Community Notes, formerly known as Birdwatch, is a feature on X (formerly Twitter) that allows users to collaboratively add context to potentially misleading tweets. This guide will walk you through the process of community noting a tweet, explaining the mechanics and best practices.
What are Community Notes?
Community Notes is a crowdsourced fact-checking initiative. If a tweet contains inaccurate or misleading information, users can collaboratively write notes explaining the inaccuracies. These notes then appear below the original tweet, providing crucial context for readers. The more users who agree on the note's accuracy, the more prominently it's displayed. This system aims to combat misinformation and promote informed discourse on the platform.
How to Write a Community Note
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add a Community Note to a tweet:
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Identify a Misleading Tweet: Find a tweet that you believe contains false or misleading information. Make sure you have evidence to support your claim. Consider the source of the information and its credibility.
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Check for Existing Notes: Before writing a note, check if a similar note already exists. This avoids duplication and ensures the most effective notes are highlighted.
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Write a Clear and Concise Note: Your note should clearly and concisely explain why the tweet is misleading. Support your claims with factual evidence from reliable sources. Avoid using inflammatory language or personal attacks; focus on the facts.
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Provide Sources: Link to credible sources that support your claims. This adds weight to your note and demonstrates its accuracy.
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Submit Your Note: Once you've written your note and provided sources, submit it for review. X's algorithm will assess your note and determine whether it meets the quality standards.
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Community Review: Other users will review your note. If a sufficient number of users agree with its accuracy, it will be displayed beneath the original tweet.
What Happens After Submission?
After submitting your note, it undergoes a review process. This process considers several factors, including:
- Accuracy: Is the information in the note accurate and supported by reliable sources?
- Clarity: Is the note easy to understand and free of jargon or overly technical language?
- Neutrality: Is the note presented in a neutral and unbiased manner, focusing on facts rather than opinions?
- Relevance: Is the note directly relevant to the tweet in question?
If your note meets these criteria and receives sufficient support from other users, it will be displayed prominently under the original tweet. If it doesn't meet the standards or receives insufficient support, it may be rejected or hidden.
What Makes a Good Community Note?
A successful Community Note possesses the following characteristics:
- Factual Accuracy: It must be supported by verifiable facts from reputable sources.
- Conciseness: It should be brief and to the point, conveying the necessary information efficiently.
- Objectivity: It should avoid biased language and present the information neutrally.
- Clarity: It should be easily understood by the average reader.
- Relevance: It should directly address the misleading aspects of the tweet.
How Many People Need to Agree?
X doesn't publicly disclose the exact number of users needed to make a Community Note visible. The visibility is determined by an algorithm weighing multiple factors, including the number of users who have rated it as helpful, the quality of the note's sources, and the overall confidence level in the accuracy of the note.
Can I Edit or Delete My Note?
You can edit your Community Note after submission until it reaches a sufficient number of ratings to appear under the original tweet. Once a sufficient number of users rated it as helpful and it appears under the tweet, you cannot edit or delete it.
By following these steps and best practices, you can effectively participate in Community Notes and help combat misinformation on X. Remember, responsible and accurate contributions are key to making this feature a valuable tool for promoting truth and accuracy online.
