Wikipedia raises $6.2 Million in Donations

Wikipedia is going to remain sponsor-free for a little while longer anyway, as they have managed to raise additional funds to keep them operating without having to resort to posting advertisements. (Read the story here.) This is certainly good news for them, but frankly, one has to wonder if there is really such a great benefit in not having sponsors. I don't just say this as a marketing guy who would love to easily buy an ad on Wikipedia. It goes without saying that I'd love to purchase some of its traffic. However, here I say it because there is no sense in saying, "We don't have sponsors! That proves we're impartial!" It would be very simple to have advertising agreements stating that a sponsor would not get any special access to any of Wikipedia's articles, that they would take their chances along with everyone elses. It would provide Wikipedia with much needed steady capital, and people could still get their information without having to pay directly for it via a subscription. No, Wikipedia has raised $6.2 million worth of time to stay free and ad free. This either prolongs the inevitable - a time when they will need ad revenue - or they will cry poverty with the vigor of a PBS or NPR. Either way, if you want to be on this juggernaught of Internet traffic, you will still only need some creative writing skills and a different IP address than your office's. And good news - unlike text or banner ads Wikipedia could be charging you for, THAT'S still free too! Thank you, Wikipedia! You make this whole utopia thing pay off!

About the Author: Eric Reid

I am the Social Media Services Manager for Off Madison Ave. I've been with the company since 2006, when I was hired to do SEO, and link building in particular. When social networking sites started cropping up, at first I started using them to create backlinks - but they weren't the best for that, given all of the "nofollow" attributes. However, I did see the potential for all of the direct referral traffic they represent. Since then I've been actively pursuing both tactics for clients: Links that can help them for search, and social postings that get them involved in the conversation. It's about the coolest job you could ever get. ;)

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