Commons:WMF support for Commons

Shortcut: COM:WMF

About

In the 2022-23 Annual Plan the Wikimedia Foundation wrote that it would, among other things, "Deepen our Commitment to Knowledge as a Service, starting with Wikimedia Commons and Wikidata".

More specific feedback which was received during some community calls with Commons and Wikidata contributors has furthermore highlighted the following:

• Increasing support for Wikimedia Commons
  • We saw lots of engagement during two dedicated sessions about Wikimedia Commons. Many people highlighted practical issues around upload tools and the need for more consistent technology support.
  • People spoke about the need to create a more welcoming experience for newcomers, with more intuitive tools and tutorials. “We have too much trust in people finding the trust and the support they need to be able to contribute meaningfully.”
  • We learned about the nuances and risks of making it easier to upload images to Wikimedia Commons given some of the recent history.
  • These conversations also highlighted the need for future movement conversations around what Commons should and should not do and its role within the larger Wikimedia ecosystem.

This page will cover updates related to any work that addresses the priorities highlighted above, no matter who's behind it.

Please feel free to use the talk page to start related conversations.

Updates

November 2023

• Commons Impact Metrics: At the just concluded GLAM Wiki Conference, We presented a session titled "Understanding the Impact of Image Contributions to Commons", reviewing the history of the platform and GLAM community needs for Commons Impact Metrics. The session featured a prototype of the Commons Impact Metrics for data-savvy community members and a visioning discussion for data storytellers.

The prototype is still open for asynchronous testing. Please follow the Prototype User Testing Instructions to share your thoughts and feedback.

• Flickypedia: The Flickr Foundation engaged communities on an updated data model for Flickr contributions. This process involved a Wikidata property request for a Flickr Photo ID (P12120), which received approval. The adoption of this new property is set to enhance the detection of duplicates and aid in adding structured data to existing Flickr photos on Wikimedia Commons. Flickypedia demo was also presented at the GLAM Wiki Conference in Montevideo. Learn more at the Flickypedia talkpage

• OpenRefine: The application period for the OpenRefine Train-the-Trainer program has closed. This initiative aims to build capacity for training Wikimedians, organizations, and partners in the Wikimedia movement to use OpenRefine’s Wikimedia functionalities. The program, running from November 2023 until April 2024, received over 80 applications, resulting in a regionally representative cohort of 16 individuals. Learn more at the OpenRefine Train-the-Trainer Program page.

_{Previous updates}

Data

• July 2023, Upload-Wizard Design UX research Report
• June 2023, Wikimedia Commons: trends and metrics
• December 2022, Wikimedia Commons: trends and metrics
• December 2022, Usability testing for new users

• September 2022, Monthly overview of Commons' statistics
• September 2022, Total media requests (last 2 years, monthly)
• September 2022, Most popular media files (last month)

Active Projects

• Commons Impact Metrics: A project aimed at providing a scalable, reliable data products that address the community's metrics needs, enhancing the understanding of the impact of contributions to Wikimedia Commons, particularly for GLAMs and other movement participants.

• Upload Wizard Improvements: A project aimed at enhancing the user experience of the Upload Wizard, focusing on design improvements and minimizing the risk of media uploads that could lead to deletion requests.

• Flickypedia with the Flickr Foundation: Developing a better tool to share photos from Flickr on Wikimedia projects

• OpenRefine training: A bulk upload and edit training program with OpenRefine

• WikiLegal for Commons: A space where commons contributors can suggest topics that need input from the WMF Legal Department.

Involved Staff

• Desiree Abad Commons Impact Metrics
• Virginia Poundstone Commons Impact Metrics
• Fiona Romeo Commons Impact Metrics, Flickypedia, OpenRefine
• Sneha Patel Upload Wizard Improvements
• Benedict Udeh, Community Relations Specialist

Communications

• Please use the talk page for questions and comments!
• We will post here the dates for the next meetings with the community. Looking forward to chatting with you.