When it comes to spotting fake from real, I wish it was as easy as pie! These days, it seems like there’s a never-ending minefield of things that have been confusingly doctored up to seem real. From fake news articles, to false product reviews and phoney images to imaginary conversations with long-lost relatives, how can you make sure you’re distinguishing what’s real from what’s not?
Well, first of all, spin the old adage “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” to know when to be suspicious. Though we all want to believe the stories behind the images and words that we consume— it’s important to give pause and take stock of the sources we’re getting our information from. Whether you’re dealing with text, picture or video, the best way to assess the credibility is to look for reliable sources. Check the website’s name and URL, and if it looks shady or too generic – it probably is.
Trust your gut— if something seems off, it probably is. Make sure the facts in the story or picture match the facts that are being reported elsewhere. And do a health check– how long has the website been active? How much traffic is it getting? If it’s been up for just days or the traffic looks suspicious, the website in question is likely spreading false information.
Overall, just because something looks slick and polished, doesn’t always make it trustworthy or true. In order to separate the facts from the fiction, the onus is on us to do our homework and do a bit of extra digging. And, if you still can’t tell one way or the other – run it by someone else for a second opinion. That way you can feel so much better about whatever it is that you’re looking at.
So, Fake or Real? That is the question! Luckily, with these tips, you can find clarity and assurance when it comes to determining the trustworthiness of information. The key takeaway is to always be on the lookout and keep asking questions, until you find the truth!
The next step is to pay attention to the author. For text or video, make sure there’s a name or profile attached to the post, so you can get an idea of the content’s integrity. Do some further research on the author or their previous works. This will help you determine whether the author is reputable and trusted or not.
When it comes to pictures, take the time to tonally assess if there’s something off about them. Ask yourself if the angles or colors appear unnatural or manipulated. And be wary of overly dramatic before and after shots— studying photos sets are a great way to get an understanding for the kinds of edits that can be made.
Lastly, fake bags look for a quote from an authority or expert. Professional quotes boost the credibility of the article, and give an authority to the claims made in the text.
Basically, when it comes to spotting real versus fake, the onus is on us all to act like detectives and get to the bottom of the mystery! Eventually, with some careful detective work and number crunching—you’re bound to find the holy grail!
Now that you know the basics of knowing what’s real and what’s not, let’s delve a little further into the edges of this murky landscape. It’s time to get savvy when it comes to dealing with the ever-growing virtual landscape.
Start by familiarizing yourself with footprints and ‘bread crumbs’ – when it comes to salvaging truth from falsehood, never underestimate the power of a trail. We all leave digital clues – so use this to your advantage! Keep an eye out for creative choreographed hops from one link to the next – and be wary of any link that leads to a false flag destination that may be pulling the wool over your eyes.
Also, it’s always good to keep in mind that news outlets and public relations professionals will shower their articles in specific keywords and fake bags hashtags that will post the message they want, when they want. Beware of grandiose promises or perfect solutions that are too good to be true – they probably are!
At the same time, if you come across stories with huge claims or no content at all, don’t be too quick to take it as gospel – use these as clues to help find out more. If, for example, the story is suspiciously lacking in data or stats, it might be wise to find articles from other sources that explain the same story – this will give you more facts and also more perspective.
In conclusion, it’s always a good idea to consume content from a range of sources. It’s up to us to always be asking questions and pressing for more evidence so that we can weigh up the pros and cons and make informed decisions!