How to spot fake news

False information usually doesn't spread through outright lies. What spreads most is content with a true core wrapped in a false context: a real photograph carrying a headline that belongs to a different event. That is exactly why it is convincing.

You don't have to be a journalist to work out whether a piece of news is true. A few simple checks before you share filter out most of what is in circulation.

Look at yourself first

The most useful check isn't a technical one: if the content made you very angry or very happy, stop. False information spreads precisely because it stirs up strong feelings. The moment your urge to share is at its highest is also the moment your need to check is at its highest.

Images made by artificial intelligence

Producing realistic fake images is easy now. Hands, teeth, writing, repeating patterns in the background and details such as ears and glasses can still come out wrong. But these clues are disappearing fast; looking at the source is more reliable than looking at the image.

1. Look at the source Who published the story? Have you heard the name of the site before? Addresses that look like the name of a well-known outlet but with a letter changed (such as haber-tr.co) are a classic method.
2. Check the date An event from years ago can go back into circulation as if it had happened today. Look at the publication date; that is the only trick behind most fake posts.
3. Search for who else has reported it If it really is an important event, other sources will have reported it too. Search for the headline of the story, and be suspicious if it appears on a single site only. 💡 There are independent organizations that check facts; you can search the headline on their sites as well.
4. Go beyond the headline The headline and the text often don't match. If you read the text and can't find anything that backs up the claim in the headline, there is no claim.
5. Run a reverse image search Upload the photograph to a search engine's image search. If the same frame belongs to a different year and a different event, it shows up straight away.
6. Verify the quote and the number With statements like "the minister said this" or "according to the research, 70 percent", go down to the source. If no source is given for the quote, there is no quote. 💡 Real studies have a name, a year and a place of publication.
7. If you are not sure, don't share it The most effective way to stop false information is to keep it out of circulation. Sharing it while saying "I wonder if this is true" is spreading it too.

⚠ This guide is general information. Yudum cannot be held responsible for the outcome of following it; for official procedures always rely on the institution's own statement. Steps and fees change over time.

🎯 Related content

How do you get an e-Devlet password? From criminal records to tax debt, from IMEI registration to land registry searches, e-Devlet is the gateway to every official procedure. Getting a… How to change your Wi-Fi password Going into the router interface and changing your Wi-Fi password is a five-minute job — but most people don't know how to get into that interface. We… How to speed up slow Wi-Fi Most slowness is caused not by your line but by where the router stands. Start with the free fixes. How to take a screenshot Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone — all four are different. They are all here.