How does Wikipedia handle vandalism or misinformation?
Wikipedia has a robust system in place to handle vandalism and misinformation, which are concerns given its open editing model. When a user makes an edit to a Wikipedia article, that change is immediately visible to all users. However, the wiki community, which includes both experienced editors and frequent contributors, actively monitors these changes. There are several tools and protocols that Wikipedia employs to combat vandalism.
First, the Wikipedia community encourages users to use the "recent changes" feature, allowing editors to review and revert changes that appear suspicious or clearly incorrect. Many dedicated volunteers focus on flagging and undoing vandalism, particularly on high-traffic articles susceptible to alterations.
In addition, Wikipedia has instituted a system of watchlists, where users can track changes to specific pages. This way, editors can quickly respond if they notice vandalism on articles they are interested in. Furthermore, Wikipedia employs automated bots that automatically detect and revert common forms of vandalism, enabling faster responses than human editors could achieve alone.
When misinformation is discovered, it is not only reverted but also often discussed on the article's talk page. This is a space for constructive dialogue aimed at improving the quality and reliability of articles. Wikipedia also has guidelines regarding sourcing and verifiability; edits must be based on reliable sources to be accepted. Persistent offenders may be blocked from editing to protect the integrity of the encyclopedia. For specific details about these processes, users may want to look at Wikipedia's official pages.

Answered Jul 16, 2025
Need further help?
Type out your followup or related question and we will get you an answer right away.
Need to contact Wikipedia?
If you need to talk to Wikipedia customer service, now that you have the answers
that you needed, click the button below.
Contact Wikipedia