessing the credibility of viral information including images and video shared on social media and tracing the origins of such information.
The tool also allows you to easily browse and search for already published fact-checks. For example, you can search for a politician’s statement, celebrity’s public speech, government official statement or any topic of your choice. You can also limit the results to a specific publisher or medium.
ALSO READ: YouTube proposes new steps to tackle misinformation
Step 1: Access the Tool
- Use the Google search engine to access the tool by typing the keywords “Google Fact Check Explorer” in your search bar and clicking search.
- You can also access the tool by clicking here: Google Fact Check Explorer.
Step 2: Search for any Topic, Information or Image
- In the Search bar on the displayed web page, type keywords from the information you’re seeking its accuracy or any topic you want to verify. For example, if you want to check a claim about climate change, simply enter relevant keywords like “climate change” in the search bar or the specific topic you want verified.
- You can search by keywords and see a list of matching information and the corresponding fact-checks. Similarly, you may search for fact checks related to an image, either by specifying an image URL or by uploading the image.
- The search results will show articles and claims that have been fact-checked by various reputable organisations such as FactCheckHub, PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and AFP Fact Check among others.
DON’T MISS THIS: Advanced search tips made easy
Step 3: Review Fact-Check Results
- Following the search, you’ll see a list of articles with fact-checks, including the claim, the source, and the ratings or verdicts (True, False, etc.).
- Click on any link among the displayed results to read the full fact-check and see the evidence supporting its rating.
Step 4: Cross-Check with other Sources
- You can also read related articles or use similar fact-checking tools like Claim Buster to check further or submit the information or claim on the FactCheckHub mobile app if the information or claim is yet to be verified.
Step 5: Stay Updated
- You can set up Google Alerts or follow multiple credible media and fact-checking organisations via their social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or WhatsApp channel to stay informed or get notification of newly verified information or claims. You may also send us any information to help you verify via our WhatsApp number by clicking here.
In conclusion, the Google Fact Check Explorer is a quick and reliable way to verify any information and ensure that the information you’re consuming is accurate and from credible sources. You may also learn more about how the tool works here.
