Wikipedia:No-edit orders

A no-edit order is a message not to edit at all or in a particular manner, or not to edit a particular page or part of a page at all or in a particular manner. These include messages that are communicated to a single editor, or to the Wikipedia community as a whole.

There are various methods in which no-edit orders are placed. These include writing them on a user's talk page, an article's talk page, or embedding them in hidden text that would not be missed if one attempts to edit the article or section.

Some no-edit orders are acceptable, such as those instructing others to properly follow Wikipedia guidelines. Others, which intend to take control of pages or to threaten or intimidate other users, are not acceptable.

Acceptable no-edit orders

Letting the consensus be known

If a consensus has already been formed regarding a topic, and a single editor has constantly stubbornly defied the ruling, politely discussing this one-on-one on the user's talk page is acceptable. In these cases, there is no need to publicly tell others not to engage in such editing, since others are not affected.

If such a consensus has been formed, yet a minority of multiple editors are making edits against the consensus, or a single editor using a dynamic IP address continues to make such edits, displaying a public message may be necessary.

Discouraging violations

If a large number of editors are engaging in edits that clearly violate Wikipedia policy, or that otherwise do not conform with Wikipedia's mission, a public message may be necessary. This is common when dealing with current events that many may be eager to add, or talk pages of subjects viewed negatively by many, since it is not uncommon for people to post their criticism of the subject in these places.

If new unreferenced additions are common on a particular page or section, it may be necessary to place a reminder in hidden text that all new additions must be referenced.

If additions are commonly made to a page that actually belong somewhere else, hidden text may be used to point editors to that location.

If an edit war is in progress and consensus is unclear, forming a discussion, whether between two users or an entire group is strongly encouraged. Any discussions aimed at coming to a peaceful resolution or some other compromise are highly praised.

Temporary construction

The {{inuse}} tag may be temporarily placed on top of a page so that others do not interfere with one's planned editing. But its use must be extremely temporary. As a general guideline, if this tag is placed, and the editor who placed it there ends his/her computer session, the tag should be replaced with {{construction}} if s/he plans to continue editing it in the future, and remove it altogether if s/he has no definitive plans.

Unacceptable no-edit orders

No editor may unilaterally take charge over an article or part of an article by sending no-edit orders. Articles are not owned. Therefore, a single editor may not create his/her own policies

"Stay out"

All editors have equal rights to edit all articles, templates, project pages, and all other parts of Wikipedia if not blocked by level of protection. Being an "expert" versus knowing little or nothing about a topic does not grant anyone any more or less rights in editing. Even those who are seemingly unfamiliar with a topic may be able to contribute useful information, while experts may at times provide inaccurate facts.

"Do not delete"

One who fears for the deletion of an article may feel they are protecting it by leaving behind instructions not to propose for deletion. But under no circumstances does this make a page immune.

If a page has previously survived a deletion proposal, information about this can be posted on the discussion page, and hidden text may be placed at the time to indicate this.