Understand the visible feedback lifecycle

DataFact exposes three related but separate stages:

flowchart TD
  A["User rates an answer"] --> B["Feedback record is available for review"]
  B --> C["Human handling status may change"]
  B --> D["System optimization progress may run"]
  C -. "does not automatically follow" .-> D

Human handling

For negative feedback, the visible handling states are Pending, Processing, and Processed. Processed is an irreversible terminal state in the current interface and requires confirmation before it is set.

System optimization

The optimization column is system-derived and can describe lookup, readiness, active optimization, suggestions, confirmation, no optimization needed, or failure. It is not another editable handling state.

Positive feedback shows no handling or optimization workflow in these columns.

Important limitations

• System optimization completion does not automatically mark feedback as Processed.
• A suggestion or applied change does not prove that the original answer is now correct.
• The public workflow does not promise that a submitter receives a notification when feedback is handled.

Related guides

• Update or withdraw feedback
• Understand handling and optimization status