Thinking of having a company Wikipedia page. Wondering how to create a Wikipedia page for your company? I highly recommend you read through this guide first.
Yes, everyone wants a Wikipedia page. However, if you do not follow the process properly, you will wind up with your page deleted.
This guide goes through various things you need to understand about creating a company Wikipedia article, including conflict of interest editing, style and layout, notability for companies, and additional tips and tricks to help you through the process.
What You Will Find In This Guide:
- Conflict of Interest and Paid Editing
- Notability Guidelines for Companies
- Creating an Account
- Format and Template for Companies
- Posting Article in Mainspace
- Using Articles for Creation Process
- Requesting Assistance
Conflict of Interest and Paid Wikipedia Editing
A common question often asked is if you are allowed to create a page on Wikipedia about your own company. Some want to go it alone as opposed to using a Wikipedia editing service.
The short answer is “yes” but there are a lot of things you need to know first.
Before you begin creating a company Wikipedia page, it is important you understand the guidelines behind conflict of interest editing and paid editing on Wikipedia.
Conflict of Interest on Wikipedia
Conflict of interest editing (commonly referred to as having a “COI”), is when someone edits a topic that they have a connection with. It could involve editing information about themselves, their company, or even a friend or family member.
Note that COI editing can include both financial and non-financial interests.
There is no guideline that says someone with a COI is forbidden from editing Wikipedia. However, there are rules that provide guidance on how it should be done.
First, if you have a conflict of interest, you need to disclose such. Wikipedia has outlined the process at this link.
After you make such disclosure, you are free to edit, but it is ALWAYS suggested that you request edit changes on the talk page of the article instead of editing directly. This provides transparency and gives you a better chance that the edits will not be removed.
Wikipedia does frown upon COI editing and there are several reasons why.
- Bias – Although you may believe you are free from bias, you are looking at a topic from a non-neutral lens. We all have our own opinions on things, but Wikipedia is based on sourcing, not opinions.
- Promotion – Over the years, people with a COI tend to promote a topic as opposed to writing from a neutral point of view. Many COI editors put promotional information into a Wikipedia page while failing to include (or often trying to remove) negative information.
- Credibility – Wikipedia likes to consider itself credible and neutral. If COI editing isn’t kept in check, the bias and promotion from COI editors can slant Wikipedia pages into something that is not credible based on not matching the sourcing.
Now let’s look at the difference between paid editing and undisclosed paid editing.
Paid Editing on Wikipedia
When someone has a COI based on receiving compensation for editing a topic, this is considered paid editing.
Again, there is no guideline saying this is forbidden, but there is a set of rules that guide paid editors with what they need to do. As with all COI editing, you must disclose that you are receiving compensation.
Before you start to think of a creative way to say you are not “paid,” you should know that Wikipedia considers any form of compensation as being paid. If you are doing it in exchange for anything tangible, as part of your normal job duties (so you are not being paid to specifically edit Wikipedia), or will receive ANY benefit from doing so, Wikipedia will consider you a paid editor.
While the only difference between regular COI editing and paid editing is compensation, it is strongly advised (by Wikipedia) that you request edits instead of making them directly.
Yes, you can make edits directly, but you will have to deal with the mob of Wikipedia editors who hate Wikipedia editing and will often remove your edits regardless of how neutral they are.
The process for requesting edits as a paid editor are covered at this link.
Undisclosed Paid Editing
The final COI category to discuss is undisclosed paid editing (often referred to as “UPE”). This is when someone receives compensation for their COI but fails to disclose receiving such.
This happens when editors get scared their edits will be removed because they have a COI. While it is difficult to edit once you make a disclosure, it is not impossible, and you are likely to succeed if you follow the process.
If you fail to follow the process, and Wikipedia becomes aware, your edits will be undone. The page you are editing may also wind up with an ugly paid editing tag at the top.
Wikipedia will likely block you if caught paid editing without a disclosure. It will also be more difficult to edit that page in the future should you decide to hire someone who makes the disclosure.
You Must Be Notable to Have a Company Wikipedia Page
One of the biggest issues with creating a Wikipedia page for your company is that most people do not understand if they qualify.
In fact, most people think they do qualify when in fact they don’t.
I previously wrote a guide to Wikipedia notability which is more detailed than this section. I recommend reading through the guide, but I will also focus here on notability for companies.
General Notability Guidelines
Prior to going into specific company criteria, it is best to cover the “general” notability guidelines. This is because general notability guidelines will help you better understand company guidelines.
Screenshot of Wikipedia’s “golden rule” on what it takes to be notable.
To be notable for Wikipedia, a topic must have significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the topic.
Here is what that means:
- Significant Coverage – Significant coverage means that references talk about the subject in detail. By detail, this means it must have more than just passing mentions. The coverage must include in-depth analysis of a company including its history. Here is a great article in the Business Insider about Uber that would be considered significant coverage.
- Reliable Sources – Not all sources are the same. Wikipedia considers some sources reliable and some sources non-reliable. The general rule is that a source must has a history of fact-checking and is not promotional. Reliable sources can include different forms of media including newspapers, magazines, and books. And no, the source does not need to be online in order to be considered reliable.
- Independent of the Topic – The source cannot be connected with the topic of the proposed Wikipedia page. This means that interviews are worthless for showing notability since the content was provided by the subject of the article. It cannot be the company website, a press release, or anything owned by the company.
Helpful Tip – If you are unsure if a source is considered reliable, check Wikipedia’s list of perennial sources. This list includes all publications that Wikipedia has determined are notable or not. Note that just because something isn’t on the list doesn’t mean it isn’t reliable. If you do not see a publication on the list, you can also search prior discussions on the reliable source noticeboard.
Company Specific Notability Guidelines
Wikipedia editors understand that not everything is cookie-cutter. As such, they have established “subject specific” notability guidelines.
These apply to different topics such as people (and further defined for actors, athletes, musicians, etc.), media (books, newspapers, etc.), and yes even companies.
Screenshot showing the different main categories for subject-specific notability guidelines on Wikipedia. Some are even further defined.
Thanks to spammers, Wikipedia has made tough guidelines when it comes to notability. Since companies have been more guilty of attempted promotion on Wikipedia, the guidelines for company notability are some of the toughest.
Company specific notability guidelines say that “a company, corporation, organization, group, product, or service is presumed notable if it has been the subject of significant coverage in multiple reliable secondary sources that are independent of the subject.”
Sounds familiar right?
Of course it does.
That’s because it is basically the same as the general notability guidelines.
So, what is the main difference between the “general notability guideline” and this guideline?
Simple.
The quality of the sourcing.
Wikipedia puts emphasis on sourcing for company notability. They know that companies often put out press releases or other promotional material that can be disguised as significant coverage.
Companies also have a history of manipulating references in order to qualify for a Wikipedia page.
Wikipedia gives no credit for things such as simple business listings (e.g., CrunchBase, Bloomberg business profiles), routine coverage (general announcements of company funding, etc.), or passing mentions.
The references must be in-depth and focus on the company in detail.
Screenshot showing examples of what Wikipedia considers “substantial coverage” to meet the bar of company notability.
Wikipedia has a useful guide on how to apply the company sourcing criteria. Instead of regurgitating it here, I will simply include the link (how to apply company sourcing criteria on Wikipedia).
A helpful chart (see below) is also included as part of the guideline. You can use this to apply the available sources to determine if they will count towards notability.
Helpful Tip – Read current deletion discussions related to company Wikipedia pages. This will give you an idea of how the Wikipedia community treats sourcing. It is important to understand that despite guidelines on notability, the community of Wikipedia editors still decide results based on consensus.
Quality over Quantity of Sources
Are you now wondering how many references you need to get a Wikipedia page?
That answer isn’t so simple.
In fact, I created a separate guide to help walk you through that.
Basically, it is about quality, not quantity.
Do not add reference to the article just to make it seem like the company is covered in a lot of press. Not only are they not necessary, but can indicate to editors that you are “refbombing.”
Refbombing (sometimes referred to as “notability bombing”) is an attempt to add sources to make something seem more notable than it is.
“A common form of citation overkill is adding sources to an article without regard as to whether they support substantive or noteworthy content about the topic. This may boost the number of footnotes and create a superficial appearance of notability, which can obscure a lack of substantive, reliable, and relevant information. This phenomenon is especially common in articles about people and organizations. (emphasis added)” – Wikipedia essay on “refbombing”
Helpful Tip – Try to use the best, most in-depth references at the beginning of the article. These should be cited first as they will populate the top of the reference list. When other editors check to see if the topic is notable, they will see the in-depth sources first and be able to make a quick judgment call that the company is notable.
Creating a Wikipedia Account:
You can edit Wikipedia without creating an account. However, I don’t recommend it, especially when you are making a disclosure for having a conflict of interest.
Keep in mind that you should NOT choose a username that is the same as your company name. I recommend creating a generic username as it is just to establish your presence on the site.
Wikipedia will block your account if it finds the username promotional (e.g., the name of your company).
Creating an account is easy.
Step 1:
At the top of the main Wikipedia page, click on the “create account” tab.
Step 2:
Enter your desired username and password. Note, you do NOT need to enter an email address although I highly recommend it. Doing so will allow you to recover your password should you forget. It will also allow you to receive notifications of any changes for pages on your watch list.
That’s it. Just two steps.
Now you have an account which will include a userpage where you can make a conflict of interest disclosure, and a user talk page where you can have discussions with other Wikipedians.
Company Wikipedia Page Format:
What is the format for a company Wikipedia page? Very common question.
This is just a rough template for creating company Wikipedia pages but not set in stone.
All Wikipedia pages should include an introduction, subheadings related to different information on the topic, a reference list, and external links. However, each topic should follow a different manual of style.
There is no specific guideline for companies, only past practice. They include the following:
1. Introduction
The introduction should be an overview of the entire page. Only include information that is already in the body. It should be a short summary stating what the company is and what it does.
2. History
The history section should include the founding date and founder names. I recommend NOT including individual funding rounds. Although they are relevant to the company, some Wikipedians believe it is too promotional and could put the page in danger of deletion. You can also include major milestones of the company such as product releases, mergers, and significant events that have been covered in major news sources.
3. Products / Services
Do NOT get overly detailed here. As a company you may want to describe all the benefits of your products or services. This should not be done. I recommend making a simple statement about what you do. For example, if you sell furniture, simply state that you sell various furniture items – “ABC Company manufacturers and sells furniture used in homes which include couches, kitchen tables, and patio furniture.”
4. References
A reference list will automatically be generated as you add references.
5. External Links
External links can include information about the company that may serve of use to the reader. However, there are strict guidelines. You can include your official website link but cannot include links to social media.
There are additional headings that can be used such as “awards” and “philanthropy.” However, I suggest avoiding them. The page may get tagged as being too promotional or deleted. If it doesn’t get deleted, you may wind up spending the next year trying to clean it up to remove any notices placed at the top of the page.
There is an option to add what is referred to as an “information box.” Again, this is optional. The template to include the information box is located at this link.
Screenshot of a Wikipedia page with a company information box.
You can also include your logo. If uploaded under free use, you would be allowing Wikipedia to only use it for your Wikipedia page.
Posting Your Article to the Mainspace:
You have two options when you create a company page on Wikipedia:
- Create it directly in the mainspace (as a live article).
- Submit it through the “articles for creation” process (covered in the next section).
To create an article directly in the mainspace, search for the name of the page in the search bar. You will see it listed in red at the top of the search results as long as it doesn’t already exist. Click on the red name and then type the information you want on the page. Once you are finished, hit the save button.
I know, I know. I do not cover this method in great detail.
Why??
Because I do NOT recommend posting your page directly to the mainspace! There are a few good reasons why.
First, if the page does not meet Wikipedia standards, it could be deleted. While that may not sound like a big deal, you should know it can be more difficult to recreate a page that has been deleted.
Second, since you are editing with a conflict of interest, the page will likely be moved to draft space anyway. Editors will also frown upon the creation of the page as some think you are bypassing the proper procedures (I previously discussed that you do not need permission to edit, even if you have a conflict of interest, but some editors will treat you like you do).
Finally, if you use the next option (articles for creation), it will allow an opportunity to receive feedback from other editors. You can then clean up the draft until it is ready for the mainspace. After submitting, it will be peer reviewed and moved to the mainspace if it meets standards. This provides a little cushion of protection as an unbiased Wikipedia editor agrees your company deserves its own Wikipedia article.
Going through the Articles for Creation Process:
I have previously written an article about getting a Wikipedia page approved through the articles for creation process. While that article goes more in-depth about the process, I will cover the main points here to help you through getting your company page approved.
First, what is the articles for creation process?
The articles for creation process (referred to as AfC by the Wikipedia community), is the process used to submit a draft to Wikipedia for approval to the mainspace (live page).
The AfC process allows you to create a draft and work on it without it going live. You can then submit it for review. Experienced editors will review the draft and either make it live or provide feedback on what needs improved.
One thing I want to hammer home is that the AfC often uses the word “approved,” but this is not necessarily an approval process.
It is more of a peer-review process.
Drafts approved through AfC and moved to the mainspace are still subject to being recommended for deletion.
Also keep in mind that reviews are not always immediate. It can take anywhere from a day to several months to have a draft reviewed.
Helpful Tip – The video above contains some quick tips on what to look out for when creating a draft. It is important to create your draft within guidelines as it will likely get reviewed and approved much quicker.
The AfC process is very easy. To start, simply click this link and you will be guided through the creation process.
On a final note, I recommend that you read Wikipedia’s guide to creating your first article. In addition to the articles you will find here on this blog, the guide contains useful tips to get through the process.
Requesting Help With Company Wikipedia Pages
There are numerous places where you can request assistance with your company Wikipedia page creation.
1. Project Companies
This is a side project on Wikipedia where editors focus on company specific topics. You can access the talk page of that project at this link. If you have questions about the format, referencing, etc., I suggest using this noticeboard.
2. Wikipedia Teahouse
This is a place similar to WikiProject Companies, however it is used to ask general questions about Wikipedia. So, you should keep company questions on the WikiProject and only general questions (article for creation questions, disclosure questions, etc.) at the Teahouse. Go to this link to ask your question.
3. Contact A Professional Wikipedia Writer
Yes, this is the selfless promotion part. I help create Wikipedia pages for a living so you can reach out anytime for a consultation or project quote. I also have a helpful guide with answers to all your frequently asked questions about hiring a Wikipedia writer.
Summing it Up:
This guide is just a glimpse into how to create a company page on Wikipedia. It can be difficult if you have no experience doing so. Hopefully the information herein can help guide you.
You are allowed to create a company article on Wikipedia. Make sure to following the guidelines on conflict of interest and style the page accordingly.
If you find yourself stuck on anything, you can always reach out for assistance. I offer telephone consultations as well as quotes to do the project on your behalf.
