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