- 011. Look for the "Forwarded" Label
- 022. Check Official Fact-Checking Websites
- 033. Reverse Image Search Any Photos
- 044. Search the Claim in Google News
- 055. Check the Date
- 066. Be Skeptical of "Breaking News" Without Sources
- 077. Watch Out for Emotional Language
- 088. Use WhatsApp's Built-In Search Feature
- 099. Check the Language and Grammar
- 1010. When in Doubt, Don't Forward
- 11FAQ
- 12Conclusion
WhatsApp forwards are one of the fastest ways misinformation spreads. A message that looks urgent and credible can be completely fabricated — and once you forward it, it’s out there. Here’s how to check before you share.
Short Answer: Before forwarding anything on WhatsApp: check the source, search for the claim on a fact-checking site, look for the ‘Forwarded many times’ label, reverse-image search any photos, and verify with at least one reliable news source. If you’re unsure — don’t forward.
1. Look for the “Forwarded” Label
WhatsApp marks messages that have been forwarded with a “Forwarded” label at the top. Messages forwarded many times show “Forwarded many times” — a strong signal to be cautious. This doesn’t mean the message is false, but it means it’s been passed between many hands without verification.
📸 SCREENSHOT NEEDED: WhatsApp message with ‘Forwarded many times’ label visible at the top of the message
2. Check Official Fact-Checking Websites
Copy a key sentence from the message and search it on these fact-checking sites:
- FactCheck.org
- Snopes.com
- Boom Live (India-focused)
- Factly.in (India)
- Vishvas News (Hindi and English)
If the claim has been fact-checked, these sites will have covered it.
3. Reverse Image Search Any Photos
A common fake news technique is to use an old or unrelated photo with a new caption. To check a photo:
- Save the image to your phone
- Go to images.google.com on your browser
- Tap the camera icon → upload the image
- Google will show where the image appears online — and whether the original context matches the claim
4. Search the Claim in Google News
If something major has actually happened, legitimate news outlets will be reporting it. Search the key claim in Google News. If you can’t find a single credible news outlet covering the story, it almost certainly didn’t happen.
5. Check the Date
Many viral WhatsApp messages are old news recycled as if it’s happening now. Look for a date in the message. If there isn’t one, that’s suspicious. If there is a date, verify that it matches current events.
6. Be Skeptical of “Breaking News” Without Sources
Real breaking news from credible sources always includes a byline, a source attribution, or a link to the original report. Messages that just say “BREAKING: [dramatic claim] — share immediately” with no source are almost always false or highly exaggerated.
7. Watch Out for Emotional Language
Fake news is designed to trigger strong emotions — fear, anger, outrage — because emotional content gets shared faster. If a message makes you feel viscerally alarmed, that’s a signal to pause and verify, not to forward immediately.
8. Use WhatsApp’s Built-In Search Feature
WhatsApp has a built-in fact-check button for messages marked as “Forwarded many times.” Tap the magnifying glass icon on the forwarded message to search the web for it directly.
9. Check the Language and Grammar
Many fake news messages contain spelling mistakes, unusual capitalization (ALL CAPS for dramatic effect), and awkward phrasing. Professional news sources have editors — if the writing looks careless, be suspicious.
10. When in Doubt, Don’t Forward
This is the most important rule. If you can’t verify it in 2 minutes, don’t forward it. The cost of not forwarding something true is low. The cost of forwarding something false can be significant — especially for health, political, or religious misinformation.
Quick verification:
See it → Google the key claim → Check a fact-checking site → Find 2 credible news sources → Then decide whether to share
Warning: Health misinformation is particularly dangerous. Claims about cures, vaccines, medications, or disease outbreaks that aren’t confirmed by health authorities (WHO, ICMR, CDC) should never be forwarded without verification.
FAQ
How do I report fake news on WhatsApp?
Long-press the message → tap Report. WhatsApp reviews reported messages and can take action. For India-specific misinformation, you can also report to fact-checking organizations like Boom Live or Factly.
Are there WhatsApp chatbots for fact-checking?
Yes. Several Indian fact-checking organizations offer WhatsApp chatbots where you can send a message or image and receive a fact-check. Boom Live (+91 77009 06111) and Factchecker.in operate such services.
What should I do if I already forwarded fake news?
Send a correction to the same groups/chats where you forwarded it. It feels awkward, but it’s the right thing to do — especially if the misinformation could harm people.
Quick checklist:
- ✅ Check the ‘Forwarded many times’ label as your first red flag
- ✅ Search key claims on Boomlive.in or Snopes.com
- ✅ Reverse image search any photos before sharing
- ✅ Look for the story on Google News — if it’s real, it’ll be there
- ✅ When in doubt: don’t forward
Check Facts on Boom Live ↗ ↗Factly India Fact Checker
Conclusion
Slowing down before you forward a message is the single most powerful tool against fake news on WhatsApp. The two-minute check — Google the claim, look at a fact-checking site — saves you from becoming part of the problem. For more digital literacy tips, see our guide on internet safety and security.