Can You Create a Wikipedia Page for Your Company? [Best Practices & Guidelines to Know]

For a lot of Millennials and Gen-Zers, Wikipedia has change into like a broad encyclopedia for all types of issues, from random animal details, to details about our favourite TV reveals.

One of many driving forces behind Wikipedia‘s countless wealth of data is its group of writers and editors throughout the online. And, due to Wikipedia’s notoriety and site visitors, you may surprise, “How can I get my model in on this motion?” and even ask your self, “Can I make a web page for my enterprise on Wikipedia?”

Wikipedia is without doubt one of the greatest third-party sources for rating on web page certainly one of Google. We‘ll dive into the ins and outs of web page creation, among the greatest enterprise pages, and the rules and legalities associated to publishing Wikipedia enterprise pages that you simply’ll have to know this yr and past.

Can You Create a Wikipedia Web page for Your Enterprise?

Whilst you can create a web page for Wikipedia with the appropriate administrative privileges, you need to all the time be cautious of Wikipedia pointers and goal when including info — and, importantly, keep away from advertorial content material in any respect prices.

Advantages of Having a Wikipedia Web page

Wikipedia was constructed as a community-driven, goal, non-biased encyclopedia. By nature and due to its mission, over-promotional content material and biased content material can go in opposition to its pointers and even be eliminated. Finally, it is considerably discouraged to create or edit pages of a enterprise you personal or are paid by as this could make it fairly laborious to maintain your itemizing goal and non-promotional.

1. Model credibility and authenticity.

Having a presence on Wikipedia can improve your model’s credibility and authenticity. Wikipedia is a trusted platform that’s utilized by thousands and thousands of individuals as a main supply of data. Having a well-written and correctly sourced web page can exhibit to potential prospects, companions, and traders that your corporation is legit and established.

2. Elevated on-line visibility and search engine rankings.

Wikipedia pages typically rank excessive in search engine outcomes pages (SERPs). Having a Wikipedia web page can improve your corporation’ on-line visibility, making it simpler for potential prospects to seek out and uncover your model. This could enhance natural search rankings, drive site visitors to your web site, and finally result in extra conversions and enterprise alternatives.

3. Entry to a worldwide viewers.

Wikipedia is accessible in a number of languages and is accessed by folks from all around the world. By having a Wikipedia web page, you may attain an unlimited world viewers, together with potential prospects, companions, and traders who might not be accustomed to your model. This may help increase your attain and open up new enterprise alternatives in numerous markets.

Authorized Disclaimer: The steps under will spotlight screenshots of the Wikipedia web site which embrace logos and different property trademarked by the Wikimedia Basis.

Wikimedia and Wikipedia wordmarks, title, and/or logos as listed here are emblems of the Wikimedia Basis and are used with the permission of the Wikimedia Basis. HubSpot by no means is endorsed by or affiliated with the Wikimedia Basis.

1. Create a Wikipedia account.

Go to Wikipedia’s homepage and click on “Create account” within the prime proper.

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Enter the required info, together with username and password, then click on “Create your account”.

2. Get promoted to an auto-confirmed consumer.

While you first be part of Wikipedia, you will see a field pop-up that reads, “Assist enhance Wikipedia” with a hyperlink to begin modifying an article:

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Earlier than creating your web page, you will have to change into an autoconfirmed consumer.

These are Wikipedia’s typical guidelines for an autoconfirmed user: “Though the exact necessities for autoconfirmed standing fluctuate based on circumstances, most English Wikipedia consumer accounts which can be greater than 4 days previous and have made at the very least 10 edits (together with deleted ones) are thought of autoconfirmed.”

Right here, you‘ll have to observe endurance — spend the primary couple days when you open an account modifying different folks’s pages. When you click on “Edit a web page”, there are hyperlinks on the highest proper of each paragraph with the phrase “Edit”, so it should not be too time-consuming.

When you’re autoconfirmed, proceed to the following step.

3. Create the web page.

Now we have reached probably the most difficult half — creating the web page.

First, go to Wikipedia’s “Writing an article” page. As you scroll down the web page, you‘ll see a blue button that reads, “Article wizard: a straightforward approach to create articles.” Click on this button (so long as you’re autoconfirmed):

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Subsequent, you‘ll be redirected to Wikipedia’s Article Wizard. Right here, you have got two choices — instantly start creating your web page by clicking “Subsequent”, or observe modifying your web page in Wikipedia’s sandbox, first.

For our functions, we’ll click on “Subsequent”:

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It‘s vital to notice — since there’s doubtless no Wikipedia web page already accessible in your firm, you may embrace as a lot or as little info as you need. Moreover, you will need to construction the web page for simple readability, that includes among the most vital and primary info (like what your organization does), first.

For example, check out how HubSpot’s Wikipedia page is structured:

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The web page begins with a two-sentence overview of what HubSpot does, adopted by a desk of contents on the left, and a “reality sheet” on the appropriate. Beneath the desk of contents, you‘ll first discover HubSpot’s historical past, adopted by an outline of HubSpot’s software program and providers.

On HubSpot‘s Wikipedia web page, the above-the-fold info is probably going most helpful for a brand new customer who hasn‘t heard of HubSpot earlier than — a fast look on the web page can inform her, for example, what HubSpot does, how a lot income HubSpot makes, what third-party sources corresponding to Forbes say about HubSpot, and who HubSpot’s founders are.

Whereas readers can proceed scrolling for extra product-specific info, it’s vital Wikipedia is especially used as a broad model consciousness platform.

We’ll take a look at extra examples in a while.

4. Present citations.

Wikipedia is finally an encyclopedia, so to show the validity of your matter, it’s essential to embrace citations to numerous articles and third-party sources.

Earlier than you start creating your web page, Wikipedia warns you of this, stating — “the subject of an article should already be lined in dependable sources which can be impartial of the topic. These embrace journals, books, newspapers, magazines, and web sites with a fame for fact-checking. social media, press releases, or company/skilled profiles don’t qualify”:

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Finally, citations give your corporation credibility and permit the reader to belief your organization is actual. Search for journal or newspaper articles that point out your organization, different web sites that backlink to your web site as a useful resource, or directories that hyperlink to your organization’s profile.

5. Make sure you’re following Artistic Commons pointers.

When utilizing imagery or something pulled from Wikipedia’s Artistic Commons, you must also comply with Wikipedia’s Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 4.0 Guidelines, which state:

• Attribution — You will need to give appropriate credit, present a hyperlink to the license, and indicate if changes were made. It’s possible you’ll achieve this moderately, however not in any manner that means the licensor endorses you or your use.
• ShareAlike — When you remix, remodel, or construct upon the fabric, it’s essential to distribute your contributions underneath the same license as the unique.

• No further restrictions — It’s possible you’ll not apply authorized phrases or technological measures that legally limit others from doing something the license permits.
• You don’t have to adjust to the license for components of the fabric within the public area or the place an relevant exception or limitation permits your use. No warranties are given. The license could not offer you all of the permissions crucial in your supposed use. For instance, different rights corresponding to publicity, privacy, or moral rights could restrict how you utilize the fabric.”

6. Keep and audit neutrality.

Even while you really feel such as you’re being as goal as attainable about your organization or an organization paying you, do not forget that you may subconsciously be including info that may really feel biased or over-promotional.

To keep away from having an over-promotional web page, learn the content material you‘ve added or edited earlier than it goes reside and put your self within the sneakers of a reader who’s not a member of the enterprise. If something you have mentioned about your model sounds salesy, or aggressively in opposition to your competitors, think about shifting it.

When doubtful — add citations or hyperlinks from sources apart from your organization. Citing or linking to different Wikipedia pages, information publication articles, and trusted firm databases may help readers really feel like they are not simply studying one large firm commercial.

Lastly, for an absolute remaining gut-check, deeply learn and review Wikipedia’s Conflict of Interest Guidelines one last time to make sure you’ve lined your whole wanted bases.

7. Submit the web page for evaluate.

While you’re completed together with your web page, submit it for evaluate. As soon as Wikipedia deems it a reputable supply, it will likely be uploaded as an official Wikipedia web page.

I’ve personally found that when you heed the Wikipedia Article Wizard Common Mistakes page, you‘ll have the ability to meet the web site’s pointers throughout submission. Locations the place many individuals get rejected, are:

• Utilizing overpromotional language as a substitute of goal.
• Copy-pasting materials as a substitute of submitting authentic writing.
• Failure to incorporate sufficient citations to construct credibility.

8. Replace it usually.

Keep in mind — the laborious work isn‘t over simply but. As your Wikipedia web page begins rating on web page certainly one of Google in your firm title, it’s very important you usually replace it to make sure it gives probably the most up-to-date info concerning your services or products.

Moreover, by updating it usually with firm developments, you are sustaining transparency, which is reassuring for each your prospects and leads.

Finest Wikipedia Web page Traits

There are over 6.7 million articles in the English Wikipedia. An excellent chunk of these are firm pages. The very best firm pages share the next traits:

• Adequately describe the corporate
• Keep a neutral point of view
• Embody references to notable, impartial sources
• Features a hyperlink to the corporate web site
• Ideally discloses that the put up was initially printed or has been edited by members of the corporate or entities paid by the corporate and the way these editors have aimed to maintain the content material impartial.

Beneath, we’ll take a look at two examples of firm pages that may encourage your personal.

Examples of Firm Pages on Wikipedia

1. World Wide Technology

World Large Know-how’s Wikipedia web page is a wonderful instance of an organization web page. First, it presents a short overview describing what sort of firm it’s, how a lot income it earns, and the way many individuals it employs. It then gives a timeline of notable occasions, beginning with when it was based and ending with its newest recognition in TIME journal in 2021.

The web page ends with a complete checklist of impartial dependable sources, which have been printed in regards to the group. Such a listing helps Wikipedia perceive why the group is notable and avoids the looks of a conflict of interest. With out such a listing of references, your organization web page could possibly be deleted.

2. Urban One

City One‘s Wikipedia web page is one other glorious instance of an organization web page. It begins by describing what the corporate is, who its main viewers is, and the way giant it’s. Whereas particulars like the truth that it’s the biggest African-American-owned broadcasting firm and one of many highest-earning African-American-owned companies in america are spectacular, it is said objectively and cited correctly to keep away from the looks of self-promotion.

Wikipedia requires important protection in a number of impartial sources for articles on organizations to be thought of noticeable — a requirement that City One has simply met. In the direction of the underside of the web page, you will discover a references part with over 54 entries.

Getting Your Firm on Wikipedia

These days, a fast Google search gives us with an abundance of data — together with social media profiles, directories, and press releases — on a given topic. By guaranteeing you have got an up-to-date Wikipedia web page, you are protecting your bases and giving viewers a reliable supply of details about your corporation or model.

Editor’s notice: This put up was initially printed in October 2019 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.