Template:Unreliable source?
Usage
This template is intended to be used when a statement is sourced but it is questionable whether the source used is reliable for supporting the statement. It produces a superscripted notation like the following:
- It was actually written by Thomas Hogarth.[unreliable source?]
Articles tagged with this template will be categorized into Category:Articles lacking reliable references.
Place this template inline, {{Unreliable source?|date=June 2026}} following the questionable claim (and any punctuation attached to it). The template should be placed outside the reference (<ref> ... </ref>), within the article's text:
- Potentially controversial statement.
<ref>some alleged source for this</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2026}}Next sentence.
Parameters
The template has the following optional parameters:
- date: should be set to the month and year when the article was tagged. Example:
{{Unreliable source?|date=June 2026}} - reason: a note explaining why you think the source is unreliable. Displays as a tool tip. Keep it short (one sentence) as longer material belongs on the talk page. It is good to reiterate the reason in your edit summary. Example:
{{Unreliable source?|reason=Your reason here.|date=June 2026}} - sure or certain: if set to "y" or "yes" will remove the question mark from the template's output to denote a degree of certainty that the source is unreliable. Please use this with a
|reason=parameter, and only after a good faith attempt to verify the reliability of the source in question. Example:{{Unreliable source?|sure=y|reason=Your reason here.|date=June 2026}}.
TemplateData
TemplateData for Unreliable source?
Used when a statement is sourced but it is questionable whether the source used is reliable for supporting the statement.
| Parameter | Description | Type | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reason | reason | Note explaining why you think the source is unreliable as per WP:RS. Displays as a tool tip | String | optional |
| Certain? | certain sure failed | If set to "y" or "yes" will remove the question mark from the template's output to denote a degree of certainty that the source is unreliable
| Boolean | optional |
| Month and year | date | Month and year of tagging; e.g., 'January 2013', but not 'jan13'
| String | suggested |
| name | name | no description | String | optional |
See also
Inline templates
{{Better source needed}}, an alternative to{{Unreliable source?|certain=y}}; especially useful for tagging sources that are low-quality but not necessarily wrong{{Obsolete source}}, for when a source has been surpassed by more recent works
Policies and guidelines
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