You have probably already typed on Google questions like “Is it true that…?” It may sound a bit silly, but you’re not alone in asking yourself this question. In fact, the web giant already has the Google Fact Check Tools. This tool allows you to indicate the truth or not of information or a fact. And this concerns in particular around important social subjects, such as health and politics. It is therefore not surprising that since the Covid-19 pandemic, a growing popularity of fact-checking tools integrated has been felt.
In response to these doubts, Google has listed over 50 verified facts in one year, totaling nearly 2,4 billion consultations. Fact-checking (fact-checking in our language) is now essential and is evolving towards powerful digital tools. But how does it work? Is this tool really important?
Google's main fact-checking tools
To enable users to verify the accuracy of the information, Google Fact Check Tools consists of three tools: “About this result”, “About this image” and “Fact Check Explorer”. The latter, deployed in more than 40 languages, offer various functionalities to examine the reliability of various sources of information.
About this result
Available since 2021, this tool allows users to get more context about a website before even clicking on a link. By clicking on the three small dots next to a search result, a box appears. It presents key information about the source: its description on Wikipedia (if it exists), user reviews and any indication that the site has previously spread false information. This helps Internet users quickly judge the credibility of the site and the information it offers. A first line of defense against disinformation is erected.
About this image
Similar to the first tool, “About this image” provides information about an image displayed in Google Images. By accessing the history of an image, users can identify whether it has been previously detected as misleading or used by other sites. This feature allows users to check whether an image has been taken out of its original context or misused. The tool also provides valuable metadata, such as geographic coordinates or the date and time it was taken. This provides a more precise view of the authenticity and the origin of an image.
Fact Check Explorer
Designed for journalists and fact-checking professionals, Fact Check Explorer is a search engine. It allows you to consult fact-checking articles published by independent sources. Users can also verify the provenance of an image circulating online by downloading a file or pasting a link. An essential feature in a world where images can easily be manipulated. The Fact Check Explorer API, meanwhile, allows professionals to integrate this data on their own website. This facilitates transparency and authenticity in the sharing of information.
Is Google Fact Check Tools reliable?
Google Fact Check Tools is proving to be particularly intuitive. The simplicity of each interface allows for quick and efficient navigation. One click and the results appear. Its free nature and accessibility also make Google Fact Check Tools interesting. No need for payments or to register for anything.
This feature is a boon to all users, as it provides a more comprehensive and nuanced view of your searches. Additionally, the ability to search for images through Fact Check Explorer is a welcome innovation. This makes it much easier to verify the veracity of visual content.
While Google Fact Check Tools is a promising tool, it is not without limits. Although the fact-checking database is constantly evolving, there are still times when some information is not available. It is also important to remember that the effectiveness of the tool largely depends on the quality of the sources used by the fact-checkers.
To better handle the tool, understand what are the main sources used by Google Fact Check Tools to verify information. This will help you better assess the reliability of your results. Also, use specific and relevant keywords to get more targeted results. These few tips will help you if you start to touch this fact checker.
