What is the engagement difference between fake and real news on Facebook?

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Misinformation Outperforms Verified News in Facebook Engagement

A study analyzing over 2,500 Facebook pages between August 2020 and January 2021 found that misinformation content generated six times more engagement than verified news stories. Pages known for publishing fake news received more likes, shares, and comments when compared to those sharing factual information. This period coincided with the US presidential election, a time when political discourse is heightened.
Higher Engagement Rates for Misinformation

The research, conducted by academics from New York University and Université Grenoble Alpes, specifically examined user interactions with content from a diverse range of Facebook publishers. The findings indicate a clear trend where posts containing misinformation were significantly more likely to be liked, shared, and commented on by users. This suggests that, despite efforts to curb its spread, false narratives have found a receptive audience on the platform.
Political Leanings and Engagement Disparities

The study also highlighted a notable difference in engagement based on political orientation. Among publishers categorized as being on the far right, those that shared misinformation captured 68 per cent of all user engagement. While far-left content also showed a more viral nature compared to factual political content, the propensity for misinformation to circulate was more pronounced on the right.
Platform's Response and Engagement Metrics

Facebook's spokesperson, Joe Osborne, contested the study's conclusions by questioning its methodology. He argued that the report primarily focused on user engagement rather than the overall reach or impressions of posts, which represents the number of times a post is displayed to users. Facebook maintains that when considering the content with the most reach, the platform's performance does not align with the study's suggestions.

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What is the engagement difference between fake and real news on Facebook?

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