Sources
Every entry on NorthFacts is built from a short list of source types, checked in a fixed order. That order is deliberate: it puts the most reliable, most verifiable material first, and it keeps me honest when I’m writing a quick answer. If a fact can’t be traced back to one of these sources, it doesn’t go on the site.
Primary sources first
When I start an entry, I look for primary sources: official records, government databases, court documents, original broadcast footage, or the text of a law or treaty. For example, an entry on a historical event will lean on archival records or contemporary newspaper scans before anything else. Primary sources are the backbone of the site because they are the closest thing to the ground truth.
Secondary sources second
If a primary source isn’t available or doesn’t cover the specific detail, I move to secondary sources: major news organizations with editorial standards, peer-reviewed journals, and reference works from established publishers. These are used to corroborate, not to replace, the primary material. When a secondary source conflicts with a primary one, the primary source wins, and I note the discrepancy in the entry.
What is excluded
I exclude several categories outright. Opinion pieces, blog posts, and social media threads are never used, even if they are well written. They are not fact-checked in the same way, and they often mix analysis with reporting. I also exclude content from sites that are primarily ad-driven clickbait, even if they occasionally publish a solid article. The risk of error is too high, and the cost of a wrong fact on a reference site is too steep.
How outbound links are handled
When I link out, I link to the specific source I used, not to a homepage or a search page. That way you can verify the claim in one click. Links are checked at the time of writing, and I re-check them when I do routine maintenance. If a link dies, I either find an archived version or remove the link and note the change.
Why this matters
NorthFacts covers a wide range of topics, from notable figures to natural phenomena and geographic locations. The same sourcing rules apply across every section, whether I’m writing about sports records or entertainment trivia. There is no separate standard for “fun” topics. A fact about a film is held to the same bar as a fact about a treaty.
If you spot a claim that doesn’t have a clear source, or if a link is broken, use the contact page to tell me. I’ll fix it or remove the claim. That’s the deal.