How much more engagement does misinformation generate compared to verified news?

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Misinformation Generates Six Times More Engagement Than Verified News on Facebook

A study conducted between August 2020 and January 2021 found that misinformation content generated six times more engagement on Facebook compared to verified news stories. This research analyzed a sample of over 2,500 pages and highlighted a significant trend in user interaction with different types of content on the platform.
Higher Engagement Rates for Misinformation

The study revealed that pages publishing fake news received more "Likes," shares, and comments, indicating a higher rate of user engagement. This finding suggests that, despite efforts to mitigate its spread, misinformation has found a receptive audience on Facebook. The research, which examined thousands of Facebook publishers across the political spectrum, compared interactions on posts from pages known for disseminating fake news.
Political Leanings and Misinformation Engagement

While the study noted the viral nature of both far-right and far-left content compared to factual political content, it specifically highlighted that misinformation is more likely to circulate on the right. Among publishers categorized as on the far right, those that share misinformation received 68 per cent of all user engagement. This observation is particularly noteworthy given that the study was conducted during the US presidential election period in November 2020.
Facebook's Response and Counterarguments

In response to the study's findings, a Facebook spokesperson argued that the research primarily focused on user engagement rather than the actual reach or visibility of content. The spokesperson stated that the report did not account for post impressions, which represent the number of times a user sees a post on their feed. Facebook maintains that when considering content with the most reach, the findings do not align with the study's conclusions.

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How much more engagement does misinformation generate compared to verified news?

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