View source for Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not

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{{Nutshell|
# Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, a [[WP:SUMMARYSTYLE|summary-style]] reference work that does not aim to contain all the information, data or expression known on every subject.
# Although anyone can be an editor, Wikipedia's community processes and standards do not make it an anarchy, democracy, or bureaucracy.
# Wikipedia is not a place to promote things or publish your thoughts, and is not a website for personal communication, a freely licensed media repository, or a censored publication.
}}
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{{Content policy list}}

[[Wikipedia]] is a [[WP:Wikipedia is free content|free]] online [[encyclopedia]]. The amount of information on Wikipedia is practically unlimited, but Wikipedia does not aim to contain all knowledge. What to exclude is determined by an [[meta:The Wikipedia Community|online community]] committed to building a high-quality encyclopedia. These exclusions are summarized as the {{strong|things that Wikipedia is {{em|not}}}}.

==Style and format ==
===Wikipedia is not a paper encyclopedia===
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[[File:Print Wikipedia - from Aachen to Zylinderdruckpresse by Michael Mandiberg IMG 0149.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Several print volumes of Wikipedia. Volume information on the spine shows they are numbers 203 through 207, and range from ARS to ARY.|[[Print Wikipedia]]]]

[[m:Wikipedia is not paper|Wikipedia is not a paper encyclopedia, but a digital encyclopedia project]]. Server costs aside, there is no practical limit to the number of topics Wikipedia can cover, or the total amount of content. 

However, there is an important distinction between what {{em|can}} be done, and what {{em|should}} be done, which is covered under {{section link||Encyclopedic content}}. Consequently, this policy is not a free pass for inclusion: articles must abide by [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|policies]], particularly those covered in the '''[[WP:Five pillars|five pillars]]'''.

Editors should limit individual articles to a reasonable size to keep them accessible (see [[Wikipedia:Article size]]). Splitting long articles signals a natural growth of a topic (see [[Wikipedia:Summary style]]). Print encyclopedias can cover most topics only in short, static articles, but Wikipedia can include more information, provide more external links, and update more quickly.

==Encyclopedic content==
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Information should not be included solely because it is true or useful. An article should not be a complete presentation of all possible details, but a [[WP:Summary style|summary]] of accepted knowledge regarding its subject.<ref>See {{section link|Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/Rex071404|Final decision}}, which suggested a similar principle in November 2004.</ref> Verifiable and sourced statements should be treated with [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view#Due and undue weight|appropriate weight]]. Although there are debates about the encyclopedic merits of several classes of entries, consensus is that the following are good examples of what Wikipedia is not. The examples under each section are not exhaustive.

===Wikipedia is not a dictionary===
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOTDICTIONARY|WP:DICTIONARY}}{{anchor|WP:NOT#DICDEF|WP:NOT#DICT|WP:NOT#DICTIONARY|DIC|DICDEF|DICT|DICTIONARY|NOTWIKTIONARY|WIKTIONARY|NOTTHESAURUS|THESAURUS|NOTUSAGEGUIDE|USAGEGUIDE|NOTSLANGBOOK|SLANGBOOK|NOTJARGONBOOK|JARGONBOOK|NOTIDIOMBOOK|IDIOMBOOK|NOTDEFINITIONS|DICTENTRY}}
{{Main|Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not a dictionary}}
[[File:Woerterbuchstapel Langenscheidt.jpg|thumb|No, it isn't part of Wikipedia.]]

Wikipedia is not a dictionary, or a usage or jargon guide. For a wiki that {{em|is}} a dictionary, visit our sister project [[wikt:Main Page|Wiktionary]]. Missing dictionary definitions should be contributed there. Wikipedia articles are not:

# '''Definitions'''. Articles should begin with a [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not a dictionary#Good definitions|good definition]] or description, but articles that contain nothing more than a definition should be expanded with additional encyclopedic content. If they cannot be expanded, Wikipedia is not the place for them. In some cases, however, the definition of a word may be an encyclopedic subject, such as the [[definition of planet|definition of ''planet'']].
# '''Dictionary entries'''. Encyclopedia articles are about a person, or a group, a concept, a place, a thing, an event, etc. In some cases, a word or phrase itself may be an encyclopedic subject, such as [[Macedonia (terminology)]] or [[truthiness]]. Articles almost always focus on a single definition or usage of the title. Articles about the cultural or mathematical significance of individual [[List of numbers|numbers]] are also acceptable.
# '''Usage, slang, or idiom guides'''. Descriptive articles about languages, dialects, or types of slang (such as [[Klingon language]], [[Cockney#Dialect|Cockney]], or [[Leet]]) are desirable. Prescriptive guides for prospective speakers of such languages are not. See [[#Wikipedia is not a manual, guidebook, textbook, or scientific journal|§ Wikipedia is not a manual, guidebook, textbook, or scientific journal]] below. For a wiki that {{em|is}} a collection of textbooks, visit our sister project [[b:Main Page|Wikibooks]]. Consider [[b:Help:Importing|transwiki-ing]] such content there.

===Wikipedia is not a publisher of original thought===
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{{Redirect|WP:FORUM|text=You may be looking for {{Section link|Wikipedia:Verifiability#Self-published sources}}, [[WP:Consensus#FORUMSHOP|Wikipedia:Forum shopping]] or [[Wikipedia:Village pump]]}}

[[File:Call Centre 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Editors will try to answer relevant questions on talk and Wikipedia pages, but they are not here to fix your broken toaster.]]

Wikipedia is not a place to publish your own thoughts and analyses or new information. Per the [[Wikipedia:No original research|policy on original research]], <strong>do not use Wikipedia for any of the following</strong>:

# '''Primary (original) research''', such as proposing theories and solutions, communicating original ideas, offering novel definitions of terms, coining new words, etc. If you have completed primary research on a topic, your results should be published in other venues, such as [[Scholarly peer review|peer-reviewed]] journals, other printed forms, [[open research]], or respected online publications. Wikipedia can report your work after it is published and becomes part of accepted knowledge; however, [[Wikipedia:Citing sources|citations]] of [[WP:reliable sources|reliable sources]] are needed to demonstrate that such material is [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiable]], and not merely the editor's [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|opinion]].
# {{anchor|MYINVENTION}}'''Personal inventions'''. If you or a friend invented a drinking game, a new type of dance move, or even the word ''[[frindle]]'', it is not [[Wikipedia:Notability|notable enough]] to be given an article until multiple, independent, and reliable secondary sources report on it. And [[WP:Wikipedia is not for things made up one day|Wikipedia is {{em|certainly}} not for things made up one day]].
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTESSAY}}'''Personal essays''' {{anchor|ESSAY|MYOPINION}} that state your feelings about a topic (rather than the opinions of experts). Although Wikipedia is supposed to compile human knowledge, it is not a vehicle to make personal opinions become part of such knowledge. In the unusual situation where the opinions of an individual are important enough to discuss, let other people write about them. (Personal essays on Wikipedia-related topics are welcome in your user namespace or on the [[meta:|Meta-wiki]].)
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTFORUM}}{{anchor|FORUM|CHAT|not_a_forum}}'''Discussion forums'''. Stay on the task of creating an encyclopedia. You can chat with people about Wikipedia-related topics on their user talk pages, and should resolve problems with articles on the relevant [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]], but do not take discussion into articles. In addition, bear in mind that article talk pages exist solely to discuss how to improve articles; they are not for general discussion about the subject of the article, nor are they a help desk for obtaining instructions or technical assistance. Material unsuitable for talk pages may be subject to removal per the [[WP:Talk page guidelines|talk page guidelines]]. If you wish to ask a specific question on a topic, Wikipedia has a [[Wikipedia:Reference desk|Reference desk]]; questions should be asked there rather than on talk pages. However, these should be used for questions of reasonable academic interest; Wikipedia does not serve as a technical help line or customer support for products or companies that have articles.

===Wikipedia is not a soapbox or means of promotion===
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{{anchor|ADVOCATE|ADVOCACY|PROMO|SOAP|SOAPBOX|PLUG|Wikipedia is not a soapbox|Wikipedia is not a means of promotion|SHOWCASING}}
{{Redirect|WP:PROMOTION|other pages about advertising and promotion|Wikipedia:Advertising}}
{{Redirect|WP:SOAP|the Soap Operas WikiProject|Wikipedia:WikiProject Soap Operas}}

Wikipedia is not a [[soapbox]], a [[#Wikipedia is not a battleground|battleground]], or a vehicle for [[propaganda]], advertising, and showcasing. This applies to [[Wikipedia:Promotional usernames|usernames]], articles, drafts, categories, files, talk page discussions, templates, and user pages. Therefore, content hosted on Wikipedia is not for:

# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTADVOCACY}}{{anchor|SOAP1|soap1|Soap1|NOTPROSELYTIZING|PROSELYTIZING|NOTEVANGELISM|EVANGELISM|NOTRECRUITMENT|RECRUITMENT|NOTCAMPAIGN|CAMPAIGN|NOTPROPAGANDA|PROPAGANDA|WORTHYCAUSE|LA CAUSA|MOVEMENT|JOIN US|Advocacy, propaganda, or recruitment}}'''[[Wikipedia:Advocacy|Advocacy]], propaganda, or recruitment''' of any kind: commercial, political, scientific, religious, national, sports-related, or otherwise. An article can report objectively <em>about</em> such things, as long as an attempt is made to describe the topic from a [[Wikipedia:neutral point of view|neutral point of view]]. You might wish to start a [[blog]] or visit a [[Internet forum|forum]] if you want to convince people of the merits of your opinions.<ref>Wikipedia [[WP:NSO|article pages]] (and various navigational pages: categories, [[WP:Navigation template|navboxes]], disambiguation pages, etc.) are off limits for any advocacy. [[WP:TP|Talk pages]], [[WP:user pages|user pages]] and [[WP:essays|essays]] are venues where you can advocate your opinions provided that they are directly [[WP:HERE|related to the improvement of Wikipedia]] and are [[WP:Expectations and norms of the Wikipedia community|not disruptive]].</ref>
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTOPINION}}{{anchor|soap2|Soap2|SOAP2|MYOPINION|OPINION|NOTPOLITICALVIEWS|POLITICALVIEWS|NOTCURRENTAFFAIRS|CURRENTAFFAIRS|CURRENTAFFAIRS|OPINIONPIECES|RECENTISM|Opinion pieces}}'''Opinion pieces'''. Although some topics, particularly those concerning [[Portal:Current events|current affairs]] and politics, may stir passions and tempt people to "climb soapboxes", Wikipedia is not the medium for this. Articles must be balanced to put entries, especially for current events, in a reasonable perspective, and represent a [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]]. Furthermore, Wikipedia authors should strive to write articles that will not quickly become obsolete. Wikipedia's sister project [[n:|Wikinews]], however, has "opinion" pages allowing commentary on articles. 
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTSCANDAL}}{{Anchor|SOAP3|soap3|Soap3|SCANDAL|GRAPEVINE|RUMOR|GOSSIP|TABLOID|MONGERING|HEARSAY|Scandalmongering}}'''Scandalmongering''', promoting things "heard through the grapevine" or [[gossip]]ing. Articles and content [[WP:Biographies of living persons|about living people]] are required to meet an especially high standard, as they may otherwise be [[WP:Libel|libellous]] or infringe the subjects' [[right to privacy]]. Articles must not be written purely to [[Wikipedia:Attack page|attack the reputation of another person]].
# {{anchor|Soap4|SOAP4|soap4|SELFPROMO|BOAST|YOURSELF|VANITY|CV|Self-promotion}}'''Self-promotion'''. It can be tempting to [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not about YOU|write about yourself]] or projects in which you have a strong personal involvement. However, remember that the standards for encyclopedic articles apply to such pages just like any other. This includes the requirement to maintain a neutral point of view, which can be difficult when writing about yourself or about projects close to you. Creating overly abundant links and references to autobiographical sources, such as your [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not the place to post your résumé|résumé or curriculum vitae]], is unacceptable. See [[Wikipedia:Autobiography]], [[Wikipedia:Notability]] and [[WP:Conflict of interest|Wikipedia:Conflict of interest]].
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTADVERT|WP:NOTPROMO}}{{anchor|soap5|Soap5|SOAP5|ADVERTISING|MARKETING|PR|ADVERT|COMMERCIAL|PROMOCORP|GARAGE|PUBLICRELATIONS|PUBLIC RELATIONS|PUBLICITY|Advertising, marketing or public relations}}'''Advertising, marketing, publicity, or public relations'''. Information about companies and products must be written in an [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|objective and unbiased style]], free of [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch#Puffery|puffery]]. All article topics must be [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiable]] with [[Wikipedia:Independent sources|independent]], third-party sources, so articles about very small [[Wikipedia:No one cares about your garage band|garage band]]s or local companies are typically unacceptable. Wikipedia articles about a person, company, or organization are not an extension of their website, press releases, or other [[social media marketing]] efforts. [[Wikipedia:External links|External links]] to commercial organizations are acceptable if they identify [[Wikipedia:Notability|notable]] organizations which are the topic of the article. Wikipedia neither endorses organizations nor runs affiliate programs. See also [[Wikipedia:Notability (organizations and companies)]] for guidelines on corporate notability. Those promoting causes or events, or issuing [[public service announcement]]s, even if noncommercial, should use a forum other than Wikipedia to do so. Contributors must [[Wikipedia:Paid-contribution disclosure|disclose any payments they receive]] for editing Wikipedia. See also [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest#Paid editing|Wikipedia:Conflict of interest § Paid editing]].

{{anchor|SOAPYES|SOAPOK|soap yes|SOAP GOOD|SOAPGOOD|Soap relevant}}Non-disruptive statements of opinion on internal Wikipedia policies and guidelines may be made on user pages and within the [[Wikipedia:Project namespace|''Wikipedia:'' namespace]], as they are relevant to the current and future operation of the project. However, article [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]] should not be used by editors as platforms for their personal views on a subject (see [[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines]]).

===Wikipedia is not a mirror or a repository of links, images, or media files===
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Wikipedia is neither a [[mirror site|mirror]] nor a [[Digital library|repository]] of links, images, or media files.<ref>The [[English Wikipedia]] incorporates many images and some text which are considered "fair use" into its [[free content]] articles. Other language Wikipedias often <em>do not</em>. See also [[Wikipedia:Copyrights]].</ref>  Wikipedia articles are not merely collections of:

# '''External links''' or '''[[Internet directories]]'''. There is nothing wrong with adding relevant, useful links to the external links section of an article; however, excessive lists can dwarf articles and detract from the purpose of Wikipedia. On articles about topics with many fansites, for example, including a link to one major fansite may be appropriate. See [[Wikipedia:External links]] for some guidelines.
# '''Internal links''', except for [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation|disambiguation]] pages when an article title is ambiguous, and for [[Wikipedia:Lists|lists]] for browsing or to assist with article organization and navigation; for these, please follow relevant guidance at [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lists]], [[Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists]].
# '''[[Public domain]] or other source material''' such as entire books or source code, original historical documents, letters, laws, proclamations, and other source material that are useful only when presented with their original, unmodified wording. Complete copies of primary sources may go into [[Wikisource]], but not on Wikipedia. [[Public domain resources]] such as the [[Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition|1911 ''Encyclopædia Britannica'']] may be used to add content to an article (see [[Wikipedia:Plagiarism#Public-domain sources|Plagiarism guideline: Public-domain sources]] for guidelines on doing so). See also [[Wikipedia:Do not include the full text of lengthy primary sources]] and [[s:WS:WWI|Wikisource's inclusion policy]].
# '''Photographs or media files''' with no accompanying text. If you are interested in presenting a picture, please provide an encyclopedic context, or consider adding it to [[Wikimedia Commons]]. If a picture comes from a public domain source on a website, then consider adding it to [[Wikipedia:Images with missing articles]] or [[Wikipedia:Public domain image resources]]. Wikipedia articles are not a repository of images: image use in Wikipedia articles must comply with [[MOS:IMAGEREL]].

===Wikipedia is not a blog, web hosting service, social networking service, or memorial site===
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{{Redirect2|WP:MEMORIAL|WP:HOST|a list of deceased Wikipedians|Wikipedia:Deceased Wikipedians|ownership of content|Wikipedia:Ownership of content}}
{{Redirect2|WP:NOTFANDOM|WP:NOTWIKIA|the essay explaining that Wikipedia is not Fandom|Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not Fandom}}

Wikipedia is not a [[social networking service]] like [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[YouTube]] or [[Instagram]], nor a [[social-network game]]. It is not a place to host your own [[website]], [[blog]], [[wiki]], [[résumé]], or [[File hosting service|cloud]]. Wikipedia pages, '''including those in [[Wikipedia:User pages|user space]]''', are not:

# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTCV|WP:NOTRESUME}}'''Personal web pages'''. [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedians]] have individual user pages, but they should be used primarily to present information relevant to work on the encyclopedia. [[WP:UPYES|Limited autobiographical information]] is allowed, but user pages do not serve as personal webpages, blogs, or repositories for large amounts of material irrelevant to collaborating on Wikipedia. If you want to post your résumé or make a personal webpage, please use one of the many free providers on the Internet or any hosting included with your [[Internet service provider]]. The focus of user pages <em>should not</em> be [[social networking service|social networking]] or [[WP:UP#GAMES|amusement]], but rather providing a foundation for effective [[collaboration]]. [[:Category:Wikipedia humor|Humorous pages]] that refer to Wikipedia in some way may be created in an appropriate [[WP:Namespace|namespace]]. Personal web pages are often [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|speedily deleted]] under criterion [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#U5|U5]]. Wikipedia articles use formal English and are [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Tone|not written in Internet posting style]].
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTFILESTORAGE}}'''[[File hosting service|File storage]] areas'''. Please upload only [[Wikipedia:File|files]] that are used (or could be used) in encyclopedia articles or project pages; anything else (e.g., personal photos) will be deleted. Ideally, freely licensed files should be uploaded to [[:commons:Main Page|Wikimedia Commons]], where they can be linked from Wikipedia.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTDATING}}'''[[Dating service]]s'''. Wikipedia is not an appropriate place to pursue relationships or sexual encounters. User pages that move beyond broad expressions of sexual orientation are unacceptable.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTMEMORIAL}}'''[[Memorial]]s'''. Subjects of encyclopedia articles must satisfy [[Wikipedia:Notability (people)|Wikipedia's notability requirements]]. Wikipedia is not the place to memorialize deceased friends, relatives, acquaintances, or others who <strong>do not meet such requirements</strong>. ([[WP:RIP]] is excluded from this rule.)
# '''Content for projects unrelated to Wikipedia'''. Do not store material unrelated to Wikipedia, including in userspace. Please see [[WP:UPNOT]] for examples of what may not be included.

If you are interested in using the wiki technology for a collaborative effort on something else, even just a single page, many free and commercial sites provide wiki/web hosting (e.g. [[Fandom (website)|Fandom]] and [[Google Sites]]). You can also install wiki software on your own server. See the [[mw:Manual:Installation guide|installation guide]] at MediaWiki.org for information on doing this.

{{anchor|NOTYOURS|Not yours}}<strong>[[WP:Ownership of content|You do not own your userpage]]</strong>. It is a part of Wikipedia, and exists to make collaboration among Wikipedians easier, not for self-promotion.

===Wikipedia is not a directory===
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{{anchor|Complete|Cross|DIR|DIRECTORY|Directories|Sales|INDEX|Index}}
{{Redirect2|WP:DIRECTORY|WP:NOTSALE| a listing of Wikipedia's directories and indexes|Wikipedia:Directory|"adminship is not for sale" essay|WP:ANOT#SALE}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lists|Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists}}
[[File:Two-volume Yellow Pages® directory for Auckland, New Zealand.png|thumb|right|upright=0.7|[[Yellow pages|Nuh-uh]]]]

Wikipedia encompasses many lists of links to articles within Wikipedia that are used for internal organization or to describe a notable subject. In that sense, Wikipedia functions as an index or directory of its own content. However, Wikipedia is not a directory of everything in the universe that exists or has existed. Please see [[Wikipedia:Alternative outlets]] for alternatives. Wikipedia articles are not:
# {{anchor|simplelists}}'''Simple listings''' without [[Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Provide context for the reader|contextual information]] showing encyclopedic merit. Listings such as the [[Telephone directory|white]] or [[yellow pages]] should not be replicated. See [[WP:LISTCRITERIA]] for more information.
# '''Lists or repositories of loosely associated topics''' such as (but not limited to) quotations, [[aphorism]]s, or persons (real or fictional). If you want to enter lists of quotations, put them into our sister project [[Wikiquote]]. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having [[Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists|lists]] if their entries are relevant {{em|because}} they are associated with or significantly contribute to the list topic. Wikipedia also includes reference tables and tabular information for quick reference. ''Merged groups of small articles'' based on a core topic are permitted. (See [[Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists#Appropriate topics for lists|Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists §&nbsp;Appropriate topics for lists]] for clarification.)
# {{policy shortcut|WP:CROSSCAT}}{{anchor|Non-encyclopedic cross-categorizations}}'''Non-encyclopedic cross-categorizations''', such as "people from ethnic / cultural / religious group X employed by organization Y" or "restaurants specializing in food type X in city Y". Cross-categories such as these are not considered a sufficient basis for creating an article, unless the intersection of those categories is in some way a culturally significant phenomenon. See also [[Wikipedia:Overcategorization]] for this issue in categories.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTGENEALOGY}}{{anchor|NOTGENEALOGY|Genealogical|GENEALOGY}}'''Genealogical entries'''. Family histories should be presented only where appropriate to support the reader's understanding of a [[WP:Notability|notable]] topic.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTTVGUIDE}}{{anchor|NOTTVGUIDE}}'''[[Electronic program guide]]s'''. An article on a broadcaster should not list upcoming events, current promotions, current schedules, [[Broadcast clock|format clock]]s, etc., although mention of major events, promotions or historically significant program lists and schedules may be acceptable.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTPRICE}}{{anchor|YELLOWPAGES|Wikipedia is not Yellow Pages}}'''A resource for conducting business'''. Neither articles nor their associated talk pages are for conducting the business of the topic of the article. Listings to be avoided include, but are not limited to: business alliances, clients, competitors, employees (except CEOs, supervisory directors and similar top functionaries), equipment, estates, offices, store locations, contact information, patent filings, products and services, sponsors, subdivisions and tourist attractions. An article should not include product pricing or availability information (which can vary widely with time and location) unless there is an independent [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|source]] <em>and</em> encyclopedic significance for the mention, which may be indicated by mainstream media sources or books (not just [[review|product reviews]]) providing commentary on these details instead of just passing mention. Wikipedia is not a [[Comparison shopping website|price comparison service]] to compare prices and availability of competing products or a single product from different vendors. Lists of creative works are permitted. Thus, for example, Wikipedia should not include a list of all books published by [[HarperCollins]], but may include a bibliography of books written by HarperCollins author [[Veronica Roth#Bibliography|Veronica Roth]].

===Wikipedia is not a manual, guidebook, textbook, or scientific journal===
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[[File:Crisco Cookbook 1912.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|right|alt=Antique book cover: Tested Crisco Recipes|[[To Serve Man (short story)|It's a cookbook!]] {{nobr|(But Wikipedia}} is not)]]
Wikipedia [[WP:Encyclopedia|is an encyclopedic reference]], not an instruction manual, guidebook, or textbook. Wikipedia articles should not read like:
# '''Instruction manuals and cookbooks''': while Wikipedia has descriptions of people, places and things, an [[WP:WIAA|article]] should not read like a "how-to" style [[owner's manual]], [[cookbook]], [[advice column]] ([[Wikipedia:Legal disclaimer|legal]], [[Wikipedia:Medical disclaimer|medical]] or otherwise) or [[suggestion box]]. This includes tutorials, instruction manuals, game guides, and recipes. Describing to the reader how people or things use or do something is encyclopedic; instructing the reader in the [[imperative mood]] about how to use or do something is not.<ref>The how-to restriction does not apply to the [[Wikipedia:Project namespace|project namespace]], where [[:Category:Wikipedia how-to|"how-to"s relevant to editing Wikipedia itself]] are appropriate, such as [[Wikipedia:How to draw a diagram with Dia]].</ref> Wording can easily be modified to avoid advising the reader: {{!xt|Do not give aspirin ...}} ⇒ {{xt|The WHO advises against the use of aspirin ...}}. Such guides may be welcome at [[Wikibooks]] instead.
# '''[[Travel guide]]s''': an article on [[Paris]] should mention landmarks, such as the [[Eiffel Tower]] and the [[Louvre]], but not the telephone numbers or street addresses of the [[WP:POV|"best"]] restaurants, nor the current price of a café au lait on the [[Champs-Élysées]]. Wikipedia is not the place to recreate content more suited to entries in hotel or culinary guides, travelogues, and the like. Notable locations may meet the inclusion criteria, but the resulting articles need not include every tourist attraction, restaurant, hotel or venue, etc. While travel guides for a city will often mention distant attractions, a Wikipedia article for a city should list only those that are actually in the city. If you <em>do</em> wish to help write a travel guide, your contributions would be more than welcome at our sister project, [[Wikivoyage]].
# '''[[Strategy guide]]s''': an article about a [[video game]] should briefly summarize the story and the main actions the player performs in the game. Avoid lists of gameplay concepts and items unless these are notable as discussed in secondary sources in their own right in gaming context (such as the [[BFG (weapon)|BFG]] from the [[Doom (franchise)|''Doom'' series]]). A concise summary of gameplay details (specific point values, achievements, time-limits, levels, types of enemies, etc.) is appropriate if it is essential to understanding the game or its significance in the industry, but walk-throughs and detailed coverage are not. See also [[WP:WAF]] and [[WP:VGSCOPE]]. As of [[b:Wikibooks:Reading room/Proposals/2022/February#Start allowing game strategies|a 2021 decision to start allowing them]], such guides may be welcome at [[Wikibooks]] instead.
# '''[[Internet guide]]s''': Wikipedia articles should not exist <em>only</em> to describe the nature, appearance or services a website offers, but should also describe the site in an <em>encyclopedic manner</em>, offering detail on a website's achievements, impact or historical significance, which can be kept significantly more up-to-date than most reference sources, since editors can incorporate new developments and facts as they are made known. See the [[Portal:Current events|Current events portal]] for examples.
# '''FAQs''': Wikipedia articles should not list [[frequently asked questions]] (FAQs). Instead, format the information as neutral prose within the appropriate article(s).
# '''Textbooks and annotated texts''': the purpose of Wikipedia is to [[WP:Summary style|summarize]] accepted knowledge, not to teach subject matter. Articles should not read like [[textbook]]s, with leading questions and systematic problem solutions as examples. These belong on our sister projects, such as [[Wikibooks]], [[Wikisource]], and [[Wikiversity]]. {{anchor|INFORM, NOT INSTRUCT}}However, examples intended to <em>inform</em> rather than to <em>instruct</em>, may be appropriate for inclusion in Wikipedia articles.
# '''[[Scientific journal]]s''': a Wikipedia article should not be presented on the assumption that the reader is well-versed in the topic's field. Article titles should reflect [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (common names)|common usage]], not academic terminology, whenever possible. Introductory language in the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section|lead]] (and sometimes the initial sections) of the article should be written in plain terms and concepts that can be understood by any literate reader of Wikipedia without any knowledge in the given field before advancing to more detailed explanations of the topic. While [[Help:Wikilinks|wikilinks]] should be provided for advanced terms and concepts in that field, articles should be written on the assumption that the reader will not or cannot follow these links, instead attempting to infer their meaning from the text. See [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Linking]]. Publishing such scientific articles may be more appropriate for [[WikiJournal]] in Wikiversity.
# <span class="anchor" id="CASESTUDY">'''Case studies'''</span>: many topics are based on the relationship of ''factor X'' to ''factor Y'', resulting in one or more full articles. For example, this could refer to ''situation X'' in ''location Y'', or ''version X'' of ''item Y''. This is perfectly acceptable when the two variables put together represent some culturally significant phenomenon or some otherwise notable interest. Often, separate articles are needed for a subject within a range of different countries, due to substantial differences across international borders; articles such as "[[Slate industry in Wales]]" are fitting examples. Writing about "[[Oak trees in North Carolina]]" or "[[Blue trucks]]", however, would likely constitute a [[WP:POVFORK|POV fork]] or [[WP:No original research|original research]], and would certainly not result in an encyclopedic article.

===Wikipedia is not a crystal ball===
{{policy shortcut|WP:CRYSTAL|WP:CRYSTALBALL|WP:NOTCRYSTAL|WP:RUMOUR|WP:RUMOR|WP:SPECULATION|WP:FUTURE}}
{{anchor|CBALL|CRYSTAL|CRYSTALBALL}}
{{redirect|WP:FUTURE|the WikiProject|Wikipedia:WikiProject Futures studies}}
[[File:Poster of Alexander Crystal Seer.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|alt=Antique carnival poster: "Alexander Crystal-Seer: Knows, Sees, Tells All"|...{{nbsp}}but Wikipedia does not.]]
Wikipedia is not a collection of [[wikipedia:Verifiability|unverifiable]] speculation, rumors, or presumptions. Wikipedia does not predict the future. All articles about anticipated events must be verifiable, and the subject matter must be of sufficiently wide interest that it would merit an article if the event had already occurred. It <em>is</em> appropriate to report discussion and arguments about the prospects for success of future proposals and projects or whether some development will occur, if discussion is properly referenced. It is <em>not</em> appropriate for editors to insert [[WP:No original research|their own opinions or analyses]]. Predictions, speculation, forecasts and theories stated by reliable, expert sources or recognized entities in a field may be included, though editors should be aware of creating [[WP:UNDUE|undue bias]] to any specific point of view. In forward-looking articles about unreleased products, such as films and games, take special care to avoid [[Wikipedia:Spam|advertising]] and unverified claims (for films, see [[WP:NFF]]). In particular:

# Individual '''scheduled or expected future events''' should be included only if the event is notable and almost certain to take place. Dates are <strong>not definite</strong> until the event actually takes place, as even otherwise-notable events can be cancelled or postponed at the last minute by a major incident. If preparation for the event is not already in progress, speculation about it must be well documented. Examples of appropriate topics include the [[{{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}} + 4 + ({{CURRENTYEAR}} * -1)mod4 }} United States presidential election|{{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}} + 4 + ({{CURRENTYEAR}} * -1)mod4 }} U.S. presidential election]] and [[{{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}} + (2*4) - ({{CURRENTYEAR}}mod4)}} Summer Olympics]]. By comparison, the [[{{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}} + (5*4) + ({{CURRENTYEAR}} * -1)mod4 }} United States presidential election|{{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}} + (5*4) + ({{CURRENTYEAR}} * -1)mod4 }} U.S. presidential election]] and [[{{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}} + (6*4) - ({{CURRENTYEAR}}mod4)}} Summer Olympics]] are not appropriate article topics if nothing can be said about them that is verifiable and not original research. Avoid predicted sports team line-ups, which are inherently unverifiable and speculative. A schedule of future events may be appropriate if it can be verified. As an exception, even highly speculative articles about events that may or may not occur far in the future <em>might</em> be appropriate, where coverage in reliable sources is sufficient. For example, the [[ultimate fate of the universe]] is an acceptable topic.
# Individual items from a '''predetermined list or a systematic pattern of names''', pre-assigned to future events or discoveries, are not suitable article topics, if only generic information is known about the item. [[Lists of tropical cyclone names]] is encyclopedic; "[[{{#invoke:biglist|storm}}]]" is not, even though it is virtually certain that such a storm will occur. Similarly, articles about '''words formed on a predictable numeric system''' (such as "[[septenquinquagintillion]]"{{refn|group=lower-alpha|This is a large number, and would be written as a 1 followed by 174 zeros}}) are not encyclopedic unless they are defined on good authority, or genuinely in use. Certain scientific extrapolations are considered to be encyclopedic, such as [[Extended periodic table|chemical elements documented before isolation in the laboratory]], provided that scientists have made significant non-trivial predictions of their properties.
# Articles that present original research in the form of '''extrapolation, speculation, and "future history"''' are inappropriate. Although scientific and cultural norms continually evolve, we must wait for this evolution to happen, rather than try to predict it. Of course, we do and should have articles <em>about</em> <strong>notable</strong> <em>artistic works, essays, or credible research</em> that embody predictions. An article on [[Weapons in Star Trek|weapons in ''Star Trek'']] is appropriate; an article on "[[Weapons to be used in World War III]]" is not.
# Although currently accepted scientific paradigms may later be rejected, and hypotheses previously held to be controversial or incorrect sometimes become accepted by the scientific community, it is not the place of Wikipedia to venture such projections.
# '''Wikipedia is not a collection of product announcements and rumors'''. Although Wikipedia includes up-to-date knowledge about newly revealed products, short articles that consist of only product announcement information and rumors are not appropriate. Until such time that more encyclopedic knowledge about the product can be verified, product announcements should be merged to a larger topic (such as an article about the creator(s), a series of products, or a previous product) if applicable.

{{clear}}

===Wikipedia is not a newspaper===
<!-- "Wikipedia:Notability (people)#People notable for only one event" links here -->
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOTNEWS}}
{{anchor|NEWSPAPER|NEWS}}<!-- This anchor tag serves to provide a permanent target for incoming shortcut links. Please do not remove or modify it.-->
{{See also|Wikipedia:Notability (events)|Wikipedia:Too much detail|Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not a newspaper}}
[[File:New York Times Frontpage 1914-07-29.png|thumb|right|upright=0.75|[[Newspaper extra|Extra! Extra!]] Wikipedia is not [[The New York Times|a newspaper]]!]]

In principle, all Wikipedia articles should contain up-to-date information. Editors are also encouraged to develop stand-alone articles on significant current events. However, not all verifiable events are suitable for inclusion in Wikipedia. Even when citing recent news articles as sources, ensure the Wikipedia articles themselves are not:

# {{anchor|ORIGINALREPORTING}}'''Original reporting'''. Wikipedia should not offer first-hand news reports on breaking stories. Wikipedia does not constitute a [[WP:PRIMARY|primary source]]. However, our sister projects [[Wikisource]] and [[Wikinews]] do exactly that, and <em>are</em> intended to be primary sources. Wikipedia does have many <em>encyclopedia articles</em> on topics of historical significance that are currently in the news, and can be updated with recently [[WP:V|verified]] information.
# {{anchor|NEWSREPORTS}}'''News reports'''. Wikipedia considers the enduring [[Wikipedia:Notability|notability]] of persons and events. While news coverage can be useful source material for encyclopedic topics, most newsworthy events do not qualify for inclusion and Wikipedia is not written in [[news style]]. For example, routine news coverage of announcements, events, sports, or celebrities, while sometimes useful, is not by itself a sufficient basis for inclusion of the subject of that coverage (see [[WP:ROUTINE]] for more on this with regard to routine ''events''). Also, while including information on recent developments is sometimes appropriate, breaking news should not be emphasized or otherwise treated differently from other information. Timely news subjects not suitable for Wikipedia may be suitable for our sister project [[n:Main page|Wikinews]].
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTWHOSWHO}}{{anchor|NOTWHOSWHO|WHOSWHO}}'''Who's who'''. Even when an event is notable, individuals involved in it may not be. Unless news coverage of an individual goes beyond the context of a [[WP:1E|single event]], our coverage of that individual should be limited to the article about that event, [[WP:DUE|in proportion]] to their importance to the overall topic. (See [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons]] for more details.)
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTGOSSIP|WP:NOTDIARY}}{{anchor|NOTDIARY|DIARY|NOTADIARY}}'''Celebrity gossip and diaries'''. Even when an individual is notable, not all events they are involved in are. For example, news reporting about celebrities and sports figures can be very frequent and cover a lot of trivia, but using all these sources would lead to overly detailed articles that look like a diary. Not every facet of a celebrity's life, personal details, matches played, or goals scored warrants inclusion in the biography of that person, only those for which they have notability or for which our readers are reasonably likely to have an interest.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTUPTIME}}{{anchor|NOTUPTIME}}'''Uptime tracking'''. Services go down all the time. Readers are not expected to check Wikipedia articles to verify service outages. For web services, readers have ample automatic options for that purpose. For meatspace services, readers should be reaching out to the people who manage the service. Accordingly, editors should not manually edit service status updates into articles as if the articles are used for that purpose. Major outages may be notable on a case-by-case basis, especially when they have a notable cause, but the vast majority of outages simply are not notable.

===Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information===
{{policy shortcut|WP:INDISCRIMINATE|WP:NOTDATABASE|WP:NOTDB}}
{{anchor|ALSONOT|ENC|IINFO|INFO|NOTES|TRIVIA|INDISCRIMINATE|NOTDATABASE|DATABASE|DB}}
{{Redirect|WP:PLOT|information regarding plot summary manuals of style|MOS:PLOT}}
{{Redirect|WP:INDISCRIMINATE|indiscriminate sources|WP:Indiscriminate sources}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Notability|Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Trivia sections}}

To provide encyclopedic value, [[data]] should be put in context with explanations referenced to independent sources. As explained in {{article section|Encyclopedic content}} above, merely being true, or even [[WP:verifiability|verifiable]], does not automatically make something suitable for inclusion in the encyclopedia. Wikipedia articles should not be:

# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTPLOT}}{{anchor|PLOT|NOTPLOT}}'''Summary-only descriptions of works'''. Wikipedia treats [[creative work]]s (including, for example, works of art or fiction, video games, documentaries, research books or papers, and religious texts) in an encyclopedic manner, discussing the development, design, reception, significance, and influence of works in addition to concise summaries of those works. For more information regarding summaries, see {{section link|Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Writing about fiction|Contextual presentation}}.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTLYRICS}}{{anchor|LYRICS|NOTLYRICS}}'''Lyrics databases'''. An article about a song should provide information about authorship, date of publication, social impact, and so on. Quotations from a song should be kept to a reasonable length relative to the rest of the article, and used to facilitate discussion, or to illustrate the style; the full text can be put on [[Wikisource]] and linked from the article. Most song lyrics published after {{#expr:{{CURRENTYEAR}} - 95}} are protected by [[WP:copyrights|copyright]]; any quotation of them must be kept to a minimum, and used for direct commentary or to illustrate some aspect of style. Never link to the lyrics of copyrighted songs unless the linked-to site clearly has the right to distribute the work. See [[Wikipedia:Do not include the full text of lengthy primary sources]] for full discussion.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTSTATS}}{{anchor|STATS|NOTSTATS}}'''Excessive listings of unexplained [[statistic]]s'''. Statistics that lack context or explanation can reduce readability and may be confusing; accordingly, statistics should be placed in tables to enhance readability, and articles with statistics should include explanatory text providing context. Where statistics are so lengthy as to impede the readability of the article, the statistics can be [[Wikipedia:Splitting|split]] into a separate article and [[Wikipedia:Summary style|summarized]] in the main article (e.g., statistics from the main article [[2012 United States presidential election]] were moved to a related article [[Nationwide opinion polling for the 2012 United States presidential election]]). [[Wikipedia:Notability#Stand-alone lists|Wikipedia:Notability § Stand-alone lists]] offers more guidance on what kind of lists are acceptable, and [[Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists#Selection criteria|Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists § Selection criteria]] offers guidance on what entries should be included.
# {{policy shortcut|WP:NOTCHANGELOG}}{{anchor|CHANGELOG|NOTCHANGELOG}}'''Exhaustive logs of software updates'''. Use [[WP:reliable sources|reliable]] third-party (not [[WP:PRIMARY|self-published or official]]) sources in articles dealing with software updates to describe the versions listed or discussed in the article. Common sense must be applied regarding the level of detail to include. A list of every version/beta/patch is inappropriate. Consider a summary of development instead.

===Wikipedia is not censored===
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOTCENSORED|WP:WINC|WP:CENSOR|WP:UNCENSORED}}
{{anchor|CENSOR|CENSORED}}
{{Redirect|WP:REDACTION|the criteria for redaction|WP:CRD}}
{{Main|Wikipedia:Content disclaimer}}
{{See also|Censorship of Wikipedia|Wikipedia:Offensive material|wmf:Resolution:Controversial content}}

Wikipedia may contain content that some readers consider objectionable or offensive{{mdashb}}even exceedingly so. Attempting to ensure that articles and images will be acceptable to all readers, or will adhere to general [[Social norm|social]] or [[religion|religious]] norms, is incompatible with the purposes of an encyclopedia.

Content <em>will</em> be removed if it is judged to violate [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia's policies]] (especially those on [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons|biographies of living persons]] and using a [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]]) or the [[law of the United States]] (where Wikipedia is hosted). However, because most edits are displayed immediately, inappropriate material may be visible to readers, for a time, before being detected and removed.

{{Options to not see an image}}
Some articles may include images, text, or links which are relevant to the topic but that some people find objectionable. Discussion of potentially objectionable content should usually focus not on its potential offensiveness but on whether it is [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Images#Pertinence and encyclopedic nature|an appropriate image]], text, or [[WP:LINK|link]]. Beyond that, "being objectionable" is generally not sufficient grounds for the removal of content. The [[Wikipedia:Offensive material]] guideline can help assess appropriate actions to take in the case of content that may be considered offensive.

Some organizations' rules or traditions call for secrecy with regard to certain information about them. Such restrictions do not apply to Wikipedia, because Wikipedia is not a member of those organizations; thus, Wikipedia will not remove such information from articles if it is otherwise encyclopedic.
{{Cquote|The University is not engaged in making ideas safe for students. It is engaged in making students safe for ideas. Thus it permits the freest expression of views before students, trusting to their good sense in passing judgment on these views.|author=[[Clark Kerr]], President of the [[University of California]] (1961)<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/12/02_kerr.shtml|title=Former UC President Clark Kerr, a national leader in higher education, dies at 92|date=December 2, 2003|publisher=UC Berkeley|access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref>}}

==Community==
{{anchor|COMM|COMMUNITY}}
The above policies are about Wikipedia's content. The following relate to Wikipedia's governance and processes.

===Wikipedia is not an anarchy or a forum for free speech<span id="Wikipedia is not an anarchy"></span>===
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOTANARCHY|WP:NOTFREESPEECH}}
{{anchor|ANARCHY}}
{{Redirect|WP:ANARCHY|WikiProject Anarchism|Wikipedia:WikiProject Anarchism}}
{{See also|m:Power structure|WP:User access levels|WP:Enforcement}}
{{Main|Wikipedia:Administration}}
[[File:Wikimania 2014 - 0803 - Speaker's Corner220908.jpg|left|upright|thumb|{{shy|Wikipedia is En|cy|clo|pe|dists' Corner, not [[Speakers' Corner]].}}]]

Wikipedia is free and open, but restricts both freedom and openness where they interfere with creating an encyclopedia. Accordingly, Wikipedia is not an unregulated forum for free speech. The fact that Wikipedia is an open, self-governing project does not mean that any part of its purpose is to explore the viability of [[List of anarchist communities|anarchist communities]]. [[Wikipedia:Purpose|Our purpose]] is to [[Wikipedia:Here to build an encyclopedia|build an encyclopedia]], not to test the limits of [[anarchism]].

===Wikipedia is not a democracy===
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOTDEMOCRACY}}
{{anchor|DEM|DEMOCRACY}}
{{Redirect|WP:DEMOCRACY|Wikipedia's democratic structures|WP:WikiProject Democracy}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Polling is not a substitute for discussion|Wikipedia:Elections}}
[[File:Election MG 3455.JPG|thumb|A ballot box. Note that most Wikipedia decisions are [[WP:Polling is not a substitute for discussion|not a result of a vote]].]]
Wikipedia is {{plainlink|http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikien-l/2005-January/018735.html not an experiment in democracy}} or any other [[political system]]. Its primary (though not exclusive) means of decision making and conflict resolution is [[Wikipedia:Editing policy|editing]] and [[Help:Talk pages|discussion]] leading to [[wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]]—{{em|not}} [[m:don't vote on everything|voting]]. ([[WP:Elections|Voting is used for certain matters]] such as electing the [[Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee|Arbitration Committee]].) [[Wikipedia:Polling is not a substitute for discussion|Straw polls]] are sometimes used to test for consensus, but polls or surveys can impede, rather than foster, discussion and should be used with caution.

Off-site petitions and votes have no weight in the formation of consensus on Wikipedia.

===Wikipedia is not a bureaucracy===
{{policy shortcut|WP:BUREAUCRACY||WP:BUREAU|WP:NOTBURO|WP:NOTLAW|WP:BURO}}
{{anchor|BUREAUCRACY}}
{{Redirect2|WP:BURO|WP:BUREAU|the "bureaucrat" user access level|Wikipedia:Bureaucrats}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Ignore all rules}}
[[File:Rise of non-mainspace pages compared to mainspace articles.png|thumb|Non-article pages outnumber articles by nearly 10:1. ]]
While Wikipedia [[WP:Human and legal administration|has many elements]] of a [[bureaucracy]],<ref name="Jr.Lessig2010">{{cite book|author1=Joseph Michael Reagle, Jr.|author2=Lawrence Lessig |authorlink2=Lawrence Lessig |title=Good Faith Collaboration: The Culture of Wikipedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ml7SlTq8XvIC&pg=PA90|year=2010|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=9780262014472|pages=90–91}}</ref> it is not governed by statute: it is not a [[quasi-judicial body]], and rules are not the purpose of the community. Although [[WP:Enforcement|some rules may be enforced]], the written rules themselves do not set accepted practice. Rather, they document already-existing community consensus regarding what should be accepted and what should be rejected.

While Wikipedia's written [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|policies and guidelines]] should be taken seriously, they can be misused. Do not follow an overly strict interpretation of the [[Wikipedia:Wikilawyering|<em>letter</em>]] of policies without considering their <em>principles</em>. If the rules truly prevent you from improving the encyclopedia, [[Wikipedia:Ignore all rules|ignore them]]. Disagreements are resolved through [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus-based]] discussion, not by tightly sticking to rules and procedures. Furthermore, policies and guidelines themselves [[WP:PGLIFE|may be changed]] to reflect [[WP:CCC|evolving consensus]].

A procedural error made in a proposal or request is not grounds for rejecting that proposal or request.

A procedural, coding, or grammatical error in a new contribution [[WP:PRESERVE|is not grounds for reverting it]], unless the error cannot easily be fixed.

===Wikipedia is not a laboratory===
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOTLAB|WP:NOTALAB}}

Research about Wikipedia's content, processes, and the people involved<ref>See [[Wikipedia:Academic studies of Wikipedia|list of academic studies of Wikipedia]], [[Meta:Research|Research resources at Wikimedia Meta]], the [[Meta:Research:Newsletter|Meta research newsletter]], and the [https://blog.wikimedia.org/c/foundation/research/wikimedia-research-newsletter/ Wikimedia Foundation research blog].</ref> can provide valuable insights and understanding that benefit public knowledge, scholarship, and the Wikipedia community, but Wikipedia is not a public laboratory. Research that analyzes articles, talk pages, or other content on Wikipedia is not typically controversial, since all of Wikipedia is [[WP:5P3|open and freely usable]]. However, research projects that are [[Wikipedia:Disruptive editing|disruptive]] to the community or which negatively affect articles&mdash;even temporarily&mdash;are not allowed and can result in loss of editing privileges. Before starting a potentially controversial project,<ref>Projects that are "potentially controversial" include, but are not limited to, any project that involves directly changing article content (contributors are expected to have as their primary motivation the betterment of the encyclopedia, without a competing motivation such as research objectives), any project that involves contacting a very large number of editors, and any project that involves asking sensitive questions about their real-life identities.</ref> researchers should open discussion at the [[WP:VPR|Village pump]] to ensure it will not interfere with Wikipedia's mission. Regardless of the type of project, researchers are advised to be as transparent as possible on their user pages, disclosing information such as institutional connections and intentions.<ref>See also [[Wikipedia:Researching Wikipedia|Researching Wikipedia]], [[Wikipedia:Ethically researching Wikipedia|Ethically researching Wikipedia]], as well as the [[WP:COI|conflict of interest guideline]] and [[WP:PAID|paid-contribution disclosure policy]] (if researchers editing Wikipedia are being paid under grants to do so, this is paid editing that must be disclosed).</ref>

Some editors explicitly request not to be subjects in research and experiments. Please respect the wish of editors to opt out of research.

===Wikipedia is not a battleground===
{{policy shortcut|WP:BATTLEGROUND|WP:BATTLE}}
{{anchor|BATTLE|BATTLEGROUND}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Wikipedia is not about winning|Wikipedia:Behave}}
Wikipedia is not a place to hold grudges or import personal conflicts, nor is it the place to carry on ideological battles or nurture prejudice, hatred, or fear. Making personal battles out of Wikipedia discussions is in ''direct conflict'' of Wikipedia's policies and goals, as well as Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Five Pillars|founding principles]]. In addition to avoiding battles in discussions, you should also avoid advancing your position in disagreements by making unilateral changes to policies. [[Wikipedia:Do not disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point|Do not disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point]].

Every user is expected to interact with others [[Wikipedia:Civility|civilly]], calmly, and in a spirit of cooperation. Do not [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|insult]], [[WP:Harassment|harass]], or intimidate those with whom you have a disagreement. Rather, approach the matter intelligently and engage in polite discussion. If another user behaves in an uncivil, uncooperative, or insulting manner, or even tries to harass or intimidate you, this does not give you an excuse to respond in kind. Address only the factual points brought forward, ignoring the inappropriate comments, or disregard that user entirely. If necessary, point out gently that you think the comments might be considered uncivil, and make it clear that you want to move on and focus on the content issue. If a conflict continues to bother you, take advantage of [[Wikipedia:Dispute resolution|Wikipedia's dispute resolution]] process. There are always users willing to mediate and [[Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests|arbitrate]] disputes between others.

In large disputes, resist the urge to turn Wikipedia into a battleground between factions. [[WP:Assume good faith|Assume good faith]] that every editor and group is here to improve Wikipedia—especially if they hold a point of view with which you disagree. Work with whomever you like, but do not [[Wikipedia:Canvassing|organize a faction]] that disrupts (or aims to disrupt) Wikipedia's fundamental decision-making process, which is based on building a [[WP:consensus|consensus]]. Editors in large disputes should work in good faith to find broad principles of agreement between different viewpoints.

Do not use Wikipedia to make [[Wikipedia:No legal threats|legal]] or other threats against Wikipedia, its editors, or the Wikimedia Foundation—other means already exist to communicate legal problems.<ref>If you believe that your legal rights are being violated, you may discuss this with other users involved, take the matter to the appropriate [[meta:Mailing list|mailing list]], contact the [http://wikimediafoundation.org Wikimedia Foundation], or in cases of [[Wikipedia:Copyrights|copyright]] violations, notify us at [[Wikipedia:Contact us/Article problem/Copyright]].</ref> Threats are not tolerated and may result in a [[Wikipedia:Banning policy|ban]].
{{clear}}

===Wikipedia is not compulsory===
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOTCOMPULSORY|WP:CHOICE}}
{{anchor|COMPULSORY}}
{{Redirect|WP:NOTREQUIRED|"References are not optional" essay|WP:OPTIONAL}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Wikipedia is a volunteer service}}
Wikipedia is a volunteer community and does not require Wikipedians to give any more time and effort than they wish. Focus on improving the encyclopedia itself, rather than demanding more from other Wikipedians. Editors are free to take a break or leave Wikipedia at any time.

==And finally…==
{{policy shortcut|WP:BADIDEA|WP:NOTSTUPID}}
{{anchor|NOTSTUPID|STUPID}}

Wikipedia is not a lot of other things as well. We cannot anticipate every "bad" idea that someone might have. Almost everything on this page is here because somebody came up with a "bad" idea that had not been anticipated. In general, "that is a terrible idea" is always sufficient grounds to avoid doing something when there is a good reason that the idea is terrible.

==When you wonder what to do==
{{policy shortcut|WP:WHATISTOBEDONE}}
{{anchor|WHATISTOBEDONE}}
When you wonder what should or should not be in an article, ask yourself what a reader would expect to find under the same heading <em>in an encyclopedia</em>.

When you wonder whether the rules given above are being violated, consider:
# Modifying the content of an article (normal editing).
# Turning the page into a redirect, preserving the page history.
# [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|Nominating the page for deletion]] if it meets grounds for such action under the [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|Deletion policy]]. To develop an understanding of what kinds of contributions are in danger of being deleted, you have to regularly follow discussions there.
# Changing the rules on this page after a consensus has been reached following appropriate discussion with other Wikipedians via [[Wikipedia talk:What Wikipedia is not|the talk page]]. When adding new options, please be as clear as possible and provide counter-examples of similar, but permitted, subjects.

[[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Common outcomes]] is not an official policy, but can be referred to as a record of what has and has not been considered encyclopedic in the past.

==See also==
* [[Wikipedia:Template messages/Cleanup#Style of writing|Wikipedia:Template messages/Cleanup §&nbsp;Style of writing]]—a list of templates that can be used to tag potentially inappropriate content when you can't fix the problem immediately yourself
* [[:wmf:Resolution:Controversial content]]
* [[Special:Prefixindex/Wikipedia:Wikipedia is|Pages titled "Wikipedia is{{nbsp}}..." and "Wikipedia is not{{nbsp}}..."]]
* [[Wikipedia:Avoiding common mistakes]]
* [[Wikipedia:Alternative outlets]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Common outcomes]]
* [[Wikipedia:Here to build an encyclopedia]]
* [[Wikipedia:Recentism]]
* [[Wikipedia:Why was the page I created deleted?]]
* [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not/Outtakes]] for a more humorous version

==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Wikipedia principles}}
{{Wikipedia policies and guidelines}}

[[Category:Wikipedia content policies]]