This is a documentation subpage for Template:Independent sources. It may contain usage information, categories and other content that is not part of the original template page.

This template is used on approximately 10,000 pages and changes may be widely noticed. Test changes in the template's /sandbox or /testcases subpages, or in your own user subpage. Consider discussing changes on the talk page before implementing them.

Any breaking changes to this template, including moving it or nominating it for deletion, must be communicated in advance to Twinkle's users and maintainers at Wikipedia talk:Twinkle. The standard installation of Twinkle relies on this template. Thank you.

This template is used in articles to identify articles that name sources, but that are biased because too many named sources have a very close connection to the subject, such as the manufacturer of a product. This template can be used for any closely affiliated source, even if the source is not self-published.

Place this template on the page by pasting {{Independent sources|date=June 2026}} at the top.

For sections, use {{Independent sources|section}}

Adding this template to an article places the article into one of a family of categories identifying "Articles lacking reliable references". To find all such articles, see Category:All articles lacking reliable references.

Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced should be removed immediately. Do not tag it—remove it. For more information, see the section on poorly sourced contentious material in the Biography of Living Persons policy.

Material which is doubtful and harmful may be removed immediately, rather than tagged. See Unsourced material.

If no reference is given, use the {{citation needed}} tag instead.

If you have the time and ability to find a better reference, please do so. Then correct the citation yourself, or correct the article text. After all, the ultimate goal is not to merely identify problems, but to fix them.

Alternatives include:

• {{independent sources}} – When the source is written by or paid for by the subject (e.g., an op-ed written by the subject, an advertisement).
• {{self-published source}} – When the source is written by and published by the subject (e.g., a personal or business website).
• {{user-generated source}} – When the source is written by ordinary people on the internet (e.g., a wiki).
• {{primary source}} – When the source contains no analysis, comparison, evaluation, etc. of the subject (e.g., WP:PRIMARYNEWS).

Many sources fall into multiple categories. It's best to use the most specific or important one, instead of filling the page with similar tags.

• Wikipedia:Party and person
• {{Dubious}}—to flag something as suspected of being incorrect
• {{Primary source inline}}—for inappropriate use of primary sources (including independent primary sources)
• {{Independent source inline}}—to identify individual statements that should be supported by non-self-published, independent sources
• {{Unreliable source?}}—to flag a source as possibly being unreliable and/or unverifiable