The Website Built by People Who Just Wanted to Help: The wikiHow Story

A Simple Idea That Changed How We Learn Online

Every article on wikiHow was written by someone who simply wanted to help another person. That’s a surprisingly beautiful idea in today’s internet landscape. No hidden agenda. No corporate script. Just real people sharing what they know - and hoping it lands in the right hands at the right time.

wikiHow’s founding story is compelling enough that it was featured on Bloomberg TV’s The American Dream in 2021, a series hosted by Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts. The show celebrates entrepreneurs whose simple ideas grew into something far bigger than themselves. wikiHow fits that description perfectly. What started as a straightforward how-to platform quietly became one of the most visited educational websites on earth.

Partnerships That Actually Matter

Here’s where things get genuinely interesting. wikiHow isn’t just a collection of illustrated tutorials about folding fitted sheets or fixing a leaky faucet. The platform has built a remarkable network of partnerships that extend its reach into some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Take mental health, for example. wikiHow collaborates with both Mental Health America and Crisis Text Line to create guides and resources on a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges - and to connect readers with trusted crisis support when they need it most. That’s not a small thing.

Then there’s the work with Direct Relief and the United Nations Foundation, which focuses on getting verified medical and health content to readers around the world. Accurate health information saves lives. Full stop.

The platform also partners with Water.org to support clean water access, Feeding America to raise awareness about food assistance, and World Wildlife Fund to educate readers about the dangers of water pollution. These aren’t just logo placements - they’re co-authored, distributed content designed to make a real difference.

Reaching People Everywhere - Even Without Internet

One of the most quietly radical things wikiHow has done is partner with Facebook Free Basics to deliver educational content to hundreds of millions of people who don’t have traditional internet access. Think about that for a second. Practical, helpful knowledge reaching people who would otherwise be completely cut off from it.

And for those who do have connected devices, wikiHow has teamed up with Amazon and Samsung to bring how-to instructions and videos directly to Alexa and Bixby-enabled devices. Ask your smart speaker a question - you might just be getting wikiHow’s answer.

Education, Voting, and Community

The partnerships don’t stop there. wikiHow works with Vote.org to help Americans understand the voting process and how to register. It collaborates with Newsela to create step-by-step educational content for learners of all reading levels, Teach For India to support teacher development, and the YMCA to help readers make a positive local impact.

Even the California Science Center is in the mix, with wikiHow producing educational materials for their virtual science camps.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, wikiHow is proof that a generous impulse - I know something useful, let me share it - can scale into something extraordinary. It’s a reminder that the internet, at its best, is still a place where people show up to help each other. And somehow, that never gets old.