Help/FAQ
Welcome to FAQ!
If you are a new or inexperienced user, we acknowledge it will take you time to understand the rules and to use Wikimapia's features properly. You may have many questions which need answering or you might need a pointer just to help you get back on track.
We therefore present the FAQ so that it can address your queries as well as covering the essential basics required to make your experience in Wikimapia a well-informed, compliant and pleasant one.
Basic Philosophy
What is Wikimapia for?
Wikimapia aimed to mark all geographical objects in the world and provide a useful description for them, so that anyone can share his knowledge and freely explore the world.
Who is Wikimapia for?
Anyone who is interested in exploring the world or like to share his knowledge with the mankind can use Wikimapia.
What is the basic ideology of Wikimapia?
Is it WikiMapia or Wikimapia?
Some people feel better WikiMapia, and others find Wikimapia more obvious because we are philosophically linked to Wikipedia. Wikipedia in all languages is treated as WikiMapia and even here most of the pages is how you spell.
How can I help?
There many ways to contribute to Wikimapia. Adding/editing places is already a great help. You can also help translating the interface into your language, report about bugs in reports list or become a moderator or an advanced user to help other users.
Help
How can I get help using Wikimapia?
First of all you should read Wikimapia Docs and Guidelines carefully. If you still can’t get the answer to your question send a message to an Advanced User or moderator or you can also ask for help on forum.
Who is an admin?
Admins are the members of Wikimapia team.
How can I get help from admin?
First, make sure that a moderator can not help you. Then send admins a message or email on contact@wikimapia.org
Wikipedia content
What are the guidelines for using content from Wikipedia?
Articles quality on Wikipedia fit Wikimapia demands. So you can certainly use Wikipedia while describing a place or give a link to Wikipedia article.
Cutting and pasting an entire Wikipedia article into a Wikimapia description box is a great idea, right?
Giving a link to the article is more than enough, there is no need to repeat things twice.
Languages
Can I add information in my local language in a different language page?
No. you cannot add languages in a different language page. This restriction applies to wordings added after the proper title. You can only add your language to the corresponding language page by accessing the object's 'Menu' and selecting 'Add another language' in the drop down menu. You may then choose your language from the choices available. You can also access your language page by clicking the two-letter country code (in blue) at the bottom of a tag.
Someone has added a place in my country and written it in a foreign language. Can I delete it?
Accurate descriptions in foreign languages are perfectly acceptable as long as they are made in the correct language page. The wilful deletion of tags containing foreign languages is forbidden.
Can I add the same Wikipedia link to multiple language pages of an object?
No. You should add the link to the respective language page of the object. Even then it should be confined to the Wikipedia link section in the object's edit window. However, you may include links to secondary Wikipedia articles in the description section.
I don't understand English. What can I do?
Wikimapia is a multi-lingual website and supports 101 languages. Though the major discussions are held in English (i.e., on forum), you still can choose your interface language from the list and enjoy Wikimapia.
How can I see Wikimapia (or mark places) in my own language?
You need to change the interface language to your language by hovering over two-letter country code at the top menu then clicking 'more languages' and selecting your language.
Why are some titles and tooltips in a different language?
This means that there is no translation of these titles or tooltips in your language yet. You can translate them into your language if you like.
How do I change the interface language?
To change the interface language to your language, hover over two-letter country code at the top menu, click 'more languages' and select your language.
How is the default language for my created places determined?
When a place is written in several languages, but not mine, how do you determine which one to show me?
There is a list of most popular languages. If there are several descriptions of one place on different languages the system automatically determines the most popular language among those which are available for that specific place.
Someone wrote a good description in a place but it's in the wrong language page. What should I do with this?
You should move the description to the correct language page. You can also translate the good description into your language, if you can.
Can I remove a place's description in a particular language without deleting the entire place?
Yes.
What languages should I translate my place tag into?
Into whatever you speak from the language list that opens when hover over two-letter country code at the top menu and clicking 'more languages'.
The place I'm describing has different names in different languages. Which name should I use in my language?
I found a place described in a language I do not know, but I want to know what was written. What can I do?
You can try and translate it with google translate or any available dictionary.
I'm using a non-English language interface in Wikimapia, but some words and phrases are in English. What can be done?
You can translate them.
Can I find out how many users use a certain language interface?
There is no stats on such a case.
I can see a number of different strange language codes at the bottom right of the object window, but how can I tell what they are?
Those codes are ISO abbreviations for languages. Is you hover a cursor over them and wait a bit you’ll see the whole language name.
When I look at the available languages, my language isn't there. What can be done about this?
In this case you should contact Wikimapia Team. They will either add your language to the language list, or explain to you why it can't be done.
I have created a description in a new language for an existing place object, but it is not shown in my list of created places although my place tag counter has increased by one. Why?
How do I change the language on the map layer?
You can change the language of your interface at the top menu and the map layer language will change automatically.
Translations
How can I help translate the user interface into my language?
You can go to translation page and become an editor.
How can I find out the translation status of a certain language?
I'm using a non-English language interface in Wikimapia, but some words and phrases are in English. What can be done?
You can translate them to the language of your interface.
Satellite Images
Why is the picture of my town/village so bad?
Because Google (remember him?) Does not provide better images. That does not mean better images do not exist. Many sites have provided better quality images, eg, Yahoo mapping maps or local services in other countries. But WikiMapia is not using these other images. We use Google's images here.
Why can't I zoom in more in a certain area?
Can you update the map in my location because it is too blurry/low resolution quality?
Did I mention that the satellite images are 100% controlled by Google and not by Wikimapia? Well, that's the truth. This means that we have no idea when Google will update the images. But their help page says that the images are "approximately one to three years."
Can I find out which place tags were most recently added?
When will the satellite images of my area get more detail?
When will the satellite images of my area be brought up to date?
Why have all the place tags in my area shifted 10 meters to the west?
Sometimes when Google finally updates its files, they can not line them up precisely with the old pictures. Take satellite photos of a spherical Earth and match these images on a flat map is not as easy as we would like. So sometimes, there are offsets.
What should I do when all the place tags in a certain area have been shifted 10 metres to the west?
How can we find out where Google has recently changed their images?
You can try the blog do Google Earth (English), where there is a link to the updates of recent images.
I found a place where when I zoomed OUT it said "no imagery"?
Place tools
Adding places
What is a "place object"?
In WikiMapia, a local object is the word commonly used to refer to a location marked, ie, the rectangle with the title, description, etc.. In English, the word used is "tagged" as short for "place tag." In English, "tag" can also mean the field for the keywords.
I've heard different names used for a place object e.g. "tag", "place mark, "place" etc. What name should I use?
How do I add a place?
Can I add my own house?
We do not recommend. A good number of countries accept the marking of houses/sites/private farms.
Which places should I tag?
- Any non-movable place that exists at this particular moment in time. Historical/disappeared places can be added but they must have the 'historical layer / disappeared object' category.
- A place must have at the very least a properly constructed outline.
- Settlement place tags such as cities, towns, villages and neighborhoods must have a properly assigned category.
- Planes, submarines, circuses and other movable objects may be added if they are still for at least a week.
Which places should I not tag?
Please think carefully before adding a place tag, there are certain things that are forbidden. Place tags that meet the following deletion criteria should not be added:
- An outline that does not mark any identifiable place.
- A historical/disappeared place without the 'historical layer / disappeared object' category.
- A planned building or road that has not entered the construction phase.
- Movable objects that are still for less than a week and not present at the tag's intended location.
- A place tag that marks temporary or intangible events such as battles etc.
- A place tag that is a copy of another place tag.
- A personal/private residence that does not contain an address or useful information.
What information should I provide in a place tag?
What information should I not provide in a place tag?
How big should my place tag be?
Can I add roads, railroads, rivers or even ferry routes with the place tool?
No you should not, you should use the linear tools to draw on the map. This is found under the Edit map drop down menu list, which is found at the top-left of the screen.
I found something on the satellite image that I want to know what it is. Should I mark the place, and call it "What is this"?
No you should not, if you do not know the place then you should not mark it.
Should I tag a place that does not show up in the satellite image because it has just been built?
Yes! Once the image is updated, the site will be there.
Should we mark places that may be dangerous to visit?
You can mark dangerous place as any other. You can also caution other users in description that this place is dangerous to visit.
How do I use the categories section in a place object?
Click here for answers.
I added some place tags 2 days ago, but only registered today. How do I get credit for the other place tags?
Sorry, but there is no way. And after you add many others, you will not miss those credits.
My place tag disappeared!
Probably some user has deleted the place tag you've created, if so its best to click on Deleted Places from the Map type menu drop down list and check on the map if its been deleted.
Can I edit place tags created by other users? Can other users edit my place tags? If so, do I need to inform/ask permission before doing so?
You can edit and needs no prompting to any user as well as they do not need to ask permission from you. But add good things and not change one point for a comma to stay with his name on the marker.
How do I edit a description?
Move your mouse over the desired location, click the left button in the upper left corner hover over the menu and then click Edit this page. After all done click the save button.
When places change, ie. they move or discontinue business, is it best to indicate that or delete the place tag?
Please see here
Some places show users' names at the bottom of an object window, but other places don't have a user's name. Why?
Why were made by unregistered user (UU).
I found several place tags marking the same place. What do I do?
Ask for the removal of the most recent and leave the oldest site, thus respecting the establishment of the previous location. A tip: put on the map Satellite + old places (to avoid a site already created is recreated again).
Tall buildings in a city sometimes seem to be leaning sideways. How should I mark those locations?
Mark the spot at the base of the building.
Can I add places which do not exist any more?
No! You should not create sites that do not exist, it will not have any interest to users. Create new and existing sites.
Is there an easier way to find an area on the map which needs improving?
To see what area needs improving you can use status grid. If you are interested in specific map area (ie., cause you are familiar with the area and can improve it better) we recommend you to add a watchlist, so you can monitor the activity (new places, changes, deletions, etc) and know weather any new place needs to be improved.
I found some places near the north/south pole! What is going on?
Most are the result of vandals. Nevertheless, there is no valid markings indicating settlements and scientific stations.
Semi-Protection
The tag info tells me that the place is 'semi-protected'. What does that mean?
Some sites are often vandalized and need protection. This can be done by Advanced Users (UL2 's). Registered users can edit a semi-protected site. Unregistered or newly registered can not.
When should I semi-protect an article?
If a site has been the victim of vandalism the best place to ask for protection is this forum thread. Only advanced users can put on protective items (tags).
Polygons
Why can't I add more points to a polygon?
There are limitations on the total number of polygon dots you can add depending on your user level:
- Level 0 users: 300 dots
- Level 1 users: 1000 dots
- Level 2 users: 2,500 dots
Why can't I create big polygons and why do I get the message: "Too big polygon"?
There are limitations on the polygon size you can make depending on your user level:
- Level 0 users: ~31.64 km²
- Level 1 users: ~244.14 km²
- Level 2 users: ~996,006 km²
Can I revert a polygon to the state before it was vandalized?
Yes you can. You can do this by applying the correct polygon state of a previous revision as current.
Can I delete a polygon?
No, this isn't possible. If you think the polygon shape is wrong, you should resize it so that it is correct. If the incorrect polygon has hundreds of dots and you find it too laborious to correct manually, please contact an Advanced User to assist you.
I don't understand guideline 1.2. "A place must have at least a properly constructed outline"?
This is a minimum requirement for a place object to be acceptable. A polygon should clearly outline a map object you are marking in the aerial/satellite image. A properly constructed outline means a polygon should never overlap an area that is not part of the object. A place object should have an accurate outline but it doesn't need a title or description, although the inclusion of which is preferred for the place object to be useful. If the place object lacks proper details, it is still possible for other users to improve it.
I tried to add new points to a polygon, but I failed. What is the reason? (150 points limitation)
I added a polygon for a place but my edit count stayed the same. Why?
When you add a polygon to a place this reflects in line 'Polygons added to places without a polygon' in profile 'Stats', not in edit count.
Can I use polygons as arrows or waymarkers to indicate the route or direction of a place?
No. This is because arrows and waymarkers aren't real places with definable outlines. Polygons should not be manipulated to indicate anything other than the outline of a place.
Comments
Am I free to make any comment?
You are free to add comments as long as they are kept clean (no profane or obscene language), and are not directed at another user.
How do I delete a bad comment?
Only Advanced Users can delete comments.
Why are the authors of some comments shown as blue links, but others are just black?
Guests usernames are black, registered users have blue username links, which direct to their profile pages.
Photos
How do I add photos?
(accompanied with explanations about copyright policy)
How do I know when a photo was taken?
You can only know who and when uploaded it (it is written below the photo). You may ask a user, who uploaded a photo, when it was taken, but we can not guarantee that he will answer for sure.
Can I make notes about a photograph?
No, unfortunately this feature is not available yet. You can only give it a name, when uploading it, and leave a comment with your notes below the photo.
Which photos should be deleted?
How do I delete a bad photo?
Open place description, hover over ‘menu’ at the top and click ‘add/manage photos’. Here you can upload new photos and delete old ones.
How can I tell which place tags contain photos?
You can not. But you can filter all places by ‘places without photos’ category and see which places do not have photos. Therefore all places without red marks contain photos.
Can I add a video of a place?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. But you can give a link to the video in place description or comments.
Under what conditions can I use the "free" images from Wikimedia Commons?
Can I add photos to linear objects: to streets, rivers, railways?
Yes.
Deletion
How do I delete a place?
Places can be deleted by selecting Deleted places under Menu in the place object's window. Please be aware that you may only delete a place as per the deletion reasons (under 3. Deleting tags) of the Guidelines.
What actions are acceptable, or even encouraged, when deleting place tags?
I found some places that should be deleted, but I can't delete them since I am only a regular user (RU). What should I do?
If you can’t delete an object, it might be under an AU protection. You should contact an AU, explain you reasons and ask for help.
How long does it take for a "deleted" place to actually disappear entirely?
How do I know if one of my places has been deleted?
You can check your Stats tab in your profile window. Your created places which are deleted will be shown via the counter next to Deleted from them:
Do deleted places still show up on my list of created places?
Yes. If someone deleted your places they still will be written in ‘Places and streets created’ line (and ‘Deleted from them’ line as well), but they will be marked as deleted and you won’t get experience point for them.
How many places can I delete per day/week?
In China many place tags are marked ?????(cn). Should I delete them?
If a business, shop, store etc, moves or is shut down, should I delete the defunct place object?
If the building still exists, and it hasn't been demolished, it should not be deleted. We recommend you update the place object's article by describing its present function. It is essential you update its title, description, address and category to reflect the change.
Why do deleted objects still show up in Google search results?
Objects put up for deletion will be removed after a specified time. However, Google will continue to display the deleted/outdated information until they update their own search results to show the latest web pages. This is because Google takes 'snapshots' of web pages it examines and caches (stores) that version as a back-up. The cached version is what Google uses to judge if a page is a good match for your query. Unfortunately, these stored pages may be outdated until they are updated. You can either be patient until Google removes the outdated data or you can contact them here.
Linear Tools
Roads
I cannot add roads
If you are a new user, it is most likely a temporary limitation has been placed on your ability to use the "Road" tool because your experience level is too low. To increase your experience level, you must first add places to the map with the "Add place" tool. Please make sure the places you add are accurate and proper. Once you have gained enough experience with the "Add place" tool, you will be allowed to use the "Road" tool. The restriction is necessary because the "Road" tool has specialized features that new/inexperienced users find difficult to use properly. Adding roads requires skill and so it is only available to experienced users who are familiar with the use of other tools. Click here for more on experience levels. If you have suddenly lost the ability to add roads then you will need to create a report topic in the forum here and a bug report here.
Should I add multiple road segments to mark individual lanes in a road?
What road type should I use to mark a road?
Am I allowed to to enter the zip/post code in the title field along with the road name?
You should really not, however you may include the zip/post codes in the description field.
Railroads
This tool allow you to map the railway segments onto the map page. To have more information about the use of this tool, please see http://wikimapia.org/wiki/User_Guide:_Railroads_edit
Rivers
Ferry
Can I use the ferry tool to mark rivers and vice versa?
No. This tool is only for the mapping of genuine ferry routes. To map river you must use the river tool.
Interface
Wikimapia Screen
How do I use all those things on the Wikimapia screen?
Why is the title bar showing the wrong names?
When I look at place's description page, there is a line near the top that says, for example, "World/xxxxx/yyyyy/zzzzz". What is this telling me?
What is Distance Measure and what can I do with it?
Why is the tooltip (when I hover over a place) not always the same as its title?
What do the red dots under the names of places mean?
What are the icons in some places and what do they mean?
User Profile/Account
Why should I register?
Do you have any advice for new members?
It says in my profile that I created 106 places. But I can only count 82. What happened to the other places I've created?
Can I see how many places I have deleted?
How do I mark my own location? Why should I?
How do I delete a message someone sent me?
Unfortunately you cannot delete a message, it will stay permanently in your inbox.
When I click on someone's profile I still see his old avatar, but when I click on his avatar I get the magnified version of an entirely different photo?
Is there any way I can change my user name? I hate this one!
This is not an easy task. You really should have thought of this before registering! If you really have a good reason, you must send an e-mail administrators in WikiMapia@gmail.com. They may be able to help you. Otherwise, you have two options: 1) Learn to live with it, or 2) abandon the account and start a new, re-registering.
Someone has stolen my Wikimapia account and password. What can I do?
Send e-mail to administrators in WikiMapia@gmail.com. Ask to have your password reset. Remember that the thief may have changed your e-mail, so be prepared to give evidence that you really are the original owner of the account. And be ready to apologize for who the thief might have offended
I don't want to be part of Wikimapia any more. How do I delete my account?
Unfortunately you cannot delete your account, alternately you may want to change your password to something you will not be able to remember easily or you can stop visiting Wikimapia altogether which is even more easier.
Place Search
How do I search for something?
Type the name of the place you're looking for in the search box in the Wikimapia Menu Bar at the top of your screen, and press the Search button. A list results matching your query shall be returned in the sidebar. You can also tailor your searches by location or coordinates by choosing the respective tabs underneath the search box in the sidebar.
Categories
What are Categories?
How do I search for something?
How can I find, for example, theaters in one city?
Community
Forum
When can I join in the forum discussions?
Why am I not able to post into the forum?
Should I ask a question anywhere in the forum, or should I start a new topic?
How can I make sure that someone sees my posting in the forum? (should I post it in all sections?)
I posted a message in the forum, but I have changed my mind. Can/should I delete it?
I added a photo to my profile, but my forum posting still shows "no foto"?
I remember seeing something discussed in the forum last week, but now I can't find it. Is it possible to find it again?
Why do forum messages always run off the right side of my screen?
Other Users
How do I find out where another user lives
If it has its definite location in your profile, just click the name of the country which is shown in "Location" (if any). You will be taken to the exact location marked by the user. Otherwise, you need to ask directly to the user, but be ready for a disappointment, since many users prefer to keep your privacy.
How can I contact another user?
Find it (a) in the forum or on a map of users, or the link somewhere that he (a) has described or discussed. Click on your username. This will open the user profile that you want to contact. Click "send message to this user", type your message in the text box and click the "send message". The message you sent is shown above a new text box empty. That's it: do not click the button "send message" again. If you have already sent a message to this user, you name it (a) will be on your list of contacts: open your profile, click on "Messages", find the desired user name and proceed from there.
How do I contact a user if I only know his username?
You can find him/her by rank. Find 'Users rank' in a 'tools' section in your profile. In the window that opens, there is a search field 'Search username'. Enter the user name and click 'search'. Note that the name must exactly match the user (no matter, however, if the letters are uppercase or lowercase). If you have trouble finding it, you can ask for help from other users in the forum. Maybe some of us may find the desired user.
How can I find out the email address linked to a user account?
You can not. This information is private. You will not find any e-mail here. The only way is to ask the user, by sending him a message.
I have a disagreement with another user. What should I do?
Bring the items to the forum. We will mediate the "ceasefire" between you and another user.
Someone keeps editing my places!
If you have a dispute, please notify the fellow user and moderators in the WikiMapia Forum. They'll try to resolve issues, but only if parties are willing to discuss their sides of the issue accurate and fairly.
What is a sockpuppet?
English Wikipedia page says: "sockpuppet is an online identity used in order to deceive the other members of a virtual community. In its initial use, a "sockpuppet" was a false identity through which a member of a community on the Internet manifests itself while pretending that it does not, as does a puppeteer manipulating a puppet. In WikiMapia, a "sockpuppet" is someone who has a second account.
Is it acceptable to have a sockpuppet?
For most users, no. However, there are users who have higher levels "sockpuppets" for experiments. They are useful in this regard.
User Levels
What is the difference between user levels?
Will a high rank qualify me to become an advanced user?
No it won't.
What are the advantages & responsibilities of being an advanced user?
How many places do I have to mark to become an advanced user?
All these questions have the same answer: There is no magic number you need to achieve because the promotion UL2 is a manual process done by administrators, and this is not automatic, regardless of what numbers you have.
How many good votes do I need to become an advanced user?
How do I become an advanced user?
How long should one be a regular user to become an advanced user?
Why is my account marked as limited/banned?
How can I tell what user level a user is?
Vandalism
What is vandalism?
My place tag has been vandalised. What should I do?
How can I revert the tag to the state before it was vandalised?
How do restore a vandalized description to what it used to be?
Is is possible to protect articles that are vandalized often?
Banning
What is a ban?
If I am banned and believe that I do not deserve it, What can I do?
How can I report a bad user so that he/she is banned quickly?
Voting
Why should I vote for a user?
How do I vote for a user?
When can I start to vote for people?
Is there a reason I can't vote for users?
Is it proper to ask for votes?
How can I get more votes?
Someone gave me a good vote. Should I do the same for her/him?
How do I remove an unwanted vote?
Someone said I voted too frequently. Is there a limit?
Should I give a good vote to a user who is No.1 in the ranking system?
Error Messages
"Sorry, you are doing many actions in a short period of time, please wait a while and retry your action"
"Too long polygon"
"Too big polygon"
"You cannot change your vote, you started vote, you may only completely unset it"
"You must remove the child objects before deleting the object"
"Wikimapia has just updated! Please reload the page or press shift + ctrl R in order to apply fixes and enjoy new features"
External
Can I see Wikimapia places on Google Earth?
Can I place part of the map on my own web page?
Yes! Find the screen you want to place on your page. Place your mouse over "WikiMapia" in the upper left corner and select "Map on your page" A popup window will appear with the corners of a rectangle. Just push the corners of the rectangle to resize the box and then copy the html code that is shown and paste it into your page.
Can I use Wikimapia with a GPS device?
What browser do you recommend to use with Wikimapia?
The creators recommend Firefox is the fastest browser to use WikiMapia.
How do I make a jpeg or bmp shot of specific part of the map?
I want to send a Wikimapia page to a friend. How do I do that?
I clicked a Wikimapia link that someone gave me. Why am I seeing all place descriptions in Spanish now?
How can I print the map with the names of the locations (without using another application to overlay the points and names)?
Advertising
I own a business. Can I tag it?
Yes, you can score. You can give factual information: company name, address, what you do or sell, how long has the company, a link to its website, that sort of thing. You should not include promotional material ("the best in town", "good prices", prices in general ...), that would be considered propaganda. On the other hand, you can say: "See my website for availability and prices." For commercial buildings, shopping malls, complexes, etc., where there are several companies in the same building, there would be a mess if everyone create their own bookmarks. In this case there should be only one tag for the building, and if you want to mark your company, leave a comment in the markup of the building.
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