4 tips for identifying fake videos on social media

It's common when browsing the internet to come across audiovisual content that catches your attention with titles like "Cat speaks perfect Spanish with his owner and you won't believe it!" or something like "Man falls from building and escapes unharmed! The ending will shock you." If these statements sound familiar and you've clicked on them more than once thinking you'll see an event that seems hard to believe, let me tell you that your disbelief is very likely justified, because most of these videos are FRAUDULENT.

Due to the interaction system that social media posts have with users, the more they share, like, and comment on the content, the more viral it will become.. Therefore, the person behind the account that uploaded the video will somehow make a profit. However, this can't continue to happen, considering that they waste our time and we end up confusing real content with adulterated material. That's why we're giving you some important tips below to check when you're browsing the websites. social networks.

Tips to help you identify fake videos on social media

1.- Pay close attention to the titles: If video titles are full of question marks or exclamation points, have capital letters, emojis, and sound like the front page of a celebrity tabloid, skip it. Extravagant and absurd titles, with suggestive phrases or clickbait, are a quick way to grab the attention of anyone who casually scrolls through the post. Generally, a less dramatic and exuberant title is more trustworthy.

2.- Observe the camera perspective: If the supposedly "hidden" camera is very close to the situation, or has a perfect panoramic view that anyone could notice, the entire recording must be staged or planned. Thus, some content is promoted as covert videos of situations that no one knows are being filmed, but if, as the story progresses, the cameraman no longer appears invisible to others, the falsehood of the publication is abundantly clear.

3.- See the length of the video: If the video seems to drag on, even though the above is a simple situation, it's very likely that the video is fake, as platforms like Facebook insert ads into multimedia content to generate revenue later. The more ads you see in the recording, the more the uploader will earn. Therefore, as the video becomes more repetitive and the subject matter revolves around the same topic, we recommend exiting it to avoid unpleasantness.

4.- Examine the role of the presenter or influencer: If the person hosting the video is already known for producing this type of material, on YouTube, for example, it's likely that a large portion of their videos are no longer true-to-life situations, but rather simple reenactments of stories that were (perhaps) real in another context. Also, if the host appears on screen a lot, it may be a form of self-promotion, downplaying the story that was initially conveyed in the video. If this happens, you'll be disappointed when the video ends.

Once you have reviewed these 4 ways to prevent content such as fake videos on social media,We invite you to put what you learned to practical use and come back and tell us how the videos went. We also encourage you to share these tips with your family and friends, especially those who believe everything they see on the web.

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