YouTube will soon ask audiences to add context to videos
What is the primary purpose of the new "notes" feature being tested on YouTube?
The primary purpose of the new "notes" feature being tested on YouTube is to allow viewers to add community-sourced context to videos. This feature aims to clarify information, such as indicating whether a video is a parody or contains older footage presented as a current event. By enabling users to add bits of information, YouTube hopes to provide helpful context and maintain the accuracy of information shared on the platform.
Who are eligible to write these notes on YouTube during the initial testing phase?
During the initial testing phase of YouTube's "notes" feature, only a limited number of eligible contributors can write notes. These contributors are selected by YouTube to provide community-sourced context to videos. As the pilot progresses, YouTube will evaluate the helpfulness of notes through feedback from viewers and eventually expand the feature to more users.
How does the notes feature on YouTube compare to Google's annotation feature in search results?
The notes feature on YouTube and Google's annotation feature in search results share similarities in their purpose and functionality, but there are also some differences in how they operate and who can access them.
Both features aim to provide users with community-sourced context and additional information to enhance their experience. YouTube's notes allow viewers to add bits of information to clarify aspects of a video, such as whether it's a parody or uses older footage as a current event. Similarly, Google's annotation feature, also called Notes, lets users add their insights and experiences to search results, helping others find the most relevant information.
However, there are differences in how these features are being tested and who can access them. YouTube's notes feature is currently in a pilot phase, with only a limited number of eligible contributors able to write notes. Third-party evaluators are rating the helpfulness of notes, and eventually, viewers will be asked to provide feedback on the usefulness of notes. This feedback will be used to train YouTube's note evaluation system. The pilot is only available to mobile users in the US and in English.
On the other hand, Google's annotation feature is available through Google Search Labs as an opt-in experiment. Users who opt in can view, create, and share notes on content in Google Search results and Google Discover4. Once you've opted in, you can see what others have said about a web page and create your own notes to share your experience with the topic or article2.
In summary, while both features aim to provide community-sourced context to enhance user experience, YouTube's notes feature is currently more limited in its access and availability, while Google's annotation feature is available through an opt-in experiment for a broader audience.