How to Create a Wikipedia Page for a Person

Creating a Wikipedia page for an individual is a powerful way to establish authority, credibility, and digital permanence. However, Wikipedia's personal notability guidelines are strict — and many pages are rejected for not meeting them. Understanding these requirements and following proper procedures dramatically improves your chances of creating a lasting biographical entry.

1. Significant Media Coverage

The subject must have been covered by multiple independent, reliable publications. Interviews, features, or profiles in major media outlets are ideal.

Wikipedia's biography notability guidelines require "significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject." This means the person must have received substantial media attention beyond routine announcements or self-promotion. A single interview or profile, regardless of length, typically isn't sufficient.

Significant coverage means in-depth articles that discuss the person's accomplishments, impact, or significance. Brief mentions, directory listings, or database entries don't count. Wikipedia looks for sources that demonstrate why the person matters to a broader audience, not just within a narrow professional circle.

The coverage must also be independent — sources published by organizations the person works for, websites they control, or materials they've commissioned don't qualify. Wikipedia requires third-party verification that the person has achieved recognition beyond their own promotional efforts.

Strong sources for biographical articles include national newspapers, established magazines, academic publications, books by reputable publishers, and broadcast media with editorial oversight. Multiple sources spanning different time periods demonstrate sustained notability rather than fleeting attention.

2. Verified Achievements

Highlight recognized accomplishments — such as awards, leadership roles, publications, or industry contributions — supported by credible references.

Personal Wikipedia pages must document specific, verifiable achievements that demonstrate the person's significance. Vague claims about influence or impact aren't sufficient — Wikipedia requires concrete accomplishments supported by reliable sources.

Notable achievements vary by field but generally include recognition from established institutions, documented contributions to their profession, published works that have gained recognition, patents or innovations with documented impact, or leadership positions in significant organizations. Each claim must be verifiable through independent sources.

Awards and honors from credible organizations strengthen notability cases, particularly when the awards themselves are notable. Winning a Pulitzer Prize, receiving a presidential medal, or being inducted into a professional hall of fame clearly establishes notability. However, awards must come from recognized institutions — self-proclaimed titles or awards from obscure organizations carry little weight.

For academics, published research in peer-reviewed journals, books from university presses, and citations by other scholars demonstrate impact. For business leaders, founding significant companies, leading major organizations, or documented contributions to their industry establish notability. For artists and entertainers, commercial success, critical recognition, or cultural impact verified by independent sources matters.

3. Neutral Presentation

Write in an encyclopedic tone. Avoid promotional claims or subjective statements that could lead to rejection.

Biographical Wikipedia pages require especially careful attention to neutral point of view. The temptation to emphasize accomplishments, minimize failures, or present the subject in the best possible light is strong — but Wikipedia's editorial community watches biographical content closely for promotional bias.

Neutral writing presents facts without embellishment. Rather than describing someone as "brilliant," "visionary," or "pioneering," cite sources that make these assessments. Instead of claiming someone "revolutionized" their field, reference independent analysts who've made that judgment. Let reliable sources do the praising while you present information factually.

Controversial aspects of a person's life or career must be included if they've received significant coverage in reliable sources. Wikipedia isn't a resume or memorial — it's an encyclopedia that presents balanced, comprehensive information. Attempts to whitewash controversies or remove negative information typically backfire, attracting more scrutiny from Wikipedia's editorial community.

The article structure should follow Wikipedia's biography conventions: lead paragraph summarizing the person's notability, early life and education, career organized chronologically or thematically, recognition and impact, personal life (when relevant and sourced), and references. This standard structure helps maintain encyclopedic tone while ensuring comprehensive coverage.

4. Ongoing Maintenance

Personal pages are often subject to scrutiny and edits. Continuous monitoring ensures factual accuracy and protects against reputational damage.

Biographical Wikipedia pages attract more attention and editing than company pages. People have strong opinions about public figures, and biographical articles frequently become battlegrounds for competing narratives. Active monitoring and maintenance are essential for keeping content accurate and neutral.

However, maintenance of biographical pages requires particular sensitivity. Wikipedia's biographies of living persons policy imposes strict requirements for sourcing and neutral presentation. Unsourced or poorly sourced negative content must be removed immediately, but removing well-sourced critical information violates Wikipedia policy.

The key is responding appropriately to different types of edits. Vandalism and unsourced attacks should be reverted immediately. Legitimate additions of sourced information, even if unflattering, should generally remain. When controversial information is added, evaluate whether the sources meet Wikipedia's standards rather than whether you like the content.

For living persons, Wikipedia's biography policies provide additional protections against defamation and unsourced negative content. Understanding these policies helps you appropriately challenge problematic edits while respecting Wikipedia's commitment to comprehensive, neutral coverage.

Regular updates ensure the page remains current as the person's career evolves. New achievements, publications, or recognition should be added with proper sourcing. However, avoid turning the page into a constantly updated resume — only include developments that have received independent coverage and genuinely add to understanding the person's notability.