How to Edit a Wikipedia Page – The Basics

Whether you want to give yourself a plug or you need to create a balanced article on your expertise in the medical field, you should know the basics of editing Wikipedia.

The search engine giant gives high priority to Wikipedia entries when a user searches for a website. So it makes sense that you would edit your page to create a high-quality page dedicated to your expertise.

So how to edit a Wikipedia page? Is it as easy as putting down a paragraph on your expertise?

We’ll cover all of that and more in this article!

Getting Started

Wikipedia articles are editable by anybody with an internet connection. Because of this, Wikipedia is vulnerable to malicious editing and vandalism, thus it’s crucial to understand the fundamentals of editing a Wikipedia article.

If you are not familiar with Wikipedia’s policies, take some time to read through them before you start editing. Wikipedia is built on a set of core policies that guide editors in making decisions.

These policies are not set in stone, but they do provide a good starting point for understanding how Wikipedia works. Once you are familiar with the policies, you can start making edits.

In order to edit a Wikipedia page, you must first create an account. To do this, go to the Wikipedia homepage and click on the “create account” link in the top right-hand corner. This will take you to the account creation page, where you will need to supply a username, password, and valid email address.

Once you have created your account, you will be able to edit any Wikipedia page.

Familiarize Yourself With the Wiki Format

One of the most important things you can do on editing Wikipedia page is to familiarize yourself with the wiki format. This will help you understand how to edit pages and make changes.

Wiki pages can be edited using a simple text editor, but there are also a number of specialized wiki editing tools available. The most important thing is to learn the basics of wiki formatting before you start making changes.

Properly Citing Your Sources

There are a few basic rules on Wikipedia page edits. First, you must have a neutral point of view. This means that you can’t include your own opinion in the article.

Second, you must cite your sources. This is important because it allows other editors to verify the information that you’re adding to the page. This can be done by searching for reliable websites, news articles, books, or other sources that support your claims.

Once you have found these sources, you need to create a citation for each one. You can use the template provided by Wikipedia, or by creating a citation yourself. After you have created all of your citations, you need to add them to the bottom of the page in the “References” section

Finally, add a brief description of each source in the “Notes” section. This will help other editors understand the context of your sources and determine if they are reliable.

You must be careful not to plagiarize. This means that you can’t copy and paste text from other sources without giving credit to the original author.

Find the Right Page

Wikimedia Foundation staff will never directly edit Wikipedia content on behalf of a user. If you would like help finding the right page to edit, they can assist you in the following ways:

You can use the search box in the top-right corner of any Wikipedia page. Just type in what you’re looking for, and Wikipedia will provide a list of articles that might be relevant.

If you’re still not sure which page to edit, or if the page you want to edit doesn’t exist yet, you can browse Wikipedia using the category system. Every Wikipedia page is placed in at least one category, and often several. You can access a list of all categories from the left sidebar on any Wikipedia page.

Make Your Edits

On the editor, you’ll see two tabs: “Visual” and “Source”. The Visual tab is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor, while the Source tab allows you to edit the page’s code. If you’re not familiar with code, it’s best to stick to the Visual editor.

Once you’re in the editor, you can make your changes. To publish your changes, simply click the “Save changes” button at the bottom of the editing window. Your changes will then be visible to anyone who visits the page.

If you’re not signed in, you will be prompted to do so (or create an account) before your changes can be saved.

Before you publish your changes, you may want to preview them first by clicking the “Show preview” button next to the “Save changes” button. This will allow you to see what the page will look like once your changes are.

If you’re making a major edit, it’s a good idea to leave a note in the edit summary. This will help other editors understand the changes you’ve made.

Tips on How to Edit a Wikipedia Page

Overall, as a Wikipedia editor, you play a vital role in sharing knowledge and information with the world. Remember to be bold and be sure to read the Wikipedia guidelines before you make any changes.

With a little practice, you can become a Wikipedia editing pro. By following these simple tips on how to edit a Wikipedia page, you can make a lasting contribution to this ever-growing resource. So get out there and start editing!

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