Always fact-check health claims and trends on social media with what trustworthy sources are saying on the topic. Medical misinformation can have dangerous effects for you and others.

Because health content on social media is typically delivered in a conversational tone, it can sometimes feel like listening to advice from a friend.

But it’s important to remember that health influencers on social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are often paid to promote products, services, and information. They may have partnerships that affect the messages they deliver, even when they aren’t directly selling something.

It can also be unsafe to take medical advice from someone who is unfamiliar with your medical history, and what works for one person may not work for everyone.

It’s also illegal for healthcare professionals to provide medical advice to people who are not their patients.

That isn’t to say there’s no value in following health influencers.

Following health influencers often helps people with chronic conditions feel less alone and reduces stigma surrounding certain health conditions. They may also provide practical tips and ideas.

Keep reading to learn some guidelines for getting health information from social media, red flags that can indicate misinformation, and tips for verifying what you see and determining trustworthy accounts to follow.

It can be difficult to spot incorrect medical information on social media when your guard is down. Health information can be abstract and sometimes hard to understand without a medical background. This includes understanding research studies.

A 2024 study suggests that not having a background in health or digital literacy can increase susceptibility to health misinformation.

Another 2024 study notes that people can obtain misinformation both while looking for health information and unintentionally. People who used TikTok more and felt more emotionally connected to it were more likely to believe the information they received from it was credible.

So, it’s best to always be cautious about any health information you encounter on social media.

It’s important to remember a few key guidelines to keep yourself and others safe:

Never take health advice from anyone other than a healthcare professional who is treating you and knows your medical history.Always fact-check viral health news, claims, and trends you encounter on social media on a trustworthy, medically reviewed website and then ask your doctor if they are safe for you.Be skeptical of health influencers on social media who are not nationally or internationally recognized health organizations or who have a medical review process.Look for potential bias and what an influencer has to gain from their content.Avoid relying on influencers as your main source of health information, especially if they do not have medical credentials or have had their credentials revoked.Avoid resharing if you can’t verify the sources or if the information goes against established medical guidance.Be wary of anyone sharing miracle cures, conspiracy theories, and “secret” information.

It can be easier to spot health misinformation on social media if you know what to look for.

Some of the biggest red flags for medical misinformation are:

Miracle cures

Whether you’re living with a chronic health condition or are looking to improve your overall wellness, know that health is often a journey, not a destination.

When someone is touting a miracle cure, it’s usually motivated by financial gain. So, be cautious and ask your healthcare professional whether any new products, diets, or exercise routines are healthy for you before trying them.

Usually, illnesses have to run their course, weight loss involves changes to diet and exercise that you sustain for a long period of time, and there isn’t one holy grail product or routine that can give you perfect skin.

If something sounds like it’s too good to be true, it’s probably an example of misinformation.

Lack of sources or incorrectly interpreted sources

Be cautious about any medical information you encounter on social media that doesn’t include sources. Though, unless they are a major health organization or a practicing physician, health influencers typically do not cite their sources.

Without sources, there is no way to fact-check the information.

People may also misinterpret scientific research and share incorrect claims. Others may use unreliable sources to cite their claims. That’s why it’s best to get health information from people who not only report the sources of the information they’re sharing but also have a strong understanding of different types of scientific studies to explain the research accurately.

Disagreeing with established medical consensus

Some influencers may adopt a conspiratorial tone and share “secret” information, such as cures for diseases that currently have no cure or conspiracy theories.

These are red flags for misinformation.

While medical breakthroughs happen and promising research may point toward future cures for certain health conditions, medical research isn’t kept secret. It’s published in peer-reviewed journals (this means it is reviewed by other scientists before being published). If it’s important and meaningful, it’s usually reported on by trained news organizations.

Avoid falling for misinformation by:

looking up suspected misinformation on a reputable sourceasking a certified healthcare professionalfollowing accounts run by reputable health organizations

Content sponsored by a brand

Be cautious when considering products an influencer is recommending.

They often receive payment for recommending them. Though sponsored content is usually indicated, being sponsored by a brand may affect an influencer’s content in other ways.

It’s important to be extra cautious if an influencer recommends products that could potentially have negative health consequences for certain people. This can include dietary supplements or certain herbal remedies, like essential oils. These may interact with medications or other supplements or be unsafe for people with certain health conditions.

It’s always best to talk with a doctor before adding any new vitamins or supplements to your routine. Also, only purchase products that have been verified by a third party to ensure they contain what the label indicates.

If you’re considering using a new health or fitness product, it’s best to read or watch reviews of people who aren’t being paid to promote it. For instance, at Healthline, products we recommend (and the brands that sell them) are thoroughly vetted by medical experts.

TikTok challenges

While some TikTok challenges may be fun, positive, or beneficial to your health, others can have dangerous consequences. TikTok challenges have been responsible for serious health effects, including permanent damage to the brain and other organs, and death.

Never participate in or share any challenge that causes hallucinations, highs, or involves using medications in a way they aren’t intended.

Emotional content

If health content seems to be created to upset, scare, or anger you, this might be a red flag that it’s misinformation.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), people are more likely to share misinformation when it aligns with personal identity or social norms, when it is new or exciting, and when it elicits strong emotions.

Before you act on or share social media health content, it’s best to verify it with a trustworthy source.

You can generally trust the content shared on social media by reputable health organizations, including:

For all of these, make sure that you are viewing content from their official verified accounts and not an account that’s impersonating them.

Many doctors have also taken to social media to help viewers identify and debunk health misinformation and share correct information. It’s important to make sure that anyone you’re receiving health information from, even healthcare professionals, shares research-backed claims and has current credentials that authorize them to practice medicine.

Healthcare professionals can provide general information but not medical advice.

Never take medical advice from a healthcare professional who is not treating you as a patient. Not all recommendations work for everyone, so it’s important to work with an expert who knows your health history.

Do not take medical information from any healthcare professionals who have had their credentials revoked by a medical board.