How a Publishing Professional Fell for a Wikipedia Scam
I’ve been working in publishing and technology for decades. I’ve built websites, taught authors to vet vanity presses, and flagged overpriced PR scams more times than I can count. But this time, it was me who got scammed. Not dramatically. Just quietly, professionally, and by people who knew exactly how to sound legitimate. The thing that’s most difficult to admit though, is that they were able to scam me because I wanted it so much.
Here’s how it happened and how you can avoid a scam like this—and though it’s a challenge—try to get your own legitimate Wikipedia page.
How It Started
It began with an email offer: a holiday discount on a professional Wikipedia page from a company called All American Writer. The company seemed credible and I was interested for myself and also for the authors I help in my business. So I thought I’d try it out, and looked forward to being able to recommend a service that authors wanted. (So. Very. Embarrassing.)
The emails came from “Senior Manager” Josh Wilson, and later I was handed off to a project coordinator named Owen Reeds. They had a slick website, a support team that replied quickly, and they spoke the language of Wikipedia insiders. They promised to research my background, prepare a proper notability report, and write and submit a Wikipedia article that would stick. I took the bait and paid $300—the discounted price on their $499 “Essential” package.
Not a huge risk, I thought. I was wrong, but I didn’t know it yet.
Owen sent me an email and offered some soft upselling with a discount—which I always expect and don’t resent from legit services—and we started to work.
The Sales Funnel Revealed
Then they started upselling. Relentlessly. I was irritated within just a few weeks after I hired them, as continual upsells kept rolling in: $250 to improve the article, $600 for additional press articles to boost “notability,” $150 for “moderator coordination.” They had a full sales funnel built around authors’ hopes of being taken seriously by a platform that prides itself on editorial independence and verifiable sources.
They claimed: “We need at least 6 to 8 articles to make your profile sustainable forever... We can go ahead and create those articles for you which would be according to the guidelines, rules and regulations of Wikipedia.”
This is where the scam really ramps up—offering to manufacture notability through fake or pay-to-play articles that don’t meet Wikipedia’s standards anyway.
I told them to deliver the goods they promised for the initial $300 and then I’d think about it. But I can see how someone might continue to invest, especially if they’ve already sunk money and effort into the process. But that mindset—first, deliver on your initial promise—is what saved me from spending and spending and spending.
When Suspicion Set In
Once I paid, the process moved quickly. Josh sent a questionnaire, and Owen followed up with a draft. I edited it, offered revisions, and they incorporated my changes.
Months went by and they kept emailing me with this and that and I had to make corrections to my info. There was always just a little typo or something off—though I’d given them good copy. In retrospect, I think they must have written me off as not susceptible to upselling, and was put on the back burner.
I persisted in insisting they deliver, and the language turned technical. They started talking about “Google indexing,” and “verification period,” before the page would be live on Wikipedia.org, and for me, this was a huge red flag.
I’ve worked in web development and SEO. I know that Google doesn’t index a page on one domain and later transfer that indexing to another. Pages get indexed after they appear on their final destination, and that destination must be Wikipedia.org for a real Wikipedia article.
The Technical Confrontation
So I emailed Owen directly, letting him know what I knew, and insisting on a Wikipedia.org page:
“Google cannot index a page on a domain like wikipedia-admins.org and then ‘move’ that indexed result to wikipedia.org. That’s simply not how indexing or the web works...” Do not publish or maintain this content under any URL other than Wikipedia.org. You do not have my authorization to publish under any other domain.”
His reply?
“Your Wikipedia page is in Google indexing process and once the process is completed your Wikipedia page will automatically show on Wikipedia.com.”
This response was both evasive and inaccurate. For the record, Wikipedia is hosted on Wikipedia.org, not .com. And there is no such thing as transferring a page from one domain to another through Google indexing.
Even before that exchange, I had already begun to doubt their intentions. When I asked, “Where is the page on Wikipedia.org? What is the article name or exact URL I can verify?” they could never answer and I was convinced I’d been had. By that time, I was waiting for the final reveal so I could ask for my money back.
The Final Reveal
After a few more emails and “approvals,” they told me the page was live. I clicked the link. It looked awesome! Woo hoo! Then no… not woo hoo.
It was not on Wikipedia.org.
Instead, it was hosted on a Wikipedia.org lookalike domain. And wow, does it ever look like a real Wikipedia page. That is, until you look at the web address.
“Of course,” I thought, and immediately asked for a refund. And I’m still asking for a refund. They replied for a while, promising I would get a call from someone higher up in the company. Who would tell me… what? I wonder. It’s been a year, and I am still waiting for that call. And just for grins, I occasionally email Owen to ask him about it.
So... let’s take a look at this scam. They are really getting so good now.
The Anatomy of the Scam
Here’s how this kind of operation works:
• They use lookalike domains to host fake “draft” pages that resemble Wikipedia
• They claim a delay or process involving indexing or verification that makes it sound like Wikipedia has a back office
• They string you along just long enough to keep you from disputing the charge with your credit card company within the allowed time period
• They upsell relentlessly, capitalizing on your investment of time and pride
Since then, I’ve discovered that a legitimate Wikipedia editor would never promise publication. Wikipedia pages are created by volunteer editors and reviewed by the community. No one has backdoor access. No one can promise it will stick.
Why It’s So Hard to Get a Wikipedia Page
It’s frustrating to see authors with fewer credentials than me on Wikipedia. I’ve authored books, contributed to the success of Ural motorcycles as a test rider, was a solo-female motorcycle travel pioneer, and contributed to early internet history with work on a high-visibility CD-ROM— Peter Norton’s PC Guru—one of the first multimedia software products. I was also a pioneering travel blogger in the mid-1990s. My work has appeared in anthologies like Best American Travel Writing and in respected niche publications.
So why is it still difficult?
Because Wikipedia has tightened its notability standards a lot over the past decade. A subject must be covered in independent, secondary sources that are considered reliable by Wikipedia’s editorial community. Notability isn’t based on accomplishments alone—it’s based on coverage. You can be historically significant and still get rejected if no or few third-party sources have written about you in detail.
Meanwhile, authors with less coverage who do appear on Wikipedia may have slipped through in earlier, more lenient years—or had a PR machine in place enough semi-legitimate coverage to satisfy gatekeepers. It’s a flawed but evolving system, and one that does not reward quiet, under-the-radar careers, no matter how groundbreaking.
And here’s something many authors don’t realize: You’re not allowed to create your own Wikipedia page. That’s considered a conflict of interest. You also can’t ask a close colleague, friend, or relative to create it for you—same problem. Even if you disclose your connection, Wikipedia editors will almost certainly reject or delete the submission.
So How Do You Find Legitimate Editors?
It’s not easy—but it’s not impossible. Here’s what I discovered:
• Ask around in reputable online writing communities. Some contain experienced Wikipedia editors who may offer help if you truly meet the notability threshold.
• Engage with WikiProjects related to your field (e.g., WikiProject Women Writers, WikiProject Biography).
• Look through talk pages or editor profiles on similar articles to find editors who have contributed to your topic area.
• Use the Teahouse, a friendly help forum where new users can get guidance from experienced Wikipedians.
Also, it turns out that ethical editors won’t accept payment—they’re volunteers. If you must hire someone, you’ll need to find a transparent consultant who abides by Wikipedia’s conflict-of-interest rules. These professionals will:
• Disclose their involvement in your article on the Talk page (as required)
• Avoid using promotional language or unverifiable claims
• Only cite truly independent, third-party sources
• Have a visible history of Wikipedia contributions under a verified username
• Submit content through the proper channels like Articles for Creation
Again, any company or consultant who promises guaranteed publication is a scam. They must have verifiable Wikipedia editing history and work within Wikipedia’s strict rules.
What About LocalWiki?
You may come across LocalWiki.org, a legitimate platform that invites communities to document local knowledge, history, and culture. While LocalWiki looks and feels a bit like Wikipedia, it serves a very different purpose. It’s not part of the Wikipedia Foundation, and it doesn’t carry the same weight in terms of notability or search engine authority.
LocalWiki is a valuable resource for regional storytelling and niche expertise, but a page on LocalWiki will not get you recognized on Wikipedia, nor will it contribute to your eligibility for inclusion there.
That said, LocalWiki may be useful if you’re writing about local events, people, or history that lacks broader media coverage. Just don’t confuse its legitimacy for a pathway to Wikipedia.
How to Get Legitimate Help
If you think you qualify for a Wikipedia page, here’s how to go about it the right way:
Start with the Articles for Creation process. This is how real Wikipedia articles are created when submitted by outsiders.
Hire an experienced, ethical Wikipedia editor. Look for someone with a verifiable user history on Wikipedia, not a third-party agency with a vague promise.
Focus on coverage, not credentials. If you lack third-party articles, focus on getting reviewed or profiled in reputable outlets.
If you qualify, use resources like WikiProject Women Writers or AfroCROWD—many of these projects are dedicated to closing representation gaps and will help with ethical article creation.
Other Wikipedia Scam Companies to Watch For
In addition to the All American Writer scam, here are some other shady or outright scammy outfits that have been reported by authors:
• GetOnWikipedia.com scam – Often promises guaranteed placement and delivers lookalike drafts. Known for disappearing after a few months.
• Wikimoderator.org scam – Another scam domain mimicking Wikipedia. Pages published there are not real Wikipedia pages.
• Wikipagecreators.net scam – Offers fake notability reports and overpriced upsells for content placement in junk publications.
These companies often change names or launch new websites as older ones get flagged, so always vet carefully.
The Takeaway
I didn’t lose thousands of dollars. I only lost $300, plus time and space in my brain—and inbox—to a scam. And I’m telling this story because if it happened to me, a publishing professional who teaches other people how to avoid scams, it can happen to anyone.
Deep down, I know how this happened to me. It happened because I really really wanted it. So. Much. And these companies know exactly how to manipulate that desire.
I’m disappointed in myself, and so far, I’ve lacked the energy to pursue getting a Wikipedia page the right way. I’ll get to it, someday.
Each year, thousands of authors fall victim to scams and unscrupulous publishing companies far more expensive than this. Don’t be one of them. Search the Writer Beware site. Become a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, who maintains a list of vendors and will quickly answer your emails about services you’re considering.
But back to your Wikipedia page, let this be your warning: If it’s not published on Wikipedia.org, it’s not a Wikipedia article. If someone guarantees a Wikipedia page, they’re not legit. And if it starts to smell like a scam—it probably is.