Logical fallacy

Appeal to popularity

Also known as: Bandwagon fallacy · Bandwagon · Ad populum · Argument from popularity · Appeal to the masses

Very common#6 of 71 by how common ← All logical fallacies

What it is

Argues that a claim is true or a choice is good because many people believe it or do it. Popularity shows what people think, not what is correct.

Example "Millions of customers can't be wrong."

Related

References

Wikipedia: Appeal to popularity en.wikipedia.org
Your Logical Fallacy Is: Bandwagon yourlogicalfallacyis.com
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Fallacies iep.utm.edu
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Fallacies plato.stanford.edu
Wikipedia: List of fallacies en.wikipedia.org
Purdue OWL: Logical fallacies owl.purdue.edu

More in “Feelings, crowds and authority standing in for evidence”

Appeal to emotion Appeal to authority Appeal to nature Appeal to tradition Appeal to fear Appeal to ignorance Argument from personal incredulity Appeal to novelty Appeal to pity Appeal to consequences Wishful thinking Argument from silence Appeal to flattery