Help:Contents
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/Wikipedia_help.png/46px-Wikipedia_help.png)
To start, click on what you need assistance with below, or search all the help pages using the search box to the right. You may also browse the Help menu or the Help directory.
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/HelpPage_IconPack-06.png)
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/HelpPage_IconPack-03.png)
Read or find an article
The Readers' FAQ and our about page contain the most commonly sought information about Wikipedia.
For simple searches, there is a search box at the top of every page. Type what you are looking for in the box. Partial matches will appear in a dropdown list. Select any page in the list to go to that page. Or, select the magnifying glass "Go" button, or press ↵ Enter, to go to a full search result. For advanced searches, see Help:Searching.
There are other ways to browse and explore Wikipedia articles; many can be found at Portal:Contents. Also see our disclaimer for cautions about Wikipedia's limitations.
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/HelpPage_IconPack-01.png)
Edit an article
Contributing is easy: see how to edit a page. For a quick summary on participating, see contributing to Wikipedia. For a listing of introductions and tutorials by topic, see getting started. Or play the Wikipedia Adventure to learn to edit in an hour. The Cheatsheet can remind you of basic wiki markup.
Be bold in improving articles! When adding facts, please provide references so others may verify them. If you are affiliated with the article subject, please see our conflict of interest guideline.
If you feel someone is bullying you or if you don't understand why your edits are being reverted, you can ask for help at the Help desk or at the Teahouse. Volunteers will respond as soon as possible.
If you're looking for places you can help out, the community portal is the place to go. You can practice editing and experiment in a sandbox.
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/HelpPage_IconPack-04.png)
Report a problem with an article
If there is a problem with an article about yourself, a family member, a friend or a colleague, please read Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons/Help and, if necessary, add a discussion to the biographies of living persons noticeboard.
If you spot a problem with an article, you can fix it directly, by clicking on the "Edit" link at the beginning of that page. See the "edit an article" section of this page for more information.
If you don't feel ready to fix the article yourself, please post a message on the article's talk page. This will bring the matter to the attention of others who work on that article. There is a "Talk" link at the beginning of every article page.
Alternatively you can contact us. If it's an article about you or your organization, see Contact us – Subjects.
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/HelpPage_IconPack-02.png)
Create a new article or upload media
Check Your first article to see if your topic is appropriate, then the Article wizard will walk you through creating the article.
Once you have created an article, see Writing better articles for guidance on how to improve it and what to include (like reference citations).
For contributing images, audio or video files, see the Introduction to uploading images. Then the Upload wizard will guide you through that process.
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/HelpPage_IconPack-05.png)
Factual questions
If searching Wikipedia has not answered your question (for example, questions like "Which country has the world's largest fishing fleet?"), try the Reference Desk. Volunteers there will attempt to answer your questions on any topic, or point you towards the information you need.
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/HelpPage_IconPack-07.png)
Stuck?
For your convenience, answers have been recorded for the most frequently asked questions.
You can find also where to ask questions or make comments.
You can ask questions about using Wikipedia at the Help desk or at the Teahouse. Volunteers will respond as soon as possible.
Or
and a volunteer will visit you there!You can get live help with editing in the help chatroom.
For help with technical issues, ask at Village pump (technical)
![](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20161231124700im_/https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Simple_light_bulb_graphic.png/38px-Simple_light_bulb_graphic.png)
Tip of the day
One of the most important criteria for inclusion of articles in Wikipedia is verifiability. Wikipedia is not a place to publish original research. Instead, we restate, summarize and structure knowledge that has already been published in many forms. So, wherever possible, include a source for your information that readers can follow up.