Wikipedia experiments: Tools, policies, and innovations shaping the world's largest encyclopedia

When you edit a Wikipedia article on your phone, you're taking part in a Wikipedia experiment, a deliberate, often tested change to how knowledge is created, shared, or protected on the platform. Also known as Wikipedia innovation, these experiments aren't just tech upgrades—they're real-world trials of how to make free knowledge work better for everyone, everywhere. From bots that clean up spam in seconds to forms that help beginners build templates without code, Wikipedia runs more experiments than most tech companies. But unlike Silicon Valley, these aren’t about ad revenue or user clicks. They’re about keeping the encyclopedia accurate, fair, and open—even when the world tries to break it.

These experiments don’t happen in a vacuum. They’re shaped by Wikipedia bots, automated programs that handle repetitive, high-volume tasks like reverting vandalism or fixing broken links. Also known as Wikipedia automation, these tools let human editors focus on complex writing and debate instead of cleaning up noise. Then there’s Wikipedia policy, the set of community-approved rules that guide what’s allowed, how disputes get settled, and who gets to edit what. Also known as Wikipedia governance, these policies are constantly being tested—like when editors debate whether AI-generated content should be allowed, or how to handle geopolitical edit wars. And behind every policy, there’s a group of real people—librarians, students, journalists, and volunteers—trying to make the system work. They use tools like TemplateWizard to reduce errors, monitor talk pages for bias, and push proposals on the Village Pump to fix what’s broken.

Some experiments succeed. Others get scrapped. But every one leaves behind data, lessons, or new ways of thinking. Mobile editing grew from a fringe idea to a main feature because enough people tried it. Copyvio detection got smarter after thousands of flagged articles were reviewed. Even the conflict of interest policy evolved after editors realized how easily personal ties could distort facts. These aren’t theoretical debates—they’re daily choices made by real people who care about truth over speed, and collaboration over control.

What you’ll find below is a curated look at the most impactful Wikipedia experiments over the last few years. You’ll see how they were built, why they mattered, and what they tell us about the future of open knowledge. No fluff. No hype. Just the tools, rules, and people that keep Wikipedia running.