TikTok is stepping up its efforts to combat misinformation with a new feature called “Footnotes,” a community-driven tool that allows users to add context to potentially misleading videos. The initiative, which is currently being tested in the United States, mirrors the concept of “Community Notes” on X (formerly Twitter) but with several key differences aimed at maintaining content integrity.
According to Adam Presser, TikTok’s head of operations, Footnotes is designed to “draw on the collective knowledge of the TikTok community by allowing people to add relevant information to content.” The move comes as the platform continues to expand its fact-checking efforts, including collaborations with third-party organizations such as Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Unlike X, which has replaced its formal fact-checking program with Community Notes, TikTok will maintain its partnerships with fact-checkers. “Footnotes will add to our suite of measures that help people understand the reliability of content and access authoritative sources,” Presser explained. These include content labels, search banners, and warnings on unverified information.
To contribute to Footnotes, users must be based in the U.S., over 18 years old, have had an account for more than six months, and maintain a clean record without violating community guidelines. Contributors will also rate each other’s Footnotes, helping surface the most accurate and helpful context. Once a Footnote is deemed helpful, it becomes visible to the broader community, who can vote on its usefulness.
The feature is intended to help clarify topics ranging from complex scientific concepts and statistics to breaking news and ongoing events. “Whether the content discusses a complex STEM-related concept, shares statistics that could misrepresent a topic, or updates about an ongoing event, there may be additional context that could help others better understand it,” Presser said.
TikTok’s move comes at a time when other tech giants like Meta have scaled back fact-checking initiatives, citing concerns over censorship. By contrast, TikTok’s Footnotes aims to empower its community to participate in safeguarding content quality while maintaining oversight through professional fact-checkers.
As misinformation continues to pose challenges across digital platforms, TikTok’s Footnotes could serve as a promising hybrid model for enhancing transparency and fostering informed discussions online.
