Who Finances Snopes?

Snopes.com, a well-known fact-checking website, is primarily financed through a combination of advertising revenue and reader contributions. Understanding its financial structure helps assess its independence and potential biases.

Advertising Revenue

A significant portion of Snopes’ revenue comes from advertisements displayed on its website. This model, common among online publishers, involves earning money each time an ad is viewed or clicked. The volume of traffic Snopes receives, due to its reputation as a reliable source of information, directly impacts the amount of advertising revenue generated.

Reader Contributions

Recognizing the limitations and potential conflicts of interest inherent in solely relying on advertising, Snopes actively solicits financial support from its readership. They offer a variety of ways for users to contribute, including direct donations, memberships, and subscriptions. These contributions are promoted as a means to ensure Snopes’ continued independence and objectivity. Reader contributions help reduce reliance on advertising revenue, which can fluctuate and be influenced by external factors.

Relationship with Bardav, Inc.

Snopes is owned and operated by Bardav, Inc., a company founded by David Mikkelson, one of the original founders of Snopes. This structure means that financial decisions, including revenue allocation and investment strategies, are ultimately controlled by Bardav, Inc.

Transparency and Potential Concerns

While Snopes’ reliance on advertising and reader contributions is transparent, it’s important to consider potential concerns. Advertising revenue can be susceptible to influence if advertisers disagree with Snopes’ fact-checking conclusions. Reader contributions, while intended to support independence, can also create a sense of obligation to subscribers. Snopes addresses this by emphasizing its commitment to unbiased fact-checking, regardless of funding sources. They publicly state their editorial policies and strive to maintain a clear separation between their editorial content and their funding mechanisms.

Summary

In conclusion, Snopes is financed primarily through a mix of advertising revenue and reader contributions. This model, while offering potential benefits in terms of independence, also presents certain challenges. By understanding the sources of Snopes’ funding, users can better assess its credibility and potential biases, ultimately making more informed judgments about the information it provides. The continued success of Snopes relies on maintaining a balance between generating revenue and upholding its commitment to objective fact-checking.