A white paper is a well-researched report or practical guide that centers on a major issue and provides a solution for it. The term came from a time when government papers were coded by color to indicate distribution. They were intended for public access. Typically, white papers are used in government and business as authoritative tools for educating the public. Now, they're also a popular marketing tool, where businesses use them to present a solution that aligns with their product or service offerings.