Wikipedia editing is important, tractable, and neglected

Abstract

Wikipedia articles are widely read and trusted; at the same time, many articles, particularly in specialized fields, are incomplete, outdated, or poorly written. Thus, improving Wikipedia articles is a potentially high-impact activity, especially for altruistically motivated individuals, as Wikipedia editing is likely undersupplied relative to the socially optimal level. In choosing which articles to edit, altruists should carefully prioritize articles that, all else being equal, have more pageviews, cover more important topics, and target more influential audiences. This can be done either by improving and translating existing articles or by creating new articles on relevant topics. When editing Wikipedia, it is crucial to become familiar with and respect the rules and norms of the Wikipedia community. – AI-generated abstract.