About Conspirafy
Conspirafy takes conspiracy theories seriously enough to actually examine them. We steelman the claim fairly, then rigorously test it against the evidence. We're not "both sides" — we're pro-evidence.
Our Approach
Too many resources either promote conspiracy theories as undeniable truth or dismiss them with contempt. Both approaches fail. Sneering at believers doesn't change minds — it hardens them. And presenting debunked theories as "just asking questions" is irresponsible.
We take a different approach: steelman, then test.For every theory, we present the strongest version of the claim in believers' own framing, explain why people find it compelling, then systematically evaluate it against the evidence. Every theory ends with a clear, evidence-based verdict.
Verdicts
Every theory on Conspirafy receives one of five verdicts:
- Confirmed: The theory has been proven true by declassified documents, court proceedings, or official acknowledgment (e.g., MKUltra, COINTELPRO)
- Partially True: The theory contains a kernel of truth but overstates the case or draws unsupported conclusions
- Unsubstantiated: The theory lacks sufficient evidence to confirm or deny — the jury is out
- Debunked: The theory has been conclusively disproven by scientific evidence, documentation, or logical analysis
- Ongoing Investigation:Active investigations, new evidence emerging, or recent developments that haven't been fully resolved
Editorial Standards
- Every theory is steelmanned — presented in its strongest form before critique
- Every theory gets a clear verdict backed by evidence
- Sources are rated for credibility (High / Medium / Low / Unknown) with archive.org backups when possible
- We identify logical fallacies and red flags present in each theory
- Corrections are published publicly and transparently
- Theories are fact-checked periodically; the last check date is shown
Source Credibility
We rate every source for credibility to help you evaluate the evidence:
- High: Peer-reviewed research, official government documents, court records, established scientific institutions
- Medium: Mainstream journalism from reputable outlets, books by credentialed authors, well-sourced investigations
- Low: Unverified claims, anonymous sources, known misinformation outlets, unsourced social media posts
- Unknown: Sources where reliability cannot be readily determined
Exclusion Policy
We decline to cover certain categories of "theories" that exist primarily to cause harm:
- Theories rooted in antisemitic tropes (blood libel, global Jewish control narratives)
- "Crisis actor" claims that target victims of real tragedies — school shootings, terrorist attacks, mass casualty events
- Theories that exist primarily to incite violence or harassment against specific living individuals
- Content that directly promotes active radicalization toward extremist violence
We believe these exclusions are consistent with rigorous examination. Refusing to platform content designed to harm real people is not censorship — it's editorial judgment.
Community
For each theory, you can cast one of three votes:
- Believe: You think this theory has merit
- Skeptical:You don't think it holds up
- Unsure: You need more evidence
Vote tallies represent community opinion, not factual determinations. The verdict is based on evidence, not popularity.
Why This Matters
History has shown that some conspiracy theories turned out to be true. MKUltra, the Tuskegee experiments, NSA mass surveillance, and the Gulf of Tonkin incident were all dismissed before being confirmed. Healthy skepticism toward powerful institutions is a cornerstone of democratic accountability. See our full list of confirmed conspiracies.
At the same time, uncritical acceptance of unfounded theories causes real harm — vaccine hesitancy, harassment of tragedy victims, erosion of trust in evidence itself. The answer isn't to stop questioning. It's to question better, with evidence, logic, and intellectual honesty. Check our conspiracy theory glossary to sharpen your critical thinking toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Conspirafy promoting conspiracy theories?
No. We take conspiracy theories seriously enough to examine them rigorously. Every theory gets a clear verdict based on evidence. When a theory is debunked, we say so. When one is confirmed, we say that too.
What does "steelmanning" mean?
Steelmanning means presenting the strongest possible version of an argument before critiquing it. We don't strawman conspiracy theories or mock believers. We present the claim in its best light, then test it against the evidence.
How do you decide on verdicts?
Verdicts are based on the weight of evidence from credible sources: peer-reviewed research, official documents, court records, and established journalism. We use five categories: Confirmed, Partially True, Unsubstantiated, Debunked, and Ongoing Investigation.
What won't you cover?
Theories rooted in antisemitic tropes, content targeting victims of real tragedies, and theories that exist primarily to incite violence or harassment. See our exclusion policy above.
Can I submit a theory?
Yes! Registered users can submit theories through our submission form. Submissions should include the claim, why it's worth examining, and at least two sources. We'll research it further and assign a verdict if accepted.
How do I report an error?
Use the "Request correction" button on any theory page, or email us at hello@conspirafy.com. All corrections are published transparently.
The Editors
Conspirafy is maintained by a small editorial team committed to evidence-based analysis. Individual editor profiles coming soon.
Contact us at hello@conspirafy.com.