Wikipedia Editing: A Guide to Collaborative Success

Wikipedia, often referred to as “the free encyclopedia anyone can edit,” is a valuable platform for brands and individuals alike. However, editing content on Wikipedia can be challenging, especially when it involves brand-related pages. This article aims to provide you with seven tips on how to effectively collaborate with Wikipedia editors, increasing the likelihood of your content edits being approved.

Tips on how to effectively collaborate with Wikipedia

Choose an Appropriate Username:

When creating an account to edit Wikipedia, selecting an appropriate username is crucial. Avoid names that imply shared accounts or lack professionalism. Instead, opt for a username that represents your identity while adhering to Wikipedia’s guidelines.

Disclose Your Conflict in Advance:

Transparency is key when it comes to Wikipedia editing. Disclose your relevant affiliations, such as your employer or client, on your account profile or user page. Additionally, use the connected contributor (paid) template on the discussion page of the article you wish to edit.

Declare the Conflict in Your Message:

Reiterate your conflict of interest (COI) in every message you post regarding your edit requests. This practice ensures that every editor you engage with is aware of your connections, fostering trust and transparency.

Don’t Write Long Editing Requests:

Avoid overwhelming Wikipedia editors with lengthy edit requests. Focus on one edit suggestion at a time, considering the effort required to explain and implement each change. Respect the editors’ time and expertise by parceling your requests.

Cite Policies and Guidelines:

When making edit requests, identify which Wikipedia policies and guidelines are not being followed in the current version. Providing references to these policies can strengthen your case for the proposed changes. Familiarize yourself with the most important Wikipedia policies and guidelines.

Use the Conflict-of-Interest Request Template:

Include the Edit COI template when posting edit requests. This template provides clear instructions for its usage and places your request in an edit request queue. Using it aligns with Wikipedia’s guidelines and makes it easier for volunteers to find and respond to your requests.

Be Polite and Patient:

Patience is crucial when collaborating with Wikipedia editors. Understand that edits may take longer than expected, as Wikipedia volunteers do not operate on external schedules. Be polite in your interactions and avoid rushing editors, as this may hinder the collaborative process.

How to Cite Wikipedia in APA Format

Some academics don’t consider Wikipedia a credible source for research papers. As Wikipedia articles are authored and revised by public users, the content might include incorrect or biased information, or important information might be missing. Additionally, since the material is updated by various users, it could include typos or grammatical errors that alter the meaning of the material. Even though Wikipedia articles are community-vetted for bias and accuracy, academia still considers them unreliable.

However, Wikipedia can serve as a practical way to introduce yourself to an unknown topic when writing a research paper. When used as a preliminary reference, it can help direct you toward credible primary and secondary sources that bolster your ideas.

If you need to cite Wikipedia in APA format, be aware that it’ll look slightly different from a conventional APA website citation. A Wikipedia citation in APA format includes the Wikipedia page title, version date, website, and URL specific to the entry version you’re referencing.

How to cite Wikipedia in APA format

Write the title of the Wikipedia entry in sentence case. Since Wikipedia pages can be updated frequently, use the date of the entry version you’re referencing as well as the URL unique to that version. The website will always be formatted as “In Wikipedia.” This is what a Wikipedia citation in APA format should look like:

Wikipedia entry title. (Year, Month Day). In Wikipedia. Version URL.

Example:

Dual process theory (moral psychology). (2022, April 22). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_process_theory_(moral_psychology)

To find the URL for the exact version of the entry that you accessed, click on “View history” at the top of the page. Then click on the version date that you want to cite. The URL in the search bar is now the entry version’s specific URL to include in your Wikipedia citation.

In-text citation

When citing the Wikipedia source within your narrative, place it within your sentence by shortening the entry’s title and enclosing it in quotation marks. Include the version year in parentheses immediately after the entry’s title.

Example:

The concept of “Dual process” (2022) . . .

Parenthetical citation

To cite Wikipedia parenthetically in APA format within your research paper, keep the shortened title of the Wikipedia entry inside parentheses. Then add the version year, separated by a comma.

Example:

(“Dual process,” 2022)

FAQ

Why should brands edit Wikipedia?

There are a number of reasons why brands should edit Wikipedia. First, Wikipedia is one of the most popular websites in the world, with over 1 billion monthly active users. This means that editing Wikipedia is a great way to reach a large audience.

Second, Wikipedia is a trusted source of information. When people search for information about a brand on Wikipedia, they are more likely to trust the information they find than if they found it on the brand’s website.

Third, editing Wikipedia can help to improve a brand’s reputation. When a brand edits Wikipedia to add accurate and up-to-date information, it shows that the brand is committed to transparency and accountability.

What are the best practices for editing Wikipedia as a brand?

There are several best practices that brands should follow when editing Wikipedia. These best practices include:

Be transparent. Disclose your affiliation with the brand on your Wikipedia user page and on the talk page of any articles you edit.
Be neutral. Wikipedia articles should be written from a neutral point of view. This means that you should avoid promoting your brand or its products and services in your edits.
Be accurate. Cite your sources when adding information to Wikipedia articles. This will help to ensure that the information you add is accurate and verifiable.
Be respectful. Wikipedia is a collaborative environment, so be respectful of other editors and their contributions.

What are some common mistakes that brands make when editing Wikipedia?

There are a number of common mistakes that brands make when editing Wikipedia. These mistakes include:

Promoting their brand. Wikipedia articles should not be used to promote a brand or its products and services.
Failing to be neutral. Wikipedia articles should be written from a neutral point of view. This means that brands should avoid expressing their own opinions or biases in their edits.
Failing to cite their sources. All information added to Wikipedia articles must be cited. This helps to ensure that the information is accurate and verifiable.
Being disrespectful to other editors. Wikipedia is a collaborative environment, so brands should be respectful of other editors and their contributions.

Are there any resources available to help brands edit Wikipedia?

Yes, there are a number of resources available to help brands edit Wikipedia. These resources include:

Wikipedia: Conflict of interest (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest). This page guides how to edit Wikipedia in a way that is compliant with Wikipedia’s policies on conflict of interest.
Wikipedia: Paid editing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Paid_editing). This page guides how to edit Wikipedia in a way that is compliant with Wikipedia’s policies on paid editing.
Wikipedia: How to write a good article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:How_to_write_a_good_article). This page guides how to write Wikipedia articles that are clear, concise, and well-organized.
Wikipedia: Citing sources (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources). This page guides how to cite sources in Wikipedia articles.

Conclusion

Successfully updating your content on Wikipedia requires a strategic and respectful approach. By following these seven tips, you can navigate Wikipedia editing more effectively, maintain transparency, and increase the chances of your edit requests being approved. Remember that collaborative and patient interactions are key to achieving your Wikipedia editing goals.