Australian WikiProjects and Popular Pages

(Still drafting :))
(Still drafting :))
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Last year, we wrote about [[2022's Most Viewed Wikipedia Pages In Australia]]. That looked at what Wikipedia pages Australians were viewing, and featured a mix of topics from around the world.
Last year, we wrote about [[2022's Most Viewed Wikipedia Pages In Australia]]. That looked at what Wikipedia pages Australians were viewing, and featured a mix of topics from around the world.


To get a better idea of the Australian topics the Wikipedia community engage with, we can look at WikiProject's who focus on improving Australian content.
To get an idea of Australian topics the entire Wikipedia community engage with, we can look at WikiProjects.


=== What's a WikiProject? ===
=== What's a WikiProject? ===
A WikiProject is the name used for a group of contributors who want to work together to improve Wikipedia. These projects often focus on a specific topic area (for example, WikiProject Australia or WikiProject Australian Music), and English Wikipedia currently has over 2,000 WikiProjects.
A WikiProject is the name used for a group of contributors who want to work together to improve Wikipedia, focusing on a specific topic area. For example, [[w:Wikipedia:WikiProject_Australia|WikiProject Australia]] looks at all Australian related content on Wikipedia, while [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian music|WikiProject Australian Music]] is a subproject that just focuses on Australia music.  


Each WikiProject has its own project page for sharing information, resources, and discussion. In Australia we have over 40 projects on various topics:
English Wikipedia currently has over 2,000 WikiProjects, and they are open to everyone to join. You can find out more in our article ''[[How To Join a WikiProject on Wikipedia]]''.


'''[[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian places|WikiProject Australian places]]:''' [[Wikipedia:WikiProject New South Wales|New South Wales]] ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Riverina|Riverina]]), [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Northern Territory|Northern Territory]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Queensland|Queensland]]
=== Popular pages stats ===
Many WikiProject pages list popularity stats for Wikipedia pages within their project scope. These include the total number of page views, and daily average of views, and are global stats showing the page popularity from ''all visitors'' to English Wikipedia. See for example, [[w:Wikipedia:WikiProject_Australia/Popular_pages|WikiProject Australia Popular pages list]].


[[Wikipedia:WikiProject New South Wales|New South Wales]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject South Australia|South Australia]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Tasmania|Tasmania]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Victoria|Victoria]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Western Australia|Western Australia]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Antarctica/Australian Antarctic Territory work group|Australian Antarctic Territory]]
WikiProject Australia includes Wikipedia articles on the British Royal Family and World Wars because they are related to Australia. But if we exclude articles that are part of other international projects, the most popular pages include Australian entertainers, sports people, beer, and elections.


'''[[Wikipedia:WikiProject Cities|Australian WikiProject Cities]]:''' [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Adelaide|Adelaide]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Brisbane|Brisbane]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Canberra|Canberra]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Melbourne|Melbourne]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Perth|Perth]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Geelong|Geelong]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Sydney|Sydney]]
The popularity of Wikipedia articles often follows news trends. In January 2022, articles around the Australian Open tennis tournament were popular. In May, when the Australian Federal Election was held, Anthony Albanese was popular, and in August when Olivia Newton-John died their Wikipedia page views also increased.  
 
Other Australia-related WikiProjects: [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian biota|Biota]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Films/Australian cinema task force|Cinema]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian crime|Crime]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Demographics of Australia|Demographics]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Education in Australia|Education]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian history|History]] ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian history/Exploration|Exploration]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian maritime history|Maritime]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history/Australian military history task force|Military]]), [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indigenous peoples of Australia|Indigenous peoples]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian law|Law]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian literature|Literature]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian music|Music]] ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Crowded House|Crowded House]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Kylie Minogue|Kylie Minogue]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Powderfinger|Powderfinger]]), [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian politics|Politics]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian sports|Sports]] ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian rules football|Australian rules football]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Baseball/Australian baseball task force|Baseball]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian basketball|Basketball]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Football/Australia task force|Football (soccer)]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian motorsport|Motorsport]],) [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian television|Television]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Australian Roads|Roads]].
 
Some are more active than others, but the main WikiProject used is [[w:Wikipedia:WikiProject_Australia|WikiProject Australia]]. This is where a lot of discussion on Australian Wikipedia content is had, and it can be a useful place to ask for help.
 
Anyone can join a WikiProject, and it's not just Australians contributing, as WikiProjects are open to everyone.  


=== WikiProject Australia popular pages stats vs Australia’s most viewed pages stats ===
=== WikiProject Australia popular pages stats vs Australia’s most viewed pages stats ===
Many of WikiProject pages list pages popularity stats for Wikipedia pages within their project scope. These include the total number of page views, and daily average of views, and are global stats showing the page popularity from all visitors to English Wikipedia. See for example, [[w:Wikipedia:WikiProject_Australia/Popular_pages|WikiProject Australia Popular pages list]].
When we previously looked at [[2022's Most Viewed Wikipedia Pages In Australia]], the stats were gathered for December 2021 and November 2022. Now, we've gathered stats from WikiProject Australia popular pages in the same period, and can combine their totals to compare them.  
 
Between December 2021 and November 2022, the pages with the most views were often similar month to month, with pages relating to the British Royal Family and World Wars ranking high.  
 
Articles like World Wars will be included in WikiProjects from many countries, but if we exclude articles that are part of other international projects, the most popular pages include:
 
* Australia
* Cate Blanchett
* Nicole Kidman
* Julian Assange
* Michael Masi
* Chris Hemsworth
* Kelly Preston
* Sarah Snook
* Jacob Elordi
* Heath Ledger
* 2022 Australian Open – Women's singles
* XXXX (beer)
 
The popularity of these articles often follows news trends. So, in January 2022, articles around the Australian Open tennis tournament were popular. In May, when the Australian Federal Election was held, Anthony Albanese was popular, and in August when Olivia Newton-John died their Wikipedia page views also increased.
 
Comparing these stats to the 2022 most viewed pages can be done by combining their totals.  


There were 769 different pages listed in the WikiProject Australia Popular pages between December 2021 and November 2022. [[WikiProject Australia Popular pages between Dec 2021- Nov 2022|See the full list here]].
There were 769 different pages listed in the WikiProject Australia Popular pages between December 2021 and November 2022. [[WikiProject Australia Popular pages between Dec 2021- Nov 2022|See the full list here]].


Across both the [[2022 500 Most Viewed Wikipedia Pages In Australia|most viewed]] and [[WikiProject Australia Popular pages between Dec 2021- Nov 2022|popular pages lists]], there are 100 pages that appear on both and another 1065 pages not appearing on both lists.
Across both the [[2022 500 Most Viewed Wikipedia Pages In Australia|most viewed]] and [[WikiProject Australia Popular pages between Dec 2021- Nov 2022|popular pages lists]], there are [[WikiProject Australia Popular pages compare to Global most viewed pages|100 pages that appear in both lists]], and another [https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/WikiProject_Australia_Popular_pages_compared_to_Global_most_viewed_pages_Part_2?venotify=created 1065 pages that don't appear on both lists].


During this period, globally the Wikipedia article for Elizabeth II received 45,184,374 views. In Australia alone it received 1,479,900. It was the most viewed and most popular page on both lists.
During this period, globally the Wikipedia article for Elizabeth II received 45,184,374 views. In Australia alone it received 1,479,900. It was one of the most viewed and most popular page on both lists.


Anthony Albanese was the second most viewed page in Australia, but not the most popular in the world, receiving 2,321,814 views globally and 1,148,300 views within Australia.
Anthony Albanese was the 5th most viewed Wikipedia article in Australia and received 2,321,814 views globally, with 1,148,300 from within Australia.


The Wikipedia article for Australia was the third most viewed in Australia, receiving 7,379,697 views globally and 1,005,000 views within Australia.
The Wikipedia article for Australia was the 7th most viewed in Australia, receiving 7,379,697 views globally and 1,005,000 views from within Australia.


To see the complete list of articles compared from both lists [[WikiProject Australia Popular pages compare to Global most viewed pages|click here]].
To see the complete list of articles compared from both lists [[WikiProject Australia Popular pages compare to Global most viewed pages|click here]].
Of those that are popular globally, but not so much within Australia, most of the top entries are entertainers. The Top 20 are:
# XXXX (beer)
# World War II
# Heath Ledger
# Vietnam War
# Nicole Kidman
# Margot Robbie
# Cate Blanchett
# Malaysia Airlines Flight 370
# Naomi Watts
# Gulf War
# Kyrie Irving
# Kelly Preston
# Rupert Murdoch
# Football
# House of Windsor
# Liam Hemsworth
# Hugh Jackman
# Canva
# G20
# AC/DC

Revision as of 08:36, 20 May 2023

Observations on popular Wikipedia pages within Australia vs Globally
, James Gaunt.
This post is a draft and is subject to change without notice.


Last year, we wrote about 2022's Most Viewed Wikipedia Pages In Australia. That looked at what Wikipedia pages Australians were viewing, and featured a mix of topics from around the world.

To get an idea of Australian topics the entire Wikipedia community engage with, we can look at WikiProjects.

What's a WikiProject?

A WikiProject is the name used for a group of contributors who want to work together to improve Wikipedia, focusing on a specific topic area. For example, WikiProject Australia looks at all Australian related content on Wikipedia, while WikiProject Australian Music is a subproject that just focuses on Australia music.

English Wikipedia currently has over 2,000 WikiProjects, and they are open to everyone to join. You can find out more in our article How To Join a WikiProject on Wikipedia.

Popular pages stats

Many WikiProject pages list popularity stats for Wikipedia pages within their project scope. These include the total number of page views, and daily average of views, and are global stats showing the page popularity from all visitors to English Wikipedia. See for example, WikiProject Australia Popular pages list.

WikiProject Australia includes Wikipedia articles on the British Royal Family and World Wars because they are related to Australia. But if we exclude articles that are part of other international projects, the most popular pages include Australian entertainers, sports people, beer, and elections.

The popularity of Wikipedia articles often follows news trends. In January 2022, articles around the Australian Open tennis tournament were popular. In May, when the Australian Federal Election was held, Anthony Albanese was popular, and in August when Olivia Newton-John died their Wikipedia page views also increased.

WikiProject Australia popular pages stats vs Australia’s most viewed pages stats

When we previously looked at 2022's Most Viewed Wikipedia Pages In Australia, the stats were gathered for December 2021 and November 2022. Now, we've gathered stats from WikiProject Australia popular pages in the same period, and can combine their totals to compare them.

There were 769 different pages listed in the WikiProject Australia Popular pages between December 2021 and November 2022. See the full list here.

Across both the most viewed and popular pages lists, there are 100 pages that appear in both lists, and another 1065 pages that don't appear on both lists.

During this period, globally the Wikipedia article for Elizabeth II received 45,184,374 views. In Australia alone it received 1,479,900. It was one of the most viewed and most popular page on both lists.

Anthony Albanese was the 5th most viewed Wikipedia article in Australia and received 2,321,814 views globally, with 1,148,300 from within Australia.

The Wikipedia article for Australia was the 7th most viewed in Australia, receiving 7,379,697 views globally and 1,005,000 views from within Australia.

To see the complete list of articles compared from both lists click here.

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