“We Already Have a Draft” — Why That’s Not a Shortcut on Wikipedia
One of the most common misconceptions we hear from potential new clients is this:
“We already have a draft. We just need someone to post it.”
If you’ve ever said that, we hear you. It makes total sense. Your team put together a thoughtful, well-written version of the Wikipedia article. Why reinvent the wheel?
Here’s the honest truth: even if your draft looks good, it's probably more of a wishlist than a Wikipedia-ready article.
Wikipedia Has Its Own Rules—And They’re Not Optional
Wikipedia isn’t just looking for good writing. It’s looking for:
Independent journalistic sourcing
Neutral tone
Verifiable claims
No original research
No promotional language
That corporate comms-approved copy? It might be beautifully written, but if it’s based on a mix of press releases, blog posts, and future announcements, it’s not going to fly on Wikipedia. Volunteer editors will flag it (or worse, delete it) in a heartbeat.
We Don’t Just Copy and Paste—We Investigate
Even when a draft looks promising, our team starts every engagement with our own research. Why?
Because we want to save you time and money in the long run. When a Wikipedia editor evaluates an article, they don’t just read what you wrote. They Google your company, scan the references, and see what else is out there. We do the same exercise preemptively, to ensure that you're not getting surprised by editor scrutiny down the line.
Here's what we look at:
What kind of information is out there about your brand or your executives?
Is there reputable earned media coverage about your brand that meets Wikipedia's editorial standards?
What encyclopedic claims can we pull from those news sources?
What core claims are missing from that coverage?
Your draft is a starting point, but the final product must stand up to scrutiny. And proposing a draft we haven’t researched and helped contribute to undercuts our ability to defend the content and help you seek editor approval.
The Difference Between a Draft and a Wikipedia Article
Let’s break it down:
Even if your draft feels “done,” it likely needs at least a makeover to meet Wikipedia’s standards. Your draft may not feel like a press release to you, but if an expert hasn’t looked at it, there’s a good chance it will feel that way to editors. , Wikipedia needs an entry closer to Encyclopedia Britannica, complete with third-party journalistic footnotes for every single claim..
Our Approach: Respectful, Rigorous, Realistic
At Lumino, we’ve helped brands of all shapes, sizes, and sectors successfully navigate Wikipedia. We’re not here to overpromise, hack the system, or “just post it.” We’re here to help you do it right — the way Wikipedia intends so your article will last.
Need Help Assessing a Draft?
If you’re sitting on a draft and wondering if it’s ready, let’s take a look together. Our free consultations can help you figure out what’s usable, what’s not, and what needs to happen next.
👉 Book a free consultation and let’s make your Wikipedia goals realistic, achievable, and lasting.
