Biographies
Can you write a Wikipedia page about yourself?
Technically anyone can propose an article, but Wikipedia's guideline on autobiography strongly discourages it. Here is why, what you risk and which routes remain open for a sound biography.
Key points
- Writing your own article is not banned outright, but Wikipedia strongly discourages it.
- Writing about yourself, your company or a friend is a conflict of interest that you should disclose.
- Autobiographies are often deleted for being promotional or lacking independent sources.
- You can always request corrections on the article's talk page, with a source.
Many professionals wonder whether they can simply write their own Wikipedia page. Technically, yes: anyone can register and start a draft. But the community's rules point the other way, and understanding them saves a lot of trouble.
What the rules say
Wikipedia's guideline on autobiography states that writing about yourself is strongly discouraged. The point is not distrust of the individual: nobody manages to be neutral about themselves. We tend to emphasize successes, use a celebratory tone and include details that matter only to us.
The conflict of interest guideline adds that anyone writing about themselves or their own activities should disclose it and avoid editing the article directly.
Why autobiographies fail
- No independent sources: people writing about themselves cite their website, CV and interviews. None of these establish notability.
- Promotional tone: adjectives, unsourced achievements, lists of roles.
- The subject is not notable: people who have to write their own article often lack the coverage. See Wikipedia notability requirements.
- The conflict shows: usernames, edits focused on a single article, personal photos uploaded by the subject. When undisclosed, trust collapses.
The typical result is an article that is tagged, moved to draft or nominated for deletion, with a public discussion that remains visible.
Friends and staff have a conflict too
Asking a colleague, relative or friend to write the article does not solve the problem. Anyone writing on behalf of someone they are close to has a conflict of interest, paid or not. If they are paid, the Wikimedia Terms of Use make disclosure mandatory. The expected practice is to:
- disclose the connection on the user page and on the article's talk page;
- create new articles as drafts and submit them through Articles for Creation;
- suggest changes to existing articles through edit requests on the talk page.
If an article about you already exists
If someone else has written about you and you spot an error, do not edit the text. Ask for the change instead:
- open the article's talk page;
- disclose who you are and your connection to the subject;
- quote the sentence to fix and give the reliable source that corrects or updates it;
- add an edit request so another editor reviews it.
Do not remove unflattering information that is supported by sources: it is seen as whitewashing and usually backfires. More in our guide on how to edit a Wikipedia page about you. For factual errors about living people, Wikipedia also runs a volunteer response team you can email.
The right alternatives
- Wait: if you are genuinely notable, someone without a conflict will eventually write the article.
- Work on the sources: achievements and independent coverage are the basis of any future article.
- Hire a transparent professional: an experienced writer discloses their role, writes neutrally and goes through community review. Read how to choose a serious agency.
To find out first whether an article is possible at all, take our free profile check.
Frequently asked questions
Is it forbidden to write your own biography on Wikipedia?
It is not forbidden outright, but it is strongly discouraged. Autobiographical articles tend to be promotional and are often deleted or rewritten.
Can a friend or an employee write it for me?
Anyone writing for a friend, a relative or their employer has a conflict of interest and should disclose it; if they are paid, the Wikimedia Terms of Use make disclosure mandatory.
Can I fix a mistake in my article?
Post an edit request on the article's talk page, citing a reliable source and disclosing who you are. Avoid editing the text about yourself directly.