wikiHow

wikiHow
wikiHow Main Page on October 2013
Web address	wikihow.com
Slogan	"We're trying to help everyone on the planet learn how to do anything. Join us."
Commercial?	Yes ("hybrid organization")
Type of site	Wiki-format how-to manual
Registration	Optional, but required for certain tasks such as uploading files and editing protected pages
Available in	English, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, Russian, Czech, Japanese, Indonesian
Created by	Jack Herrick and Josh Hannah
Launched	January 15, 2005 (2005-01-15)
Alexa rank	175 (February 2015)[1]
Current status	Online

wikiHow is an online wiki-style community consisting of an extensive database of how-to guides. Founded in 2005 by Internet entrepreneur Jack Herrick, the website aims to create the world’s most helpful how-to instructions, thus enabling every person on the planet to learn how to do anything.^[2][3] wikiHow is ranked the 175th most visited website in the world^[4] and is frequently referenced in popular media, including movies and TV shows.

wikiHow is a hybrid organization, a for-profit company run for a social mission.^[5][6] wikiHow is an open source and open content project.^[7] The modified MediaWiki software is freely released^[8] and the content is released under a Creative Commons (by-nc-sa) license.^[9][10]

History

wikiHow was founded by Jack Herrick on January 15, 2005, with the goal of creating an extensive how-to manual with accurate, up-to-date instructions in multiple languages.^[11] The day of January 15th was intentionally selected as the launch date in order to honor Wikipedia, which was launched four years earlier on January 15, 2001.^[12] Herrick drew inspiration to start wikiHow because he and Josh Hannah had previously purchased another how-to website, eHow in 2004. After running eHow, Herrick concluded eHow’s business model prevented it from creating the extensive, high quality how-to manual he desired to create.^[13] Herrick and Hannah sold eHow in 2006, allowing Herrick to focus on wikiHow full-time.^[14]

Throughout its history, wikiHow has completed several milestones achievements. In 2006, the non-profit foundation One Laptop per Child selected wikiHow as one of the few content sources for the educational laptops it distributed around the world.^[15] In 2007, its 25,000th article was published on September 21.^[16] In 2009, the website surpassed 20 million monthly visitors and completed a redesign.^[17] In 2014, Google selected wikiHow as one of the launch partners for Google Contributor, an ad-free internet product.^[18]

Operations

wikiHow aims to produce the best how-to content on the internet.^[19] As of February 2015, wikiHow contains over 180,000 how-to articles. Most how-to articles follow a similar format with steps, tips, and warnings, and are complemented with images to help a reader learn how to complete a task.^[20]

wikiHow uses the wiki method of continuous improvement, allowing editors to add, delete, or otherwise modify content. Once an article is created, community members collaborate on it to improve its quality. Each edit is scrutinized during a process called Recent Changes Patrol where volunteers review the content according to wikiHow’s standards, discarding bad edits, like vandalism and test edits, and keeping improvements.^[21] This allows wikiHow to maintain a consistently high level of quality throughout the site. Over time, as multiple people add improvements, articles can become quite detailed and comprehensive.^[22] wikiHow’s goal is to have each of its articles be the single best source of information on that topic available anywhere.^[23]

The central hub for editing is the Community Dashboard, which displays several dynamic applets that link users to different editing tools, such as the Spell Checker, in which articles are proofread for spelling errors; the Categorizer, in which articles are assigned categories according to their topic; and the Cleanup Greenhouse, in which low-quality articles are copyedited and rewritten for style and format.

By default, newly created articles are de-indexed from search engines; the article text is blurred and a notice indicating that the page is invisible to readers is shown. A system called New Article Boost allows experienced users to review these articles and bring them up to standards.^[24] Articles that meet these standards are "promoted", which removes the blurring effect as well as the notice, and makes the article publicly visible and searchable. Oppositely, articles below standards are "demoted", which removes them from the New Article Boost list but retains the blurring and notice. Articles with content that goes against the site's deletion policy are also demoted (such as articles centered around joke, sexually explicit, or hate-based topics, as well as severely inaccurate or incomplete instructions).^[25]

Like many other wikis, registration is optional and privileges such as creating and editing articles are still available to those without an account. wikiHow complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and users are required to be at least 13 years old to register an account. COPPA is regularly enforced and site administrators are expected to block anyone confirmed to be underage, though editing privileges may be restored if the company receives a consent form signed by the user's parents or legal guardian.^[26] Over 1 million people have created accounts and over 13,000 people edit wikiHow a month. ^[27] This community of volunteer contributors call themselves "wikiHowians". The most active, experienced, and trusted wikiHowians can gain additional editing privileges which help them administer and protect the website. New Article Boost rights are granted to users who have done at least 300 edits and pass a test demonstrating they understand wikiHow policies.^[28] People with these rights gain access to a special tool that allows them to edit recently written articles and ensure their quality meets wikiHow’s standards before the articles are publicly visible to all readers. The most experienced user can be considered for adminship, which grants them additional powers to protect and improve wikiHow through various maintenance tools.^[29] At least once a year, wikiHow organizes conferences where a small group of community members are invited to gather offline for an extended weekend to get to know one another.

wikiHow’s headquarters are located in a house in Palo Alto, California, dubbed the “wikiHaus”. The staff team consists of a small group of employees ranging in specialties from engineering to marketing to community management.^[30][31]

Business model

The site's initial start-up costs were, to some extent, financed from Herrick's sale of eHow. It is now funded from advertising on its pages.^[32] It does not seek contributions, and it is run as a "hybrid organization" – a "for-profit company focused on creating a global public good in accordance with our mission".^[33]

Licensing

wikiHow's content is published under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike (by-nc-sa) license, which means that the content can be modified and reused for non-commercial purposes as long as the original authors are attributed and the license is not substantially changed. The authors retain full copyright to their content and may publish it elsewhere under different licenses. They grant wikiHow an irrevocable license to use the material for any purpose.^[34]

Opt-out ads

wikiHow is one of only a handful of major websites to allow readers control over whether advertising appears alongside content. Those who are registered and logged in do not see ads^[35][36] unless it is an external video provider.^[37]

In November 2014, wikiHow was announced to be a participant in Google Contributor, a service that allows website users to make a monthly donation in support of their favorite websites in order to not be shown advertising.^[38]

Reception

Praise

wikiHow has won multiple awards, including a Webby Award for Community in 2009^[39] and the Co-Creation award in the Open Innovation competition, organized by The Guardian and Nesta, in 2010.^[40] In addition, Mashable selected wikiHow as the runner-up for best wiki in the Open Web Awards in 2008.^[41]

wikiHow has been favorably described in many media sources. For example, a PBS journalist reported that the "wikiHow app has an excellent set of articles to help you in just about any situation, from helping someone who is choking to handling vehicle emergencies, to natural disasters."^[42] and The New York Times reported: "Type in a few key words about the problem into the app’s Search page and the guide will return some advice. Its information pages are clear and well laid-out. They begin with an introductory description, then offer a list of steps to follow. The app displays the necessary tools and items, and includes tips and warnings."^[43] Lifehacker has described wikiHow as the "ever handy guide site."^[44] wikiHow has been positively described in many other media sources, including ones as diverse as Inc. Magazine,^[45] Cosmopolitan,^[46] TechRepublic,^[47] Conde Nast Traveler,^[48] and PC Magazine.^[49]

Criticism

wikiHow has also been the target of satire and criticism. For example, American Public Radio show Wits has a segment called "wikiHow theater" where actors read obvious or ludicrous wikiHow topics, such as "How Make People Respect Your Pet", for comic effect.^[50] Two accomplished poets published a book called, "How To Feel Confident with Your Special Talents", in which each poem title is taken directly from a wikiHow article.^[51] Vice.com parodied wikiHow's article, "How to Break Up with Your Boyfriend.^[52] The Huffington Post created a list of bizarre life skills, such as "How to React to an Ugly Baby", that "you could only learn from wikiHow".^[53] Other publishers have criticized wikiHow for hosting instructions on controversial topics of questionable social value such "how to get a thigh gap",^[54] "how to stop a wedding",^[55] or "how to be ghetto fabulous".^[56] Other websites have created "worst of wikiHow" lists to highlight topics that are "deranged",^[57] "brilliantly bizarre",^[58] or otherwise problematic.

Impact

wikiHow is ranked in the top 200 most visited websites in the world.^[59] Millions of people around the world use the site every day to learn how to do something. wikiHow is published in 13 languages including English, Indonesian, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, French, Hindi, Czech, Italian, Russian, Dutch, and Spanish.^[60] In February 2015, Facebook selected wikiHow as a partner in its effort to offer free basic Internet services to people around the world who have yet to receive Internet service; wikiHow is now available without any data charges to mobile phone users in India on Facebook's Internet.org app.^[61]

Popular culture references and notable uses

wikiHow is frequently referenced in popular media, including movies and television.

• In the 2013 American comedy movie, Identity Thief, actress Melissa McCarthy playing Diana is asked how she easily survives getting hit by a car. McCarthy replies, "The trick is to just relax your legs. I read it on wikiHow." This scene also appeared in the movie’s official trailer.^[62]
• In the NBC drama series, Parenthood, Max uses wikiHow to flirt with Dylan by saying, "It says on wikiHow's tips for teenage boys that I should compliment you to show my interest."^[63]
• In the CBS sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, Howard tries to use the wikiHow article "How to be Goth" to help him meet women at a goth bar. Howard asks Raj, "Did you even read the wikiHow link I sent you on being goth?". Raj replies, "No, I’m behind on my wiki reading" and later adds, "Well wikiHow about that?" ^[64]
• wikiHow has appeared in the Comedy Central show, @midnight, multiple times. In one episode, the host, Chris Hardwick, says, “If you are a young person that needs guidance, you could turn to the previous generation and draw on their wisdom and experience, but honestly, grandma is probably drunk, so just go on the Internet to wikiHow.com.”^[65][66]

Several prominent figures and organizations have used wikiHow, therefore, increasing its appeal and popularity.

• American pop singer Miley Cyrus used wikiHow’s instructions on "How to Care for a Pet Pig" shortly after adopting a baby pig and posting it on Instagram. Over 238,000 Instagram users clicked “like” on the post.^[67]
• The NPR show, "Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me", used wikiHow's article on “How to Be a Badass” to quiz comedian Richard Lewis on confidence.^[68]
• CNN TV host, Katie Linendoll, used wikiHow’s instructions to “How to Make Comic Book High Heels”. ^[69]
• Bill Gross, billionaire and former head of giant investment firm PIMCO, quoted wikiHow's article on “How to Escape a Sinking Ship” in a communication to investors about the decision to exit the bond market.^[70]
• Hackivist group Anonymous instructed people on “How to Delete Yourself from the Internet” using a wikiHow article.^[71]

One other notable use of wikiHow is in the case of a father whom followed wikiHow's step-by-step instructions on his phone to deliver a baby in his home when his wife went into labor and couldn't get to a hospital in time.^[72][73]

References

External links

• wikiHow website