Wikipedia is perhaps the one online source that all of us have used at some point for research or general purposes. From a student trying to get through college assignments to academics writing their dissertations, Wikipedia has seen the best (and worst) of everyone.
It is not often known however that almost anyone can contribute their knowledge on this platform. We often think of Wikipedia as a dictionary of sorts that has carefully crafted articles backed up by industry professionals…that is not entirely true.
Anyone can contribute to Wikipedia, provided that they follow certain rules and regulations.
Do you want to learn how to create a Wikipedia account and share your knowledge with the world? Read on…
Step 1: Visit Wikipedia's Main Page:
The journey begins on Wikipedia’s main page. On the top right corner, you’ll find the “Create account” or “log in” link. As you already don’t have a Wikipedia account, you need to click on “create an account” to initiate the account creation process.
Step 2: Choose Your Username:
Selecting a username is a crucial part of your Wikipedia identity and for creating a Wikipedia account to0. Ensure it aligns with Wikipedia’s username policy, which discourages promotional names and encourages a neutral, non-offensive tone. When you make edits, this username will be visible to others. If you want to remain anonymous, use a unique username that doesn’t contain personal information. Avoid choosing a username that promotes another business, flags you as a vandal, impersonates an admin, or violates any guidelines.
The uniqueness of the username is important because the Wikimedia software doesn’t allow repetition of username. It will not allow you to register if the username has been already taken by someone else. Wikipedia Global Account Information page can be used to check the uniqueness of the username.
Step 3: Enter Your Email Address:
Providing a valid email address is essential to create Wikipedia account. Wikipedia uses this for communication purposes and accounts recovery if needed. Your email will remain confidential and won’t be publicly displayed.
Adding your email address will let other editors reach out to you, and you’ll receive all necessary Wikipedia notifications. Your email stays private when others contact you.
NOTE: THE MAXIMUM TOTAL LENGTH OF THE LOCAL PART OF AN EMAIL ADDRESS IS 64 OCTETS
Examples of a few valid Wikipedia email addresses are as follows:
- simple@example.com
- very.common@example.com
- x@example.com (one-letter local-part)
- long.email-address-with-hyphens@and.subdomains.example.com
- name/surname@example.com (slashes are a printable character, and allowed)
Some of the examples of invalid Wikipedia Email addresses are as below:
- abc.example.com (no @ character)
- a@b@c@example.com (only one @ is allowed outside quotation marks)
-
a"b(c)d,e:f;g
i[j\k]l@example.com (none of the special characters in this local-part are allowed outside quotation marks) - just"not"right@example.com (quoted strings must be dot separated or be the only element making up the local-part)
Step 4: Create a Strong Password:
As with any online account, security is paramount. Craft a strong password that combines upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols to enhance the security of your Wikipedia account.
- Ensure your password is a minimum of eight characters long, extending to ten characters for accounts with special access.
- Include a blend of both capital and small letters, along with digits.
- Steer clear of using common words, names, or personal details (like your birthday or pet's name).
- Use a unique password for each website, as sites can sometimes be compromised, leading to the exposure of user details.
Step 5: Solve the CAPTCHA:
To prove you’re human, you’ll be prompted to solve a CAPTCHA. Enter the characters as displayed to proceed with the account creation process.
Step 6: Confirm Your Email:
After completing the registration, check your email for a confirmation message from Wikipedia. Click on the confirmation link to verify your email address and activate your Wikipedia account. You can complete the optional form on the next page or click “Skip this survey” to begin using Wikipedia immediately.
Step 7: Personalize Your Preferences:
Once your account is confirmed, login and navigate to your user preferences. Here, you can customize settings such as your time zone, date format, and how Wikipedia displays content.
Step 8: Familiarize Yourself with Wikipedia Policies:
Before diving into contributions, take the time to familiarize yourself with Wikipedia’s content guidelines and policies. Understanding the rules ensures that your contributions align with Wikipedia’s ethos.
Step 9: Start Editing and Contributing:
With your account set up and policies understood, you’re ready to make your mark. Start by editing Wikipedia articles, adding citations, or contributing entirely new content. Remember to adhere to Wikipedia’s guidelines to maintain the quality and integrity of the information
Step 10: Engage with the Wikipedia Community:
Wikipedia is not just a platform for information; it’s a community of contributors. Engage with other users on talk pages, participate in discussions, and learn from experienced editors to enrich your Wikipedia experience.
Wikipedia Publishing Standards and Guidelines: The Dos and Don’ts
Although the contributing pool for all the content for Wikipedia comes from the general public, it does not necessarily mean that users can publish anything. There are certain guidelines and rules that the platform is strict about and all publishers undergo mechanisms to ensure that their content is aligned with said policies.
Wikipedia has three straightforward principles when it comes to publishable content. Users must:
- Write from a neutral point of view
- Write only about publicly verifiable information
- Contribute no original research to Wikipedia articles
These rules are designed to ensure the authenticity and reliability of the content. However, this is just a general overview of what is required from users, there are more nuances when it comes to publishing policies that users can visit and verify on their own. It is good to familiarize yourself with these policies so that you can ensure that you tailor your content according to them during the writing process instead of having to do the extra work later on or hire Wikipedia writers who know all the nitty-gritty of Wikipedia’s strict policies and guidelines.
Conclusion:
Now that you know how to create a Wikipedia account, it is your time to shine! Go ahead and start publishing content that is meaningful to you, but make sure that the content abides by the standards of the platform. The content should also be well-written and broad in its reach. Create your own Wikipedia page; it could be your first step into making it big in the writing and publishing world.
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