From idea to article: how a Wikipedia article is born
Wikipedia is so ubiquitous that many people using it have never known an internet that existed without it. You are using it, whether aware of it or not, via Google information boxes, Siri or Alexa or through AI and GPT.
Despite this, many people are unaware of why or what it takes to create a Wikipedia page. So, how does a page get made? What are the rules? And can anyone do it?
Notability and conflict of interest
A Wikipedia page should only be made if the subject is notable and meets Wikipedia’s guidelines. If a page is created that does not meet notability criteria, it may be deleted. When an article is flagged for deletion, there is always a chance given to its creator/editor to make a case for why it should be included. But it’s important to check before you start any new page.
- The notability guide for Wikipedia is available here: Wikipedia:Notability
- There are also subject specific guides available: Category:Wikipedia_notability_guidelines
Once an editor has identified that the page they wish to create meets notability requirements they should also consider conflict of interest and what their personal connection is to the topic.
All editors should avoid contributing or editing about themselves, their family and friends as well as anyone they have a financial relationship with. If there is a Wikipedia page about you, or someone close to you that you do think needs to be changed there is information about how to do so in the following article. It’s important to follow Wikipedia’s processes carefully.
- The conflict of interest guideline for Wikipedia is available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest
How topics and people are identified for creation
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There are a number of ways Wikipedia editors identify pages that need to be created; these include using ‘on-wiki’ tools such as project pages and worklists.
Project Pages
Project Pages help coordinate editing efforts on specific themes or topics and assist editors in knowing what to prioritise. There are many different project pages available which editors use to identify pages for creation and, in Australia, this includes the Australia Project and projects for each state and territory. There are also project pages for;
These pages help organise work and often highlight missing or underdeveloped content. A full list of Australian Wiki projects are listed here and internationally here.
Worklists
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A worklist on Wikipedia is generally used to track articles in need of creation or updating. These curated lists are most often used within project pages like the ones listed above as well as off-Wiki when created for specific events. They are also created by editors for certain events, like edit-a-thons.
Of course editors don’t have to select to write a page that appears on a list and, as discussed in this article (Who edits Wikipedia), pages are selected and worked on by people who have an interest or passion in that area. If you identify a page that you think needs to be created - you can do so. You can also create your own worklists to track your personal goals or interests.
Before creating a page it is also important to make sure you check whether that page already exists! If it does you can, of course, edit and improve that page.
Writing an article
There are numerous guides available about how to create a Wikipedia page including the following ‘on Wiki’ guides like:
Some important points to consider when making your page are:
- Reliable sources: make sure that you have a selection of reliable sources
- Citations: make sure that sources can be cited correctly
- Social media: You should not use blogs or social media as references on Wikipedia
- Sources: primary sources (like press releases or official websites) can be used however they need to be backed up by a range of secondary sources (independent publications such as books, journals or reputable news outlets).
- General guide: each page has at least three sources before being published to Wikipedia
Copyright
When adding information to Wikipedia, you must be aware of copyright. Make sure that you are not replicating exactly what is being said elsewhere and that it is rewritten in your own words. It is strongly recommended NOT to copy/paste wording from any sources that you are using, even if you plan to change it.
You should also:
- Ensure neutrality: Make sure you show all major viewpoints and not ‘take sides’; this is to ensure that Wikipedia presents a neutral point of view.
- Avoid promotional language: Do not use promotional language and write in a factual professional tone.
Ownership of a page
When you write a Wikipedia page you do not “own it”. All content is licensed under Creative Commons (see Wikipedia's Copyright FAQ) and will be collaboratively edited by other Wikipedia editors. This is a strength of Wikipedia - rather than a weakness!
Other editors may come along and do numerous things to improve a page including;
- Adding content, from small chunks of text to significant amounts of text
- Copy editing (always appreciated!)
- Adding an image
- Adding an information box
- Improving or adding citations
- Flagging sections which need improved citations
There are endless amounts of contributions which can be made.
If you do not agree with changes made to the page you are welcome to discuss this on the article’s talk page or, in instances where the changes are incorrect or vandalism, you can also revert the changes made. This should not be used to undo good-faith contributions as this can disrupt the collaboration that Wikipedia strives for.
Conclusion
Wikipedia is built by volunteers around the world every day. If you’re interested in contributing, there’s a place for you. Start small, use the tools available and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
You're welcome to join Wikimedia Australia’s regular online sessions demonstrating how to edit, and Drop-In sessions discussing questions about editing. Or if you prefer to learn at your own pace join up to the free online course “An Introduction to Wikipedia” using quizzes and videos to guide you through the process.
You can make a difference, one edit at a time!