User:Razr Nation/Don't link the regulars

Regular users are aware of where all the common links and pages are, so adding a wikilink to one of these pages to a comment you make to them can be perceived as offensive by some. It is a common feeling to think you are smart because you add a wikilink to your comment. But you're not. Actually, you are looking like a new user when you add these wikilinks, because it shows that you have yet to get used to those pages, and thus you link them everywhere. So, if you're not a newbie, don't link to those pages, because no regular reads them, not even as a hobby.

Additionally, using the complete name of a Wikipedia page can sometimes look smart, but it isn't either. For example, writing "the Administrators' noticeboard for Incidents" instead of "ANI" could read more professional, but it is not something you'll see on this website every day. Same for more complex acronyms like AIV or TLDR. In short, stick to the acronyms, and don't link them unless there is a need to offer a link.

When links are useful

Links are useful when you are teaching someone where a page is for the first time, or when the page has a difficult or not widely known name, like WP:HAMMER, for example. Have in mind that when you link to a page, it must serve a purpose. It should be useful for that person to actually go to that page and gather information from there that is relevant to your current discussion. If you know that your interlocutor is aware of a page then don't link it. He (or she) doesn't need the link.

If you think that your interlocutor has forgotten the definition of something, you don't need to link to the page. Just show them the acronym and they will look for the page by themselves. Link if you think that it will really be useful. For example, don't put a link to WP:AGF just because a user assumed bad faith once. Do it if such user has constantly assumed bad faith, and pasting the link will be useful. Otherwise, just writing "please remember to assume good faith" would do the trick.

Links are useful when they are meant to be clicked, or when they will eventually facilitate navigation to your interlocutor. A lot of Wikipedia pages are commonly linked because of their difficult acronyms or names, and thus offering a link is always beneficial, like WP:AIV or WP:CVUA. Linking can also help yourself but remember, if you link to a page in a comment, there is no need to re-link it in subsequent comments. Doing so would hardly be beneficial.

When links are not useful

Links are not useful when they serve no specific purpose. Every link must have a designated outcome when written; otherwise, they will just become a sea of blue that will distract most readers. Remember that in talk pages, the linking rules that apply to articles theoretically don't exist, but it's good practice to use the same principles everywhere. For example, if you link to a page, there is no need to re-link it every time you mention it. That will definitely not be useful, and could be considered disruptive and pointy. Users can get stressed if they see a repeated link every time you answer them. Hipothetically speaking, this can be translated to this:

1. The first time you post the link, you are saying: "this link can be useful to you"
2. The second time: "go and read the link!"
3. The third time: "just in case you didn't read it"
4. Subsequent times: "because it looks like you didn't, here is the link again. So don't come back until you do"

It can be pretty annoying to have seven links pointing to the same direction in a single conversation. It can increment the heat of a discussion and provoke civility issues. So, to avoid these kind of unwanted situations, it's better to use as much links as needed, and as fewer as possible. Although it is widely known that Wikipedians often feel the need to leave a link to feel realized, it's better to be asked for a link than to be asked to stop linking.

Which pages must never be linked

• The Main Page. The Main Page is the only page that can be accessed from anywhere on Wikipedia, and thus there is no need to link it. It is unnecessary and is a waste of time. Go and link something else, but please, don't link to the Main Page.
• Special:RecentChanges. Yes, this one must not be linked either. There are moments when a link to Recent changes (commonly referred to as RC) are needed, but those moments are counted. Actually, anything that can be accessed from the bar at the left must not be linked, since it is redundant to do so.
• Your watchlist. Because doing so will be extremely silly and unwise. Just, don't. Same principle applies for your preferences.