How to use

Go to the article's Talk page and click the Add topic tab.[a] Add and fill in the following:

{{edit COI}}
* Specific text to be added or removed: ADD TEXT HERE
* Reason for the change: ADD TEXT HERE
* References supporting change: ADD URL AT LEAST
~~~~

In further detail:

  1. Add topic[a] on the talk page, with a subject like Some proposed changes
  2. In the large empty text area, type {{edit COI}} (do not indent the template with : or *)
  3. Underneath this, write out the specific changes you want made to the article. Volunteers are less likely to respond to unclear or open-ended requests. Using {{TextDiff|1=Existing text|2=Your proposed text}} here will help make your intent clear.
  4. At the end, sign the post using four tildes: ~~~~
  5. Click on the Show preview button and have a look to make sure the request appears the way you want it to
  6. If you wish to make any corrections or additions, you may do so in the edit box below the preview (scroll down to see this box); preview your post as many times as you wish, and when you are satisfied, click on the Publish changes button

Request options

{{edit COI}} = {{edit COI/request}} for requested edits. Post on the article talk page, in a thread that describes the edit to be made. The template automatically adds the request to the list of edits requested and Category:Wikipedia conflict of interest edit requests.

{{edit COI|R}} = {{edit COI/significant}} same function as {{edit COI}} – use for more substantial changes.

{{edit COI|N}} = {{edit COI/new}} for new editors.

Why to use

Editing a subject in which one has a conflict of interest (COI) is strongly discouraged. Attempts at it rarely comply with our neutral point of view policy, and tend also to fail verifiability policy. They are often so problematic that they must be immediately reverted. Users who make a habit of policy-noncompliant COI edits are likely to get indefinitely blocked (or banned from their COI topic if they are otherwise productive here).

While certain kinds of COI editing are not absolutely forbidden (as long one's COI is clearly disclosed), and as with most Wikipedia policy matters there's a spectrum of opinion about what is permissible versus what is best, the "be on the safe side" advice is to use this template to request COI edits instead of making them directly.

While no one will fault you for avoiding COI editing, many will fault you for engaging in it even if a few might not in instances when you did it very carefully.

It will often turn out to be the case that an intended COI edit is problematic for specific reasons which other editors can address in the course of a request and its discussion. A frequent factor is that a fact, in bare form, is actually encyclopedically pertinent to include, but the requester's approach to the wording is impermissibly promotional or otherwise biased, and/or they have attempted to rely on self-published materials for a claim that requires independent reliable sources. Experienced editors with no connection to the subject can help work through such problems so that the intended fact can be added to the article, properly.

One way of looking at this: Ask not "What can I get away with – what barely skates under the policy line?" Ask instead "What is best for readers – what most ensures the encyclopedic quality of the coverage of this subject?"

Response options

Additional parameters

When declining a request, either using P or D, an optional second parameter can be given to further explain why the request was declined (for example, {{edit COI|P|ADV}} for a partial-block decline for advertising). The additional text values are given below.

ADV
Some or all of the changes may be promotional in tone.
V
Some or all of the changes weren't supported by neutral, independent, reliable sources. Consider re-submitting with content based on media, books and scholarly works.
O
The suggested edits are good, but the reviewer felt omissions in the content may create balance issues.
R
The changes suggested removing content that is well-cited or where sources exist.
D
The reviewer would like to request the editor with a COI attempt to discuss with editors engaged in the subject-area first.
S
The request was not specific enough. You may consider leaving your comments on the Talk page or escalating significant issues to the conflict of interest noticeboard.
T
A reviewer felt that this edit would not improve the article.
C
A consensus could not be reached.
custom rationale
Adds a custom rationale supplied by the editor

Please see the list of requested edits at the Template:Edit COI/Instructions § Current requested edits page to see how you can help!

Notes

  1. ^ a b On certain skins of Wikipedia, this tab will show up as New Section

See also


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