ENmerking

ENmerking is a term describing a standardized annotation practice in knowledge curation that attaches provenance and reliability metadata to entries. An ENmarking typically records sources, authors, version history, and a reliability rating for the content, allowing readers to assess trustworthiness without consulting every citation.

The concept emerged in open knowledge communities in the early 2020s as a response to concerns about contested information. It builds on provenance metadata, version control, and fact-checking workflows, but aims for a lightweight, scalable approach that can be integrated into diverse knowledge bases.

Entries receive an EN-score on a defined scale, for example 0 to 5, reflecting evidence strength and corroboration. A provenance chain lists primary sources and verification steps, while a status flag indicates whether the content is unverified, disputed, or accepted. Systems render these markers alongside the entry, with links to the underlying sources and notes.

ENmerking is used in wikis, digital libraries, and educational platforms to promote transparency. It supports editorial processes by guiding review priorities and helping readers understand why an item is considered reliable.

Reception of ENmerking varies. Supporters argue it increases transparency and accountability; critics point to subjectivity in scoring and potential gaming or over-saturation of metadata. Proposals emphasize community governance and interoperability standards to address these concerns.

Related concepts include provenance metadata, trust signals, version history, and fact-checking workflows. Further reading consists of community documentation and prototype implementations in open knowledge projects.