Why Wikipedia Articles Get Deleted
Understanding Wikipedia's deletion process and why perfectly good articles sometimes don't survive.
The Deletion Process
Wikipedia has several mechanisms for removing content:
Articles for Deletion (AfD)
The most common process for established articles. Any editor can nominate an article, and the community discusses for 7 days before an administrator makes a decision based on consensus and Wikipedia's policies.
Speedy Deletion
Articles can be deleted immediately without discussion if they meet specific criteria, such as:
- Pure vandalism or nonsense
- Blatant advertising
- Copyright violations
- No indication of importance (no sources, no context)
Proposed Deletion (PROD)
A softer process where an article is tagged for deletion and removed after 7 days if no one objects.
Common Reasons for Deletion
1. Lack of Notability
Wikipedia's most cited deletion reason. An article subject must have received "significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject."
This means:
- Blog posts don't count as "reliable sources"
- Press releases and self-published content are excluded
- Local newspapers may be considered less authoritative
- Coverage must be more than trivial mentions
2. Original Research
Wikipedia requires all content to be verifiable through published sources. New theories, unpublished findings, or personal analyses are not permitted.
3. Conflict of Interest
Articles written by people closely connected to the subject (employees, family members, the subject themselves) are often scrutinized heavily and may be deleted.
4. Not an Encyclopedia Article
Content that reads like:
- A how-to guide
- A personal essay
- A dictionary definition
- A news report
5. Lack of Sources
Even notable topics can be deleted if the article doesn't cite any sources, as Wikipedia requires verifiability.
Who Gets Deleted?
Deletion often affects:
- Emerging artists and musicians without major label deals
- Local politicians in smaller jurisdictions
- Startup companies before they reach significant scale
- Academics whose work is cited but not covered by mainstream media
- Athletes in minor leagues or less-covered sports
- Historical figures from underrepresented regions or eras
- Internet personalities and content creators
The Notability Debate
Wikipedia's notability guidelines are controversial. Critics argue:
- They favor subjects covered by Western, English-language media
- They create a "rich get richer" effect where already-famous subjects get more coverage
- They exclude knowledge about cultures with strong oral traditions
- They're applied inconsistently by different editors
What Happens to Deleted Content?
When Wikipedia deletes an article:
- The article becomes invisible to regular users
- Only administrators can view deleted content
- The article history and talk page are also hidden
- Without archives like Wikibin, the content is effectively lost
Can Deleted Articles Be Restored?
Yes, through Wikipedia's "Deletion Review" process, but success requires:
- New sources demonstrating notability
- Evidence of procedural errors in the original deletion
- Significant changes in notability guidelines
Wikibin preserves deleted articles so this knowledge remains accessible regardless of Wikipedia's editorial decisions.
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