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

How RFCs Change Wikipedia Policies: Procedure and Timelines

Wikipedia policies change through open community discussions called RFCs-no votes, no admins, just careful, slow consensus. Learn how the process works, how long it takes, and why it’s designed to be deliberate.

Leona Whitcombe

How Wikipedia Uses Category and Taxonomy Systems to Organize Its Content

Wikipedia uses a detailed system of categories and taxonomies to organize its millions of articles. These tools help users navigate topics, connect related ideas, and find reliable information quickly-making it one of the most powerful knowledge systems ever built.

Leona Whitcombe

Where AI Fits in Wikipedia’s Editing Culture: Community Debates

Wikipedia's editing community is grappling with AI's growing role in content creation. From automated bots to AI-generated edits, the debate centers on trust, verification, and whether machines can uphold Wikipedia's human-centered values.

Leona Whitcombe

XTools and Other Wikipedia Editor Analysis Platforms

XTools and other Wikipedia editor analysis platforms help monitor human and bot edits, revealing patterns that keep Wikipedia running smoothly. These tools detect anomalies, track automation, and support community oversight without requiring technical skills.

Leona Whitcombe

From Wikipedia Editor to Signpost Reporter: How to Build a Career in Community Journalism

Many Wikipedia editors become community journalists by tracking edits, exposing bias, and writing for the Signpost newsletter. No degree needed-just curiosity, consistency, and a commitment to truth.

Leona Whitcombe

Reducing Western-Centric Sources in Global Topic Articles on Wikipedia

Wikipedia's reliance on Western sources distorts global narratives. Learn how to identify and add non-Western perspectives to create more accurate, balanced articles - and why this matters for everyone who uses the encyclopedia.

Leona Whitcombe

Archiving on Wikinews: How to Preserve News Pages and Source Links

Archiving source links on Wikinews ensures news stories remain verifiable over time. Learn how to use the Wayback Machine and Archive.today to preserve citations, avoid broken links, and uphold journalistic integrity.

Leona Whitcombe

AbuseFilter Examples on Wikipedia: Building Effective Rules to Stop Vandalism

AbuseFilter on Wikipedia uses smart rules to stop vandalism automatically. Learn real examples of effective filters, how to build your own, and why human reviewers still matter.

Leona Whitcombe

How Mentorship Keeps Wikipedia Editors Coming Back

Mentorship is the hidden force behind Wikipedia’s most loyal editors. Simple, kind feedback turns new contributors into lifelong volunteers-and keeps the encyclopedia alive.

Leona Whitcombe

Bias and Censorship Accusations Against Wikipedia: Analysis

Wikipedia claims neutrality, but systemic gaps in editor demographics create real bias and invisibility. Censorship isn't about deleting facts-it's about what never gets written. Here's how the world's largest encyclopedia really works.

Leona Whitcombe

How to Subscribe to The Signpost via Watchlist and Notifications

Learn how to subscribe to The Signpost, Wikipedia's independent newspaper, using watchlist and notifications to stay informed about community updates, policy changes, and editor news without checking manually.

Leona Whitcombe

Evaluating Think Tanks and Advocacy Groups as Wikipedia Sources

Think tanks and advocacy groups are common sources on Wikipedia, but they often carry bias. Learn how to evaluate them properly to maintain neutrality and avoid presenting opinion as fact.