Publishing a Wikipedia article about your own company or CEO may seem like a smart move for increasing visibility and credibility. However, in practice, it’s one of the most difficult and sensitive tasks on the platform, especially if you're not an experienced Wikipedia contributor.
Let’s break down why this process is so challenging and what happens when newcomers or PR teams attempt to navigate it without the proper editorial history.
1. Wikipedia Is Not a Business Directory
Wikipedia is not a promotional platform or an online CV. Its purpose is to document subjects of broad public interest and verifiable notability, based on independent, reliable, and neutral sources.
If you or your company haven't been the subject of in-depth coverage in tier-1 publications (such as Bloomberg, The New York Times, BBC, Reuters, etc.), then you're unlikely to pass Wikipedia’s notability guidelines. Press releases, interviews you gave, guest columns, or mentions in local or niche outlets don’t count as sufficient sourcing.
2. New Accounts Lack Credibility in the Eyes of the Community
If you try to create a page using a brand-new Wikipedia account with few or no contributions, your edits will be closely scrutinized or reverted entirely. Wikipedia runs on editorial trust and track record.
Accounts with thousands of constructive edits over time gain the trust of the community and are more likely to have their articles reviewed fairly. By contrast, new or single-purpose accounts (SPA) are often flagged as promotional or biased—especially if the subject is themselves or their client.
Even if your article is written objectively, your lack of editing history works against you.
3. Conflict of Interest and Promotional Tone
Creating a page about your own company or executive team almost always triggers Wikipedia’s Conflict of Interest (COI) alarms. COI editing is technically allowed if disclosed, but discouraged, and often leads to content removal or deletion.
Articles written from a promotional point of view (even unintentionally) can get tagged with:
- “Reads like an advertisement”
- “Notability not established”
- “This article may be deleted”
The result? Even if the article gets published, it may soon be nominated for deletion by the community.
4. Deletion Is (Usually) Permanent
If a Wikipedia article about your company or CEO gets deleted, it’s not just a setback—it’s a long-term obstacle.
Deleted pages are stored in deletion logs visible to all editors. Reposting the same content or similar versions often results in speedy deletions within hours or minutes. Once the page is deleted twice or more, it becomes nearly impossible to recreate without substantial new media coverage and community discussion.
5. Wikipedia Is a Community With Its Own Rules and Gatekeepers
Many people are surprised to learn that Wikipedia isn’t just about having the right information—it’s about how that information is presented, sourced, and reviewed.
Experienced editors—especially those with thousands of edits—act as informal “gatekeepers” of quality and policy enforcement. They may challenge pages, remove promotional language, or flag issues. Without knowledge of how the community functions (like using Talk pages, responding to critiques, formatting citations correctly), a new user will likely struggle.
6. You Cannot Control the Narrative
Even if you succeed in publishing a page, you cannot “own” or manage what it says. Wikipedia is a live, public project where anyone can edit. That means:
- Negative coverage (if published by reliable sources) can be added by others
- You cannot remove criticism that is properly sourced
- Attempts to do so may result in edit wars or account sanctions
This is why many businesses underestimate the reputational risks of starting a Wikipedia page before they are truly ready.
7. What Are Your Options?
If you still want a Wikipedia article about your company or CEO, you have a few paths forward:
Option 1: Wait until your brand receives more coverage in major media.
Option 2: Work with experienced Wikipedia editors or consultants who understand the platform’s standards and community expectations.
Option 3: Attempt it yourself, but be ready to learn and engage with the editorial process (and possibly face rejection).
In all cases, it’s crucial to understand that no one can guarantee full control, and articles must be neutral, well-sourced, and notable.
Final Thought
Creating a Wikipedia page about your company or CEO is not just about writing—it’s about meeting notability, navigating community dynamics, and respecting editorial integrity.
Without an experienced Wikipedia account or deep knowledge of the platform’s norms, your efforts may not only fail—they could make it harder to publish the article in the future.
If you're unsure whether your company meets the inclusion criteria or you need guidance on how to approach this process professionally, we’re happy to assist with a review and roadmap.