How to Get a Wikipedia Page Approved: Essential Tips for Success

Getting a Wikipedia page approved can be a challenging task, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the platform’s policies and guidelines. One of the crucial aspects of how to get a wikipedia page approved lies in understanding and adhering to Wikipedia’s notability criteria. This ensures that the subject matter of your article is deemed relevant and significant enough to warrant a dedicated page on the platform.

In order to create and submit a Wikipedia article for approval, you must first register for a Wikipedia account. Once you have access to the editing interface, you will need to create a draft of your article that abides by Wikipedia’s guidelines and policies. This involves writing a well-researched and neutrally-toned piece that is supported by reliable sources, while also addressing any potential conflicts of interest or bias.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding Wikipedia’s notability criteria is crucial for getting your page approved
• Creating a Wikipedia account and drafting your article while adhering to guidelines helps increase your chances of approval
• Being well-versed in Wikipedia’s review process, citations, and community engagement can improve your article’s overall quality

Understanding Wikipedia’s Notability Criteria

Interpreting the Notability Guideline

Wikipedia’s notability criterion is essential to determine whether a subject is notable enough for having its own article. We need to ensure that the topic has significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject. This ensures the facts and information in the article can be verified by others.

There are few key points to help us understand these guidelines better:

• Relevance: The subject should be discussed in-depth and not just mentioned briefly by reliable sources.
• Independence: The sources should not be affiliated with the subject, ensuring unbiased information.
• Comprehensiveness: The subject should have multiple sources covering different aspects, demonstrating the topic’s notability.

Evaluating Sources for Notability

When assessing the subject’s notability, we should take into account the availability of secondary sources. Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider when evaluating sources:

1. Reliability: The source should be authoritative, trustworthy, and accurate, providing verifiable information on the subject.
2. Diversity: Aim for a variety of sources, such as newspapers, books, websites, and academic journals, to ensure unbiased coverage.
3. Depth: Make sure the sources discuss our subject in-depth and aren’t just brief mentions or unreliable.

A useful tool to help format and categorize sources is a table, as shown below:

By understanding Wikipedia’s notability criteria and evaluating sources accordingly, we can increase the likelihood of having our Wikipedia page approved.

Creating a Wikipedia Account and Starting a Draft

Registering an Account

To begin the process of getting a Wikipedia page approved, we first need to create an account on the platform. Registering an account is simple and free. Just click the Create account option at the top-right corner of the Wikipedia homepage, and fill out the required details.

Having a registered account grants us several benefits, such as the ability to start new pages, edit semi-protected pages, and be recognized as a contributor. These privileges help in building credibility within the Wikipedia community.

Using the Sandbox for Drafting

Once our account is created, we can start drafting our Wikipedia page. It’s highly recommended that we use the Wikipedia Sandbox for this purpose. The Sandbox is a safe space where we can practice and experiment with editing and formatting without impacting live pages.

To create a draft in the Sandbox, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to your Wikipedia account.
2. Click on your username at the top-right corner of the page.
3. From the drop-down menu, select Sandbox.
4. Start drafting your article by adding text, images, and citations.

We should ensure that our draft meets Wikipedia’s notability and verifiability criteria. It’s essential to thoroughly research our topic, providing reliable sources and avoiding any plagiarism.

Here are a few formatting elements that can enhance our article’s readability:

• Bold: Use double asterisks (**) before and after a word or phrase. e.g., **bold text** will display as bold text.
• Italic: Use single asterisks (*) or underscores (_) before and after a word or phrase. e.g., *italic text* or _italic text_ will display as italic text.
• Lists: For bullet points, use an asterisk (*) followed by a space, and for numbered lists, use the number followed by a period (.) and a space.
  • Example of a bullet point list:

* Item 1
* Item 2
* Item 3

• Example of a numbered list:

1. Item 1
2. Item 2
3. Item 3

• Tables: Use a combination of pipes (|) and hyphens (-) to create tables.

An example of table formatting:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Header 1 !! Header 2 !! Header 3
|-
| Row 1, Cell 1 || Row 1, Cell 2 || Row 1, Cell 3
|-
| Row 2, Cell 1 || Row 2, Cell 2 || Row 2, Cell 3
|}

After our draft is complete and well-formatted, we can submit it for review. A Wikipedia editor will then evaluate the draft and either approve it, reject it, or suggest changes. Be prepared to collaborate and make adjustments to our draft as needed to ensure its approval.

Writing and Editing the Article

Adhering to Wikipedia’s Style Guidelines

When creating a Wikipedia article, it is crucial to follow the platform’s Manual of Style. This includes using proper formatting, structuring paragraphs, and applying formatting elements such as tables, lists, bold, and italic typefaces. By adhering to these guidelines, we ensure the article looks clean and professional, making it more likely to be approved.

A few key points to remember while formatting the article are:

• Use headings and subheadings to divide content into clear sections
• Use bulleted or numbered lists when appropriate
• Add links to other Wikipedia articles for related topics, which can enhance the reader’s understanding of the subject

Maintaining a Neutral Point of View

One of the most important aspects of writing a Wikipedia article is maintaining a neutral point of view. This means presenting the facts without bias and refraining from inserting our opinions or promotional content. Being objective and impartial ensures that the information is accurate and trustworthy.

To achieve a neutral tone, we should focus on:

• Presenting facts and information objectively
• Avoiding emotional language and personal anecdotes
• Stating opposing viewpoints fairly and accurately

Citing Reliable References

Wikipedia requires all information in the articles to be verifiable and supported by reliable sources. This means that we must include a reference section within the article, where we list the sources used to support the content.

When citing sources, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Use reputable sources, such as books, academic journals, or authoritative websites
• Avoid using personal blogs, social media posts, or other unreliable platforms as sources
• Make sure to link to the specific article or page where the information is found, instead of just linking to the main homepage of a website

By following these best practices for writing and editing a Wikipedia article, we increase the chances of our article being reviewed and approved. Remember, adhering to Wikipedia’s style guidelines, maintaining a neutral point of view, and citing reliable references are all crucial components of a well-crafted article.

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Understanding Wikipedia’s Review Process

How Articles Are Reviewed

Submitting a Wikipedia page for approval is an important step in establishing an online presence for a topic. To ensure that the information is accurate and relevant, Wikipedia relies on their Wikipedia community of experienced, volunteer editors. These editors play a crucial role in reviewing and deciding whether to approve, reject, or offer suggestions for revising an article draft.

Before submitting an article, it’s essential to familiarize ourselves with Wikipedia’s guidelines, policies, and notability criteria. Doing so will increase the chances of approval by ensuring that the content aligns with Wikipedia’s values and standards.

The review process usually consists of assessing if the drafted information follows Wikipedia’s principles. Here’s a brief overview of the main considerations:

1. Notability: The subject of the article must be significant and differentiate itself from others in the same field.
2. Neutrality: The article must not promote any marketing interests and should present the information in an unbiased manner.
3. Verifiability: The information must be well-supported by credible, external sources that can be easily accessed.

Dealing With the Review Feedback

Once our article draft has been submitted, the Wikipedia community may provide feedback on the content. It’s essential to promptly address any comments or concerns raised by the reviewing editors. This might involve making necessary revisions, clarifying certain points, or providing additional sources to back up claims. Demonstrating that we actively engage and cooperate with the community can contribute to a positive outcome.

In summary, understanding the review process and working closely with the Wikipedia community is key to the successful approval of an article. By adhering to the guidelines, submitting high-quality, verifiable content, and responding to feedback constructively, we can increase our chances of creating an approved Wikipedia page.

Addressing Conflict of Interest and Bias

Recognizing and Declaring Conflict of Interest

A crucial aspect of creating an approved Wikipedia page involves addressing conflict of interest (COI) and ensuring content adheres to the principles of neutrality and unbiased presentation. Conflicts of interest arise when one’s personal, financial, or professional affiliations may compromise the objectivity of the content. Examples can include writing about your employer, a client, or a company you’re associated with.

It’s essential to recognize and transparently declare any potential conflicts by disclosing them on the talk page of the affected articles. This way, the Wikipedia community can provide feedback and guidance on the content, ensuring a neutral point of view is maintained.

Writing Unbiased Content

The key to writing unbiased content is adhering to Wikipedia’s guidelines and ensuring that the information provided is comprehensively researched, accurate, and supported by reliable sources. Avoid using language that may come across as marketing, promotional, or self-serving. Stick to presenting facts and information rather than opinions or subjective content.

Here are some tips for writing neutral and unbiased content:

1. Use verifiable data: Back up your statements with citations from reliable and trustworthy sources. This not only makes your content more credible but also ensures it adheres to Wikipedia’s verifiability policy.
2. Apply encyclopedic tone: Write in a formal and objective tone, avoiding personal opinions, speculations, or persuasive language.
3. Cover multiple perspectives: Providing a fair representation of different viewpoints on a subject is a critical aspect of maintaining neutrality.
4. Avoid promotional content: Steer clear of any language or information that resembles advertising or self-promotion. Remember, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a marketing platform.

By following these guidelines and maintaining a focus on providing balanced, well-sourced information, we can ensure that our Wikipedia page remains free of bias and conflict of interest, ultimately increasing the chances of approval. When contributing to Wikipedia, conflicts and differences of opinion are inevitable. Wikipedia has established several methods to address and resolve such disagreements.

Leveraging Talk Pages and Wikipedia Community

Using Talk Pages for Discussion and Consensus

Talk pages play a crucial role in Wikipedia, as they provide a platform for editors to discuss changes and collaborate on articles. To successfully navigate the approval process for a Wikipedia page, we must utilize talk pages effectively. First, it’s necessary to identify the corresponding talk page for the desired article.

When starting a discussion on a talk page, it’s essential to follow the guidelines outlined in Wikipedia page guidelines. Here, we should:

1. Maintain a civil and respectful tone – Avoid personal attacks and demonstrate respect for other editors.
2. Focus on content, not contributors – Direct the discussion towards the article’s content instead of the editors themselves.
3. Seek consensus – Work collaboratively with other editors to reach decisions regarding the content and approval of the Wikipedia page.

Engaging With the Community for Support

Building relationships with the Wikipedia community can be crucial for the approval process. We should actively engage with the community by:

• Participating in discussions on relevant talk pages to demonstrate our commitment to improving Wikipedia.
• Offering our help and expertise in areas where we are knowledgeable, fostering goodwill within the community.
• Remaining neutral and open-minded when seeking feedback on proposed changes or additions to our page.

By following these practices, we can ensure our conduct aligns with the expectations of the wider Wikipedia community, ultimately increasing our chances of page approval. Remember that consensus and support from the community are critical factors affecting the success of our Wikipedia page.

Managing Citations and Sources

Finding Reliable Sources

When creating a Wikipedia page, one of the key elements to ensure approval is providing reliable sources. This means that the sources should be notable and relevant to the subject matter. A combination of secondary and independent sources are highly recommended to strengthen your article’s credibility. Here are a few tips to help identify reliable sources:

• Look for well-established publications or websites, such as reputable news outlets, academic journals, and government reports.
• When using online sources, make sure they have a proper domain and follow the guidelines of a reputable organization.
• Concentrate on secondary sources that provide analysis, interpretation, or evaluation of the subject matter compared to primary sources, which are original material.

Formatting Citations Correctly

Once you have gathered reliable sources, it is crucial to format the citations in the proper manner. By doing so, you not only improve the credibility of your article but also make it easier for readers to verify the information. Below are some tips to format citations on Wikipedia:

1. Inline citations: Use the <ref> tags to insert an inline citation right after the statement that needs to be verified. This helps readers quickly find the cited source. For example: The Earth revolves around the Sun.<ref>Sample, J. (2020). Solar System Facts. Retrieved from https://example.com/solarsystem</ref>
2. Consistent citation style: Stick to a consistent citation style throughout the article, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. This ensures a clean and uniform appearance to your citations.
3. Citation templates: Utilize Wikipedia’s built-in citation templates to automatically format citations, making your work more efficient and accurate.

Incorporating reliable sources and correctly formatting citations are essential to getting your Wikipedia page approved. By following these guidelines, you enhance the article’s credibility and improve the chances of success in the approval process.

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Submission and Publication

Submitting Draft for Review

In order to get a Wikipedia page approved, we must submit our draft for review to ensure it complies with Wikipedia’s guidelines and policies. To do this, we first need to create an account on Wikipedia and familiarize ourselves with their notability criteria, verifiability requirements, and overall rules. Following these steps will increase the likelihood of our page being approved by Wikipedia editors.

• Research: Gather accurate and reliable information about our chosen topic.
• Sources: Always use credible sources to back up our statements and claims.
• Neutral Tone: Write the content with a neutral tone to maintain objectivity.
• Formatting: Organize the information in a logical, easy-to-read manner using tables, lists, bold or italic text when necessary.

Monitoring Submission Status

After submitting our draft for review, it’s essential to exercise patience during the review process. Keep in mind that it may take several days or even weeks for our submission to be reviewed and approved. Here are some tips on monitoring the submission status of our Wikipedia page:

1. Check notifications: Wikipedia will notify us about any changes or updates to our submitted page.
2. Be responsive: If an editor requests revisions or clarifications, promptly address their feedback.
3. Track submission progress: Wikipedia provides a system for tracking the status of submitted articles, which can help us stay up-to-date on the progress of our page.

In conclusion, by following these guidelines and demonstrating patience during the review process, we can increase the likelihood of having our Wikipedia page approved and ultimately published.

Protecting Your Page From Vandalism and Deletion

Understanding Wikipedia’s Deletion Policies

Wikipedia has a strict deletion policy that aims to ensure that only high-quality, reliable, and relevant content remains on its platform. To protect our Wikipedia page from deletion, we must first understand the reasons why an article might be deleted:

1. Non-notability: Your subject must be notable, meaning it should be widely recognized outside of its community.
2. Lack of reliable sources: Ensure that your page is backed by credible, third-party sources to establish the subject’s notability.
3. Copyright violations: Do not copy content from other sources. Write content in your own words and use references when quoting from other sources. To understand better read this Wikipedia copyright guideline.
4. Spam or promotion: Wikipedia is not a platform for advertising. Keep your page neutral, unbiased, and informative without promoting a specific product, service, or agenda. Here is how to promote Wikipedia content the right way.
5. Biographies of living persons: Articles about living individuals require extra care in terms of accuracy and neutrality. Ensure that no harmful or defamatory content is added.

Preventing and Reverting Vandalism

Vandalism on Wikipedia is a problem that sometimes leads to page deletion. To protect our page against vandalism, we must be proactive in monitoring edits and implementing preventative measures. Here are some steps to follow:

• Watchlist: Add your page to your watchlist, which allows you to monitor any changes made to the page.
• Revert Vandalism: If you notice any vandalism on your page, use the history functionality to revert the article to its previous version.
• Seek Protection: In case of a persistent vandalism issue, consider requesting page protection from Wikipedia administrators.

By maintaining a well-sourced, notable, and factual page, we increase our chances of keeping the page intact and protected from vandalism and deletion. It’s essential that we continuously ensure the accuracy, reliability, and neutrality of our content to comply with Wikipedia’s policies and community standards.

Optimizing Your Page for Search Engines

Incorporating SEO Best Practices

When creating a Wikipedia page, it’s essential to keep search engine optimization (SEO) in mind. This helps ensure that search engines like Google can discover, understand, and index your page. To achieve this goal, we recommend adhering to SEO best practices when crafting your content.

First, identify the primary keywords associated with your topic and incorporate them naturally throughout the text. For example, if your page is about a specific company, include its name and industry terms that users might search for. This will allow search engines to recognize the relevance of your page for specific searches.

Additionally, structure your content using headings and subheadings. This not only provides a clear layout but also allows search engine bots to understand the hierarchy of information. Don’t forget to use relevant and descriptive alt text for images and provide citations using reliable sources to improve your page’s credibility.

Maintaining Visibility Through Updates

After your Wikipedia page has been approved, maintaining its visibility in search engines requires regular updates. Regularly updating your page will help keep it relevant and accurate, as search engines tend to favor content that stays current. When we add new and pertinent information to our page, it increases the chances of search engine bots indexing the page and maintaining its online presence.

Please note that incorporating external links can also benefit your page’s search engine visibility. However, it’s crucial to link only to authoritative websites and avoid excessive amounts of outbound links, as this may negatively impact SEO.

In conclusion, optimizing your Wikipedia page for search engines is a vital aspect of making sure people can find your content online. By incorporating SEO best practices and continuously updating your page, we can help improve its visibility and contribute to a better experience for users searching for information.

After Approval: Enhancing and Maintaining Your Wikipedia Page

Continuous Improvement and Updating

We must always strive to keep our Wikipedia page up-to-date and accurate. Ensuring that the content stays relevant is crucial in maintaining the page’s credibility. Regularly reviewing and revising the page is essential. Some approaches include:

• Monitoring for changes: Keep an eye on any edits made by other contributors. Ensure that any alterations maintain the accuracy and quality of the page.
• Updating sources: Regularly update sources and references to ensure that they are current. Replace any outdated or broken links with more reliable ones.
• Expanding the content: As new information, achievements, or developments related to the topic become available, be sure to incorporate them into the page.
• Proofreading and editing: Continuously verify that the page adheres to Wikipedia’s guidelines and style. Correct any grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies.

Building the Page’s Reputation

After getting a Wikipedia page approved, it’s essential to establish and maintain a strong reputation. Some strategies for building the page’s reputation include:

• Increasing visibility: Share the Wikipedia page on social media platforms and websites. By doing so, it will encourage more people to engage with the content and contribute valuable information.
• Connecting with other articles: Link the Wikipedia page to other relevant articles on the platform. This helps to build the page’s reputation by increasing its visibility within the Wikipedia community.
• Encouraging collaboration: Invite knowledgeable contributors to share their expertise on the topic. A more extensive knowledge base will help to improve the article’s overall quality and reliability.
• Engaging with feedback: Be receptive to constructive criticism from other Wikipedia users. Address any concerns or suggestions they may have as it contributes to the page’s continuous improvement.

By following these guidelines to enhance and maintain our Wikipedia page, we can ensure that it remains reliable, informative, and consistently updated to serve as a valuable resource for readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the notability requirements for a Wikipedia biography page?

Notability requirements for a Wikipedia biography page revolve around demonstrating the subject’s significance or impact. The subject must have received significant coverage in reliable, independent sources. It’s essential to ensure that the person has notable achievements and can stand independently as a notable subject.

What are the steps to creating a Wikipedia page for a business?

To create a Wikipedia page for a business, follow these steps:

1. Ensure the business meets Wikipedia’s notability guidelines, with substantial coverage in reliable, third-party sources.
2. Create a Wikipedia account and become familiar with the site’s policies and editing interface.
3. Start by drafting your article, adhering to Wikipedia’s writing and citation guidelines.
4. Submit the draft for review and address any feedback provided by Wikipedia editors.

What is the typical review duration for a newly submitted Wikipedia article?

The review duration for a newly submitted Wikipedia article varies depending on the number of articles in the queue and the availability of volunteer editors. It may take from a few days to several weeks or even months for an article to be reviewed and approved.

Is it possible to write and submit a Wikipedia page about myself?

While it is possible to create a Wikipedia page about yourself, it is generally discouraged due to potential conflicts of interest. You should ensure that you meet the notability criteria, provide reliable sources, and adhere to a neutral point of view in your writing. It may be beneficial to request assistance from an experienced Wikipedia editor to maintain neutrality and credibility.

How can you ensure that a Wikipedia entry for an artist meets the site’s guidelines?

To ensure that a Wikipedia entry for an artist meets the site’s guidelines, follow these steps:

1. Verify that the artist has sufficient notability by checking for significant coverage in reliable, independent sources.
2. Provide well-referenced information about the artist’s career, accomplishments, and impact on their field.
3. Write the article with a neutral tone and avoid promotional language.
4. Adhere to Wikipedia’s formatting, citation, and content guidelines.

Are there any official tools or services provided by Wikipedia to assist with article creation?

Wikipedia offers various tools and resources to assist with article creation. These include:

1. The Wikipedia Visual Editor, which provides a user-friendly interface for editing articles.
2. The Article Wizard, which guides you through the process of creating a new article.
3. The Help Desk and the Teahouse, which are forums where you can ask questions and seek advice from experienced editors.

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