How Wikipedia Can Influence Social Action in a BIG Way

Wikipedia is one of the most widely visited websites globally, with an increasing number of people visiting it every second – totaling up to 6,000. When asking Google a question, the highest result is often the Wikipedia article definition. It is a common first source of information for many people. However, the significance of Wikipedia is frequently overlooked. People have the potential to become influential editors of Wikipedia and simultaneously acquire valuable editing skills and in-depth knowledge of specific topics and sources.

Why Do People Not Edit Wikipedia Pages?

Wikipedia, which was established in 2001, has grown up along with the current generation of college students. However, most young adults have never edited the site or are hesitant to make changes to unreliable or incomplete pages. Despite being a widely used tool for quick access to basic knowledge, the value of Wikipedia as a freely editable online encyclopedia has diminished in the minds of users, largely due to its reputation as an unreliable source, as well as negative connotations often associated with it in classrooms, offices, etc. Nevertheless, Wikipedia has strict standards for rhetoric, grammar, and sources used in both editing and creating pages, giving young adults the chance to contribute to more equitable knowledge through editable sources.

Most individuals never even learned how to edit Wikipedia and therefore, may feel intimidated about adding or changing information on such a widely viewed platform. As a result, they tend to think of themselves only as consumers of knowledge, missing out on the opportunity to spread and grow knowledge beyond the academic realm and into the public sphere. With access to academic resources, you can use Wikipedia to provide equitable forms of knowledge. To maintain the Wikimedia Foundation’s strict guidelines on impartiality and close paraphrasing, editors must have a broad understanding of various sources on a particular topic before they create or edit an article. The “Talk” page, which is located on the top left of any Wikipedia article, enables anyone to discuss recent or potential changes with other Wiki editors, helping you develop valuable participatory editing skills.

How to Take Social Action with Wikipedia

In response to the ongoing fight against white supremacy, students are taking to online platforms such as Wikipedia to educate the public and bring attention to important issues. After the death of George Floyd, articles on police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement saw a surge in traffic, with over 100,000 views in just one week. Despite the increase in attention, these articles still require updates, additional sources, and expanded content. For instance, the difference in content between articles on the KKK and the Black Panthers is significant. To engage the public, various organizations have created fun Wikipedia editing initiatives focused on these important topics.

Organizations

The Black Lunch Table

The Black Lunch Table is an oral history project that has been ongoing since 2005, through the collaboration between New York-based artist Heather Hart and Chicago-based artist Jina Valentine. The goal of the BLT is to create spaces for cultural producers to engage in discussions about important topics. To encourage edits on Wikipedia, the BLT holds monthly bingo games, editathons with different themes, and educational presentations from experts in the Wikipedia community.

Elite Wiki Writers

Elite Wiki Writers is a Wikipedia writing service comprising a team of encyclopedists, writers, editors, and researchers, who help individuals and brands preserve their legacy on the world’s most frequently used and largest online encyclopedia, i.e., Wikipedia. They are a group of Wikipedia experts documenting everything that goes on during our time.

Wikipedia page creators at Elite Wiki Writers help celebrities, public figures, artists, musicians, authors, athletes, brands, and business owners to share their backgrounds, personal stories, achievements, services, and products on Wikipedia has helped them reach a wider audience. Their Wikipedia writers for hire, designers, developers, and marketers work ceaselessly to help you create Wikipedia articles that meet the website’s guidelines and policies.

AfroCrowd

The AfroCROWD project was founded by Alice Backer, a Haitian blogger, and Wikipedian, in 2015 during Black Wiki History Month. Its goal is to increase awareness among its target audience about free culture crowdsourcing and to close the multicultural and gender gaps on Wikipedia. AfroCROWD has held monthly multilingual edit-a-thons in partnership with cultural institutions, galleries, libraries, archives, museums, and others. Check their home page for upcoming events.

How Should Businesses Position Themselves On Wikipedia?

Businesses can position themselves on Wikipedia by creating and maintaining accurate, neutral, and well-sourced articles about their company and products. This can help to improve their online visibility and credibility and provide reliable information to the public.

Here are some best practices for businesses on Wikipedia to maintain a strong online reputation:

• Ensure accuracy: The information on the Wikipedia page should be accurate, up-to-date, and well-sourced.
• Be neutral: Wikipedia articles should be written in a neutral tone and avoid promotional language. This can help ensure objectivity and avoid controversies that may harm the company’s reputation.
• Follow Wikipedia policies: Wikipedia has strict policies on conflicts of interest, and any editing by the company or its representatives may be considered a violation of these policies. Familiarizing with Wikipedia’s policies and guidelines, such as those related to conflicts of interest and neutral points of view, can help ensure compliance and avoid potential issues. Failure to follow these policies can result in the removal or modification of content or even the deletion of the entire page.
• Be transparent: When providing information and sources to Wikipedia editors, it’s important to be open and transparent about potential conflicts of interest. This can help maintain the integrity and credibility of the information on the page.
• Engage with the community: Businesses can participate in relevant Wikipedia discussions, provide additional sources and information, and respond to queries from editors and readers. Engaging with the Wikipedia community can help build relationships and promote positive content. This can help you improve the page.

What are Expert Tips on Leveraging Wikipedia to Market your Business?

• Create a Wikipedia page: A Wikipedia page can serve as an official and credible source of information about a business and its history, products, services, and key personnel. It can help improve online visibility and credibility, as well as provide a platform for customers and stakeholders to learn about the company.
• Create a comprehensive article: A detailed, well-written article about your business on Wikipedia can provide valuable information to potential customers and improve your online visibility. Let’s say you run a coffee shop chain. You can create a comprehensive Wikipedia article about your business that includes information about your history, mission, products, and locations. This will provide valuable information to potential customers and help improve your online visibility.
• Be accurate and neutral: The information in the article should be accurate, up-to-date, and neutral in tone. Wikipedia’s policies prohibit promotional language and advertising. In the article about your coffee shop chain, ensure that the information is accurate, neutral, and non-promotional. For instance, you could state “Our coffee is highly rated by our consumers” rather than “Our coffee is the greatest in the city..”
• Provide credible sources: Wikipedia relies on reliable and independent sources to verify the information. By providing credible sources, you can help build the credibility of your business’s Wikipedia article. For example, you can cite a news article that mentions your coffee shop chain as a popular destination in the city.
• Engage with the Wikipedia community: Participate in relevant discussions, respond to queries from editors and readers, and provide additional sources and information. For example, if someone asks a question about your coffee shop chain on the talk page, you can provide a thoughtful and informative response.
• Monitor your article: Regularly check your article for accuracy and completeness, and make updates as needed. For example, if you open a new location, make sure to update the article with the new information.
• Consider hiring a Wikipedia writing service: Hiring a professional Wikipedia consultant can help you navigate Wikipedia’s policies and ensure that your article meets Wikipedia’s standards.

By following these tips, businesses can effectively leverage Wikipedia as a marketing tool and improve their online reputation. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Wikipedia should not be the sole focus of a business’s marketing strategy, as other factors such as customer service, product quality, and traditional marketing also play a significant role.

What Is The Ultimate Guide To Wikipedia Marketing For Digital Marketers?

Understand Wikipedia’s policies: Before creating or editing a Wikipedia article, familiarize yourself with Wikipedia’s policies, including its neutral point of view and conflict of interest policies. This will help ensure that your article meets Wikipedia’s standards and is approved for publication.

Use social media to promote your Wikipedia article: Share your Wikipedia article on your business’s social media accounts to help improve its visibility and drive traffic to the article. Read more about social media marketing strategy.

Incorporate Wikipedia into your overall marketing strategy: While Wikipedia can be a valuable tool for improving your online visibility and reputation, it should not be the sole focus of your marketing strategy. Incorporate Wikipedia into your overall marketing strategy, along with other tactics such as customer service, product quality, and traditional marketing.

Are You Undervaluing Wikipedia’s Social Impact on Your Business?

Many businesses overlook the value of Wikipedia’s social influence and its potential as a marketing tool. Wikipedia is one of the most widely visited websites in the world, with millions of users accessing its articles daily. As a result, having a well-written and comprehensive page about your business on Wikipedia can significantly impact your online reputation and visibility.

Wikipedia’s articles are highly credible and trustworthy as they are based on reliable sources and are subject to rigorous editorial review. By creating a comprehensive page about your business on Wikipedia, you can provide valuable information to potential customers and showcase your expertise in your industry.

In addition to improving your online visibility, having a positive presence on Wikipedia can also help build trust with customers. A well-written and well-sourced Wikipedia article can demonstrate your commitment to transparency and accuracy, which can help establish your business as a reliable and trustworthy source of information.

However, it’s important to remember that Wikipedia’s policies prohibit promotional language and advertising, so the focus should be on providing accurate, well-sourced information. Businesses should also regularly monitor their Wikipedia articles for accuracy and completeness and respond to queries from editors and readers.

In conclusion, businesses should not underestimate the value of Wikipedia’s social influence and its potential as a marketing tool. By creating a comprehensive and well-sourced article on Wikipedia, organizations can improve their online visibility, build trust with customers, and showcase their expertise in their industry.

Conclusion

An influential presence on Wikipedia can be essential for a company’s online reputation management and marketing strategy. However, managing a Wikipedia page can be complex and time-consuming, requiring a deep understanding of Wikipedia’s policies, guidelines, and community norms. This is why it can be beneficial for businesses to hire expert Wikipedia writers and editors to promote their services online.

Expert Wikipedia page creators can help businesses create and maintain a high-quality and credible Wikipedia page that accurately represents their company. They can also monitor the page and address any negative or outdated information that may be present. Furthermore, they engage with the Wikipedia community and provide sources and information to editors to improve the page and promote positive content.

Thus, if you’re looking for professional Wikipedia writers, feel free to contact Elite Wiki Writers. Their team will help ensure that your page follows Wikipedia’s policies and guidelines, avoiding potential issues that may result in the removal or modification of content or even the deletion of the entire page.