TikTok has introduced a new feature called “Footnotes”, its version of community-driven fact-checking, similar to Twitter’s (now X) Birdwatch.
The feature aims to provide crowdsourced context on content, enabling users to add helpful information to videos and tackle misinformation collaboratively.
Starting today, eligible users in the U.S. can apply to become Footnotes contributors. Applicants must be 18 or older, have had a TikTok account for at least six months, and must not have violated community guidelines in the last six months. TikTok says it will also proactively notify users who already meet these criteria.
The Footnotes system relies on a bridge-based ranking algorithm designed to identify agreement between users with different viewpoints. Contributors can suggest footnotes and vote on their helpfulness. Only notes that reach a certain helpfulness threshold will be published publicly, allowing the broader community to vote and improve the quality of notes over time.
TikTok says the feature is currently being tested in the U.S. for short-form videos, with plans to expand contributor access in the coming months. While the company laid off some of its trust and safety staff earlier this year, it emphasizes that Footnotes will complement its existing safety and integrity tools.
