Assessing the digital footprint of heritage collections through Wikimedia data

This article examines the potential of metrics derived from Wikimedia platforms to assess the digital footprint of museum collections, with a particular focus on Italian museums. The research draws on data from Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikidata, combined with institutional data from the Italian Museum Census, in order to explore the relationships between museums’ characteristics and their digital representation. While an econometric analysis demonstrates patterns in digital footprints associated with institutional characteristics such as age, ownership, and visitor numbers in Italian museums, the primary objective is to demonstrate the value of Wikimedia data as an accessible and robust source for measuring digital engagement for heritage collections. The findings emphasize the role of collaborative digital platforms in enhancing access to cultural heritage and provide a foundation for future research on digital metrics across the cultural heritage sector.