Survey Reveals Insights into Conspiracy Theories

Seventy-six percent of us feel 'very confident' or 'somewhat confident' that we can tell the difference between real and fake news, the most recent YouGov survey regarding conspiracy theories reveals. Nieman Lab photo

YouGov
Conspiracy theories persist across the United States regardless of age, gender or demographics, yet many of us feel we can spot mis- or disinformation when we see it and discern fact from fiction.

These seemingly contradictory themes color the latest nationwide survey on conspiracy theories conducted by nonpartisan YouGov data researchers, an international online data analytics technology group.

YouGov interviewed 1,000 respondents selected randomly from the 2019 American Community Survey stratified by gender, age, race, education, geographic region, and voter registration. The surveys were completed in early November 2023.

The findings reveal a spectrum of beliefs – from political events to global phenomena – challenging conventional wisdom and highlighting the diversity of perspectives within American society today, underscoring the impact of digital media on the propagation of conspiracy theories. MORE