Thanks for providing some data. Maybe the term started being used then, but not the concept. At least in my information bubble, it was an ongoing issue.

It seems wrong and honestly disingenious to dismiss the term fake news and its narrative just because you've heard it once before.

Thats an anecdote, and we've had things like batboy and fake news about hillary clinton since the 90s.

Also the huge spike on google trends right after the election is undoubtedly important and meaningful.

Please reread my actual words. That's not what I wrote.