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wikiHow
wikiHow's logo
wikiHow Main Page in October 2013
wikiHow Main Page on October 2013
Type of site
Wiki format How-to Manual
Available inEnglish, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Hindi, Chinese, Russian
HeadquartersPalo Alto, California
Created byJack Herrick and Josh Hannah
URLwikihow.com
CommercialYes ("hybrid organization")
RegistrationOptional

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 and 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 2008, Mashable selected wikiHow as the runner-up for best wiki in the Open Web Awards.[17] In 2009, wikiHow won a Webby Award for Community[18], surpassed 20 million monthly visitors, and completed a site redesign.[19] In 2010, The Guardian and Nesta awarded wikiHow the Co-Creation award in the Open Innovation competition.[20] In 2014, Google selected wikiHow as one of the [21]launch partners for Google Contributor, an ad-free internet product.

Operations

wikiHow aims to produce the best how-to content on the internet. [22] As of February 2015, wikiHow contains over 185,000 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. [23]

wikiHow uses the wiki method of continuous improvement, allowing editors to add, delete, or otherwise modify content. Once an article is created, it is edited and reviewed by multiple people to improve the article. Each edit is scrutinized during a process called Recent Changes Patrol where volunteers review the content according to wikiHow’s standards, discarding bad edits and keeping good ones.[24] This allows wikiHow to maintain a consistently high level of quality throughout the site. Over time as multiple people add improvements, the articles can become quite detailed and comprehensive. [25] wikiHow’s goal is to have each of its articles be the single best source of information on that topic available anywhere. [26]

Workshop on women on wikiHow at Wikimania 2012.

Over 1 million people have created wikiHow 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 wikiHowians 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 publically visible to all readers. The most experienced wikiHowians can apply for adminship, which grants them additional powers to protect and improve wikiHow through various maintenance tools. [29] Every year, staff members organize a “wikiHow meetup”, where a small group of wikiHowians gathers 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 of 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

wikiHow has won multiple awards. wikiHow won a Webby Award in 2009.[39] wikiHow won the Co-Creation award in the Open Innovation Competition organized by Nesta and the Guardian. [40] In addition, wikiHow was the runner up for “Best Wiki” in the Open Web Awards. [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], Tech Republic [47], Conde Naste Traveller [48] and PC Mag. [49]

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 created their own version of wikiHow’s “How to Break Up with Your Boyfriend” but changed all the instructions to be ridiculous. [52] . 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 wikiHow 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][61] Facebook selected wikiHow as a partner it it’s 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. [62]

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.[63]
  • In the NBC TV 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." [64]
  • In the CBS TV series "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 about being goth?”. Raj replies, “No, I’m behind on my wiki reading” and later adds, “Well wikiHow about that?” [65]
  • 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.” [66] [67]

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

  • 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.[68]
  • Non-profit organization One Laptop per Child pre-loaded wikiHow articles onto educational laptops that it distributed to children around the world. [69]
  • 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. [70]
  • CNN TV host, Katie Linendoll, used wikiHow’s instructions to “How to Make Comic Book High Heels”. [71]
  • 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. [72]
  • Hackivist group Anonymous instructed people on “How to Delete Yourself from the Internet” using a wikiHow article. [73]

One other notable use of wikiHow is in the case of Leroy Smith, a father followed wikiHow’s step-bystep instructions on his phone to deliver a baby in his home when his wife went into labor, and he couldn’t get her to a hospital in time. [74] [75]

References

  1. ^ "Wikihow.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  2. ^ de Leon, Pamella. "The Weird (And Sometimes Wonderful) World Of WikiHow: Crowdsourcing Online Info On Everything". Entrepreneur Middle East.
  3. ^ "wikiHow:Mission". wikiHow.
  4. ^ "wikihow.com". Alexa Internet.
  5. ^ "wikiHow:Hybrid Organization". wikiHow.
  6. ^ Demarais, Christina. "WikiHow's Recipe for Success". Inc.
  7. ^ "Jack Herrick, wikiHow founder interviewed by Wikinews". Wikinews.
  8. ^ "Special:Version". wikiHow.
  9. ^ Rojer, Rebecca. "wikiHow Reaches 25,000 Articles". Creative Commons.
  10. ^ "wikiHow:Creative Commons". wikiHow.
  11. ^ "wikiHow:History of wikiHow". wikiHow.
  12. ^ Herrick, Jack. "Post on Herrick's Google+ page". Google+.
  13. ^ Levine, Robert. "New Web Sites Seeking Profit in Wiki Model". The New York Times.
  14. ^ Roush, Wade. "How To Build a "Lifestyle Business" with 30 Million Visitors Per Month: The wikiHow Story". Xconomy.
  15. ^ "2B1: "WikiHow" Content Comes Preloaded". OLPC News.
  16. ^ Rojer, Rebecca. "wikiHow Reaches 25,000 Articles". Creative Commons.
  17. ^ "The 2nd Annual Open Web Awards". Mashable.
  18. ^ "wikiHow". The Webby Awards.
  19. ^ Schonfeld, Erick. "WikiHow Gets Pretty, And Hits 20 Million Monthly Visitors". TechCrunch.
  20. ^ Keegan, Victor. "Open innovation is coming of age". The Guardian.
  21. ^ Ingraham, Nathan. "Google Contributor will let you pay a monthly fee to see select websites without ads". The Verge.
  22. ^ http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1309191/how-site-wikihow-builds-chinese-language-presence
  23. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/29/technology/personaltech/apps-for-home-repairs-for-the-handy-and-the-less-so.html?_r=0
  24. ^ http://www.wikihow.com/Patrol-Recent-Changes-on-wikiHow
  25. ^ http://readwrite.com/2009/12/09/wikihow_vs_ehow_is_the_wiki_way_better_than_content_farms
  26. ^ http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1309191/how-site-wikihow-builds-chinese-language-presence
  27. ^ http://www.wikihow.com/Special:Statistics
  28. ^ http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-New-Article-Booster-on-wikiHow
  29. ^ http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-wikiHow-Admin
  30. ^ http://www.xconomy.com/national/2011/12/16/how-to-build-a-lifestyle-business-with-30m-visitors-per-month/?single_page=true
  31. ^ http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/can-hybrid-companies-change-the-world.html
  32. ^ http://www.wikihow.com/wikiHow:Hybrid-Organization
  33. ^ "Hybrid Organization". wikiHow. October 5, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
  34. ^ Terms of Use, wikihow.com. The licensing section links to Creative Commons – Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Generic.
  35. ^ wikiHow:Why Hide Ads – wikiHow.
  36. ^ Taylor, Marisa (January 30, 2009). "Turning the Ads Off". The Wall Street Journal.
  37. ^ wikiHow:Video Curation#Video Curation Tips
  38. ^ http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/21/google-contributor-pay-remove-ads
  39. ^ http://www.webbyawards.com/winners/2009/web/general-website-categories/community/wikihow/
  40. ^ http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/apr/14/open-innovation-victor-keegan
  41. ^ http://mashable.com/openwebawards/the-winners/
  42. ^ http://www.pbs.org/idealab/2014/05/how-to-stay-safe-while-reporting-from-hostile-and-not-so-hostile-environments/
  43. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/29/technology/personaltech/apps-for-home-repairs-for-the-handy-and-the-less-so.html?_r=0
  44. ^ http://lifehacker.com/5394013/get-spray-paint-off-your-car
  45. ^ http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/can-hybrid-companies-change-the-world.html
  46. ^ http://www.cosmopolitantv.es/noticias/2216/las-mejores-apps-diy-do-it-yourself
  47. ^ http://www.techrepublic.com/pictures/five-web-apps-to-make-you-smarter/1/
  48. ^ http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2014-06-12/travel-emergency-apps?s_cid=social_20140613_25924356
  49. ^ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2352570,00.asp
  50. ^ http://www.witsradio.org/episodes/hanks-misty/
  51. ^ http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/05/28/3654637_pair-of-english-profs-from-wwu.html?rh=1
  52. ^ http://www.vice.com/read/how-to-break-up-with-your-boyfriend-wikihow-876
  53. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/01/life-skills-wikihow_n_4164954.html
  54. ^ http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2013/08/19/weekly-challenge-stop-striving-for-thigh-gap-six-pack-abs/Adp4xJR87avTxJTUh2x5rO/story.html
  55. ^ http://www.boston.com/life/2014/05/07/thanks-internet-wikihow-gives-you-step-step-guide-stopping-wedding/DyXx9CqfaXVmBJcNMvgApO/story.html
  56. ^ http://jezebel.com/santa-barbara-yoga-studio-gives-out-do-rags-at-ghetto-1251090792
  57. ^ http://jezebel.com/15-utterly-deranged-wikihow-how-to-guides-1573131810
  58. ^ http://www.dailyedge.ie/weird-wikihow-articles-1478409-Jun2014/
  59. ^ http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/wikihow.com
  60. ^ http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1309191/how-site-wikihow-builds-chinese-language-presence
  61. ^ http://www.wikihow.com/wikiHow:About-wikiHow
  62. ^ http://www.webpronews.com/facebook-brings-free-basic-internet-to-india-2015-02
  63. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO12W35DpsQ Identity Thief Official Trailer. wikiHow reference at 2:03
  64. ^ http://wikihow.tumblr.com/post/101433513326/wikihow-on-nbcs-parenthood-in-last-nights Exerted from Parenthood, Season 6, Episode 6 (overall episode 96). Title: "Too Big to Fail” Original Air Date: October 30, 2014
  65. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYdfGsYyALI
  66. ^ http://www.cc.com/full-episodes/7p1rmt/-midnight-extended---wednesday--february-11--2015---uncensored-season-2-ep-02063?xrs=synd_youtube_011515_mid_59
  67. ^ http://www.cc.com/episodes/ipyzkg/-midnight-monday--june-23--2014-season-1-ep-01083
  68. ^ http://instagram.com/p/rkWEgQwzJe/?modal=true
  69. ^ http://www.olpcnews.com/content/reference/2b1_to_have_wikihow_content_preloaded.html
  70. ^ http://www.npr.org/2014/09/13/347961820/not-my-job-comedian-richard-lewis-gets-quizzed-on-confidence
  71. ^ https://twitter.com/KatieLinendoll/status/492363843545223169
  72. ^ http://www.pimco.com/EN/Insights/Pages/The-Tipping-Point.aspx
  73. ^ https://twitter.com/YourAnonNews/status/478028122479419393
  74. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/15/dad-delivers-baby-by-goog_n_393197.html
  75. ^ http://gizmodo.com/5427336/man-delivers-baby-using-guide-found-on-google
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