World Urban Legend is a reference archive that separates two different things for every legend we cover: what documents and records actually confirm, and what people simply tell each other. Every article carries one of seven verification labels stating which one you're reading, and this page defines all seven, explains what we won't do when writing, and tells you how to flag a mistake.
The seven verification labels
Documented — Based on verifiable historical records. We use this label when newspapers, police reports, court records, or comparable primary sources confirm the core event. If any part of the story goes beyond what those records state, we say so in the article rather than folding it into the documented claim.
Partially documented — Real events mixed with unverified folklore. The underlying incident is on the record, but the version people repeat has picked up embellishment: escalating details, alternate endings, or specifics no source ever confirmed. We keep the documented core and the added folklore visibly separate.
Oral tradition — Passed down through generations, not independently verifiable. This covers folk tales and legends with no surviving primary source to check against; the tradition itself is real, but its factual content can't be confirmed or denied against records.
Internet-origin — Born online; origin post traceable. Used for legends that started on a forum, imageboard, or social platform, where we can point to the earliest identifiable post or thread rather than a folk origin.
Unverified — No independent documentation found. The claim exists and circulates, but we found no record, report, or source that confirms or denies it either way.
Disputed — Sources conflict. Different accounts contradict each other on basic facts, and we haven't found a way to determine which version, if any, is accurate.
Fiction — Creative work, clearly labeled. Used for creepypasta and other stories that are original fiction rather than a legend in circulation; we label these as fiction rather than presenting invented work as folklore.
Note on terminology: some of our older reference pages describe these labels with looser names (“Documented Fact,” “Unverified Claim”). The seven labels and definitions above, matching the badge shown on every article, are the current and authoritative version.
What we don't do
- We don't invent sources, names, dates, or coordinates. If a detail can't be confirmed from the article's own research, the underlying field is left blank rather than filled with a plausible-looking value.
- We don't write false first-person experience (“I tested this,” “I visited the site”) to make a legend sound more credible.
- We don't embed scripts or other injected code in article content, and we don't make unauthorized changes to an article's existing text outside the normal editing process.
- We don't use generic AI-cliché filler (“Throughout history,” “In conclusion,” “Shrouded in mystery”) in place of actual research.
Corrections
If you spot an error — a wrong verification label, an outdated fact, a broken source — use our contact page to let us know. You can also reach us on Bluesky. We review corrections against the original sources before updating an article.