Create a Wikipedia page: Avoid 1 Rejection

Why Most New Wikipedia Pages Get Deleted Within 24 Hours

Create a Wikipedia page successfully and you’ll secure one of the most authoritative digital assets available: a permanent, high-ranking entry in the world’s fifth most-visited website. But here’s the harsh reality: approximately half of all newly created Wikipedia articles are deleted, most within 24 hours of submission.

Quick Answer: The 3 Essential Steps to Create a Wikipedia Page

Establish Notability – Your subject must have significant coverage in multiple independent, reliable sources (newspapers, academic journals, books).
Gather Verifiable Sources – Collect at least 3-5 secondary sources with in-depth coverage, not just passing mentions.
Write Neutrally – Draft in your sandbox using an encyclopedic tone, cite every claim, then submit through Articles for Creation (AfC) for review.

Wikipedia is not just another content platform. It operates under strict editorial standards that rival traditional encyclopedias. Creating an article is not simply about writing; it is about proving your subject deserves inclusion in this curated knowledge base.

The deletion rate is so high because many new contributors misunderstand three core requirements: Notability (is the topic worthy?), Verifiability (can claims be proven?), and Neutrality (is the tone unbiased?). Miss any one of these pillars, and your page will be rejected or deleted, sometimes permanently.

This guide walks you through the same process experienced Wikipedia editors use to create pages that survive scrutiny. You’ll learn how to pass the “notability test,” gather sources that Wikipedia accepts, manage conflicts of interest, and structure your draft for approval.

I’m John DeMarchi, founder of Social Czars, and over the past decade I’ve helped hundreds of high-profile clients Create a Wikipedia page while defending existing entries against deletion and vandalism. Wikipedia improvement and page defense represent some of the most nuanced work in digital reputation management, requiring deep knowledge of the platform’s evolving policies and community standards.

The Pre-Creation Gauntlet: Passing Wikipedia’s Core Tests

Before writing, you must understand Wikipedia’s foundational principles. Think of them as the bouncer at an exclusive club: if you don’t meet the criteria, you’re not getting in.

Understanding Notability: The “Worthiness” Test

The single biggest reason articles get deleted is a lack of notability. It is not about whether you find a topic interesting, but whether it meets Wikipedia’s specific definition of “worthy of inclusion.” As an encyclopedia, not a directory or blog, it requires topics that have already received significant attention from the wider world.

What is “notability”? A topic is notable if it has received significant coverage in reliable, independent sources.

Significant coverage: This means the sources discuss the topic in depth, not just in a brief reference. Multiple paragraphs, a dedicated section, or entire articles about the subject qualify. Trivial mentions or directory listings do not count.
Independent sources: The sources must be independent of the subject. If you’re writing about a company, its own website, press releases, or self-published biographies do not count towards establishing notability. Independent coverage is required.
Secondary sources: Ideally, these are secondary sources, meaning they analyze, interpret, or synthesize information from primary sources. Think news articles, books, academic journals, or documentaries. Primary sources (like a company’s financial report or a person’s autobiography) can be used to support facts within an article, but they generally cannot establish notability on their own.

What notability is NOT: It is not about fame, popularity, or commercial success alone. Many well-known people or successful businesses do not meet Wikipedia’s notability criteria because their coverage is not “significant” or “independent” enough.

The General Notability Guideline (GNG) states that a topic is presumed notable if it has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject. Beyond the GNG, Wikipedia also has many subject-specific guidelines for different types of topics, such as academics, books, films, music, and people. These can offer more precise criteria. For example, a company might be considered notable if it has at least 1,000 full-time employees or 20 production sites, or if it has been featured in major business publications like Forbes or Bloomberg.

Before writing, research your topic’s notability. If you cannot find at least three to five strong, independent, secondary sources with in-depth coverage, your article will likely be rejected.

Gathering Verifiable and Reliable Sources

Once you’re confident your topic is notable, the next step is to gather the evidence: your reliable, published sources. Every piece of information in a Wikipedia article must be verifiable, meaning it can be traced back to a reliable source. This is a core policy.

What are reliable sources?
These are publications with a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy. They function as the gold standard of information:

Books by reputable publishers (university presses, major trade publishers).
Academic and scientific journals (especially peer-reviewed ones).
Respected newspapers and news organizations (e.g., The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Los Angeles Times, The Miami Herald, The Evening Standard).
Magazines with editorial oversight (e.g., The Economist, Time, National Geographic).
High-quality websites with a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy, often associated with the categories above.

What are unreliable sources?
These are sources that generally lack editorial oversight, fact-checking, or independence, and should almost always be avoided for establishing facts or notability:

Personal websites, blogs, and forums (unless the author is a recognized expert on the subject and the content has been peer-reviewed or published elsewhere).
Social media posts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
Company websites and press releases (these are primary and non-independent, so they cannot establish notability, though they might be used sparingly for basic, uncontroversial facts about the company itself).
User-generated content sites (like Reddit, Quora, or other wikis).
Promotional materials (advertisements, brochures).

As mentioned before, distinguish between primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are original materials (for example, a speech, a diary, or a company’s annual report). Secondary sources analyze and interpret primary sources (for example, a biography, a news report summarizing an event, or a scholarly article reviewing research). While primary sources can be used for basic, uncontroversial facts, notability must be established by secondary, independent sources.

When you create a Wikipedia page, it is wise to gather more sources than you think you’ll need. Some reviewers look for at least three sources for a draft, but the more robust your sourcing, the better your chances.

Declaring a Conflict of Interest (COI)

A Conflict of Interest (COI) is a major hurdle where many efforts to create a Wikipedia page fail. It arises when you have a personal, professional, or financial connection to the topic you’re writing about. This could mean you are:

The subject of the article (an autobiography).
An employee, family member, or close associate of the subject.
Paid to write about the subject (paid editing).

Wikipedia’s core principle is neutrality. When a COI exists, it becomes difficult to write objectively, and there is a natural tendency to promote the subject rather than present a balanced, encyclopedic view. This is why COI is a major red flag for editors.

If you have a COI, Wikipedia strongly advises against creating the article yourself. However, if you decide to proceed, you are required to disclose your COI. For paid editors, this means public disclosure on your user page, on the article’s talk page, and in your edit summaries. Failure to disclose can lead to blocks or even deletion of your account and the article.

The best approach with a COI, especially for paid contributions, is using the Articles for Creation (AfC) process. Instead of publishing directly, you submit your draft for review by experienced, unbiased editors. We’ll cover AfC in more detail later, but for now, know that transparency is essential. Do not hide your connection; it will almost certainly be found, which is worse for the article’s chances.

How to Create a Wikipedia Page: A Step-by-Step Drafting Guide

Now that you’ve confirmed notability, gathered sources, and committed to a neutral point of view, it’s time to draft your article.

Setting Up Your Workshop: Sandbox vs. Draftspace

Before you launch into creating a live article, it is wise to practice and draft in a safe space. This is where Wikipedia’s “sandbox” and “Draft” namespace come into play.

First, you’ll need a Wikipedia account. Only logged-in users can create a Wikipedia page in non-talk namespaces (like the main article space or Draft space). Once your account reaches “autoconfirmed” status (typically after 4 days and 10 edits), you gain more privileges.

Your Personal Sandbox: This is your private playground. Every registered user has one (usually found as a link at the top of your Wikipedia page when logged in). It is a place where you can experiment with editing, practice formatting, and draft content without affecting live articles or facing immediate scrutiny. We recommend starting here. You can access it by selecting the “Sandbox” link at the top of the screen, then “Create” to use the Visual Editor, or “Edit Source” for wikitext. Remember to save your work frequently.
Draft Namespace: For more serious article development, especially if you plan to submit through Articles for Creation, the “Draft” namespace (for example, Draft:Your Article Title) is ideal. This is a dedicated space for articles under construction. Drafts in this space are not indexed by search engines like Google for a period of time, and they will not appear in main article searches. This allows you to work on your article until it’s ready for review.

Using a sandbox or draft allows you to refine your article before it faces the rigorous review process.

Writing Content to Create a Wikipedia Page

Now for the actual writing. This is where you transform your research into an encyclopedic entry. The tone and style are critical.

Neutral and accessible tone: Wikipedia demands a neutral point of view (NPOV). This means presenting all significant viewpoints fairly, without bias, and avoiding loaded language or taking sides. Your language should be accessible to a general audience, avoiding overly technical jargon where possible or explaining it clearly.
Encyclopedic style: Write formally and objectively. This is not a place for personal opinions, anecdotes, or persuasive arguments. Present facts clearly and concisely.
Avoiding promotional language: This is crucial, especially if you have a COI. Wikipedia is not a marketing platform. Avoid superlatives (“best,” “leading,” “innovative”), puffery, or language that sounds like an advertisement. Focus on verifiable facts and achievements, as documented by your independent sources.
Summarizing sources and writing in your own words: Do not copy-paste text directly from your sources unless it’s a short quote attributed correctly, and even then, use quotations sparingly. Plagiarism is a serious issue. Instead, read your sources, understand the information, and then summarize it in your own words.
Copyright: Be careful with copyright. Only use content that is in the public domain or released under a compatible free license. For instance, US government publications are generally in the public domain. Otherwise, paraphrase and cite.
Manual of Style: Wikipedia has a comprehensive Manual of Style (MoS) that dictates everything from capitalization to how to format dates. Familiarize yourself with it to ensure your article is consistent with Wikipedia’s standards.
Visual Editor vs. Source Editor: You have two main tools for writing:
- Visual Editor: This is a “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) interface, similar to a word processor. It is user-friendly for beginners and allows you to see how your article will look as you edit.
- Source Editor: This is where you edit the underlying wikitext markup. It is more powerful for advanced formatting and often preferred by experienced editors. You’ll need to learn some basic wiki-markup, but it offers greater control.

A note on Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT: While it may be tempting to use them for content generation, they can produce inaccurate text, fabricate sources, and lack the precise, verifiable quality required for Wikipedia. It is better to write the article yourself, relying directly on your carefully gathered sources.

Structuring Your Article for Success

A well-structured article is easier to read, review, and verify. Wikipedia articles follow a fairly standard structure:

Lead section: This is the introductory paragraph or paragraphs. It should define the topic clearly, establish its notability, and summarize the most important points of the article. It should be concise and informative, typically 2-4 paragraphs for most articles. Make sure the notability of your article is clear here.
Body paragraphs: These sections present the details, typically organized with headings and subheadings. Each section should focus on a specific aspect of the topic, supported by your reliable sources.
Citing sources: This is non-negotiable. Every significant factual claim, especially those that might be challenged, must be attributed to a reliable source using inline citations. Add citations as you write. This makes the verification process much easier for reviewers.
Infobox templates: Many, but not all, articles include an infobox at the top right, which summarizes key facts about the topic (such as birthdate, occupation, or key achievements). You can find an article on a similar topic, copy its infobox code, and adapt it. Wikipedia has templates for almost everything, from “Living person” to “Company.”
Adding images: Visuals can improve an article, but copyright is critical. Most images used on Wikipedia are hosted on Wikimedia Commons, a repository of freely licensed media. You can upload your own freely licensed images there or use existing ones. Make sure images are relevant and have proper captions and attribution.
Categories: At the bottom of your article, you’ll add categories (for example, [[Category:American novelists]]). These help organize Wikipedia and make your article findable. Choose relevant and existing categories.
Internal links: You should link to other existing Wikipedia pages within your article. This helps build the “web” of Wikipedia. Use double square brackets [[ ]] around keywords that have their own Wikipedia articles. For instance, if you mention “Miami,” link to [[Miami]]. You can use Wikipedia’s “Find Link” tool to identify pages that should link back to your new page, improving its visibility.

Aim for at least 100 words with three citations as a minimum for a draft, but a more comprehensive and well-sourced article is preferable.

Submitting Your Draft to Create a Wikipedia Page

Once your draft is polished, well-sourced, and adheres to Wikipedia’s style guidelines, it is time to consider publication. You have a couple of options, depending on your experience and COI status.

Direct Publishing: If you are an “autoconfirmed” user (typically 4 days old and 10 edits) and have no conflict of interest with the topic, you can publish the article directly to the mainspace. However, this is generally discouraged for new articles, as they often face immediate scrutiny and potential deletion if not compliant with policy. Also, note that articles published directly may take longer to appear in external search engines, up to a maximum of 90 days.
Articles for Creation (AfC) Review: This is the recommended path for most new articles, especially if you have a COI or are new to Wikipedia. You submit your draft through the AfC process, where it will be reviewed by an experienced editor. They will provide feedback, suggest improvements, or approve it for publication. This process can take weeks or even months, but it significantly increases your chances of success. The Article Wizard is a useful tool to guide you through this process.

Before submitting, run through this pre-publication checklist:

Notability: Have you clearly established the topic’s notability with multiple, independent, reliable, secondary sources?
Sources: Are all factual claims supported by inline citations to reliable sources? Are there at least three strong sources?
Neutrality: Is the tone neutral and encyclopedic, free of promotional language or bias?
Original Research: Have you avoided original research and summarized all information in your own words?
Conflict of Interest: If a COI exists, has it been fully disclosed, and are you using the AfC process?
Structure: Does the article follow a logical structure with a clear lead section, body, and appropriate headings?
Formatting: Is the article formatted according to the Manual of Style, with infoboxes, categories, and internal links where appropriate?
LLMs: Have you avoided using large language models like ChatGPT for content generation?

Here are some Dos and Don’ts when writing your Wikipedia article:

DO:

Do establish notability with independent, secondary sources.
Do write in a neutral, encyclopedic tone.
Do summarize sources in your own words.
Do provide inline citations for every significant factual claim.
Do disclose any conflicts of interest.
Do use the sandbox or Draftspace for drafting.
Do follow the Manual of Style.
Do ask for help at the Teahouse or Help Desk.

DON’T:

Don’t write about topics that are not notable.
Don’t use promotional or biased language.
Don’t copy-paste content from sources (plagiarism).
Don’t use unreliable sources (blogs, social media, company press releases) to establish notability.
Don’t ignore COI guidelines.
Don’t publish directly if you’re new or have a COI.
Don’t use LLMs like ChatGPT for content generation.
Don’t leave the article as a very short stub; develop content fully.

For those interested in the broader impact of Wikipedia on your online presence, see our comprehensive guide to using Wikipedia for SEO.

Frequently Asked Questions about Creating a Wikipedia Page

This process can be complex. Here are some common questions:

What is the difference between the Visual Editor and the Source Editor?

Visual Editor: This is Wikipedia’s user-friendly, “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) interface. It functions much like a word processor (for example, Google Docs or Microsoft Word), allowing you to edit text, add links, images, and formatting directly on the page, seeing the results in real time. It is useful for beginners who are not familiar with wiki-markup.
Source Editor: This editor displays the raw wikitext markup, the code behind the page. You’ll see things like [[Internal Link]], '''Bold Text''', and ==Section Heading==. While it has a steeper learning curve, it offers more precise control over formatting and is often preferred by experienced editors for complex tasks or template modifications.

You can switch between them using the “Edit” (for Visual Editor) and “Edit source” (for Source Editor) tabs at the top of most Wikipedia pages. Many new editors start with the Visual Editor and gradually learn some wikitext as they become more comfortable.

How many sources are needed to prove notability?

There is no magic number of sources required. However, the general Notability Guideline emphasizes “significant coverage in multiple reliable sources that are independent of the subject.”

Quality over quantity: One in-depth, independent profile in a major newspaper is often worth more than ten trivial mentions in minor blogs.
Multiple sources: While one strong source might be enough in rare cases, reviewers generally look for at least three to five independent, reliable sources that each provide significant coverage. This demonstrates that the topic is not just a one-off event or a niche interest.
“In-depth coverage”: This means the source dedicates more than a passing sentence or two to the subject. Multiple paragraphs, a dedicated section, or an entire article that discusses the topic in detail are strong indicators. Trivial mentions (for example, a person’s name in a list of attendees) do not count towards establishing notability.

If you cannot find at least three strong, in-depth, independent, secondary sources, it is a sign your topic might not yet meet Wikipedia’s notability criteria.

What happens if my article is rejected or deleted?

If your article is rejected or deleted, you can treat it as a learning opportunity. With over 7.1 million articles, the English Wikipedia has a high bar. Here’s what happens and what you can do:

Rejection from AfC: If you submitted via Articles for Creation, the reviewer will leave specific feedback explaining why it was rejected (for example, “lack of notability,” “unreliable sources,” or “promotional tone”). Review this feedback carefully. Improve your draft based on their comments, gather more sources if needed, and resubmit.
Speedy Deletion (CSD): This is for articles that clearly violate Wikipedia’s policies (for example, blatant advertising, vandalism, no meaningful content, copyright violation, or a living person article with no sources). These can be deleted almost immediately. If this happens, you’ll need to start from scratch, addressing the specific reason for deletion.
Proposed Deletion (PROD): This is for articles that seem to lack notability but don’t meet speedy deletion criteria. A tag is placed on the article, and there’s a seven-day period for discussion. If no one objects or improves the article, it is deleted.
Articles for Deletion (AfD): This is a community discussion process where editors debate whether an article should be kept or deleted. It is usually for more borderline cases. Participating in the discussion can help you understand how policies are applied.

What to do next:

Read the reason for deletion or rejection carefully. This is your most useful feedback.
Avoid recreating the article immediately. Unless you’ve addressed the issues, it will likely be deleted again, which can lead to blocks.
Improve the draft. Go back to your sandbox or Draftspace. Find better sources, expand the content, remove promotional language, and ensure neutrality.
Ask for help. The Wikipedia Teahouse is a place for new editors to ask questions. You can also ask on the Help Desk.
Consider whether the topic is truly notable. Sometimes, the honest answer is “not yet.” The subject might need more time to gain significant coverage.

For more detailed guidance on navigating difficult situations, see our How to handle a Wikipedia crisis and our Crisis SEO for Wikipedia Survival Guide.

Conclusion: Securing Your Digital Legacy on Wikipedia

Creating a Wikipedia page that lasts is a significant achievement for your brand, client, or subject. It is a powerful statement of legitimacy and a highly visible information platform. However, it is also a rigorous process that demands a consistent focus on Wikipedia’s core principles.

To recap, your journey to a successful Wikipedia article hinges on three pillars:

Notability: Proving your topic deserves inclusion through significant coverage in independent, reliable, secondary sources.
Verifiability: Supporting every fact with solid citations so that readers can confirm the information.
Neutrality: Presenting information objectively, without bias or promotion.

This complex but rewarding process involves high stakes for digital reputation, especially for high-profile clients in Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, and London. At Social Czars, we know that navigating Wikipedia’s policies requires expertise and a careful, policy-compliant approach.

Whether you’re looking to establish a new presence or fortify an existing one, our team specializes in elite SEO services designed to protect and improve your digital legacy.

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How to Create a Wikipedia page without getting rejected