Verify facts and prevent invented citations
Use primary sources and dates to distinguish evidence from plausible-sounding answers.
1. Define scope and freshness
State geography, time range and which exact question requires evidence. Ask the AI to distinguish historical background from recent developments.
2. Ask for traceable evidence
Request original publications, official documents or first-party announcements with publication dates and working links.
3. Audit critical details yourself
Open sources and check quotations, numerical figures and dates. If verification is unavailable, mark the claim as unverified.
Vague request
Find sources proving this announcement is true.
Improved prompt
Assess whether [CLAIM] is supported as of [DATE]. Prioritize primary sources. Provide exact document titles, dates and URLs; separate verified facts, unsupported claims and remaining uncertainty.
Key takeaway
A citation is only useful when the cited document supports the specific claim.