Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC) is an independent American website that evaluates news outlets for political bias and factual reliability.
Researchers, fact‑checkers, and content reviewers consult MBFC to gauge the trustworthiness of sources while assessing information.
External context
The site, founded in 2015, uses a blend of objective metrics and subjective analysis across several bias and reporting categories to rate outlets. Its ratings have been shown in academic work to align closely with other fact‑checking resources such as a 2017 independent dataset, NewsGuard, and assessments by BuzzFeed journalists. However, the methodology has drawn criticism, so users should consider its limits when applying the scores to their own pages.
Media Bias/Fact Check Wikipedia contributors, “Media Bias/Fact Check”, en.wikipedia.orgLicence01What it is and how it works
MBFC reviews a publisher’s editorial history, fact‑checking record, and language patterns. Reviewers tag each outlet with a bias label (e.g., left‑center, right‑center) and a factual rating (e.g., high, mixed, low). The ratings are published on the MBFC website and can be scraped or accessed via their public API. Search quality raters use these labels as one signal among many when scoring a page’s trustworthiness.
MBFC is a site that labels news sources as left, right, or neutral and marks them as reliable or not.
02What to do about it
If you manage brand content, you can use MBFC data to audit where your press mentions appear. Start by pulling the latest MBFC CSV export, match domain names to your backlink list, and flag any low‑reliability sources. Then reach out to those publishers to request corrections or replace the link with a higher‑rated outlet. Schedule a weekly check so new mentions are caught early.
- Download the MBFC domain list this week.
- Cross‑reference it with your brand’s earned media report.
- Prioritize removal of links from sources rated ‘low’ or ‘mixed’.
03How it is measured or noticed
A search evaluator looks for the MBFC rating badge on the site’s “About” page or checks the MBFC database for the domain. The rating appears as a short label (e.g., “Left‑Center, Mixed Reliability”). In SERP snippets, Google sometimes adds a “Fact‑Check” or “Bias” note derived from MBFC data, signaling to users that the source has been reviewed.
How the record puts it
Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC) is an American media watchdog website founded in 2015 by Dave M.
04Common mistakes
- Assuming a left‑leaning rating means the content is false.
- Treating MBFC as the only trust signal; ignore other factors like author expertise.
- Copy‑pasting the MBFC rating without verifying the latest version.
05Limits
MBFC does not cover every niche blog or emerging outlet, so a missing rating is not proof of neutrality. The system also mixes political bias with factual reliability, which can confuse users who only care about factual accuracy. Finally, MBFC’s methodology is proprietary, so you cannot audit the exact scoring algorithm.
06Worked example
"Our brand was cited by 'The Daily Pulse', which MBFC rates as ‘Right‑Center, Low Reliability’. After pulling the MBFC CSV, we removed the link and secured a placement on 'Global News Network', rated ‘Center, High Reliability’. Within a week, our brand’s sentiment score improved by 12 points in the internal dashboard."
The entry above is written by GetLoopLoop. What follows is what independent catalogues hold about the same term — none of it is the source of this page.
- Also called
- MBFC, Media Bias / Fact Check, Media Bias Fact Check, LLC
- Introduced
- 2015
- Part of
- list of fact-checking websites
- Kind of thing
- website, company
The same term on Wikipedia
Catalogued in 4 languages07Frequently asked questions
How does Media Bias/Fact Check determine a site’s bias and reliability rating?
It examines a publisher’s editorial history, fact‑checking record, and language patterns, then assigns a bias label and reliability score based on those factors. The process involves manual review by MBFC researchers and periodic updates when new information emerges.
Should I rely on MBFC ratings when evaluating my brand’s media coverage?
Usually, MBFC ratings are a useful signal but they should not be the only factor you consider. Combine them with other metrics such as audience engagement, domain authority, and your own editorial guidelines for a fuller picture.
Who creates the MBFC ratings and how often are they updated?
Independent analysts at Media Bias/Fact Check compile the ratings, and they refresh the database several times a year. Updates occur when a site’s editorial stance changes or new evidence about its fact‑checking practices becomes available.
Does a missing MBFC rating mean a site is neutral or trustworthy?
No, a missing rating simply indicates that MBFC has not evaluated the site yet. It does not imply neutrality or credibility, so you should treat the absence of a rating as an unknown rather than a positive sign.
What are the risks of ignoring MBFC ratings in my brand’s SEO and reputation strategy?
If you place content on outlets with low reliability scores, you may damage your brand’s perceived trustworthiness and see lower engagement. Search evaluators may downgrade your pages, and you’ll notice a drop in click‑through rates or higher bounce rates.
How long does it typically take for a newly reviewed site to appear in the MBFC database?
Typically, once MBFC completes its review, the rating shows up within a few weeks. The exact timing can vary depending on the volume of sites under review and any backlog in the update cycle.
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08Asked out loud
The same term in the words somebody uses speaking to an assistant rather than typing into a box — written from the situation, which is why each one carries the situation it came from.
Yes, you can quickly look up the site on the Media Bias/Fact Check website to see its bias label and reliability score. A high reliability rating suggests the source is trustworthy, while a low score warns you to verify the information elsewhere.
Usually you can open a web browser and visit the Media Bias/Fact Check database to search for the domain name. The site will display the current bias classification and fact‑checking rating without any extra apps.
It depends on whether the domains appear in the Media Bias/Fact Check database and what rating they have. If the sources have a high reliability score and a neutral or left‑center bias, they are generally safe to include; otherwise, you may want to find alternative references.