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Unverified vs. false

Unverified means not yet checked or no evidence found. False (contradicted) requires linked evidence that shows the claim is wrong.

A claim is unverified when no one has found evidence that settles it, either way. It is the starting state for every claim, and it is not a finding against it.

A claim is contradicted, TruthRanking's term for shown to be false, only when specific evidence that contradicts it is linked to the record and a second reviewer has approved the verdict.

Treating "we couldn't confirm it" as "it's false" is one of the most common mistakes in public disputes, and it undermines any correction built on it. See the eight verdicts.

Related

First sourceThe earliest publication of a claim that can be found, the origin the copies trace back to.Claim attributionRecording who actually made a claim, separately from the outlet where it appeared.Republication vs. corroborationCopies of one statement are republication. Corroboration requires an independent source reaching the same fact from its own evidence.Mixed claimA statement that combines a checkable fact with an opinion or prediction. It is split so each part is handled correctly.

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