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This is a policy proposal and requires a vote to be ratified or rejected by the policy process.
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Template:Breadcrumb1
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This page is an official policy on Wowpedia. This policy has wide acceptance among editors and is considered a standard that all users should follow.
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External links are very useful as they allow people to find further information on other websites - however, they can also be abused easily.
Location
Where to put elinks
Elinks should be constrained to a section at the end of a page. Elinks within the content of a page are highly discouraged, and should be avoided if at all possible. Some rare cases, like linking a map of node locations to demonstrate a point, will be allowed.
Where NOT to put elinks
As above, most mid-page links will be removed if found. Links to topics not directly related to the pages subject will be moved or removed. For example, a link to a video of a specific boss fight does not belong in a page about the instance the boss is in, but should be located on the boss's page.
Format
To ensure consistent formatting, it is asked that all links in the "External Links" section of a page use Template:Tlink. Web sites can provide a 22x22 PNG image to be used as their icon, or the default globe icon will be inserted by the template. The site name passed to the template should be short and concise. An optional detailed description of what is being linked can also be passed. If the site being linked has many subpages for the topic (for example, a boss page might have loot, strategy, screenshots...), it is asked that the base page be linked, not a specific subpage.
How many links do I get?
Every site is allowed one (1) link per page. Mid-page links should be avoided, for example a list of quests for a faction should all be internal links, not links to thottbot. Internal links to nonexistent pages may take a temporary elink after the internal link for ease of lookup, but these elinks should be removed when the internal page has been filled in.
Sorting
Elinks sections are to be Alpha-sorted. This policy does not apply to elinks generated by templates like Template:Tlink, only manually added elinks. Abuse of this sort to push a site to the top (naming your elink "AAA-WowDBPlace") may result in admin action and removal of all elinks to the target site.
In closing
WoWWiki wishes to provide equal external linking to all sites willing to edit wiki pages. In the spirit of NPOV we don't wish to show a "preference" to any site, regardless of what sites the admins and users prefer. Everyone is welcome to add elinks to their site, but abuse of this "free advertising" will not be taken lightly by the admin staff. Elinks to sites that do not give information not available on the wiki (like spawn maps or droprates) may be removed to keep pages clean.
Don't abuse the wiki to gain traffic to your site, you will be banned and your elinks removed.