How To Make Your Blog Post Good Enough for Wikipedia
In a previous blog post I wrote about the process, value, and best practices of becoming a Wikipedia contributor. Today's post is focused on best practices to write blog posts that are most likely to be referenced in Wikipedia pages. When an editor or contributor adds content or changes content to Wikipedia they are encouraged to give a reference for the information to ensure it's credibility. You want to be that source.
The value of a link to your website from Wikipedia is very high. The page score and domain authority of Wikipedia is very high and search engines and users trust it as a non-bias source of content. In many ways this is the coveted inbound link of the internet. Instead of trying to game the system and start adding your links to Wikipedia pages (which is against their policy) you might go to the harder effort, but far more valuable process of just creating awesome content that is likely to get Wikipedia love.
Table of Contents
What Type of Content Do Wikipedia Authors and Contributors Look For
Tutorials
Tutorials about how to do something go hand in hand with Wikipedia content.
Histories and Timelines
A good article about the history of something is going to make it super easy for a Wikipedia author to get all the relevant dates and facts they need.
Breaking News
Being the first person to update or publish a new Wikipedia page about something breaking is a coveted position to be in. If you can feed them the facts they will reward you with a reference link.
Insider Accounts
Wikipedia content is based on fact, research, and credible sources. If you have the insider scoop on something or someone you may find a Wikipedia contributor grateful for your contribution.
In Depth and Detailed Reports
Posts that start with “Everything You Need to Know About” tend to provide great insights about key events, companies, services, and other topics. Compile all the best information about a topic and publish it as a detailed report.
What Are Common Attributes Of Good Wikipedia References
Non-Biased Editorial
If you drop any clues, hints, or outright clear statements about your feelings on the subject you call all your content into question. For Wikipedia targeted content think like a news journalist whose job it is to give the facts.
Recency
Old content is no longer trusted or relevant. When you write make sure you include dates to clarify the recency of the information. Also if you have an awesome piece of content that is starting to date itself publish a new and updated piece of content to tell everyone what has changed and what hasn't.
First Party Accounts or Sourced Data
Opinions aren't facts. When you write, clarify if the data is first person (you were directly a witness of the facts) or give your source for the facts you are posting.
Unique and Hard to Find Information
Perhaps it goes without saying but if you are the only one who published the information then what choice would a Wikipedia contributor have but to link back to your content as a reference.
Optimized for Search
If a Wikipedia author or contributor is looking for a piece of information or a source for information they already have your piece of content had better be easy to find in search engines. Without a strong search strategy your Wikipedia game plan becomes really empty.
In summary I do think that Wikipedia Loved content is hard work. It isn't likely to be that blog post that you quickly penned on Saturday afternoon. Identify the opportunities you have to go a little further into the content to produce quality instead of quantity and before you know it you will see Wikipedia on your traffic reports!