Google Takes on Fake News With Fact Check Utility

The rise of fake news and the spread of untrue information has given launch to an assault on traditional channels of media and thought. Nowhere has this been more problematic in recent months than in the United States, which has seen an uptick in the accusation of fake news, a holdover from a bitter election last fall.

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For its part Google is doing its part to ensure that correct information be used as an appropriate medium, culminating in the launch of its new Fact Check utility. As the world’s most widely used search engine, Google stands at an important juncture of information, given how instrumental it is in most individuals’ lives.

It is impossible to search for anything on the internet without running into opposing views or falsified accounts, a reality that Google has attempted to curb with its Fact Check news option. The utility was originally introduced last October on a select basis in the midst of one of the most divisive elections in recent memory in the US.

Critics on both sides of the political spectrum have pointed to fake news or the spread of misinformation, eroding confidence in actual media or data outlets. This was particularly true in the case of financial data, which then Republican candidate Donald Trump attacked as being false.

The need for timely and true information is critical in today’s financial world, especial with financial data being so integral for markets. As of today, Google has extended its introductory capabilities to include its Fact Check label globally. Users will be able to conduct searches that returns an authoritative result containing multiple fact checks for claims, which will be displayed in tandem with search results pages on Google News.

Additionally, a further snippet will also feature the source of respective claims and any fact check. While this utility will not extend to all searches or topics, the latest utility will aim to help mitigate the spread of fake news or information. The function was made possible by a collaboration of over 115 different organizations.