The feature, announced by Google in June, is now in an expanded testing phase, with select users invited to join a pilot program where they can “add helpful notes to videos” to improve the information available to the YouTube community.
How Does the Feature Work?
Users can sign up to submit notes on videos they find inaccurate or unclear. Once submitted, these notes are reviewed and rated by other users. A note is only published if a large number of reviewers find it helpful. YouTube will notify users when notes are published. Currently, this feature is only available on mobile devices.
Gizchina News of the Week
Participants in the program will see an “Add a note” button below videos. Submitted notes must cite reliable sources, be easy to understand, unbiased, and directly address the claims made in the video or its title.
Writing Effective Notes
YouTube's support page offers instructions on how to write effective notes and what happens after they're sent. Here are some important tips for writing notes:
- Cite sources to support the banknote's claims.
- Use clear and understandable language.
- Maintain your neutrality and avoid personal opinions.
- Provide essential context not found in the video, description, or title.
- Directly address the claims made in the video or in the video's title.
How to start
To write a note:
- Tap the “Add note” button below the video.
- Type your note in the text box provided.
- Tap “Send.”
Notes are anonymous; the channel name will not be visible.
Usability
This program is currently invite-only. If you don't see the option to add notes, it may indicate that you are not eligible. Additionally, this feature is not available for videos featuring minors, content made for kids, or private videos.
The extent to which the pilot program is feasible and the timeline for its wider rollout remain unclear.
By implementing this feature, YouTube aims to create a more informed community and reduce the spread of misinformation on its platform.