Show your sources
The assistant states a fact. How does a person know it is true?
Put a small numbered mark next to each claim, and list where it came from.
Try it
High confidenceHigh confidence, supported by multiple sources.
Sources
How to design it
- 1
Mark each claim
Add a small number right after the sentence it supports.
- 2
List the sources below
Give each one a title and a place it came from, so the number leads somewhere.
- 3
Let people open them
A tap on the number or the card goes straight to the original.
- 4
Say how sure you are
Add a short note on how well the sources back up the answer.
Do and avoid
Do
- Keep marks small so the text still reads well.
- Use real titles people will recognise.
- Link each mark to its matching source.
- Add a confidence note when sources are thin.
Avoid
- Do not list sources that were not used.
- Do not put one big list at the end with no marks in the text.
- Do not make up a source to look sure.
- Do not hide disagreement: when sources conflict or only partly support a claim, say so (the Trust and safety guide has a table for each case).
Why it works
People check things when a claim matters to them, such as a refund or a flight. If checking is one tap away, most people trust the answer without checking. If it is not possible, they stay unsure about everything.