This guide presents criteria for evaluating websites and other online resources. It recommends asking these questions about any resource you use:
- Who runs or created the site or app? Can you trust them?
- What is the site or app promising or offering? Do its claims seem too good to be true?
- When was its information written or reviewed? Is it up-to-date?
- Where does the information come from? Is it based on scientific research?
- Why does the site or app exist? Is it selling something?
● Some additional questions to use in evaluating websites
- Does the group have corporate sponsors? Who are they and how are their products related to the organization? Could the sponsors influence what is posted on the website? Check out the sponsors’ websites to find out.
- Does the information posted on the site include references or information about the sources? Search the sources to make sure they exist.
- Is there a medical or scientific advisory board? Look for an 'About' page or search the site for ‘advisory board’. Verify at other websites whether the board members are experts.
