How to Contribute to Wikipedia — My Experience

I recently took a small detour from my usual topics to write my first Wikipedia article.

I have been renting out apartments in Denmark for more than 30 years and found myself searching for some information that dated back before 2001.

I wanted to share the information because

  • It was hard to find
  • It was of general interest for both parties when renting an apartment, a room or a house in Denmark.
  • It potentially concerns a lot of people. Basically all landlords and tenants.

Since it was missing from Wikipedia, I decided to fill that gap. Here is a short guide, based on my experience, on how you can do it too.

My article (only in Danish)

In short, the article helps landlords and tenants to use the right version of the rental contract. Over the past 29 years there have been 4 versions and I explain the importance of using the right version and the potential consequences when you don’t.

Preparation

Check if your topic is missing or underdeveloped

Before creating an article, do a quick search on Wikipedia to make sure it doesn’t already exist or that it’s not adequately covered.

Read the key guidelines

There is a lot to read and it took me some time. Most is common sense, but I had extra focus on ensuring the Neutral Point of View. I also wanted to make sure that it looked like a real Wikipedia article. That is, ensure consistency.

Gather reliable sources

Every fact, statement, or claim should ideally have a reference from a reputable source. Wikipedia articles thrive on verifiability.

Most of my sources were government websites, so that was easy.

Writing Your Draft

Once you have signed up, you go to your Sandbox and start writing.

Use the Wikipedia Sandbox

You draft your article in the personal sandbox to get familiar with Wikipedia’s markup and style before publishing.

Focus on neutrality

Wikipedia articles must avoid personal opinions. State the facts, cite sources, and keep a neutral tone.

I made sure that both the landlord and the tenant would benefit equally from the article.

Wikipedia markup

Wikipedia has a special markup language, which is different from f.ex. Markdown. But you don’t really have to know anything about it. Simply use the editor.

Here are a few examples.

  • Use double square brackets for internal links, e.g., [[Article Title]].
  • Bold the article title the first time it appears, e.g., '''Article Title'''.
  • Use == Heading == syntax for section titles.

Publishing and Follow-Up

Once you have moved your article from the Sandbox to its real place, it is no longer your baby. It lives its own life and other people can contribute to it.

Review your draft

Double-check grammar, style, and references. Ensure your draft aligns with Wikipedia’s Manual of Style.

Move from sandbox to main space

Once you’re confident, you can publish your draft. Be prepared for feedback and possible edits from the Wikipedia community.

Monitor and respond

Other editors may add, remove, or refine content. Engage politely on the article’s talk page if you need to discuss changes.

Why Contribute?

Share knowledge

If you notice a topic of general interest that isn’t on Wikipedia or is incomplete, adding your expertise benefits everyone.

Strengthen Wikipedia

By contributing high-quality articles, you help maintain and improve the world’s largest encyclopedia.

Learn along the way

Writing in Wikipedia’s style forces you to be concise, neutral, and well-referenced — excellent skills for any research-based writing.

Closing Thoughts

Contributing to Wikipedia was hard work, fun, rewarding and informative.

In The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, in part Purgatorio, Canto XV (15), Virgil explains to Dante:

That the more of any material thing one man has, the less of it there is for others; whereas the more peace or knowledge or love one man has, the more there is for all the others.

Happy editing!