Can I Write A Wikipedia Article About My Company? Navigating the Complexities
So, you’re thinking about getting your company featured on Wikipedia? It’s a tempting idea, right? A Wikipedia page can lend instant credibility and provide a central hub for information about your business. But it’s not as simple as just typing up a few paragraphs and hitting “publish.” The rules are strict, the community is vigilant, and the consequences of violating their policies can be significant. This article will delve into the intricacies of writing a Wikipedia article about your company, helping you understand the process, the pitfalls, and how to navigate this often-challenging landscape.
Understanding Wikipedia’s Strict Stance on Conflict of Interest
The core principle governing Wikipedia’s editorial guidelines when it comes to companies is conflict of interest (COI). Wikipedia is built on the foundation of being a neutral, unbiased encyclopedia. They want to ensure that the information presented is factual and not influenced by promotional agendas. If you work for or are closely associated with a company, writing about it is considered a COI. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t contribute, but it does mean you have to be exceptionally careful.
The Importance of Notability: Is Your Company Wikipedia-Worthy?
Before you even think about writing, you need to determine if your company meets Wikipedia’s criteria for notability. This is arguably the most important hurdle. Wikipedia uses a set of guidelines, primarily outlined in WP:CORP, to assess whether a company is worthy of its own article. These guidelines are based on the idea that the company has received significant coverage in reliable, independent sources. Think of it this way: Wikipedia doesn’t want to be the first place people learn about your company; they want to summarize information that’s already been widely reported elsewhere.
What Constitutes “Significant Coverage” for Wikipedia?
The term “significant coverage” doesn’t mean a mention in a local newspaper or a product review. It means in-depth coverage in multiple, independent, and reliable sources. These sources should be considered reliable by Wikipedia’s standards. Think of reputable newspapers, well-regarded industry publications, academic journals, or books from established publishers. The coverage needs to be more than just announcements; it must include substantive discussion about the company itself, its operations, its impact, or its significance.
Identifying Reliable Sources for Building Your Case
Wikipedia has a specific definition of what constitutes a reliable source. Generally, these are sources that have a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy. Examples of reliable sources include:
- Major national and international newspapers (e.g., The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian)
- Reputable business publications (e.g., Forbes, Bloomberg, Reuters)
- Academic journals (peer-reviewed publications)
- Books published by reputable publishers
Avoid using:
- Company websites
- Press releases
- Social media posts
- Blogs (unless the blog is written by a recognized expert in the field)
The Correct Way to Write a Wikipedia Article About Your Company (If Permitted)
If your company meets the notability guidelines and you’re ready to proceed (and you’ve considered the COI issues), here’s a general guide:
- Gather Your Sources: Compile all the reliable, independent sources you can find that discuss your company. These will be the foundation of your article.
- Write in a Neutral Tone: Avoid promotional language. Focus on presenting factual information, avoiding superlatives and marketing jargon.
- Follow Wikipedia’s Style Guide: Adhere to Wikipedia’s formatting guidelines, including the use of headings, subheadings, and proper citation.
- Cite Your Sources Meticulously: Every fact or statement should be supported by a citation to a reliable source.
- Avoid Original Research: Do not include any information that is not already published in a reliable source.
- Be Concise and Focused: Stick to the essential facts about your company. Avoid going into unnecessary detail.
- Consider a Draft in the Sandbox: Before publishing, create a draft in your user sandbox to get feedback from other editors.
Understanding the Potential Consequences of Incorrect Actions
Failing to adhere to Wikipedia’s policies can have serious consequences:
- Article Deletion: If your article is deemed promotional or not notable, it will likely be deleted.
- Account Blocking: Editors who repeatedly violate policies may have their accounts blocked from editing.
- Blacklisting: Your company’s website or your IP address might be blacklisted, preventing future contributions from your organization.
- Damage to Reputation: Creating a poorly written, promotional article can damage your company’s reputation.
Alternatives to Writing the Article Yourself
Given the challenges, you might consider these options:
- Requesting an Article: You can formally request that a Wikipedia editor create an article about your company. However, there’s no guarantee it will be accepted.
- Hiring a Professional Editor: Some professional editors specialize in writing Wikipedia articles. However, it’s crucial to find someone who understands and adheres to Wikipedia’s policies.
- Focusing on Other Platforms: Instead of Wikipedia, consider building your company’s presence on platforms like LinkedIn, your own website, and other reputable online resources.
Navigating the Editing Process and Responding to Feedback
Once your article is live (or, if you’re lucky, accepted), be prepared for edits and feedback from other Wikipedia editors. They may:
- Correct factual errors.
- Remove promotional language.
- Add citations.
- Reformat the article.
- Tag the article with maintenance templates.
Engage respectfully with the community. Respond to feedback constructively and be willing to make changes to your article based on their suggestions.
Maintaining Your Wikipedia Page Over Time
Once your article is published, it’s not a “set it and forget it” situation. You need to monitor the page and respond to any issues or edits.
- Watch the Page: Add the article to your watchlist to receive notifications of any changes.
- Review Edits: Regularly review any edits made by other users.
- Address Concerns: If you see issues or disagreements, engage in discussions on the article’s talk page to resolve conflicts.
- Update Information: Keep the information accurate and up-to-date as your company evolves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Wikipedia article approved?
There’s no guarantee of approval, and the process can take weeks or months, depending on the notability of your company and the willingness of editors to help. Often, articles are created organically by other editors, and you cannot control this process.
Can I pay someone to write a Wikipedia article for me?
While there’s no explicit prohibition against paying someone to write an article, it’s strongly discouraged. It’s considered a COI, and paid editors are often scrutinized more closely. The best approach is to ensure your company meets Wikipedia’s criteria and, if possible, to have the article created by an editor with no connection to your company.
What happens if my article is deleted?
If your article is deleted, you can try to improve it based on the feedback you received and resubmit it. However, if the deletion was due to a lack of notability, it’s unlikely to be accepted again.
How can I protect my Wikipedia article from vandalism?
Wikipedia has various mechanisms to protect articles from vandalism, including semi-protection and full protection. If you notice vandalism, you can report it to the administrators.
Can I use my company’s logo on the Wikipedia page?
Yes, you can usually include your company’s logo, provided it is licensed under a free license (such as Creative Commons) or used under fair use guidelines. You must upload the image to Wikimedia Commons, the central media repository for Wikipedia.
Conclusion: Proceed with Caution, but Proceed with Knowledge
Writing a Wikipedia article about your company can be a complex and time-consuming endeavor. It’s essential to understand Wikipedia’s policies, particularly those related to notability and conflict of interest, before you begin. While a Wikipedia page can provide significant benefits, it’s not a guaranteed or easy process. Thorough research, adherence to the guidelines, and a commitment to neutrality are key to success. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable with the process, consider alternative strategies to build your company’s online presence. Remember that the most important thing is to ensure you’re providing accurate, verifiable information and engaging respectfully with the Wikipedia community.