Wikipedia News Desk

When you think of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia built by volunteers around the world. Also known as the world’s largest crowd-sourced reference, it’s not just a static site—it’s a living project shaped by thousands of editors, policy debates, and tech updates every week. Behind the scenes, the Wikimedia movement, the global network of volunteers, chapters, and organizations supporting Wikipedia is constantly adjusting rules, tools, and priorities. From new anti-vandalism bots to changes in how edits are reviewed, these shifts affect every article you read.

Editor trends are shifting too. Fewer people are joining as regular contributors, while more focus is going into fixing bias, improving citations, and fighting misinformation. Meanwhile, events like Wikimania, the annual global gathering of Wikipedia editors and developers reveal what’s next—whether it’s better mobile tools, AI-assisted editing, or new ways to involve non-English communities.

Here, you’ll find clear, no-nonsense updates on what’s actually changing on Wikipedia—not rumors, not hype. Just what’s happening, why it matters, and who’s driving it.

Leona Whitcombe

The Challenge of Mobile Wikipedia: Responsive Design Issues

Wikipedia's mobile site loads slowly and breaks on low-end devices because it's built on outdated desktop code. Despite 70% of users accessing it via mobile, the design hasn't been truly rethought for small screens.

Leona Whitcombe

Peer Review Through WikiProjects: How Wikipedia Volunteers Improve Article Quality

WikiProjects are volunteer groups on Wikipedia that improve article quality through peer review. Learn how they work, why they matter, and how you can join to help make Wikipedia more accurate and reliable.

Leona Whitcombe

Disambiguation Pages on Wikipedia: Hidden Traffic Hubs

Disambiguation pages on Wikipedia are quiet traffic hubs that handle millions of searches daily by clarifying ambiguous terms like 'Java' or 'Washington.' They're not articles-but they keep the encyclopedia working.

Leona Whitcombe

How to Reduce Cultural Bias in Wikipedia Biographies and History Articles

Wikipedia's biographies and history articles often reflect cultural bias, favoring Western, male, and elite figures. Learn how systemic gaps form-and how anyone can help make history more inclusive through editing, sourcing, and language changes.

Leona Whitcombe

Human-in-the-Loop Workflows: How Real Editors Keep Wikipedia Accurate Amid AI Suggestions

Human-in-the-loop workflows keep Wikipedia accurate by combining AI efficiency with human judgment. Editors review AI suggestions, ensuring neutrality, sources, and consensus guide every change.

Leona Whitcombe

Data Journalism and Wikipedia: Visualizing Editing Patterns and Demographics

Data journalism reveals how Wikipedia's editing patterns reflect global inequalities in knowledge production, showing who edits, what gets changed, and why some voices remain silent despite the platform's open promise.

Leona Whitcombe

How Branding and Trust Seals Influence Encyclopedia Adoption

Branding and trust seals are critical for online encyclopedias to gain user trust and adoption. Clear identity and verified credentials make users more likely to cite and return to a platform.

Leona Whitcombe

Community Governance on Wikinews: How Admins, Reviewers, and Volunteers Keep the Site Running

Wikinews runs on volunteers-not paid staff. Learn how admins, reviewers, and everyday contributors maintain accuracy, enforce policies, and keep independent journalism alive through community governance.

Leona Whitcombe

Moderator Self-Care and Burnout Prevention on Wikipedia

Wikipedia moderators fight vandalism daily without pay or recognition - leading to widespread burnout. Learn how to protect your mental health, set boundaries, and stay in the game longer.

Leona Whitcombe

The Evolution of Wikipedia's Copyright Policies and Licensing

Wikipedia’s shift from GFDL to Creative Commons licensing transformed how global knowledge is shared. Learn how its copyright policies evolved to support free reuse, community enforcement, and AI-era challenges.

Leona Whitcombe

Media Criticism of Wikipedia: Common Patterns and How Wikipedia Responds

Media often criticizes Wikipedia for bias and inaccuracies, but its open model allows rapid correction. This article explores common criticisms, how Wikipedia responds, and why it remains the most transparent reference tool online.

Leona Whitcombe

Template:In the News: Wikipedia's Curated News Box Explained

Wikipedia's 'In the News' box is a human-curated, fact-checked snapshot of major global events, updated daily by volunteers who prioritize accuracy over speed. It's one of the most reliable quick-reference news tools online.