Creating a Wikipedia Page for a Less Famous Individual: Navigating the Criteria and Challenges
Can I make a Wikipedia page about a person who is not famous but did something great? This question intersects with the broader issue of ldquo;notabilityrdquo; in the digital encyclopedia world and the specific criteria set by Wikipedia. The critical factor is whether the subject fits the inclusion criteria of the encyclopedia.
Understanding the Notability Criteria
The test is not whether the person is famous, great, or if you want to write an article about them, but whether they meet the inclusion criteria of the encyclopedia, i.e., whether independent and trustworthy third-party sources have written about them in a significant way. This criterion tends to align with fame and influence. If someone is famous, it is almost assured that there will be a large amount of writing about them. Exceptions might include Tik-Tok stars who gain fleeting fame but are not covered extensively elsewhere. However, if someone does something great, it is usually noticed by influential figures who then write about them, potentially making them famous. However, not everyone who does something significant becomes famous.
Challenges in Creating a Wikipedia Page
If you attempt to create a Wikipedia page for a person who is not notable according to Wikipediarsquo;s definition, the article will either be rejected upon creation or soon deleted. The reason is that if the person is not notable, there is no significant reason for an encyclopedia to include them. In the case of Wikipedia, the platform is not meant to include articles on every subject one wishes to write about. It is intended to provide an encyclopedic overview, based on materials published by reputable sources.
Insufficient Source Material
Often, there is not enough source material available to write a full biography of an individual. Further, when it comes to biographies of living people, Wikipedia is particularly strict about requiring high-quality, verifiable source material. Content should not come from personal knowledge or experience, as this can introduce bias and lack of objectivity.
The Importance of Neutrality
Wikipedia requires strict neutrality. If you are a family member of the person you want to write about, you may find it difficult to be objective. For instance, if some of the material is negative or critical, you may be tempted to ignore or omit it, which compromises the integrity of the article. Even if there is enough material about a family member, Wikipedia stipulates that the person writing the article should not have a conflict of interest in proving objectivity.
Alternatives to Wikipedia
If you really believe there is enough material about a family member to sustain a full biography, you can list them for consideration at the Wikipedia Articles for Deletion (AfD) process. However, if you want to pay tribute to a family member or make a tribute page, it might be more appropriate to use a blog or a private website. On such platforms, you have full editorial control and are not bound by the strict requirements of neutrality and verifiability that Wikipedia enforces.
Conclusion
While creating a Wikipedia page for a less famous individual presents challenges due to the strict notability and neutrality criteria, there are alternative methods to honor and preserve the memory of such individuals. Whether through personal websites, blogs, or other digital media, it is possible to make meaningful tributes that still uphold the principles of accuracy and objectivity.