PSEUDOSCIENCE
Sources in the Pseudoscience category may publish unverifiable information that is not always supported by evidence. These sources may be untrustworthy for credible/verifiable information; therefore, fact-checking and further investigation is recommended on a per article basis when obtaining information from these sources. See all Conspiracy-Pseudoscience sources.
- Overall, we rate HowStuffWorks as a mixed factual pseudoscience source due to the promotion of numerology and other pseudoscientific concepts. They also have decreased credibility based on AI-generated content that may not always be accurate.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: CONSPIRACY-PSEUDOSCIENCE (-1.0)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (6.1)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 1998, HowStuffWorks is an American commercial educational website founded by Marshall Brain to provide its target audience an insight into how many things work. The site uses various media to explain complex concepts, terminology, and mechanisms—including photographs, diagrams, videos, animations, podcasts, and articles. According to their about page, “We provide factual, unbiased content that’s fun to read.”
Read our profile on USA Media and Government.
Funded by / Ownership
HowStuffWorks is owned by iHeartMedia (Podcasting) and the website by System 1. Revenue is derived through advertising and sponsored content.
Analysis / Bias
In review, HowStuffWorks answers questions such as What’s the Best Way to Stop a Nosebleed? They then use proper sources such as WebMD and Yale Medicine to answer the question. They also produce listicles, such as this 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Donating Your Brain to Science and information not related to science such as this Why Is Populism So Popular Again?
Editorially, they cover politics more from a functional or historical perspective rather than personal; however, some stories may contain some bias, such as this Conspiracy Theories About, Around and From Donald Trump.
While HowStuffWorks has generally been recognized for its factual reporting and minimal bias, certain content areas raise concerns regarding the promotion of pseudoscientific concepts. For instance, the website features articles discussing “angel numbers,” which delve into numerology, a field lacking empirical scientific support. Additionally, topics like “sacred geometry” are presented in ways that may blur the lines between established science and pseudoscience.
Regarding content generation, HowStuffWorks has incorporated AI-generated content into its articles. This shift has raised concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, as AI-generated content may lack the nuanced understanding that human writers provide.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate HowStuffWorks as a mixed factual pseudoscience source due to the promotion of numerology and other pseudoscientific concepts. They also have decreased credibility based on AI-generated content that may not always be accurate. (D. Van Zandt 11/27/2016) Updated (03/01/2025)
Source: https://www.howstuffworks.com/
Last Updated on March 1, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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