Deletion
Why Wikipedia pages get deleted, and how to avoid it
Promotional tone, weak sources, unproven notability: deletions almost always come down to the same causes. Here is how the English Wikipedia's deletion processes work and how to prepare.
Key points
- Most deletions come down to unproven notability, promotional tone or copyright violations.
- The English Wikipedia has three main routes: speedy deletion, proposed deletion (PROD) and Articles for Deletion (AfD).
- PROD lasts seven days and AfD discussions normally run for at least seven days; an article can be improved meanwhile.
- Recreating the same article without new sources leads to another deletion.
Finding out that an article has been deleted is frustrating, especially after real work went into it. But deletions are not random: they follow public rules and almost always have the same causes. Understanding them is the best way to avoid them.
The most common causes
- Notability not shown: no significant coverage in independent, reliable sources. The main cause for people and companies. See notability requirements.
- Promotional content: the article reads like a company page or a CV.
- Copyright violation: text copied from websites, press kits or official bios, even when the subject owns them.
- Original research: claims that no published source supports.
- Recreation of a previously deleted article with nothing new.
How deletion works on the English Wikipedia
The deletion policy describes several routes.
Speedy deletion
Administrators can delete pages without discussion when they clearly meet one of the criteria for speedy deletion. Those most relevant to people and companies cover unambiguous advertising or promotion, articles with no credible claim of significance, unambiguous copyright infringement, and recreations of material deleted after a discussion. This can happen within hours of creation.
Proposed deletion (PROD)
An editor can propose deletion of an article they consider uncontroversial to delete. If nobody objects within seven days, it is deleted. Anyone, including the article's creator, can object by removing the tag, which ends the PROD.
Articles for Deletion (AfD)
For contested cases, editors discuss the article at Articles for Deletion, normally for at least seven days. The outcome is decided by consensus based on policy and sources, not by counting votes. Possible outcomes include keep, delete, merge, redirect or move to draft.
New articles that are not ready may also simply be moved to the Draft namespace to be improved and resubmitted.
What to do during a deletion discussion
- Improve the article: add independent sources, remove promotional language, trim irrelevant details, and say so in the discussion.
- Argue from sources: list the specific in-depth, independent sources. Personal merit and page views carry no weight.
- Disclose your role: if you are the subject or work for them, say so.
- Never make legal threats: they lead to a block and do not save the article.
- Do not recruit friends: canvassing and sockpuppetry are forbidden and easy to spot.
After deletion
AfD discussions stay public. You can ask the deleting administrator for an explanation and, if you believe the process was not followed correctly, raise it at deletion review. Articles deleted through PROD can usually be restored on request. Recreating substantially the same article after an AfD can be speedily deleted, so start again only when something has really changed: new independent coverage, new achievements, new recognition.
How to prevent deletion
- Assess notability honestly before writing a single line.
- Build the article on reliable sources, one for every important fact.
- Write neutrally, without adjectives or promotional lists.
- Do not copy text, not even your own.
- Disclose any conflict of interest and use Articles for Creation.
- After publication, check the article now and then and propose updates on the talk page: see how to edit a Wikipedia page.
If you already have an article and fear it is fragile, our free analysis checks sources, tone, structure and maintenance tags and emails you a report.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a deletion discussion last?
A proposed deletion (PROD) runs for seven days, and an Articles for Deletion discussion normally runs for at least seven days. Speedy deletion can happen within hours.
Can a deleted page be recreated?
Yes, but only if something has really changed, such as new independent coverage. Recreating substantially the same article after a deletion discussion can be speedily deleted.
Can I take part in the discussion about my page?
Yes, if you disclose your conflict of interest. What counts are independent sources and the notability guidelines, not personal merit, and never legal threats.