The Nudging Effect of Fact - Checking Labels: An Inquiry Based on the Platform Context

In the current digital era, fact - checking labels, as crucial tools for platform content governance, have gained wide recognition and demonstrated great potential. However, due to the differences in fact - checking processes between China and foreign countries, the presentation forms of corresponding fact - checking labels also vary. Against this backdrop, it remains unclear whether these labels possess the same governance effectiveness, and research on fact - checking labels in China is still in its infancy.Therefore, this study focuses on the performance of fact - checking labels on Chinese platforms and employs experimental methods to conduct an in - depth exploration of their governance effects. The study reveals that warning labels reduce the credibility of information, suppress the willingness to forward information, and stimulate in - depth thinking in the brain. On the other hand, certification labels increase the credibility of information and enhance the willingness to like information.This research not only provides empirical support for the view that labels can act as a boost in platform content governance but also has practical guiding significance for label - based governance measures in China. It is expected to contribute to the further improvement and development of the platform content governance system in China.