Which of the following best describes how to handle disagreements between a site description and independent sources?

• A. Trust the website
• B. Trust independent sources
• C. Ignore both
• D. Consult user reviews

Answer: (B)

When what a site says about itself clashes with independent sources, give more weight to those independent sources. They provide an external check on credibility and reduce the risk of believing a self-promoting description. If independent sources corroborate what the site claims, that supports the claim; if they contradict it, the independent evidence should guide your understanding. To judge independent sources well, consider their credibility, whether multiple independent sources agree, and how recent the information is. Look for sources with a track record of accuracy and clear methodology or reporting standards.

User reviews can add practical, on-the-ground perspectives, but they are subjective and can be biased or manipulated, so they’re not as reliable for establishing factual accuracy. Rely on independent sources for the core verification, and treat user feedback as supplementary context rather than the primary basis for judgment.