Musicians and public figures often find themselves battling outdated or unflattering photos on their Wikipedia pages. The struggle to control one’s online image on the collaborative encyclopedia recently gained attention when Perfume Genius, the stage name of singer Michael Alden Hadreas, publicly pleaded for an update to his profile picture on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, February 18. “Can someone please change my Wikipedia pictures? How do you do it? It’s haunted me for years,” Hadreas wrote, referring to a photo dating back to 2017.
Hadreas isn’t alone in this frustration. Swedish pop star Zara Larsson has been engaged in a public dispute with a Wikipedia editor who repeatedly reverts her chosen profile picture, as documented in a recent TikTok video. Larsson vowed to continue fighting for a more current image. These instances highlight a common issue: maintaining accurate and up-to-date representation on a platform heavily relied upon for information.
Updating a Wikipedia entry, particularly the associated image, can seem daunting. While some pages, like Larsson’s, are “extended confirmed protected” – requiring edits from users with a substantial editing history (at least 500 edits) or site administrators – there are several avenues available to request and make changes to your artist photo on Wikipedia. Successfully updating an image hinges on ensuring it’s freely licensed, meaning you either own the copyright or have explicit permission from the copyright holder.
Methods for Updating Your Wikipedia Photo
Several methods can be employed to change an artist photo on Wikipedia, ranging from direct uploads to requests through dedicated channels. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective approaches:
- Via Social Media: A convenient method involves posting a suitable image on platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook, or another social media site. Crucially, the caption must include a licensing statement. The Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence (CC BY-SA 4.0) ensures proper attribution in future uses, while Creative Commons Zero Public Domain Dedication 1.0 releases the photo completely into the public domain.
- Via Email: Images can be submitted directly to [email protected]. The submission must include a statement confirming copyright ownership and a specified licensing agreement (Wikipedia recommends CC BY-SA 4.0). If you don’t own the copyright, the rights holder – typically the photographer – must submit the release statement.
- Via Wikimedia Commons: This is a more direct approach. Create or log in to a Wikimedia Commons account. Click “Upload file,” complete the upload form, and then crop and caption the image as desired. Navigate to the Wikipedia page you want to update, click “Edit,” locate the “Infobox musical artist” section, delete the existing image listing, and replace it with the filename of your uploaded photo. Remember to include an edit summary explaining the change.
- Via the Talk Page: Click “Talk” on the artist’s Wikipedia page, then “Add topic.” Create a post titled “Photo Edit Request,” linking to a suitable image online, confirming your rights ownership, and including a licensing agreement. Assistance from other Wikipedia users should follow.
Navigating Wikipedia’s Protection Levels
The level of protection on a Wikipedia page dictates the ease with which changes can be made. Pages of high-profile individuals, like Zara Larsson’s, often fall under “extended confirmed protection,” limiting editing privileges. In such cases, enlisting the help of a high-level Wiki user or a site administrator is necessary. Perfume Genius was able to leverage his social media following to find a volunteer editor to update his image, demonstrating the power of community engagement.
Successfully changing a Wikipedia photo requires understanding the platform’s guidelines and respecting its collaborative nature. Providing clear licensing information and a compelling reason for the update increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.
As Wikipedia continues to be a primary source of information for millions, maintaining accurate and representative artist photos remains an ongoing challenge for musicians and public figures. The platform’s evolving policies and community dynamics will likely shape the future of image control on the encyclopedia.
Have you ever tried to update your own Wikipedia page? Share your experiences in the comments below, and let us know what strategies worked best for you.