WikiAlpha
WikiAlpha was a free online encyclopedia, journal, and news platform that allowed open contributions from anyone. The site, launched on June 19, 2011, by Richard and Govind, operated using MediaWiki software. It remained active until June 2024, when it went offline.
Overview[edit]
WikiAlpha positioned itself as an alternative to Wikipedia, with a notably more lenient approach to content notability requirements. This allowed for a broad range of articles on virtually any subject, including personal topics such as bands, pets, or individual interests. Unlike Wikipedia, which maintains strict guidelines on what qualifies as notable, WikiAlpha permitted content as long as it did not violate the site's speedy deletion policy. This policy made it possible for many articles to remain on the site indefinitely.
Motivation[edit]
The motivation behind WikiAlpha's creation stemmed from dissatisfaction with Wikipedia's increasingly stringent deletion practices, especially concerning topics deemed non-notable or articles created by new editors. Richard and Govind, the founders, believed that Wikipedia's policies were moving away from its original mission as an encyclopedia "anyone can edit." In response, they established WikiAlpha to offer a platform where a wider variety of content could be published without the threat of deletion for not meeting traditional notability standards.
Mission[edit]
To support its mission, WikiAlpha actively engaged with Wikipedia editors whose articles were at risk of deletion. If possible, WikiAlpha would retrieve these articles and republish them on its platform, informing the original creators of the transfer. This approach allowed content that might not meet Wikipedia's standards to find a home on WikiAlpha, preserving it for public access.