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User:Anon126/Guide for contributors with close connections/Principles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Introduction
What is this guide?

Conflicts of interest
What is a close connection? A conflict of interest?

Principles
What Wikipedia is, and is not

First steps
Before you start editing

New article
How to write a new article about your subject

Existing article
What to do about an existing article on your subject

Sourcing
How to provide information on Wikipedia

Copyright
Avoiding copyright mishaps

Copyright for text
Copyright policies for text

Copyright for images
Copyright policies for images

Linking
What links we like (and don't like)

Getting help
Have any more questions?

Understanding Wikipedia's principles is important in avoiding a conflict of interest, because the principles define what improves, and does not improve, Wikipedia.

In terms of close connections, the most important principle is:

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia.

So what does that mean?

It means that Wikipedia should provide unbiased and accurate information.

In more detail:

Balanced scales
What is "unbiased" on Wikipedia?
"Unbiased" means that promotion is not allowed. Promotion on Wikipedia means promoting any particular viewpoint. This includes:
  • Advertising (which promotes a positive viewpoint about a certain organization's goods/services)
  • Advocacy (which promotes a viewpoint by definition)
  • Attacks (which promote a negative viewpoint about something)

More details are at Wikipedia is not a soapbox or means of promotion and Neutral point of view.

If your goal is to do any of the above, then Wikipedia is not for you. You should consider other places where promotion is acceptable.

A book with a question mark
What is accuracy on Wikipedia?
"Accurate" means that all information must come from reliable sources. Common examples of reliable sources are newspapers, books, magazines, and some websites.[1]

This means: If your subject is not well-known enough to have been discussed in outside sources, then it cannot be on Wikipedia. This requirement is called notability. Check if your subject meets this requirement before writing about it.

We'll return to the rules about sources later in this guide.

  1. ^ Websites are considered reliable sources if they have a reputation for providing accurate information. Blogs and wikis (including Wikipedia!) are usually not reliable sources.