Misleading content is a term used to describe a heading or an entire article created to misinform or deceive readers. The primary purpose of such content is often to influence the reader's viewpoint, form opinions, cause confusion, spark discussion, or generate profit for the publisher and related parties. Fake news is a popular method for publishers to drive web traffic to their sites and make a profit.
Misleading content does not necessarily encompass the entire article. An article is considered misleading if it includes fabricated facts, uses manipulative truths, or intentionally hides the truth.
To gain views, these fake news articles typically use clickbait titles and misleading content. Publishers may also use logos, well-known names, or other features designed to catch the victim's attention.
Misleading content is a term used to describe false information spreading with the help of misleading headlines.
Factors of misleading content
There are three main factors of the misleading content that can be found in every fake news story.:
Fake trust
Fake information
Manipulation
Nowadays, traditional media is not the primary place where people get their news from. Journalists have strict rules to follow when creating content, but social media platforms have no such requirements and can be used to spread misleading content without regulations, editorial rules, and standards. As a result, news sources changed the way how they present themselves and can present unreliable content.[1]
The fake content has become especially popular after the overload of information from social media sites has emerged. It is easy to contribute to fake news and shady stories when you can click the “like” or “share” button with only one click. Social media plays a huge part in such behavior and increases the possibility of going viral for something that is not necessarily true.[2]
Types of misleading content
Clickbait
Clickbait is the method by which the publisher uses an eye-catching title to drive visitors to various platforms, like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, or their own site. Traditional news sources have also started using the technique based on fabricating article headers filled with misinformation.
In most cases, Cickbait helps to increase advertising revenue for particular websites or third-party advertisers. However, it has also been designed to form opinions and make people take needed decisions. Attention-grabbing[3] headlines typically lead to inaccurate information. Often, the main article is about different things than the header itself.
Fake news mainly revolves about politics and rivalry between particular parties.
Propaganda
Propaganda is designed to mislead audiences and promote biased opinions.[4] It is used to form a particular view and set the agenda.[5] In simple words, propaganda is misleading content that promotes and publicizes a political point of view to influence an audience toward certain beliefs. Propaganda encourages particular perception and produces an emotional response, in most cases. This is why it works.
When it comes to news content filled with propaganda, politics goes right to the top. During elections, when different party members go to social media to express their positions and talk to people, the distribution of misleading content reaches its peak.
Parody
Entertainment is the main purpose of media, especially when it comes to social media and non-traditional outlets, portals, and pop-culture websites. Misleading content can also be published to entertain people. One of the ways how it is done is by making a parody of the person/ story/ event.
Parody (or satire) is a tool used to comment on or criticize a particular work that initially becomes the subject of this created parody. This is a comedic commentary that requires a specific imitation. Characteristic, style of the writer, artist, or speaker can be exaggerated for the comic effect.
Nevertheless, parody is a type of misleading content and can also be considered an antidote for it.[6] Satire/parody creates double-voiced discourse and sets the attention to the intertextuality of the story. This is used by influencers, new media outlets more than in traditional media, journalism-based platforms.
Entertainment-based misleading content fills up nowadays media outlets.
Misleading headings
Misleading headings are the type of misleading content that has mostly been used on social media to make something go viral. Social media posts can look sensational, and the message spreads quickly across the newsfeed. However, catchy headings can also be found on traditional media to generate views on the required article which can be found completely different after checking.
Also, misleading headlines can be written in a certain style or way to create a different meaning, so people expect to read about a particular issue and outcome, but get disappointed once they open the full story.
Sloppy journalism
The quick reaction is a feature of a good journalist, and during this time when everything happens fast, the faster the article comes out, the better. However, speed is not the most important thing when it comes to quality. When the writer is trying to be the first that publish a sure story, fact-checking comes to the second plan. This is why audiences get misled, and stories full of false information come out.
Sloppy journalism has mostly been used during important elections and other political events. Such fake news creates confusion or can sometimes ruin the reputation of the particular person and media outlet. One story with facts that are not legitimate can create a vicious circle of fake news stories coming out. Some sources can sometimes spread such information to create confusion and take advantage of the reactions from the audience.
News are using clickbait with celebrity photos and fake headlines to drive visitors.
Biased news
The professional journalist needs to be unbiased, and stories that get published to the public have requirements unless you are the person who thrives on creating personalized content, filled with your opinion.[7] Also, it is known that particular audiences have specific opinions or biases when it comes to themes like politics, health, and so on. This is the method that gets employed to slant the news story to a needed place.
Also, reporters can choose events and news from the massive selection and post about particular issues that should be interesting for the audience based on perceived bias. Newsfeeds often get filled with the content that the audience should like based on personalized searches and the data that gets recorded using tracking cookies.
Even though the information is extremely exaggerated, people tend to click when they see particular keywords or the content is based on their biases.
How to spot and avoid misleading content and fake news
Nowadays, media is consumed, not observed, and it takes hours or even minutes from creating the article to sharing, liking, and commenting on it. Also, the message can be seen by millions of people in a matter of seconds, thanks to the internet.
This service is hugely personalized due to the algorithms of Facebook and Google that tailor services based on each user, and their searching online habits. This filter bubble often means that you are isolated from different views and opinions since you get exposed to content that reflects your likes, views, and beliefs.
These are the skills and habits you should build as a cautious internet user:
Check the source of the article. Take a closer look at the website that is publishing a particular article. Consider the credibility of the page and if you are unfamiliar with the page, try to find more information about the author in particular.
Don't fall for the headline alone. Fake news stories post shocking headlines to grab attention, so check the whole article and note that caps and exclamation points do not indicate a credible source.
Pay attention to the coverage of the story. Check if the story is reported on more outlets besides this one. Look on particular news platforms, and traditional media with a good reputation. If there are any sources that publish about the event or person, look for facts that report about the credibility.
Fact-check. Fake news contains falsified dates, incorrect timelines, names, and altered facts. Look if the article you read is more recent or old and compare the publish date with another source.
Think about particular biases. The content you see is most likely based on your beliefs and views. You should think if the view and opinion of the news feature are affected by your judgment.
Look for a sarcastic or comedic meaning. Popular online sites often are based on parody and entertainment. It should be clear whether the story is just a parody. Check if other stories are funny and contain more reports like jokes or news articles.
People on social media see exclamation marks, caps and they automatically click. However, these headlines often lead to useless articles about nothing.
Sites tracking fake news
There are many tools and measures that help to flag misleading content and report outlets that publish fraudulent content. Media literacy and developing skills become even more important in this age of mass media.[8] Critical thinking is a characteristic that people need to develop from an early age. Especially when cybersecurity, the internet, and social media consume the most significant part of your lives. This is why certain websites that check facts get released by particular media organizations like BBC, and Channel 4.
Where you can evaluate content online and check if the post or information is credible:
