Evaluting Websites

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Evaluating Websites

Finding information on the web can be a very satisfying or frustrating experience. Even if you're a novice web user, you know that anyone can publish anything on the web. Because of this, you will undoubtedly uncover websites that carry inaccurate, biased, misleading, outdated, or mean-spirited information. The ability to tell the good from the bad is an invaluable skill that you can learn in a short time. Use the CRAAP Test below to improve your evaluative skills and help you determine if the sources you found are accurate and reliable.


Keep in mind that the following list of questions is not static or complete. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need. The CRAAP Test can also be used to evaluate things other than websites including books and journal articles. Note that the * indicates criteria for web sources only.

Currency: The timeliness of the information.

  • When was the information published or posted?
  • Has the information been revised or updated?
  • Are the links functional? *
Relevance:The importance of the information for your needs.
  • Who is the intended audience?
Authority: The source of the information.
  • Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
  • Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
  • What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
  • What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
  • Where does the information come from?
  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
  • Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?
Purpose: The reason the information exists.


Tufts University