CNET (November 2022present)

CNET
Type	website
Shortcut	WP:CNET
Status	Generally unreliable
Deprecated	no
Blacklisted	no
Recency	2025
Domain cnet.com
	In source code; External links in articles; Spamcheck tool
RfC
Link	Rfc
Date	2024

This page is a test version of a potential new layout for the Perennial sources project. It is a demo and not part of the live listings. See Talk.

This source in a nutshell: CNET is considered

generally unreliable. See § Summary.

CNET is a source that has been repeatedly discussed at the Reliable sources noticeboard. This page collects and links information about previous discussions and current consensus, and summarizes it here for convenience.

Summary

Concerns over CNET's advertiser-driven editorial content remain unresolved. Separately, in November 2022, it began deploying an experimental AI tool to rapidly generate articles riddled with factual inaccuracies and affiliate links, with the purpose of increasing SEO rankings. CNET never formally disclosed its use of AI until Futurism and The Verge published reports exposing its actions. An AI tool now announced to be paused wrote more than 70 finance-related articles and published them under the byline "CNET Money Staff", over half of which received corrections after mounting pressure. In August 2024 CNET was purchased by Ziff Davis, which may mean that the reasons for considering it unreliable may no longer apply.

Excerpt

CNET (short for Computer Network) is an American media website that publishes reviews, news, articles, blogs, podcasts, and videos on technology and consumer electronics globally. CNET originally produced content for radio and television in addition to its website before applying new media distribution methods through its internet television network, CNET Video, and its podcast and blog networks.

Discussions

Links

RSN

WP:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 398#Beware: CNet running AI-generated articles, byline "CNet Money"

WP:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 453#CNET and ZDNET are now under Ziff Davis ownership. Should they get a new chance or continue be considered too unreliable?

WP:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 485#CNET’s Reliability Status Should Be Reconsidered Ten Months After Ownership Change

Recency

2025

Rfcs

2024 Rfc

2025 Rfc

Notes

References

Original table row for comparison

(remove this when this source page is ready to go live)

Perennial sources
Source	Status (legend)	Discussions			Use
Source	Status (legend)	List	Last	Summary	Use
CNET (November 2022 – present) WP:CNETWP:CNET 📌		2024 2025	2025	Concerns over CNET's advertiser-driven editorial content remain unresolved. Separately, in November 2022, it began deploying an experimental AI tool to rapidly generate articles riddled with factual inaccuracies and affiliate links, with the purpose of increasing SEO rankings. CNET never formally disclosed its use of AI until Futurism and The Verge published reports exposing its actions. An AI tool now announced to be paused wrote more than 70 finance-related articles and published them under the byline "CNET Money Staff", over half of which received corrections after mounting pressure. In August 2024 CNET was purchased by Ziff Davis, which may mean that the reasons for considering it unreliable may no longer apply.	1