Why does Google rank Wikipedia for so many topics?

96.6% of Wikipedia Pages Rank in Google's Top 10

 

It's because:

1. Wikipedia articles are properly focused on the topic at hand with the exact-match keyword in the <title> tag.
2. Wikipedia is a huge site with enormous internal linking power and it is being used to its advantage.
3. Many people freely link to Wikipedia from everywhere on the web, due to the site's nature (encyclopedia) and because it doesn't compete with anyone for customers.
4. Wikipedia articles are substantial and people spend significant time reading them. Additionally, users often click to other pages on the site for other stuff. This tells Google that people like Wikipedia.
5. People seek out Wikipedia in the SERPs if looking for information. This user behavior (preferring Wikipedia over other sites in the SERPs) only further strengthens Google's conviction that Wikipedia should be higher up in the SERPs.

 

good thats all OP needs to know, and also google needs to deliver proper information to ppl and wikipedia is doing this and for sure its high authority site.

 

High reputation, nice seo work, and so many people like it! Google also consider it as an active and good webpage!

 

Because they are a reputable high ranking site. When you type something in and see them in the results do you click on them?

I do.

You know why? Because I know they are probably going to give me the bet results for the info I am looking for without all the bullcrap sales pitch and minimum ads. Google is aware of this. And this is the types of sites they want people to find - sites that give people all the information they are looking for.

They just give great information, point blank.

 

Because they have a lot of content, and isn't that what Google is looking for?

 

Wikipedia has
- Backlinks
- Quality content
- Citation
- Google's trust

Because its spam free which is why it is ranking in top listings.