Wikipedia:WikiProject Music/MUSTARD/External linking

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] External links

External links

1. External links should be used sparingly.
   1. Articles on performers should have a link to their homepage(s), or other official pages (e.g., the record company's page for that artist, if there is one, or an official fanclub)
   2. Articles on record labels should have a link to the company's official homepage.
   3. Anything used as a reference, preferably using Template:Cite web, from within the "References" section.
   4. External pages that include significant information that could not be placed on Wikipedia (e.g., copyrighted content that is not posted in violation of copyright law) should be linked to:
   5. external pages containing information that could be incorporated into the Wikipedia article (posted on the talk page); or
   6. respected databases of relevant information, where there is a significant quantity of information that is inappropriate for incorporation into Wikipedia.
      1. This may include such pages as fansites, provided that they are an established organization or a recognized fan community and are clearly more informative and more useful than most fansites. For example:
      2. a fansite that includes an exhaustive database of tour dates and setlists;
      3. a rights holder-approved lyrics site;
      4. a large repository of relevant images;
      5. a large repository of other trivia that may not be appropriate for Wikipedia; and
      6. forums or other community pages, only if such pages are unusually established and recognized institutions with an important focus.
   7. Articles on music genres should not have links to the homepages of an individual artist, unless it otherwise meets a criterion for inclusion.
   8. Fansites and unofficial fan clubs (subject to the above), online stores, and similar sites should generally not be linked.
   9. Music of articles (e.g., Music of Maryland) may link to community-based music sites, provided that they are well-established and versatile. A page that lists local shows, for example, should be reasonably comprehensive, regularly and reliably updated, and specifically based around the topic place (e.g., Maryland).
      1. Local bands and other performers that do not have articles should not linked to in any section unless their notability is established by a cited, reputable and independent source. Do not create external links to specific performers on music of articles, unless they are being cited or otherwise qualify.
      2. Some performers may be sufficiently "notable" to include in an article on the music of a time, place or genre, yet without enough verifiable information for an article. Pages on these performers can be merged and redirected to an article or list, and should not generally be linked unless the target contains significantly additional useful information (e.g., a list of minor California punk bands of the 1970s with properly cited information)
   10. It is reasonable to remove a link that does not obviously prove itself under these guidelines. For example, do not remove a link to a band's official page from the band's article, but any other external link that is not cited as a reference or justified on the talk page may be removed. In general, when linking to a fanclub, unofficial community page or other such website, it may be wise to provide a justification on the talk page.