Adding a New Company Logo to Wikipedia
If you have a conflict of interest (COI)—such as working for the company, representing it, or being paid to update its Wikipedia page—you must follow Wikipedia’s disclosure rules and best practices to ensure transparency and compliance.
Step 1
Understand Wikipedia’s COI and Logo Policies
You must disclose your COI per Wikipedia’s Terms of Use.
Logos are non-free content, meaning they are only allowed under fair use and must meet strict criteria.
You should not directly edit the article but instead suggest changes on the Talk page.
Relevant Policies:
Step 2
Prepare the Logo File
Ensure the file meets Wikipedia’s fair use standards:
Format: PNG or SVG (preferred).
Size: Keep it reasonably small (~250px width for fair use).
Source: Provide a link to the official company website or branding page.
Minimal Modification: Use the official version without added text, background, or effects.
Step 3
Upload the Logo to Wikipedia
Since company logos are non-free content, they must be uploaded directly to Wikipedia (not Wikimedia Commons).
Steps to Upload:
Go to Wikipedia’s Upload Wizard for non-free files 🔗 Upload file
Select “This is a non-free file” when prompted.
Fill out the file description page carefully:
File name: Use a clear, descriptive name like CompanyName_Logo.png.
Source: Provide the official company website (e.g., https://www.company.com).
Purpose: Clearly state it is for company identification.
Non-free use rationale: Required for all non-free images.
🔹 Example Non-Free Use Rationale:
{{Non-free use rationale | Article = Company Name | Purpose = Identification of the company in its Wikipedia article | Source = [Official Website] | Replaceability = No freely licensed alternative exists | Minimal Usage = Used in the infobox only | Resolution = Low resolution to prevent commercial misuse }}
4. License the file under “Non-free logo”.
Step 4
Request to Add the Logo to the Article
Since you have a COI, you should not directly edit the article. Instead, go to the article’s Talk page (click the "Talk" tab at the top).
Post a request using the template below. Note, the four squiggly lines at the end are your signature, which will auto-populate if you are logged in:
== Request to add company logo == {{Edit COI}} Hello editors, I have a conflict of interest as I work with [Company Name]. I would like to request adding the official company logo to the infobox. The logo has been uploaded under the name [File:CompanyName_Logo.png]. I believe this meets Wikipedia’s fair use criteria because it is a low-resolution logo used solely for identification. Can an editor review this and add it if appropriate? Thank you! ~~~~
Step 5
Wait for an Editor to Review and Add the Logo
Wikipedia editors may take a few days to respond.
If your request is ignored, you can politely follow up after a week.
If declined, review the feedback and adjust accordingly.
Step 6
Monitor and Maintain Compliance
Do not re-upload the file unnecessarily—this can be seen as disruptive editing.
Ensure the logo is used only in the company's article (not in unrelated articles).
If Wikipedia editors remove the logo, respect the decision and ask for guidance.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
❌ Can I upload the logo to Wikimedia Commons instead?
🚫 No—company logos are non-free content and must be uploaded directly to Wikipedia.
❌ What if the request is rejected?
✅ Check the feedback and ensure the fair use rationale is strong.
✅ If an alternative freely licensed logo exists, use that instead.
✅ Consider releasing the logo under a free license and uploading it to Wikimedia Commons.
❌ What if I uploaded it without proper permission?
🚫 If you don't have rights to the image, it will likely be deleted.
✅ Ensure the logo is official and comes from the company.
✅ If needed, have the copyright holder send an email to permissions-en@wikimedia.org confirming free use.
Final Takeaways
✅ Always disclose your COI before making requests.
✅ Use the Talk page or edit request process—don’t add the logo to the article yourself.
✅ Ensure the file follows fair use policies and has a proper rationale.
✅ Respect Wikipedia’s editorial process if the request is declined.
Need Help Navigating Wikipedia’s COI Policies?
Understanding and following Wikipedia’s conflict of interest (COI) and paid editing guidelines can be complex—but you don’t have to do it alone.
