TikTok’s new “Footnotes” feature lets users add fact-checked notes to videos, but critics question whether it’ll clarify content—or create more confusion.
At a Glance
- TikTok is testing Footnotes for video-based user context
- Feature enables select users to add consensus-driven notes
- Notes remain visible even if video settings change
- TikTok partners with IFCN-backed fact-checkers for credibility
Footnotes Take Aim at Misinformation
TikTok is testing a new feature called Footnotes, designed to let users append context to videos in a way similar to Community Notes on platforms like X. According to TechCrunch, the initiative is being piloted in the U.S. and will allow trusted contributors to enhance short-form content with additional facts and perspective. The company says this effort is part of its broader strategy to promote transparency and better media literacy.
Footnotes are unique in that they remain visible to anyone who had access before any content settings are changed, ensuring transparency remains intact. Notes chosen through community consensus are made visible to all, which TikTok says helps improve clarity and fosters informed discussion.
Watch TikTok’s demo of the feature at Footnotes Launch Walkthrough.
Contributors and Fact-Checkers Working Together
The feature complements TikTok’s existing content-labeling tools and includes a strong fact-checking backbone. As reported by Lifehacker, Footnotes integrates contributions from IFCN-accredited fact-checking organizations to maintain accuracy. In order to participate, users must be over 18, have at least six months of active use, and a clean record under TikTok’s Community Guidelines.
Contributors rate and refine notes using a consensus model, and only the most “helpful” annotations surface to the general public. Adam Presser, TikTok’s head of operations, said, “We’re excited to work with each group as we continue to test, get feedback, and build on the program.”
Protecting Integrity in the TikTok Era
Footnotes are also intended to combat viral misinformation—especially around elections, public health, and other hot-button issues. TikTok believes this user-driven layer will add meaningful context and elevate platform integrity. As Reuters reports, this reflects TikTok’s evolving approach to content moderation and factual reinforcement.
Although the full rollout timeline is unclear, TikTok indicated that the program would expand “over the coming months,” with ongoing community input shaping its evolution. The final mechanics of how users interact with or dispute notes are still being finalized.
Empowering Users—or Confusing Them?
While Footnotes might seem like a big leap forward in content integrity, questions remain about how users will respond to seeing corrections or clarifications directly on videos. Will creators embrace the feedback, or push back? And can consensus-based note systems avoid the echo chambers they aim to correct?
Despite uncertainties, the push for Footnotes represents a milestone in TikTok’s effort to move beyond pure entertainment and toward a platform that offers context, trust, and accountability. As social media continues to shape how the world consumes information, tools like this could play a vital role in keeping facts—and users—on solid ground.
