Online searches to evaluate misinformation can increase its perceived veracity

This research explores the impact of online searches on belief in misinformation. Five experiments consistently demonstrate that searching online to verify the truthfulness of false news articles paradoxically increases the likelihood of believing them. This effect is particularly pronounced when searches yield lower-quality information, leading individuals into "data voids." The study also finds that searching enhances belief in true news from low-quality sources but shows inconsistent effects on belief in true news from mainstream sources. The findings underscore the need for improved media literacy programs and solutions from search engines to address these challenges.

Kevin Aslett, Zeve Sanderson, William Godel, Nathaniel Persily, Jonathan Nagler, Joshua A. Tucker