There are four broad categories of fake news, according to media professor Melissa Zimdars of Merrimack College.
CATEGORY 1: Fake, false, or regularly misleading websites that are shared on Facebook and social media. Some of these websites may rely on “outrage” by using distorted headlines and decontextualized or dubious information in order to generate likes, shares, and profits.
CATEGORY 2: Websites that may circulate misleading and/or potentially unreliable information
CATEGORY 3: Websites which sometimes use clickbait-y headlines and social media descriptions
CATEGORY 4: Satire/comedy sites, which can offer important critical commentary on politics and society, but have the potential to be shared as actual/literal news
These sites are known to perpetuate "fake news". Some are known as parody and satire sites and are purposefully fake but have the potential to be reported literally. Some, however, are taken seriously as news sources when they are really conspiracy theory websites, extremely hyperpartisan, and utilize false reporting.
For a full list of False, Misleading, Clickbait-y, and Satirical “News” Sources click this link!