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Claims and Sources Checker: find the claims in your copy that need proof

Find the numbers, "best" claims, guarantees and testimonials in your copy that need a source.

  • Free to use
  • Runs in your browser
  • No sign-up

How to use the Claims and Sources Checker

Read what the guide says

This is the Claims and Sources Checker.

Find the numbers, "best" claims, guarantees and testimonials in your copy that need a source.

Paste your copy,

or the HTML of a page so we can see its links. Press Try an example to see sample copy for a dental clinic.

Or press Try an example to fill in sample details.

Read the claims marked "Needs proof" first:

risky claims with no source in the sentence or next to it. Each claim says why it needs proof and what to do.

Add your proof to each claim, fix or remove the ones you cannot back up,

then copy, download or print the fact-check list for whoever signs off the copy.

It reads words, not facts, so it cannot tell whether a claim is true or whether a source supports it.

It runs in your browser, so nothing you type is uploaded.

Try it free on this page.

Paste HTML (from your editor's code or HTML view) to let us see your links. English, Hindi and Hinglish all work. Results update as you type, and your text is kept in this browser only.

Runs in your browser. Your text is not uploaded.

What it looks for

Numbers and percentages, "best" and "No. 1", guarantees, comparisons, health and money claims, studies and surveys, awards, testimonials, "free" offers, deadlines, prices and small print. It works with word lists and rules, not AI, and it cannot tell whether a claim is true.

Not legal advice. Our checklist, built on ASCI's Code and the Government of India's rules on misleading ads.

Paste your text to find its claims

Each claim gets its type, whether a source or link is nearby, why it needs proof and what to do. Or press Try an example.

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Embed this tool on your websiteFree. Paste one code; it runs in your visitors' browsers.

Copy this code into a page of your site. The tool sets no cookies and sends nothing your visitors type to us. Change height="760" if it needs more room.

Preview the embed

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Open any of our browser tools, such as the GST Calculator.

Below the tool, find Embed this tool on your website, and open it.

Press Copy code.

The code is a frame with the tool in it, plus a short credit line that links to the tool's page.

In your website's editor, add an HTML block where you want the tool, and paste the code.

In WordPress, that's the Custom HTML block.

If the tool needs more room, change the height in the code.

Publish the page, and the tool works on your site.

Here, it's on a sample page for a made-up sweet shop.

Visitors use it right there. It sets no cookies, and sends nothing they type to us.

The credit line under it links to the tool on DigitalSnot.

You can embed as many of our free browser tools as you like.

About the Claims and Sources Checker

Paste ad copy, a landing page, a brochure or a blog post, as plain text or HTML. The checker finds every sentence that makes a claim: numbers and percentages, "best" and "No. 1", guarantees, comparisons with competitors, health and money claims, studies and surveys, awards, testimonials, "free" offers and deadlines. For each one you see the type of claim, whether a source or link is nearby, why it needs proof under ASCI's Code and India's rules on misleading advertising, and what to do. You get a fact-check list to copy, download or print. It works in your browser with word lists and rules, not AI, and your text is not uploaded.

How it works

  1. 01

    Paste your copy, or the HTML of a page so we can see its links. Press Try an example to see sample copy for a dental clinic.

  2. 02

    Read the claims marked "Needs proof" first: risky claims with no source in the sentence or next to it. Each claim says why it needs proof and what to do.

  3. 03

    Add your proof to each claim, fix or remove the ones you cannot back up, then copy, download or print the fact-check list for whoever signs off the copy.

What the rules say

ASCI's Code says "Advertisements must be truthful", that claims and comparisons about matters of fact should be capable of substantiation, and that a claim based on independent research must show its source and date. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 counts an advertisement that falsely describes a product, gives a false guarantee or deliberately conceals important information as misleading. The CCPA's 2022 guidelines add rules for free claims, bait advertisements, disclaimers and endorsements.

Claims that need extra care

ASCI asks ads that mention an award or ranking to name who gave it and the month and year, and asks that testimonials reflect the genuine, reasonably current opinion of the person, based on real experience of the product or adequate information about it. The CCPA's 2024 guidelines for coaching bar claims of 100% selection or a 100% job guarantee. The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 bars ads that suggest a remedy can cure, treat or prevent the diseases in its Schedule, and the 2023 dark patterns guidelines list false urgency.

What this tool cannot do

It reads words, not facts, so it cannot tell whether a claim is true or whether a source supports it. It finds claims with word lists in English, Hindi and Hinglish, so it will miss some and flag some harmless sentences. "Nearby" means a link or a named source in the same sentence or the one next to it. The risk levels are our checklist. This is not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does every claim need a source on the page?

Not always. ASCI's Code says claims about matters of fact should be capable of substantiation, which means you must be able to prove them when asked. Where a claim is based on independent research, the source and date must be shown in the ad itself. For awards and rankings, ASCI asks you to name who gave them and the month and year. Showing the source also helps readers trust the claim.

Can I call my business the best or No. 1?

Only if you can prove it. "Best", "No. 1" and "largest" are claims of fact, and ASCI's complaints council has upheld complaints against "No. 1" claims that had no comparative data, no independent validation or no source named in the ad. A specific fact you can show, such as your rating and number of Google reviews, is safer.

Is "T&C apply" enough to fix a bold claim?

No. The CCPA's 2022 guidelines say a disclaimer must not hide material information or try to correct a misleading claim, and the government's release on them adds that it should be in the same language and font as the claim. In one order the CCPA held that the terms of a "guaranteed" offer did not change a misleading main claim. Make the headline true on its own.

Can I use customer reviews and testimonials?

Yes, if they are real. ASCI's guidelines say testimonials must reflect the genuine, reasonably current opinion of the person, based on real experience of the product or service. The Department of Consumer Affairs says people must not endorse what they have not used or checked. Keep the original review and the customer's permission; coaching ads need the student's written consent.

What happens if an ad is found misleading?

Under the CCPA's 2022 guidelines the authority can impose a penalty of up to ₹10 lakh on manufacturers, advertisers and endorsers, and up to ₹50 lakh for later contraventions, and can bar an endorser for up to 1 year, or 3 years for later contraventions. Complaints can also go to ASCI. This tool is not legal advice; for a high-risk claim, take advice before you publish.

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