Wikipedia is perhaps the largest encyclopedia in the world, and one of the most visited websites on the internet. Having a Wikipedia page can make a person, company or topic look very credible, which is why a lot of individuals and organizations want one. Wikipedia has very strict rules and a lot of pages that are submitted get declined or deleted. Understanding why this happens can save you a lot of time and frustration.
1. Topic Isn’t Notable
The main reason a topic may not qualify for a Wikipedia page is that it is not notable. Wikipedia says that a topic is notable if it has been covered in a way by reliable sources that are not connected to the topic. This does not mean being known in a particular industry or community. It means that the topic has been written about in newspapers, journals and other publications that are known for having high standards. If these sources do not exist, then the topic is not notable, no matter how important it seems.
2. No Independent Sources
Another reason is that the sources that talk about the topic are not independent. This means that press releases, company websites, personal blogs and self-published material do not count. Wikipedia wants to see that the topic has been covered by people who do not have an interest in it. For example, if a company hires a PR firm to write a profile, that profile does not carry any weight when it comes to getting a Wikipedia page.
3. Lack of Value
Wikipedia also removes anything not worth including in an encyclopedia. This means that the topic should be interesting to a range of people, not just a small group. If the topic is too narrow, like a business that does not have any national significance, it will not qualify for a Wikipedia page.
4. Too Subjective
A lot of pages are also declined because they present a point of view. Wikipedia requires that all content be written in a way that’s fair and balanced. If the language is promotional or biased, it will be flagged by the editors. Articles that sound like they were written by a marketing team are usually rejected.
5. No Citing or Poor Formatting
Lastly, pages come into trouble when sources are not cited or are formatted incorrectly. If the links are broken or the sources are not trustworthy, it can hurt the credibility of the article.
Why Professional Consultation is Key
It can be very hard to navigate Wikipedia’s rules, which’s why a lot of organizations work with professionals. The best Wikipedia agency in the US can help determine whether a topic is notable before any work is done, which can save a lot of time and effort. They also know how to research and write articles in a way that meets Wikipedia’s guidelines.
If you are not sure whether your topic qualifies for a Wikipedia page, it is an idea to get a professional assessment. Creating a Wikipedia page without doing it correctly can result in the page being deleted and damaging your reputation, which can be hard to fix. Wikipedia is an important platform, and it is worth taking the time to do it right!