TikTok has unveiled a new pilot feature called “Footnotes,” aiming to help users better understand and trust the content they see on the platform. The feature, now being tested in the United States, lets select users add extra context to videos, especially those with complex topics or potentially confusing information.
Announced by Adam Presser, TikTok’s Head of Operations and Trust and Safety, Footnotes is designed to tap into the collective knowledge of the TikTok community. Contributors can add relevant information to videos, helping viewers make sense of everything from STEM concepts to breaking news or statistics that might otherwise be misinterpreted.
“Today we’re announcing the test of Footnotes, a new feature that will give our community more context about content on TikTok,” Presser said.
To ensure credibility, TikTok has set eligibility rules: contributors must be over 18, have had an account for at least six months, and maintain a clean record on the platform. Once admitted, these users can add footnotes and rate those submitted by others. Only footnotes rated as “helpful” by a diverse group of contributors will be visible to the wider community, thanks to a bridge-based ranking system that encourages input from different perspectives.
The company already uses content labels, search banners, and partners with fact-checkers worldwide. Footnotes adds a new layer, letting users directly enrich discussions and improve the overall experience for viewers and creators.
