TikTok's New Approach to Misinformation
TikTok, like other social media platforms, faces challenges with misleading data and controversial content. To combat fake news, especially regarding health and elections, TikTok has implemented a fact-checking system. Now, the platform aims to involve its users in providing context for perhaps misleading posts.
Introducing Footnotes
Today, TikTok unveiled a new feature called Footnotes. This tool allows selected community members to add useful information to posts that may be sensationalized or unclear.Other platforms like X and Meta have similar features; X calls it Community Notes while Meta introduced it on Instagram and Facebook in 2025.
The main goal is straightforward: “Footnotes will draw on the collective knowledge of the TikTok community by allowing people to add relevant information,” as stated by the company in their announcement.
How Footnotes Will Function
testing for Footnotes will start in the United States soon. Users can apply to become contributors if they meet specific criteria:
- Location: Must reside in the U.S.
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old.
- Account Activity: Should have an active TikTok account older than six months.
- Contact Information: A valid email address or local phone number is required.
- Account History: No policy violations within the last six months.
Approved contributors will write and review footnotes based on a ranking system. If a post sparks discussion needing clarification,users can vote on which footnote should be attached based on community approval.
these footnotes will be visible to all users but won’t affect any disciplinary actions against posts they accompany. Posts with footnotes can still participate in Creator Rewards Programs.
Why TikTok Might Succeed
Unlike Meta’s decision to end its fact-checking program in the U.S.,TikTok views footnotes as an additional resource rather than a replacement for conventional fact-checkers. Community notes provide essential context that goes beyond what fact-checkers typically offer.
“We continue partnering with over 20 accredited fact-checking organizations worldwide,” says TikTok about their ongoing efforts across more than 60 languages and markets globally.
Fact-checkers often struggle under heavy workloads trying to remove harmful content from social media platforms. Many online posts lack proper context, leading them to misrepresent events or individuals unfairly.
While community notes are not a perfect solution for making social media safer or more accurate, research indicates they often fail at curbing harmful content due to various factors involved in public perception of truth.
Achieving consensus among diverse viewpoints is challenging today; Poynter Institute highlights this issue when discussing cross-ideological agreement on truth as nearly impossible amid growing partisanship.
Fortunately, TikTok does not rely solely on user-generated notes for accuracy checks.The company maintains partnerships with global fact-checkers who manage problematic content that may face penalties such as reduced visibility or removal from the platform altogether.
“The experts can quickly debunk serious misinformation while Footnote contributors provide context where needed,” Poynter explains further about this dual approach's potential benefits for users facing misinformation challenges online during uncertain times ahead regarding possible bans affecting access within certain regions of America.”
it remains crucial how effective this experimental feature proves itself among American audiences amidst ongoing discussions surrounding regulation concerning digital spaces used daily by millions worldwide seeking reliable sources without falling prey easily into traps set forth through deceptive practices employed elsewhere online today!
