Writing a Wikipedia page is challenging, and submitting it for approval can be even more complicated. You can take specific steps to give yourself the best chance of getting your page approved.
From adequately formatting the text and properly citing sources to following submission guidelines, this guide provides tips on how to get your Wikipedia page approved.
Can I Make a Wikipedia Page About Myself?
This is a question many individuals ponder, especially those with notable achievements or public profiles. The short answer is yes, you can create a Wikipedia page about yourself, but it's more complex than it sounds. Wikipedia has strict guidelines and a community of editors scrutinizing contributions for neutrality, verifiability, and notability.
Reliable sources must have written your information before creating a Wikipedia page. The article could be a biography or an interview with a reputable author.
Besides, you must be the topic of rather than a mention in it. The article must be remarkable, worthy of notice, and interesting enough to deserve attention.
Therefore, you cannot just create a page about yourself and refer to it when creating a Wikipedia page.
Notable Guidelines for a Wikipedia Article
Wikipedia has a notability guideline, meaning the article's subject must meet specific criteria to warrant a dedicated Wikipedia page. While notability is somewhat subjective, there are some generally accepted principles:
Wikipedia looks at the number of your references as much as it looks at the quality. Several authorities should share similar information about you. These references are from sources where readers can find reliable facts about you.
Here is an example: Elon Reeve Musk is the founder and CEO of SpaceX. This statement must have at least two verifiable sources that allude to these facts.
The references may be a government website, a respected publication, or a reliable review page.
Good vs. Bad Wikipedia References
When gathering references for your Wikipedia article, focus on credible, independent sources. Good connections are reliable, from reputable publications or experts in the field, and directly related to the subject. Bad references include self-published sources, such as personal blogs or social media posts, and biased sources with an apparent conflict of interest.
For example, a while back, a team of Wikipedia administrators decried that Fox News was no longer a reliable source for its skewed reporting of scientific and political news. If such is used as a reference, the information must be found elsewhere on the internet.
Some of the bad Wikipedia references include the following:
According to Wikipedia, a primary source only constitutes a reliable source. Primary sources are pages by the subject of the Wiki page, such as a press release, patents, own website, or social media page. Wikipedia does not consider itself a reliable reference source.
Reliable sources are third-party articles that are known to check facts for accuracy. They are referred to as secondary sources. They may include reputable news sites, scholarly articles, and articles that reference various reliable sources.
Creating a Wikipedia page, whether for yourself or another subject, involves a series of steps:
Creating an Article When There's Not Enough Notability
Sometimes, individuals or subjects may need to meet Wikipedia's notability guidelines. Creating a separate Wikipedia article may not be possible. However, you can still contribute to existing reports by adding well-sourced information about your achievements or your subject's importance within a broader context.
The decision to create your own Wikipedia article should not be taken lightly. While it can be a valuable asset for online reputation management, it's essential to do so with utmost transparency and objectivity. Creating your article can be worthwhile if you genuinely believe you meet Wikipedia's notability guidelines and have substantial, well-sourced information to share.
However, remember that Wikipedia is a community-driven platform, and your article will be subject to review and potential revisions by other editors. It's crucial to approach the process with humility, a commitment to neutrality, and a dedication to providing verifiable, reliable information.
Creating a Wikipedia page is an excellent way to enhance your online presence. Still, it's a process that demands attention to Wikipedia's guidelines and a commitment to verifiable, neutral content. Whether you create your article or contribute to existing ones, Wikipedia offers a unique opportunity to share knowledge and shape online information for the benefit of all.