Google is well aware that the hair-raising comments of YouTube users have turned the service into a fright fest.
It’s tried to drain the swamp. In February 2015, for example, it created a kid-safe app that would keep things like, oh, say, racist/anti-Semitic/homophobic comments or zombies from scaring the bejeezus out of young YouTubers.
Now, Google’s trying something new: it’s soliciting “YouTube Heroes” to don their mental hazmat suits and dive in to do some cleanup.
You work hard to make YouTube better for everyone… and like all heroes, you deserve a place to call home.
This video explains the program:
As they climb up the ladder, earning points for do-gooderism and advancing to higher levels, the Heroes will get access to a dashboard for online moderation, access to exclusive workshops and “Hero hangouts,” and sneak previews of YouTube product launches and test products before they’re released to the general public.
Other perks they can gain along the way include access to “super tools,” such as the ability to mass-flag videos.
YouTube announced the program in a post on its help channel on Wednesday.
Here’s what it’s asking volunteers to do:
- Flag inappropriate videos. Here are some details about its Trusted Flagger Program.
- Add captions and subtitles to videos.
- Share knowledge with other users on the YouTube Help forum, which is available in English, French, German, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Doing those tasks will earn users points that they can use to get the perks in this new crowdsourcing program.
To participate, you have to agree to and comply with the YouTube Heroes Program Rules.
Google says the program, offered everywhere YouTube is available, is currently in beta and subject to change.
Our goal is to have a positive impact on our users, and we look forward to refining the Program as it continues.