Template:Uw-refspam/doc

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This warning can be given to users to alert them that their edits may be considered reference spamming or book spamming. Signs of this are if the majority of their edits are adding references written by the same academic authors, particularly if they add references without adding any content to the lead of numerous articles or to the further reading sections of articles.

Usage

{{subst:Uw-refspam}}
{{subst:Uw-refspam|Article name}}

When to use

• If in doubt as to whether the edits constitute reference spamming or book spamming, please post at the conflict of interest noticeboard instead to ask for more opinions.
• Please bear in mind that the user is probably acting in good faith and as an expert, could be encouraged to make more productive contributions.
• Please refer to the index of message templates before using any template on user talk pages to warn a user. Applying the best template available for your purpose may help reduce confusion from the message you are sending.

• Please remember to substitute the template using {{subst:Uw-refspam}} rather than {{Uw-refspam}}.

When not to use

• Promotional content, like reference spamming, is a type of self-promotion. When the self-promotion occurs in the body content rather than in a citation, then this template is not appropriate. In those cases, template series {{uw-advert1}} may be appropriate.

Parameters

There is one optional parameter:

• |1= – name of an article containing reference spam

Notes

• Find subst count and examples of this template on User talk pages using this advanced search.     (from 14 June 2026 on)
• Before making stylistic changes: This template conforms to guidelines organized by the user warnings project. Please discuss the general visual appearance of these templates (for example, the image in the top-left corner) on the user warning talk page.
• A bug has been reported regarding the user signature placed after the substed template appearing on a new line in monospace. See details.

See also

• {{uw-advert1}}