Think Like a Fact-Checker

How can we go upstream to answer questions about a viral photo?

Using Google’s reverse image search (you can search Google by image in the Chrome web browser by right clicking on an image) we can start to track down these answers by visiting websites that talk about the picture.

Things to look for:

1. Find a source nearby where the event happened
   1. Look for a local newspaper, for example look for links that include “news/local/” in the URL
2. Websites with a reputation for spotting fake images, like Reddit
3. Articles from when the event first happened
   1. Filter by date by using Google’s “Tools” button
4. Look for websites that mention specific locations or terms

When you find a promising website, see what questions you can answer and what questions you may still have.  How can you use the website you found to continue to go upstream to the source?

1. Is there a link to another website, maybe a local news website or an interview?
2. Does the website sit another source in their text?  Or do they cite an image/text by using links or the term “via”?
3. Did you learn new information that can turn into a better search?  Such as learning a date, location or specific term?

Is this photo real or staged, where was it taken, and is it from a National Geographic shoot?

Is this picture real?  If it is, when did this happen?  Where did happen?  Why is it on a truck?