Cracked.com – Bias and Credibility

These sources exclusively use humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in contemporary politics and other topical issues. Primarily these sources are transparent that they are satire and do not attempt to deceive.  See all Satire sources.

• Overall, we rate Cracked a Left-Center Biased Satire website based on the publication of primarily factual information that is made to be humorous.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT LEANING SATIRE
Factual Reporting: N/A
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: N/A

History

Founded originally in 1958 as Cracked Magazine, in 2005, Jack O’Brien launched cracked.com, a humor website that often reports high factual content. The current senior editors are Ann Smiley and Logan Trent. The website includes blogs, videos, forums, a writer’s workshop, five weekly Image Manipulation contests called Photoplasty, and small, one-shot articles called “Quick Fixes.”

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Cracked is owned by Literally Media, which also owns Know Your Meme. Revenue is derived through advertising and a store that sells merchandise.

Analysis / Bias

In review, The site functions as a “virtual writer’s room,” where over 2,500 amateurs pitch articles to which other users provide feedback. O’Brien and five other editors pick and refine the best material. The website also frequently provides listicles such as 15 Surprising Stories Behind The Creation Of Famous Movies & Books.

Cracked is difficult to define as some content is humorous and might classify as satire, while other stories are serious, though usually weird. However, when reporting on politics, they tend to have a left-leaning bias, though it is generally satirical such as this 5 Embarrassing Secrets Hiding In Trump’s Cabinet. In general, Cracked is a hybrid site that combines fact with humor and satire; therefore, we will label them a left-leaning satire website.