What is Hoax?

A hoax is a falsehood deliberately fabricated to masquerade as the truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences, and April Fools’ Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.

While a ‘hoax’ may involve may also involve a fake news story that looks like a real one, the intent is different. The purpose of a hoax is to fool the reader or viewer.