Let’s talk about something you’ve probably Googled more than once: “How do I get a Wikipedia page for my brand?” You’ve seen the big names with theirs. You’ve even seen a few that make you wonder, “Wait, how do they have a page and I don’t?”
It’s a fair question—and today, we’re going to break it all down.
Creating a Wikipedia page sounds simple in theory. But it’s not just about writing a few paragraphs and hitting publish. There’s a whole world of guidelines, notability criteria, sourcing standards, and community moderation that goes into getting a page approved—and keeping it up.
So the real question is: Should your brand even have a Wikipedia page?
Let’s unpack it.
Why Brands Want a Wikipedia Page
The appeal is obvious. Wikipedia is one of the most visited websites in the world. When someone Googles your brand, a Wikipedia page shows up right at the top of the search results. It’s like a shiny badge of credibility. People trust Wikipedia. It feels neutral, unbiased, and—let’s face it—pretty official.
Having a page can help your brand in a bunch of ways:
- It builds authority
- It boosts SEO
- It adds credibility in media, investor pitches, and partnership conversations
- It tells your story in a centralized, public space
In short, it makes you look legit.
But not every brand is eligible. Wikipedia isn’t a marketing platform. It’s an encyclopedia. That means there are strict rules around what’s allowed—and what gets deleted.
What Does Wikipedia Consider "Notable"?
Let’s get into the weeds for a second.
To qualify for a Wikipedia page, your brand needs to meet something called Wikipedia's notability guidelines. That basically means your business must have received significant coverage in independent, reliable, secondary sources.
So what counts?
✔️ Articles in major newspapers, magazines, or reputable blogs
✔️ Coverage in industry-leading publications (think Forbes, TechCrunch, Vogue, etc.)
✔️ Books, documentaries, or academic references
✔️ Awards or recognition from recognized institutions
What doesn’t count?
✖️ Press releases you wrote yourself
✖️ Your own website or blog
✖️ Paid articles or sponsored content
✖️ Mentions in directories or listings
Even if you’ve been around for years and have a killer product, if independent media hasn’t covered you in a meaningful way, Wikipedia editors probably won’t approve your page.
Harsh? A little. But it's how they maintain credibility.
What Happens If You Try Anyway?
Here’s the thing: a lot of brands try to sneak in pages that don’t meet the criteria.
What happens?
- They get flagged.
- They get deleted.
- And in some cases, the brand gets permanently blacklisted.
Wikipedia’s editor community is fierce—and they’re not afraid to hit that “delete” button.
Even worse, if your page gets deleted once, it’s harder to recreate later, even if you eventually do meet the notability criteria. That’s why it’s so important to know where you stand before you attempt a page.
Can You Still Get Listed if You're Not Famous?
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a household name. Plenty of niche businesses and emerging brands have Wikipedia pages.
It all comes down to documentation.
If you’ve been covered in respected media—even if it’s not mainstream—you might qualify. The key is quality, not just quantity. Two or three solid articles in reputable outlets can go further than 20 fluff pieces in low-authority blogs.
And yes, timing matters too. Wikipedia loves longevity. If you’ve been around for a while and your name pops up consistently across independent sources, you’re more likely to be considered notable.
What's the Process Like?
If you do qualify, getting your page live still isn’t a walk in the park.
Here’s a sneak peek into what the process actually looks like:
- Research & Verification: You gather every piece of solid, third-party coverage about your brand.
- Drafting: The page needs to be written in a neutral, encyclopedia-style tone. No puffery. No sales language.
- Citations: Every statement must be backed by a credible source. No source? It doesn’t go in.
- Submission: Once the draft is ready, it's submitted for review. This can take weeks.
- Monitoring: Even after approval, editors may flag or revise content. Ongoing updates are needed.
Sounds overwhelming? That’s because…it kinda is. And this is where expertise really comes into play.
Common Mistakes Brands Make
If you’re thinking of going DIY with your Wikipedia page, you might want to hit pause. Here are a few common pitfalls to avoid:
- Writing like an ad: Wikipedia is not your brand brochure.
- Using paid articles as sources: Editors will sniff these out in a second.
- Adding unsourced claims: If it can’t be verified, it gets removed.
- Not disclosing conflicts of interest: Editing your own page without transparency is a big no-no.
- The result? Best case: your page gets heavily edited. Worst case: it disappears—and you burn your shot.
So… Should You Have a Wikipedia Page?
Here’s the honest answer: maybe.
If your brand meets the notability criteria, you have reliable sources, and you’re prepared to play by Wikipedia’s strict rules, then yes—it could be a game changer.
But if you’re not quite there yet, that’s okay too. In fact, it’s better to wait, build up your media coverage, and approach Wikipedia strategically rather than rushing in.
The worst thing you can do is force it.
A Little Help from the Experts
Now, if all of this sounds like a lot—it is. And that’s where having someone who lives and breathes Wikipedia comes in handy.
There are teams out there who know the ins and outs of notability, sourcing, formatting, and community expectations. One of those teams is Make Me Noteable.
They’ve helped brands navigate the Wikipedia maze, figure out whether they actually qualify, and build solid pages that stick. Whether you’re close to being ready or still working on your visibility, it helps to have someone who knows where the landmines are buried.
We’re not saying you have to work with pros—but if you’re serious about getting listed (and staying listed), it might just save you a lot of time, energy, and deleted drafts.
Final Thoughts
A Wikipedia page isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s a powerful, public statement that says: We’re here. We’re credible. And people are talking about us.
But like most good things, it takes work, patience, and strategy.
If you’re ready—or even just curious about where you stand—it never hurts to check in with those who’ve done it before. Whether you’re already notable or just getting started, the right roadmap can make all the difference.
And hey, if you ever need a second opinion, Make Me Noteable might be a good place to start.
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