Wikipedia:FAQ/Readers: Difference between revisions
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==What is Wikipedia?== | ==What is Wikipedia?== | ||
{{See|Wikipedia:About}} | {{See|Wikipedia:About}} | ||
:Wikipedia is an encyclopedia which is free to use and edit. It is available in many different languages and on many devices. The content of Wikipedia is free to reproduce under the [[Creative Commons Attribution- | :Wikipedia is an encyclopedia which is free to use and edit. It is available in many different languages and on many devices. The content of Wikipedia is free to reproduce under the [[Wikipedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License|Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License]] (CC BY-SA) and the [[GNU Free Documentation License]] (GFDL), except for some images. | ||
==Who writes Wikipedia?== | ==Who writes Wikipedia?== | ||
{{see|Wikipedia:Administration}} | {{see|Wikipedia:Administration}} | ||
:Wikipedia is written and edited by volunteers from around the world. If you wish to help, you can start by visiting [[Help:Introduction | :Wikipedia is written and edited by volunteers from around the world. If you wish to help, you can start by visiting [[Help:Introduction|our introduction for contributors]]. | ||
==How | ==How do I access Wikipedia? == | ||
{{ | {{see|Help:Mobile access}} | ||
It is possible to access Wikipedia with several different methods, including options for older devices and modern apps for various platforms. | It is possible to access Wikipedia with several different methods, including options for older devices and modern apps for various platforms.{{explain}} | ||
==Is Wikipedia censored?== | ==Is Wikipedia censored?== | ||
:[[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not censored|Wikipedia is not censored]]. The community of Wikipedia editors determine what text and images are displayed, so there may be material that offends some people. There may be those who are offended, shocked or disgusted by medical images, nudity, religious imagery and controversial images. However, [[Censorship of Wikipedia|Wikipedia itself may be censored by the governments of various countries]]. In such cases, using a VPN might be required to access Wikipedia. | |||
:Wikipedia | |||
==<span id="SEARCH"></span>How do I search Wikipedia?== | ==<span id="SEARCH"></span>How do I search Wikipedia?== | ||
{{see|Help:Searching}} | {{see|Help:Searching}} | ||
{{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#SEARCH}} | {{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#SEARCH}} | ||
:There is a search box in the upper-right corner of the screen, with the word | :There is a search box in the upper-right corner of the screen, with the word "Search" in it. Just type what you are looking for into the search box and press {{key press|Enter}}. The search box can also be selected using the Windows keyboard shortcut {{key press|Shift}} {{key press|Alt}} {{key press|F}}. | ||
==<span id="RESEARCH"></span>How do I do research with Wikipedia?== | ==<span id="RESEARCH"></span>How do I do research with Wikipedia?== | ||
{{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#RESEARCH}} | {{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#RESEARCH}} | ||
See [[Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia]]. | |||
==<span id="LICENSE"></span>What is the license agreement on the contents of [[Wikipedia]]?== | ==<span id="LICENSE"></span>What is the license agreement on the contents of [[Wikipedia]]?== | ||
{{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#LICENSE}} | {{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#LICENSE}} | ||
:Wikipedia articles are all [[free content]] and their text is covered by the [[Wikipedia:Text of Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike | :Wikipedia articles are all [[free content]] and their text is covered by the [[Wikipedia:Text of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License|Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License]] (CC-BY-SA) and in most cases the [[Wikipedia:Text of the GNU Free Documentation License|GNU Free Documentation License]] (GFDL). See [[Wikipedia:Copyrights]]. | ||
==<span id="MIRROR"></span>May I mirror entire sections of the Wikipedia to my site? How much may I quote?== | ==<span id="MIRROR"></span>May I mirror entire sections of the Wikipedia to my site? How much may I quote?== | ||
| Line 46: | Line 44: | ||
==<span id="LINK"></span>If I link a word from my site to Wikipedia, am I required to use the [[GNU Free Documentation License|GNU FDL]] for my site?== | ==<span id="LINK"></span>If I link a word from my site to Wikipedia, am I required to use the [[GNU Free Documentation License|GNU FDL]] for my site?== | ||
{{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#LINK}} | {{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#LINK}} | ||
:No. Linking is not an act regulated by copyright | :No. Linking is not an act regulated by copyright. | ||
===<span id="QUOTE"></span>What if I use a small quote (three or four sentences)?=== | ===<span id="QUOTE"></span>What if I use a small quote (three or four sentences)?=== | ||
{{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#QUOTE}} | {{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#QUOTE}} | ||
:This may be covered by the [[fair use]] doctrine. | :This ''may'' be covered by the [[fair use]] doctrine, but use caution. | ||
===<span id="ARTICLE"></span>What if I quote entire articles?=== | ===<span id="ARTICLE"></span>What if I quote entire articles?=== | ||
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==<span id="CD"></span>Can I get Wikipedia on CD, or download it for offline use?== | ==<span id="CD"></span>Can I get Wikipedia on CD, or download it for offline use?== | ||
{{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#CD}} | {{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#CD}} | ||
:The | {{see also|meta:Offline Projects}} | ||
:The entirety of the English Wikipedia [[Wikipedia:Database download|can be downloaded]]. The quickest and easiest route would be using [[Kiwix]]. | |||
==<span id="CITE"></span>How do I cite a Wikipedia article in a paper?== | ==<span id="CITE"></span>How do I cite a Wikipedia article in a paper?== | ||
| Line 70: | Line 63: | ||
{{main|Wikipedia:Citing Wikipedia}} | {{main|Wikipedia:Citing Wikipedia}} | ||
{{warning|'''Wikipedia cannot guarantee the validity of the information in this encyclopedia. Caution is advised when using Wikipedia as a source. In most academic institutions, references to Wikipedia, along with most encyclopedias, are unacceptable for research papers.'''}} | {{warning|'''Wikipedia cannot guarantee the validity of the information in this encyclopedia. Caution is advised when using Wikipedia as a source. In most academic institutions, references to Wikipedia, along with most encyclopedias, are unacceptable for research papers.'''}} | ||
:Cite it as you would any other web page | :Cite it as you would any other web page. Citing the individual authors is not necessary, but you should at least include the date on which you retrieved the article (and ideally the full timestamp from the history). | ||
:Wikipedia has a tool to generate citations for particular articles. For the cite tool, see '''[[Special:Cite]]''', or follow the "'''Cite this page'''" link | :Wikipedia has a tool to generate citations for particular articles. For the cite tool, see '''[[Special:Cite]]''', or follow the "'''Cite this page'''" link on the left of the page in the article you wish to cite. | ||
==<span id="ERROR"></span>What should I do when I find | ==<span id="ERROR"></span>What should I do when I find an error in Wikipedia?== | ||
{{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#ERROR}} | {{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#ERROR}} | ||
:[[Wikipedia:Be bold|You should correct it.]] Wikipedia is written by volunteers who believe knowledge should be free for everyone, and the community is always ready to welcome new volunteers. | :[[Wikipedia:Be bold|You should correct it.]] Wikipedia is written by volunteers who believe knowledge should be free for everyone, and the community is always ready to welcome new volunteers. | ||
| Line 82: | Line 75: | ||
:If you see that something can't be right but are not sure what the correct information is, you can signal the problem on the article's [[Help:Using talk pages|talk page]]: click the tab labeled "talk" on the top of the page, and next click the tab "new section". | :If you see that something can't be right but are not sure what the correct information is, you can signal the problem on the article's [[Help:Using talk pages|talk page]]: click the tab labeled "talk" on the top of the page, and next click the tab "new section". | ||
==<span id="ADS"></span>Why do I see | ==<span id="ADS"></span>Why do I see advertisements in Wikipedia?== | ||
{{disputed|what=answer|date=May 2026}} | |||
{{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#ADS}} | {{Shortcut compact|WP:RFAQ#ADS}} | ||
:Wikipedia is [[:foundation:Fundraising|funded by donations]] and does not display advertisements on any | :Wikipedia is [[:foundation:Fundraising|funded by donations]] and does not display any advertisements of any kind on any pages within Wikipedia's website. If you see any advertisements, something on your end or in between will be placing them. Some [[browser extension]]s or [[Browser plugin|plugins]] can do this{{dash}}for example, Codec-C, [[Genieo]], and InfoAtoms. Your computer may also be infected with [[malware]], which will commonly result in advertisements being placed within the websites that you visit. Installing and scanning your computer for infections using anti-malware software will usually resolve this issue. You may also be viewing a [[Wikipedia:Mirrors and forks|mirror or fork]] of Wikipedia that is hosted by someone else and not the Wikimedia Foundation. These unofficial forks have sometimes been reported to contain advertising or other content. The best way to resolve this matter is to verify that the URL that you're currently navigated to within Wikipedia begins with the following URL: '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/]'''. If you're unsure if this is the issue, simply copy the bold text and use your browser to navigate there. There may also have been inappropriate edits to Wikipedia that may have appeared as an advertisement<!-- Example: en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?diff=587920313 -->. Such edits are against Wikipedia's [[WP:PG|policies and guidelines]] and should be ''removed'' upon discovery. | ||
==Where can I get more information about using Wikipedia?== | ==Where can I get more information about using Wikipedia?== | ||
: | :See [[Help:Wikipedia: The Missing Manual/Appendixes/Reader's guide to Wikipedia|Reader's guide to Wikipedia]]. | ||
{{Wikipedia:FAQ/footer}} | {{Wikipedia:FAQ/footer}} | ||
{{Wikipedia help pages}} | {{Wikipedia help pages}} | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Latest revision as of 06:01, 18 May 2026
| Readers' FAQ |
|---|
| alt=A link to a friendly place where you can ask questions to get help with using Wikipedia |
This FAQ page addresses some concerns and questions readers may have about Wikipedia.
- See also: Reader's guide to Wikipedia
What is Wikipedia?
- Wikipedia is an encyclopedia which is free to use and edit. It is available in many different languages and on many devices. The content of Wikipedia is free to reproduce under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA) and the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL), except for some images.
Who writes Wikipedia?
- Wikipedia is written and edited by volunteers from around the world. If you wish to help, you can start by visiting our introduction for contributors.
How do I access Wikipedia?
It is possible to access Wikipedia with several different methods, including options for older devices and modern apps for various platforms.[further explanation needed]
Is Wikipedia censored?
- Wikipedia is not censored. The community of Wikipedia editors determine what text and images are displayed, so there may be material that offends some people. There may be those who are offended, shocked or disgusted by medical images, nudity, religious imagery and controversial images. However, Wikipedia itself may be censored by the governments of various countries. In such cases, using a VPN might be required to access Wikipedia.
How do I search Wikipedia?
- There is a search box in the upper-right corner of the screen, with the word "Search" in it. Just type what you are looking for into the search box and press ↵ Enter. The search box can also be selected using the Windows keyboard shortcut ⇧ Shift Alt F.
How do I do research with Wikipedia?
See Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia.
What is the license agreement on the contents of Wikipedia?
- Wikipedia articles are all free content and their text is covered by the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC-BY-SA) and in most cases the GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL). See Wikipedia:Copyrights.
May I mirror entire sections of the Wikipedia to my site? How much may I quote?
- Yes, you may mirror or quote the text as much as you wish, as long as you fulfill the requirements of the CC-BY-SA or GNU Free Documentation License. See Wikipedia:Copyrights.
If I link a word from my site to Wikipedia, am I required to use the GNU FDL for my site?
- No. Linking is not an act regulated by copyright.
What if I use a small quote (three or four sentences)?
- This may be covered by the fair use doctrine, but use caution.
What if I quote entire articles?
- Check with your lawyer, or just put the site under the CC-BY-SA or GNU FDL. However, Wikipedians try to assume good faith, so minor copyright violations are unlikely to result in a lawsuit.
Can I get Wikipedia on CD, or download it for offline use?
- The entirety of the English Wikipedia can be downloaded. The quickest and easiest route would be using Kiwix.
How do I cite a Wikipedia article in a paper?
TemplateStyles' src attribute must not be empty.
| File:Ambox important.svg | Wikipedia cannot guarantee the validity of the information in this encyclopedia. Caution is advised when using Wikipedia as a source. In most academic institutions, references to Wikipedia, along with most encyclopedias, are unacceptable for research papers. |
- Cite it as you would any other web page. Citing the individual authors is not necessary, but you should at least include the date on which you retrieved the article (and ideally the full timestamp from the history).
- Wikipedia has a tool to generate citations for particular articles. For the cite tool, see Special:Cite, or follow the "Cite this page" link on the left of the page in the article you wish to cite.
What should I do when I find an error in Wikipedia?
- You should correct it. Wikipedia is written by volunteers who believe knowledge should be free for everyone, and the community is always ready to welcome new volunteers.
- Because Wikipedia is an all-volunteer project that anyone can edit, errors or omissions can and do creep in. This should be kept in mind when reading; the very nature of Wikipedia means it should not be trusted completely. Articles frequently contain citations of authoritative works where a reader can verify the information found.
- If you see that something can't be right but are not sure what the correct information is, you can signal the problem on the article's talk page: click the tab labeled "talk" on the top of the page, and next click the tab "new section".
Why do I see advertisements in Wikipedia?
TemplateStyles' src attribute must not be empty.
This answer's factual accuracy is disputed. (May 2026) |
- Wikipedia is funded by donations and does not display any advertisements of any kind on any pages within Wikipedia's website. If you see any advertisements, something on your end or in between will be placing them. Some browser extensions or plugins can do this – for example, Codec-C, Genieo, and InfoAtoms. Your computer may also be infected with malware, which will commonly result in advertisements being placed within the websites that you visit. Installing and scanning your computer for infections using anti-malware software will usually resolve this issue. You may also be viewing a mirror or fork of Wikipedia that is hosted by someone else and not the Wikimedia Foundation. These unofficial forks have sometimes been reported to contain advertising or other content. The best way to resolve this matter is to verify that the URL that you're currently navigated to within Wikipedia begins with the following URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/. If you're unsure if this is the issue, simply copy the bold text and use your browser to navigate there. There may also have been inappropriate edits to Wikipedia that may have appeared as an advertisement. Such edits are against Wikipedia's policies and guidelines and should be removed upon discovery.