Sunday, January 31, 2010

Wikipedia Editing Guidelines for Marketing and Public Relations Professionals

Can I edit my Wikipedia entry?

Wikipedia continues to be one of the most trusted sites on the Web and is regularly listed in the top one or two places on any search. The search engine visibility factor drives every marketing person to peek into what Wikipedia says about their own company or product. That pressure may drive a well-intentioned, but uninformed marketing person to push for inappropriate changes.

Often, PR and marketing people are the ones asked to create or edit a Wiki entry for their client. Creating an entry for a company that you work for is against the Wikipedia conflict of interest policies. Although it is frowned on by the Wikipedia community, everyone has a story about a marketing friend that edited their company's entry and was never caught.

In response to this problem, I drafted this detailed set of guidelines in 2008. Because this piece continues to be my most popular post, I thought it would be good to update the information and re-post it. You may find it overly detailed, but I worked to address every editing temptation that an eager executive could press upon a PR person. I've also linked to nearly all of the sources so it is easy for you to navigate the conflict of interest labyrinth.

Although there are a lot of "No Nos" in this post, at the end there is a clear path for an ethical communicator to address true inaccuracies found in a Wikipedia entry.

If you enjoy the piece and use it, please drop me a line and let me know.

Wikipedia Editing Guidelines for Marketing and Public Relations Professionals

Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers from all around the world. Since its creation in 2001, Wikipedia has grown rapidly into one of the largest reference Web sites, attracting at least 684 million visitors yearly by 2008. There are more than 85,000 active contributors working on more than 14 million articles in more than 273 languages. Entries to Wikipedia often rank high in search engine results and are generally held in high regard by online communities. This trust is fueled in part by Wikipedia’s emphasis on transparency.

Wikipedia Guidelines

Wikipedia includes a list of guidelines that govern its use. When observed, contributors can freely make edits and advance the Wikipedia project. Violations of these guidelines are looked upon negatively by the Wikipedia community and will be removed. Occasionally, an editor or organization that violates these rules is exposed in a public way that diminishes their credibility with customers and other constituents. A simple Internet search of “conflict of interest Wikipedia” returns dozens of stories and blog posts exposing companies that updated a Wikipedia entry. Even factual changes made contrary to the guidelines can damage trust. Content guidelines should be reviewed before an editor makes changes to Wikipedia.

Conflict of Interest

Wikipedia’s conflict of interest page is the recommended first stop for all marketing and public relations professionals. This short article clearly outlines that Wikipedia aims to produce a neutral, reliably sourced encyclopedia. Directly from the Wikipedia site – “COI editing involves contributing to Wikipedia in order to promote your own interests or those of other individuals, companies, or groups. Where an editor must forgo advancing the aims of Wikipedia in order to advance outside interests, that editor stands in a conflict of interest.”

Although an employee at a company may be the best expert on a topic, technology or product, they have a conflict of interest if their comments benefit that company. According to the guidelines, they should not edit Wikipedia pages “in areas where there is a conflict of interest that would make the edits non-neutral (biased).” Remember that changes are forever recorded in the history section and Wiki editors use tools to trace changes back to individuals to assess their conflict of interest.

Wikiquette

Wikipedia operates on the principal of assumed good faith and its editors follow etiquette guidelines. People come to the site to collaborate and write good articles and in return expect transparency and open disclosure.

Highlights:

· Sign and date posts to talk pages

· Work towards agreement

· Argue facts, not personalities

· Recognize biases and keep them in check

· Observe conflict of interest guidelines

· Make all entries verifiable by including references and evidence for each claim or fact

The list of what Wikipedia is not helps contributors understand that the site is not a soapbox, publisher of original thought, advertising outlet, repository of links, directory, democracy or a battleground.

Correcting Information

Wikipedia does have an outlet for circumstances in which information on a Wikipedia page is incorrect and the editor has a conflict of interest. For example, if a page on a specific company incorrectly states the inventor of the company’s key technology, a PR or marketing person can justifiably initiate a correction process. This entails making an appeal to the discussion page located on the top row of tabs of each Wiki entry. This is a place where editors can discuss the contents of the pages and mediate their disagreements. By making an appeal on the discussion page, the contributor is asking a fellow editor without a conflict of interest to make changes. On pages where there is frequent discussion and monitoring, changes can be made quickly by a neutral community member.

Neutral third parties, such as industry analysts and user group members, can be contributors to articles in their subject area. By scanning the list of previous contributors, you may find a neutral party whom you already know. Contact that person through the user talk page to discuss your update.

Experience shows that it can be effective to publish correct information on a company-sponsored page and release it for publication on Wikipedia, giving a neutral third-party editor all the information needed to make a correction. Please see below a letter from Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia co-founder on this topic.

Encouraging experts without a conflict of interest to contribute to Wikipedia speeds the correction process and builds reciprocal trust.

Recommendations for appeals to the discussion page:

1. Clearly disclose your affiliation and conflict of interest. Transparency is key to building trust.

2. State your recommended changes and cite verifiable references.

3. Explain your recommendations so others can see their validity. You are working towards a compromise and a balanced presentation.

4. Feel free to discuss the issue on the discussion page. You may even post your recommended changes on this page.

5. Check back on the discussion page to answer questions from the community about your request.

6. Follow wikiquette guidelines.

7. Maintain a neutral point of view.

8. If you find you are in dispute with a specific editor, see the dispute resolution page for assistance. There are formal and informal methods of resolving the conflict.

Resources

· Wikipedia: Five Pillars – Summarizes official polices and guidelines

· Letter from Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia:

I think we need to be very clear in a lot of different places that PR firms editing Wikipedia is something that we frown upon very very strongly. The appearance of impropriety is so great that we should make it very very strongly clear to these firms that we do not approve of what they would like to do.

It is all well and good to say, well, it is ok so long as they remain neutral, but if they really want to write neutral articles, they can do so, on their own websites, and release the work under the FDL [MIT’s GNU Free Documentation License], and notify Wikipedians who are totally independent.

Additionally, it is always appropriate to interact on the talk pages of articles. If a PR firm is not happy about how something is presented about their client, they can identify themselves openly on the talk page, and present well-reasoned arguments and additional information and links.

Of course it is always going to be the case that unethical practitioners may get involved in inappropriate behavior, but I think this is no argument for simply accepting it. Rather, it is a strong argument for asking people to do this the right way: transparently and allowing independent editors to make the actual editing decisions.

--Jimbo

- Nabble.Com Mailing List

August 21, 2006

This document was drafted by Travis Murdock on August 28, 2008. This document paraphrases and copies text from several Wikipedia articles. These articles have been referenced where possible with their corresponding URLs. Last updated on January 31, 2010.

22 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Eunus Khan said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

thanks for article, very nice post.. Play Shooting Games

Unknown said...

yeezy boost 350
ugg boots
red bottoms outlet online
coach outlet store
birkenstocks
doudoune moncler
cheap uggs
moncler jackets
rolex watches uk
red bottoms
20161011caiyan

Unknown said...

And money. Thank God for instant loans! It is usually fast loans difficult to approach

facebook baixar
baixar whatsapp
temple run
traffic rider jogo

Unknown said...

After a long time, I enjoyed in reading a blog just because of the writing skill is very impressive and the presentation is also good and I am always in search of blog like these thanks for providing me such an entertaining article to read... keep up with the good work
Runway Trends

Jessie said...

Thanks for the information you had shared, it's being pleasure to surf your blog.

Jessie,
Cheap used cars
Buy used cars
Used cars for sale

Unknown said...

First of all, I want to thank you for sharing this article with us.... you have chosen a very good topic to write on with having very deep knowledge about it...... keep it up and do share posts like these
Home Furnishing Exhibition

chenmeinv0 said...

cheap tory burch handbags
discount rolex watches
jordan retro 12
polo ralph lauren
louboutin sale
coach outlet
louis vuitton handbags
retro jordan shoes
kate spade sale
ugg outlet
2016.11.26xukaimin

Unknown said...

Absolutely nothing is complimentary on earth, but confirm that you Buy facebook reviews only from the genuine sources for good recognition on the web. facebook reviews

Unknown said...

air jordan uk
the north face outlet
nfl jerseys
fitflops
true religion
tory burch outlet
cheap ray bans
oakley sunglasses
oakley sunglasses
louis vuitton outlet
20161205caiyan

Unknown said...

adidas trainers
ugg boots
michael kors handbags
the north face jackets
canada goose jackets
tiffany jewelry
tiffany outlet
giuseppe zanotti outlet
fitflops
coach outlet online
chanyuan2017.01.17

Unknown said...

Stick to most recent web marketing trend. Buy YouTube subscribers and Fight your rivals. how to get subscribers on youtube

Unknown said...

Different types of Organization try begin|to start out|to begin} their Social Media Campaing however they're not obtaining the beginning here we will assist you in obtaining a correct start buy usa facebook likes.

Unknown said...

You merely need a fans page, and then request for likes and comments to come. As you buy facebook video views from a distinct territory, the page will be viewed by some others also. buy facebook views

Handcraft Leather said...

Easily, the post is really the sweetest on this worthwhile topic. I fit in with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your approaching updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the exceptional clarity in your writing. I will immediately grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates.
review magic glossy
cream magic glossy bpom

Unknown said...

cleveland cavaliers jersey
nike store
nhl jerseys
oakley sunglasses
san antonio spurs
nike store uk
philadelphia eagles jerseys
tennessee titans jersey
hugo boss
cleveland browns jerseys

abs524 said...

Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. model sandal terbaru
The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. jual sandal
Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work. sandal pria online

lovelyrani said...

A Delhi call girl who will make you excited in your trousers
9810731982
Hello dudes, I am Lovely Rani, a 21-year-old independent Delhi Escorts, who is one of the most fascinating gals. You’ll surely be delighted in my companionship and feel excited in your trousers. I am a warranty to turn you on and leave you fulfilled. You may have a plenty of experiences when it comes to date but with me, the experience is entirely different. I am comfortable in any settings and you’ll surely have a great time in my companionship. What’s more, I have the fantastic local knowledge. If you’re coming to Delhi it could be the boring experience if there is no one to accompany you. But when you hire me, I’ll accompany you and make your stay a fantastic one. You can walk into the most famous pubs, dance clubs or even bars. You can also enjoy the authentic cuisine of the national capital in my companionship. I have spent so much of time out and about in Delhi that I am completely aware of the interesting places in the city. I very well know, where the hottest places of the town are. So, if you’re looking for the most fascinating Independent Delhi Escorts, there is no other alternative.

Lokhandwala Escorts | Vile Parle Escorts | Juhu Escorts | Andheri Escorts | Marine Escorts | Bandra Escorts | Thane Escorts | Churchgate Escorts | Elphinstone Escorts | Amritsar Escorts | Ludhiana Escorts | Jalandhar Escorts | Dharamshala Escorts | Mohali Escorts | Panchkula Escorts | Bathinda Escorts | Srinagar Escorts | kalka Escorts | Patiala Escorts | Zirakpur Escorts | Banjara Hills Escorts | Jubilee Hills Escorts | Secunderabad Escorts | Uppal Escorts | Kukatpally Escorts | Gachibowli Escorts |Manikonda Escorts | Miyapur Escorts | Red-Hills Escorts | Park-Street Escorts | Park-Circus Escorts | Sonarpur Escorts | Dumdum Escorts | Howrah Escorts | Sealdah Escorts | Newtown Escorts | Gariahat Escorts | Jadavpur Escorts | Greater-Noida Escorts | Noida Escorts | Faridabad Escorts | Ghaziabad Escorts | Connaught-Place Escorts | Gurgaon Escorts | Anand-Vihar Escorts | Mahipalpur Escorts | Noida-City-Center Escorts | Cyber-City Escorts | Kashmiri Escorts | New-Delhi Escorts | Kalka -Je Escorts| Vaishali Escorts | Chandni-Chowk Escorts | New-Friends-Colony Escorts | Dwarka Escorts | Vasant-Vihar Escorts | Laxmi-Nagar Escorts | Kirti-Nagar Escorts | Nehru-Place Escorts | Shahdara Escorts | Dilshad-Garden Escorts | Mayur-Vihar Escorts | Vaishali Escorts | Model-Town Escorts | Patel-Nagar Escorts | Rajouri-Garden Escorts | Paschim-Vihar Escorts | Meera-Bagh Escorts | Shalimar-Bagh Escorts | Indirapuram Escorts | Pahar-Ganj Escorts | Safdarjung Escorts | Green-Park Escorts | Chattarpur Escorts | R-K-Puram Escorts | Aerocity Escorts | Pitampura Escorts | Rohini Escorts | Uttam-Nagar Escorts | Chennai Escorts | Partners Link | Manali Escorts | Bhopal Escorts | Indore Escorts | House-Wife Escorts | Russian Escorts | College Call Girls | Model Escorts | Celebrity Escorts | Dehradun Escorts | Patna Escorts | Pune Escorts | Ahmedabad Escorts | Jaipur Escorts | Lucknow Escorts | Chandigarh Escorts | Kolkata Escorts

sarthak samwad said...

I like this blog post, it's really like this wikipedia editing guidelines for youre articles. thank you for posting this blog.
BPSC IAS coaching in patna

shreebalajinetralaya said...

I like this blog post, it's really like this wikipedia editing guidelines for youre articles. thank you for posting this blog.
eye hospital in patna