Why we are a useful source
- A primary-source document archive. 692 declassified, released, and leaked records across 347 case files, each linked straight to the original in its official archive (CIA Reading Room, the FBI Vault, the National Archives, agency reports, court records, and more). Browse the document archive. We do not just describe the record; we point you to the file itself.
- A verdict where the evidence supports one. Entries are rated Proven or Contradicted when the checkable evidence settles the question, and left openly unrated when it does not, following the evidence rather than authority or headlines. Some theories long dismissed turn out to be true, and we say so: see the proven-true file.
- A transparent method. Primary and official records come first, then peer-reviewed research and original texts, with reference works used only for orientation. The full standard is on our how we rate page.
- Public corrections. Entries carry a byline and a date, cite their sources, and are open to correction. If the evidence changes, the verdict does. See corrections.
Using our work
You are welcome to quote a sentence or two from any entry in your reporting, with attribution to The Conspiratory and a link to the specific page. Please do not republish entire entries. Every case file lists its own primary sources, so you can verify a point at the original and cite that too.
A simple citation looks like this:
“The Conspiratory, ‘[Entry title],’ https://theconspiratory.com/theory/[slug] (accessed [date]).”
Prefer to point readers at the underlying record instead? The document archive links each primary source to its official home, so you can cite the file directly.
About The Conspiratory (boilerplate)
You are welcome to use the standard description below verbatim, in a write-up, a directory listing, or an article footer.
The Conspiratory (theconspiratory.com) is an independent, sourced encyclopedia of conspiracy theories. Founded in 2026 by editor-in-chief Colin Peterson, it documents each theory as a structured case file: the claim stated plainly, a timeline of where it came from, the strongest case on either side, and a verdict anchored to checkable sources. It labels a claim Proven or Contradicted only when the evidence settles it and leaves the rest openly unrated, corrects the record when the evidence changes, and keeps advertising walled off from editorial judgment.
Masthead. The Conspiratory was founded in 2026 by Colin Peterson, its editor-in-chief, who set the site's sourcing standards, its Proven-or-Contradicted verdict system, and its corrections policy, and is its point of editorial accountability. He bylines every entry personally. More on the About page.
Working on a trending claim?
We cover fast-moving stories as they spread, separating what is documented from what is merely circulating, and we update entries as the facts settle. If a theory is going around and you want a neutral, sourced explainer to point to, there is a good chance we already have one; if we do not, we may build it. You can reach us below.
Get in touch
For media and research inquiries, interview requests, or to flag a claim worth covering, email alerts@theconspiratory.com. To submit a correction to a specific entry, use our corrections page, which is the fastest way to reach the editors about a factual point.