How can I spot breaking news versus slow-building trends?

Spotting breaking news vs slow trends

Breaking news tends to show immediate, intense activity and new information, while slow-building trends grow steadily over days or weeks with recurring mentions and analysis.

Ways to tell them apart:

  • Breaking: immediate surge, many posts within minutes, evolving facts.
  • Slow-building: gradual increase, sustained discussions, deeper context pieces.
  • Check timestamps and rate of mentions to measure velocity.

For verification, cross-reference reputable news sources and look for official statements or follow-up reporting. Slow trends often have more thoughtful commentary and multiple angles over time.