The combination of political divisiveness and the COVID-19 pandemic led to fake news running rampant on social media in 2020. That's not really news; but you might be surprised at how fake news was shared. According to The German Marshall Fund of the United States, verified Twitter users shared a significant percentage of deceptive website news by the end of the year.
The GMF discovered that false content producers and manipulators received nearly one third (47 million) of the 155 million verified-account shares in Q4 2020. Overall, false-content-producer shares increased by over 160%, and manipulators increased by nearly 120%, while all US websites increased by a mere 14% in 2020. This has led false-content producers and manipulators to, respectively, triple and double their verified account shares since 2018.
At the top of the chart is the Gateway Pundit, which received more shares from verified Twitter users at the end of the year than The Washington Post. Breitbart received an equal amount of interactions, and Fox News, Just the News, and the Epoch Times ranked higher than NBC News.
Facebook has also contributed to the spread of disinformation, with manipulators growing their interactions 165% over the last four years against just a 75% increase for all US-based sites. In total, deceptive websites received 6.4 billion interactions in 2020, twice the number seen four years ago. In the fourth quarter of 2020 alone, deceptive sites received 1.2 billion interactions, nearly a fourth of the total 5.1 billion interactions for US-based sites.
Many false-content producers and manipulators did see a drastic fall in interactions as a result of Facebook changing its algorithm. But RedStateObserver.com still managed to receive more interactions than the Wall Street Journal in the fourth quarter of 2020. Newsmax also managed to beat out the Los Angeles Times in that same time period.
Given the results that were collected this past year, the GMF is comfortable confirming that the actions made by Facebook and Twitter to stop the spread of fake news proved to be effective. Hopefully, these platforms will continue their efforts to manage the content people publish and share. In the meantime, here are several tools to help identify what's real and what's fake news.
Further Reading
Social Media Reviews
Read more:
Verified Twitter Users Shared an All-Time-High Amount of Fake News in 2020 - PCMag
- [Webinar] #FreeSpeech: Perspectives from the UK and the US on Social Media Liability for Fake News, Damaging Content and Censorship - July 29th, 9:00... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Wake up, America; discount the fake news - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- People are injecting themselves with bleach because of fake news, says senior MP - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- Turning Fake News on its Head: Stalin Lives Again to Reveal Deep Truth - Canada NewsWire [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2020] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2020]
- MHA says migration during COVID-19 lockdown was triggered by fake news about its duration - The New Indian Express [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Fake news of Rafale crash circulated in Pakistan using bogus handles - THE WEEK [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Election fake news weekly report to monitor New Zealand campaigning - RNZ [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Think more, share less: How to avoid falling for misinformation, disinformation and fake news - KING5.com [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- 'The Social Dilemma': Netflix's documentary and what it means for startups - EU-Startups [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- With the election campaign underway, can the law protect voters from fake news and conspiracy theories? - The Conversation AU [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Technology has given amazing possibilities of communication but fake news remains a concern - India TV News [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Man falsely accused of shooting deputies received threats - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Letter: No need to rely on fake news and ignore good Trump news - Thehour.com [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Conspiracy mentality linked to the acceptance of fake news about science - PsyPost [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- We're launching an election-season ad campaign to fight fake news, and we need your help - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Investigative journalist will address 'fake news' in virtual talk - Ripon Commonwealth Press [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- Misinformation Is Hyperlocal. Attempts to Counter It Should Be, Too. - Foreign Policy [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Beware of Fake News On City Council Races - Odessa American [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- 'Manipulated and fake': NTA rubbishes news claiming topper in ST category was given wrong 'failed' result in NEET - The New Indian Express [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- REFILE-'Not fake news:' COVID-19 cases surge in Wisconsin ahead of Trump campaign rally - Reuters [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- Trump duped by fake news story of Twitter going down to protect Biden - Global News [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- Poor numerical literacy linked to greater susceptibility to Covid-19 fake news - The Guardian [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2020]
- Mboweni responds to reports of hard lockdown in SA: 'Fake news' - Briefly [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- The steady growth of unreliable news sites is an addition to the list of terrible things that happened in 2020 - Digital Information World [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Problem posed by disinformation online increasingly serious, says BBC boss - The Independent [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Congress trolls trying to shield Rahul Gandhi left red faced after party confirms Wayanad MP is on vacation - OpIndia [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Hitting two birds with one stone: China develops fake news factories to fill the information vacuum and curb - DNA India [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- The Hindu journalist accused of publishing fake news because his wife was not given insurance business: Details - OpIndia [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- A Tale as old as Time: Proliferation of 'fake news' may have even preceded the birth of Christ | Recto Mercene - Business Mirror [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- The FBI, Comic Pros and the Fake News Controversy of the 1964 Election - Bleeding Cool News [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Actor Sushant Singh continues to share fake news, this time lies about the release of suspended cop DSP Davinder Singh - OpIndia [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- @RealSanta: Perfect Christmas expected at N. Pole, all that other stuff is 'Fake News' - KCAW [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- FAKE NEWS | SANDF denies claims that members' leave is cancelled due to Covid-19 surge - News24 [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Totally Not Fake News: Texans Stars Punished for Violation of COVID Protocols, Filing Appeal - Battle Red Blog [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Alternative facts, witch-hunt, bigly: the Trump era in 32 words and phrases - The Guardian [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Conservative Twitter users dominate the discussion of fake news about the coronavirus, study finds - PsyPost [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Fake News Buster: Vaccines have only helped to save lives - Bangalore Mirror [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- Covid fake news can be fatal, govts need to step in: Study - The Tribune India [Last Updated On: December 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 29th, 2020]
- CBSE Board Exam 2021: Only those passing Pre-Board to get admit card? Here's the truth - India TV News [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- The Ferguson Report: Fake news you can trust - The New Daily [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Media reports on closure of All India Radio stations are fake news: Prasar Bharati - Northeast Now [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Church cautions constituency not to be misled by fake news over Covid-19 vaccine - Independent Online [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Fake News Alert! The Viral Picture Of Anushka Sharma With Her Newborn Is A Stock Image - Mashable India [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Lena urges to stop spreading fake news; shares that she hasnt tested positive for COVID-19 - Times of India [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Why fake news is here to stay - Washington Times [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Fake US leg band gets pigeon a reprieve in Australia - ABC News [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Alarm in UK over fake news prompting non-whites to reject Covid vaccination - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- RRC commissioner vents at France, fake news and the woke [Opinion] - Houston Chronicle [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Totally Not Fake News: The Burning Question of Our Time - Battle Red Blog [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Anyone can fall for 'fake news,' conspiracy theories: The psychology of misinformation - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2021]
- Level 4 lockdown message on WhatsApp slammed as fake news - IOL [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- "The suggestion street races will not take place are completely wrong"- F1 calls Monaco GP cancellation... - The Sportsrush [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Ravish Kumar apologises for spreading fake news about paddy procurement by govt after letter to NDTV by PIB: Here is what he said - OpIndia [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- NAACP says Viral Warnings About Threats of Violence is "Fake News" - caribbeannationalweekly.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Rob Lowe on Whether That Prince Harry Ponytail Story Was 'Fake News' - Extra [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- On the Record, Jan. 16, 2021: Media and fake news - WRAL.com [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- Fake news and science denier attacks on vaccines. What can you do? - DocWire News [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2021]
- How will the EU's new act deal with online lies and fake news? law - RTE.ie [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Fake News and Kashmir Media - Brighter Kashmir [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Pupils will learn how to spot fake news on Safer Internet Day - On The Wight [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Andy Farrell dismisses predictions of Ireland canter in Cardiff as fake news - Irish Mirror [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- DNA exclusive: Prakash Javadekar`s first reaction on fake news - Zee News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Opinion: QAnon, conspiracy theories are no joke - DW (English) [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- TikTok adding new features to stop fake news and misinformation spreading - Dexerto [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- DNA exclusive: Anurag Thakur`s first reaction on fake news - Zee News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Opinion: Fake news, pandemic, evolving job market a liberal education is needed more than ever - Calgary Herald [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Gangland criminals spreading expensive fake news, garda warn - The Irish Times [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Fake news and conspiracy theories risk to vaccine roll-out in Dudley - Stourbridge News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- LIVING IN THE AGE OF FAKE NEWS - DAWN.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Fake news? No, it really is Macquarie Dictionarys word of the decade - Sydney Morning Herald [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Opinion | Social media sites need to monitor fake news - UI The Daily Iowan [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Journalist identities hijacked to spread fake news - Axios [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Totally Not Fake News: The Great Debate Within the Houston Texans Front Office - Battle Red Blog [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2021]
- Fake: Govt is not giving Rs 1.2 lakh to employees who have worked between 1990-2021 - Oneindia [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Himansh Kohli Opens Up About His Angry Reaction to the Fake News of Apologising to Ex Neha Kakkar - Yahoo India News [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Rahul Gandhi spreads fake news about train ticket fares being doubled: Here is the truth - OpIndia [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Is Facebook responsible for launching the concept of "fake news"? Film Daily - Film Daily [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Min cautions against fake news after 'assault' - The Shillong Times [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Opinion | Dont Go Down the Rabbit Hole - The New York Times [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]
- Shoeless sprinters, fake news and universal healthcare: Finland in the world press - Helsinki Times [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2021]