While exploring, you may find random encounters. These appear as question marks in your Radar. These range from survivors in need, tracking clues leading to loot, getting snared by ambushers, and more. These are entirely optional with no major impact to the main Gameplay so it’s up to you to ignore these encounters or go out of your way to check them out.
If the random encounter requires you to follow a track, you’ll see a blue search zone. Use your Survival vision to find clues and follow tracks until you find the loot (or get captured).
For survivors in need, just kill the freakers attacking them and talk to them to send them to the nearest encampment to Earn Trust Points for that Camp and Credits.