Wikipedia:List of paid editing companies: Difference between revisions
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*[https://www.netreputation.com/create-a-wikipedia-page/ "HOW TO CREATE A WIKIPEDIA PAGE FOR BUSINESS IN 2019"] (make 10 edits then spam away) |
*[https://www.netreputation.com/create-a-wikipedia-page/ "HOW TO CREATE A WIKIPEDIA PAGE FOR BUSINESS IN 2019"] (make 10 edits then spam away) |
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===Net'Wash=== |
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aka net-wash.com |
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Reported in fr.wiki [[:fr: Wikipédia:Bulletin des administrateurs/2020/Semaine 22/Agences de communication sur Wikipédia|investigation]]. Unknown if active on en.wiki. |
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===Notion Technologies=== |
===Notion Technologies=== |
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*At least four disclosed editors from subsids MSL and Team One |
*At least four disclosed editors from subsids MSL and Team One |
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Details - [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard/Archive 123#Publicis PR company and US subsidiaries|Publicis PR company and US subsidiaries]] at COIN. |
Details - [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard/Archive 123#Publicis PR company and US subsidiaries|Publicis PR company and US subsidiaries]] at COIN. |
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===Pulpe de Com=== |
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Reported in fr.wiki [[:fr: Wikipédia:Bulletin des administrateurs/2020/Semaine 22/Agences de communication sur Wikipédia|investigation]]. Unknown if active on en.wiki. |
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*puzzle globe infringement |
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*advertises Wikipedia "redaction", page creation/editing on English Wikipedia [https://www.pulpedecom.com/expertises/wikipedia/] |
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===Pure SEO, New Zealand=== |
===Pure SEO, New Zealand=== |
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*"Cost: $2,000 + HST." |
*"Cost: $2,000 + HST." |
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*First step: "Review your notability level and make an assessment of your suitability for inclusion in Wikipedia. If we determine you are not suitable we will refund $1,500 of your fees." |
*First step: "Review your notability level and make an assessment of your suitability for inclusion in Wikipedia. If we determine you are not suitable we will refund $1,500 of your fees." |
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===Reputation Squad=== |
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Reported in fr.wiki [[:fr: Wikipédia:Bulletin des administrateurs/2020/Semaine 22/Agences de communication sur Wikipédia|investigation]]. Unknown if active on en.wiki. |
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===Revunami=== |
===Revunami=== |
Revision as of 02:47, 30 May 2020
This is not a Wikipedia article: This is a workpage, a collection of material and work in progress that may or may not be incorporated into WP:PAID. It should not necessarily be considered factual or authoritative. |
This is a list of companies involved in paid editing and some of their blocked accounts.
It also describes some of the ways in which these companies work. It is to help with the detection and follow up of future issues. It is also to help educate those who may have been approached by such organizations to write an article for them.
The allow-ability of creating such a page is based on guidance by the Wikimedia Foundation Legal team.[1] It is also supported by a reasonable reading of the policy on harassment.
Companies
3QDigital aka 3Q Digital
- Claimed over 10 years' experience doing Wikipedia editing as of 2016 [1]
- Uses article creation case study in marketing material [2]
- Barbequeue (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
See Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard/Archive 126#3QDigital aka 3Q Digital.
adtelligent.net
Blocked users from here.
agenda21 Digital Limmited
- https://agenda21digital.com/services/
- Paid by Domestic & General to create Draft:Domestic & General
ALS Marketing
See July 26, 17 email. Doc James (talk) 16:04, 26 July 2017 (UTC)
User:TheDragonFire this user User:Alzh2017 is associated. Not sure about that ticket.
AMPCR
Boskit190/Hilumeoka2000/Lary Networks
- Boskit190 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
- Hilumeoka2000 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki) former name; dozens of socks
Self-outed freelancer; full name is Hilary Umeoka.[3] Works as hilumeoka2000 at freelancer.com, odesk, elance per Special:diff/662074627
Buzzinga Digital
- buzzingadigital.com
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/BuzzingaWiki
This is a marketing firm founded by Yashraj Vakil.
Catelyn Benson & Co
- Stone cold Staffordshire (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
- Company services as advertised on Freelancer.com: [4]
Manchester (UK) based company offering writing services, including Wikipedia article creation. The one editor affiliated with the company, User:Stone cold Staffordshire, fully complied with WP:PAID and properly disclosed, but was blocked in May 2019 for advertising and promotion on Wikipedia.
Cameron Free Marketing
- Cameronfree (talk · contribs)
- Alexanderrun (talk · contribs)
- Rolledup145 (talk · contribs)
Cameron Free Marketing is a small marketing company based in Boca Raton, Florida. The company does not directly offer Wikipedia editing services, but significant overlaps exist between the off-wiki company's clients and topics edited by the User:Cameronfree sockfarm (case at Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Cameronfree) strongly implies a paid editing campaign was being undertaken from late 2018 to early 2019. Cameron Free Marketing's areas of interest (both in terms of off and on Wiki marketing) seems to be focused around topics related to Florida—the state where the company is based—with special emphasis being centered around Boca Raton. Other editing focuses include smaller companies related to the arts or clothing. Suspected clients include;
- Ikonick-a canvas and art supplies company.
- Jersey Champs-a sports clothing company; this company has been the subject of edits by multiple undisclosed paid editors in the past, most of which are not affiliated with Cameron Free Marketing.
- Marcel Katz (now at Draft:Marcel Katz (2))- A Miami-based artist.
Coast Digital
- coastdigital.co.uk
- see for example this How to appear in the Knowledge Graph: For the kinds of brands we work with, the most common way to appear in the knowledge graph is through a Wikipedia article. Having a Wikipedia article about your brand is a win-win – it means you’re appearing on one of the biggest independent information resources in existence and it means you’re featured on one of those public sources Google uses to generate the Knowledge Graph. Now, Wikipedia isn’t quite the content free-for-all it used to be, so getting a page added might be more difficult than you’re expecting – but it’s an ordeal worth going through to claim that much organic real estate.
- very likely Coast123 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Cogent Law Group
- Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard#Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan
- There is evidence of contracting Wikipedia editing. No evidence of the actual project already being executed yet.
Connect Worldwide
The Digital SEO
- http://www.thedigitalseo.com/p/wiki-page-expert.html claims to be named Bhupesh Patel
- Patel.bhupesh
- Category:Wikipedia sockpuppets of Nicgf
Digital Sukoon
- Website, Estimated number of employees (9)
- Link to the discussion at COIN
- Sudhanshu6454 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- SudhanshuKumar1 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Digi Osmosis
- Website
- Mrugeshsingh (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Direct Online Marketing
- https://www.directom.com/
- JonathanBentz (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
Dot Com Infoway
- https://www.dotcominfoway.com/product/wikipedia-page-creation/
- User:Stephenlewis sockmaster, banned since 2008
For $1,200 "Our Wikipedia writers help you create a Wikipedia page for your brand and make it stick and survive the review process."
- C. R. Venkatesh, C. R Venkatesh (recreated w misspelling) founder bio
- Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/Archive133#Seeking_Community_ban_of_Dot_Com_Infoway_company_Adsense_marketing_and_Spamming
DreamWebsters
everymedia
Exposure Digital
Was found paying User:MrMarkBGregory to add "spam links" to Wikipedia. These payments were disclosed but this is not allowed.
Facilius Inc
See Jun 28, 17 emails. [5]
Actively emailing people as of Dec 2017. Stating that they have created 400+ articles and have admins working for them. Says articles on a topic need to be two months apart. They follow the deletion boards to find potential customers. It appears they include creating sources as part of the fee.
Still trying to recruit editors as of April 2019 ([6])
Fast Fingers Hype Team (FFHypeTEAM)
- https://www.kwaolezzes.com/blog/ and Facebook
- Ghana based, under name of Kwao Lezzes-Tyt (bio repeatedly recreated)
- Daniel Kobe Ricks Jr (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
- at least 140 confirmed sockpuppets
Fiveblocks
- https://www.fiveblocks.com/editing-your-brands-wikipedia-entry/
- WMF trademark infringement (removed)
- Factsonlyplease39 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
- OnceaMetro (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki) (possibly connected)
FP1 Strategies
- Lesbianadvocate (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
See COIN archive.
Getyourwiki.com
Marketing materials say "A Wikipedia page for a company, business or person often shows up in the first few search results in search engines such as Google or Yahoo. Knowing this, your Wikipedia article can make an excellent first impression on prospective clients for your company or the general public that is searching for your name."
Get Wikified
Quotes: "You cannot afford to leave the editing of your Wikipedia profile to strangers", "From common to 'famously known'""
This company operates under many names as listed below.
Page creation and monitoring to "make sure that nobody wrongly edits any of the information about your brand on your Wikipedia page". Pretends to be from Wikipedia. Does direct email campaigns. They are buying ads via Facebook and have used one likely undisclosed sponsored article on a website.
Reported to be spimming, as Wiki Professionals.
Favorite fake clients (sometimes with stolen photos) with positive reviews: Michael A. Upton, Clarence A. Ogle, Michael B. Nielson, John T. Ventura. Many of the websites list dubious corporate addresses in the state of Texas, United States. Websites often offer 70% discounts and feature popup chat messages from "Will" or "Sean".
Other company names
- WikiEditors
- Wikiprof
- Wikifiers
- https://wikifiersinc.com[dead link]
- ticket:2017122110008621
- Wikiryte
- Wiki Ryte Inc
- https://wikiryteinc.com[dead link]
- Wikisharks / Wiki Sharks
- https://wikisharksinc.com[dead link]
- ticket:2018061310005346
- Wiki Professionals
- https://wikiprofessionalsinc.com - advertised in Google search results as of March 2020
- https://thewikiprofessional.com[dead link]
- https://www.thewikiprofessionals.com
- https://www.facebook.com/Wiki-Professionals-Inc-1612156992155656/
- https://ca.godaddy.com/whois/results.aspx?domain=wikiprofessionalsinc.com
- Previously pointed to a Ryder Treac in Delaware according to User:Salvidrim! as of 10 February 2018.
- ReeceMay (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
- ticket:2018052210011323
- Ticket:2018092510007996
- See also WikiProject Spam discussion
- https://wikipagecreation.com - admits to being run by Wiki Professionals.
- https://wikifieersincco.com - also admits to being run by Wiki Professionals.
- https://prowikicreators.com/ - run by Wiki Professionals.
- Wikipedia Official
- Wiki Contributors
- Wiki Page Creation
- Wiki Page Creator
(Dallas address [7])
- Wiki Page Creation Agency
- Wiki Page Writing Services
- Wiki Page Writing
- Wikipedia Pro
- wikirytessinc.com
Involved in email spamming ala "Do you think Gangnam Style..."
- Wiki Manager
- Wiki Management Inc
- Wikipedia Consultant
- Wikipedia Page Writing
- Wiki Specialist LLC
- https://wikispecialistllc.com
- https://www.boulevardvoltaire.net/ (mirrors the wording of Wiki Specialist)
- WikiHelpers
- WikiWriters
- Get on Wiki (GetonWiki)
- Wiki Page Creation Agency
- Wiki Creation Services
- Wiki Creators Inc
- Wikipedia Services
- Wikipediaservices.net[dead link]
Go Fish Digital
- https://gofishdigital.com/online-reputation-management/
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/BurritoSlayer
"Wikipedia Management service: Wikipedia consistently ranks highly in the search engines' results. It is often viewed as a third-party objective authority, and as such, the content it contains about a person or brand has a direct impact on their reputation. Managing and improving your personal or brand Wikipedia page ensures that you are putting your best foot forward."
Important to note that this company was a WMF vendor and has some private data, details at phab:T192893 and phab:T193052.
gotwikipedia.com
- Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard/Archive273#gotwikipedia.com
- EBY3221 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
- Chelsea232024 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
Hats Off Digital
- [8]
- puzzle globe infringement
"Hats-Off Helps You Manage Your Image on Wikipedia" "Wikipedia has become an alternative marketing tool for businesses as well as people. It helps in increasing your visibility on search engines, markets your products and services as well as help with eCommerce promotion."
Hawk Nepal
- Website, Estimated number of employees (unknown)
- Link to the Facebook post
- Link to the Sockpuppet investigation
- Sushilxxx (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Sushil.lax (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Highbrows Engineering and Technologies
- Highstakes00 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki) (about 200 sockpuppets)
- Website highbrows.pk (archived)
- User:Gfeiwer (see third-party attribution here)
A CU confirmed sock displayed a link to edenwritings.com.
HighlyRelevant
Hire Wikipedia Editor
- https://hirewikipediaeditor.com/
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/UA85 (self-outed)
- Contact info in Lahore and name [9]
- Offers media placements if under-referenced
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/MNB9911 suspected
- puzzle globe infringement in Twitter adverts
indexsciences.com
- indexsciences.com
- scienceindexes.com
- indexinscience.net
Email campaign
Interprose
- Mdrozdowski (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Blocked for native advertisement despite disclosures.
KCOMM
KCOMM is a California-based digital marketing company that offers Wikipedia page creation for clients, most of which are related to the real estate industry. Several editors likely affiliated with the company were blocked in early 2019 per Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Juliusvergara. As of February 2019, editors affiliated with the firm (via substantial off-wiki evidence) have declined to disclose any paid status, and the same editors have also resorted to sockpuppetry to create articles. Past creations likely done by KCOMM included;
- Sinan Kanatsiz - CEO of KCOMM; also created at Sinan Kanatsiz (businessman). Both articles now protected from re-creation.
- Ware Malcomb - Client of KCOMM (per testimonials) and a target of multiple suspected COI accounts.
- Lawrence R. Armstrong - CEO of Ware Malcomb and a past creation of KCOMM-linked accounts.
koozai.com
Talk page July 18, 2017
Kreative Mines
- Kreative Mines website
- Digital marketing company providing SEO services.
- Published an essay advertising paid editing services on Wikipedia.
- Offers page creation, edits, and maintenance template removal.
Legalmorning.com
- https://www.legalmorning.com/
- Communnity banned [12]
- Run by Mike Wood[13]
- Morning277 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · page moves · block user · logs · block log · arb · rfc · lta · SPI · cuwiki)
- http://www.ibtimes.com/wikipedia-sends-paid-editors-cease-desist-sockpuppet-account-morning277-not-wiki-pr-1482738
- from their website:
- posts articles straight to mainspace
- uses multiple references so not csd class
- boasts variously of 40,000 or 80,000 Wikipedia edits and creating 1000 articles
- charges yearly for maintaining articles including removing or rewriting negative content and defending the article at AfD if it is nominated
- charges for single edits if that is all that is required
- does not give a deletion service (ie nominating AfDs)
- calls Wikipedia editors "futile", and says they are "dying out"
Macrolancer/Muhammad Zahid Iqbal
- https://www.facebook.com/macrolancer/
- www.larzze.com (Larzze Expert Technologies) SEO and social media marketing
- IMZahidIqbal sockfarm incl Macrolancer and LARZZE
The Mather Group
- Official website
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Frogg92477, sockmaster Jgreene1333
- Rewrote the Wikipedia page of a journalist...
“ | The Mather Group carefully rewrote [Maggie Hallahan's] page and coded it in the special wiki language. We republished it, and when we did so added citations to it and linked from other articles that mentioned the author back to the main page. This made the Wiki page stronger as it wasn’t an “orphan” any longer. Most importantly we continued to defend it from being deleted as we monitored it. | ” |
Here is the "carefully rewritten page" in the "special wiki language", in fact, it's rewritten so well it is a start class article!
Media Partners
- Media Partners, Inc. (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Media Tribe (MediaTribe)
- Digital marketing and PR agency based in Mumbai
- Presumably connected to Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/MediaTribe/Archive
- Advertises on Twitter
Muhammad Ali
Ali Khalid / Muhammad Ali Blocked accounts.
My Wiki Pro
Website (no longer active)
NetReputation
- NetReputation
- "HOW TO CREATE A WIKIPEDIA PAGE FOR BUSINESS IN 2019" (make 10 edits then spam away)
Net'Wash
aka net-wash.com
Reported in fr.wiki investigation. Unknown if active on en.wiki.
Notion Technologies
- https://www.notiontechnologies.com
- Shaikh Salamuddin / Salamuddin.Shaikh89 (possibly real name Salamuddin S.Shaikh of Mumbai) and Rudra.shukla sockfarm
- Caroline Murphy may be a fabricated persona: [14], Special:diff/654469060
- Real name connection to WHOIS wikipediaexperts.com
- May be subcontractors for WikiExperts
- Also has claimed relation to D-Design Studio http://www.d-designstudio.com
Olive Writing Hub
Ontarget Media and Marketing Services
- http://protosoftech.com
- Blocked accounts as of Nov 30, 2017
Orangemoody
Wikipedia:Long-term_abuse/Orangemoody
- over 300 confirmed or suspected sockpuppets
Oranks
Website (estimated number of employees 3)
- Khalidgaur (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
outerboxdesign.com
- [15] Blocked users from here.
Percepto
- www
.percepto-digital .com - Formerly known as Veribo, but changed its name after being involved in a scandal in which it attempted to suppress negative coverage in google searches.
- Offers SEO, reputation management services
- Based (or incorporated) In Tel Aviv, but primarily deals with Canadian clients
- Maintains a guide to Wikipedia editing called "Wikipedia - The Rules of the Game, and offers Wikipedia editing advice
- Engages in undisclosed paid editing and sockpuppetry
- See Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/HenryFriedberg for a list of involved accounts and Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest/Noticeboard#Potentially_an_undisclosed_paid_editor_account for the investigation that uncovered the company's activities
Premium Content Writing.com
- Website
- Active as of September 2019
- Content writing/advertising company that explicitly offers [16] Wikipedia writing services.
- Offers guaranteed article approval, creation, article monitoring, and maintenance.
- User(s)
- JamesRodir (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Pressmate PR
- Upwork "Safaque A.": Wikipedia article creation, US based, high hourly rate - 87 jobs
pressmate.com Active as of February 2019domain abandoned as of March 2020, pressmate.co.in dead
- Safaque (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (suspected) - see deleted contributions
- Dezorama (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) (suspected) - see [17] & Special:Diff/400063190
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Johnsaavn (suspected) - see evidence at Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Safaque
- User:Sora Sailor
procreativewriters.com / wikipediainc.com / wikipublishersonline.com
- wikipublishersonline.com
- procreativewriters.com/wikipedia
wikipublishersonline.com appears in Google targeted search ads for Wiki page creation. Asserts page creation "by a Wikipedia professional". Shares a US toll-free phone number with "Pro Creative Writers" of San Francisco but writing style does not appear to be idiomatic American English.
Pro Creative Writers displays has displayed infringing puzzle globe. $1,200 to $3,500 article creation offers.
- https://www.procreativewriters.com / https://www.wikipediainc.com (abandoned 2020-03)
- Claim to have written +1100 articles and have 13 years experience (i.e. probably already banned).
- Has attempted to edit as part of WP:WIR.
- Discloses after block (via sock), but often fails to initially disclose.
- Employs sock-puppets - see ElricFullMetal (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) and MNB9911 sockfarm
- Users listed at COIN.
- DoshNomad (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) per this comment
- EdJaUno (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) per this disclosure
- ElricFullMetal (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) per this disclosure
Prosparky
- http://www.prosparky.com/
- prosparky (talk · contribs · count) (blocked)
Publicis
- Mslgroupofficial (talk · contribs) (username block)
- 67.246.61.* and 167.246.61.0/24 blocked for 3 years (corporate IP)
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Susana Hodge - possibly subcontractor
- At least four disclosed editors from subsids MSL and Team One
Details - Publicis PR company and US subsidiaries at COIN.
Pulpe de Com
Reported in fr.wiki investigation. Unknown if active on en.wiki.
- puzzle globe infringement
- advertises Wikipedia "redaction", page creation/editing on English Wikipedia [18]
Pure SEO, New Zealand
RankHawn
- Website
- Offers page creation, maintenance
- Based in Bangalore, India
- Likely uses undisclosed sponsored web articles ([19]) to promote.
Red Ventures
Digital media/PR (Red Ventures)
Reputation.ca
- "We have built up many senior administrator accounts within the Wikipedia hierarchy. Over the years, we have successfully created LIVE Wikipedia pages for numerous clients. Our ability to do this has come from our detailed knowledge of how Wikipedia works and what content is accepted and what is not."
- "Cost: $2,000 + HST."
- First step: "Review your notability level and make an assessment of your suitability for inclusion in Wikipedia. If we determine you are not suitable we will refund $1,500 of your fees."
Reputation Squad
Reported in fr.wiki investigation. Unknown if active on en.wiki.
Revunami
Specialize in digital marketing for nonprofits.
- Per their blog: "Wikipedia Analysis, Strategy, Content Creation, and Monitoring – Wikipedia is consistently in the top results for the vast majority of Google searches. Revunami leverages this visibility to your organization’s advantage, ensuring your messaging reaches key audiences and advances your organization, its brand, and its people. We help you influence opinion and establish your organization as a trustworthy and authoritative source on the topics that are important to you and your mission."
- Gnusworthy (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Rmlewinson (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Rlewinson (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Sesame Stick (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - edited as "GF Revunami" until username change.
- See COIN thread
searchwrite.com
- Searchwriter (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) blocked NOTHERE
- Seattle24x7 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
See evidence
SEO Clerks
- seoclerk.com
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/RohithKumarPatali/Archive
- offer "permanent" wikipedia biography or other article for $120 on corp site
SK Visions
- users
- Shrinivaskulkarni1388 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Tejashree1994 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Ksg18 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Smarter wiki
Website (no longer functional)
Social Beat
Social Czars
Statuslabs.com / Wiki-PR[20]
One of the ways they work is by emailing organizations that have Wikipedia pages that have clean up tags and offering to get those tags removed. Active as of 2017. Further details at Wiki-PR editing of Wikipedia
Community banned October 25, 2013
WMF cease-and-desist letter [21]
Sterling PR
Wikipedia Tip Sheet & Editing Your Wikipedia Edits (puzzle globe infringement)
Studio Maras
- guru.com
Claims to be former Wikipedia administrator
- Strizivojna (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- Greecy200 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
- WilderWords (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Submit Express
- http://www.submitexpress.com/services/wikipedia-page-creation/
- puzzle globe logo infringement
- Guarantees creation of 5-7 media items for non-notables
- SoCal area code 818
- 71.95.181.29 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log) self-identified as CEO
- 71.84.38.6 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · filter log · WHOIS · RDNS · RBLs · http · block user · block log)
thewikiexpert.com
- Google ad circa January 2020 "Get a Wikipedia Page in 7 Days"
- UK telephone number
Emails those who have had pages deleted.
Tony Ahn and Company
Claims to have put multiple clients' articles on WP main page through DYK.
Said in interview "I have placed articles in the press on behalf of clients. If you don’t have press, I can get you press – because I work in PR. I can set up an interview with a newspaper, and then write the Wikipedia article. If I have to get you two insertions, then the Wiki article it’s 75,000 Philippine pesos for the whole lot."
De facto community banned (indeffed via consensus @ COIN).
TopBros SEO
- Cuck (film)
- Mako976 (talk+ · tag · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log · CA · CheckUser(log) · investigate · cuwiki)
- https://www.topbros.com/branding-los-angeles/
De facto community banned; see Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Mako976.
TransMedia Group
- transmediagroup
.com - TransMedia Group/TMG PR Sockring
Tyler Barnett PR
We Are PR / Artspromo
- www.werpr.co (estimated number of employees (4))
- www.artspromo.org
- $400 fee
- 375mon (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Weltraumagentur
- [22]
- [23]
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Luuuuuka
- Based in Germany, likely Munich or Baden
- Imports articles from the German Wiki (de.wiki) - Company's original editors were banned by the de.wiki community for fabricating sources
- Promises article creation within 14 days of payment. Promises proper disclosure (sometimes this occurs, sometimes not) and discretion. Describes their authors as "officially authorized by Wikipedia", and promises SEO
- Paid to create Khubaib Ali Mohammed and GUB Investment Trust
whataboutwiki.com
Wiki-service.org
- wiki-service.org/
- ticket:2017090110013936
- 2 payments of $700, get a Wikipedia article
- article deleted, buyer asked if they were scammed
- Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Stoubora (see scammed person's comments & email thread)
The Wiki Publishing
wikicreators.com
- As of Oct.2018 Jay Soshnick of WikiCreators (and formerly senior manager of WikiExperts) is reaching out to Wikipedia editors on LinkedIn to offer WikiCreators paid work
WikiExperts
Website (employees 3)
- On October 17, 2013, the firm, its employees, and any related firms were banned from editing Wikipedia.[2]
- At ticket:2017082310013745 a client writes to Wikipedia volunteers at WP:OTRS for service follow up. It seems apparent that the customer does not distinguish Wikipedia the website, Wikipedia's volunteers, and this company. When this person has follow up concerns about the paid editing they purchased, they seek to continue the business relationship with Wikipedia volunteers as if there were no difference. It is a burden for Wikipedia volunteers to be pressured to fulfill service requests encouraged by paid editing companies. Also, no attempt to disclose paid editing when posting to articles.
- User:Jeremy112233
- User:Salamuddin Z. Shaikh / WP:Sockpuppet investigations/Rudra.shukla/Archive
- User:Kate A. Steel / Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Caroline A. Murphy
- User:Masterknighted/User:Brainplanner (probably)
Wikipediaexperts
- Uses same videos
- Puzzle globe logo infringement
- Claim 350 articles created
wikiofficer.com / Kallada Software Services
- wikiofficer.com/[27]
- FB page
- Company is actively emailing companies to drum up business as of 2017.
- User:OfficialPankajPatidar More than 500 sock accounts
- on Upwork; charges $400 flat fee for article creation; claims creation of over 100 articles
wikipediaservices.com
- Claim nearly 3700 articles created
Wikipediawriters.com
Website[dead link] Estimated number of employees (3)[29]
Belongs to this sock family[30] -> blocked in 2012 Also appear to work as wikipediasolutions Now using the website HireWikiWriters
2018 WIPO action by WMF listed (Redacted) as owner of domain Wikipediawriters.com [31], same name (Canadian) is associated with WikipediaWriters by Financial Times [32]. As of January 2020, WMF owns the domain.
WikiWiz
WizardsofWiki
- Jacobs, Emma (February 26, 2015). "Editors-for-hire on Wikipedia". Financial Times. (paywall)
- Active as of 2017. Email Jun 14, 17
What About Wiki
- Website
- Stephen Harrison (2018-10-29). "Wikipedia's Top-Secret 'Hired Guns' Will Make You Matter (For a Price)".
- Reported to have been active since 2015 and have "more than 50 sock-puppet user accounts" claiming a revenue of $500k/yr.
Write-N-Research
- guru.com
Pittsburgh
- KingMak1 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log) - Action1212 sockfarm
The Writers for Hire
Wiki Masters
WikiNative
- Master account is User:IMZahidIqbal (although per this edit, they would prefer User:James Lawrie to be regarded as the primary account.)
- Known to use VPNs and IP masking to try and avoid CU detection.
- At least one account (User:Turtle neck ninja) is subject to an ArbCom block.
WikiPresence
- Website, number of employees (unknown)
- Reddragon7 (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Buenosmuzik
- Website, number of employees (unknown)
- Wrizz (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
BICAds
- Website, number of employees 2-10
- Bicads (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
Unknown if blocked
Advanced Writing Services
- http://advancedwritingservices.com/wikipedia/
- "[A] change on your Wikipedia article can degrade the accuracy of the content. Advanced Writing Services offers a range of service plans to monitor your Wikipedia article."
- puzzle globe infringement
Anvil Media
Reputation management, "Review forum optimization"
Bettiblue
- http://www.bettiblue.com
- "[W]e specialize in marketing on WIKIPEDIA, plus we offer a truly unique marketing content solutions [sic]." / "Wikipedia is a treasure trove for companies that really care about branding" / "Wikipedia is a golden marketing tool [...] . We at Bettiblue make sure that you tap the goldmine the right way. By providing expert services for a Wikipedia page creation, Bettiblue ensures that your Wikipedia page is created as per the rules, done by experienced editors and it stays there so that you can tap this goldmine of opportunities for your business."
- Puzzle globe infringement (reported)
- Domain registered to Irina Kalonatchi, Sydney
Biography Writing Services
Offers to make third-party sources for the articles they create.
Brass Check
- TheRegicider (Wikipedia:Requests for checkuser/Case/TheRegicider) per own published claim to have edited here and diff
- http://www.brasscheck.net - "Brass Check is a creative advisory firm that specializes in working with authors, media companies and startups."
One of the principals of Brass Check is Ryan Holiday who has written about how to infiltrate Wikipedia for Fortune in 2012 and his involvement with Brass Check in New York Observer in 2017. Claimed Brass Check client articles - see COIN permlink.
Exposure Ninja
- How to build backlinks from Wikipedia, examples inserted by User:46.233.116.253
Frost Media Solutions
- http://frostmediasolutions.com/tag/wikipedia/ including how to get on Wikipedia's front page
Reputation management
The Gold Rush
- Advertises on seoclerk.com - selling article citation links for a few dollars to $99
- puzzle globe infringement
- Uses name "Rahul Tulsyani / username Tuslyanir
Gerris Marketing
- https://chrisabraham.com/services/wikipedia-curation: "[we] can help you curate and manage your personal, professional, or corporate reputation on Wikipedia...have collected a stable of some of the best Wikipedia Curators possible..."
- Also offers Wikipedia Crisis Management (!)
- Ambiguous statement here discourages corps from "directly promoting your company or adding your company entry" to Wikipedia
Global Media Insight
- https://www.globalmediainsight.com/wikipedia-page-creation-service
- UAE/Middle East specialists; "We have a battalion of Wikipedia editors in English as well as Arabic."
- puzzle globe infringement
Hot4SEO
Munich based.
Offers "Off-Page SEO" and lists Wikipedia as an example of a wiki in their off-page SEO navigation menu, alongside other social media.
Publicly belongs to Hanna Buryak (Munich) who also offers services through UpWork[33]
InfluenceTree
See Entrepreneur July 2017
- Wikipeople6789 (talk · contribs · count) probable
- 365dayswiki (talk · contribs · count) probable
Keywordsfly
- Claims 80,000 edits and 1,000 new articles
- Puzzle globe infringement
- [34]
Korebase
London Biography
- http://londonbiography.com (dead link)
- https://web.archive.org/web/20161029092239/http://londonbiography.com:80/
"We produce biographical books, websites and Wikipedia entries for individuals and organisations."
Promises not to divulge clients.
Mister Wiki
newresearchnews.com
January 2019
newresearchnews.com redirects to thescientificnews.com
- United States
- ticket:2019010810005425 - California
- ticket:2019010910009367 - Georgia
- Germany
- ticket:2019011010004341
Attempts to sell Wikipedia biography pages to university professors.
Outspoken Media
Claim to disclose all edits "stating who we are, who has hired us, and what types of changes we are proposing for the article"
Palm&Marsh
premiumcontentwriting.com
"We have skilled Wikipedia experts & editors who can help you to get a Wikipedia page. We are expert in providing services for Wikipedia page creation "
Pro Wordsmiths
Advertises "professional Wikipedia writers". Targeted Google search ads. US toll-free telephone number.
"we invote [sic] you to experience the work of our highly qualified wikipedia [sic] and ghostwriting professionals"
ReputationX
"[T]he only natural way to counter negative articles is by editing them and offering a counter narrative"
- [37]
- Mill Valley CA
- puzzle globe infringement
Reputio
- https://www.reputio.com/wikipedia-page-creation/
- "The privacy of our Wikipedia clients is our utmost priority. We never disclose their names in order to protect their anonymity."
- "We help you meet Wikipedia's [notability] requirements by getting you featured in a suite of high profile publications, including Forbes..."
- puzzle globe infringement
- "crisis editing" service – "ensuring your page remains positive if your company is in a crisis"
scienceaccord.com
scienceaccord.com unsolicited email reported
Scienceadvise
- scienceadvise.com
SEO Pressor
Puzzle globe infringement, unlicensed use of Commons images. Offers tutorial on replacing dead links with SEO links. Unclear if they will do this for clients.
The Social Media Verification Team
"Our team is composed of experienced professionals who are all committed to promoting and safeguarding our clients' brands... This is a potent backlinking opportunity that a lot of your competitors aren't taking advantage of."
- [38]
- $1,097 article creation
- Puzzle globe infringement
Spiderlance
"Wiki articles can be edited by virtually anyone, it’s safe to assume that no one is invulnerable. That could easily change, as you can use our Wikipedia Article Monitoring Services"
Offers several Upwork profiles in corp "client reviews" page.
StellaResults
- San Francisco, CA (claimed) also Las Vegas (claimed)
- claims to have operated on wiki for 10+ years
- advertises via upwork and website
- >$90,000 in revenue noted by Upwork
- puzzle globe infringement on website
- has posted advertorials in 2020 including "Controlling Mis-/dis-information on the Company Wikipedia Article", "How to Leverage GLAM for Brand", and "Risk Mitigation for Brand Management on Wikipedia"
- Says they can "Leverage Wikipedia for SEO, voice search, brand placement, and brand association"
The Virtual Marketer for Schools
Alta Justus (digitalalta)
Wikibusiness
Working in Ukrainian
Wiki-service
Create, update, and monitor
"[We] have created and edited thousands of articles over the past 5 years".
Wikiacademics
Not standard UK or US English, no contact info, obscured domain registration
"We have been successfully contributing to Wikipedia since 2013, publishing over 1000 articles and making thousands of edits."
- but the domain registration does say they launched in april 2017. So hm. Jytdog (talk) 20:51, 25 January 2018 (UTC)
- Claims to be in Netherlands: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wikipedia-editing-services-b86771143/ Ben · Salvidrim! ✉ 21:00, 25 January 2018 (UTC)
Wiki Curator
Creation, editing, and monitoring of Wikipedia articles advertised at http://wikicurator.com. "Clients include American and international companies, executives, authors, motivational speakers, artists, and musicians." Fees ~$250 for article. ☆ Bri (talk) 16:26, 15 August 2018 (UTC)
wikieditors.net
"We are quality content ventriloquists"
The Wiki Gurus
- Google ad buy for wiki page creation
- Claims 8 and 10 years
- Claims 150+ pages created in 2020
- article creation, “tag removal from Wikipedia page, getting a backlink from Wikipedia, ranking your Wikipedia page to the top of Google, monitoring Wikipedia page and as well as many other services”
The Writers for Hire
- https://www.thewritersforhire.com/wikipedia/
- Operated by Ms. Wintress Odom, seems to be a fairly large and established company[40], boasting "a client list that includes Forbes, Mitsubishi and International Trade Center.
Services include "Posting your finalized draft live on Wikipedia; Monitoring your article and updating as needed"
Puzzle globe infringement (removed). Texas based.
Talks about getting press for non-notables.
Wikify
Wikimou
- http://www.wikimou.com/
- Advertises on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/183154431126?ul_noapp=true
Wikipedia Creators
"[I]f a page is created from one account and is being deleted because the language was not right or so, we use a different account to create it again and start the process fresh."
- [41]
- Puzzle globe logo infringement
WikipediaLLC
- https://wikipediallc.com/
- "We just don’t create your page – we create your existence!"
- offers page creation/monitoring to "manag[e] its client's public image... enhancing their brand visibility and building a positive brand image"
- puzzle globe logo infringement
- Rochester NY phone number
WikiPens
- Website, number of employees 2 per LinkedIn
worldresearchernews
- https://ticket.wikimedia.org/otrs/index.pl?Action=AgentTicketZoom;TicketID=10900236
- https://ticket.wikimedia.org/otrs/index.pl?Action=AgentTicketZoom;TicketID=10915163
writinglord.com
- [www.writinglord.com/Authentic/Wiki_Page]
Google targeted search ad: "Hire Professional Wikipedia Writer to create Best Wikipedia Page.100% Money back Guarantee"
Yourprmanager
Ticket#10759339
Working on Spasmodic dysphonia
Famous Influencer
- Website, number of employees 11-50 per LinkedIn
Never blocked
Beutler Ink
Beutler Ink editors not blocked
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EthicalWiki
EthicalWiki editors not blocked
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WhiteHatWiki
WhiteHatWiki editors not blocked
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Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous paid editors not blocked
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Prior companies
mywikibiz.com
- User:Thekohser User:MyWikiBiz and many socks: WMF banned
Online marketplaces
- www.fiverr.com/gigs/wikipedia Fiverr
- www.guru.com/d/jobs/q/wikipedia/ Guru
- SeoClerk
- UpWork
- PeoplePerHour
- Freelancer