We’ve all been there. You go to the internet to search for useful information, such as how to lose weight, how to get out of debt, or even the latest news in politics, only to be disappointed.
You’ll find several sources with misleading, outdated, or inaccurate information that we shouldn’t even look at.
Here’s the thing: not all social media apps verify what users post, and not all YouTube channels and blogs are run by subject matter experts.
Besides, not everyone who publishes content online takes the time to do thorough research and verify the facts for accuracy.
As a result, we end up reading or watching unsubstantiated personal opinions on a wide variety of subjects, such as health, finance, politics, spirituality, and so forth. Consuming such information is dangerous, let alone acting on it.
So, whether you’re writing a university research paper, researching a blog post for your audience, or simply reading the latest news online, avoid untrustworthy sources.
But it’s not always easy to differentiate reliable from unreliable sources. Not to worry, though; I compiled a list of unreliable sources that you shouldn’t depend on entirely when sourcing factual, credible, and up-to-date information online.
Here are the unreliable source examples to watch out for.
Social Networks
1. Facebook
Facebook is one of the biggest social media platforms in the world. It is an online platform where users share their daily life experiences through photos or stories.
It is a very unreliable source of information since users are not required to verify content before posting.
The algorithm used in Facebook and other social media sites is tweaked to align with the user’s interests. This means most of the information you get will solely be to reinforce your beliefs rather than provide you with facts.
While some information may be accurate, most of the content posted here is opinionated and lacks credibility.
2. YouTube
YouTube is a social media platform where users post and share videos with the world. Anyone who simply registers can post videos meaning it may take more effort to ascertain the credibility of the content.
YouTube is one of the best examples of unreliable sources that most users casually use without doubting the credibility of information.
YouTube users may intentionally share some videos to spread wrong information and manipulate others.
3. Twitter
Twitter is another social media platform that people use to share opinions and views. With millions of followers, this platform is regarded as one of the most widely used platforms for communication.
However, Twitter can be easily manipulated to spread misleading information. Twitter has, on many occasions, been used to spread propaganda, hate speech, and conspiracy theories, among other things.
A single piece of false information shared on this platform only takes a few minutes to get global attention.
Due to the lack of an efficient moderation system, propagandists and other minor factions have used Twitter to cause panic and wreak havoc. Not to mention, public figures can use Twitter influencers to post content that will mislead users.
Whenever you find yourself scrolling down the streets of Twitter, keep an eye out for suspicious and unverified accounts. Also, check other credible platforms to confirm whether the tweets are true.
News Sites
4. News Punch
News Punch is a website famously known for conspiracy theories. It has been known to spread false information about politics, celebrities, and health to manipulate readers’ emotions.
This website uses clickbait to attract viewers in a bid to get you into a rabbit hole by selling propaganda.
5. WorldNetDaily
WorldNetDaily is an American website popularly known in all American households. This is a far-right website that promotes false information and conspiracy theories lacking any form of integrity. It focuses mainly on science and politics.
It was famously known for posting a false article claiming that former United States President, Barrack Obama, was not a US citizen by birth.
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6. The Daily Wire
The Daily Wire is an opinion website criticized for promoting biased political views and articles. The website often spreads conspiracy theories and unverified information on society, government, and politics.
Journalists in this media house have been accused of lacking integrity and promoting hate speech to cause the public fear and uncertainty.
7. Natural News
Natural News is a website reputable for spreading false information about science and medicine. It is often associated with conspiracy theories aimed at manipulating people’s emotions and planting seeds of doubt and mistrust in its viewers.
This far-right website in the US has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons after propagating anti-vaccination conspiracies and rejecting GMO foods.
Most of the information on this website is usually aligned with politics and the pharmaceutical industry. The website contains incomplete medical information and may provide unproven scientific facts.
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8. In Touch Weekly
Formerly known as The National Enquirer, In Touch Weekly is a newspaper known for spreading misleading information and promoting conspiracy theories. Most of the articles presented in this tabloid newspaper are unverified, with sources that are often anonymous and questionable.
The newspaper has often been accused of engaging in illegal and unlawful practices that have seen some of its journalists sued for defamation.
In Touch Weekly publishes information and stories that lack transparency and factual evidence.
9. Infowars
If you are an internet user, you have come across this famous example of an unreliable source of information famously known for spreading conspiracy theories. Alex Jones, the founder of Infowars, is one of the most popular conspiracy theorists in the world.
Infowars is famous for publishing pseudoscience, government, politics, and public health information.
This website relies on unverified sources to spread fear and panic to the public to promote political instability and violence. The website was recently in the headlines when its founder was sued for defamation after accusations of spreading hate speech.
10. The Daily Caller
The Daily Caller is a website known to publish misleading information. Its articles often contain captivating headlines to attract and manipulate unsuspecting readers.
This website is particularly famous among far-right activists who falsely engage in the promotion of their political views that are usually not true.
The website publishes articles that confute scientific studies on global warming and climate change. It was also accused of being associated with white supremacists.
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11. Daily Stormer
Daily Stormer is unpopularly known for its pro-nazi views. The website advocates for white supremacy and has been known to promote racial discrimination.
Most of the content from this website is known to spread propaganda to cause violence and political instability. The website participates in internet trolling that has seen its editors sued severally and ordered to pay damages by the court.
12. Breitbart News
Breitbart News is a website that has been known to publish articles that are intentionally scripted to mislead the public. The website has been scrutinized for presenting racist and xenophobic content to promote violence.
This far-right website is known to promote conspiracy theories about politics and science. Most of the content from this website is biased and opinionated to change facts that align with a particular viewpoint.
13. Washington Examiner
Washington Examiner is a website associated with conservatives in America. This news website, owned by MediaDC, is famously known to publish biased and opinionated information. Most of the information on this website is inclined toward a specific political group.
This website has, on several occasions, expressed its stance on immigration and the causes of climate change by opposing the scientific consensus and terming it as propaganda.
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14. Newsmax
Newsmax is an American media company associated with conservative politics. The digital company has been scrutinized for publishing misleading information based on unfounded theories.
Fact-checkers have accused journalists in this media house of bias for publishing articles on politics and science that are often false.
A credible source of information should not portray biases.
15. American Thinker
American Thinker is a news website that is associated with far-right individuals. It is known to publish articles that are aligned with the views and ideas of conservatives.
The website has been accused of publishing misleading and inaccurate news to the public.
American Thinker has also been criticized for presenting viewers with conspiracy theories that are divisive and controversial.
16. Blaze Media
Blaze Media is a media company founded in the United States in 2018. The company has been criticized for being aligned with far-right ideologies and principles. As a media company, it is expected to be impartial and objective in relaying information.
However, in recent times, Blaze Media has come under the spotlight for posting satirical and misleading content losing its reliability as a credible source of information.
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17. ABCNews.com.co
This is a spoof website of the actual ABC News. It is not associated in any way with the real network.
This website is known for posting fake and unverified articles to mislead the public. ABCNews.com.co misrepresents information as a way of driving traffic to its websites.
In 2016, this website became popular worldwide by publishing that Donald Trump had won the US presidential election. The false article gained much traction worldwide in just a matter of minutes.
18. Huzlers
Huzlers posts false stories and news just for entertainment. The website is historically known for posting catchy headlines, all in a bid to get clickbait.
Huzlers, like many other fake websites, is known to create controversy by sharing fabricated news just for attention.
A false article about a man marrying a dolphin was published on the website, only to be fact-checked and confirmed as fake news.
Everything posted on the website is usually for entertainment, making it an unreliable source of information.
19. The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times is an international news website popular for supporting far-right politicians in Europe. It has been accused of bias and lack of impartiality.
The website has, on various occasions, published conspiracy stories to spread hate and propaganda.
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20. National Report
National Report is a website associated with fake news and satirical content. This website has been accused of misleading gullible readers by posting deceptive and often false stories.
An article posted by this website claiming that Texas was under quarantine following an outbreak was later confirmed to be fake. Online readers re-shared this false story driving a lot of traffic to the website.
National Report has been criticized for publishing misleading reports all in the name of making a profit.
21. The Western Journal
The Western Journal is an American online newspaper focusing on conservative political news. This website has been at the center of controversy after publishing articles and stories claiming that scientists’ research on global warming was false and fabricated. The website received criticism from scientists globally and ended up removing the piece.
This website has also been accused of publishing misleading and concocted articles that negatively target specific religions.
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Blogging Platforms
22. Medium
Medium is an online platform where users share information on various topics. Like blogs, content on Medium is primarily an individual’s opinion that lacks factual evidence unless the content writer is an expert.
The website lacks any fact-checking standards to verify information posted on it.
While some articles may be authentic, most may only be entirely based on someone’s opinion.
It is crucial for readers to carefully dissect information on this website before making any conclusive decisions.
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23. The Gateway Pundit
The Gateway Pundit is a website well known for its far-right association. This website publishes fake news intending to spread false information and cause paranoia among the public.
It has been known to present conspiracy theories and hoaxes about politics, science, and health.
24. GlobalResearch
GlobalResearch is a website portraying itself as an organization fully fledged to provide the public with accurate information. It has, however, come under scrutiny for presenting false information that is misleading to the public.
The website has been accused of spreading anti-semitic views and causing tension.
25. Collective Evolution
Collective Evolution is a website mainly focused on spiritual beliefs and other alternative views on medicine. The website is known to provide its users with information on self-healing ways that rely on other means of getting cured rather than through medicine.
However, it has been criticized for spreading misinformation and pseudoscientific arguments while promoting conspiracy theories.
Collective Evolution has been accused of disregarding government policies aimed at spreading fear and panic to the public. It has come under scrutiny for providing false information on scientific topics without any facts to back them up.
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26. Project Veritas
Popularly known for its conservative nature, this website promotes far-right ideas that are usually meant to mislead the public. It has come under scrutiny for editing certain videos to sway viewers and project a biased narrative.
Project Veritas has been criticized for using unlawful means to acquire information with journalists from the group accused of lacking integrity.
27. Before It’s News
Before It’s News is a website focusing on politics and conspiracy theories. The site is known for spreading false information by publishing unverified articles.
Health and science professionals are advised to analyze this website’s information carefully. The website is well known for conspiracy theories on aliens without backing up that information with evidence.
28. Natural Society
Natural Society is a well-known website that provides users with information on health and lifestyle. The website is full of content that touches on fitness and wellness.
It has, however, been in the spotlight for spreading unverified facts about various scientific topics, including GMOs and vaccines.
29. TMZ
TMZ, like many other tabloid websites, is not a reliable source of information since most of its articles are meant to spread gossip without any support or facts to back them up.
The website has received public criticism on many occasions for publishing controversial topics. It has also been accused of being unprofessional and intrusive in its journalists’ methods of acquiring information.
Most of the information on this website is often for entertainment purposes as it seeks to focus on celebrity gossip to attract viewers.
30. ZeroHedge
ZeroHedge is a conservative financial blog owned by ABC Media Limited of Bulgaria. This website has, on various occasions, been accused of aggregating rumors and misinformation in the financial sector.
The website started out as a financial blog but later began posting non-financial content on conspiracy theories and alternative right positions, among others.
The website has often attracted criticism for posting controversial and unverified content, therefore, making readers doubt the credibility of the website. This, at one point in time, led to its expulsion from social media platforms though it was later reversed.
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31. RedState
RedState is a political blog owned by Salem Media Group, based in the United States. This conservative website is known to associate itself with far-right political ideologies.
Writers and editors of the company have openly objected to non-conservative ideas from other political leaders. This sparked criticism from online readers who questioned the journalists’ integrity.
RedState has also been accused of misinforming the public, particularly during the U.S. capital riots, where the company claimed no riot occurred. The website was, however, forced to retract the story.
32. LifeSite
LifeSite is a conservative Canadian website that advocates primarily for anti-abortion. The website publishes articles that strongly oppose abortion, whether legal or illegal.
This website has also regularly posted articles that oppose transgender rights, euthanasia, cloning, and contraception, among other issues.
The website has been accused of publishing misleading content and conspiracy theories. YouTube recently banned LifeSite for posting false and misleading COVID-19 information contradicting World Health Organization reports.
The lack of factual evidence from its publications has seen it gain a lot of criticism from readers who have questioned its reliability as a source of information.
Online Encyclopedias
33. Wikipedia
The information on this platform needs to be more accurate and transparent. This is because it is a user-generated information source, meaning anyone can add or edit information whether or not they have the expertise.
There needs to be a review process that can guarantee users the accuracy of the information on the platform.
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Satirical Websites
34. The Babylon Bee
The Babylon Bee is a Christian satirical website that posts articles about politics, religion, and current events. The pieces featured on this website are purely for entertainment purposes.
The website has previously been accused of publishing incorrect and misleading information to the public. Facebook and Twitter have previously flagged content on this website for posting unverified articles about influential people and politicians.
35. the ONION
the ONION is a satirical website that posts exaggerated news only for humor. The articles here are merely just for entertainment purposes and not based on facts.
Articles or information posted on this website can be misleading to individuals who do not understand the satirical position of the post.
36. The Daily Squib
The Daily Squib is a satirical website in England that publishes articles focusing mainly on technology, politics, science, health, and sports. This website is famously known for posting humorous articles and spoofs that have often been mistaken for factual news.
This online publication was in the past flagged for posting spoof articles and extremely satirical stories, all for entertainment purposes.
37. Duffel Blog
Duffel Blog is a news website that posts satirical articles primarily focused on U.S. military headlines and national security. The articles published on this website are purely for entertainment purposes and should never to mistaken to be true or used as a reference for any research.
This website once published a spoof article about a speech by a high-ranking officer that was wrongly interpreted by its readers as truth and resulted in riots across the country.
Conclusion
Not every piece of online content is true, accurate, or scientifically proven. The above unreliable source examples can attest to this fact.
Fake news or unproven facts on these websites can cause panic and alarm. It is vital to critically scrutinize any source of information posted online before using it as a reference.
It’s also important to understand how to distinguish between unreliable and reliable sources of information to ensure you are not responsible for spreading misinformation and rumors.
In doing so, you will produce accurate and reliable information that other users can rely on.
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