Meta emphasized that X’s algorithm and program information are open source, making them freely available for anyone to use. “We can build on what X has done, learn from the researchers who have studied it, and improve the system for our own platforms,” the company stated. “As our own version develops, we may explore different or adjusted algorithms to support how Community Notes are ranked and rated.”
The feature, pitched by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in January as a replacement for third-party fact-checking in the U.S., will begin testing next week. Meta recently announced that users can apply to become contributors if they meet specific criteria, such as being over 18 and having a verified phone number. So far, approximately 200,000 people have signed up to participate.
Community Notes will allow contributors to add context to “almost any form of content,” including posts by Meta executives, politicians, and public figures. However, the tool will not apply to advertisements. Posts flagged with Community Notes cannot be appealed, but there will be no additional penalties for content that is flagged. “Notes will provide extra context, but they won’t impact who can see the content or how widely it can be shared,” Meta explained.
A Meta spokesperson clarified that Community Notes is not intended to replace content moderation but rather to supplement it. Rachel Lambert, Meta’s director of product management, noted during a media briefing that the company does not currently plan to open-source its version of Community Notes but is considering the possibility in the future.
Neil Johnson, a George Washington University professor and expert on online misinformation, cautioned that while Community Notes can provide valuable context, it is not a substitute for formal fact-checking. He described the model as an “imperfect system” that could be exploited by organized groups with specific agendas. Meta addressed this concern in its blog post, stating that publishing a note requires consensus among contributors, which helps “safeguard against organized campaigns attempting to game the system.”
Meta plans to expand the Community Notes program across the U.S. after initial beta testing, with ongoing improvements based on feedback and performance. The company aims to ensure the tool functions effectively before rolling it out more broadly.