lesson
First does not mean best evidence
1 · Learn
Search systems rank results using multiple signals. A result's position is not a certificate of truth. Sponsored entries may be placed for advertising reasons and should be recognised as such.
Choose precise keywords, then evaluate authorship, purpose, evidence and date. If two results repeat the same unsupported claim, they are not necessarily independent confirmation.
2 · Worked example
For a plant question, I prefer an identifiable, relevant educational source with evidence over an anonymous sales claim, even if the claim appears higher in a list.
3 · Your turn
Why might two pages repeating identical text not count as two independent sources?
Check your answer
They may copy the same original claim rather than provide separate evidence.
4 · Apply your learning
Compare adult-selected mock search results. Explain which source you would inspect first and what you would still need to verify.
Adult guidance and safety
Use adult-approved offline or school-managed tools, invented data and original media. Keep projects private unless sharing is explicitly approved. Paper traces support, but do not replace, practical programming and saved digital work. No real passwords or personal records belong in these exercises.
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