YouTube is trying to fight misinformation with new feature

Since most video playback features are already present on YouTube, Google is trying to improve its community features. There is a lot of misinformation everywhere on the internet, so, as the owner of the world’s biggest social media platform, Google is trying to fight it with an upcoming YouTube feature.

YouTube to get Viewers’ Note feature to fight misinformation

Some people have started receiving emails (via 9To5Google) from YouTube to test out a new feature that lets people fight misinformation on YouTube. It is testing a new feature called ‘Viewers’ Notes,’ similar to X’s (formerly Twitter) Community Notes feature.

People who find a YouTube video “confusing or inaccurate” can submit a note to clarify the matter further. Other people in the community can act as a group and decide whether or not to show that note under the video on YouTube. They can also add timestamps for the video itself.

Google announced this feature in June 2024 and started testing it with limited users. Now, the feature seems to be rolling out more widely. As of now, it only works on smartphones and tablets. So, you might be able to see it on your Galaxy smartphone or tablet. The company could expand its availability to more platforms after the feature’s successful testing.

YouTube suggests that people cite sources in their notes. Their notes should be neutral and easy to understand. YouTube also suggests offering context that isn’t readily available and directly addressing a claim in the video or its title. The note will only be published if enough people rate it as “helpful.”