How to Change a Wikipedia Article Title: A Comprehensive Guide

Wikipedia, the world’s largest online encyclopedia, is a collaborative project. While its vastness and accessibility make it a valuable resource, the collaborative nature also means that articles sometimes require improvements, including changes to their titles. A misleading, inaccurate, or outdated title can hinder readers from finding the information they seek. Changing a Wikipedia article title, officially known as *moving* a page, isn’t as straightforward as editing the article content itself. It requires adherence to specific policies and procedures. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Why Might You Need to Change a Wikipedia Article Title?

Before diving into the technicalities, let’s consider some valid reasons for changing a Wikipedia article title:

* **Accuracy:** The current title might be factually incorrect or misleading. For example, a title might contain outdated information or reflect a superseded understanding of a topic.
* **Neutrality:** The title might violate Wikipedia’s neutral point of view (NPOV) policy. It might be biased, promotional, or suggestive of a particular opinion.
* **Precision:** The title might be too vague or general. A more precise title can help readers find the specific information they’re looking for.
* **Consistency:** The title might be inconsistent with the naming conventions used for similar articles on Wikipedia. Adhering to consistent naming practices improves navigability and user experience.
* **Common Name:** The current title might not reflect the most common name used for the subject in reliable sources. Wikipedia prioritizes the name that most people would recognize and use.
* **Disambiguation:** When multiple topics share the same name, a disambiguation page helps users find the correct article. Sometimes, a title change is necessary to create or improve disambiguation.
* **Grammar and Style:** The title might contain grammatical errors, typos, or style inconsistencies.

It’s crucial to have a valid rationale for proposing a title change. Simply disliking the current title isn’t sufficient. You need to demonstrate that the proposed change aligns with Wikipedia’s policies and guidelines.

## Prerequisites: Before You Start

Before attempting to change a Wikipedia article title, ensure you meet the following prerequisites:

1. **Account Creation:** You must have a Wikipedia account. Creating an account is free and provides several benefits, including the ability to edit articles, participate in discussions, and move pages (under certain conditions).
2. **Autoconfirmed Status:** To move a page, your account needs to be *autoconfirmed*. This means your account must be at least four days old and have made at least ten edits. This requirement helps prevent vandalism and misuse of the page-moving feature.
3. **Understanding of Wikipedia Policies:** Familiarize yourself with Wikipedia’s key policies, particularly those related to naming conventions (WP:NAME), neutral point of view (WP:NPOV), and reliable sources (WP:RS). These policies will guide your decision-making and help you build a strong case for the proposed title change.
4. **Research and Evidence:** Gather evidence to support your proposed title change. This might include links to reliable sources (news articles, academic papers, books) that use the proposed title more frequently than the current title. Be prepared to present this evidence in discussions.
5. **Check the Page History and Talk Page:** Review the article’s history and talk page. The talk page might contain previous discussions about the title. Understanding past debates can help you avoid repeating arguments that have already been addressed.

## Step-by-Step Guide to Changing a Wikipedia Article Title

Now, let’s walk through the process of changing a Wikipedia article title:

**Step 1: Assess the Situation and Determine the Best Course of Action**

* **Is the move uncontroversial?** If you believe the title change is straightforward and unlikely to be disputed (e.g., correcting a simple typo or moving to a more common name that is overwhelmingly supported by reliable sources), you can proceed directly to Step 4.
* **Is the move potentially controversial?** If you anticipate that the title change might be contested (e.g., because it involves a matter of opinion or interpretation), it’s best to start a discussion on the article’s talk page (Step 2).
* **Is the target title already in use?** If the title you want to move the article to already exists as a page (either a regular article, a redirect, or a disambiguation page), you’ll need to consider the implications and potentially request assistance from an administrator (see the section on “Dealing with Technical Restrictions” below).

**Step 2: Start a Discussion on the Article’s Talk Page**

1. **Navigate to the Article’s Talk Page:** Click on the “Talk” tab at the top of the article page. This will take you to the article’s discussion page.
2. **Create a New Section:** Click on the “New section” tab (or the “+” symbol) at the top of the talk page. This will open a new section for your discussion.
3. **Write a Clear and Concise Subject Line:** Use a subject line that clearly indicates the purpose of your post. For example, “Proposed Title Change: From [Current Title] to [Proposed Title]” or “Request to Rename Article: [Current Title]”.
4. **Explain Your Rationale:** In the body of your post, clearly explain why you believe the title should be changed. Provide specific reasons, citing Wikipedia policies (e.g., WP:NAME, WP:NPOV) and relevant evidence (e.g., links to reliable sources).
5. **Suggest the Proposed Title:** Clearly state the title you are proposing.
6. **Sign Your Post:** End your post with four tildes (~~~~). This will automatically insert your username and a timestamp.

**Example Talk Page Post:**

== Proposed Title Change: From “Acme Widget” to “Acme Corporation Widget” ==

I propose that this article be renamed from “Acme Widget” to “Acme Corporation Widget.” My reasons are as follows:

* **Precision:** The current title is too vague. There are many types of widgets, and “Acme Widget” doesn’t clearly identify the specific widget manufactured by Acme Corporation.
* **Common Name:** A Google search for “Acme Corporation Widget” yields significantly more results than “Acme Widget.” Furthermore, reliable sources, such as the Acme Corporation website and industry publications, consistently refer to the product as “Acme Corporation Widget.” [Link to Acme Corporation Website] [Link to Industry Publication]

Therefore, I believe that “Acme Corporation Widget” is a more precise and commonly used title that aligns with Wikipedia’s naming conventions (WP:NAME).

— YourUsername 12:34, 1 January 2024 (UTC)

**Step 3: Participate in the Discussion and Build Consensus**

1. **Monitor the Discussion:** Regularly check the talk page for responses to your proposal.
2. **Respond to Comments:** Respond to comments from other editors in a respectful and constructive manner. Address their concerns and provide additional evidence to support your case.
3. **Be Open to Compromise:** Be willing to consider alternative titles or approaches suggested by other editors. The goal is to reach a consensus that satisfies the majority of participants and adheres to Wikipedia’s policies.
4. **Avoid Personal Attacks:** Focus on the merits of the proposed title change, not on the personalities of other editors. Personal attacks and inflammatory language will only derail the discussion and make it more difficult to reach a consensus.
5. **Allow Sufficient Time for Discussion:** Don’t rush the process. Give other editors ample time to review your proposal and provide their feedback. A week or two is generally a reasonable timeframe, but it may vary depending on the complexity of the issue and the level of activity on the talk page.

**Step 4: Move the Page (If You Have Autoconfirmed Status and Consensus)**

If you have autoconfirmed status and a clear consensus has emerged in favor of the title change, you can move the page yourself:

1. **Click on the “More” Tab:** At the top of the article page, click on the “More” tab (it might appear as three horizontal lines or a gear icon).
2. **Select “Move”:** From the dropdown menu, select “Move.”
3. **Enter the New Title:** In the “New title” field, enter the proposed new title for the article. Be careful to enter the title exactly as you want it to appear, including capitalization and spacing.
4. **Provide a Reason:** In the “Reason” field, briefly explain why you are moving the page. You can refer to the discussion on the talk page. For example, “Moving page per discussion on talk page; consensus reached to use more precise title.”
5. **(Optional) Watch This Page:** Check the “Watch this page” box if you want to be notified of future changes to the article.
6. **Click “Move Page”:** Click the “Move page” button to complete the move.

**Important Considerations When Moving a Page:**

* **Case Sensitivity:** Wikipedia titles are case-sensitive, except for the first letter. For example, “Acme Widget” is different from “acme widget.”
* **Subpages:** If the article has subpages, you may need to move them separately.
* **Double Redirects:** After moving a page, check for any double redirects (redirects that point to the old title, which now redirects to the new title). You’ll need to update these double redirects to point directly to the new title. You can use a tool like “What links here” to find redirects to the old title.

**Step 5: Dealing with Technical Restrictions and Seeking Administrator Assistance**

In some cases, you may encounter technical restrictions that prevent you from moving a page yourself. This often happens when:

* **The Target Title Already Exists:** If the title you want to move the article to already exists as a page (either a regular article, a redirect, or a disambiguation page), you won’t be able to move the article directly to that title. This is to prevent accidental overwriting of existing content.
* **The Page is Protected:** Some pages are protected from being moved, either to prevent vandalism or to avoid disruptive moves.

In these situations, you’ll need to request assistance from a Wikipedia administrator:

1. **Use the {{Requested move}} Template:** On the article’s talk page, add the `{{Requested move}}` template. This template will categorize the page for administrator review.
2. **Provide Detailed Instructions:** In the template, clearly specify the current title, the proposed title, and the reason for the move. Explain why you can’t move the page yourself (e.g., because the target title already exists).
3. **Follow the Instructions on the Template Page:** The template page (click on the template name in the talk page post) provides detailed instructions on how to use the template and what information to include.

**Example Use of the {{Requested move}} Template:**

{{Requested move
|currenttitle = Acme Widget
|newtitle = Acme Corporation Widget
|reason = The target title, “Acme Corporation Widget,” already exists as a redirect. This move is supported by the discussion above. It aligns with WP:NAME and WP:PRECISION. The proposed title is more specific and reflects the common name used in reliable sources.
}}

An administrator will review your request and, if appropriate, move the page for you.

## What to Do If There’s No Consensus

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a clear consensus may not emerge on the talk page. In these cases, consider the following options:

* **Seek Additional Input:** Post a request for comments (RfC) on the talk page. This will bring the discussion to the attention of a wider audience of editors.
* **Mediation:** If the dispute is particularly contentious, consider seeking mediation from the Mediation Cabal or the Mediation Committee. Mediators can help facilitate communication and find a mutually acceptable solution.
* **Accept the Status Quo (for Now):** If you’ve exhausted all other options and there’s still no consensus, it may be best to accept the status quo for the time being. You can always revisit the issue later if new evidence emerges or if the situation changes.

## Best Practices for Proposing Title Changes

To increase your chances of success when proposing a title change, follow these best practices:

* **Be Prepared to Defend Your Proposal:** Expect to be challenged and be ready to provide evidence and arguments to support your case.
* **Be Respectful and Civil:** Treat other editors with respect, even if you disagree with their opinions. Avoid personal attacks and inflammatory language.
* **Be Patient:** The process of changing a Wikipedia article title can take time. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen immediately.
* **Focus on Wikipedia’s Policies:** Always ground your arguments in Wikipedia’s policies and guidelines. Don’t rely on personal preferences or opinions.
* **Assume Good Faith:** Assume that other editors are acting in good faith and are trying to improve Wikipedia.
* **Document Everything:** Keep a record of your research, arguments, and communications. This will be helpful if the issue needs to be revisited in the future.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

* **Moving a Page Without Discussion When It’s Likely to Be Controversial:** Always start a discussion on the talk page if you anticipate that the title change might be contested.
* **Failing to Provide Adequate Evidence:** Back up your claims with reliable sources and specific examples.
* **Ignoring the Opinions of Other Editors:** Listen to the concerns of other editors and be willing to consider alternative approaches.
* **Engaging in Edit Wars:** Avoid repeatedly moving the page back and forth without reaching a consensus. This is considered disruptive and can lead to sanctions.
* **Assuming You “Own” the Article:** Remember that Wikipedia is a collaborative project. No single editor has the right to unilaterally change the title of an article.

## Conclusion

Changing a Wikipedia article title requires careful consideration, adherence to Wikipedia’s policies, and a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with other editors. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can increase your chances of successfully improving the accuracy, neutrality, and overall quality of Wikipedia’s content. Remember to always prioritize the best interests of the encyclopedia and its readers.