Ask who is speaking

MedlinePlus recommends checking who runs a site, why the information exists, who pays for it, and how it is selected and reviewed. Look for clear authorship, source links, and publication or review dates.

Separate advice from promotion

A sponsored message should be identifiable as advertising. Notice when a page moves from explaining an issue to selling a product, particularly when it makes dramatic promises.

Keep a useful note

  • Save the original source, not just a screenshot.
  • Write down the main claim and any uncertainty.
  • Compare it with another reliable source.
  • Bring questions about your own care to a healthcare professional.

On SmallWell, health guides link to their source. They are general reading, prepared with AI assistance and without clinician review. That distinction matters when deciding how to use them.