The game of credibility is everything. One might say that having a Wikipedia page is the most powerful way to establish one’s brand in terms of authority.
As the gold standard of online information, it allows a business a storehouse of visibility, trust, and a lasting digital footprint. Just imagine for a second what might happen if a potential client searches for your company and ends up with an excellent, trusted listing on one of the most visited sites worldwide.
Most people are familiar with Wikipedia and likely browse it for information on a weekly basis. Despite occasional inaccuracies, Wikipedia maintains an impressive 80% accuracy rate overall.
This begs the question: how can one create a Wikipedia page for their company and capitalize on its benefits?
Indeed, Wikipedia serves as an informational hub and a strategic tool for enhancing your business’s online presence and securing another position in search engine results pages (SERPs).
In this blog, we will discuss how means of change could occur for your business through a Wikipedia page and the steps taken to get there.
1. Amazing Statistics on Wikipedia
- Number of Articles
Wikipedia boasts millions of articles across a vast array of topics, covering everything from history and science to pop culture and current events. The exact number of articles continues to grow as contributors add new content regularly.
- Languages
Wikipedia is available in numerous languages, catering to a diverse global audience. This multilingual approach ensures that people across the world can access information in their native languages, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
- Active Editors
Wikipedia relies on a community of dedicated volunteers who contribute time and expertise to edit and maintain articles. The number of active editors fluctuates over time but remains essential to Wikipedia’s ongoing success.
- Page Views
Wikipedia receives billions of page views every month, indicating its widespread popularity and influence as a go-to source for information. These page views come from users across the globe seeking knowledge on various topics.
- Mobile Accessibility
With the increasing number of mobile devices, Wikipedia has optimized its platform for mobile accessibility, ensuring that users can access information conveniently on smartphones and tablets.
- Citations and Sources
Wikipedia places a strong emphasis on the verifiability and relies on citations from reputable sources to support information presented in articles. This commitment to citing sources enhances the credibility and reliability of Wikipedia content.
- Community Engagement
Wikipedia’s community of editors and contributors plays a key role in shaping and maintaining the platform. Through discussions, collaborations, and consensus-building processes, community members work together to uphold Wikipedia’s standards of accuracy and neutrality.
Most company wikis aspire to be the go-to source for all work-related information, but often they miss the mark.
The traditional idea of a comprehensive handbook filled with policies and legal jargon can feel outdated and cumbersome.
For instance, they dub their handbook the “Employee Un-Handbook,” recognizing the need for a more agile and accessible approach.
Their philosophy reflects a shift towards clarity and efficiency. Instead of drowning new hires in paperwork, they focus on articulating values, principles, and a select few policies in a user-friendly, open-source document.
This ensures that vital information is readily available without unnecessary clutter.
To avoid the pitfalls of conventional company wikis, it’s crucial to address common issues:
- Information Overload: Too much irrelevant data can bury the essential details needed for day-to-day tasks.
- Lack of Actionability: Information should not only inform but also empower users to take meaningful action.
- Limited Contribution: A wiki’s effectiveness relies on active participation from all team members.
- Lack of Engagement: Dry, uninspiring content fails to capture users’ attention and interest.
Conversely, a successful company wiki is characterized by its:
- Organization: Information is logically structured and easy to navigate.
- Transparency: Accessible to all team members, fostering a culture of openness and collaboration.
- Actionability: Content is presented in a way that encourages users to apply it effectively.
- Engagement: Content is presented in a compelling and interactive manner that keeps users engaged.
B. Steps to Create a Wikipedia Page for Your Business
Creating a Wikipedia page for your business requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
1. Create A Wikipedia Account
While it’s not mandatory, having your own Wiki account is recommended for creating and editing pages. Editing anonymously exposes your IP address, which can be risky.
By registering an account, you establish credibility and protect your privacy. Simply click on “Create Account” at the top right corner of the Wikipedia page to get started.
2. Build Your Reputation
Authentic edits are crucial for gaining recognition on Wikipedia. Begin by making meaningful contributions to existing pages using your account.
Aim for around ten to fifteen edits to establish yourself as a reliable editor. Consistent and accurate edits increase the likelihood of your page being approved without review, reducing the risk of deletion.
3. Decide On Article Sources And Matter
Wikipedia values original and verifiable content. Conduct thorough research to gather reliable sources that support the subject matter of your business page.
Ensure that your page offers unique and valuable information, avoiding duplication of existing content. Collecting credible sources beforehand saves time and enhances the legitimacy of your page.
4. Search For Your Company On Wikipedia
Before creating a new page, conduct a search to ensure that no similar pages already exist. Use the search bar at the top corner of the Wiki page to look for your company’s name.
If no relevant results are found, proceed to create your page with confidence that it will stand out as original content.
5. Create Your Business Wikipedia Page And Write The Copy
Utilize the Wiki article wizard to begin drafting your business page. Alternatively, practice editing in the sandbox environment before transferring your content to the article wizard.
Write your page content either directly in the wizard or in a word document for later transfer. Familiarize yourself with Wikipedia formatting conventions, or seek assistance if needed.
6. Submit Your Business Wikipedia Page For Review And Provide Citations
Once your page content is complete, submit it for review by Wiki editors. This process involves scrutiny for notability and originality, which may take several days to weeks.
If approved, your page will be promptly uploaded to Wikipedia, potentially with minor edits by editors.
Ensure that your content is supported by precise citations, providing references for information presented on the page.
Monitor your page regularly for updates and maintain its integrity by adding relevant information to it over time.
C. Real Life Examples of Wikipedia for Business Pages
- Airbnb
Airbnb’s Wikipedia page offers a thorough examination of the company’s evolution from a startup to a global hospitality powerhouse. The article delves into Airbnb’s founding story, its unique business model, and its impact on the travel industry.
One noteworthy feature of Airbnb’s Wikipedia page is its coverage of the company’s social impact initiatives and community engagement efforts. This section highlights Airbnb’s commitment to responsible tourism practices and its contributions to local economies worldwide.
Furthermore, Airbnb’s page includes information about notable controversies and regulatory challenges faced by the company, providing a balanced perspective on its journey to success.
- Asana
Upon visiting Asana’s Wikipedia page, it’s evident that they’ve adeptly navigated the challenge of sharing a name with their software product. The article begins with a concise yet comprehensive overview of the company and its software, clarifying their distinct identities from the outset.
A notable feature is the sidebar, providing convenient access to crucial specifics such as founders, headquarters, and revenue figures. This summary enhances the reader’s understanding of Asana’s essential details.
Further down the page, the extensive references section adds credibility to the article, comprising 53 reputable sources, including well-known publications like the New York Times, Tech Radar, and Business Insider. This robust referencing strengthens the reliability and trustworthiness of the information presented.
- Semrush
Semrush takes a more concise approach to its Wikipedia page, demonstrating that brevity can be as impactful as lengthy descriptions. Despite its shorter length, the article still manages to convey all the essential information about the company.
Similar to our previous examples, Semrush’s page includes key details such as its core services, notable achievements, and relevant industry information. While the content may be more succinct, it effectively captures the essence of the company.
An impressive feature of Semrush’s Wiki page is its robust list of references, totaling 21 citations. These references originate from reputable sources such as “The SEO Battlefield” by Anne Ahola Ward and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, lending credibility to the information presented.
- Slack
Slack’s Wikipedia page offers a comprehensive overview of the company’s history, products, and impact on the workplace communication landscape. The article provides detailed information about Slack’s founding, growth trajectory, and key features of its platform.
A notable aspect of Slack’s Wikipedia page is its inclusion of user statistics and market share data, providing readers with valuable insights into the company’s reach and influence within the industry.
Additionally, Slack’s page features a section on notable partnerships and integrations, showcasing the company’s collaborative approach to software development and its commitment to enhancing user experiences.
- Zoom
Zoom’s Wikipedia page offers another exemplary model for creating a company profile. The page begins with a succinct description of Zoom’s product and its applications, clarifying the company’s offerings and target market.
A historical milestone section provides insight into Zoom’s journey from inception to becoming a “unicorn” company, offering readers a glimpse into its growth and success trajectory.
A notable update at the end of the introduction highlights Zoom’s increased software usage during the global pandemic, showcasing the company’s relevance and adaptability to current events.
Similar to Asana, Zoom’s page boasts an extensive list of reputable sources, totaling over 100 citations. This comprehensive referencing bolsters the credibility of the information presented, instilling confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the article.
D. Best Practices to Maintain Wikipedia Page for Business
- Notability
Wikipedia requires that topics meet certain criteria of notability to warrant a dedicated page.
For businesses, this means demonstrating that your company has received a good amount of coverage in independent, reliable sources such as news articles, books, or academic journals.
Mere existence or self-promotion isn’t sufficient; the business must have made a notable impact in its industry or field.
- Neutrality
Wikipedia articles should always be written from a neutral/unbiased point of view, presenting information in a balanced and impartial manner.
This means avoiding promotional language, biased viewpoints, or subjective opinions. Editors should strive to provide a comprehensive overview of the business, including both positive and negative aspects, without undue emphasis on marketing or advertising.
- Verifiability
All information included in a Wiki article must be verifiable through reliable, published sources. This ensures that readers can fact-check and confirm the accuracy of the information presented.
Statements should be supported by citations to reputable sources, which allows the readers to trace the information back to its origin and assess its reliability.
- Conflicts of Interest
Wikipedia prohibits individuals or organizations with a conflict of interest (COI) from directly editing articles about themselves or their businesses. This includes employees, owners, or representatives of the company.
Instead, Wikipedia encourages COI editors to suggest changes on the article’s talk page and let independent editors review and implement them. Failure to disclose conflicts of interest or attempting to manipulate content can result in sanctions or the removal of the article.
E. Summarizing: Wikipedia Page for Your Business
Having a Wikipedia page for your business can be immensely beneficial, offering credibility, visibility, and reputation management opportunities.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that Wikipedia operates under strict guidelines and policies, including notability, neutrality, verifiability, and conflicts of interest.
Violating these easy guidelines can lead to the removal or deletion of your page, undermining your efforts and potentially damaging your reputation.
Suggested read: Marketing Data To Track on Every WordPress Site With 5 Powerful Tools
F. Common FAQs on Wikipedia Page for Your Business
How long does it take for a Wikipedia page to be approved?
The approval process for a Wiki page can vary a lot depending on factors like the complexity of the content and the availability of reliable sources. In some cases, approval may take just a few days, while in others, it could take several weeks or even months.
What happens if my business’s Wikipedia page is rejected?
If your business’s Wikipedia page is rejected, you will receive feedback from Wiki editors explaining the reasons for the rejection. You can then revise your content accordingly and resubmit it for review.
Are there any restrictions on what content I can include on my business’s Wikipedia page?
Yes, Wikipedia has strict guidelines regarding content neutrality, verifiability, and notability. Your business’s Wikipedia page should focus on providing factual information supported by reliable sources and should avoid promotional language or biased viewpoints.
Can I hire someone to create or edit my business’s Wikipedia page?
While you can enlist the help of experienced Wikipedia editors or consultants, it’s important to ensure that any edits or contributions adhere to Wikipedia’s policies and guidelines. Paid editing for promotional purposes is strictly prohibited and can result in sanctions or the removal of content.
