TEDx Fact-Checking FAQs and Tips

Our fact-checking guide covers the fact-checking process in depth. On this page, we offer answers to frequently asked questions and common script issues.

TEDx organizers can also download this Accuracy Review Checklist to identify common red flags that may prevent a talk from being published on our YouTube channel. Please note: this checklist does not provide "legal approval" or talk clearance.

How long does fact-checking take?
Who should fact-check the talk?
What tools can help fact-check a script?
What should be fact-checked?
How can I vet the sources that my speaker shared?
Can AI assist in fact-checking?
How do I know if scientific research is credible?
What can I do before uploading a talk where a speaker went off-script?
Common problems to look out for

Fact-checking a talk usually takes anywhere from 2–12 hours, but it varies depending on the talk’s length, the speaker’s materials, the topic’s complexity and level of technical information. For example,  a public health talk will take longer than a talk about a speaker’s own artwork or creative process.

Start by asking the speaker to share an annotated copy of the script with links to references as footnotes or comments. Ask for links and excerpts from the supporting materials that support each of their claims.

• None of us will know everything that’s happening in our local communities, so lean into your brain trust of experts from diverse fields and backgrounds.
• We recommend having at least one team member dedicated to fact-checking. Great candidates for fact-checkers can be other subject matter experts or graduate students from a local university who have access to research databases. Local journalists who are familiar with best media practices can also make great allies.

We love collaborative tools like Google Docs that allow multiple people on your team to add links, comments and review sources to a copy of the speaker’s annotated script. This is also a great way to record-keep and share questions, answers, and recommendations for curators, video editors, and speakers.

If it can be checked, it should be checked! This includes the numbers (dates, statistics, estimates, graphs etc.), references to research, studies, or surveys, and quotes, and details about a personal story or experience. For example, if a speaker wants to tell a personal story about a friend, client, or family member, it’s worth asking to make sure this person has given their permission to have their story or photo shared AND that this person can help confirm the story is accurate. 

Tip on personal stories: If a speaker wants to share a story that combines the experiences of multiple people or change the name to protect privacy, be sure to ask them to clearly articulate that in the script.

Double check the reference list and go beyond the headline – don’t just assume because a speaker has given you sources that they support all of the claims. Make sure that you can access the links, read the source, and find a direct excerpt from that source to confirm accuracy. Keep in mind that sometimes how a speaker talks about findings is just as important as what they choose to cover.

When vetting sources, ask yourself:

• Where did they get that info?
• How old is the info? Is there newer info?
• Who produced the info? What might be the motivation for producing the info?
• Is the info presented accurately? How closely does the script match the conclusions of the original source?

It's complicated: AI tools can help, but the technology still has a long way to go, so human judgment is essential. If using AI, treat it like Wikipedia: choose a tool that links to specific sources, and then always read and review the original materials yourself. You can also use AI tools to help you understand criticisms and limitations of theories or research mentioned in a talk.

Our content guidelines share the “do’s” and “don’ts” of claims made using scientific language. Make sure that the research is up-to-date, peer-reviewed, and consistent with the rigorous guidelines outlined by the scientific method. 

• Look at the study design: How many participants were there? Was the study performed in animals or humans? Was there a control group to compare against? Is it an observational study or a meta-analysis of many papers? Are there other limitations, corrections, or significant criticisms from other scientists? 
• This can determine how strong your evidence is and what language is needed to describe findings accurately. We recommend checking the full-text PDF of studies (including methodology and appendices or data) as opposed to solely the abstracts.

We’re all human! Even the most prepared and experienced speakers can go off-script. Although your options become more limited the closer you get to the final talk, there still may be ways to work around this. Can you make edits to the final video to remove concerning sections? Can you add text to the video introduction or description for context?

• If a talk does not follow the Content Guidelines or Copyright Guidelines, organizers have the discretion to withhold the talk. You can also write to us at tedx@ted.com if you have additional questions or need support.
• Remember, our publishing policy states that if you are unable to provide documentation to support the contents of the talk, and depending on the severity of the violation of TEDx guidelines, the talk may get published with a note from TED’s editors, removed from search results and, in extreme cases, TED may remove or not publish the video altogether.

→ Health advice or overpromising treatments 

Talks which feature “magical” ways to solve, rather than simply fight against, existing problems are a red flag. Make sure that research is up-to-date, peer-reviewed, and consistent with the rigorous guidelines outlined by the scientific method. 

Check out our “topics to avoid” and “approach with caution” in our fact-checking guide and look out for these 3 things:

• Personal stories can be powerful, but should not make promises based on a small number of individual experiences. Wording choices like “cure”, “completely reverse”, “heal” can be modified to “helped this person manage”, “contributed to my recovery”, or “reduce risk of” to improve clarity and manage expectations. Watch out for speakers who are mainly interested in promoting their own accomplishments or whose solution comes exclusively from their own product, business, or services. Agenda-driven talks and pitching go against the TEDx content guidelines.
• Prescriptive advice: Whether the speaker is a qualified health professional or not, TEDx talks should never be framed as health or medical advice or an alternative to seeking professional help. Medicine remains highly personalized, so it is irresponsible for us to broadly promote ways to treat, prevent, and reverse mental or physical health conditions.
• Experimental techniques or products with warnings from regulatory bodies–even if not directly prescribing these for a general audience, leaving out important safety considerations or implying new techniques are well-established can pose health risks for viewers. 

→ Criticized or outdated research 

• Watch out for popular but inaccurate information. Just because you’ve heard a number, statistic, or idea repeated in many places doesn’t necessarily mean it’s correct and up-to-date. 
• As a part of speaker vetting, look into the existing literature around this speaker’s idea, theories, or models used to support it. Search for any potential contradictions, caveats, or criticisms from others working in the field. If you find yourself doubting the legitimacy of a statistic or study, this might be a sign to pivot. 

→ Lack of counter-arguments and limitations

Speakers do not need to shy away from controversy or debate, but should still be mindful of how this is incorporated into the talk and make sure the central idea shows respect for scientific thinking and audiences of differing viewpoints. 

• A strong talk idea takes into account at least some of its own weaknesses to provide an honest representation of the idea. 
• Remember, the talk is the best opportunity to address questions about the idea. And, if the speaker doesn’t do this, others may do it in the comment section for them!
• Footnotes and additional context are often added to TED talks (like this example), but we can’t do this easily on YouTube videos. The more carefully you consider this in the talk script, the better!

→ Unclear research

A talk can highlight the potential of research or work underway. However, it shouldn’t imply the work is already in its final stage if it’s still early in testing or remains controversial.

• The speaker should responsibly distinguish between where exactly the idea is and where they hope it will go. In other words, announce what stage the research is in and use qualifying language when presenting results.
• Tips for working with speakers:
• Instead of “ the results have been amazing.” if not yet peer-reviewed, try “Research is currently in early stages, but there is preliminary evidence that....” or “we are looking forward to studying…”
• Avoid vague language like “science says” or “research shows” → Instead try: “in a study from 2023 by …”   “research from XYZ found…”

→ Generalizations and absolutes

These can signal a misrepresentation of the idea, but can be easily fixed with word changes:

• Instead of “most”, “always”, “never”,  “all”, “everyone” → Try: “many”, “some”, “few”, “rarely”, “often” to avoid absolutes
• Tips for working with speakers: 
• Ask for exact numbers and sources whenever possible
• Even if a statement is based in opinion, it’s always worth asking for some evidence to make sure that assumptions are reasonable. This can help you distinguish if there is enough supporting evidence for a causal relationship or if there’s only a correlation (ie, should the word “because” should be modified to “is associated with”?)

→ Sensitive personal stories

Stories can be a powerful way to help bring an idea to life, but remember an idea isn’t just a story or a list of facts. Speakers should be mindful about how much detail and imagery is used to describe these experiences so the talk remains focused on the broader idea and upholds YouTube’s community guidelines.

For more on translating ideas with empathy and care, you may find these resources with media recommendations for reporting on suicide and eating disorders helpful.