If YouTube is one of your go-to places for self-diagnosis or advice on health matters, there’s a chance you might get real health info. Mostly, though, you just hope their advice works and doesn’t leave you worse off.
In an effort to limit misinformation on the platform, YouTube announced on Thursday that it’ll let certified healthcare professionals apply for verification.
“For the first time, certain categories of healthcare professionals and health information providers can apply to make their channels eligible for our health product features,” said YouTube’s global head of health Dr. Garth Graham.
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Certified healthcare professionals will appear on the platform’s healthcare carousels in the search results, so you can at least have some assurance about their credibility.
“Up until now, these features have only been available to organizations such as educational institutions, public health departments, hospitals, and government entities. This new step will allow us to expand to include high-quality information from a wider group of healthcare channels,” said YouTube.
Applicants will be expected to provide proof of license and follow “best practices” on how they share information
Between influencers and professionals
Unfortunately for South Africa, the verification is only available in the United States (US) and Germany for now. YouTube plans to include more countries in the future. It didn’t say when that’ll happen. So for now, you’re stuck with the mixed bag of influencers and professionals.
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Based on the healthcare system in the US, they may need this more than we do. South Africa has its issues, but it also has free basic healthcare. Let’s let the Americans have this one for now.
Still, with all the remedies flooding YouTube from local YouTubers, we’re ready for verifications as well. Please YouTube. Make it soon.
Source: YouTube