What to know

  • TikTok is testing a new feature called Footnotes, similar to Community Notes on other platforms.
  • Footnotes allow users to add context and relevant information to videos, aiming to improve understanding and reliability.
  • The feature uses a consensus-driven system where notes become visible only after being rated as helpful by contributors.
  • U.S. users can apply to contribute if they meet eligibility requirements, including being over 18 and having no recent guideline violations.

TikTok has started testing a new feature called Footnotes, which lets users add extra context and information to videos. This feature is similar to Community Notes on platforms like X and Facebook. The company announced that Footnotes will first be available in the United States. The goal is to help viewers better understand certain content, especially when videos cover complex topics or include potentially misleading information.

Footnotes are designed to complement TikTok’s existing content reliability measures, such as content labels and a fact-checking program. Unlike some other platforms that have replaced fact-checking with community notes, TikTok will continue to use both systems.

Footnotes use a consensus-driven approach, where users with different viewpoints can add notes and vote on their helpfulness. Only notes rated as helpful by contributors become visible to the wider community, who can then also vote on them. This system is expected to become more effective as more users participate and more notes are added and rated.

To contribute Footnotes, users must meet certain criteria. They need to be at least 18 years old, have used TikTok for over six months, and have no recent violations of the platform’s community guidelines. Approved contributors can add and rate footnotes on public posts.

Footnotes will remain visible even if a post is later made private. TikTok may notify eligible users about the opportunity to join, and those accepted can begin contributing in the coming months.

While TikTok already offers features like comments, Stitch, and Duet for user interaction, Footnotes provide a new way for users to share expertise and add context.

This consensus-based system aims to enhance the credibility of information on the platform, particularly for videos involving science, statistics, or ongoing news events. TikTok will also continue to work with accredited fact-checking organizations to ensure content accuracy.

Via: The Verge