WEBVTT 00:00:03.074 --> 00:00:09.033 How to Create a Wikipedia Article. Share your expertise on a subject by writing about it 00:00:09.033 --> 00:00:15.044 for Wikipedia, the world's biggest encyclopedia. This multilingual, Web-based, free content 00:00:15.044 --> 00:00:20.014 encyclopedia already contains millions of articles, but there's always room for something 00:00:20.014 --> 00:00:27.096 new. Why not publish something by you? You will need Internet access Notable topic and 00:00:27.096 --> 00:00:34.073 reliable sources. Step 1. Before you try to create an article, make sure you have an appropriate 00:00:34.073 --> 00:00:40.022 topic. Wikipedia wants unbiased, well-sourced information about subjects that are notable 00:00:40.022 --> 00:00:45.077 enough to appear in an encyclopedia. The site rejects articles that promote or publicize 00:00:45.077 --> 00:00:51.074 a business; advice – legal, medical or otherwise; instructional material; travel guides; and 00:00:51.074 --> 00:00:59.024 news items. Get ideas for topics by typing WP:RA in the search box; a list of articles 00:00:59.024 --> 00:01:05.007 requested by others will appear. Step 2. Make sure you get the information for your article 00:01:05.007 --> 00:01:10.021 from a credible, reliable source. Material in books and newspapers is generally considered 00:01:10.021 --> 00:01:15.359 reliable; the musings of bloggers are not. And don't bother writing about yourself; it's 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:20.399 considered a conflict of interest. Detailed instructions on the proper way to cite sources 00:01:20.399 --> 00:01:29.096 can be found by typing WP:CITE into the search box and hitting "Go." Step 3. Make sure Wikipedia 00:01:29.096 --> 00:01:34.052 hasn't already published an article on your exact subject by typing it into the site's 00:01:34.052 --> 00:01:40.909 internal search engine. Search as many variations of the topic name as you can think of, including 00:01:40.909 --> 00:01:47.035 common misspellings of relevant terms. Click "Search" to find Wikipedia articles that just 00:01:47.035 --> 00:01:54.002 mention your subject. Step 4. Search the topic on Google to see if it finds any Wikipedia 00:01:54.002 --> 00:01:58.081 articles on your subject. Google sometimes picks up postings that Wikipedia's own search 00:01:58.081 --> 00:02:04.889 engine misses. Step 5. Become a registered user to submit an article without first gaining 00:02:04.889 --> 00:02:11.098 the site's approval. Having an account also means you can create a user profile, receive 00:02:11.098 --> 00:02:17.021 messages from other users, request notification for changes made to articles, and, of course, 00:02:17.021 --> 00:02:21.059 get credit for the articles you write. Click on "create an account" at the top right of 00:02:21.059 --> 00:02:27.007 any page. If you'd prefer not to register, submit a proposal through Wikipedia's Articles 00:02:27.007 --> 00:02:34.057 for Creation, an online review process that provides feedback on your idea. Type WP:AFC 00:02:34.057 --> 00:02:40.063 in a Search box and hit "Go." Step 6. Practice writing an article by composing a draft in 00:02:40.063 --> 00:02:45.064 the Sandbox, where you can familiarize yourself with the site's editing tools. Get there by 00:02:45.064 --> 00:02:52.037 typing WP:SB in the Search box and hitting, "Go." Click "Help" in the toolbox to the left 00:02:52.037 --> 00:02:59.076 of any page for guidance. Step 7. Type your subject in a Search box and hit "Go." You've 00:02:59.076 --> 00:03:04.007 already determined that no page with that title exists. Click on your highlighted search 00:03:04.007 --> 00:03:10.093 entry. You'll be redirected to a blank page where you can begin writing your article. 00:03:10.093 --> 00:03:15.082 Wikipedia editors may request more sources from you after reviewing your article. Step 00:03:15.082 --> 00:03:21.026 8. When your article is finished, hit "Show Preview" to proofread your work and see how 00:03:21.026 --> 00:03:26.034 it will appear on the site. When you're ready to publish it, hit "Save Page." Congratulations! 00:03:26.034 --> 99:59:59.999 You're a Wikipedian! Did you know Wikipedia has published articles in more than 250 languages.