TikTok has announced it is testing a new feature called "Footnotes," which will function similarly to the Community Notes feature on X (formerly Twitter). This initiative aims to help users combat misinformation on the platform by allowing community members to contribute relevant information to videos.
The feature is currently being tested in the United States and will initially focus on short-form videos. TikTok states that Footnotes will leverage the collective knowledge of its user base, enhancing the platform’s existing measures to provide users with reliable content and authoritative sources. These measures include content labels and a fact-checking program.
Users interested in becoming Footnotes contributors must meet certain criteria: they must be at least 18 years old, have been active on the platform for over six months, and have no recent violations of community guidelines. Contributors will be able to add and rate the helpfulness of different Footnotes. TikTok plans to implement a bridge-based ranking system that encourages contributions from users with differing opinions, which will help to determine the most helpful notes.
The exact timeline for the public launch of Footnotes has not been specified, but TikTok has indicated that it will be rolled out in the coming months. This development follows similar efforts by other major social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, to empower users in addressing misinformation. Overall, TikTok's Footnotes feature represents a growing trend in social media aimed at increasing the accuracy and reliability of shared content.