 | This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Conflict of interest can be cited as a cause for some other violation, but the existence of a conflict of interest by itself is not a policy violation. |
Conflict of interest is one of Wikipedia's least understood and yet most cited behavioral guidelines. In a nutshell it strongly discourages promoting interests an editor is related to unless it is certain that the interests of Wikipedia remain paramount.
Conflicted editors can be an extremely valuable and largely untapped resource as they are often the most equipped and motivated to report on a given subject. Policy permits conflicted editors to edit articles provided they comply with other policies. Unfortunately some such editors fail to write from a neutral point of view, introduce original research or unverifiable claims, link to third-party websites or breach other policies and guidelines such as those dealing with autobiographies.