Snopes

What Snopes actually is

Running since the mid-1990s, Snopes investigates rumours, viral claims and urban legends, publishing a rating alongside its sourcing and a history of how the story spread. An older folklore archive covers legends that were circulating for decades before social media existed.

Why it is worth your time

The origin tracing is more interesting than the verdict, because most legends turn out to be considerably older than whichever version is currently going round.

Common questions

Is Snopes free?

Yes. Snopes is free and does not ask you to register or hand over an email address before you can use it.

How long does Snopes take?

Clear your evening. We warned you. We file it under "Rabbit hole" — the claim, the evidence, and where the story really began.

Does Snopes work on a phone?

Yes. Snopes works on a phone as well as it does on a laptop.

What kind of site is Snopes?

We list it under Wiki Dives — enter for one fact, leave two hours later. The origin tracing is more interesting than the verdict, because most legends turn out to be considerably older than whichever version is currently going round.