Misinformation
Misinformation is false or misleading information that is shared without intent to deceive, so the person passing it on believes it, or at least has not checked it.
Last updated September 28, 2026
What separates it from disinformation
Intent is the dividing line. Misinformation is spread by people who think it is true, such as a relative who forwards a rumor about a product recall. Disinformation is false content spread on purpose. The same post can be both at different points in its life: an operator invents a claim, and ordinary users then repeat it in good faith.
Why it matters to communications and risk teams
A team usually cannot see intent from the outside, so the practical questions are what the claim says, where it started, who is carrying it and whether it is reaching audiences that matter. Those are questions about spread, and narrative intelligence is one way to answer them.
The full comparison, with examples and guidance on response, is in the misinformation vs disinformation article. This entry is only the definition.
See how these signals show up in your own coverage on the PeakMetrics platform or run the free AI Perceptions check. Back to the glossary.