diff --git a/tests/browser/features/step_definitions/create_page_api_steps.rb b/tests/browser/features/step_definitions/create_page_api_steps.rb
index af849b2..68a4f49 100644
--- a/tests/browser/features/step_definitions/create_page_api_steps.rb
+++ b/tests/browser/features/step_definitions/create_page_api_steps.rb
@@ -1,3 +1,15 @@
+# on a shared environment there is no need to waste unnecessary API requests
+# to edit a page which only needs to exist. This function limits write operations
+# and speeds up browser tests.
+def create_page_with_content(title, wikitext)
+  resp = api.get_wikitext title
+  if resp.status == 404
+    api.create_page title, wikitext
+  elsif wikitext != resp.body
+    api.create_page title, wikitext
+  end
+end
+
 # export MEDIAWIKI_API_URL = http://en.wikipedia.beta.wmflabs.org/w/api.php
 Given(/^I go to a page that has references$/) do
   wikitext = "MinervaNeue is a MediaWiki skin.
@@ -8,7 +20,7 @@ Given(/^I go to a page that has references$/) do
 <references/>
 "
 
-  api.create_page 'Selenium References test page', wikitext
+  create_page_with_content 'Selenium References test page', wikitext
   step 'I am on the "Selenium References test page" page'
 end
 
@@ -23,7 +35,7 @@ Section 2A.
 Section 3.
 "
 
-  api.create_page 'Selenium section test page2', wikitext
+  create_page_with_content 'Selenium section test page2', wikitext
   step 'I am on the "Selenium section test page2" page'
 end
 
@@ -41,17 +53,17 @@ Given(/^I am on a page which has cleanup templates$/) do
       </table>
     END
 
-  api.create_page 'Selenium page issues test page', wikitext
+  create_page_with_content 'Selenium page issues test page', wikitext
   step 'I am on the "Selenium page issues test page" page'
 end
 
 Given(/^the page "(.*?)" exists$/) do |title|
-  api.create_page title, 'Test is used by Selenium web driver'
+  create_page_with_content title, 'Test is used by Selenium web driver'
   step 'I am on the "' + title + '" page'
 end
 
 Given(/^at least one article with geodata exists$/) do
-  api.create_page 'Selenium geo test page', <<-end
+  create_page_with_content 'Selenium geo test page', <<-end
 This page is used by Selenium to test geo related features.
 
 {{#coordinates:43|-75|primary}}
@@ -66,10 +78,10 @@ Given(/^I am in a wiki that has categories$/) do
 [[Category:Selenium artifacts]]
 [[Category:Selenium hidden category]]'
 
-  api.create_page 'Category:Selenium artifacts', msg
-  api.create_page 'Category:Test category', msg
-  api.create_page 'Category:Selenium hidden category', '__HIDDENCAT__' + msg
-  api.create_page 'Selenium categories test page', wikitext
+  create_page_with_content 'Category:Selenium artifacts', msg
+  create_page_with_content 'Category:Test category', msg
+  create_page_with_content 'Category:Selenium hidden category', '__HIDDENCAT__' + msg
+  create_page_with_content 'Selenium categories test page', wikitext
 end
 
 Given(/^I go to a page that has languages$/) do
@@ -77,26 +89,26 @@ Given(/^I go to a page that has languages$/) do
 
 [[es:Selenium language test page]]'
 
-  api.create_page 'Selenium language test page', wikitext
+  create_page_with_content 'Selenium language test page', wikitext
   step 'I am on the "Selenium language test page" page'
 end
 
 Given(/^I go to a page that does not have languages$/) do
   wikitext = 'This page is used by Selenium to test language related features.'
 
-  api.create_page 'Selenium language test page without languages', wikitext
+  create_page_with_content 'Selenium language test page without languages', wikitext
   step 'I am on the "Selenium language test page without languages" page'
 end
 
 Given(/^the wiki has a terms of use$/) do
-  api.create_page 'MediaWiki:mobile-frontend-terms-url', 'https://mobile.test/wiki/Terms_of_Use'
-  api.create_page 'MediaWiki:mobile-frontend-terms-text', 'Terms of use'
+  create_page_with_content 'MediaWiki:mobile-frontend-terms-url', 'https://mobile.test/wiki/Terms_of_Use'
+  create_page_with_content 'MediaWiki:mobile-frontend-terms-text', 'Terms of use'
   # force a visit to check its existence
   visit(ArticlePage, using_params: { article_name: 'MediaWiki:Mobile-frontend-terms-url?action=info' })
 end
 
 Given(/^I visit a protected page$/) do
-  api.create_page 'Selenium protected test 2', 'Test is used by Selenium web driver'
+  create_page_with_content 'Selenium protected test 2', 'Test is used by Selenium web driver'
   step 'the "Selenium protected test 2" page is protected.'
   step 'I am on the "Selenium protected test 2" page'
 end