Why Wikipedia Pages Can Be Rejected? What to do after it’s rejected
Creating a Wikipedia page is no simple task as it may appear to be. It requires more than just a few clicks on the website; In fact, many aspiring contributors experience the disappointment of having their submissions declined. And this begs the question; What are the reasons why Wikipedia pages can be rejected?
Well, Wikipedia prides itself on being an open platform for knowledge sharing. However, it operates under a plethora of rules that must be followed. Straying from these rules can lead to repeated rejections. These rules are in place for a reason: to ensure high-quality content. Users would lose faith in the website if they regularly encountered poorly written or inaccurate articles.
Over time, Wikipedia editors have developed and enforced guidelines that must be strictly followed. Even a minor oversight can result in multiple rejections. Furthermore, the interpretation of these guidelines can vary among editors, leaving creators at the mercy of subjective evaluations.
Given the challenges at hand, it is crucial to understand the common reasons behind Wikipedia draft rejections. By exploring these pitfalls, we can empower aspiring contributors with the knowledge to navigate this intricate landscape successfully.
With that said, let’s look at the top reasons why Wikipedia Pages can be rejected!
7 Reasons Why Wikipedia Pages can be rejected
First, it is important to note that mistakes can happen when editors review your submission.
A telling example is the case of Donna Strickland, a Nobel Prize winner. Her Wikipedia draft was rejected due to an editor’s claim of insufficient significant coverage, which was ultimately an error. This incident underscores the fact that mistakes can occur during the review process. Nonetheless, creators bear the responsibility of ensuring their drafts meet the guidelines.
That said, here are the top reasons why a Wikipedia page can be rejected.
1) Lack of notability
Notability is, in fact, among the first key aspects that editors check whenever a new page is created and published.
And so, lack of notability serves as the primary reason for the rejection of many Wikipedia drafts during the article creation process. This policy acts as the gatekeeper, determining whether a topic is worthy of inclusion in the encyclopedia.
Consequently, no amount of editing can salvage a page that lacks notability, rendering any further efforts futile. So be aware of this.
2) Failure to write a Wikipedia page from a neutral point of view
This issue is distinct from the promotional tone or advertising and relates to one of Wikipedia’s fundamental policies: maintaining an unbiased perspective.
Wikipedia requires that all content represents significant viewpoints fairly, proportionately, and unbiasedly. When a draft is declined due to a lack of neutrality, it typically means it is excessively positive or negative compared to the available sources.
To illustrate this, here are two scenarios
- The first scenario is where an individual has negative online articles written about them or focuses on positive aspects of life, disregarding negatives.
- Another situation arises when someone submits a draft to Wikipedia intending to defame a person or business. Even if the information in the draft is true and verifiable, creating a Wikipedia page that solely presents negative information while positive coverage is available violates the core policy of maintaining a neutral point of view.
3) Due to Promotional in Tone
Another common reason for Wikipedia page rejection is if you use a promotional tone to write your Wikipedia article.
This means the presence of a promotional tone or advertising-like content will lead to rejecting a notable topic in creating a Wikipedia page. Editors use the term “advertising” to convey that the content seems more focused on promoting the subject rather than providing an objective and encyclopedic entry.
I know it is often tempting to use language that presents the subject in a favorable light, giving the impression of a press release or a website dedicated to the topic. However, Wikipedia requires a straightforward and unbiased approach.
4) If Your Chosen Topic Is Already Covered
Submitting a Wikipedia draft on a topic that is already covered can result in the rejection of the page. This situation occurs when individuals create drafts with the intention of including self-referential information, often as a way to promote themselves or their work. However, they often overlook the crucial step of checking if the topic is already covered on Wikipedia.
- One scenario involves individuals creating drafts on topics that are redundant or duplicative of the existing content on Wikipedia. This can happen when someone selects a topic related to their field, hoping to include information about themselves.
For instance, if a draft is submitted on “business exit strategy,” it may be declined because Wikipedia already covers the topic under “exit planning.” Although it might seem disappointing to have such a submission declined, it is essential to avoid duplicating content unnecessarily.
- Another situation arises when a draft is submitted on a topic already in the draft space. This can occur when an individual initially attempts to create a draft and later hires a Wikipedia editor for assistance.
If a professional editor is not hired, they may overlook the presence of another draft and unintentionally submit a second one.
5) Copyright infringement
A Wikipedia draft containing copyrighted material may be rejected and, most often, deleted if submitted. Wikipedia takes the infringement of copyright extremely seriously.
6) Failure to make correct all highlighted mistakes after the first or previous rejection.
When a Wikipedia page’s previous draft receives repeated rejections without noticeable improvements, it can negatively affect the submission.
This lack of progress can be viewed as tendentious editing, which is considered disruptive and can lead to wasted volunteer editors’ time.
Tendentious editing refers to resubmitting a draft without addressing the issues identified in the previous rejections. This behavior is seen as an attempt to force a particular version of the article onto Wikipedia, disregarding the feedback and concerns raised by the editors. Such editing practices are not well-received within the Wikipedia community, which may lead to another rejection and potentially even a block.
7) Failing to disclose a conflict of interest
Failing to disclose a conflict of interest, especially when there is a paid interest in having an article published, can significantly impact the acceptance of a Wikipedia page.
The community has shifted towards a more neutral stance on paid editing, emphasizing transparency and disclosure. While some individuals may still oppose paid editing, conflicts of interest are generally expected to be openly acknowledged, especially when submitting a draft through the articles for the creation process.
What to do after your Wikipedia page is rejected
Based on the above reasons, here are what you should do if your Wikipedia page is rejected.
- Due to notability:
In the event of a draft being declined due to notability concerns, it is crucial to re-evaluate the sources used and to do so, and you should:
- Ask questions about the reputableness, comprehensiveness, and reliability of the sources.
- Focus on the subject and include sources offering substantial information and analysis.
- Rely on widely accepted sources, such as Wikipedia’s list of commonly accepted sources and those considered inadequate.
- If uncertainty persists, verify the topic’s noteworthy aspects and seek a second opinion at the Articles for Creation Help Desk.
Overall, establishing notability is a crucial prerequisite for a Wikipedia page’s acceptance, and by ensuring comprehensive and reliable sources that demonstrate the subject’s significance, you can increase the likelihood of success and contribute to the encyclopedia’s integrity.
- Due to the lack of a neutral point of view
To obtain approval for a draft, it is crucial to provide appropriate weight to both positive and negative aspects per Wikipedia’s neutrality policy. A balanced representation of all significant viewpoints ensures that the content remains fair, unbiased, and aligned with the principles of the platform.
- Due to promotional content
To address this issue, removing any unnecessary promotional elements is necessary to increase the chances of page approval. It is important to note that once the page is approved, it is not advisable to reintroduce promotional content. Doing so may lead to tagging or even deletion of the page.
In such cases, having a Wikipedia page that may seem dull or less exciting is better than not having a page at all. The focus should be on providing accurate and unbiased information to ensure the integrity and reliability of the encyclopedia.
In simple terms – adhere to the principles of neutrality and objectivity.
- If the topic or draft already exists
In cases where a draft already exists on a specific topic, it is more appropriate to contribute by editing and updating that existing draft.
Specific individuals do not own Wikipedia pages and drafts; collaborative editing is encouraged. Instead of submitting a separate draft, contributors can enhance the existing one to ensure it meets the necessary guidelines and standards.
- Due to Copyright infringement
To rectify this situation, it is necessary to address the copyright concerns by taking the following steps:
- Completely rewrite the content: Instead of directly copying and pasting copyrighted material, it is crucial to rewrite the content in your own words.
- Summarize the content from sources: Rather than reproducing the original text verbatim, focus on summarizing the information from the source material concisely and paraphrased.
- Paraphrase instead of copying large blocks of text: Avoid using lengthy excerpts or extensive quotes from copyrighted sources. Instead, rephrase the information and provide proper attribution.
- Check for copyright violations: Once you have completed the draft, it is advisable to use copyright detection tools such as Copyscape to ensure that the content does not infringe upon any copyrights.
- Avoid using AI programs for drafting, i.e., ChatGPT.
- Due to a lack of improvement
It is essential to recognize that the Wikipedia community values the input of experienced volunteer editors who review and assess the quality of submissions. By disregarding their feedback and continuously submitting unchanged drafts, it can create frustration and a sense of wasted effort.
Therefore, to increase the chances of a Wikipedia page being accepted, it is essential to carefully review the feedback provided in previous rejections and make appropriate revisions. Demonstrating a willingness to collaborate and address editor concerns significantly enhances the likelihood of a successful submission.
- Due to failure to disclose a conflict of interest
It is critical to avoid defending yourself or denying it if you are criticized for failing to disclose a conflict of interest.
Remember, the editors who discussed the matter probably have data or proof to support their assertions. Instead, it is best to swiftly acknowledge the problem, express regret for the oversight, and show that you are eager to work with Wikipedia to resolve the issue.
In the end, there may be a potential for leniency during the succeeding rounds of draft evaluations by being open and displaying regret.
Bottomline
These are the main reasons a Wikipedia page can be rejected upon submission. So, to avoid rejection or even being blocked as a Wikipedia editor and contributor, you should be well informed on these reasons and how to avoid them.
Alternatively, if you consider learning all the Wikipedia policies a complex task, you can instead choose to Hire Wiki Writers. These experts will help you publish your page within the limited time possible without straining.