LEAST BIASED
These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes). The reporting is factual and usually sourced. These are the most credible media sources. See all Least Biased Sources.
- Overall, we rate Ranker Least Biased based on story selection that covers a wide range of topics. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to the use of poor sources and a lack of transparency with ownership.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED
Factual Reporting: MIXED
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Launched in 2009, Ranker is an entertainment-based ranking platform from Los Angeles, California. Clark Benson founded the site, with Ranker specializing in producing opinion votes, opinion-based crowd-ranked lists, polls about entertainment, and various entertainment topics such as food, drinks, celebrities, sports, brands, and everything related to pop culture.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
The site founder is Clark Benson. However, ownership information is not disclosed on the website. Revenue is from affiliate links and advertisers.
Analysis / Bias
Ranker offers “crowdsourced lists” across a variety of topics. They use engaging, sensationalistic strategies that persuade readers to click on their lists hence the term clickbait.
Ranker typically uses eye-catching, virality-in-mind headlines such as “18 Bizarre Archaeological Finds That Rewrote History As We Know It.” They use a variety of sources, some credible such as eurekalert.org, Smithsonian Magazine, and some not; for example, this list titled “Regular People Who Have Met Donald Trump Describe What It Was Like.” is sourced from Reddit, an unreliable source. Other examples of rankings are “Every US President’s Favorite Food, Ranked” and “The Best LGBTQ+ Drama Films.”
Editorially, Ranker is an opinion site relying on the votes and opinions of their readers. However, there is little intentional political bias as the topics cover both sides and serve only to generate clicks on its lists and polls. In general, most content is fact-based, but there is evidence that many of the sources relied upon are not credible; therefore, we rate them as least biased but mixed for factual reporting.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Ranker Least Biased based on story selection that covers a wide range of topics. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to the use of poor sources and a lack of transparency with ownership. (M. Huitsing 03/05/2023)
Source: https://www.ranker.com
Last Updated on March 5, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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