This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy. You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site. To learn more see our Cookies Policy.

OK

Dublin: 16 °C

Tuesday 24 June, 2025

Facebook is testing a new 'satire' tag for spoof news articles

Finally, a solution for all those out there who never get the joke.

Aug 16th 2014, 5:02 PM 2,784 Views 2 Comments

IF YOU ALWAYS get fooled by those sneaky satirical news articles, fear no more.

Facebook is currently testing a new ‘satire’ tag that will single out spoof news stories on the News Feed and prevent any embarrassing slip ups.

(Meanwhile, the rest of the world asks: “Does Facebook think we’re too stupid to get a joke?”)

mPbSXLn-640x561 Source: Screenshot via Ars Technica

So next time you see an article from Waterford Whispers or The Onion pop up in a ‘Related Articles’ box, it could have the [Satire] tag slapped beside it.

A Facebook spokesperson confirmed the move to Ars Technica, saying:

We are running a small test which shows the text ‘[Satire]‘ in front of links to satirical articles in the related articles unit in the News Feed. This is because we received feedback that people wanted a clearer way to distinguish satirical articles from others in news units.

Although you might be able to tell the real from the not-so-real, some people need a little help along. Something else to feel smug about.

Well, if it’ll stop stuff like this happening again, it may be of some use.

waterfordwhispers

More: Here’s what you need to know about the concerns over Facebook’s Messenger app>

About the author:

About the author

Valerie Loftus

@valerieloftus

valerie@dailyedge.ie

See more articles by Valerie Loftus

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (2)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Facebook is testing a new 'satire' tag for spoof news articles

Finally, a solution for all those out there who never get the joke.