YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform, is quietly testing a new feature that could change how viewers understand the content they watch. Dubbed “Notes,” this feature allows users to add context directly to videos, similar to the Community Notes feature on Twitter.
What are “Notes”?
Notes are short text snippets displayed beneath a video. They can be used to provide additional information or clarification, such as identifying a video as satire, highlighting outdated information, or pointing out if a product review features an older model.
The goal is to create a more informed viewing experience by harnessing the collective knowledge of the YouTube community. YouTube hopes this will help combat misinformation, particularly as concerns about manipulated videos and AI-generated content continue to rise.
How Does it Work?
YouTube is starting small, inviting a select group of users to write Notes. These Notes are then reviewed by other users who can rate them as “helpful,” “somewhat helpful,” or “unhelpful.” Only Notes that are consistently rated as helpful will be publicly displayed.
This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the displayed Notes are accurate and beneficial to the broader community.
Potential Impact
If successful, Notes could significantly improve the quality of information on YouTube. By empowering users to add context, YouTube is taking a proactive step towards addressing the spread of misinformation.
It could also create a more engaging viewing experience, allowing viewers to learn more about the videos they watch. However, there are also concerns about potential misuse, such as the spread of inaccurate information or targeted harassment through Notes.
The Future of Notes
YouTube has not officially announced a timeline for a wider rollout of Notes. The current test is limited to a small group of users in the US, with Notes displayed only in English.
YouTube says it will carefully monitor the test and gather feedback before deciding on the future of this feature.
