Are All the Articles on WikiHow True?

WikiHow, a beloved online platform for how-to guides, presents itself as a treasure trove of valuable, reliable information. However, is everything we find here truly accurate and trustworthy? Let's explore the nuances of the site's content and delve into the factors that influence its accuracy.

Assessing the Reliability of WikiHow

Not all articles on wikiHow are guaranteed to be true or accurate. While the site strives to provide helpful and reliable information, the content is created and edited by a wide range of users. This can lead to variations in quality and accuracy. It's essential to critically evaluate the information found on wikiHow or any user-generated content platform and cross-check it with credible sources, especially for topics that require precise or expert knowledge.

First-Hand Insights from a Former WikiHow Contributor

Having worked for WikiHow for several years, I can personally attest that many articles are indeed accurate, reflecting the collaborative and somewhat professional nature of the platform. However, there are notable exceptions. For instance, some articles are absurd, such as "How to Wash Your Private Parts," raising questions about the overall quality and veracity of the content.

Another significant issue is the lack of qualifications or review processes for contributors. Any random person can edit or completely rewrite an article, which can be demotivating for those who put detailed and accurate information into the site. This inconsistency in editing standards can lead to varying degrees of accuracy and reliability.

WikiHow as a "How To" Site

Despite the potential for issues, WikiHow remains a valuable resource for how-to guides. Since all articles are meant to guide readers, they are inherently subjective, as evidenced by the numerous ways to perform common tasks. For example, there’s more than one way to cook spaghetti sauce or to form a friendship. While these guidelines may be essential and sufficient for some, they often fall short of providing comprehensive or expert-level advice.

Accuracy and Variations in Procedure

Even for straightforward processes like changing car oil, variations in procedure and differences in best practices can arise. Questions of whether to let the old oil drain longer, how to lubricate the new filter, or what the best practice truly is can introduce inaccuracies or subjectivity that may not be immediately apparent.

Furthermore, it's not difficult to find articles based on utterly inaccurate premises. Techniques such as palm reading, tea leaf reading, or Tarot card reading, when well-performed, will never predict the future. These articles, while not inaccurate per se, can be misleading to readers seeking factual advice.

The Deletion Policy and Quality Control

The Deletion Policy at WikiHow includes tags for content that is impossible, such as trying to stop the rain by telling clouds to vanish. These entries are often flagged as "irretrievably inaccurate." The site actively encourages users to report low-quality content and attempts to screen new articles to weed out highly inaccurate or low-quality matter. However, despite these efforts, some inaccurate content may slip through.

For instance, one of my most controversial articles, "How to Bend a Spoon," was accurate but has undergone heavy edits since its inception. It describes the process of performing stage magic and was never about telekinesis or mental powers, despite popular belief.

In conclusion, while WikiHow aims to be a reliable source of information, it's important to approach its content critically and cross-reference it with other credible sources, particularly for topics requiring precise or expert knowledge.