Write down the actual claim

Start by separating what a page promises from how it makes you feel. Is it claiming a health outcome, describing someone's experience, or announcing research? Copy a short description into your own notes and keep the original link. If you cannot explain the claim in a sentence, pause before repeating it.

A polished website, an enthusiastic testimonial, or a scientific-looking graphic is not enough to establish whether a statement is supported. Look for the material behind the presentation.

Check the source and its purpose

NCCIH recommends asking who is behind health information, what is being offered, when it was written, where the evidence comes from, and why it exists. Those questions are useful whether the page comes from a company, an influencer, or a community member.

Look for a named organization, a meaningful author description, a date, and links you can follow. Notice whether the same page is asking you to buy something or providing a referral code. A commercial interest is context to consider; it is not a substitute for checking the evidence.

Follow the reference, not just the headline

Open the cited source and check whether it actually addresses the claim. An unrelated paper or a broad overview may not support a specific promise. If the reference is inaccessible, describe that limitation rather than assuming what it says.

Keep a simple three-column note: ‘What is claimed’, ‘What source is supplied’, and ‘What I still do not know’. Empty spaces are useful. They show where you need more information before reaching a conclusion.

Share a question instead of a sales pitch

In a business discussion, useful questions might include: How should a company explain uncertainty? Where can readers find the underlying evidence? How should financial relationships be disclosed? These questions invite scrutiny without repeating a promotional claim as fact.

If you post a link, add a sentence about why it is relevant and what you want to discuss. Avoid presenting a personal story as proof of typical results, and take decisions about your own treatment to a qualified health professional.

Sources & further reading

Sources checked October 23, 2026.

General educational information, not individual medical advice. How our guides are prepared.