Smart Decisions for Efficient Annotation
Why This Matters
95% of your audio should be transcribed normally - that's your job! But some audio is truly impossible to transcribe and will waste your time.
Success Story
"I used to think any difficult audio meant [IVS]. Then I learned [IVS] is only for obvious impossible cases - like wrong language or completely unclear speech. Now I transcribe 95% normally and only use [IVS] for truly impossible cases. My accuracy went up!"
🎯 Main Rule: When in doubt, transcribe it. [IVS] is for obvious impossible cases only.
The Simple Rule
[IVS] = Audio you absolutely cannot transcribe
One Simple Question
🎧 Listen to your segment. Ask yourself:
"Can I write down what they're saying?"
YES → Keep transcribing (even if difficult)
NO → Use [IVS] and move on
Time Rule: Don't spend more than 2 minutes trying. Your time is valuable!
When to Use [IVS] Tag
Use [IVS] for these 4 situations only:
1. Wrong Language for This Project
When the speaker uses a different language:
English conversation in a Swahili project
Spanish words in a Danish project
Any non-project language
Example: You're working on Danish audio but hear English conversation → Use [IVS]
2. Can't Understand the Words
When words are completely unclear for any reason:
Mumbling - can't make out words
Crying while talking - words unclear
Screaming - can't understand words
Too quiet - can't hear words
Heavy echo - words are distorted
Slurred speech - words unclear
Example: Person crying so hard you can't understand any words → Use [IVS]
3. Technical Problems
When audio file has problems:
Corrupted audio that cuts in and out
Audio stops mid-word due to technical issues
Strange audio artifacts making speech impossible
File completely broken
Example: Audio cuts out every 2 seconds, can't follow speech → Use [IVS]
4. Heavy Overlap - Can't Tell Who Says What
When multiple people talk and you can't understand anyone:
3+ people talking at same time, same volume
So much talking together you can't make out words
Cannot tell which person says what
Complete chaos with no clear words
Example: Family argument with everyone shouting at once, can't understand anyone → Use [IVS]
Note: Regular overlap where you can identify the main speaker = Use [OVERLAP] tags, not [IVS]
When NOT to Use [IVS] Tag
❌ NEVER use [IVS] for these (keep transcribing instead):
Fast Speech
What it is: Person talking quickly but clearly
What to do: Slow down audio (use speed controls)
Why not [IVS]: You can understand if you slow down
Different Accent
What it is: Unfamiliar accent but words are clear
What to do: Listen carefully, transcribe what you hear
Why not [IVS]: Different accent doesn't mean unclear
Quiet Audio
What it is: Audio is quiet but you can understand
What to do: Turn up volume, use headphones
Why not [IVS]: Quiet doesn't mean impossible
Few Unclear Words
What it is: 1-2 words unclear in clear segment
What to do: Transcribe clear parts, use "-" for unclear words
Why not [IVS]: Most segment is still good
Giving Up Too Fast
What it is: Using [IVS] after 10 seconds
What to do: Try tools first - speed, volume, better headphones
Why not [IVS]: Haven't really tried yet
⚠️ These are all valid audio that should be transcribed!
How to Use the [IVS] Button
🚨 NEVER type [IVS] with keyboard - use button only!
Step-by-Step Workflow:
Step 1: Decide you need [IVS]
Used the simple question test
Tried slowing down and turning up volume
Still can't understand
Step 2: Delete all text
Clear the transcription box completely
Remove any words that were there
Step 3: Click [IVS] button
Find [IVS] button in tag panel
Click once (don't type)
Step 4: Choose N as role
Change speaker role to N (neutral)
Not O1, O2, or O3
Step 5: Check result
Box shows only: [IVS]
Nothing else in the box
Examples of Correct Usage
Example 1: Wrong Language
What you hear: English conversation in Swahili project
What you do: Delete text → Click [IVS] → Choose N role
Result: Empty box with [IVS]
Example 2: Can't Understand Words
What you hear: Person mumbling, can't make out any words
What you do: Delete text → Click [IVS] → Choose N role
Result: Empty box with [IVS]
Example 3: Technical Problems
What you hear: Audio cutting out every second, impossible to follow
What you do: Delete text → Click [IVS] → Choose N role
Result: Empty box with [IVS]
Example 4: Heavy Overlap
What you hear: 4 people shouting at once, can't understand anyone
What you do: Delete text → Click [IVS] → Choose N role
Result: Empty box with [IVS]
Decision Flowchart
🎧 LISTEN TO SEGMENT
↓
❓ Can I write down what they're saying?
YES → Keep transcribing (even if difficult)
NO → Try tools for 2 minutes:
• Slow down audio
• Turn up volume
• Use better headphones
Still can't understand? → Use [IVS]:
1. Delete all text
2. Click [IVS] button
3. Choose N role
4. Move on
Quick Reference
The [IVS] Rule:
Can write what they say = transcribe
Cannot write what they say = [IVS]
Use [IVS] For:
Wrong language for project
Can't understand words (any reason)
Technical audio problems
Heavy overlap - can't tell who says what
NEVER Use [IVS] For:
Fast speech (slow it down)
Different accent (still transcribe)
Quiet audio (turn up volume)
Few unclear words (use hyphens)
Haven't tried tools yet
Button Workflow:
Delete all text
Click [IVS] button
Choose N role
Result: [IVS] only
Troubleshooting
Common Problems:
Problem | Solution |
Using [IVS] too much | ✅ Ask: "Can I write what they say?" If yes, transcribe |
Wasting time on impossible audio | ✅ 2-minute rule - then use [IVS] |
Button not working | ✅ Contact tech support with file ID |
Not sure if it's really [IVS] | ✅ Try tools first, when in doubt transcribe |
Before Using [IVS], Ask:
☑️ Did I try slowing down the audio?
☑️ Did I turn up the volume?
☑️ Can I really not understand any words?
☑️ Is this truly impossible to transcribe?
Success Tips
Ask the key question - "Can I write what they say?"
Try tools first - Speed controls, volume, headphones
2-minute rule - Don't waste hours on impossible audio
When in doubt - Transcribe it (better safe than sorry)
Use button only - Never type [IVS] manually
🎯 Remember: 95% of audio should be transcribed. [IVS] is rare!
Need Help?
Daily Support:
Ask in #annotation channel
Share examples with your team
Urgent Issues:
Tag @Marcia with file ID and description
Include what makes the audio unclear
Technical Problems:
[IVS] button not working → Contact tech support
Include file ID and segment number
Related Tag Guides
Need help with other tags mentioned in this guide?
🔊 [N] Noise Tag Guide Series
Complete 4-part guide for handling background noise during speech:
👉 Part 1: [N] Tag Basics - The Foundation Rule
Master the universal rule: noise + speech happening at the same time
👉 Part 2: When to Use [N] Tags (With Examples)
See the 4 main types: animals, vehicles, weather, human-made sounds
👉 Part 3: When NOT to Use [N] Tags (Avoid Rejections)
Prevent the most common mistakes that cause file rejections
👉 Part 4: How to Apply [N] Tags in DataPlus
Step-by-step button workflow for perfect formatting
🗣️ [OVERLAP] Tag Guid
Complete guide for handling multiple speakers talking at the same time.
🏷️ [HM], [OIVS], [PIL] Specialty Tags Guide
Complete guide for handling rap speech, TV/radio voices, and sensitive personal information.
📚 Complete Tag Library
[N] Tag Series - For background noise during speech
[OVERLAP] Guide - For multiple speakers talking together
[IVS] Guide - This guide (invalid/unclear segments)
[HM], [OIVS], [PIL] Guide - For specialty situations
Master all tags for 100% annotation accuracy!
🎯 Daily Reminder: Can I write what they say? Yes = transcribe. No = [IVS]. When unsure, transcribe!
Your smart [IVS] decisions save time and increase earnings. Don't waste hours on impossible audio!