Key answer contradicts the consensus of authoritative sources (reliable information)

Google's reliable information systems aim to surface authoritative pages and demote low-quality content, and Google documents using MUM to check featured snippet callouts against the consensus of high-quality sources. Consensus checking is documented for snippets, not for general ranking, so this check is a proxy.

Correct the answer to match primary authorities and cite them, or, where the site has a justified different view, state the consensus first and set out the evidence for the difference.

1. List the site's pages that answer factual questions on health, finance, legal, safety or civic topics, using Search Console queries phrased as questions.
2. For each page, write down the single key answer, figure or recommendation the page gives.
3. Check that answer against at least two primary authorities, such as a regulator, public health body or standards organisation.
4. Flag pages whose answer contradicts the authorities without evidence, and pages whose answer is out of date against the authority's current version.

Written for the Reliable information systems page (evidence: Confirmed). Google has not documented this system in a way a site can test directly, so this check measures a proxy for it, not the system itself.

Indirect. Estimate only: most likely to affect eligibility for featured snippets and AI answer features on factual queries.

Google ranking systems guide entry on reliable information systems; Google posts from August 2022 (Pandu Nayak) and September 2020 (Danny Sullivan).