The top of the search page isn't proof

It's natural to trust what appears first. But where a result appears and whether its claims are true are two different questions.

Ads are placed partly by what advertisers pay

Search ads appear at the top of many results pages. Google's own help pages explain that where an ad appears depends on several factors, starting with how much the advertiser bids, alongside the quality of the ad and its landing page. (Google Ads Help: About Ad Rank)

That's a fair way to sell advertising, but it means a top position can be bought. It doesn't tell you whether the advertiser's claims hold up.

Reviews can be faked

Star ratings feel like evidence from other people. Sometimes they are. But fake reviews have been common enough that in 2024 the Federal Trade Commission finalized a rule banning fake reviews and testimonials, including AI-generated ones, and their sale or purchase. (Federal Trade Commission, August 2024)

Read the claims, not the position

When a page makes a claim that matters to your decision, such as what a product does or what a law requires, look for the official source behind it. If the page doesn't link one, search the agency or standards body yourself.

How Sourken helps

Sourken marks ads as paid placement and puts an evidence label beside them, the same as every other result: strong, mixed or limited evidence, based on what official sources say about the site's claims. No one can pay for a better label, so the top of the page and the strength of the evidence are finally shown side by side.