What is FactBot by Snopes?
FactBot by Snopes is a free AI question-answering tool from Snopes.com, the long-running fact-checking site. You ask about a rumor, urban legend or viral claim in plain language, and it returns a short verdict and explanation drawn from Snopes fact checks, with links to the articles it used.
Searching an archive of thousands of fact checks for one viral claim takes time, and general chatbots may answer without sources. FactBot narrows the job to Snopes reporting: it writes a direct answer, names the Snopes articles behind it and lists related pieces to read. Snopes labels it beta and warns that AI can still be wrong, so you should confirm the linked article before relying on the answer.
Main Features
- Ask about a rumor, myth or viral claim in plain language through a single search box.
- Get a headline verdict, such as "No, Bigfoot is not real," followed by a short explanation.
- See the Snopes fact-check articles cited inside the answer.
- Browse a "Check out these articles" list of related Snopes stories.
- Rate each answer with a "Was this answer useful?" button.
- Try example questions on the page to see how it works.
- Use it without an account, directly on snopes.com.
How to Get Started with FactBot by Snopes
- Go to snopes.com/factbot.
- Type a question about a claim, or click one of the example questions.
- Read the answer and open the linked Snopes articles to confirm it.
- Rate the answer to help improve the beta.
FactBot by Snopes Pricing
FactBot is free to use on snopes.com with no sign-in needed. Snopes separately sells an optional membership for an ad-free reading experience.
Who Should Use It?
- Social media users checking a viral post before sharing it.
- Journalists doing a quick first check on a familiar rumor.
- Teachers running media literacy lessons.
- Researchers looking up how Snopes rated a claim.
FactBot by Snopes Alternatives
- Reddit Scout AI: summarizes Reddit opinions on products rather than checking claims
- The StoryGraph: tracks and analyzes your reading, not news claims
- Endel AI: soundscapes for focus and calm, not a research tool
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FactBot by Snopes free?
Yes. FactBot runs on snopes.com at no cost and does not require an account to ask questions. Snopes offers a paid membership, but that is for ad-free browsing, not for access to FactBot.
Where does FactBot get its answers?
FactBot answers from Snopes fact-checking articles. Each answer cites the relevant Snopes stories and shows a list of related articles, so you can read the full reporting behind the verdict.
Can FactBot be wrong?
It can. Snopes marks FactBot as beta and warns that AI models can hallucinate even with correct information. It asks you to confirm that the linked Snopes article matches the answer before you believe it.