Fake news websites deliberately publish hoaxes, propaganda, and disinformation to drive web traffic inflamed by social media.[9][10][11] These sites are distinguished from news satire as fake news articles are usually fabricated to deliberately mislead readers, either for profit or more ambiguous reasons, such as disinformation campaigns.[10][4] Many sites originate in or are promoted by Russia,[13][14] North Macedonia,[15][16] Romania,[17] and the United States.[18] Many sites directly targeted the United States both because the U.S. is a high-value ad consumer and extraordinary claims to be more likely to be believed during a political crisis.[15]