About

It serves as a centralized database of free-use images, sound recordings, videos, and other media files. The content on Wikimedia Commons can be freely used, shared, and modified by anyone, as long as proper attribution is given to the original creators. Established in 2004, Wikimedia Commons was created to provide a platform for contributors from all over the world to upload and share media files that are useful for educational purposes, including in Wikipedia articles. The project aims to support the Wikimedia Foundation's mission of developing and maintaining free content encyclopedia projects. As of 2021, Wikimedia Commons hosts over 83 million media files, making it one of the largest collections of freely available media in the world. The files are organized into various categories, such as images by topic, sound recordings by category, and videos by genre. Additionally, there are special projects within Wikimedia Commons, including the Wiki Loves Monuments initiative which collects photographs of heritage sites from around the globe. The media files on Wikimedia Commons are subject to a variety of licenses, ranging from the most permissive licenses like Creative Commons Attribution to less permissive licenses that may restrict commercial use or modifications. The licensing information is displayed alongside each file, ensuring that users can easily understand the terms of use for a particular media file. Wikimedia Commons has become an essential resource for Wikipedia articles and other projects supported by the Wikimedia Foundation. Its vast collection of multimedia content allows authors and contributors to enhance their work and create more engaging and informative content. The platform also promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing among contributors from different backgrounds and cultures. In conclusion, Wikimedia Commons is a valuable platform that provides free access to a wide range of media files. Its mission to collect, share, and preserve educational media content has made it an essential component of the Wikimedia Foundation's projects, benefiting both users and contributors alike.