Wikipedia articles start with a topic that does not already have a page, a reliable source to back up every claim, and a willingness to follow Wikipedia's editing rules exactly
Creating a Wikipedia article is not like writing for a blog or a personal website. Wikipedia editors will reject or delete your work if it does not meet their standards, and those standards are strict by design. The most common reason new articles get deleted is that they make claims without citing a source, or they read like promotional writing instead of neutral information. Before you write a single sentence, you need to know whether your topic is notable enough, what sources count as reliable, and how Wikipedia's editing system actually works.
This guide walks you through the real process: checking if your article should exist, gathering sources that Wikipedia will accept, writing in the neutral style editors expect, and submitting your work in a way that gives it the best chance of surviving review.
Key Takeaways
- Wikipedia will delete your article if the topic is not notable enough — which usually means it needs coverage in multiple independent, published sources that are not controlled by the subject.
- Every single claim in your article must cite a source, and that source must be something Wikipedia considers reliable, like a published book, newspaper, or academic journal.
- New editors cannot publish articles directly to Wikipedia's main namespace; you must use the Article Wizard or create a draft in your user space and request review.
- Wikipedia's neutral point of view rule means you cannot write from the perspective of a fan, advocate, or critic — you must present information as an outside observer would.
- The most successful new articles start with a narrow, well-defined topic rather than a broad one, because narrow topics are easier to source thoroughly.
Check whether your topic meets Wikipedia's notability standard
Before you write anything, search Wikipedia to confirm no article already covers your topic. Use the search box at the top of any Wikipedia page and try several variations of the name. If an article exists but is very short, you can improve it instead of creating a new one — that is often easier than starting from scratch.
Next, determine whether your topic is notable enough. Wikipedia has specific notability guidelines for different categories: people, companies, events, organizations, and so on. The general rule is that your topic needs coverage in multiple independent, published sources that are not controlled by the subject. For a person, this usually means newspaper articles, magazine profiles, or academic papers — not just a mention in a company newsletter or a social media post. For a company, you need coverage in reliable business publications or news outlets, not just the company's own website or press releases.
Read the notability guideline that matches your topic by searching "Wikipedia notability" and clicking the result. Spend time on this step. If your topic does not meet the standard, Wikipedia editors will delete your article, and you will have wasted hours writing it. If you are unsure, post a question on the article talk page for a related topic, or ask in Wikipedia's help desk.
Gather sources before you start writing
Wikipedia requires that every factual claim be backed by a source, and not all sources count equally. A reliable source is something published by an established organization with an editorial process — a newspaper, magazine, academic journal, book from a major publisher, or government document. A blog post, a social media account, a press release, or a website created by the subject does not count as reliable, even if the information is accurate.
Collect at least three to five sources before you write. More is better, especially for a controversial topic. Write down the author, publication name, date, and the specific claim each source supports. This takes time, but it prevents you from writing sentences you cannot back up, which is the fastest way to get your article rejected or deleted.
If you cannot find multiple reliable sources covering your topic, your topic is probably not notable enough for Wikipedia. That is not a judgment on whether the topic matters — it means Wikipedia's rules require published coverage, and if that coverage does not exist, Wikipedia is not the right place for it.
Write your article in a neutral, encyclopedic style
Wikipedia's neutral point of view rule is non-negotiable. This means you cannot write as a fan, a critic, an advocate, or someone with a stake in the topic. You must write as if you are explaining the topic to someone who knows nothing about it and has no reason to care one way or the other. Avoid words like "amazing," "groundbreaking," "unfortunately," or "thankfully." Avoid sentences that tell the reader what to think. Instead, present facts and let the reader draw conclusions.
Start with a lead section — the first paragraph or two — that summarizes the entire article in plain language. A reader should be able to read just the lead and understand what the topic is, why it matters, and what the article covers. After the lead, organize the article into sections with clear headings. Each section should cover one aspect of the topic. Use short paragraphs, and break up long blocks of text with subheadings.
Cite your sources as you write. In Wikipedia's editing system, you add a citation by typing the source information in a specific format inside square brackets at the end of the sentence. The system then converts this into a footnote. You do not need to know the format perfectly — Wikipedia has templates that make this easier, and experienced editors will fix formatting mistakes. What matters is that you cite something for every factual claim.
Use Wikipedia's Article Wizard or create a draft
New editors cannot publish directly to Wikipedia's main article space. Instead, you have two options: use the Article Wizard, which is a guided tool for new articles, or create a draft in your user space and request review.
The Article Wizard is the simpler route if you are new to Wikipedia. Go to en.wikipedia.org, log in or create an account, and search for "Article Wizard." The tool walks you through entering your topic, writing the article, and submitting it for review. The wizard checks some basic requirements and then sends your article to a queue where experienced editors review it.
If you prefer more control, you can write your article in a draft page under your user account. Create an account, then go to your user page and create a subpage called "Draft:Article Name." Write your article there, cite your sources, and when you are ready, add a template at the top requesting review. An editor will check it and either publish it, ask you to make changes, or explain why it does not meet Wikipedia's standards.
Respond to feedback and be prepared to revise
When an editor reviews your article, they may ask you to add sources, remove unsourced claims, rewrite sections that sound promotional, or restructure the article. This is normal and not a rejection. Read the feedback carefully and make the changes. If you do not understand a comment, ask the editor to explain it on the article's talk page.
Some articles are rejected on the first submission. Common reasons include: the topic is not notable, claims lack sources, the writing sounds like promotion, or the article duplicates an existing one. If your article is rejected, you can revise it and resubmit. Many successful Wikipedia articles are rejected once or twice before they are published.
If your article is deleted after publication, you can request that it be restored and revised. Do not take deletion personally — Wikipedia's standards exist to keep the encyclopedia reliable, and editors apply them consistently to everyone.
Understand Wikipedia's editing culture and rules
Wikipedia has rules beyond just notability and sourcing. You cannot edit articles about yourself or topics you have a financial stake in. You cannot copy text from other websites, even if you wrote it — Wikipedia requires original writing or text that is in the public domain. You cannot add external links to your own website or business. These rules exist to prevent spam and conflict of interest.
Wikipedia's community also has unwritten norms. Editors expect you to be respectful in discussions, to assume good faith when someone disagrees with you, and to focus on improving the article rather than defending your ego. If an experienced editor changes something you wrote, assume they had a reason. Ask them about it on the talk page instead of reverting their change.
Spend time reading Wikipedia articles in your topic area before you write. Notice how they are structured, how they cite sources, what kinds of information they include, and what tone they use. This teaches you more than any rule list can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write about myself or my business on Wikipedia?
No. Wikipedia prohibits editing articles about yourself or topics you have a financial or personal stake in. If you want an article about yourself or your business to exist, you must disclose your conflict of interest and let other editors write it. Even then, the topic must meet notability standards — most small businesses and individuals do not.
What if I cannot find enough sources for my topic?
Your topic probably does not meet Wikipedia's notability standard. This does not mean the topic is unimportant — it means Wikipedia requires published coverage, and if that coverage does not exist, Wikipedia is not the right platform. Consider publishing your information on your own website, a blog, or a specialized wiki instead.
How long does it take for a new article to be reviewed and published?
Review times vary. Some articles are reviewed within days; others take weeks. The queue depends on how many submissions editors are working through. You can check the status of your submission by going to your user page and looking at your drafts, or by checking the Articles for Creation queue if you submitted through the Article Wizard.
Can I copy text from another website into my Wikipedia article?
No, unless the text is in the public domain or released under a compatible license. Wikipedia requires original writing. You can read other sources and write about the same topic in your own words, but you cannot paste text directly. Copying is grounds for deletion and can result in your account being blocked.
What should I do if my article is deleted?
You can request that it be restored by going to the deletion discussion and asking an administrator to reconsider. If you want to revise it and resubmit, you can create a new draft and address the reasons it was deleted. Read the deletion reason carefully — it tells you exactly what did not meet Wikipedia's standards.