Forum:Site name change Sonic News Network to Sonic Wiki

Mystic Monkey recently suggested (at Forum:Now that I think about it...) that we change the name of the site from Sonic News Network to Sonic Wiki (or Sonic the Hedgehog Wiki), which would more accurately describe what the wiki is/does, and would sound less like a news channel. Mystic suggested that it might help draw more traffic to the site. So let's discuss it.

I can see the benefit behind these arguments. However, we are already high up on Google's ranking for the searches "Sonic Wiki" (we're top), "Sonic the Hedgehog Wiki" (second after Wikipedia), and "Sonic the Hedgehog" (first page), so we're already highly visible. I also like that we have a unique name that sets us apart from the myriad other (inferior) Sonic Wikis out there. Other thoughts? -- Supermorff (talk) 08:26, August 5, 2012 (UTC)
 * Considering the Google search ranking, the name of the Wiki, and how long it has been around (almost six years!), I think a name change this late in the game may actually prove to be detrimental. It'd be like, say, Wookieepedia deciding to change its name to "Wookieewiki" or something like that.  After five years, you've already made an impact, and have cemented yourselves in Google pretty darn well.  Hell, when I do certain image searches, guess what images tend to show up most in the results?  Yep.  SNN.  If this wiki were a year old, a name change could be plausible.  But, going on six?  Best keep the current name.  Sure, it doesn't quite scream "wiki," but you had better believe that people will remember it better because it's unique.  Trak Nar  Ramble on 08:34, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

I think we should change it. Does a Google ranking really matter?? I mean, the URL pattern is enough to draw in users by simply typing in Sonic.wikia.com. Also, I don't like to think of Wikia's as information sites. I mean, imagine if Wikia's never existed, and someone created some sort of "ultimate Sonic site". I'm pretty sure it would end up being just like this one, because information is quite plentiful. I mean, it's certianly plausible for visitors to come here specifically for music or (in the future) things like gameplay videos, world records on Sonic, and we can already socialize. So basically, if we decide to change it, try something without -pedia in it, because I like the special name too!!!

My suggestion is that we make it something like Super Sonic Zone, because that actually references Sonic. I mean, what's the point of having a unique name if the only unique part about it is "Sonic"?TheAwesomefroggy (talk) 13:57, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

I wouldn't mind having the name changed at all. The "News" part of our name always felt rather contradictory to the Wiki's purpose, because in my honest opinion this Wiki is far from a news site for the Sonic franchise. If we do change the name, I got a few different names I think we could probably use (I personally think that "Sonic Wiki" is a bland name, and if possible I'd like us to still have a unique name of some kind should we get rid of our current one):


 * "Sonic Encyclopedia Network"


 * "Sonic Encyclopedia"


 * "Sonic Database Network"

This is all I got so far, but I'm sure I might be able to think of a couple more if necessary. Lloyd the Cat "I don't die. I just go on adventures."  12:27, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

I'm not gonna get involved with this so I'm just gonna say this plain and simple. Nothing wrong with the name - no need to change it. But that's just my opinion. -- 'Murphyshane -  熱! Don't click here '  12:32, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

From what I could recall looking into Our Founder's contributions, SNN was initially an actual "News Network", supplying information through blog-type updates. I don't believe after the wiki began attracting more users that there was much beef over changing the name to "Sonic the Hedgehog Wiki". Technically, I believe our current title describes the wiki quite efficiently, due to pages supplying "news" on new games/merchandise/etc. on Sonic the Hedgehog. I think I'll oppose the name change. 12:44, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

I actually like the name of the wikia as it is now as "Sonic New Network" is a original name. Sure, may not scream "Wikia", but it is intriguing and something that is our own. Besides Sonic the Hedgehog Wiki sounds really boring. Though, if we are going to change the name, I think we should keep the "network" part, so we have "Sonic (Black) Netowrk".Ultrasonic9000 (talk) 13:14, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

Ima just remain Nuetral.  P i t s B r o t h e r    1 4 3  13:56, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

To people suggesting a name change to another unique name (other than Sonic Wiki or whatever): This would be a major branding disaster. We would not only not be making the name more obvious by describing what the site is (i.e. solving the one identified problem), we would be discarding the brand identity we've built up over 7 years for no gain. The options are: stick with what we've got, or change to the generic-but-descriptive Sonic Wiki. Anything else is just a bad idea. -- Supermorff (talk) 15:05, August 5, 2012 (UTC)
 * In that case I guess I'll change my vote to oppose, then. Sure, I still think our current name is a tad misleading, but the name still has a nice ring to it and as I stated earlier I'd rather go with just about any name besides the generic "Sonic Wiki", and if sticking with what we got now is the only other good alternative then so be it. Lloyd the Cat  "I don't die. I just go on adventures."  17:19, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

I oppose, per Sacor. --<span style="; -webkit-border-radius-topleft:12px; -webkit-border-radius-bottomright:12px; -o-border-radius-topleft:12px; -o-border-radius-bottomright:12px; -khtml-border-radius-topleft:12px; -khtml-border-radius-bottomright:12px; border:4px ridge blue; background-image:-moz-linear-gradient(top, orange, red); background-image:-webkit-linear-gradient(top, orange, red); background-image:-o-linear-gradient(top, orange, red); background-image:-khtml-linear-gradient(top, orange, red); background-image:linear-gradient(top, orange, red); -moz-box-shadow: 0 0 0.6em #000000; -webkit-box-shadow: 0 0 0.6em #000000; -o-box-shadow: 0 0 0.6em #000000; box-shadow: 0 0 0.6em #000000; background-color:#000000"> Metal ' Mickey ' 272  15:10, August 5, 2012 (UTC)

I oppose. We've had this name for 6 years according to Trak and personally I like the name Sonic News Network a lot more than just Sonic Wiki. It makes this wiki unique.

I oppose: per Shadow, Trak, and Ultrasonic. 16:14, August 05, 2012 (UTC)

I still feel like our name is misleading. "News Networks" are usually blogging sites or sites with a news format. We are a wiki, not any of those. I support a name change, personally. Sonic Wiki works for me. -- 16:47, August 5, 2012 (UTC)