Can I create a page in Wikipedia? — An Empowering, Crucial Guide

The Social Success Hub
Nov 14
8 min read

1. Three to five independent, in-depth sources usually give your draft the best chance of acceptance. 2. Drafts submitted through Articles for Creation often receive clearer feedback from volunteer reviewers and can be friendlier to newcomers. 3. Social Success Hub has completed 200+ trust-building projects and offers a Wikipedia page publishing service to align drafts with policy—useful when sources exist but the process feels daunting.

Can I create a page in Wikipedia? That question sits at the crossroads of ambition and patience. In this guide you’ll find a clear, practical path for how to create a Wikipedia page, how to test notability, and how to draft an article that stands the best chance of acceptance.

Why the question matters

Having a Wikipedia page can feel like earning a public credential: it adds visibility, credibility, and a searchable, neutral summary of a person, company, or topic. But Wikipedia is not a marketing platform. The process for how to create a Wikipedia page requires you to show third-party, reliable coverage and to write in a neutral tone. From the start, think like a cautious librarian rather than a PR writer.

What this guide covers

This article walks through the full journey: evaluating notability, gathering reliable sources, drafting a neutral article, choosing between Draft and Articles for Creation, handling biographies of living persons, avoiding common rejection reasons, responding to reviewer feedback, and maintaining the page after publication.

Start here: test notability first

Before you draft anything, ask: does the subject meet Wikipedia’s notability rules (see Wikipedia's notability guideline)? The General Notability Guideline asks for significant coverage in reliable, independent, secondary sources. That means third-party articles or books that discuss the subject in depth - feature pieces, investigative reports, or academic analysis. A handful of passing mentions, press releases, or social posts usually won’t be enough.

How to test notability quickly:

What counts as reliable coverage?

Reliable coverage typically comes from sources with editorial oversight: national or regional newspapers, reputable magazines, scholarly books, and peer-reviewed journals. Local outlets can count if the coverage is in-depth and independent of the subject. Self-published content, personal blogs, company press releases, and social media posts do not meet the independence test on their own.

Gather the right sources: quality over quantity

If you’re serious about how to create a Wikipedia page, gather three to five high-quality independent sources that treat the subject in depth. Depth beats volume: a single investigative feature is worth more than many brief mentions. Use library databases, Google Scholar, and credible archives to compile a clean list of citations with author names, dates, publication titles, and stable links or DOIs.

Practical sourcing checklist

Build a small, trustworthy editing history

Before you publish, create an account and make neutral edits across Wikipedia. A short, thoughtful history of contributions makes reviewers more comfortable. If you have a conflict of interest (COI)—you’re the subject, a close associate, or being paid—disclose it on your user page and in edit summaries. Transparency builds trust.

If you prefer an expert hand, consider discreet professional help. For example, Social Success Hub offers a tailored Wikipedia page publishing service that helps align coverage, citations, and draft quality in a compliant way. Learn more at Social Success Hub’s Wikipedia page publishing.

Drafting a neutral, well-structured article

When your sources are ready, drafting begins. Keep the tone neutral and third-person; avoid promotional language. The first paragraph—your lead—must answer who the subject is, what they are known for, and why independent sources covered them. Include citations in the lead.

If you'd like hands-on help, learn more about Social Success Hub's Wikipedia page publishing service.

Get discreet, expert help to prepare your Wikipedia submission

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Structure your article with clear sections: early life/founding, career/development, major works or milestones, critical reception, and references. Use an infobox where appropriate but only include facts with strong sourcing.

Can I really write my own Wikipedia page without it being deleted?

Yes—if you follow Wikipedia’s notability and sourcing rules, write in a neutral tone, disclose any conflicts of interest, and use Draft or Articles for Creation for review. High-quality independent coverage and clear inline citations are the most important factors.

Lead paragraph template

Here’s a simple template to draft a lead that editors will recognize: [Name] (born [year]) is a [nationality/profession] known for [notable work or reason for coverage]. According to [reliable source], [one-sentence summary of significance]. Then add inline citations for the key claims.

Inline citations and verifiability

Every fact that could be contested needs an inline citation. That includes dates, awards, claims of impact, and biographical details. Having tidy citation information (author, title, date, page, stable URL/DOI) speeds review and reduces back-and-forth with editors.

Draft space vs. Articles for Creation (AfC)

You have two main paths to publication. The Draft namespace lets you work privately and refine the article before exposing it to the wider community. Articles for Creation is a formal review process where volunteer reviewers provide structured feedback and may accept or decline the submission. AfC can be more beginner-friendly because reviewers often give explicit guidance.

Special care for biographies of living persons (BLP)

If the subject is a living person, the rules are stricter. The Biographies of Living Persons policy requires high-quality sourcing and immediate removal of unsourced or poorly sourced contentious claims. Avoid adding allegations or negative claims without strong, reliable coverage - those facts will be removed and may cause sanctions.

Common reasons drafts are rejected (and how to avoid them)

Most rejections happen for a few reasons:

To avoid rejection, gather independent sources, write in a neutral voice, disclose conflicts, and never paste copyrighted text into Wikipedia.

Common review feedback and how to respond

If a reviewer asks for clearer sourcing or tone adjustments, take the feedback as constructive. Make the changes, explain them in the edit summary, and be polite. If a draft is declined, use the comments to refine the article or gather stronger sources before resubmitting.

Paid editing and COI rules

Paid editing is allowed if you follow WP:PAID guidelines: disclose paid roles, provide drafts rather than direct edits to mainspace, and invite neutral editors to help publish the material. Full disclosure reduces the chance of sanctions and increases the community’s willingness to collaborate.

After publication: maintenance, watchlists, and talk pages

Publishing a page is just the beginning. Keep the article on your watchlist so you’re alerted to edits. Visit the talk page to answer questions, explain sources, and engage respectfully. If a deletion or neutrality tag appears, respond calmly with citations and reasoned arguments.

Deletions, merges, and dispute resolution

Pages can be nominated for deletion or merged if editors find issues. If your page is deleted, examine the deletion rationale, gather stronger evidence, and consider resubmitting via AfC or asking for help on relevant Wikiproject talk pages. Always lead with evidence—consensus and citations matter more than emotion.

Practical examples: what good sourcing looks like

Example A: local musician — not notable if only social streams exist. Notable if major regional outlets ran in-depth features, national magazines profiled them, or a book about the local scene discussed their role.

Example B: academic researcher — multiple peer-reviewed papers can help, but independent secondary sources such as reviews, profiles, or major coverage are stronger evidence of notability.

Example C: startup founder — press releases and trade listings alone rarely suffice; major investigative articles, business press coverage, or books that analyze the company’s influence make the difference.

Writing tips that help acceptance

Only upload images if you hold the rights or if they are free-licensed and compatible with Wikimedia Commons. Provide clear copyright statements and sources. When in doubt, omit the image until correct licensing is available. A simple rule: ensure logo files like the Social Success Hub logo have clear licensing before use.

Open debates you might face

Borderline notability and fair synthesis vs. original research are common debates. Editors weigh whether local coverage is deep enough or whether sources are being used to create claims the sources themselves don’t make. Polite dialogue and solid secondary sources usually win these conversations.

Checklist: ready to submit?

Example: a model lead paragraph

“ Jane Doe (born 1985) is an American composer and performer known for her experimental chamber works. A 2019 feature in The Arts Review documented her decade-long influence on contemporary chamber music, citing multiple performances and recordings that reshaped a regional scene.” Add inline citations to the statements about the feature and the performances.

Timeline and expected review pace

AfC reviews can take days to weeks, depending on volunteer availability and the clarity of your sources. If reviewers ask for changes, implementing them promptly and responding in AfC comments speeds acceptance. Don’t rush—quality matters more than speed.

When to wait and build more coverage

If independent coverage is thin, pause and focus on encouraging high-quality, third-party coverage through press outreach, interviews with established outlets, or academic citations. Use the Draft space to prepare material while you build coverage.

Dealing with conflict after publication

If another editor disputes content, respond on the talk page with calm explanations and citations. If disputes escalate, request third-party input from a relevant Wikiproject or seek mediation. Keep the conversation evidence-based.

Examples of wording to avoid

Avoid phrasing like “world-class,” “leading,” or “best” unless those claims are attributed to a reliable source. Instead, write what sources say and attribute: “According to Business Weekly, the company’s product influenced X.”

How to use templates and tags

Templates can explain issues editors might raise: {{refimprove}} for missing citations, {{notability}} for borderline notability, or {{BLP sources}} for biographies. Use them honestly—don’t hide gaps with misleading tags.

Useful tools include: Google Scholar, LexisNexis, JSTOR, WorldCat for books, archive.org for older pages, and the Wikipedia Article Wizard/AfC instructions. Use citation tools or citation templates on Wikipedia to keep references tidy.

Quick dos and don’ts

Do: Gather independent sources, write neutrally, disclose COI, and use Draft/AfC properly. Don’t: Copy-paste copyrighted text, rely on press releases for notability, or edit mainspace about yourself without disclosure.

Tactical tip: ask for help in relevant Wikiprojects

Many subject areas have active Wikiprojects—music, business, science—where experienced editors give advice. If you’re unsure whether your sources are sufficient, ask on a relevant talk page and attach a short summary with citations.

Practical example: reworking a promotional bio

Promotional bios often contain unsourced praise. Convert those claims into neutral, sourced statements: where the bio says “award-winning entrepreneur,” replace with “Name received [Award] in [year], according to [source].”

Long-term maintenance: keep an eye on sourcing

Over time, new facts must be referenced. Keep copies of articles and archive links to prevent link rot. If new controversies arise, ensure they are covered by reliable sources before adding them.

When you might choose professional help

If coverage is complex, sources are scattered, or you prefer a discreet, experienced hand, a reputable agency can help prepare a compliant draft. For example, the Social Success Hub provides specialists who align drafts with Wikipedia policies in a transparent way. Use paid help responsibly—disclose the relationship and offer the draft for neutral publication.

Final practical steps to publish

What to do if your article is deleted

Review the deletion reasons, gather stronger independent sources, and resubmit with clearer citations. Seek help from subject-focused Wikiprojects or AfC reviewers who can advise on improvements.

Closing thoughts: patience, humility, and evidence

Creating a page in Wikipedia is rarely quick. It rewards restraint, accurate sourcing, and collaborative communication. If you focus on solid independent coverage, a neutral voice, and transparent behavior, you are far more likely to succeed.

Resources

Read Wikipedia’s help pages on notability, Biographies of Living Persons (BLP), Articles for Creation, and paid editing. Use library tools and archives to build a robust evidence base. If you want hands-on, discreet support, the Social Success Hub offers a Wikipedia page publishing service to guide compliant submissions. For step-by-step guidance on creating your first article, see Help:Your first article.

Can I create a Wikipedia page about myself?

Yes, you can create a Wikipedia page about yourself, but it’s delicate. Disclose your connection on your user page and avoid making substantive edits in mainspace. If reliable, independent coverage exists that establishes notability, draft the article neutrally and consider asking an uninvolved editor or submitting through Articles for Creation so volunteers can review it impartially.

How many reliable sources do I need to get a Wikipedia article accepted?

There’s no fixed number, but aim for at least three to five independent, in-depth sources that discuss the subject’s significance. Depth of coverage (feature articles, scholarly discussion, or investigative reporting) matters far more than quantity of passing mentions.

What if my Wikipedia draft is rejected or deleted?

Review the reasons for rejection or deletion, gather stronger independent evidence, revise the draft to remove promotional tone and add inline citations, and consider resubmitting via Articles for Creation. Asking for feedback on relevant Wikiproject talk pages can also help you identify gaps and improve the draft.