Wikipedia:Red link
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- WP:RED redirects here. For redirects, see Wikipedia:Redirect.
A red link like this one signifies a link to an article that does not yet exist in Wikipedia. Sometimes it is useful to create a red link to indicate that an article will be created soon or that an article should be created for the topic because it is about an important, verifiable subject. Red links should not be created for topics that will never have articles, such as a celebrity's romantic interest (who is not a celebrity in his or her own right) or every chapter in a book.
Contents |
[edit] Creating red links
A red link is created whenever double brackets [[ ]] are placed around a word or phrase for which Wikipedia does not have an article.
[edit] When to create red links
Only make links that are relevant to the context. Do not create links for subsidiary topics that result in red links (links that go nowhere) to articles that will never be created, such as the titles of book chapters. Do create red links to articles you intend to create or technical terms that need to be explained.
[edit] Dealing with existing red links
An existing red link can indicate one of three things:
- A new article is needed. When a Wikipedian writes an article, it is common practice to linkify key topics pertinent to an understanding of the subject, even if those topics don't have an article on Wikipedia yet. This has two applications:
- From within an article, such a link prepares the article to be fully supported. At any time, a Wikipedian may independently write an article on the linked-to subject, and when this happens, there's already a link ready and waiting for it. The red link also gives readers the opportunity to click on it to create the needed article on the spot.
- In topic lists, it is useful to include every topic on the subject you can possibly find or think of. When they are turned into links, the list immediately shows where the gaps in Wikipedia's coverage for that subject are, since all of the topics missing articles will show up in red. Such lists are useful tools in developing subject areas on Wikipedia, as they show where work is needed most. (Note: This can be a controversial step for lists which are within articles. See WP:CONTEXT for more.)
- The link is broken and no longer leads to an article (perhaps because the underlying article was deleted). In such a case, the link needs to removed or renamed to point to an existing article.
- The link may have been made by someone who wasn't aware of what should and shouldn't be linked to within articles. Always evaluate whether or not a red link is linking to a page that actually needs creation. See Wikipedia:Only make links that are relevant to the context#What should not be linked.
[edit] Note
Using user preferences, a user can format red links so that they instead show up as blue question marks.
