Snopes: The Evolution of an Internet Fact-Checking Pioneer
In the early days of the World Wide Web, the internet was a frontier of shared stories and urban legends. Out of this environment emerged Snopes, a platform that would transform from a niche folklore archive into one of the most recognized fact-checking resources in the world. Founded on the principle of verifying questionable claims, Snopes has navigated decades of technological shifts, legal battles, and internal controversies.
The Origins of Snopes in the 1990s
Snopes was established in 1994 by David and Barbara Mikkelson. Originally, it served as an online encyclopedia dedicated to urban folklore. The site's early content was heavily influenced by the Mikkelsons' activity in the Usenet newsgroup alt.folklore.urban (AFU), where they curated search results from user discussions to debunk or verify common myths.
As the site grew, it evolved into a hub where internet users could submit stories and images of questionable veracity for investigation. Interestingly, the name "Snopes" was not a corporate invention; David Mikkelson had previously used it as a username in the AFU group, borrowing the name from a family of unpleasant characters in the novels of William Faulkner.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Growth and Expansion (2000–2019)
By the 2000s, Snopes had achieved significant cultural recognition. In 2002, this popularity led to the creation of a television pilot titled Snopes: Urban Legends, hosted by actor Jim Davidson, though the show never aired on major networks.
Scaling and Ownership Shifts
By 2010, the platform was attracting between seven and eight million unique monthly visitors. However, the mid-2010s brought internal changes. Barbara Mikkelson ceased writing for the site, and the couple eventually divorced. In July 2016, the internet media management firm Proper Media purchased Barbara's share, making Christopher Richmond and Drew Schoentrup part owners.
Legal Turmoil and Strategic Acquisitions
The relationship between the founders and Proper Media soured in 2017. David Mikkelson terminated his brokering agreement with the firm, leading to a legal battle over advertising revenues. To keep the site operational, Bardav (the company founded by the Mikkelsons in 2003 to operate Snopes) launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising $500,000 in just 24 hours.
Despite the friction, Snopes continued to expand. In early 2019, it acquired OnTheIssues.org, a site designed to provide voters with reliable information on candidates' policy positions by assessing evidence and summarizing it with an average score.
The Satire Challenge
Between 2018 and 2019, Snopes faced criticism for rating articles from The Babylon Bee—a satirical website—as "False." This led to Facebook applying warnings to shared links. In response, Snopes introduced a specific "Labeled Satire" rating to better distinguish between intentional parody and misinformation.
Modern Challenges and Leadership Changes
The 2020s brought new pressures, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. As people sought certainty during the health crisis, Snopes produced approximately 237 fact-checking articles specifically related to the coronavirus.
The Plagiarism Scandal
In August 2021, a BuzzFeed News investigation revealed that co-founder David Mikkelson had plagiarized material from various news sources in 54 articles between 2015 and 2019 to drive traffic. Some of this content was published under the pseudonym "Jeff Zarronandia." Following the report, Snopes retracted 60 articles. Mikkelson admitted to "serious lapses in judgment" and copyright violations, resulting in his suspension from editorial duties.
New Ownership and Unionization
A new era began on September 16, 2022, when David Mikkelson stepped down as CEO. He was succeeded by Chris Richmond. Richmond and Drew Schoentrup acquired 100% of the company, finally resolving the ownership disputes that had persisted since 2017. More recently, in July 2025, Snopes employees announced their intention to unionize with the Media Guild of the West to represent approximately 10 editorial staff members.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1994 by David and Barbara Mikkelson.
- Original Focus: Urban legends and folklore via Usenet (alt.folklore.urban).
- Corporate Entity: Operated under the company Bardav.
- Major Acquisition: Acquired OnTheIssues.org in 2019.
- Current Leadership: CEO Chris Richmond (as of September 2022).
- Recent Milestone: Editorial staff moved to unionize in July 2025.
| Period | Key Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Site Launch | Early online encyclopedia for urban legends. |
| 2016-2017 | Proper Media Dispute | Legal battle over revenue and ownership shares. |
| 2019 | Satire Rating Update | Introduced "Labeled Satire" for sites like The Babylon Bee. |
| 2021 | Plagiarism Scandal | 60 articles retracted; David Mikkelson suspended from editorial duties. |
| 2022 | Ownership Change | Chris Richmond and Drew Schoentrup acquire 100% of the company. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the name "Snopes" come from?
The name was originally a username used by David Mikkelson in the alt.folklore.urban newsgroup, inspired by a family of unpleasant characters in the works of author William Faulkner.
How did Snopes handle the Babylon Bee controversy?
After initially rating satirical articles as "False," which led to Facebook warnings, Snopes created a new "Labeled Satire" rating to accurately categorize satirical content.
What happened during the 2021 plagiarism investigation?
BuzzFeed News found that David Mikkelson plagiarized 54 articles between 2015 and 2019. This led to the retraction of 60 articles and Mikkelson's temporary suspension from editorial duties.
Who currently owns Snopes?
As of September 2022, Chris Richmond and Drew Schoentrup own 100% of the company, following David Mikkelson's departure as CEO.
What is the purpose of OnTheIssues.org?
Acquired by Snopes in 2019, OnTheIssues.org aims to provide voters with reliable information on candidates' policy positions by assessing and summarizing relevant evidence.