Q&A for How to Contribute to wikiHow

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  • Question
    What do the numbers in brackets next to my wikiHow contributions mean?
    Ruby
    Top Answerer
    The numbers in brackets show how many bytes were added or removed from the page. A reduction in bytes isn't necessarily bad, and an increase isn't always good; it depends on the content that was changed.
  • Question
    Why are some questions on this site in other languages?
    Top Answerer
    wikiHow is a multilingual site. Sometimes, readers view articles in different languages, like the English "How to French Kiss" and the Spanish "Cómo dar un beso francés." If you understand the language in the question, feel free to answer it, but be sure to translate the question to English on the English wikiHow article pair.
  • Question
    How do I start my own wikiHow article?
    Community Answer
    Thanks for your interest in writing a new article! We do require people to have some experience on wikiHow before writing articles, so I’d recommend you check out the Community Dashboard for the different ways you can help out and build up your experience on wikiHow. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions as you get started!
  • Question
    Why do so many answers on the site have blank profiles if we can't answer questions while logged out?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    Those "blank" profiles are likely users who chose to close their account . To maintain anonymity, any answers by closed accounts will show nothing else other than a generic profile icon.
  • Question
    How do I use the Q&A flagging tool?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    If you come across a question and answer pair that looks to be in need of improvement, click "Flag as..." on the bottom right of the answer. Select a predefined reason or "Other" and your report will be submitted. If you'd like to fix flagged answers, wikiHow:Become a Q&A Patroller and Editor on wikiHow may be worth a read!
  • Question
    Why do some Q&A sections have questions and answers, but no new questions appear?
    Community Answer
    New questions show up when users post them. It may take a while for them to get approved through the Approve Questions tool.
  • Question
    What is the "other" option for when flagging an answer?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    You can use the "other" option when your concern does not fit into any of the available categories, and you will have the opportunity to add additional details.
  • Question
    What actions are restricted for blocked users on wikiHow?
    Community Answer
    Blocked users cannot make edits, and administrators usually select additional options to prevent account creation, sending emails, and editing their own talk page. To regain access, you can refer to the guide on how to appeal a block on wikiHow.
  • Question
    How should I handle a conflict with another user?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    While in conflict with another user, keep calm and state the facts. Avoid edit warring! If you ever need help navigating a certain situation on the site, feel free to contact the Community Liaison JayneG .
  • Question
    What should I do if someone is being mean to me on this site?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    If someone is being mean to you, you can coach them using the {{mean}} template on their talk page. Else, feel free to report to an admin personally via email or post a report on the Administrator Notice Board .
  • Question
    What should I do if an admin blocks me unfairly and disables my email and talk page access?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    You can email blocked@wikihow.com with a block appeal, including relevant details like your username and block ID. Note that your appeal might not get a reply unless you can show you were editing in good faith.
  • Question
    What should I do if a staff member is bullying me?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    Although an unlikely situation, if something like this occurs to you, please report it to Jayne immediately through email.
  • Question
    What should I do if someone reverts my edit without explanation?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    If you are unsure why someone reverted your edit, feel free to ask them on their talk page! If you have a conflict, avoid edit warring (repeatedly reverting each other's edit on a page) and report to an admin using the Administrator Notice Board .
  • Question
    What happens after I flag an answer?
    ElDiablo69
    Community Answer
    When you flag an answer, it will be reviewed by other contributors.
  • Question
    Will my email address be visible to others when I enter it while asking a question on wikiHow?
    Community Answer
    Your email address will remain hidden from others on wikiHow when you enter it while asking a question, unless you have an account and have set it to allow other users to email you.
  • Question
    Why do I need to enter my email in the form? Can others discover my email this way?
    Community Answer
    No, others cannot discover your email. You enter your email to receive notifications when your question has been answered. The notification is sent automatically by a system, not a person, so your email remains private unless you choose to share it.
  • Question
    Is there a way to tell who asked a question or what email they used?
    Community Answer
    Most contributors on wikiHow have no way of knowing who asked a question.
  • Question
    What are "gibberish" questions in the Q&A section?
    Bhoimus
    Top Answerer
    "Gibberish" questions are those that are spam, nonsensical, or completely off-topic, adding no value to the site and are typically flagged for removal.
  • Question
    Why are there so many nonsensical questions in the Community Q&A section?
    Community Answer
    These questions might come from young children playing on their parents' devices or from people experimenting with the system to understand its features.
  • Question
    How can I lock a wikiHow page if it's being spammed?
    Community Answer
    You need to ask an administrator to protect the page. You can either report the issue on the Administrator Notice Board or contact an admin directly.
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