wikiHow:Frequently Asked Questions

How can I write an article?

Your first step would be to read the Writer's Guide, and then you would go to Special:CreatePage. Please see How to Write a New Article on wikiHow for more information.

How can I link to my website?

There are a few ways you can do that:

• If you publish an article on wikiHow that's already published on your site, you can add a link to the "Sources and Citations" section. Just remember to write "Original source, shared with permission" right after the URL.
• If you write an article on how to use your particular website and you include the name in the title (e.g. How to Register for an Account at XYZ.com) you can link to your website, since it's a crucial part of the instructions.
• You can always link to your website from your own user page.

How do I add a picture to an article?

Click on an Add Image button in a particular section.

You can then upload an image from your computer or select an image that wikiHow already has permission to use. See How to Put a Photo in a wikiHow Article for more information.

How can I get images for articles, if I can't upload any (or have none that I've created)?

You can ask Wikivisual for photos to be uploaded by a person by posting a message on the page, or, at the top of the article's page you can publish an edit that has the {{pictures}} template on it. Be careful, there are two other templates that can be used in the place of the pictures template that signify the article needing either {{screenshots}} or {{illustrations}}. Just add the corresponding template to the article. With either of these methods, it could take a little while for pictures to be added, but they will eventually be added.

How do I get my article featured?

Make sure the page is detailed, comprehensive, and insightful. Try to add information that might make someone say "Wow, I didn't know that!" If you're knowledgeable about the topic, you probably have plenty of "insider" tips; but even if you're not an expert, you can find them elsewhere on the Internet and add them to the article if you reference them properly.

When you think your article is ready, go to the discussion page and write {{fac}} at the very top. Also, when you interact with other people on wikiHow, tell them you're trying to get your page featured and would appreciate their help.

What's an admin? How do I become one?

Admins are regular users like the rest of us, who have volunteered to take on extra responsibility in the form of being able to delete articles, rename articles, protect pages, and block vandals. They generally have a large number of edits, edit nearly every day, and have earned the trust of the community with their level headedness, their ability to calm argumentative editors, etc. Current admins nominate candidates for admin-ship based on the candidate's editing history on the site and personal interactions with that person. Candidates with sufficient support from existing admins are then given a "trial admin-ship" period in which they are coached by several existing admins. See How to Become a wikiHow Admin for more details.

What's "NAB"? How do I become a "NABer?"

"NAB" or New Article Boost is a system on wikiHow, where editors fix or "boost" articles that have just been submitted. This method allows them to correct spelling errors, revise articles into wikiHow format, or add freely licensed images to make articles better. More importantly, it encourages new authors to stick around and keep writing. To become a New Article Booster, you need to pass a written test via e-mail. See How to Become a New Article Booster on wikiHow for more information.

How can I get started?

Look at our list of requested topics. Type in a keyword for something you're interested in and hit "Search". Does a topic come up that you think you can write about? Give it a shot!

If writing isn't your thing, browse our category list for a topic you're knowledgeable about and check out the articles we have. Odds are, there are a few in there that need your help. Maybe you can add a tip, correct a fact, fix a typo, etc.

And, if you don't have any topic in particular you're interested in, you can always keep hitting the random link on the upper right hand corner of any page and editing as you see fit!

What's wiki markup and how do I use it?

Wiki markup is a shortened version of HTML. It does the same thing as HTML, but without the tags. Example: Embolden a word with three quotation marks, such as '''embolden'''. Click here for a quick reference to our editing basics.