Correcting Inaccurate Information on Wikipedia
If you have a conflict of interest (COI)—such as being affiliated with the subject of an article or being paid to edit—you must follow Wikipedia’s transparency rules. This means you should not edit the article directly but instead suggest corrections following Wikipedia’s guidelines.
Step 1
Identify the Inaccuracy and Gather Reliable Sources
Before requesting a correction, confirm:
What is incorrect? Identify the specific sentences or sections.
Why is it incorrect? Provide evidence (e.g., misinterpreted data, outdated info, wrong details).
What is the correct information? Ensure your correction is neutral, verifiable, and well-sourced.
Find Reliable Sources
Wikipedia values independent, third-party sources such as:
Reputable news organizations (e.g., The New York Times, BBC)
Books published by academic or credible sources
Peer-reviewed journals
Government or official documents
Avoid:
Self-published sources like company press releases, personal blogs, or social media posts.
Step 2
Check the Article’s Talk Page and Edit History
Click “Talk” at the top of the article to check if the issue has been raised before.
If someone previously discussed the inaccuracy, you can add new evidence rather than starting a new request.
Step 3
Request a Correction on the Talk Page
Since you should not edit the article directly, request a correction by posting on the Talk page.
How to Post a Request on the Talk Page
Go to the Talk page (click the “Talk” tab at the top of the article).
Create a new section and use the following template. Note, the four squiggly lines at the end are your signature, which will auto-populate if you are logged in:
== Request to correct inaccurate information == {{Edit COI}} Hello editors, I have a conflict of interest regarding [Article Name], so I am not making direct edits. However, I would like to request a correction for the following inaccurate information. **Current incorrect information:** - "[Quote the inaccurate statement from the article]" **Issue with this information:** - [Explain why it is incorrect, providing brief details] **Suggested correction:** - "[Provide the corrected information]" **Supporting sources:** - [Source 1] - [Brief description] - [Source 2] - [Brief description] Can an editor review this request and make the necessary changes? Thank you! ~~~~
Be polite and neutral—Wikipedia editors respond better to well-structured and professional requests.
Step 4
Wait for an Editor to Review and Make Changes
Editors may take a few days to respond. If no one replies after one week, you can politely follow up.
If the request is accepted, the correction will be made.
If the request is denied, ask for clarification and provide stronger sources if necessary.
Step 5
Escalate the Request if Needed
If no one responds or there is a dispute:
Request a Third Opinion (WP:3O) → A neutral editor can review the case.
Ask at the Wikipedia Teahouse → A space for new users to seek guidance.
Post on a relevant WikiProject page → If the article belongs to a specific topic (e.g., business, science), editors from that community can help.
Common Issues and How to Handle Them
❌ “The edit request was ignored.”
✅ Wait at least one week, then post a polite follow-up.
❌ “The edit request was rejected.”
✅ Ask for clarification and provide additional sources if necessary.
❌ “Someone keeps adding back the incorrect information.”
✅ Discuss it on the Talk page and seek a neutral third-party editor.
Final Takeaways
Do not edit the article directly if you have a COI.
Use the Talk page to request changes with clear evidence.
Provide reliable, third-party sources to support your correction.
Be patient and engage respectfully with Wikipedia editors.
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.
