wikiHow Content Management
Editorial Values: Crafted by People for People

At wikiHow, our Content Management Team consists of skilled editors and writers dedicated to crafting in-depth, reliable, and trustworthy how-to resources. We achieve this through first-hand subject-matter expertise, rigorous sourcing standards, and a thorough, multilayered review process done by our experienced content management team. Furthermore, our articles are verified by experts from diverse fields to ensure the highest level of accuracy and trustworthiness.

We never use AI or programs to write our articles, as we believe a human-first approach to writing is integral to the quality of our content. We coach our team to always keep our readers in mind, and to write in ways that connect with their experiences. Our unique editorial process combines trustworthiness, accuracy, and empathy to create the best how-to content on the internet.

Content Management Team

Since 2005, we've committed to our step-by-step teaching approach ensuring our content creation process is optimized for learning. Our Content Management Team works closely with our team of full-time writers, article reviewers, fact-checkers, and expert partners to create credible and helpful content.

Staff Co-Author Editorial Process

We believe in a people-centric approach—that’s why all wikiHow articles are written by our team of experienced writers and editors, monitored by our community of how-to and DIY enthusiasts, and reviewed by our network of real-life expert partners. Each article is researched, tested, and edited by our in-house content management team to ensure readers get the very best information in the most simple and effective way. Also, every article goes through at least one round of review to ensure quality and accuracy before it is published. Once articles are live, we carefully track and update them to ensure we’ve created the best possible content for our readers.

We continually update our content to ensure it is accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date. Additionally, we update content based on reader and community feedback, as well as proprietary quantitative measures of reader satisfaction to identify which articles need to be improved.

1 RESEARCH

Content Managers research the article topic, identify trustworthy sources to cite, and work to understand the readers’ needs.

2 ORGANIZE

Writers break up long, complex processes into manageable steps. They separate out multiple methods, when possible.

3 WRITE

Writers consider the audience for each article, and write steps in ways that are inclusive of many ages, backgrounds, and reading levels.

4 REVIEW

Every article is reviewed at least once by Content Managers, to check for accuracy, clarity, and comprehensiveness.

1. Researching

Understanding the Audience

We train writers to identify the correct audience for each how-to article and to understand the specific needs of the reader. For every query, they answer questions including:

  • What is the urgency of the topic?

  • What type of problem is the reader trying to solve?

  • What are the immediate concerns of the reader?

  • What information will help the reader effectively achieve their goals?

Using Authoritative & Credible Sources

Our writers cross-check facts, investigate the credibility of authors, and use wikiHow’s curated list of trusted sources. Proper sourcing not only means using multiple sources, but higher-quality ones. Our writers are trained to select:

  • Sources containing evidence-based information

  • Sources produced by individuals with credentials or relevant experience

  • Advocacy organization sites

  • Government-sponsored sites

  • Academic and peer-reviewed publications

2. Organizing

Articles are structured in a way that allows readers to learn the task at hand easily and comprehensively.

We restructure long or complex processes into shorter logical steps. This allows readers to digest the information in manageable chunks, and makes processes easier to follow along.

Writers also make sure to organize content into the most user-friendly format. Articles may be formatted as process-based parts, alternative methods that can help the reader achieve the same goal, lists of options, or sections that answer the reader’s pressing questions and provide them with all the information they need to complete their task or goal. Utilizing various formats makes it more likely that every reader will find a solution that works for them.

3. Writing

Writers create clear, action-oriented steps, followed by additional text that explains underlying concepts for readers who want more information. Readers not only learn how to take action, but they gain a deeper understanding of the article topic.

We also train writers to consider the unique audience of each article, and tailor the vocabulary, structure, and tone to suit the needs of the intended reader. They also work to create content that is inclusive and accessible to people of a variety of backgrounds, ages, genders, and reading levels.

4. Review

Every article is reviewed by an article reviewer, fact checker, or expert partner. During the review step the credibility, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of the article is examined. We do this by verifying the sources, ensuring the article meets certain editorial standards, and by utilizing the expertise of our expert network. The goal is to make articles as helpful, comprehensive, and well-researched as possible with a focus on first-hand experience and knowledge. In addition, wikiHow’s Content Management Team continually evaluates reader feedback and data trends to improve existing content and to create new content based on what works well for our readers.

Utilizing Fact Checkers

Fact Checkers provide an additional layer of review, looking to ensure that factual information is accurate, and that the sources cited are trustworthy and reliable.

Collaborating with Experts

Our Content Management team works with industry-leading experts to ensure that our articles are accurate, up-to-date, and backed by current research. Working closely with our editorial team, wikiHow's experts enhance article content, provide advice, and answer reader questions. Experts participate in a combination of written, verbal, and video interviews to verify claims and add engaging testimony to our articles. A team of hand-picked experts—members of our innovative Brand Ambassador program—carefully reviews newly written and updated articles each week to ensure their quality and credibility. Our expert network is constantly growing and to date features more than 1600 expert collaborators.

Our Editorial Values

Every new article adheres to a robust set of editorial values in order to provide you with a comprehensive and reliable learning resource.

Editorial
Values
AUTHORITATIVE

Reputable Sources
Expert Interviews
Personal Testimonies

COMPREHENSIVE

Multiple Methods

INSTRUCTIVE

Custom Illustrations
Videos
Quizzes

RELATABLE

EmpatheticHonest

INTUITIVE

Step-by-Step

At wikiHow, we strive to provide our readers with a diverse range of helpful articles to further our mission of teaching the world how to do anything. In our commitment to maintaining a free and accessible platform, some articles on our website are created in collaboration with advertisers to promote products or services that align with our readers' interests. We will only include services and products that we think are useful and helpful for our readers.

It's important to note that all content, regardless of its promotional nature, is vetted through wikiHow's editorial process and held to the same rigorous standards. Our goal remains to provide reliable, well-researched, and accurate information to our community while ensuring transparency about any content sponsored by advertisers.

Any content created in collaboration with an advertiser will list the advertiser in the byline and contain a sponsored content disclaimer for full transparency. wikiHow is also a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program. Any content on wikiHow that includes an Amazon affiliate link will include a disclaimer. If you purchase a product through an Amazon link on our site, we may collect a commission.

Learn more about our editorial process and values here .