TikTok, still seeking a U.S. deal, adds “Footnotes”—a Community Notes-style tool for crowd-sourced video context.
Through Footnotes users obtain a fresh platform for presenting expert insights which enriches discussions by applying consensus methods according to Adam Presser in his blog post as TikTok head of operations and trust and safety.
TikTok added a version of crowd-sourced notes to its platform as its reported development since last year joins the trend launched by X.
The new Community Notes update from TikTok does not affect moderation policies or fact-checking partnerships while Meta continues to implement these changes in its applications.
The company defines this change as an opportunity for users to introduce useful details that may be absent from the content.
The implementing of footnotes does not affect how TikTok algorithms rank content or determine video visibility on the “For You” page.
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The new update created by Presser implements a ranking system which matches different users’ opinions and follows the open-source framework used by other social media platforms.
The current passage demonstrates direct reference to X because its rating system mandates user evaluations prior to releasing content publicly.
The Community Notes algorithm from X has been integrated by Meta into its application suite. TikTok borrows elements from X when designing Footnotes yet intends to implement its unique algorithm for the feature.
The future version of Footnotes on TikTok remains unclear together with their anticipated visibility level.
On X the Community Notes require users to specify their sources yet Footnotes also demand sources from either TikTok videos or outside websites for proper citations.
The company launches its experiment by permitting U.S. users to enroll as contributors. Footnotes contributors need to meet age requirements of 18 and possess an account older than 6 months while also avoiding any recent history of following Community Guidelines.
The following months will provide contributors with the ability to produce notes and evaluate notes posted by other members. In the US market Footnotes will not show to the public until a period of several months passes.
At this time the company has not specified any timeline for Footnotes worldwide deployment.
The introduction of Footnotes occurs while TikTok continues to face questions about its ongoing presence in the United States.
TikTok secured a new extension from President Donald Trump for 75 days to negotiate terms that would enable the company to stay operating in the United States.
According to available reports the White House supports how TikTok’s current US investor group brokered the deal but Trump’s China trade restrictions remain unclear as a negotiation factor.
