Wikipedia

Wikipedia was founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger in January 2001. Unlike traditional encyclopedias, which rely on experts and editors to create and maintain content, Wikipedia embraces the concept of 'wisdom of the crowds'. It allows anyone to contribute and edit articles, thus democratizing knowledge production.

The total size of Wikipedia in all languages is over 29 billion words. This is equivalent to over 100 times the size of the Encyclopædia Britannica. As of June 1, 2023, the English Wikipedia has over 6,662,777 articles, containing over 4.3 billion words. The English Wikipedia is the largest Wikipedia in terms of number of articles, but it is not the largest in terms of size. The German Wikipedia is the largest in terms of size, with over 5.5 billion words.

According to SimilarWeb, Wikipedia is the 8th most visited website in the world, with an average of 255 million pageviews per day. The United States is the top country for Wikipedia traffic, followed by India, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Attributes

Since its inception Wikipedia has emerged as a comprehensive and dynamic online encyclopedia, providing information on a vast range of topics. Wikipedia's significance lies in several key aspects:

1. Accessible and Free: Wikipedia is freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection. This accessibility has broken down barriers to information and empowered individuals worldwide, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

2. Massive Content Repository: With millions of articles covering topics ranging from science and history to popular culture, Wikipedia has grown into an unparalleled knowledge repository. Its diverse range of content ensures that individuals can find information on almost any subject of interest.

3. Collaborative Editing: Wikipedia's open editing model enables collaboration on a massive scale. Users can edit, improve, and expand articles, contributing their expertise and filling knowledge gaps. This collective effort has led to the rapid growth and constant evolution of Wikipedia's content.

4. Reliable Sourcing: Wikipedia places a strong emphasis on reliable sourcing. Editors are encouraged to cite credible references, ensuring the accuracy and verifiability of information. This commitment to sourcing has earned Wikipedia a reputation for reliability, although occasional errors and vandalism can still occur.

One crucial aspect that sets Wikipedia apart from other social media platforms is its non-profit nature. Unlike most social media platforms driven by profit motives, Wikipedia operates as a non-profit organization. The Wikimedia Foundation, the entity that governs Wikipedia, is committed to its mission of providing free access to knowledge for everyone. Being a non-profit means that Wikipedia's primary goal is not to maximize financial gains or cater to advertisers. Instead, its focus remains on maintaining the integrity and reliability of its content while ensuring the platform's sustainability. The absence of commercial interests allows Wikipedia to prioritize the interests of its users and the quality of information, reinforcing its commitment to an open, collaborative, and inclusive knowledge-sharing environment. This fundamental difference in approach further solidifies Wikipedia's role as a unique and invaluable resource in the online landscape.

Social Media Characteristics

Wikipedia is the quintessential social media town square. 

1. User Engagement: Just like any other social media platform, Wikipedia fosters user engagement. Users can discuss articles, collaborate on editing projects, and engage in dialogue on talk pages. This participatory environment encourages interaction and a sense of community.

2. Diverse User Base: Wikipedia boasts a global user base, attracting contributors from various backgrounds, cultures, and expertise. 

3. Information Sharing and Dissemination: Wikipedia acts as a conduit for knowledge sharing, instantly reaching millions of users worldwide. Its articles often rank highly on search engine results, making it a primary source of information for many.

4. Controversies and Disputes: Wikipedia is not immune to controversies and disputes. Conflicting perspectives on topics can lead to heated debates, and editors must navigate these conflicts through the platform's collaborative editing and discussion processes.