CentralNotice policy: How Wikipedia notifies users without interrupting their experience

When you see a banner on Wikipedia asking you to donate, join a survey, or learn about a new tool, that’s the CentralNotice policy, a system that lets the Wikimedia Foundation and community groups display targeted messages across Wikipedia sites without editing article content. Also known as wiki banners, it’s how important updates reach millions without cluttering the encyclopedia. Unlike random pop-ups or ads, these notices follow strict rules: they must serve a clear public purpose, avoid commercial intent, and respect user experience. The policy ensures that even urgent messages—like fundraising drives or emergency site alerts—don’t overwhelm readers or interfere with learning.

The CentralNotice policy works closely with the Wikimedia Foundation, which manages the technical side, and with volunteer communities that propose, review, and approve each message. It doesn’t allow random announcements—every banner needs community consensus, clear timing limits, and language-specific targeting. For example, a donation notice might appear only to users in the U.S. during Giving Tuesday, while a tool update might show only to editors using the mobile app. This precision keeps the system trusted and effective. The policy also limits how often you’ll see the same message, prevents political or religious content, and requires all notices to be accessible across devices, including screen readers and low-bandwidth connections.

Behind the scenes, the CentralNotice policy connects to tools like Huggle and The Signpost, which help volunteers track how messages are received and whether they drive real engagement. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about accountability. Every banner must report metrics like click-through rates and user feedback, so future notices can improve. The policy also adapts: when editor numbers dropped in some regions, banners began targeting local edit-a-thons instead of global appeals. That’s how Wikipedia stays responsive—not by forcing messages, but by listening.

What you’ll find below are real examples of how this policy shaped Wikipedia’s communication—from fundraising campaigns that raised millions to quiet updates that helped editors fix misinformation faster. These stories show how a simple rule can keep a global project honest, clear, and human-centered.