Wikipedia – something we all have spotted at some point of our online journey. We all know that this is the most popular source of information nowadays. But have you ever thought of it as a great way to boost your SEO? And if so, are you looking for ways how to do it? Then let’s get started.
What is Wikipedia and how does it work for you?
Wikipedia is a platform where many people can contribute to the content without seeing each other. It is the largest online encyclopedia in the world. It’s one of the most popular websites and its information is used mostly for reference work.
Giving the opportunity for netizens to cooperate to its content, Wikipedia makes a way for you to boost your online presence. For example when teachers and students do their research on something and follow a link on Wikipedia, how would you feel if it leads them to you?
Of course, it’s sounds easy when you put it this way, but scoring links from Wikipedia isn’t a paved road.
How to earn your permanent link on Wikipedia?
Pass the vibe check
Since it’s one of the most trusted sources of information, when it comes to uploading new content, Wikipedia is very strict. That’s why when writing your page, you must be aware of Wikipedia’s standards. What you post goes through thorough examination and might be rejected if it doesn’t cover the criteria.
Ask yourself:
Is your brand notable?
Most times pages fail the review process, because their notability is less from what is required. For Wikipedia a subject is notable when it’s appeared in independent, secondary, reliable sources, not just mentioned somewhere.
What do those three words mean?
- Reliable is when what is written is from trustworthy sources such as books, publishing houses, industry-leading blogs etc.
- An independent source is unbiased one that just shows your customers are interested in your business, products, brand.
- Secondary source includes the author’s opinion, analysis, interpretation etc.
How to establish notability?
- Find pages where there are at least two paragraphs about your company, brand and products and check them.
- If your company could be referenced in books or journals, try to find them. if you don’t have the books personally, you can use Google Books. As for journals, search for information in the most popular ones (if possible).
- Go through all different mentions of your company’s name, outside of your own websites
*Wikipedia in other countries
If you have a company branch in a non-English speaking country, then the chance of it being covered in the local secondary sources is larger. Let’s note that the criteria’s principles stay the same for Wikipedia, no matter where you are.
You’ll most probably be rejected at the beginning, which would only mean that you should improve your page and also, it’s secondary sources.
Is your content reliable?
This is the hardest part to pass and still the most important for Wikipedia. We went through one of the factors that your content needs – reliable sources.
Another thing is that you can’t promote your business, because that’s not Wikipedia’s goal and it will be considered spam, hence it will be removed.
Make sure your content is reliable and answers Wikipedia’s criteria! Once the editors reject one of your articles, you increase the chance for your future ones to be declined.
Then:
Create your Wikipedia account and build reputation
It is important to become a trustworthy member of the community. First you need to create an account and then contribute to the content for Wikipedia by writing and editing valuable articles. All of these should be taken seriously.
Writing and editing for personal interest is not particularly welcomed. If you want to do it (for your company for example) then you should let others know what your conflict of interest (COI) is by stating it on your own user page.
Regardless, please use Wikipedia for what it is and not only for yourself. Build your reputation as a reliable contributor to its content so that your COI drafts are easily approved. Show others that you are serious about it and you’re not doing it for your own benefits. Then you can finally put your page for a review and the chance for it to pass is increased.
Create your Wikipedia page
Writing for Wikipedia is certainly not the same as doing it for your blog. Since it’s like encyclopedia you must keep all emotions aside and be objective.
Stick to these five concepts when drafting your page:
- Keep the sentences simple, easy to understand.
- Don’t let your emotions write instead of you – think about what’s best for readers.
- Don’t be biased and use appropriate words for addressing companies, names etc.
- Support what you display by citing your sources.
- Try to be original – not a copycat.
Build links
Did you know that Wikipedia is the largest linker of its content? With the idea of linking others first so that they do the same later it links in smart and useful way.
Wikipedia doesn’t link to content that is irrelevant to what the page is about. This provides better user experience and makes its articles impossible to be rejected.
Without linking your content, your page has almost no chance of participating in Google rankings. That’s why Wikipedia’s articles are rarely ranked below third and fourth.
When Wikipedia links you
Links from Wikipedia offer huge advantages such as steady reference traffic and more linking-building opportunities.
To achieve having Wikipedia link to your page you must:
– have content that deserves to be linked (original reports and Well-researched reviews)
– try to get as many Wikipedia links as you can
*Trendy topics
Search for the thing people are hungry for at the moment. This way bloggers, researchers, journalists can link to your page when they write about the same topic.
*tip: Focus first on your content and then on links.
*another tip: If you want your article to be connected with Wikipedia, then search your topic and check whether they are in need of citations, reference or any help. You can use the Wikigrabber tool to find pages where there is need of replacement of broken or dead links.
Did you pass? No? Try again!
There is always room to improve something that you might haven’t noticed in the process.
Important! Don’t be too stubborn trying to pass when you don’t see your own mistakes! Wikipedia records the number of rejected submissions and you don’t want to be a notable name there.
Final thoughts
Remind yourself of what is Wikipedia’s main goal and what is yours. This should be your guideline when and where to stop. Of course, there are signs that point it out in the process of creating. For example, if you find yourself not answering the notability criteria then stop and improve. It’s the patience that grows beautiful flowers. If you rush and insolently push your content to be accepted with nothing valuable on the ground, then you’ll probably be added to Wikipedia’s special list and never get your name approved.
It truly is a hard and long process that should be taken seriously. Aim for the success that it brings at the end and be optimistic and determined. At the end even the satisfaction of participating in such a huge platform for information, with so many contributors and editors is enough to make you smile. Isn’t it?
Do your best! May we all read something from each other as gifts from our dedication, minds and souls.