This template is used in articles to identify sentences or short passages that have an inline citation but improperly reference a source that is biased because of very close connection to the subject, such as the manufacturer of a product.
Usage
Place this template inline, {{Independent source inline|date=February 2026}} following the word or punctuation.
It produces a superscripted notation like the following:
- This is a fantastic product.[independent source needed]
Use this template to "tag" dubious information or analysis which cites references produced by someone close to the subject of the article, so that other editors can know to back up the statement with citations, per Wikipedia:Verifiability.
|date=
This template allows an optional date parameter that records when the tag was added. If this template is added without the date parameter, the date parameter will be added soon after by a bot.
|reason=
Because it may not be immediately apparent to other editors what about the tagged passage is in need of, it is generally helpful to add a brief reason for the tag: {{Independent source inline|date=February 2026|reason=What the problem is}}. The |reason= parameter displays when the cursor is placed over the template, eg. [independent source needed]
If the explanation would be lengthy, use the article's talk page. The reason parameter does not display properly if it contains quotation marks.
Categorisation
Adding this template to an article will automatically place the article into Category:Wikipedia articles needing clarification, or a dated subcategory thereof. Adding this template to an article places the article into one of a family of categories identifying "Articles lacking reliable references". To find all such articles, see Category:All articles lacking reliable references.
When not to use this template
Unsourced or poorly sourced contentious material about living persons should be removed immediately. Do not tag it—remove it. For more information, see the section on poorly sourced contentious material in the Biography of Living Persons policy.
Material which is doubtful and harmful may be removed immediately, rather than tagged. See WP:BURDEN.
If no reference is given, use the {{citation needed}} tag instead.
If you have the time and ability to find a better reference, please do so. Then correct the citation yourself, or correct the article text. After all, the ultimate goal is not to merely identify problems, but to fix them.
TemplateData
TemplateData for Independent source inline
Use this to mark a specific statement as needing support from a third-party or independent source.
| Parameter | Description | Type | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | date | Month and year, e.g. January 2015
| Unknown | suggested |
| Reason | reason | Why this statement needs a third-party source | String | optional |
See also
- Wikipedia:Independent sources
- Wikipedia:Party and person, on the difference between a "third party" and a "secondary" source
Inline templates
- {{Primary source inline}}, when non-primary sources are needed
- {{Dubious}}, when a fact is sourced, but verifiability remains dubious
- {{Unreliable source?}}, flag a source as possibly being unreliable for any reason
Whole article templates
- {{Third-party}}, equivalent when the article in general lacks tertiary sources
- {{Cite check}}, article/section may have inappropriate or misinterpreted citations
- {{More citations needed}}, article/section has weak or incomplete sources/references/citations
- {{Unreferenced}}, zero sources cited on entire page
