Help:Authority control

Authority control is a way of linking a unique identity to an article on Wikipedia. Authority control is often used on articles about people because it is common for more than one person to have the same name. It also helps to establish a standard title for the article. The authority control box has links to records from catalogues in libraries around the world. It is placed at the bottom of the article. If the article already exists in other Wikipedias, simply place {{Authority control}} at the bottom of the page. The information and links will appear automatically once the article is saved. Some of the common links in the Authority control box are:

  • VIAF (Virtual International Authority File)
  • LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number)
  • WorldCat Identities (lists of works by and about a person held in libraries around the world)