Writing on Wikipedia, consulting, and open knowledge
Essays by Jake Orlowitz on how Wikipedia decides what stays, how to work with it as a company or an institution, and what a Wikipedia consultant is for.
When to Hire a Wikipedia Consultant (and When to Save Your Money)
Wikipedia is often the first result when someone searches your name or your company, both on Google and in AI. It is also one of the few major platforms you cannot buy, control, or edit at…
You Need a Wikipedia Consultant, Not a Wikipedia Page Creator
You have probably seen the pitch. An agency, a freelancer, a paid search result, a stranger in your inbox offering to “create your Wikipedia page” for a flat fee. Fast turnaround.…
Zooming Out: A Landscape Paper on IIIF and Wikimedia
This week, IIIF released Zooming Out: Can We Integrate IIIF and Wikimedia?, a landscape paper commissioned by the International Image Interoperability Framework Consortium and written by…
The Successful Wikipedian in Residence: A free, complete guide for institutions
In 2010, the British Museum did something unusual. They invited a Wikipedia editor named Liam Wyatt to spend five weeks working inside the museum, with access to the curators and…
How to Get a Wikipedia Page: A Complete, Honest Guide
If you have searched for this guide, you are probably one of three people. Someone who believes their organization or work merits a Wikipedia article and wants to know how to create one.…
How to Remove Wikipedia Warning Banners
Roughly 5,000 Wikipedia articles about companies and organizations carry a “promotional” cleanup tag right now. A small yellow banner at the top of the page, in plain prose, saying…
You Probably Don’t Qualify for a Wikipedia Article
Most people — even very accomplished and widely respected people — do not qualify for a Wikipedia biography. That isn’t a judgment on your work or your worth. It reflects the nature of…
How I Became a World-Class Wikipedia Consultant
In 2007, I clicked “edit” on a Wikipedia article and felt the ground shift. One small fix turned into a nightly ritual; the ritual became 40,000 edits. Bit by bit, I learned how Wikipedia…
Why Wikipedia Consultants Can’t Guarantee Results
If someone guarantees a Wikipedia outcome, walk away. Expert, ethical consultants don’t promise articles, approvals, or timelines — because no one controls the levers that decide them.
How to Pick a Wikipedia Consultant (Without Getting Burned)
If you’re considering a Wikipedia consultant, you’re not buying PR. You’re hiring a guide to navigate a volunteer-run encyclopedia with strict rules, public scrutiny, and a long memory. The…
Unlocking Wikipedia: The Essential Guide for Corporate Professionals
Ever wondered why your company’s Wikipedia page seems stuck in time, inaccurate, or non-existent despite your best efforts? You’re not alone. Wikipedia, the world’s largest reference…
A Wikipedian in Residence Recipe for Success: Four M’s
The role of a Wikipedian in Residence (WIR) is one of the most exciting opportunities for any institution to engage with the world, but it's also one of the most challenging to sustain.…
Nurturing New Editors: A High-Touch Approach
Training new Wikipedia editors is more than just teaching someone how to edit a page; it’s about cultivating curiosity, patience, and a deep understanding of Wikipedia's unique culture and…
The Making of bakehouse.wiki
At WikiBlueprint Consulting, we believe in the power of storytelling and digital visibility, especially for underrepresented communities. One of our most rewarding projects this year has…
Why You Shouldn't Hire A Wikipedia Consultant
When I started WikiBlueprint.com, our goal was simple: help organizations and individuals navigate the complex world of Wikipedia in an ethical, professional, and effective way. But…
Your Company Probably Doesn't Qualify for a Wikipedia Article
Whether you’re a small business owner or a marketing and communications professional at a mid-sized company, you might be wondering why your company, despite its success, doesn’t have a…
We Are Absolutely Here to Right Great Wrongs
Wikipedians work to empower people everywhere to access knowledge, to participate in its creation, and to share it freely. Neutrality is the cornerstone of Wikipedia’s mission, but…
The Problem with Hiring a Paid Wikipedia Editing Company
Hiring an unknown paid Wikipedia editing company can lead to significant issues and ethical dilemmas. Here are 20 points highlighting the potential problems with hiring a Wikipedia article…
Internet-In-A-Box Joins the Wikimedia Store for Sale
Wiki Project Med Foundation is thrilled to announce that the Internet-In-A-Box (IIAB) is now available for purchase at the Wikimedia Store! This incredible device brings the world's largest…
Request for Interest: Smithsonian Biodiversity Heritage Library Wikimedian in Residence
Are you interested in building a global biodiversity knowledge graph to generate actionable insights for life on a sustainable planet? Do you know your way around Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons? Do you like working with biodiversity data and properties? The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives is seeking contractor services to support their Biodiversity Heritage Library with a Wikimedian-in-Residence project.
How to Hire an Ethical Wikipedia Consultant
Hiring a Wikipedia consultant can be a complex task, especially given the ethical concerns and the presence of many unreliable service providers. Here are 20 points to consider that can…
30 Signs of Great Wikimedia Partnerships
The fusion of two partners in a collaborative relationship with a complex platform like Wikipedia is a nuanced process. For a partnership to truly flourish and stand the test of time,…
20 Elements of a Wikipedia Content Partnership
As Wikipedia grows and evolves, so does its importance as a platform for collaboration between various entities. One such form of collaboration is content partnerships. These partnerships,…
Wikipedia Partnership Manifesto
A Very Concise Guide
GLAM-Worry
Why you shouldn’t hesitate to hire a Wikipedian in Residence
Overcome 10 Risks of Hiring a Wikipedian in Residence
And Why You should Do it Anyway (With help)
What is a Wikipedian in Residence?
And What Do They Do?