This guide offers an abbreviated yet useful step-by-step version of the material available on the Wikipedia help pages.
1. Check out some articles on Wikipedia
If you take the time to educate yourself on the ins and outs of Wikipedia citizenship, you can make edits to articles that are less likely to be flagged or removed via the site’s formal review process.
Before beginning, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with Wikipedia’s policy on conflicts of interest.
2. Create an account
Registration is required to create or edit a Wikipedia page. I will suggest being as transparent as possible when establishing an online presence.
3. Revise preexisting pages
Improve your editing skills by tinkering with already-existing content before attempting to create brand-new content. I recommend starting with themes with which you’re familiar.
TIP: Wikipedia logs any modifications made through your user account. With enough editing and producing activity under your belt, your user level can become an “auto-confirmed user.” This level lets you conduct restricted operations, such as uploading photographs and moving pages to the public space.
4. Gather your sources
Third-party, verifiable sources are crucial in Wikipedia. After all, the encyclopedia isn’t meant to be a promotional tool, and the content you post must be factual and objective.
TIP: You may know you, but unless your tale is verifiable with objective sites or printed documents, Wikipedia doesn’t believe your first-person sourcing.
Warning: Only use images that you have permission to use and that have no copyrights.
5. Create the text
You should now create the text for your proposed Wikipedia entry. You can type it in manually or just copy and paste it from your text editor into the Wikipedia interface.
The headers for your sandbox and your personal chat room appear in the top right corner of your user page. You can use either to make a page, but using my talk will prevent its deletion.
TIP: Though Wikipedia has a mechanism to request an article (submitting a brief summary and reputable, independent sources), it’s only a list of ideas that may garner input from editors, writes William Buehler. Even though no one will make the proposed page, Wikipedia invites you to write a rough draft of an article.
WIKITIPS: The Wikipedia help pages are a great resource for learning more about the Wiki markup language.
6. Send in your page for approval
Now that you’ve finished your article, you may send it in for inclusion in Wikipedia. The time frame ranges from a few days to a few weeks (or more).
One more thing
An anonymous Wikipedia editor altered the page’s title and a few other details soon after it was published if you get a page published, monitor and update it as needed.
Don’t steal other people’s ideas
All except a small portion of Wikipedia’s articles can be copied, modified, and distributed without asking permission. That’s why it won’t take anything that has copyright restrictions. It is permissible to incorporate content from some open-access journals in Wikipedia articles with a correct citation in these publications. Many do not. Therefore, although it may be tempting, avoid copying language or figures from your recent review piece (or anyone else’s) onto Wikipedia. As soon as it is discovered to be in breach of copyright, it will be marked for prompt removal.
What happens if you’re found acting strangely on Wikipedia?
You must know the fact that around 1,300 Wiki administrators have the ability to identify an editor’s IP address, which can be used to approximate their location, allowing them to monitor for suspicious activity. Users who violate our rules don’t necessarily need to be tracked down before their accounts are suspended.
Who is responsible for the entries?
It’s public, so anyone may access it and make any necessary changes. In cases when administrators suspect “vandalism” or the inclusion of offensive material or inaccuracies, they may restrict direct editing of certain pages on Wikipedia.
Who makes sure things are correct and up to par?
Wikipedia is self-regulating, and its volunteer editors continually enhance the site’s quality and accuracy. Here we see the “wisdom of crowds” idea at work. Facts and claims should be supported by credible sources as much as feasible in written work.
How simple is it to fabricate information about others?
There are several rules in Wikipedia. Not being dishonest is an easy example of this. Another is to stick to facts that can be independently verified rather than offering personal opinions. However, if you create an account using a fake name as your username, you can make changes without anyone knowing who you really are. However, sock puppetry, in which anonymous accounts are used to engage in flagrant misrepresentation and puffery, is frequently uncovered, and the offending content is either questioned or removed.
Some may wonder if people and businesses use Wikipedia for promotion.
Promoting oneself openly is frowned upon and is seen as a conflict of interest by members of society. However, since you don’t own the page, others may soon add unflattering details. However, Wiki spam is illegal and is commonly referred to as “speedily deleted” from the site.
