Find out how community Facebook and Instagram are revolutionizing the fight against disinformation by promoting a participatory and democratic approach.
The year 2025 marks a decisive turning point for Meta and its flagship platforms, Facebook and Instagram. With the introduction of Facebook and Instagram community notesthe giant of social networks , the social media giant aims to redefine the way information is moderated and contextualized on the Internet. Inspired by the model already present on X (formerly Twitter), this initiative arouses as much enthusiasm as skepticism. But what exactly are these community notes, and how could they be an effective weapon against disinformation?
What are Facebook and Instagram Community Ratings?
All Facebook and Instagram community notes are a collaborative system that allows users to report potentially misleading information and add context to certain publications. This principle is based on the contribution of anonymous volunteers, who can write explanatory notes under posts deemed ambiguous or questionable. If these notes are validated by the community, they appear directly under the publication concerned, thus providing additional information to the public.
According to Meta, this new tool is intended to be a natural extension of the efforts to combat disinformation that have been underway in recent years. However, unlike traditional methods such as professional fact-checking, community ratings favor a participatory approach where user consensus takes precedence over expert opinion.
How do community notes work?
The use of Facebook and Instagram community notes relies on a simple but structured process. When a user identifies a potentially problematic post, they can access a dedicated option, often represented by the “…” icon located at the top right of the post. From there, they can anonymously propose a community rating, providing additional context or reporting misinformation.
However, not all notes are automatically published. A review process is in place, involving other community members who determine whether a note is relevant and useful. This validation mechanism, similar to the one used on X, aims to prevent abuse and misuse.
Why does Meta rely on community ratings?
By abandoning professional fact-checking in favour of Facebook and Instagram community notes, Meta aligns itself with a philosophy where truth becomes a matter of consensus. According to Mark Zuckerberg, this approach would allow to circumvent the accusations of bias often leveled at traditional fact-checkers. By entrusting this role to the community, the company hopes to offer a more democratic alternative, less subject to ideological criticism.
This choice also fits into a political and economic context. The election campaigns in the United States, where disinformation has often been a hot topic, could be a real-world test for these community ratings. In addition, this initiative allows Meta to reduce its expenses related to fact-checking, while maintaining an active stance against disinformation.
Limitations and criticisms of community ratings
If the Facebook and Instagram community notes promise a breath of fresh air, they are not without raising concerns. Several criticisms are already emerging concerning their effectiveness and their potential impact.
- Risk of manipulation : As X's experience has shown, this type of system can be abused for activist purposes. Some users could use the ratings to spread biased opinions or to discredit opposing points of view.
- Biased Consensus : The fact that rating validation is based on majority consensus can be problematic. A majority of users sharing the same opinion can thus block opposing ratings, even if they are factually correct.
- Lack of transparency : The exact criteria for judging whether a rating is “useful” or not are not clearly defined. This leaves room for a certain opacity in the process.
Future prospects for community notes
Despite these challenges, the Facebook and Instagram community notes could mark a major shift in online content moderation. Their gradual rollout will allow us to test their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments. If Meta manages to balance the participatory aspect with robust safeguards, these ratings could well become a powerful tool in the fight against disinformation.
What you need to remember
All Facebook and Instagram community notes embody an innovative but controversial approach to content moderation. By drawing inspiration from X’s model, Meta paves the way for greater user engagement in the fight against misinformation, while raising questions about the risks of manipulation and bias. It remains to be seen whether this initiative will succeed in achieving its primary goal: restoring users’ trust in the information they consume.
Share your thoughts on this new feature in the comments. Do you think Community Notes will be effective in combating misinformation, or do you think they will make existing problems worse?