# Lead Stories

> fact checking website

**Wikidata**: [Q110515098](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110515098)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_Stories)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lead-stories

## Summary  
Lead Stories is a U.S.-based fact-checking website founded in 2015 that specializes in debunking false claims and viral misinformation. Recognized as a reliable source by Media Bias/Fact Check, it operates across multiple platforms, including Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook, to combat online falsehoods.  

## Key Facts  
- **Founded**: 2015 (as Lead Stories LLC, registered in Colorado).  
- **Headquarters**: United States.  
- **Website**: https://leadstories.com/ (English-language content).  
- **Social Media**: Verified Twitter account (@leadstoriescom, active since 2015), YouTube channel (2.1 million+ views as of 2025), and Facebook page.  
- **Reliability**: Rated as a "source known to be reliable" by Media Bias/Fact Check (2024 assessment).  
- **Reach**: 9,767 social media followers (2023) and 2.1 million YouTube video views (2025).  

## FAQs  
### Q: Is Lead Stories a trustworthy fact-checking source?  
A: Yes, it is rated as a "source known to be reliable" by Media Bias/Fact Check and participates in Facebook’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program.  

### Q: When was Lead Stories created?  
A: The company was registered in 2015, with its Twitter account launching the same year and its YouTube channel in 2018.  

### Q: What does Lead Stories focus on?  
A: It investigates and debunks viral misinformation, fake news, and misleading claims circulating on social media and the internet.  

## Why It Matters  
Lead Stories plays a critical role in combating misinformation by verifying the accuracy of viral content, particularly on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Its work helps mitigate the spread of falsehoods that could influence public opinion, health behaviors, or democratic processes. As a verified fact-checker, it contributes to global efforts to maintain trust in digital information ecosystems, partnering with tech companies to flag and reduce the circulation of harmful myths.  

## Notable For  
- **Verification Status**: Recognized by Meta as a trusted partner in its fact-checking programs.  
- **Multilingual Reach**: While primarily English-focused, its work impacts global audiences through social media.  
- **Transparency**: Provides detailed methodologies and sources for its debunking processes.  
- **Viewership**: Achieved over 2 million YouTube views by 2025, reflecting its role in public education.  

## Body  
### Founding and Ownership  
Lead Stories was established in 2015 as Lead Stories LLC, registered in Colorado (OpenCorporates ID: us_co/20151218760). It operates the domain leadstories.com and maintains active social media accounts across Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.  

### Verification and Reliability  
- **Media Bias/Fact Check Rating**: Classified as a "source known to be reliable" (2024 assessment).  
- **Platform Partnerships**: Collaborates with Facebook’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program to label and limit misinformation.  

### Online Presence  
- **Twitter**: Verified account (@leadstoriescom) created in June 2015.  
- **YouTube**: Channel launched April 2018 (ID: UCGrs9ygWWH8iccEQfM5uh_A), with 2,086,915 video views by November 2025.  
- **WhatsApp**: Active channel (ID: 0029VaKgGTN23n3gpyR5z800) for direct user engagement.  

### Impact Metrics  
- **Social Media Followers**: 9,767 (as of February 2023).  
- **Viewership**: Content reached over 2 million views on YouTube by late 2025.  

### Services  
Lead Stories specializes in investigating viral claims, political misinformation, and health-related myths. Its team uses evidence-based research to debunk false narratives, often targeting stories amplified by social media algorithms.

## References

1. YouTube API