Wikipedia favors sources with a strong track record in the relevant subject area, not just those that are well-known. Reliable sources are typically easy to spot if you know what to look for.
Reliable sources often have:
A named author or byline
A clear publication date
Balanced tone and language
Original reporting that includes quotes from interviewees
Cited by other reliable sources
Unreliable sources often show:
No byline or anonymous authorship
Sensational or misleading headlines
Passes along claims without verification
Heavy use of press release content
Opinionated or promotional tone
Some publications fall somewhere in the middle. For example, Rolling Stone is generally reliable for music and culture, but less consistent on topics like politics. Forbes.com includes both staff-reported content (often usable) and contributor blogs (not usable).
