Online Search for Fact-Checking Increases Belief in Misinformation, Study Finds

Researchers suggest improving digital literacy and modifying search engines to prioritize quality information as potential solutions.

New research suggests that people who use online search to fact-check news are more likely to believe in misinformation.
The study found that participants were 19% more likely to believe 'fake news' after they had performed an online search to figure out the truth.
Low-quality news sources that corroborate misinformation often appear in search results, leading to increased belief in false claims.
Search algorithms prioritize information designed to appeal to or exploit those algorithms, not necessarily accurate information.
Researchers suggest improving digital literacy and modifying search engines to deprioritize poor quality information as potential solutions.