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[[File:500px-Merge_sign.svg.png|thumb|Merging communities is a lot like merging lanes on a highway; a smaller community joins the primary community, and they begin moving forward together.]]
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[[File:500px-Merge sign.svg.png|thumb|250px|Merging communities is a lot like merging lanes on a highway: a smaller community joins the primary community, and they begin moving forward together.]]
Sometimes, when two user communities cover the same subject matter and share similar contributors, they may wish to '''merge''' their communities to push their efforts forward in one direction.
 
   
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{{tocright}}
==What happens when you "merge" communities?==
 
 
Sometimes, when two user communities cover the same or related subject matter, they may wish to '''merge''' their communities. This can push their efforts forward in one direction and a combined community to be more successful.
While joining forces is a great idea to make a community more successful, the term "merge" is technically incorrect. FANDOM cannot just push one button to make two communities suddenly become one community. This is because of the technical limitations of [[Help:MediaWiki|MediaWiki]] software, the unique way FANDOM user tables are configured, and the fact that two communities may have pages with the same name but different content (for the technically minded, a "collision").
 
   
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Merging is in fact something Fandom staff recommend, as it avoids [[Help:Duplicate communities|duplicate communities]] and results in much higher [[Help:Search Engine Optimization|SEO]] value for the joined community — meaning that more people will read your work, and more editors will join your cause.
There are more limitations to consider, such as viability and community harmony.
 
   
  +
== "Merging" is a misnomer ==
==When to merge==
 
 
The term "merge" is misleading, as Fandom cannot push a button to make two communities suddenly become one community. This is because of the technical limitations of [[Help:MediaWiki|MediaWiki]] software, the unique way Fandom user tables are configured, and the fact that two communities may have pages with the same name but different content.
===Merging active communities===
 
The best reason to merge is when the active communities on multiple wikis realize that their work would be more organized and attract a larger number of readers and contributors if they were combined. In this case, the admins and users of the communities should discuss the merger thoroughly, making sure to advertise the discussions on both wikis so everyone involved has a chance to contribute ideas.
 
When there is a consensus that the merger should go through, users can begin merging the content as described below, or [[Special:Contact/general|contact FANDOM staff]] for technical assistance. Provide a link to the merger discussion to staff; otherwise, they'll need to ask for clarification that the merger is a community decision, not one user's whim.
 
   
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Therefore, the job of merging mostly falls upon users who armed with the tools of [[Help:importing and exporting pages|importing and exporting]].
===Merging inactive communities===
 
If the topic is of general public interest, FANDOM staff generally prefers to leave dormant communities available for [[homepage:w:Adoption:Requests|adoption]] by new users. Inactive communities do no harm to active projects, and the resources required to host and protect the community from spam are manageable.
 
   
 
== How to merge ==
However, the most probable reason why a community becomes inactive is because it relates to a very specialized topic that attracts too few people; in these cases it sometimes makes sense to merge the content and redirect the url to a more general active community that shares the topic.
 
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=== Communication comes first ===
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Both communities should discuss the merge thoroughly to form a consensus, making sure to advertise the discussions on both wikis. This means actually going to people's talk pages or message walls and ''personally'' inviting them to the discussion. It's generally not enough to put up a blog post and never point anyone in its direction. Remember: this is a '''big''' change, so you need to take extra care to invite everyone to the conversation.
   
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In scoping out whom to invite, look at the last 30 days in [[Help:Recent changes|Special:RecentChanges]]. Use [[Help:ListUsers|Special:ListUsers]] to find the most recent editors and/or admins on the "donor" wiki.
===Research and approach===
 
First find out if the community is new; if it has only had a month or two to grow and attract contributors, FANDOM is unlikely to be willing to merge right away.
 
   
Then, check whether or not there are still active editors. Visit [[Special:RecentChanges]] on the community, and use the "in last 1 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 30 days" links to look further back in the community's editing history. Check [[Special:ListUsers]] on the wiki to find the most recent editors and/or admins. On small communities, the founder will usually be the only one with both bureaucrat and Admin (sysop) rights. Try to contact the founder, using their Message Wall or talk page.
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On small communities, the founder will usually be the only one with both bureaucrat and administrator (sysop) rights. Go out of your way to contact the founder, using their [[Help:Message Wall|Message Wall]] or [[Help:Talk pages|talk page]].
   
If there are active admins, approach them politely about merging. Offer a friendly invitation to edit at the more active community, and let them know that it's possible to move articles and merge the projects so that everyone will have greater success. Always be kind about a community's work -- telling people their project is inferior or pointless won't convince them to join you, it's more likely to drive them away from FANDOM altogether.
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If there are active admins or editors, approach them politely about merging. Offer a friendly invitation to [[Help:Editing|edit]] at the more active community, and let them know that it's possible to move articles and merge the projects so that everyone will have greater success. Always be diplomatic when discussing a community's work.
   
  +
Telling people their project is inferior or pointless won't convince them to join you. It may even drive them away from Fandom altogether.
==How to merge==
 
=== Transfer content===
 
If the merge has been discussed by both communities and agreed upon, or there have not been any active editors for a couple of months, and the admins are agreeable or unresponsive, you may start merging content. As all communities share the same account data, if there is a small number of articles, transferring content can be done manually and does not take too much time.
 
   
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Don't forget to start a similar discussion on the recipient wiki ("your" wiki), and make sure to personally invite your own active editors to the discussion — "active" meaning anyone who's edited constructively in the last six weeks or so.
You can move any articles from the community that was not selected to be the community URL to the wiki that will remain open using the following method.
 
*Use [[Special:Export]] on the community that will be closed and redirected to create XML pages with author and page history
 
*Use [[Special:Import]] on the community being kept to import the XML (this requires admin rights)
 
See [[Help:Export]] for step-by-step instructions on this process.
 
   
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Remember, both sides should be engaged in the process!
If there are many articles, or if you need additional technical help (such as importing into a different namespace), please contact staff first.
 
   
=== Contact FANDOM ===
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=== What happens after people agree ===
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When there is a consensus that the merge should go through, an admin can begin merging the content, as described at [[Help:Importing and exporting pages]]. Don't be intimidated by this process. It's typically very fast and easy!
Inform FANDOM staff that a community can be shut down. You can do this by leaving a message at [[Special:Contact]], which should include the following information:
 
  +
  +
* Use [[Help:Importing and exporting pages|Special:Export]] on the "donor" wiki (i.e., the one that will be closed). Be sure to create your XML files such that they include full page histories, so that all editors get their due credit. This may mean that you'll have to break up your exports into several batches.
 
* Use [[Help:Importing and exporting pages|Special:Import]] on the "recipient" wiki to import those XML files. This part of the process requires admin rights.
  +
* After importing, make sure to fix any broken file links, templates, or redirects. [[Help:Special pages|Special:SpecialPages]] has a list of maintenance reports to check after a merge.
  +
  +
=== Contact Fandom ===
 
When you're done merging the content, inform Fandom staff that a community can be shut down. You can do this by [[Special:Contact|leaving a message]] or getting in touch with your [[Help:Wiki Representatives|Wiki Representative]], if applicable. Be sure to include the following information:
 
* a request to merge
 
* a request to merge
* confirmation that there is community agreement for the merger, with links to any on-wiki discussions, '''or''' confirmation that there are no active editors and that you've tried to contact the founder
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* confirmation that there is community agreement for the merge, with links to any on-wiki discussions, '''or''' confirmation that there are no active editors and that you've tried to contact the founder
 
* links to both the old and new community, making clear which is to be closed
 
* links to both the old and new community, making clear which is to be closed
 
* confirmation that all of the content has been transferred from the smaller community into the one that is to stay open
 
* confirmation that all of the content has been transferred from the smaller community into the one that is to stay open
  +
* statement of what you want your primary URL to be
  +
 
A staff member can then close down the "donor" community and redirect its domain name to the "recipient" destination. The communities will now be under one [[Help:Sitename|sitename]] and URL.
  +
  +
== Complications ==
  +
Most merges are really simple and straightforward, but sometimes there can be unexpected bumps in the road.
  +
  +
=== Files can't be moved ===
  +
You should know that files generally can't be moved. You'll need to go through them and manually transfer them to the recipient wiki. Since you're merging, though, this is a useful exercise. It allows you the opportunity to weed out duplicates, which are highly likely.
  +
  +
=== When the merge is really big ===
  +
For larger merges of over about 1000 pages, always start by consulting a [[Help:Wiki Representatives|Wiki Representative (WR)]]. Chances are that if either wiki is that big, they probably will have a WR. They can then speak with Fandom staff, as necessary.
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If there is no WR assigned to either wiki, then go ahead and [[Special:Contact|contact Fandom staff]] for technical assistance, early in the process. Please give Fandom as much hard data as you can as to the scope of the merger. You'll need to describe how much stuff needs to be moved.
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=== Dead wikis ===
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If no one responds to your messages on the "donor" wiki in about a month, you can feel free to start moving content.
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=== Brand new duplicate wikis ===
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Fandom's [[homepage:community-creation-policy#Duplicate wikis|Community Creation Policy]] prohibits the creation of new duplicate wikis going forward. If a new wiki has cropped up that is an ''exact'' duplicate of your wiki's topic, and didn't get caught by Fandom's duplicate wiki review process, then a merge is not necessary; simply [[Special:Contact|contact Fandom staff]] or your [[Help:Wiki Representatives|Wiki Representative]] and they can address the situation.
   
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=== Do not use the adoptions process for merges ===
A staff member can then close down the inactive community and redirect its domain name to the new destination. The communities will now be under one [[Help:Sitename|sitename]] and URL.
 
  +
[[Help:Adopting a community|The adoptions process]] is for reviving abandoned wikis. The intent of the process is for the wiki to ''survive'', not be cannibalised. Please do not attempt to adopt a wiki with the intent of merging it into your primary wiki. This subverts both the adoption and merge process by turning both into a one-person show. If one person is making decisions for both wikis, there's no ''community'' anymore.
(Any redirected domain name can become the primary URL for the merged communities, if the users choose.)
 
   
==See also==
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== See also ==
*[[Help:Merging pages]] (combine two or more pages on a given community)
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* [[Help:Administrators' how-to guide#Merging page histories]] (combine two or more pages on a given community)
*[[Help:Start a new wiki|Start a new community]] (general information on community creation)
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* [[Help:Start a new community]] (general information on community creation)
*[[w:c:www:Community Creation Policy|Community Creation Policy]] (includes general policies about closing communities)
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* [[homepage:community-creation-policy|Community Creation Policy]] (includes general policies about closing communities)
*[[Help:Adoption]] (try to resurrect a promising community project)
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* [[Help:Adopting a community]] (try to resurrect a promising community project)
   
==Further Help & Feedback==
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== Further help and feedback ==
 
{{Help and feedback section}}
 
{{Help and feedback section}}
   
[[be:Даведка:Аб'яднанне Вікі]]
 
 
[[ca:Ajuda:Fusionar wikis]]
 
[[ca:Ajuda:Fusionar wikis]]
 
[[de:Hilfe:Zusammenführen]]
 
[[de:Hilfe:Zusammenführen]]
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[[ja:ヘルプ:コミュニティの統合]]
 
[[ja:ヘルプ:コミュニティの統合]]
 
[[pt:Ajuda:Unindo comunidades]]
 
[[pt:Ajuda:Unindo comunidades]]
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[[pl:Pomoc:Łączenie społeczności]]
 
[[ru:Справка:Объединение вики]]
 
[[ru:Справка:Объединение вики]]
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[[tr:Yardım:Toplulukları birleştirme]]
 
[[uk:Довідка:Об'єднання спільнот]]
 
[[uk:Довідка:Об'єднання спільнот]]
 
[[zh:Help:合并社区]]
 
[[zh:Help:合并社区]]

Revision as of 19:49, 7 May 2021

500px-Merge sign

Merging communities is a lot like merging lanes on a highway: a smaller community joins the primary community, and they begin moving forward together.

Sometimes, when two user communities cover the same or related subject matter, they may wish to merge their communities. This can push their efforts forward in one direction and a combined community to be more successful.

Merging is in fact something Fandom staff recommend, as it avoids duplicate communities and results in much higher SEO value for the joined community — meaning that more people will read your work, and more editors will join your cause.

"Merging" is a misnomer

The term "merge" is misleading, as Fandom cannot push a button to make two communities suddenly become one community. This is because of the technical limitations of MediaWiki software, the unique way Fandom user tables are configured, and the fact that two communities may have pages with the same name but different content.

Therefore, the job of merging mostly falls upon users who armed with the tools of importing and exporting.

How to merge

Communication comes first

Both communities should discuss the merge thoroughly to form a consensus, making sure to advertise the discussions on both wikis. This means actually going to people's talk pages or message walls and personally inviting them to the discussion. It's generally not enough to put up a blog post and never point anyone in its direction. Remember: this is a big change, so you need to take extra care to invite everyone to the conversation.

In scoping out whom to invite, look at the last 30 days in Special:RecentChanges. Use Special:ListUsers to find the most recent editors and/or admins on the "donor" wiki.

On small communities, the founder will usually be the only one with both bureaucrat and administrator (sysop) rights. Go out of your way to contact the founder, using their Message Wall or talk page.

If there are active admins or editors, approach them politely about merging. Offer a friendly invitation to edit at the more active community, and let them know that it's possible to move articles and merge the projects so that everyone will have greater success. Always be diplomatic when discussing a community's work.

Telling people their project is inferior or pointless won't convince them to join you. It may even drive them away from Fandom altogether.

Don't forget to start a similar discussion on the recipient wiki ("your" wiki), and make sure to personally invite your own active editors to the discussion — "active" meaning anyone who's edited constructively in the last six weeks or so.

Remember, both sides should be engaged in the process!

What happens after people agree

When there is a consensus that the merge should go through, an admin can begin merging the content, as described at Help:Importing and exporting pages. Don't be intimidated by this process. It's typically very fast and easy!

  • Use Special:Export on the "donor" wiki (i.e., the one that will be closed). Be sure to create your XML files such that they include full page histories, so that all editors get their due credit. This may mean that you'll have to break up your exports into several batches.
  • Use Special:Import on the "recipient" wiki to import those XML files. This part of the process requires admin rights.
  • After importing, make sure to fix any broken file links, templates, or redirects. Special:SpecialPages has a list of maintenance reports to check after a merge.

Contact Fandom

When you're done merging the content, inform Fandom staff that a community can be shut down. You can do this by leaving a message or getting in touch with your Wiki Representative, if applicable. Be sure to include the following information:

  • a request to merge
  • confirmation that there is community agreement for the merge, with links to any on-wiki discussions, or confirmation that there are no active editors and that you've tried to contact the founder
  • links to both the old and new community, making clear which is to be closed
  • confirmation that all of the content has been transferred from the smaller community into the one that is to stay open
  • statement of what you want your primary URL to be

A staff member can then close down the "donor" community and redirect its domain name to the "recipient" destination. The communities will now be under one sitename and URL.

Complications

Most merges are really simple and straightforward, but sometimes there can be unexpected bumps in the road.

Files can't be moved

You should know that files generally can't be moved. You'll need to go through them and manually transfer them to the recipient wiki. Since you're merging, though, this is a useful exercise. It allows you the opportunity to weed out duplicates, which are highly likely.

When the merge is really big

For larger merges of over about 1000 pages, always start by consulting a Wiki Representative (WR). Chances are that if either wiki is that big, they probably will have a WR. They can then speak with Fandom staff, as necessary.

If there is no WR assigned to either wiki, then go ahead and contact Fandom staff for technical assistance, early in the process. Please give Fandom as much hard data as you can as to the scope of the merger. You'll need to describe how much stuff needs to be moved.

Dead wikis

If no one responds to your messages on the "donor" wiki in about a month, you can feel free to start moving content.

Brand new duplicate wikis

Fandom's Community Creation Policy prohibits the creation of new duplicate wikis going forward. If a new wiki has cropped up that is an exact duplicate of your wiki's topic, and didn't get caught by Fandom's duplicate wiki review process, then a merge is not necessary; simply contact Fandom staff or your Wiki Representative and they can address the situation.

Do not use the adoptions process for merges

The adoptions process is for reviving abandoned wikis. The intent of the process is for the wiki to survive, not be cannibalised. Please do not attempt to adopt a wiki with the intent of merging it into your primary wiki. This subverts both the adoption and merge process by turning both into a one-person show. If one person is making decisions for both wikis, there's no community anymore.

See also

Further help and feedback