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Template:Better source
How to use
[change source]This template is used in articles to identify sentences or short passages which have an inline citation but reference an improper source. It produces a small note like the following:
Because this is template is non-specific, it is helpful if you also include a |reason= note (which is invisible), so that other editors can see what exactly you think is wrong with the source. For example, the following note might be appropriate to the above claim:
{{Better source needed|reason=Citation is the Ghostbusters' company website, which may not be entirely objective.|date=February 2025}}
General template for copy-pasting:
{{Better source needed|date=February 2025}}
Adding this template to an article places the article into Category:Articles lacking reliable references or one of its subcategories by month.
When to use
[change source]Use this template to "tag" information that you think is improperly or unnecessarily supported by a source that is lacking in quality. Unless you include a reason with it, think about using a more specific tag instead:
- {{third-party-inline}}, if the information needs an independent, third-party source
- {{self-published inline}}, if the source given is self-published
- {{primary source}}, if the source given is a primary source
- {{unreliable source}}, if the source is possibly unreliable
Unsourced or poorly sourced material about living people that might be doubtful or harmful should be quickly removed (do not tag it—remove it).
Many editors object to what they think is overuse of this tag, especially in what is called "drive-by" tagging, which is placing the tag without trying to fix the issue at all. Before adding this tag, think about whether this is the best option. If you have the time and ability to find an a better reference, please do so. Then correct the citation yourself, or correct the article text. The final goal is not to just show that there is a problem, but to fix it.
This template is intended for specific sentences which need better references. For articles or sections which have a lot of material lacking sources (rather than just specific short passages), there are other, more appropriate templates, such as {{no sources}} or {{more sources}}.
Related pages
[change source]- {{verify source}}, request that someone verify the cited source backs up the material in the passage
- {{failed verification}}, source was checked, and did not contain the cited material
- {{request quotation}}, request a direct quote from an inaccessible source, for verification purposes
- {{dubious}} – flag something as suspected of being incorrect
- {{or}} – flag something as possibly containing original research
- {{POV-statement}} – dispute the neutrality of a passage
- {{weasel-inline}} – for tagging weasel words
- {{who}} – for placement after descriptions of a group of persons
- {{whom}} – placement after mention of a vague third party claim that is not sourced
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