What is it?
An appeal to popularity fallacy occurs when someone claims that something is true or good simply because it's popular or many people believe it. This fallacy assumes that the majority opinion is always correct.
Examples
Person A: 'Millions of people buy this brand of cereal, so it must be the healthiest option.'
Person B: 'Everyone is using this app, so it must be the best one available.'
How to Avoid This
Evaluate claims based on evidence and reasoning rather than popularity. Remember that the majority can be wrong, and popularity doesn't necessarily correlate with quality or truth.
How to Counter This
Ask for specific evidence that supports the claim beyond its popularity. You might say, 'Just because many people do something doesn't mean it's the best option. What specific evidence suggests this is better?'