YouTube is rolling out a new experimental feature called “Notes” that aims to provide viewers with more context and information under videos. This feature, similar to Community Notes on X (formerly Twitter), will allow users to add notes to videos, clarifying when a song is a parody or when older footage is being portrayed as a current event.
The launch of this feature is particularly timely, as it comes during a pivotal U.S. election year. Misinformation was a significant issue during the 2020 presidential election, and with the rise of generative AI, misinformation during the 2024 election is expected to be an even bigger problem. By introducing Notes, YouTube is taking a proactive step to minimize the spread of misinformation on its platform.
Initially, the pilot for this feature will only be available on mobile devices in the U.S. and in the English language. YouTube acknowledges that there may be mistakes during the test phase, such as incorrect information or notes that don’t match the video. However, the company plans to learn from this phase and welcomes feedback from both viewers and creators to improve the quality of the notes.
During the test phase, a limited number of users with active YouTube channels in good standing will be invited to write notes. Viewers in the U.S. can expect to start seeing notes on videos in the coming weeks and months. Third-party evaluators will rate the helpfulness and accuracy of the notes, and these evaluations will be used by YouTube to train its systems.
If a note is deemed helpful by the third-party evaluators, it will appear under the video. Viewers will then have the opportunity to rate the note as “helpful,” “somewhat helpful,” or “unhelpful” and provide reasons for their rating. This feedback will help YouTube’s algorithm determine which notes are published. The algorithm will prioritize notes that are rated as helpful by a broad audience, considering changes in ratings over time.
YouTube expects the system to continuously improve as more notes are submitted and rated across different types of videos on the platform. Based on the success and improvements of this feature, YouTube will decide whether to officially roll it out to all users.
In conclusion, YouTube’s introduction of Notes is a step towards combating misinformation on its platform, particularly during election years. By allowing viewers to add context and information to videos, YouTube aims to provide a more informed viewing experience. With the involvement of third-party evaluators and user feedback, the company hopes to ensure the accuracy and helpfulness of these notes. As the system evolves, YouTube will consider a wider release of this feature.