Winding digital road symbolizing the journey from rumors to verified truth.

Can Rumors Actually Help? How Strategic Misinformation Can Spread Truth

Jordan Keane in Culture & Society December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unveiling the unexpected role of rumors in information diffusion and how a strategic approach can maximize truth prevalence in a networked world."

In an era dominated by rapid information flow, the battle against misinformation is a constant struggle. While the instinctive response is to suppress rumors, new research suggests a surprising twist: sometimes, letting rumors circulate can actually help spread the truth. This counterintuitive idea challenges conventional wisdom and opens up new avenues for strategic communication.

The research delves into the dynamics of how both true and false messages spread through networks, considering the impact of biased agents and the role of verification. It uncovers conditions under which a higher prevalence of rumors can lead to a greater understanding and acceptance of the truth, providing insights for policymakers and platforms grappling with misinformation.

Imagine a scenario where simply quashing every piece of unverified information might backfire, potentially hindering the spread of crucial knowledge. This article explores how a nuanced approach, balancing rumor control with strategic information dissemination, can be more effective in maximizing truth prevalence.

The Unexpected Power of Rumors: How Falsehoods Can Pave the Way for Truth

Winding digital road symbolizing the journey from rumors to verified truth.

The study begins by acknowledging that individuals aren't blank slates; they possess inherent biases that influence what information they accept. These biases act as filters, causing people to readily believe information aligning with their existing views while dismissing contradictory messages. However, the introduction of verification – the act of confirming information – changes the game. When people verify a message, regardless of their initial bias, they gain access to the truth.

This leads to a fascinating dynamic: a rumor, even if false, can prompt verification among those who might otherwise ignore the truth. As people encounter the rumor and seek to confirm or deny it, they inadvertently expose themselves to accurate information. In essence, the rumor acts as a catalyst, driving individuals to seek out and embrace the truth.

Verification overcomes ignorance: If verification is efficient enough to combat the initial ignorance of the message, it promotes truth.
Information transmission is low: When information spreads slowly, rumors can be a tool.
Optimal budget allocation: The budget for promoting verification should neither be too high nor too low; a balance is key.

To illustrate this concept, consider the early days of HIV/AIDS. Misinformation and stigma were rampant, hindering the spread of accurate information about transmission and prevention. In such a scenario, even flawed or sensationalized reports about the disease could have inadvertently driven people to seek out reliable sources, ultimately increasing awareness and promoting safer behaviors. The initial information environment dictates the strategy.

Strategic Misinformation: A New Frontier in the Fight for Truth

The findings underscore the need for a more nuanced approach to combating misinformation. Instead of simply trying to suppress all rumors, policymakers and platforms should consider the strategic use of verification and targeted information campaigns. By understanding the dynamics of information diffusion and the role of biases, it's possible to harness the power of rumors to spread truth and promote a more informed society. To be as aware as possible of the conditions underlying the information sharing process when aiming to induce verification rates. Also all agents benefit from being aware of the truth, and there are no incentives for agents to diffuse an information they themselves do not believe. The inclusion of such strategic considerations appears a promising avenue for future research.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2207.0183,

Title: Optimal Verification Of Rumors In Networks

Subject: econ.th cs.si physics.soc-ph

Authors: Luca Paolo Merlino, Nicole Tabasso

Published: 05-07-2022

Everything You Need To Know

How can rumors, even if false, actually help spread the truth?

Rumors can serve as catalysts, prompting individuals to seek **Verification**. When people encounter a **Rumor** and feel the need to confirm it, they are exposed to accurate information. This is particularly effective when **Information Transmission is low**. In essence, a **Rumor** drives people to actively find and embrace the truth, even if the initial message was inaccurate. This is because of **Verification** which overcomes the initial ignorance of the message.

What role do individual biases play in the spread of information, and how does this influence the effectiveness of rumors?

Individuals have inherent biases that filter information. These biases lead people to readily accept information that aligns with their existing views, while dismissing contradictory messages. The introduction of **Verification** can change this dynamic. Despite initial biases, when people **Verify** a message, they gain access to the truth. This makes a **Rumor** more effective, as it can compel biased individuals to seek **Verification** and, in the process, encounter accurate information that they might otherwise ignore.

Under what conditions can strategic misinformation and rumor circulation be a useful tool for promoting the truth?

Strategic use of misinformation and **Rumors** is most effective when the **Information Transmission is low**. Another factor is the efficiency of **Verification** itself, the budget for promoting **Verification** should be well allocated. It also depends on the initial information environment, with the strategic approach of using **Rumors** more appropriate in times when the spread of the truth is struggling to take hold due to existing issues such as misinformation and stigma, as illustrated in the example of HIV/AIDS.

How does verification overcome ignorance in the context of information diffusion?

**Verification** overcomes ignorance by providing a mechanism for individuals to confirm or deny the information they encounter. This process grants access to the truth. It bypasses the influence of individual biases, which may otherwise cause people to dismiss accurate information. By actively seeking **Verification**, individuals move beyond their initial ignorance of a message, embrace the truth, and start promoting more informed society.

What are the key factors that policymakers and platforms should consider when combating misinformation, based on the strategic use of rumors?

Policymakers and platforms should adopt a nuanced approach, focusing on strategic **Verification** and targeted information campaigns instead of outright suppressing all **Rumors**. They need to understand the dynamics of information diffusion and the role of biases. They must recognize that the **Information Transmission is low**. Also, the allocation of resources to promote **Verification** should be carefully balanced. Finally, they should be aware of the conditions underlying the information-sharing process when aiming to induce **Verification** rates. By considering these factors, it is possible to harness the power of **Rumors** to promote the truth.