YouTube's "Notes" Feature: Enhancing Viewer Experience and Tackling Misinformation

Breaking New Ground: YouTube's Fresh Concept

YouTube has exclusively revealed to TechCrunch that they are experimenting with a promising new feature. They’ve named it "Notes", and it promises to enhance viewer experience by offering additional information and context under videos. If you're reminded of the Community Notes feature from X (previously Twitter), you're not far off the mark – YouTube admits they are treading the same path.

According to YouTube, which is a Google subsidiary, the functionality of "Notes" ranges from making clear when a featured song is a parody, to alerting the viewer to older video content being represented as current affairs. It's a fascinating blend of tidbits and fact-checking, enhancing the video narrative whilst keeping the viewer informed and grounded in reality.

Notes as an Antidote to Misinformation

The introduction of this inventive feature couldn't be timelier, as the US finds itself in the throes of an election year. Misinformation was a key concern during the 2020 presidential election, and could potentially assume a larger, more menacing form in 2024 due to the advent and uptake of generative AI. By rolling out the "Notes" feature, it seems YouTube is taking a strategic step forward in curbing the spread of misinformation on its platform.

Set to be launched on mobile in English across the United States, YouTube is preparing for the test phase. They anticipate errors could arise; notes that poorly match a video or contain incorrect information might find their way into the test platform. But, with a focus on continuous learning and improvement, they welcome user feedback and assure us they are prepared for course corrections.

Crafting and Optimising the "Notes" Experience

For the pilot test, YouTube enlists a select set of users. Eligibility criteria include owning an active YouTube channel with a good standing reputation. Viewers across the United States can expect notes on their favorite videos in the near future.

The initial pilot period will involve third-party evaluators who will assess the utility and factual accuracy of "Notes". Viewer feedback on specific notes will be collected, giving the platform insight into what makes a particular note seem helpful or unhelpful; it could be due to the credibility of the source cited in the note, or because the note remained neutral and objective.

"Notes" optimization doesn't stop there though. An algorithm will segregate published "Notes" based on the ratings they've garnered, with an intention to isolate notes that resonate with a broad audience. For example, if a note gathers positive ratings from a diverse range of people, it will have a better chance of being showcased below a video. YouTube assures users that the system will undergo continuous upgradation as more and more notes are submitted and vetted across a range of videos. Depending on how much this feature is appreciated by users, "Notes" may become a permanent addition to the YouTube arsenal.