Fast answer
Fear and Greed Index signals need source timing and confirmation.
Before using a Fear and Greed Index signal, record the index source, score, date, time zone, sentiment bucket, market context, confirmation trigger, invalidation, risk limit, and final close record. A low or high sentiment score is not a complete signal.
If the provider cherry-picks sentiment extremes after reversals and hides failed contrarian calls, lower the evidence confidence.
Market-data checks
What to inspect in fear and greed index signals.
Index source and timestamp
Different dashboards can calculate sentiment differently. Preserve the source, score, date, and whether the score is current or historical.
Lag and confirmation
Sentiment indexes are often slower than price. A signal should explain what confirms the setup before entry.
Market regime
Extreme fear can persist during downtrends and extreme greed can persist during momentum. Compare sentiment with trend, liquidity, and volatility.
Complete record
The provider should keep skipped alerts, stopped contrarian trades, open positions, and final close notes visible.
Source context
Market data does not replace signal proof.
Alternative.me describes its Crypto Fear and Greed Index as a Bitcoin-market sentiment meter from 0 to 100. That sentiment score can add context, but it does not prove a third-party signal has timing edge, execution discipline, or honest reporting.
Review standard
A reviewable market-data call connects source, trigger, risk, and result.
For CSR evidence review, fear and greed index signals should preserve the original alert, source link or screenshot, timestamp, symbol, venue, time frame, entry condition, invalidation, stop, target, updates, and final status. A data point is not a substitute for a verifiable track record.