# What should I do if I find health information online that seems good but I am not sure about its accuracy? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-online-health-info-seems-good-but-unverified Language: en Category: general Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T17:52:51.163Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T17:52:51.163Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/what-to-do-if-online-health-info-seems-good-but-unverified If you find health information online that seems promising but you are unsure of its accuracy, the first and most important step is to discuss it with your healthcare provider before relying on or acting upon it [\[1\]](). Your healthcare provider can determine if this information is appropriate for your individual health condition. Reliable health information requires effort to verify, as a large portion of available content may not be accurate or up-to-date [\[1\]](). It is essential to ask specific questions about the source and quality of the information before trusting it. ## How to Evaluate Website Reliability When evaluating a website that provides health information, start by looking for an 'About Us' page [\[1\]](). If you cannot find information about who runs the site, it may not be trustworthy [\[1\]](). Reliable sites are often run by government agencies, medical schools, or large professional and non-profit organizations [\[1\]](). Check the purpose of the site; is it to inform the public, sell products, or promote specific opinions? The primary goal of a reliable site should be to provide good information [\[1\]](). Pay attention to how the site is funded. If it relies on advertising, these ads should be clear and distinct. Be wary of ads that look like neutral health information [\[1\]](). Sites ending in ".gov" or ".edu" are often reliable sources, while sites ending in ".org" or ".com" require closer scrutiny [\[2\]](). ## Content Quality and Currency High-quality health information should be balanced and research-based, not promoting one treatment over another [\[1\]](). Beware of dramatic language, promises of a cure, and claims that seem "too good to be true," as these can be signs of health fraud [\[1\]](). Check if the site has an editorial board of health experts, a content review process, a content selection policy, and information about the authors' qualifications [\[1\]](). Content pages should include links or references to original information sources and indicate the dates when the information was written, reviewed, or updated [\[1\]](). Medical information changes constantly, so outdated content may be inaccurate [\[2\]](). ## Warning Signs of Health Fraud There are red flags indicating that information might be fraudulent or unreliable. Be cautious of products that claim to treat a wide range of unrelated diseases, especially serious illnesses such as cancer and diabetes [\[3\]](). No single product can cure all diseases, and many serious conditions have no cure, but rather treatments to help manage them [\[3\]](). Avoid products that offer promises of a quick cure or use personal testimonials as the sole evidence of their effectiveness, as these testimonials are difficult to verify and may be fabricated [\[3\]](). Also, be wary of claims describing a product as "natural" as a guarantee of safety, or those claiming it is a "miracle cure" or a "new discovery" unknown to the medical community [\[3\]](). If something seems too good to be true, it is likely not accurate [\[3\]](). ## Additional Steps to Ensure Safety After evaluating the information, always talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions that could affect your health [\[1\]](). They can help you understand if the information you found is appropriate for your specific case. Do not share your personal information online unless you are comfortable with the potential risks and understand the site's privacy policy [\[2\]](). For further guidance on evaluating online health information, you can visit the [Jordanian Patient Guide to Evaluating Online Health Information (Arabic)](). ## Medical references - [Evaluating Health Information]() - [How to Find Cancer Resources You Can Trust]() - [Tip-Offs to Rip-Offs]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-online-health-info-seems-good-but-unverified#answer