Fact-checks can reduce—but scarcely eliminate—misinformation impacts, and their effects are often short-lived. Across two experiments (total N = 471), we examined whether graphs could bolster the effectiveness and longevity of fact-checks, through increasing their memorability. Participants rated their belief in accurate and misleading headlines, then received corresponding fact-checks, some of which included a graph. Participants then rated their belief in each headline again as well as their memory of each fact-check, both immediately and after a 1-week (Experiment 1) or 4-week (Experiment 2) delay. In Experiment 2, graphs were also sometimes accompanied by a multiple-choice question to encourage deeper engagement. Graphs alone improved memory for fact-checks but did not consistently improve discernment between accurate and misleading headlines; graphs presented with a multiple-choice question, however, improved discernment immediately and after a 4-week delay. Findings demonstrate the potential of interventions combining visual content with active engagement for combatting misinformation impacts.
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