How we label claims
StandFacts is a reference tool, not a news feed. We follow stories in politics, geopolitics, finance and more, and break each one into short claims that can be checked. A claim can carry one of six labels, the source it comes from, an exact quote and the date it was checked.
Labels are set by our editors, based on the sources shown. An editor reads the sources, chooses the label and can add a one-line reason, the "Why" you see under a claim. Nothing is published until an editor approves it, and every claim is reviewed by a person. Some stories are first drafted with AI from their sources, such as official documents from the Federal Register; an editor then checks every claim against its source, chooses its label and decides whether to publish it.
Sources, when we have them. A claim shows its source, a link and the exact words used whenever our editors have them. Follow the link to read the source in full. A claim without a label is one we're still checking.
The six labels
- ConfirmedBacked by an official document, the subject on record, or two independent outlets.
- ReportedReported by a credible source, but not yet independently confirmed.
- DisputedCredible sources disagree about it.
- DeniedThe subject has denied it on the record.
- CorrectedA source published a correction.
- UnverifiedOnly anonymous or attributed sources so far.
How editors read sources
For each source we note what it does (it supports the claim, contradicts it, denies it or corrects it) and who is speaking:
- Strong: an official government document; the subject of the claim speaking on the record; another named person speaking on the record; or a reporter's own reporting.
- Not enough on its own: a claim attributed to unnamed people ("according to people familiar with the plans") or an anonymous source.
In plain words, the labels usually work like this:
- Confirmed: an official document supports it, the subject confirms it on the record, or at least two independent outlets report it through their own reporting.
- Reported: a credible outlet reports it, but it isn't independently confirmed yet.
- Disputed: credible sources disagree about it, or the subject denies it while a document supports it.
- Denied: the subject has denied it on the record.
- Corrected: a source has published a correction.
- Unverified: nothing credible supports it yet, or only anonymous or unnamed sources do. Under the bars we call this "still unclear".
The editor makes the final call and can say why in the reason line.
Copies count once
Many outlets republish the same wire story, for example from the Associated Press. Copies of one story count as one source, credited to whoever really published it. On a claim, the copies are folded under the original as "+2 copies".
What we skip
- Opinions and commentary
- Predictions about the future
- Claims about private individuals
- Accusations of crimes
When we update
Stories are updated as news develops, often several times a day. Each claim shows when it was last checked. When a label changes, or a claim's wording is corrected, it stays in the claim's history and is listed on our Corrections page.
Found an error?
Email contact@standfacts.com with a link to the claim and what you think is wrong. We review every report. When a label changes because of an error, it appears on our Corrections page.