Annotations, also known as "tates", are line-level notes about specific lines of text (usually lyrics). Annotations are what make Genius unique!

The main rule is to say something interesting and on topic, which comes down to choosing a lyric worth unpacking and then following a few basic guidelines.Choosing a LineTo create an annotation, simply highlight the text you want to annotate, and then click the 'Start the Genius Annotation' button that appears.

Remember:

• Many lines, especially​ easily understood ones, do not need annotations!
• Highlight the whole idea, which is almost always at least one full line
• You may need to adjust the referent after the tate has been made, which is especially useful for highlighting nonadjacent linesWriting an AnnotationThree Firm Rules• Say something interesting — don't just summarize a lyric
• Use your own words and ideas. Don't plagiarize or use AI
• Write in the same language as the main language of the whole workMore Best Practices• Cut right to the chase, and especially avoid "[Artist] is saying"
• Be objective
• Be evergreen
• Keep it plausible! Avoid the stretch
• Stay on task! Stick to the line at handFormatting• Quotation marks, italics, and bold
• Blockquotes
• Punctuation and spacing
• Spelling and capitalizationLinking• Use markdown to write links
• Link to topic pages for topics that are mentioned in the lyric
• Cite your claims!
• But also don't use too many links
• Make it clear what you are linking to
• Nonessential linking tipsEmbeddable Media• Images
• Videos
• Tweets
• Instagram (and other embed-resistant/rot-prone media)Tips for brevity• Keep it quick!
• Avoid fluff detailsStyle Tips• Keep a relaxed tone — write like a human
• Be mindful of what your reader already knows. Don't talk down to them.
• Use judgment when deciding how specific to be about a dateNo annotation is ever perfect! Every user may have their own style, and it's okay to make minor mistakes or even bend a rule from time to time as long as you are being interesting and on topic.