Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons (commonly referred to as "Commons") is an online repository of free-use images, sounds, videos, and other media files. It was launched on September 7, 2004, by the Wikimedia Foundation. The content on Wikimedia Commons is contributed by volunteers and is available under free licenses or in the public domain, making it a valuable resource for educational and informational purposes.
| Wikimedia Commons | |
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| URL | [commons.wikimedia.org commons.wikimedia.org] |
| Commercial | No |
| Type | Online media repository |
| Registration | Optional |
| Owner | Wikimedia Foundation |
| Author | Wikimedia community |
| Current Status | Active |
| Revenue | Non-profit |
Purpose
The primary goal of Wikimedia Commons is to provide a central repository for freely licensed media files, which can be used across all Wikimedia projects, including Wikipedia, Wiktionary, Wikibooks, and Wikinews. By hosting media files in one place, Commons helps avoid duplication of efforts and ensures consistency in file usage.[1]
Content
Wikimedia Commons hosts a wide range of media files, including:
- **Images**: Photos, illustrations, and diagrams
- **Videos**: Educational videos, animations, and documentaries
- **Audio files**: Music, speeches, and sound effects
- **Documents**: PDFs, presentations, and other educational materials
As of 2026, Wikimedia Commons contains over 177 files.[2]
Licensing
All files on Wikimedia Commons must be freely licensed or in the public domain. Common licenses include:
- Creative Commons licenses (e.g., CC BY, CC BY-SA)
- GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL)
- Public domain works
Users are encouraged to carefully review licensing terms before uploading or using media from Commons.[3]
Contribution
Anyone can contribute to Wikimedia Commons by creating an account and uploading media files. Contributors must ensure that their uploads comply with Commons' licensing policies and provide proper attribution where required.[4]
Integration with Wikimedia Projects
Wikimedia Commons is integrated with all Wikimedia projects, allowing users to directly embed media files from Commons into articles, pages, and other content. This integration promotes the widespread use of free media across different languages and platforms.
See also
References
- ↑ Welcome to Wikimedia Commons Accessed: 2024-11-18.
- ↑ Commons Statistics Accessed: 2024-11-18.
- ↑ Commons:Licensing Accessed: 2024-11-18.
- ↑ Commons:Upload Accessed: 2024-11-18.