How to Request a Wikipedia Article on a Certain Topic
Have you ever wondered if it's possible to request a Wikipedia article on a specific subject? The answer, while somewhat nuanced, is quite interesting. Indeed, there is a specific page set up on Wikipedia that allows you to make such requests. However, several conditions must be met to ensure the creation of the article.
The Process of Requesting a Wikipedia Article
There is a well-defined process for requesting a Wikipedia article. The first step is to ensure the subject you are interested in has a substantial amount of reliable independent reference material available. If you know where to find such material, including this information with your request is highly beneficial.
Without sufficient independent references, the subject may not meet the notability standards. In this case, the article might not be created. The notability standards ensure that a topic is of interest to a significant number of people outside the specialist audience or group linked to the topic.
Where to Make Your Request
If you've determined that your topic meets the notability standard, you can make your request to an appropriate sub-topic page directly linked from Wikipedia:Requested articles. This page is dedicated to gathering requests for new articles and serves as a centralized location for all such requests.
One important consideration is that there are many open requests on this page, and article creation is an endeavor that relies on the contributions of volunteers. Therefore, it’s important to be patient. The Wikipedia community works on a volunteer basis, without any hierarchy, no supervisors, and no assigned tasks. This means that your request may not be fulfilled promptly.
Tips for Future Readers
If you're particularly interested in a specific topic, it might be helpful to conduct additional research. If you find sufficient reliable sources outside of Wikipedia, consider starting the article yourself. This not only helps future readers but also guarantees that your topic is adequately covered and meets the necessary standards.
Additionally, while you can add your topic to the list of requested articles, there is no guarantee that it will be seen by anyone or that it will lead to the creation of the article. This is because the editing process is largely driven by volunteers who choose their own projects without assigned tasks.
Summary
Requesting a Wikipedia article is a multi-step process that requires substantial independent references and patience. If your topic meets the notability standards and you provide sufficient references, you can make your request via Wikipedia:Requested articles. However, due to the nature of volunteer-driven editing, it may take some time to see your request addressed.
For those excited to see their topic covered on Wikipedia, it's recommended to do thorough research and, if possible, contribute to the article yourself.