Wikipedia etiquette: How to edit fairly, respect others, and keep the project running
When you edit Wikipedia etiquette, the unwritten and written rules that guide how people interact while editing Wikipedia. Also known as Wikipedia civility, it's not about being nice for the sake of it—it's about making sure the world's largest encyclopedia doesn't collapse under its own weight. Think of it like traffic laws: no one gets a prize for following them, but if everyone ignores them, everything stops.
Wikipedia etiquette isn't a list of do's and don'ts from some distant authority. It's built by thousands of volunteers who’ve learned the hard way that Wikipedia policies, mandatory rules like neutral point of view and verifiability that enforce consistency only work if people actually follow them. When someone reverts your edit, it’s rarely personal—it’s about Wikipedia community, the self-organizing group of editors who maintain quality through discussion, consensus, and shared norms protecting the integrity of the information. You don’t need to be an expert to contribute, but you do need to understand that your edit is one of millions, and every change is under scrutiny.
Conflicts happen. Someone deletes your addition. Someone accuses you of bias. Someone edits your grammar without asking. That’s when etiquette kicks in. It’s not about winning. It’s about using Wikipedia talk pages, the discussion spaces where editors resolve disputes through evidence and dialogue, not arguments to explain your reasoning, cite sources, and listen. The best editors don’t just fix articles—they fix misunderstandings. They ask questions before assuming bad faith. They assume good faith, even when it’s hard.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about sustainability. The people who stick around aren’t the ones who shout the loudest—they’re the ones who show up day after day, fix typos, cite sources, and respond to comments without getting defensive. They know that editor conduct, the behavioral standards that determine whether someone is welcomed or blocked from editing matters more than how many edits they make. One rude comment can drive someone away. One thoughtful reply can bring them back.
What you’ll find below aren’t just articles about rules—they’re real stories from inside Wikipedia’s engine room. You’ll see how WikiProjects keep articles on track, how ArbCom elections turn into power struggles, how editors handle harassment that spills off the site, and how talk pages solve disputes that no policy could predict. These aren’t abstract theories. They’re lessons learned by people who’ve been there. Whether you’re a new editor wondering why your edit got reverted, or a longtime contributor tired of the same fights, this collection shows you how the system actually works—when it works.
What Newcomers Should Know Before Joining Wikipedia Community Discussions
Before joining Wikipedia discussions, newcomers should understand the community’s focus on consensus, reliable sources, and civility. Learn how to edit respectfully, avoid common mistakes, and contribute effectively without triggering backlash.
