Inside the Bias Meter
How Biasly Rates Political Perspectives
Knowing and understanding your own biases will enhance your critical thinking anytime you come across information that may be biased and inaccurate. Sometimes we may perceive objective information as skewed towards one side because of our own biases or vice versa.
Find out where you stand
Our survey scores your political bias and places you on the spectrum based on your views on key issues—like healthcare, immigration, and more. Your results may surprise you, and they differ from our Bias Meter categories below.
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The Bias Categories Behind our Bias Meter
Biasly has developed a comprehensive framework that categorizes political bias along a nine-point spectrum, ranging from Very Left to Very Right, to help individuals understand different political perspectives and recognize bias in media and discourse. Our political bias categories provide clear definitions and examples of how various ideological positions manifest in language, policy preferences, and rhetoric across the political landscape.
Understanding these distinctions enables readers to better identify their own biases, evaluate information sources more critically, and engage more productively in political conversations with those holding different viewpoints.
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Very Left
This is the most left-wing ideology on the spectrum. People who are very or extremely Left hold the most left-wing position on nearly all or all topics. They usually advocate for ambitious, immediate, and drastic government intervention to solve the pressing issues of the day.
Very Left Examples
We must immediately act to transition away from fossil fuels if we want to pevent climate catastrophe. The future of the planet is at stake!
We must dismantle systems of economic oppression and privilege, and build a world where everyone can have full equality.
The federal government must pass a new voting rights bill to end voter suppression. We must strengthen our democracy to prevent politicians from overriding the will of the people.
These quotes indicate drastic and end-of-the-spectrum ideological leanings. They speak to a desire to dismantle the status quo. Incremental change isn’t good enough to achieve the ultimate goal.
Medium Left
The largest group on the left side of the spectrum are Medium Lefts. Whereas people who are Very Left are passionate and feel strongly about their stances, this group tends to support most of the mainstream ideologies that the Democrat party is for. They don’t support extreme policy but mostly stick with more reasonable approaches in the policy leanings.
Medium Left Examples
We need to work on reducing income inequality in this country. Raising taxes on the wealthy could generate revenue to strengthen social programs for the poor.
We must prioritize comprehensive reform that provides a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and provide support for them along the way.
Medium Lefts may hold similar positions to people further to their left but use a more reasonable, but firm tone. A reasonable but firm tone can better help build coalitions to win support and pass their agenda, while staying more firm on core principles of the party.
Somewhat Left
When someone is Somewhat Left, most of their views slightly lean left but they may hold limited Right positions. Below are two examples of left-leaning positions with a moderate tone.
Somewhat Left Examples
I think we should consider reforming our immigration policies to allow some easier pathways to citizenship. Deporting all undocumented immigrants seems impractical.
While I believe that women have a right to an abortion, I do believe in restrictions past the point of viability unless the mother’s life is at risk.
The first quote expressed openness to reforming the immigration system and providing a pathway from citizenship for the undocumented population. The second states a preference for legal abortion with some restrictions. These are Left positions, but the more moderate tone keeps them from being Medium Left. Overall, this group is sometimes the least politically engaged group and the least likely to show strong support for the Democratic Party from those on the left.
Center
People who identify as moderate hold views that split pretty evenly between Left and Right topics. They are less likely to identify with either major political party compared to individuals who lean Left or Right. Moderates don’t hold strong positions on topics and may not want to take a stance at all. They also consider the perspectives of both sides when making decisions.
Center Examples
We need an education system that balances the interests of public education and school vouchers. Both systems have their benefits and drawbacks and going all-in on either will not help anyone.
Centrists balance both sides when making statements such as the two above. They understand why some people would support a certain position but also consider the opposing arguments as well. They don’t believe one side has all the answers.
Somewhat Right
Most of the views of people who fall under Somewhat Right slightly lean Right, but they may hold some left-leaning positions.
Somewhat Right Examples
While the United States has always been a nation of immigrants, we should not forget that we are a nation of laws as well. We should make our borders more secure as well as compassionately help people return to their homes.
This statement emphasizes the need for border security, which Rights frequently do when discussing immigration, but speaks about in a compassionate, moderate tone. These indicate somewhat Right stances.
Medium Right
This group is typically the largest group on the right-leaning end of the spectrum. Medium Rights tend to hold many strongly Right positions but emphasize concern about the gray area and unintended consequences of public policies. Their Right agenda involves more incremental change than their Very Right counterparts.
Medium Right Examples
I think we need to be careful about increasing government regulation of businesses. It could stifle innovation and hurt small businesses when taken too far.
While I believe that gender and sexuality identity should not be discussed in classrooms, I think the LBGQT+ community deserves the same fundamental rights and protections as all Americans.
As with their Medium Left counterparts, Medium Rights believe and follow the mainstay policies and principles within the Right movement but use a reasonable and firm tone. This allows for greater coalition building to win elections and pass their preferred policies. Most Republicans would fall under this group.
Very Right
The last group is Very Right. Virtually every or all political positions from this group are as Right as they could be. They use strong, or even extreme language when making arguments, and are the most uncompromising compared to other Right counterparts. The statements below exemplify a very to extreme Right.
Very Right Examples
We can’t let the government impose burdensome regulations that destroy free enterprise. All these socialist policies will hurt small businesses and put us into a recession.
The first person calls for the mass deportation of every undocumented person in the country. This position is extreme even for many Rights, and can be more forceful.
The second person speaks passionately against government regulations. However, they also use strong Right language such as, “put us into a recession,” to get their message across. The comment reflects a person who is very Right.
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Example Stances of Abortion
Very Left
“Every woman has the right to make decisions about her own body and reproductive health. Reproductive freedom is essential for gender equality. Women must have the right to choose when and whether to have children, free from coercion and judgment. It should be allowed in just about every instance.”
Medium Left
“Access to safe and legal abortion is essential for women’s autonomy and equality. It should be allowed in most instances.”
Somewhat Left
“Abortion rights are non-negotiable. Every person deserves the right to make decisions about their own body and future without interference from the government or outside forces. Access to safe, affordable, and stigma-free abortion care is essential for gender equality and reproductive justice. We must fiercely defend these rights on a federal-level and work towards a society where all individuals have the autonomy to control their own destinies.”
Center
“I believe in finding common ground on divisive issues like abortion. We should uphold a woman’s right to choose while also protecting the sanctity of life. We need to address this with a middle of the road approach for both sides, and perhaps let the states decide.”
Somewhat Right
“I think abortion should be illegal but with some reasonable exceptions.”
Medium Right
“Life begins at conception, and every unborn child has the right to life. Abortion is a violation of that right and should be allowed only in a limited-scope.”
Very Right
“God is the author of life, and abortion is a sin that goes against His will. We must protect the unborn and promote a culture of life that respects the sanctity of human existence. We can only allow very limited exceptions in getting an abortion.”