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| At Healthline, creating trustworthy content is at the core of our mission. We have an internal team that ensures the scientific accuracy and medical integrity of everything we publish — from product reviews to in-depth health guides and social media posts. Our writers and editors are also thoughtful in how they frame health topics to avoid adding to health disparities and stigma. |
| But enough of us tooting our own horn. Why does this matter? Because misinformation is rampant nowadays, and no one is immune. |
| It can be challenging to figure out what’s accurate and expert-backed when you’re flooded with so much content every day. But knowing who and what you can trust is essential to protect yourself from potential harm. |
| Today, we’re sharing signs of health misinformation to look out for, plus some best practices to keep in mind as you navigate the Wild West of the World Wide Web. |
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Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline
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Written by Morgan Mandriota
July 14, 2025 • 3 min read |
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| How to determine if online health information is trustworthy |
| Although someone may sound like they know what they’re talking about, they may not be qualified to give advice or have your best interests at heart. So, how do you know if you should trust what you’re reading, watching, or listening to?
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| Here are some key things to look for to evaluate if information is credible:
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- Check the sources: Always check to make sure that a website or creator shares their sources and that they come from reputable organizations. Withholding sources or basing information on unreliable sources is a red flag!
- Make sure claims are backed by research: On a similar note, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Common red flags include miracle cures, false claims of conspiracy, and having secret information that “they don’t want you to know.” If you can’t find reliable support or studies to back up their claims, they probably aren’t accurate.
- Confirm credentials: You should be able to easily find someone’s qualifications or credentials online with a quick Google search. Anyone who has been involved in scandals or had their license retracted will not be a good source for medical information!
- Take note of bias or conflicts of interest: Ask yourself what the creator is getting from sharing this content. Are they making money or increasing their status by promoting a particular product, brand, or ideology? Consider how this might affect what they say about it. (Hint: They may talk highly about a product if they’re getting paid to promote it.)
- Be wary of AI-generated content: While AI can be an important tool in the medical field, many health topics are too complex or nuanced for AI to explain or summarize without additional expert oversight. Stay skeptical, fact check, and research the information through other means.
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| Remember: Just because a person claims to have had success with something doesn’t mean it’s safe or effective for you. As always, speak with a healthcare professional before trying a new health product or practice, including supplements, medications, and other diet or lifestyle changes.
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| Check out our full guide below for more tips and lists of trustworthy government, medical, and research organizations.
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