TikTok has launched a new feature called “Footnotes,” a crowdsourced fact-checking system designed to provide additional context to content on the platform. The initiative aims to address misinformation while leveraging the collective knowledge of its user base.
Announced earlier this year, Footnotes allows approved contributors to add relevant information to videos. TikTok describes the feature as a way to “enrich discussions” and improve the viewing experience. The platform has already approved nearly 80,000 contributors, who must meet specific criteria, including being over 18, having no recent violations, and being active on TikTok for at least six months.
How Footnotes works
Footnotes operates similarly to fact-checking systems on other platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta. Contributors submit notes on videos, which other Footnotes users first review. If enough contributors rate a note as “helpful,” it becomes visible to the broader TikTok community, where users can vote on its usefulness.
The system is designed to find a middle ground, presenting information that people with differing opinions can agree on. TikTok emphasizes that Footnotes is not a replacement for its internal moderation team but an additional tool to provide context on sensitive topics.
Balancing moderation and user input
TikTok is maintaining its internal moderation while introducing Footnotes as a supplementary measure. The platform stated that Footnotes will “add helpful details that may be missing,” enhancing discussions and improving the experience for creators and viewers. By combining internal moderation with user-generated fact-checking, TikTok aims to strike a balance between combating misinformation and fostering community engagement.
As misinformation continues to spread online, TikTok’s approach will be closely watched as a potential model for other platforms navigating similar challenges.
Image courtesy: TikTok