Wikidata for businesses
Wikidata is a free, open knowledge base that search engines and AI systems draw on. A business qualifies for an item only if it meets Wikidata's notability policy, for example by being a clearly identifiable entity that can be described with serious, publicly available references. Without independent references, an item is likely to be deleted.
The notability rule
Wikidata's notability policy accepts an item if it meets at least one of three criteria:
- It has a valid sitelink to a Wikimedia page, such as a Wikipedia article.
- It refers to a clearly identifiable conceptual or material entity that can be described using serious and publicly available references.
- It fulfils a structural need, such as making statements in other items more useful.
For a business without a Wikipedia article, the second criterion is the one that matters, and the key words are serious and publicly available references.
What counts as a reference
| Usually accepted | Usually not enough |
|---|---|
| Independent news or trade press coverage | The business's own website alone |
| Official registries and government records | Press releases |
| Published research that cites the business | Social media profiles |
| Industry association listings | Paid directory listings |
The order that works
- Earn independent coverage first. Press mentions, cited research, association membership.
- Create the item with references. Add the official name, website, country, industry, founding date and founders, each with a reference.
- Link it. Add the Wikidata URL to your sameAs list on your site.
Creating an item for a business with no independent references is likely to be flagged and deleted, and it does nothing a well-maintained website and profiles can't already do.
Frequently asked questions
- Can any business create a Wikidata item?
- Only if it meets Wikidata's notability policy. For most small businesses that means having serious, publicly available references about them, such as independent press coverage, not just their own website.
- Is Wikidata the same as Wikipedia?
- No. Wikidata stores structured facts (statements) about items; Wikipedia publishes articles. A Wikidata item can exist without a Wikipedia article if it meets the notability policy.
- What should go in a business's Wikidata item?
- Verifiable facts with references, such as official name, official website, country, founding date, founders and industry.