Wikipedia:WikiProject Integrity/Editor Registry

Self-identified, honest, editors

This section is only for those editors who have openly self-identified as paid agents and have agreed to within the policies (and the law, regarding astroturfing: [1][2]). Please provide proof such as a permanent link to your/their userpage (anyone can add to this list) where it is stated, or a diff of an edit where it is so stated.

For reporting shills, please see #Covert paid editing below.

◘ Askers on Wikipedia:WikiProject Cooperation/Paid Editor Help by the nature of the board.

King4057 (talk) (proof)
WWB Too (talk) (proof)
User:John Vandenberg (talk) (proof)
User:Eclipsed (talk) (email) (proof)
User:Joedesantis (talk) (proof) Communications Director, Newt Gingrich Campaign, 2012 (discussion).

Covert paid editing

Suggested locations for spotting paid editors who either are not aware of the rules or deliberately arange [3] covert astroturfing [4][5] in full knowledge:

Monitoring articles in Category:Business and Category:WikiProject Business for public relations attempts at swaying topics to promote or "whitewash" organisations' industries
Monitoring articles of specific businesses, for which every one on Wikipedia should be listed under one of the sub-categories of Category:Types of business entity, such as Category:Corporations and Category:Companies by type
Wikipedia:WikiProject Business/Participants can act as a sort of honey pot for covert paid editors trying to pass themselves off as "generally interested in many un-related business articles", similar with other related projects (Investment, Finance, etc) linked. This however can also apply to many political/industry related topics also (for example oil and car corporations promoting cars and roads over public transport), so may be a bit of a needle in a haystack approach.
Searching on online auction sites (list) and telecommuting sites (list) (these categories are incomplete though, many Freelancer sites are in generic 'internet company' categories or simply do not have articles on Wikipedia, so internet searches are a better idea) for "wiki" OR "wikipedia" OR "article" OR "articles" (though many of these will be for blog spam, forum spam and content farms on other websites, as well), however companies may just request a patsy[6] to write an article for them without mentioning it is for Wikipedia, only telling the individuals afterwards in private that it is to go on Wikipedia, with vulnerable individuals often in poorer countries being forced to accept or "lose the job" with possible adverse reputation effects on their profile (such online work sites providing no auditing or any co-operation with Wikipediaa) (demonising these individuals, often in poorer countries, is non-constructive[7][8][9][10], it is changing the attitudes of corporations that should be focused on[11] to encourage them to work within WP:COI). Though again this still leaves many gaps in coverage, as outsourcing companies are often employed through non-public conversations without any "transparency" (untraceable to the original company, and takes advantage of Wikipedia's openness for anonymous editing), so the emphasis should be on monitoring articles. However, it very much provides a quick idea of the visible "tip of the iceberg":

Do NOT list any and all outsourcing sites here, there are far too many[32], only sites that directly mention Wikipedia or large amounts of article writing.

Sightings

Users

Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Websense, Inc.
- Many, many, sockpuppets, belonging to not just one individual but multiple.
User:TWFHCOM (talk) (The Writers for Hire, "over 100 clients, including Fortune 500 companies, five full time writers, a full time SEO and Internet marketing professional, a full time project manager, and a part time administrative assistant")
- (evidence and blocked)
  - Unblocked by Arbitration Committee, renamed to LogosVonMilo (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)
    - Wood lagging (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) article now has another advertisement on Freelancer by Paul Bouchard of BPWOOD.com[33][34] for shills: #1491011 — "Wikipedia article IMPROVED by experienced Wikipedia writer — We prefer someone who has an active account and can provide examples of their pages" (archived)
"Dan Z." (danzee), Jerusalem, Israel — Responds to ads with "I'm an excellent writer with years of experience on Wikipedia and recognition there for my quality work. Please see PM for further details."
"Khalidan", Seattle, United States — Responds to ads with "I write and cleanup Wikipedia pages as a full-time professional, and would be happy to help. I've attached work sample in a private message."
"Graphixstar / Graphixking", Los Angeles, United States — Responds to ads with "I've been a editor on Wikipedia and wikicommons since 2007. I have over 3,000 edits and 7 articles written. I know all the in's and out's to making your artcle stick. You'll definitely get your money's worth in selecting me (see PMB for my Editorial Wiki info)"
"Legalmorning", Mishawaka, United States — "I have extensive experience with Wikipedia article creation and will exceed your expectations if chosen. Please see PMB for additional details on articles that I have created. "
Huzefa Johar ("huzefaj"), Kolkata, India — "Hi, I have successfully created company and people profiles on Wikipedia. And, I am well acquainted with their guidelines. Please check your inbox for details..."[35]

Articles