Fact Check Ratings

This rating indicates primary elements of the claim are demonstrably true.

This rating indicates primary elements of the claim are demonstrably true, but at least one ancillary detail is inaccurate or misleading.

This rating indicates significant elements of the claim are both true and false and therefore cannot fairly be described by any other rating.

This rating indicates primary elements of the claim are demonstrably false, but at least one ancillary detail is rooted in truth.

This rating indicates primary elements of the claim are demonstrably false.

This rating indicates visual or audio media was manipulated or created from scratch via computer-generated imagery (CGI) software, artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other digital editing programs such that it conveys a false or misleading message or an outright misrepresentation of reality.

This rating indicates visual media (photo or video) is authentic (i.e., it is not the product, partially or wholly, of digital manipulation or artificial intelligence software) but is nonetheless misleading because its accompanying material falsely describes its origin, context or meaning.

This rating indicates quoted material (speech or text) is correctly attributed to the person who allegedly spoke or wrote it. 

This rating indicates quote material (speech or text) is incorrectly attributed to the person who allegedly spoke or wrote it.

This rating indicates subsequent events have rendered the claim's original truth rating irrelevant.

This label describes verified scams.

This label describes offers or initiatives that may appear to be scams at face value but are actually authentic or legitimate.

This label describes genuine product recall notices.

This rating indicates the claim stems from content described by its creator as satire. (Snopes does not make determinations on the "realness" or "effectiveness" of satire since such evaluations are subjective. Media may not be effectively recognized or understood as satire despite being labeled as such.)

This rating indicates the claim stems from content described as satire by its creator and was later stripped of those satirical markings as it spread online. (Snopes does not make determinations on the "realness" or "effectiveness" of satire since such evaluations are subjective. Media may not be effectively recognized or understood as satire despite being labeled as such.)

This label describes events so general or lacking in detail they could have happened to someone, somewhere, at some time, and are therefore essentially unprovable.

Snopes no longer uses this label. In the fact-checking organization's early years, Snopes founder David Mikkelson used the label for what he deemed unusual, arcane stories for which audiences "can suspend [their] disbelief just a little."

Snopes no longer uses this rating. Previously, it applied to claims for which evidence is inconclusive or self-contradictory. In those cases, Snopes now summarizes what is unknown, important context and our research efforts in bulleted key points at the top of articles.

Snopes no longer uses this rating. Previously, it applied to claims for which there was no demonstratable evidence to support them and that originated as hearsay, speculation or groundless rumors. Snopes now labels claims unfounded, as well as summarizes important context and our research efforts, in bulleted key points at the top of articles.

Snopes no longer uses this rating. Previously, it applied to claims under investigation and could meet the criteria of another rating should new evidence surface. Snopes now deems claims under investigation, as well as summarizes important context and our ongoing research efforts, in bulleted key points at the top of articles.