Wikipedia is built by volunteers. That means anyone can edit it - including people who have a personal stake in what’s written. But if you’re editing a page about your own company, your favorite politician, or your academic research, you’re not just editing. You’re pushing an agenda. And that’s where the conflict of interest policy comes in.
What Counts as a Conflict of Interest?
A conflict of interest (COI) on Wikipedia happens when your personal, financial, or professional interests could influence your edits. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to be fair. The rule isn’t about intent - it’s about appearance. If someone could reasonably think you’re editing for personal gain, you’ve got a COI.
Examples? Here are real cases editors run into:
- Editing your own business’s Wikipedia page to remove negative reviews or add glowing praise
- Changing a politician’s biography to downplay a scandal you’re connected to
- Adding your own research paper to a topic page as a "key source" because you wrote it
- Deleting criticism of a nonprofit you volunteer for
- Writing a detailed page about your university’s program while you’re a professor there
None of these are automatically banned. But they’re red flags. And Wikipedia’s community treats them seriously.
What You Must Disclose
Wikipedia doesn’t ask you to stop editing topics you care about. It asks you to be open about it. Disclosure is the core requirement.
If you’re editing something tied to your job, your employer, your family, or your financial interests, you must say so - clearly and upfront. Here’s how:
- Use your user talk page to state your connection. Example: "I work as a marketing director at Company X. I’m editing this page because I need to correct factual errors, not to promote the company."
- Put a note on the article’s talk page before making major changes. Example: "I’m affiliated with this organization and am making edits to fix outdated information. Please review carefully."
- Never edit anonymously. Use your registered account. Anonymous edits with COI are almost always reverted.
- Don’t try to hide your affiliation by using sock puppet accounts. That’s banned, not just discouraged.
Disclosure doesn’t guarantee your edits will stay. But it gives other editors a chance to trust you. Without it, you’re seen as a manipulator - and that’s the fastest way to get blocked.
What Happens If You Don’t Disclose?
Wikipedia’s volunteer editors are watching. They’ve seen every trick in the book.
Un disclosed COI edits often get reverted within minutes. If it’s obvious you’re pushing a narrative - like adding fake awards to a CEO’s bio - your edits will be undone, and you’ll get a warning. Repeat offenses lead to blocks.
Some editors get banned for years. Others are permanently blocked. Why? Because Wikipedia’s credibility depends on trust. If people think it’s a PR tool, it loses its value.
In 2023, Wikipedia’s Arbitration Committee handled over 200 COI-related cases. Half involved paid editors who didn’t disclose their clients. Those cases resulted in 87 permanent blocks.
It’s not about being mean. It’s about protecting the encyclopedia from becoming a billboard.
How to Edit Ethically When You Have a Stake
You don’t have to walk away. You can still help - the right way.
Here’s a simple process:
- Identify the factual error or missing information. Be specific. Don’t say "it’s biased" - say "the article says the company was founded in 2010, but public records show 2008."
- Write your proposed change on the article’s talk page. Include your connection. Example: "I’m a senior engineer at TechCorp. The article claims our software lacks encryption, but that’s outdated - we added end-to-end encryption in 2022. Here’s a link to our official blog post."
- Ask for help. Say: "Can someone review this and make the edit if it’s accurate?"
- Wait. Don’t edit the page yourself unless you’re invited to.
This method works. In 2024, a study by the Wikimedia Foundation found that edits submitted through talk pages by affiliated editors were accepted at a 72% rate - compared to just 19% for direct edits without disclosure.
What About Paid Editors?
Paid editing is allowed - but only if you disclose it. The policy is clear: if you’re being paid to edit, you must say so on your user page and on every article you edit.
Many PR firms and law firms hire editors to clean up Wikipedia pages. That’s fine - if they follow the rules. But too many skip disclosure. That’s why Wikipedia requires paid editors to register with the Paid Contribution Disclosure Tool. It’s not optional.
Failure to disclose paid edits is one of the most common reasons for blocks. In 2025, over 400 accounts were blocked for undisclosed paid editing - a 30% increase from 2023.
When to Avoid Editing Altogether
Some topics are too sensitive to edit directly, even with disclosure. If you’re:
- A current employee of a company under investigation
- A family member of a public figure involved in a legal case
- Running a campaign for office
Then you should avoid editing entirely. Even with full disclosure, your edits will be seen as biased. The community will reject them - and you risk damaging your own credibility.
In those cases, the best move is to submit evidence to the talk page and let neutral editors decide. Your job isn’t to fix the article. It’s to provide reliable sources and let others do the work.
Why This Matters Beyond Wikipedia
Wikipedia is the fifth most visited website in the world. Millions of people trust it as a source of truth. When someone searches for "what is quantum computing?" or "who is Dr. Elena Torres?" - they’re not checking a corporate website. They’re checking Wikipedia.
If people start thinking Wikipedia is manipulated by insiders, that trust collapses. And when that happens, everyone loses.
That’s why disclosure isn’t just a rule. It’s the foundation of Wikipedia’s authority. It’s what separates it from Wikipedia-style blogs, corporate wikis, or AI-generated summaries.
Every time you disclose your connection, you’re helping keep Wikipedia honest. That’s not just good policy - it’s good citizenship.
Common Misconceptions
People often misunderstand the COI policy. Here’s what’s not true:
- "I’m just correcting a typo, so I don’t need to disclose." - Even small edits matter if you’re affiliated. Disclose anyway.
- "I’m not getting paid, so I’m fine." - You don’t need money to have a conflict. Loyalty, reputation, and personal pride count too.
- "I’ve edited this page before without issues, so it’s okay." - Past behavior doesn’t override policy. Each edit needs its own disclosure.
- "My edits are helpful, so they should be accepted." - Good intentions don’t override transparency. Wikipedia values process as much as outcome.
Final Rule: When in Doubt, Disclose
Wikipedia’s COI policy isn’t about stopping you. It’s about making sure your help is welcome.
If you’re ever unsure whether you have a conflict - disclose it. Write a note on the talk page. Say who you are and why you care. Then step back.
That’s how real contributors earn trust. Not by pushing edits, but by being honest, patient, and respectful of the process.
Do I have to disclose if I’m editing a topic I’m passionate about, like climate change or mental health?
No, passion alone isn’t a conflict of interest. You can edit topics you care about without disclosure - as long as you’re not financially, professionally, or personally tied to the subject. Editing because you believe in the topic is encouraged. Editing because you work for a climate lobbying group or run a mental health clinic and want to promote it? That’s a different story. Disclose.
Can I edit my own Wikipedia page?
Technically, yes - but it’s strongly discouraged. Even with disclosure, your edits are likely to be questioned. It’s better to submit changes to the talk page with reliable sources and ask other editors to make them. Most self-created pages get flagged for bias, and direct edits often get reverted. Let the community handle it.
What if I’m a journalist writing about a subject I’ve covered before?
If you’re writing a news article, that’s fine. But if you’re editing Wikipedia to promote your own reporting or add your article as a "primary source," that’s not allowed. Wikipedia doesn’t accept primary sources like your own journalism. Use independent, published sources. And if you’re editing a page about your own reporting, disclose your role as a journalist.
Can I use Wikipedia to promote my nonprofit?
No. Wikipedia is not a platform for promotion. Even if your nonprofit is legitimate, creating or editing a page to highlight achievements, donations, or events is considered promotional. You can submit factual, neutral information with reliable third-party sources - but only through the talk page, and only after full disclosure. Don’t expect the page to be created or approved just because you’re doing good work.
How do I know if my edit will be accepted?
If you follow the rules - disclose your connection, use reliable sources, avoid promotional language, and let others review your changes - your edit has a strong chance. If you’re still unsure, ask on the article’s talk page. Say: "I’m affiliated with this topic and would like help adding this information. Here’s the source. Can someone help me with this?" Most experienced editors will respond and help you get it right.
