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Top 10 Reasons Wikipedia Rejects Pages — And How to Get Approved Fast

  • Writer: Eric Joseph
    Eric Joseph
  • Nov 26
  • 3 min read

Creating a Wikipedia page is one of the best ways to build online authority — but getting it approved isn’t easy. Over 70% of submitted Wikipedia articles get rejected because they fail to follow Wikipedia’s strict guidelines around notability, neutrality, verifiable citations, and formatting.

In this guide, we break down the top 10 reasons Wikipedia rejects pages, along with practical steps to ensure your article gets accepted in 2025.

1. Lack of Notability — The #1 Reason for Rejection

Wikipedia only accepts pages for individuals, companies, and topics that meet its Notability Guidelines.If a topic has little or no coverage in reputable, independent sources, it’s likely to be rejected.

✔ How to Get Approved

  • Ensure there are multiple major media articles about the subject (not sponsored or PR).

  • Use independent, third-party coverage, not personal blogs or press releases.

  • Avoid creating a page immediately after someone becomes popular — build long-term coverage first.

2. Insufficient Reliable Sources

Wikipedia requires verifiable citations from high-quality sources such as:

  • Newspapers

  • Reputable magazines

  • Books

  • Academic journals

  • Established news websites

If your article includes poor-quality or promo-style citations, it will be declined.

✔ How to Get Approved

Use credible sources like:

  • Forbes

  • The Guardian

  • BBC

  • Times of India

  • TechCrunch

Avoid:❌ Press releases❌ Self-published sources❌ Paid PR articles❌ Social media posts

3. Conflict of Interest (COI) Editing

Wikipedia strongly discourages editing about yourself, your employer, or your client. Content written from a biased perspective is almost always flagged.

✔ How to Get Approved

  • Hire a neutral Wikipedia editor OR

  • Submit content via the Articles for Creation (AfC) process so volunteers review it.

  • Always disclose your COI when editing.

4. Promotional or Biased Tone

Wikipedia is not a marketing platform. Overly positive language, slogans, achievements without citations, and promotional claims get rejected instantly.

✔ How to Get Approved

Write in a tone that is:

  • Neutral

  • Objective

  • Fact-based

  • Encyclopedic

Compare your tone to existing Wikipedia articles in similar categories.

5. Poor Page Structure and Formatting

Wikipedia follows the MediaWiki syntax. Incorrect formatting such as bold text everywhere, missing headings, or non-standard templates often leads to rejection.

✔ How to Get Approved

Use the standard structure:

  • Lead section

  • Early life / history

  • Career

  • Major works

  • Awards

  • References

  • External links

And always follow the Wikipedia Manual of Style.

6. Using Unverifiable or Original Research

Wikipedia does not allow new facts or claims that can’t be verified through reputable sources.

✔ How to Get Approved

  • Only include information backed by published articles.

  • Avoid insider details or claims that cannot be cited.

7. Duplicate or Previously Deleted Page

If a page about the same topic was deleted earlier, the new submission may be rejected automatically.

✔ How to Get Approved

  • Check the Deletion Log for the topic.

  • Address the original deletion reasons before resubmitting.

  • Add stronger sources and updated facts.

8. Improper Citations and Reference Style

Wikipedia rejects pages with:❌ Broken links❌ Missing reference templates❌ No inline citations❌ Over-reliance on one source

✔ How to Get Approved

Use the <ref></ref> tag for every claim, and make sure references come from diverse, independent outlets.

9. Too Short or Missing Important Information

Stubs or incomplete pages without depth get flagged for deletion.

✔ How to Get Approved

  • Write at least 600–1,200 words of well-cited content.

  • Add sections like Background, Career, Achievements, and Media Coverage.

  • Expand with factual, sourced information.

10. Violating Wikipedia’s Biographies of Living Persons (BLP) Policy

Wikipedia has strict rules for pages about living people. Even minor errors or unsourced claims can lead to deletion.

✔ How to Get Approved

  • Avoid controversial claims.

  • Use only verified, positive or neutral sources.

  • Remove anything that seems speculative or opinion-based.

⭐ How to Successfully Get a Wikipedia Page Approved in 2025

To increase approval chances:

✔ Ensure strong notability

At least 5–10 major coverage articles are ideal.

✔ Use only reliable, third-party sources

No PR, no sponsored content.

✔ Follow a neutral writing tone

No praise, no marketing language.

✔ Structure the page properly

Follow Wikipedia formatting 100%.

✔ Submit through AfC

Let volunteer reviewers check your article.

✔ Monitor the page for edits

Use tools like Page Curation or Watchlist to maintain compliance.


Need a Wikipedia page? Our team helps you create, approve, and maintain your profile with 100% guideline-compliant content.Get reliable Wikipedia support from professionals who understand the rules.


 
 
 
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