SMEs & Wikipedia: Eligibility Criteria and How to Choose the Right Page Creation Service

At Wikiconsult, we are regularly contacted by SME managers, their in-house teams, or external communications agencies tasked with creating a Wikipedia page.

In this article, we share the essentials you need to know before considering a Wikipedia page for a small to mid-sized company. The goal is to provide you with a clear, honest, and professional perspective on what a Wikipedia presence truly entails for an SME.

Why is a Wikipedia page valuable for SMBs?

Wikipedia is one of the most visited websites in the world. In France alone, it attracts over 4 million unique visitors every day. These readers are not just private individuals — they include journalists, investors, partners, job applicants, and customers looking for information about your company.

Being on Wikipedia means appearing in the top results on Google — often within the top 3 — when someone searches your company’s name.

It also increases your chances of being featured in the results provided by generative AIs like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Gemini, which rely heavily on Wikipedia data.

A well-constructed page that complies with the rules can:

• improve long-term online visibility, without needing to “push” content yourself;
• strengthen your credibility by providing neutral, sourced information accessible to all;
• make your company appear more legitimate and established compared to competitors without a page;
• optimize SEO through backlinks included in the article;
• automatically create or enrich your Google Knowledge Panel (the information box on the right-hand side of search results).

For SMEs, a Wikipedia page can be a powerful reputation lever — provided the company meets the eligibility criteria defined by the community.

What are the eligibility criteria for SMEs on Wikipedia?

Many business leaders assume that because their company is solid, visible, and well-established, it “deserves” a Wikipedia page. But for Wikipedia, that’s not enough.

The encyclopedia does not take into account:

• revenue,
• number of employees,
• or even years in existence.

A company with 30 employees may qualify, while a group with 2,000 may not — if reliable secondary sources are not available.

Example: In 2022, we created a Wikipedia page for the Naos group (notably known for the Bioderma brand). Despite having more than 3,000 employees, it did not yet have a page. In 2024, we successfully created a page for an SME in Marseille with just 34 employees — because it met the criteria. See our case studies.

In practice, eligibility requires at least two independent, recognized generalist media publications focused on the company, published at least two years apart. Simple interviews, press releases, advertorials, or mentions in collective articles do not qualify.

In some cases, eligibility can also be established if the company appears in major rankings (FT1000, Forbes, etc.) or if its stock price is part of a notable market index. But these cases are rare.

What are the risks for SMEs that create a Wikipedia page too early?

Attempting to create a Wikipedia page without meeting the eligibility criteria can have lasting consequences:

• Rapid deletion: Most ineligible pages are deleted within minutes. The result: wasted time and credibility damage.
• Permanent history: Even deleted pages leave a trace visible to experienced editors. Any future attempts must go through a longer and stricter restoration request.
• Blacklisting risk: Repeated attempts or promotional content can get your company’s website URL blacklisted, preventing any links from Wikipedia to your site.
• Damaged reputation: Early attempts may make your company look like it is trying to manipulate its image, harming your credibility beyond Wikipedia.

👉 In short: it’s better to wait until you’re eligible than to waste your one real chance too early.

Why does your competitor have a page when you don’t?

It’s natural to wonder why a competitor has a Wikipedia article while you don’t.

But keep in mind: the presence of a page doesn’t always mean it complies with today’s rules.

• Many articles were created years ago, before notability standards were tightened.
• Some may even be deleted if their legitimacy is challenged.

Instead of asking “why them and not us?”, the key is to focus on what really matters:

• Do you have reliable, independent sources specifically about your company?
• Do you have press articles, reviews, or studies that establish your reputation?

The community is not swayed by comparisons — only by evidence.

How can your SME become eligible for Wikipedia?

The key is media coverage. If traditional media have not shown spontaneous interest in your SME, eligibility is unlikely.

Here’s how to build the right foundations:

• No paid press: Sponsored articles don’t count. You need genuine editorial coverage.
• Substantial coverage: Mentions or short quotes are not enough; you need in-depth articles about your company.
• Reputable media: Prioritize national and general media (e.g., The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal). Local or specialized press can help, but it won’t be sufficient on its own.
• Good story angle: Offer journalists a compelling, original, or timely angle that makes them want to cover your company.

You can manage PR in-house, hire a freelancer, or work with an agency. Whatever the choice, make sure everyone understands Wikipedia’s requirements. Feel free to reach out if you’d like us to point you in the right direction.

The objective is not simply to “communicate,” but to document your reputation with neutral, verifiable, public sources.

Can you create your SME’s Wikipedia page yourself?

Yes, anyone can create a Wikipedia page: a stranger, an intern, a communications manager, or even the company director.

But there are conditions:

• you must clearly disclose your connection with the company;
• you must fully comply with Wikipedia’s editorial rules.

That requires investing time to understand Wikipedia’s unique ecosystem — or delegating the task to a professional.

How to choose the right Wikipedia page creation service for SMBs?

Selecting the right partner goes far beyond simply “getting a page online.” It’s about credibility, compliance, and long-term protection of your brand.

Key criteria to evaluate:

✅ Proven track record with SMEs – Ask for real-life examples of SME pages that have stayed live for years. Longevity is the best proof of quality.

⚖️ Rule compliance – Your consultant must know notability, neutrality, and conflict-of-interest policies inside out.

📚 Depth of research – Strong pages are based on independent, reliable sources, not promotional material.

💰 Transparent pricing – Avoid agencies that offer vague or “too good to be true” deals.

📅 Realistic timelines – Wikipedia is community-driven, not agency-controlled. A trustworthy provider will explain what depends on editor review.

📩 Post-publication support – Look for optional monitoring and guidance, but beware of agencies that promise to “guarantee” a page will stay online.

🚩 Red flags – Be cautious of anyone promising lifetime guarantees, ultra-fast results, or unsourced promotional content.

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If you believe we may be the right partner to help your SME, feel free to reach out.