# COVID Verified Brands and organizations are battling the spread of misinformation during COVID-19. By [Kalin Ned](https://www.trendhunter.com/knedelch), Research Writer | Published Sep 12, 2020 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/covid-verified ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.6/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the COVID Verified trend? **COVID Verified:** Since March, mainstream Western media has covered COVID-19 content in high volumes and many have taken to social media to share about the virus, creating a bigger opportunity for misinformation. To remedy this, organizations are going beyond traditional fact-checking platforms and are aiming to engage consumers directly with authentic information through building community, centered around experts and verification. ## The consumer insight behind the COVID Verified trend In recent years, individuals have become aware of the dangers of fake news and as a result, many are increasingly skeptical about the information they consume, both online and in print. COVID-19 has caused people to do a lot of research, pertaining to the virus itself, its effect on other countries, the political responses to the pandemic, and so on. Because of this desire of wanting to understand and better educate themselves in the pandemic, individuals are looking for trustworthy and verified information. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 11, 2020 - Published: Sep 12, 2020 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the COVID Verified trend ### Verified Information Campaigns Organizations are aiming to engage consumers directly with authentic information through building community, centered around experts and verification. ### Influencer Marketing for Experts Businesses are looking toward verified experts—or even 'healthcare influencers'—that are able to share trustworthy facts in an efficient manner. ### COVID-Specific Content Series Initiatives are focused on revealing trustworthy information, pertaining to scientific facts, as well as economic, social, and political issues amid the ongoing pandemic. ## What the COVID Verified trend means for industry ### For Media and Journalism Businesses can benefit from building platforms for verified information campaigns to battle fake news and provide authentic and trustworthy information. ### For Influencer Marketing Through verified influencer marketing, businesses have the opportunity to engage and educate their customers directly, building trust and authority in their industry. ### For Social Activism and Philanthropy Organizations can collaborate with social mobilization groups and foundations to launch initiatives like 'Verified' to spread trusted pandemic information and even stories 'from the best of humanity.' ## Workshop question How can your brand combat the spread of fake news? ## Trend signals for COVID Verified Trend score 3.6 out of 10, from popularity 70%, activity 29%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 70% - Activity: 29% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the COVID Verified trend 4 featured examples from Sep 11, 2020. - [Trusted Pandemic Information Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pandemic-information): The UN Launched the 'Verified' Campaign Amid COVID-19 (Category: Marketing) Implication: The 'Verified' campaign highlights the need to ensure that information shared online is verified and comes from a trusted source. - [Authentic COVID-Specific Content Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/covid19-misconception): PandemicTalks is Launched to Fight COVID-19 Misconceptions (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Innovative healthcare strategies aimed at raising public awareness and confidence regarding COVID-19. - [Healthcare Influencer Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/healthcare-influencer): Terveystalo Launches the ‘Essential Influencer’ Campaign (Category: Marketing) Implication: The healthcare industry can leverage healthcare influencer campaigns to enhance communication, educate consumers, and promote evidence-based information. - [Verified Pandemic Information](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soufan-center): Soufan Center and Truepic Spotlight COVID-Impacted Conflict Zones (Category: Social Good) Implication: The journalism industry can benefit from utilizing digital verification tools to verify information and combat fake news. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)