Before you share a creator clip: check the source and context

A short clip can show something real and still leave out the part that changes its meaning. Before forwarding a creator claim, keep the original link, the surrounding context and the unanswered questions together.

This checklist helps you keep track of that work. It does not automatically inspect a video, certify an account or determine whether a claim is true.

Make your own source note

Work through these questions as you read. This worksheet does not check a link or decide whether a claim is true.

Original post or video link (optional)

What have you checked?

I found the original post or full video, and checked who posted it.I checked the publication date and the date of the event.I watched or read the surrounding context.I looked for a primary record, statement or announcement supporting the claim.I checked whether other reports are independent or repeat the same source.I noted what remains unconfirmed and any response or correction.

0 of 6 checks noted. This is a worksheet, not a verification verdict.

The link and your answers stay on this page. They are not uploaded or saved. Review the note before sharing it.

Start with the original, not the repost

Open the creator’s channel or the original statement. Compare the account name, the actual post and its date. A screenshot of a post is a lead to follow, not a replacement for a link. If the original is unavailable, say that rather than treating a repost as confirmation.

Read the caption and look for a full video or stream archive. Listen before and after the quoted moment. A joke, a question and an assertion can look identical when their setup is cut away. If you send a timestamp, include the full video link as well. YouTube’s sharing help explains its Start at control for computer users.

Separate the upload date from the event date

A clip posted today may show an older stream. Look for the date on the original upload and any reference to when the event occurred. Search a distinctive phrase or a frame from the video to see whether it appeared earlier.

Google Lens image search can help find similar images and pages using them. Where available, About this image can show earlier appearances and context. An earlier appearance can challenge a “just happened” caption; it does not identify every edit or prove the whole story.

Follow the claim back to its evidence

For a platform change, look for the platform’s announcement or help page. For a creator announcement, look for the creator’s own statement. Check what the source actually supports: an invitation-only test is different from a change for everyone, and an accusation is different from a finding.

If three articles cite the same original report, you have three references to one report. Look for independent evidence and a response from the people involved where relevant. A large follower count and a confident caption cannot do that work for you.

Keep uncertainty in the message

When sharing, include the original link, a short description of what it shows and anything still unconfirmed. Avoid a caption that turns an uncertain claim into a fact. If a correction appears later, send it to the same conversation.

If the claim involves a minor’s private life, private information or an unverified accusation, pause instead of adding to a pile-on. You can send a source or a question through our tip line without publishing it in a comment thread.

Explore our creator coverage or read our editorial standards.