The Adopt-a-user program is designed to help new and inexperienced users by pairing them with more experienced Wikipedians. These editors (referred to as adopters or mentors) will "adopt" newer users, guiding them along the way as they learn about Wikipedia and its various aspects.

The project aims to inform new users about the ins and outs of Wikipedia and steer them away from making less-than-constructive edits or misplaced test edits. Well over a thousand users have been involved in the program at one time or another.

So, if you're new or inexperienced and would like to:

• Ask questions about editing, contributing to Wikipedia and creating your first article
• Learn to navigate processes and policies and guidelines
• Get help with article creation or image uploads or any other activities on Wikipedia

. . .then an adopter should be able to help you. Adoption lasts as long as the adopter and adoptee want to continue, so you can stop any time if you feel you've learned enough, or you'd like to take a break.

If you are looking to contribute to Wikipedia but do not intend to remain as an active user well after adoption, then this program is not for you. Adoption is for users who intend to be long-term contributors and members of the community, so if you are simply here to create one article, see this page for help and do not request adoption.

Users who don't want adopting – but who do need help with one-off problems – might like to consider whether the Teahouse question forum, the Help desk, Editor assistance, or a {{Help me}} request might be better ways to get quick answers.

Participation

Being adopted is easy and fun. Why not select an adopter from the list of adopters and contact them directly to request adoption? If you choose an adopter who shares your interests, they will be more able to assist you while you learn under their tutelage.

Alternatively, you can simply edit your user page, add the following text, {{subst:dated|adoptme}} and then Publish the page. This will put you on a list of potential adoptees and display the following userbox on your page:

This user seeks adoption by an experienced editor. (Users offering adoption)

However, as with many areas of Wikipedia, a pro-active approach is far more likely to get you adopted. Just leaving the adoption request on your userpage could result in a long delay before your request is noticed or answered. For more information, visit the Adoptee's Area and the Adopt-a-user talk page. (If you are interested in becoming an Adopter yourself, please visit the Adopter's Area.)

Is adoption right for you?

Adoption needs a commitment from you! You are expected to stick around, practice and learn to work with others, and demonstrate a willingness to contribute across a broad range of Wikipedia activities. Adoption isn't for getting short-term assistance with a particular problem. There are other help forums for that.

If you're new or inexperienced and would like a single point of contact to:

• Guide you through understanding our key policies and 'how to' guidelines
• Discuss a range of questions about editing, contributing to Wikipedia and possibly create your first article
• Receive guidance on interacting with other editors, article creation, image uploads and a host of other activities on Wikipedia, like help out by preventing-vandalism or doing routine maintenance tasks

...then finding an Adopter could be just the thing for you!

Whilst many adopters take a structured, step-by-step approach to guiding new editors through the various elements of working on Wikipedia; others are more informal. They may prefer to simply steer you through key areas you're having difficulty with, and answer questions when you encounter problems.

Similar Programs

The Teahouse An area where friendly Wikipedians will answer your questions, 24 hours a day.

Online Ambassadors A program to help those who want to use Wikipedia in the classroom

Counter-Vandalism Unit Academy A training program for those editors who want to focus on reverting vandalism