Here’s the Secret to Spotting Bots and Fake News on Social Media

Back in the early 2000s, spotting a fake news story was as easy as looking at your browser’s address bar (you’ll notice how the web address of the above fake story, from 2001, is obviously not “BBC.com”). But in the age of social media, it’s become a lot harder to separate fact from fiction. This week, Facebook, Twitter, and Google’s parent company Alphabet testified before Congress about the role their platforms played in spreading Russian disinformation during the 2016 presidential election season. In written testimony, each company admitted that Russian troll and bot accounts, some of them linked to the Kremlin, bought US political ads and spread disinformation — AKA, fake news.

Facebook’s testimony revealed that up to 126 million users were exposed to Russian disinformation; Twitter revealed a list of thousands of Russian-linked accounts; Google stated in its testimony that at least 1,000 Russian-linked videos had been published to YouTube, and Russians purchased thousands of dollars in ads from Google. But what some of those ads actually looked like might surprise you.

Here are a couple examples of ads and events posted to Facebook that turned out to be part of a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at playing with the emotions of voters:

They look pretty convincing, right?

As far as Democrats in Congress are concerned, there’s still more work to be done in terms of figuring out exactly how and why this happened. But as far as preventing the spread of false and divisive information in the future, Ben Nimmo, the Information Defense Fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, tells Brit + Co that Congress and the tech companies themselves can’t do all that much about it.

“It’s up to us to learn how to identify a bot or troll,” Nimmo says, “and to identify when someone is trying to trigger you emotionally” with disinformation and fake stories.

There’s a lot of information coming at us at pretty much all times on the internet, so thinking about how to keep up with and process real news while also being on the lookout for the fake and harmful stuff may sound overwhelming. But with just a little bit of information about what bots and trolls look like, and some simple internet sleuthing skills, it’s relatively easy to be on guard.

Here are some best practices for spotting accounts that are spreading disinformation so you can notice them, report them, and definitely not share any of their posts.

twitter

Nimmo says that Twitter users can easily use information about other accounts to determine whether or not it’s a bot. That’s because Twitter gives users a lot of data about other users: You can not only see someone else’s own posts and re-tweets, but also their likes, how many tweets they have sent in total, when their account was made, and so on. This information can give you everything you need to tell whether an account is legit, as long as you know where to look.

A good place to start is to see just how much an account is tweeting. According to Nimmo, even the most active, real human tweeter won’t typically send more than a maximum of 72 tweets a day (that’s an average of six tweets an hour for 12 hours… so, a lot of tweets!). Anything more than that a day could be cause for suspicion, especially if their tweets are all, or mostly, retweets — a classic sign, according to Nimmo. A bot can send out hundreds of tweets or retweets a day, so if an account is racking up huge numbers of tweets on a daily basis, be wary.

Also be suspicious if an account doesn’t post or share any personal information. Check out their avatar: Is it a picture of a real person? Is there a picture at all? What about a banner photo: Do they have one? Is their username a series of random numbers and letters, or is it a real name? The absence of any personal information alone doesn’t necessarily spell bot, but if the account also never seems to share anything other than emotionally charged political posts without ever saying anything about their own life, it’s a red flag. It’s doubly a red flag if the account is also tweeting hundreds of times a day.

The avatar photo can also be a giveaway, and with a little bit of internet detective work, it’s easy to find out if a photo is a fake. Nimmo says that often times, bots will use photos of very stereotypically beautiful women. To check out whether or not a photo is the real deal, simply perform a reverse image search. When browsing in Chrome, simply right-click on the image and click “Search Google for image.” If the results that come up are associated with a bunch of different people, or if it’s a photo of someone who isn’t otherwise involved in political messaging, that’s another red flag.

Facebook

Nimmo explains that because Facebook doesn’t have the same information about an account as easily available as Twitter, it can be a bit trickier to spot the fakes. For example: Twitter displays how many total tweets a person has sent, whereas Facebook doesn’t show total posts. But a lot of the same methods used to spot bots on Twitter can also be applied to Facebook, according to Nimmo.

On Facebook, users will want to pay attention to what, if any, personal information is being shared by a Facebook account that posts a lot of incendiary political content. Nimmo says that normal humans on Facebook will share a variety of posts, including things like recipes and photos of cute animals (you know the drill!). If there’s no personal or “normal” posts of any kind, just a lot of political material that’s designed to provoke a reaction, that’s a red flag that you’re dealing with a bot.

And of course, it would be a good idea to reverse image search the avatar photos of suspicious-looking Facebook accounts too.

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Most of the Russian meddling on Google was found on YouTube (which is a Google property): Business Insider reports that more than 1,000 videos linked to the Kremlin were posted to the site leading up to the election. The Russian “troll farm” Internet Research Agency also bought $4,700 worth of ads from Google during the election season.

When searching Google for news, Nimmo says it’s vital to check other sources before believing or sharing a political story that elicits a strong emotional response. If you Google search a phrase and see news stories that immediately make you feel afraid or angry, check the source: Is it a site you recognize, or is the name unfamiliar? Is it a reputable news organization such as the Guardian or the New York Times? Nimmo also advises scrolling through a few pages of news stories to see if many outlets are reporting a story.

If it’s a real story and it’s something major, you can bank on most mainstream, reputable sites reporting on it. If just a couple of sites are reporting the story, and especially if they’re making claims that the mainstream press is “covering it up,” it’s pretty likely that the story isn’t based on real facts.

What do you think? Tell us on Twitter @BritandCo.

(Photos via the US House of Representatives Democrats Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence + Getty)

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

Though Black Friday is traditionally the official start of the holiday shopping season, we argue that it’s been kicking since mid-October. We know, we know: it still feels extremely early to start thinking about the holidays, but they’ll be here before you know it! Plus, many brands and retailers are already promoting their holiday goodies with plenty of sales and discounts available right now.

If you’re ready to embark on your holiday shopping journey, but still need answers to questions like ‘when’s the best time to shop?’ and ‘where should I shop for gifts?’ and even ‘how the heck do I save money this season?’, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your go-to guide for holiday shopping in 2024.

Scroll on for our best guidance on navigating this busy time of year and finding the best gifts possible!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

Ron Lach / PEXELS

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Andrea Piacquadio / PEXELS

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Sora Shimazaki / PEXELS

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Kindel Media / PEXELS

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our best 2024 gift guides, shopping advice, and all things holiday!

The holidays at Starbucks are creeping up on us, people! Peppermint Mocha season will return on November 7. If you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan, you know Red Cup Day is a whole holiday in itself – the frenzy for a free reusable cup is truly no joke. There’s even an entire website dedicated to counting down the madness! Even though there’s no official word on when Red Cup Day 2024 will be, there are several clues that cue us into the annual event. Scroll on for details!

What is Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ highly-awaited annual event that marks the start of holiday beverage season at the coffee chain. For one day only (and while supplies last), customers who order any of Starbucks’ holiday drinks will receive a reusable red cup that features a bespoke design for the respective year.

Starbucks

Here’s a list of all the drinks rumored to be available on the Starbucks holiday menu starting November 7:

  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
  • Caramel Brûlée Latte
  • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
  • Chestnut Praline Latte
  • Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
  • Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

What do the red cups look like for 2024?

Starbucks

Starbucks hasn’t officially announced when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, let alone what the famed red cups will look like this go-around. The one obvious point is that the cups will be red! They’ll also likely feature some festive motifs that echo the holiday season. Last year’s red cups boasted playful white and green stars and ornament-like shapes.

Why should I participate in Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day = freebies, which can feel really rewarding if you’re really into receiving free goodies. Plus, it’s just a fun way to lean into the holiday spirit. The red reusable cup keeps giving beyond Red Cup Day, though! Every time you use the reusable cup for future Starbucks orders, you get a 10-cent discount as well as 25 bonus stars toward your Starbucks Rewards account to save up for more discounts on drinks, food, and merchandise.

When is Starbucks' Red Cup Day 2024?

Starbucks

Again, Starbucks hasn’t alerted us on when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, but based on previous Red Cup Days, we can infer it’ll land on the third Thursday of November. In 2022, Red Cup Day happened on November 17, and for 2023, it was November 16. The third Thursday of November in 2024 hits on November 21, so mark your calendars, everyone!

Additionally, check back here for official info as Red Cup Day approaches.

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This post has been updated.