A ‘misinfo badge’ for influencers: Game-changer or gimmick?

“Research shows six in 10 social media content creators do not verify accuracy of information before posting it,” the Guardian recently reported.

The recent warning from UNESCO about the urgent need for fact-checking training for online influencers touches on a growing concern. The line between content creation and journalism has blurred, yet the responsibilities tied to these roles remain vastly different.

While journalists are traditionally trained – including industry qualifications in law – to vet their sources and uphold standards of truth, influencers often enter the public sphere without any formal guidance on the weight of their words. And with the rise of nano-influencers – those with smaller, highly engaged audiences – the problem becomes even more complex.

Nano-influencers, who may lack agency representation or advisors, can unintentionally amplify misinformation simply because they don’t have the resources or training to navigate these murky waters. Their relatability, authenticity, or aspirational content might make them immensely popular, but it doesn’t necessarily equip them with the tools to discern fact from fiction. Yet their influence, no matter how “nano”, can ripple out to thousands, sometimes millions, of followers.

Here, our Head of Trust & Safety in EMEA Ailís Daly discusses a more credible solution:

Ultimately, the discussion isn’t just about training – it’s about responsibility. The democratization of influence brought about by social media is both a blessing and a challenge. As platforms continue to grow and diversify, it’s crucial that we find ways to equip influencers with the knowledge and resources they need to wield their power responsibly.

Is a qualification for influencers the answer?

Unlike journalism, becoming an influencer requires no formal qualification. Your audience is your credential. But as the role of influencers grows in shaping public opinion, from product recommendations to political stances, it raises the question: should there be some form of standardized training for navigating misinformation?

One intriguing idea is the introduction of a “misinformation-trained” verification badge. Think of it as a kind of influencer credential, akin to the blue checkmarks used to verify identity. To earn this badge, influencers would undergo basic training on fact-checking, source vetting, and understanding their responsibility to avoid spreading mistruths. Such a badge could signal to audiences that the influencer takes their role seriously and has invested in learning how to discern and share reliable information.

A role for tech companies

For this idea to succeed, tech platforms would need to buy in. Social media companies could make earning the badge a requirement for verified accounts or as an option for creators to enhance their credibility. Incentivizing the badge – perhaps through higher algorithmic visibility or eligibility for platform-sponsored partnerships – could encourage influencers to participate.

This wouldn’t just be a win for the platforms in combating misinformation; it could also be a win for influencers, many of whom are eager to build trust with their audiences. A badge like this could set them apart in a crowded market, signaling professionalism and responsibility in an age where misinformation is a growing concern.

Training won’t solve everything, but it’s a start

Of course, no amount of training will completely eliminate misinformation. Even journalists, the trained professionals, face mounting pressure to prioritize clicks over accuracy paired with an increasing race to publish in a fast-paced digital world, leading to lapses in standards. But introducing a mechanism like a “misinformation-trained” badge would at least acknowledge the growing influence of online creators and provide them with tools to make more informed decisions about what they share.

This idea also underscores a broader cultural shift: acknowledging that influencers are more than just entertainers or salespeople. They are communicators with the power to shape narratives and, by extension, society. If that power comes with no formal accountability, the risk of harm continues to grow.

A call for responsibility

Perhaps the UNESCO warning isn’t just a call to action for influencers – it’s a reminder for all of us that with influence comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes the need for better tools and systems to uphold it.

What do you think?

Would a misinformation badge help, or is it an oversimplified solution to a much larger problem?