Wikipedia:New contributors' help page/Sorry, we don't do that

 Wikipedia:New contributors' help page


Sorry, we're just an encyclopedia!

Hello. Based on your question, there's a good chance that you found one of our 6,919,147 encyclopedia articles, and thought that we were directly affiliated in some way with the subject of that article. In any case, we unfortunately can't help you with practical problems that aren't related to this website. Please note that you are at Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and this website does not provide any services or support for anything outside this website. Sorry, we're just an encyclopedia.


We can help with public knowledge questions like Is this company listed on the stock market?

We can't help with legal or medical advice How much of my medication should it take? See also Wikipedia's Legal disclaimer and Medical disclaimer.

We can't help with non-public knowledge questions like Where is the product I ordered from this company 3 weeks ago?

We can't help with practical problems like I was cheated by a builder. Please help.


What you can do

You can search our vast catalogue of articles by typing a subject into the search field on the upper right side of your screen, or going to this search page.

Try IRC. Alongside the "chat rooms" dedicated to Wikipedia where Wikipedians engage in real-time discussions with each other, the freenode network (irc.freenode.net) hosts a wide variety of channels and topics where you may be able to find answers. There are many alternatives to freenode, with even greater diversity of help available.

If you cannot find what you are looking for in the encyclopedia but would expect to find it there, we have a reference desk, divided into various subject areas, where asking public knowledge questions is welcome.

If your problem is one you wouldn't expect to find the answer to in a printed encyclopedia, then look for other sources of help. If you don't know where to start, ask family, friends, or colleagues where to look.

Best of luck.