Facts About Fiction: From hashtags to hoaxes! Using Twitter Advanced Search to verify information

How to use this tool to find out whether a certain person tweeted about something during a particular time period or not.

twitter advanced search fake tweet generator

Twitter Advanced Search is a tool that allows users to refine their searches on the platform to find specific tweets, conversations, and trends. (Photo: Canva)

Remember a screenshot of the tweet widely shared last year where Elon Musk said he would buy Snapchat and delete all the filters?

A similar incident happened during the Covid-19 pandemic. A screenshot of a tweet, attributed to Bill Gates, was widely shared. It was claimed Gates said, “Vaccines in our food supply solves the problem of vaccine hesitancy.”

Viral tweet attributed to Elon Musk

Both these screenshots were found to be fake and these celebrities did not say the things which were widely circulated and attributed to them. These statements were in the form of ‘tweets’ and it was easy to believe those since they appeared to come from genuine, verified accounts.

Screenshot of viral tweet attributed to Bill Gates

But do you know it is very easy to generate fake tweets?

Certain fake tweet generators, like tweetgen.com or Fake Tweet Generator, can easily generate a ‘tweet’. The user just has to upload a few essential details, such as name, username, content of the tweet or message, time and date, ‘twitter for iPhone, Android or Twitter web’.

User can also input retweet counts, quote tweets, likes count and theme, which is light, dim or dark and a verification badge. The right side of the section then shows the preview of the tweet and people can circulate it in the form of an image after downloading it. These applications are available on the internet for free.

Screenshot of home screen on Fake Tweet Generator

It is then, that Twitter Advanced Search comes to the rescue.

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Twitter Advanced Search is an inbuilt tab in the Twitter search option. You can also find it on the right corner of the Twitter homepage once you search for a keyword.

Screenshot of Twitter Advanced Search window

Twitter Advanced Search is a tool that allows users to refine their searches on the platform to find specific tweets, conversations, and trends. This tool can easily be used to find out whether a certain person tweeted about something during a particular time period or not.

You can type the exact same words from the screenshot circulated in the search section, from the tweet. The advanced search also has an option to exclude certain words and search using hashtags or even language.

The user can also check from which account the tweet was made, if replied to certain accounts or even check if they have mentioned someone.

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Advanced search also allows people to apply filter for replies and links. If you wish to verify a tweet using engagements, which is possible through the advanced search too.

Users can also select a custom range for dates.

This Twitter tool helps people enhance their Twitter experience and stay well-informed. Let us understand how Twitter Advanced Search works by debunking the tweet that was widely shared, claiming to be a tweet by Elon Musk.

The tweet says, “Next I’m buying Snapchat and deleting all the filters. Welcome back to reality ladies.”

The tweet was attributed to “@elonmusk”.

We inserted all the necessary details in the Twitter Advanced Search and this was the result:

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We did the same for the tweet attributed to Bill Gates, the tweet said, “Vaccines in our food supply solves the problem of vaccine hesitancy.” We ran a Twitter Advanced Search on the same and here’s what we got:

Searching for tweets by people is very easy with Twitter Advanced Search and one does not necessarily has to scroll the entire Twitter profile of the person to whom the tweet is attributed; this is a major tool that helps verify the statements by Twitter users.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More