Getting a Warning Removed from a Wikipedia Article
If a Wikipedia article has a warning (e.g., "This article has issues" banners at the top), and you have a conflict of interest (COI)—such as working for or being affiliated with the subject—you must follow Wikipedia’s transparency guidelines and cannot remove the template yourself. Instead, you need to request its removal properly.
Step 1
Identify the Warning Template and Understand the Issues
Before requesting removal, figure out:
What does the template say? Examples include:
{{Notability}} → Article may not meet Wikipedia’s notability guidelines.
{{Advert}} → Article is written like an advertisement.
{{POV}} → Article is not neutral.
{{Cleanup}} → Article needs rewriting or formatting improvements.
Why was the template added?
Check the edit history (click “View history” at the top).
See if an editor explained the reason in the Talk page (click "Talk" at the top).
Step 2
Improve the Article (If Possible)
Since you have a COI, you should not directly edit the article but can propose improvements.
Address the issue by writing a revised section or providing sources.
Use high-quality, independent sources if the problem is about notability or neutrality.
Avoid promotional language if flagged for being too much like an advertisement.
🔹 Example: If the article is flagged for a lack of sources
✅ Find reliable sources (news articles, academic papers, books).
✅ Suggest adding citations to support claims.
Step 3
Request Template Removal on the Talk Page
Since you cannot remove the template yourself due to a COI, you should ask independent editors to review the issue.
How to Post a Request on the Talk Page
Go to the Talk page (click "Talk" at the top of the article).
Post a request using this format. Note, the four squiggly lines at the end are your signature, which will auto-populate if you are logged in:
== Request to Remove Warning Template == {{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 review of the [Warning Template Name] banner. The issue flagged was [e.g., lack of neutral tone, lack of sources]. I have identified [X number] of reliable sources and proposed wording changes to address the concern. - [Source 1] - [Brief description] - [Source 2] - [Brief description] Could an editor review my suggested changes and consider whether the template is still needed? Thank you! ~~~~
Be patient—volunteer editors will review the request.
Step 4
Engage with Editors Politely
If an editor asks for more improvements, respond professionally and provide more sources or revisions.
If an editor declines the request, ask for clarification and work on further improvements.
If the template is removed, thank the editor for their time.
Step 5
Follow Up if Necessary
If there’s no response after a week, you can politely follow up on the Talk page.
If there’s a dispute, you can ask for a Third Opinion (WP:3O) or request help at Wikipedia’s Teahouse (for newcomers).
Common Issues and Solutions
❌ “My request was ignored.”
✅ Wait at least a week before following up. Try posting on the Teahouse for help.
❌ “An editor rejected my request.”
✅ Ask what specifically needs improvement and propose further edits.
❌ “Someone re-added the template after it was removed.”
✅ Review their reasoning and go back to the Talk page to discuss.
Final Takeaways
✅ DO NOT remove the template yourself if you have a COI.
✅ Use the Talk page to request removal with a clear and polite explanation.
✅ Improve the article first by proposing better sources or rewriting problematic sections.
✅ 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.
