Claim checking
Separate the pitch from the product.
A persuasive demonstration is not a specification sheet. Find the precise promise, then test it against evidence that can be checked by anyone.
Identify a checkable statement.
“I like it” is an opinion. “It works without a phone” is a capability claim. “Limited stock” is a scarcity claim. Focus on a statement that could change a reasonable person’s decision to purchase.
Watch for slippery comparisons
“Just like” or “does everything” may conceal major differences. Compare the exact model, required companion devices, subscriptions, regional availability, and whether a feature actually works independently.
Find the original source.
Start with the manufacturer’s official page and manual. Check model numbers; similarly named products may differ. For a performance claim, look for the testing conditions and a credible independent test. Preserve the source page and date in case it changes.
Common misleading patterns
Missing functions
An ad says a watch “does everything” a competing watch does, but it can only display messages and cannot reply, pay, run apps, or connect on cellular. List the missing functions with the manufacturer’s own documentation.
Inflated capacity or performance
A storage device claims a terabyte but a full-capacity test shows much less usable space. Record the exact test tool, conditions, results, listing, and product identity. A copied “About” screen alone is not conclusive.
Health, safety, and miracle results
Look for clinical or technical proof matching the exact product and exact promise. A personal testimonial or before-and-after video does not establish that a product treats a condition or produces typical results.
Price and urgency
Capture both the advertised price and the final checkout total. If a countdown resets, record it at different times. Do not assume every sale or countdown is fake; document the pattern before reporting.
Write a restrained conclusion.
Prefer “The ad claims X; the manufacturer lists Y; I could not find support for X” over “This person is a criminal.” Being precise protects the credibility of your report and helps others independently verify it.
The FTC states that advertising claims must be truthful, not deceptive or unfair, and supported by evidence. Read its advertising guidance ↗
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