Wikipedia:Guestbooks

“

You keep asking how they [signature books] help build an encyclopedia. But you also link to Wikipedia:Esperanza. I think that is your answer, no? Anything that builds a spirit of friendliness and co-operation and helps people get to know each other as human beings seems to me a good thing. Unlike divisive userboxes, the autograph books seem to just be about saying hello and being friendly.

”

– Jimbo Wales, Wikipedia founder

Shortcuts

All Wikipedia users are welcome to create a guestbook and give permission to other users to sign it. Guestbooks are a method to show courtesy and build camaraderie; if one values another's contributions, they can sign their guestbook (assuming they have one) to show support.

Creating your own guestbook

Users can easily create a guestbook at User:(Your name)/Guestbook. You can ask other users to sign it by placing a link to it in your user page.

Signing another user's guestbook

Other users can sign the guestbook by putting the sharp character (#) and their username, followed by their name and a message. You may also use the sharp character and sign four tildes (~~~~). This will show your signature and the timestamp.

Example:

Example -- Hi!(~~~~)
Example 2 -- Glad to sign this guestbook!(~~~~)

Caution

After you have created your guestbook...

Do not beg others to sign your guestbook. Users eventually will come to see your user page, and many will click your guestbook and sign it without being asked.
Don't ask a user to sign your guestbook by posting that message on a talk page.
Be patient. Users will eventually come. After all, you should not be here only to see who signed your guestbook...
Don't give barnstars out just for signing a guestbook. It devalues the barnstar process.

Good examples

Let's say that this was a fellow user's guestbook.

Good Example -- Hi!
Good Example 2 -- You're great! Thanks!
Good Example 3 -- +1 to you!

Bad examples

Bad Example -- Please sign my guestbook!
Bad Example 2 -- Since I signed your guestbook... PLS sign mine!
Bad Example 3 -- This is fun! I also have a guestbook. Please sign it!

When signing another user's guestbook

Only sign using your name. Messages of support and encouragement are encouraged, but ultimately it is up to you!
Generally don't post any pictures with your message -- this is a guestbook, not a scrapbook.
Like the examples above, don't ask other users to sign your guestbook via another user's guestbook.
You are here to build an encyclopedia: Do not spend your time only signing guestbooks. It may be fun, but users may see you as someone using Wikipedia as a social media platform than an encyclopedia.
Guestbooks are not a soapbox.

-- And you'll be all set!

List of Guestbooks

Here's a list of guestbooks created by Jack. Please feel free to add yours to the list. Anyone can use this list; just copy/paste {{User:Jack/ABs}} where you want it.

Click [show] to view guestbooks!

You can also try a Guestbook search.