Wikipedia lets anyone edit almost any article, but the changes go through a review process before they stick

You can change Wikipedia right now — you do not need permission, an account, or special status. Click the "Edit" or "Edit source" button on any article page, make your changes in the text box, write a brief note about what you changed and why, and submit. Within minutes to hours, other editors will see your change. If it follows Wikipedia's rules, it stays. If it does not, someone will undo it or ask you to fix it.

The catch is that Wikipedia has strict rules about what counts as a valid change. You cannot add your opinion, promote a product or person, delete information just because you dislike it, or cite sources that are not published and credible. Thousands of volunteer editors patrol the site constantly, and they will revert (undo) changes that break the rules — sometimes without explanation, which frustrates new editors. Understanding those rules before you edit saves you time and frustration.

Key Takeaways

  • You can edit Wikipedia without an account, but creating a free account gives you access to more tools and makes your edits easier to track.
  • Every change must cite a published, credible source — Wikipedia does not accept your personal knowledge, blogs, or social media as proof.
  • Edits that add opinion, promote something, or remove information without reason will be reverted by other editors, often within hours.
  • If your edit is reverted, check the "Talk" page for that article to see why and discuss the change with other editors before trying again.
  • Major changes to popular articles go through a discussion process on the Talk page first, rather than being made directly to the article.

Creating an account and understanding edit basics

You can edit Wikipedia as an anonymous user — your IP address shows up instead of a username — but creating a free account takes two minutes and is worth it. Go to the top right of any Wikipedia page, click "Create account", choose a username and password, and verify your email. An account lets you watch articles for changes, see a list of all your edits, and use templates that speed up common tasks.

Once you are logged in, navigate to the article you want to change. Click "Edit" or "Edit source" near the top. The "Edit" button opens a visual editor that looks like a word processor. The "Edit source" button shows the raw code underneath, which gives you more control but has a steeper learning curve. For your first edit, use the visual editor. Make your change, scroll down, and you will see a box asking you to describe what you changed. Write something specific: "Added publication date from the New York Times article" works; "Fixed" does not.

Click "Publish changes" and your edit goes live when ready. However, other editors can see it right away and may review it. If your change is solid — it cites a real source, adds relevant information, and does not contradict the article's tone — it will stay. If it breaks a rule, someone will revert it within hours or days.

What Wikipedia considers a valid source

This is the most common reason edits get reverted. Wikipedia requires published, third-party sources — meaning sources that are not you, not the subject of the article, and not written specifically to promote something. A newspaper article, academic journal, book from a major publisher, or government report all count. A blog post, a company's own website, a social media post, or a Wikipedia article itself do not.

When you add a fact to Wikipedia, you must cite where it came from. Click the citation button in the visual editor (it looks like quotation marks) or type <ref></ref> tags in source mode. Inside the tags, include the author, title, publication, date, and a link if one exists. Wikipedia has templates that format citations automatically — type "cite news" or "cite book" into the citation tool and fill in the blanks. If you add a fact without a citation, other editors will tag it with a "citation needed" notice and may delete it if no one provides a source within a few weeks.

Be especially careful with living people. Wikipedia has strict rules about what you can say about someone who is still alive. Any claim about their personal life, health, criminal history, or controversial statements must come from a published source that is not just repeating gossip. If you cannot cite it to a credible outlet, do not add it.

Changes that get reverted and why

Edits that remove information without reason are reverted quickly. If you think a sentence is wrong, do not delete it — instead, add a "citation needed" tag or start a discussion on the Talk page explaining why you think it is inaccurate. Other editors will help you decide whether to remove it, reword it, or leave it as is.

Edits that promote a product, company, person, or point of view are also reverted. Wikipedia is supposed to be neutral. If you add glowing language about a business you own, or remove criticism of a political figure you support, editors will undo it. The same applies to adding links to your own website, your employer's site, or anything you have a financial stake in. If you have a conflict of interest, say so on the Talk page and let other editors make the change.

Edits that add your own opinion or original research are reverted. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a forum. You cannot add your interpretation of events, your analysis of data, or your own conclusions — only information that has already been published by someone else. If you want to add something that has not been written about yet, it does not belong on Wikipedia, no matter how true it is.

How to handle a reverted edit

If your edit is undone, do not when ready re-add it. Instead, click on the "Talk" tab at the top of the article page. This is where editors discuss changes. Look for a section about your topic, or start a new one by clicking "New section". Explain what you wanted to change, why you think it is important, and what source you used. Be polite and specific. Other editors will respond, and you can work out whether the change should be made.

If an editor reverts your change without explanation, you can leave a message on their user talk page (click their username, then "Talk"). Ask them why they reverted it and whether there is something you can do to make the change acceptable. Most editors are willing to help if you are respectful and willing to learn the rules.

Never edit war — that is, do not keep re-adding the same change after it has been reverted. If you do, both you and the other editor can be blocked from editing. The Talk page is the place to resolve disagreements, not the article itself.

Major edits and articles under protection

Some articles are locked because they are frequently vandalized or heavily disputed. A locked article shows a padlock icon and does not have an "Edit" button. If you want to change a locked article, go to the Talk page and propose your change there. An administrator will review it and make the change if it is valid.

Major changes to popular articles — ones that affect the overall structure, remove large sections, or change the article's focus — should be discussed on the Talk page first rather than made directly. This is not a rule you will be blocked for breaking, but it is a courtesy that makes your change more likely to stick. Start a discussion, explain what you want to change and why, and wait for feedback before editing.

Understanding Wikipedia's core policies

Wikipedia has three core policies that govern all edits: Neutral Point of View (NPOV), No Original Research (NOR), and Verifiability. NPOV means you cannot favor one side of a debate — if an article covers a controversial topic, it should present all major viewpoints fairly, not argue for one. NOR means you cannot add information that has not been published elsewhere. Verifiability means every claim should be traceable to a source that readers can check.

These three policies overlap. Together, they mean: cite everything, stay neutral, and do not add your own ideas. If your edit follows these rules, it will almost certainly be accepted. If it breaks any of them, it will be reverted, and you will need to fix it before trying again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to create an account to edit Wikipedia?

No. You can edit as an anonymous user — your IP address will show instead of a username. However, an account is free and gives you access to more tools, lets you watch articles for changes, and makes it easier for other editors to contact you if they have questions about your edits.

What happens if I make a mistake in my edit?

If you notice the error yourself, log back in, find the article, and fix it. If another editor catches it first, they may revert your change or fix it themselves. Either way, mistakes are normal and not a problem — Wikipedia is a work in progress, and corrections happen constantly.

Can I edit an article about myself or my company?

You can, but Wikipedia discourages it and other editors will scrutinize your changes carefully. If you have a conflict of interest, disclose it on the Talk page and let other editors make the change instead. This protects the article's neutrality and your credibility.

How long does it take for an edit to be reviewed?

Popular articles are reviewed within minutes to hours. Less-visited articles may take days or weeks before another editor sees the change. If your edit is correct and well-sourced, it will stay regardless of how long it takes to be reviewed.

What if I disagree with another editor about a change?

Use the Talk page to discuss it. Explain your position, cite your sources, and listen to the other editor's reasoning. If you cannot reach agreement, you can ask for help from an administrator or a neutral third party. Never edit war by repeatedly undoing each other's changes.