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Do You Trust CDC or WebMD? An Examination of Factors Influencing the Credibility of Health Posts on Facebook

Fri, May 26, 14:00 to 15:15, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Floor: 2, Indigo Ballroom C

Abstract

This study explores the effects of source and interface cues of social media on credibility perceptions of health information. In particular, we focused on a topic and social media relevant to college students in the United States, healthy eating tips posted on Facebook. A 3 (CDC vs. WebMD vs. layperson) x 2 (high vs. low “Likes” and “Shares”) between-subjects posttest only online experiment was conducted with 615 college students. Posts by CDC were perceived as the most credible. No significant main effect of endorsement cues and interaction effects were found.

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