Wikipedia Guide
Why Wikipedia Pages Get Deleted (And How to Prevent It)
Every day, Wikipedia deletes hundreds of articles. Some deserved it. Others didn't. Here's how the deletion process works and what you can do when your page is under threat.
Wikipedia Deletion Reality
~500
Articles deleted daily
45%
Fail for notability
7 days
Typical AfD discussion
Top 5 Reasons Wikipedia Pages Get Deleted
Understanding why pages get deleted is the first step to preventing it. Here are the most common reasons, based on actual deletion discussions.
Notability Not Established
The most common deletion reason. Sources cited don't meet Wikipedia's standards for significant coverage, or there simply aren't enough independent sources to establish the subject deserves an article.
Promotional Tone
Article reads like marketing copy rather than encyclopedic content. Excessive use of superlatives, emphasis on achievements without context, or language that sounds like it came from a press release.
Conflict of Interest
Evidence that the article was created or substantially edited by the subject, their employees, or paid representatives without proper disclosure. Even accurate content gets deleted when COI is discovered.
Poor Sourcing
Sources don't support claims, are unreliable (blogs, press releases, self-published), or contain original research. Sometimes the sources exist but weren't properly cited.
Copyright Violation
Content copied from other websites, press releases, or copyrighted material without proper licensing. Wikipedia is strict about original content.
Warning Signs Your Page Is at Risk
Wikipedia rarely deletes pages without warning. Learn to read the signs before it's too late.
Warning Banners and What They Mean
"This article has multiple issues"
Medium-HighSeveral problems flagged simultaneously. Read each listed issue carefully.
"The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guidelines"
HighEditors question whether enough independent sources exist. This often leads to AfD nomination.
"This article reads like a press release or news article"
MediumPromotional tone detected. Needs rewriting for neutral point of view.
"This article needs additional citations for verification"
MediumClaims in the article aren't properly sourced. Usually fixable if sources exist.
"A major contributor to this article has a conflict of interest"
HighSomeone disclosed COI or it was discovered. Content will be heavily scrutinized.
"This article is being considered for deletion"
CriticalActive AfD discussion. You have about 7 days to respond.
Other Warning Signs
- Talk page discussions questioning whether the article should exist
- Rapid edits by multiple editors stripping content or adding tags
- Sources being removed as "unreliable" or "not independent"
- User talk page messages warning about COI or promotional editing
- Article listed on notability-related WikiProjects or deletion sorting pages
How the Deletion Process Works
Wikipedia has multiple deletion pathways. Understanding which one applies to your situation determines how you should respond.
Speedy Deletion (CSD)
Immediate deletion without discussion. Reserved for clear-cut violations: blatant advertising, no sources whatsoever, vandalism, or recreating a previously deleted article without addressing issues.
Timeline: Can happen within hours of article creation
Response window: Very short. You can contest by removing the tag and explaining on the talk page, but it's a race.
Proposed Deletion (PROD)
A 7-day notice before deletion for uncontroversial cases. Anyone can remove a PROD tag to contest it, which forces the nominator to open a full AfD discussion if they still want deletion.
Timeline: 7 days from tagging
Response window: Remove the tag any time within 7 days to contest. This doesn't save the article, but buys time.
Articles for Deletion (AfD)
Full community discussion. This is where borderline cases are decided. Editors present arguments for keeping or deleting, and an administrator closes the discussion based on consensus (not simple vote counting).
Timeline: Typically 7 days, can be extended for complex cases
Response window: Throughout the discussion period. You can add arguments and sources at any point.
How to Prevent Deletion
The best defense against deletion is a well-sourced, neutrally written article from the start. But even existing pages can be strengthened.
1. Strengthen Your Sources
Wikipedia cares about the quality of sources, not quantity. Ten blog posts matter less than one article in a recognized publication.
- Good: Major newspapers, established trade publications, academic journals, recognized news outlets
- Bad: Press releases, company websites, self-published blogs, social media, pay-to-play publications
2. Maintain Neutral Tone
Read your article as if you were a skeptic. Does it sound like encyclopedia content or marketing material?
Promotional (Bad)
"Smith is a visionary entrepreneur who revolutionized the industry with his innovative approach..."
Neutral (Good)
"Smith founded XYZ Corp in 2015. According to TechCrunch, the company's approach differed from competitors by..."
3. Include Balanced Content
Articles that only mention achievements look suspicious. Wikipedia expects balanced coverage including challenges, criticism, or at least context. An article about a CEO should mention business setbacks if they were covered in reliable sources. This counterintuitive approach actually makes pages more stable.
4. Monitor Regularly
Set up a Wikipedia account and "watch" the article. You'll see edits as they happen. Catching warning tags early gives you more time to respond. Check the article's talk page monthly at minimum.
Saving a Page Under Threat
If your page is already nominated for deletion, you have options. But timing matters.
Don't Panic Edit
Rushing to make changes during a deletion discussion often backfires. Editors see it as desperate behavior that confirms their suspicions about the article's problems.
Gather Additional Sources
Search for coverage you may have missed. Sometimes articles exist that weren't originally cited. Focus on sources that provide substantial coverage, not just mentions.
Participate in Discussion (Carefully)
You can comment on the AfD page, but you must disclose any conflict of interest. Focus on pointing to sources and policy, not arguing that the subject "deserves" coverage. Emotional arguments hurt your case.
Consider Professional Help
If the page is important to you, this may not be the time for DIY. Professionals know how to participate in deletion discussions appropriately and can often identify sources or arguments you'd miss.
Accept the Outcome
Sometimes articles genuinely don't meet Wikipedia's standards. If the community decides to delete, arguing further damages your credibility for future attempts. Build more coverage and try again later.
What to Do After Deletion
Deletion isn't always permanent. But the path back requires patience and the right approach.
Important: Wait Before Trying Again
Recreating a deleted article without substantial changes will result in immediate speedy deletion. Wikipedia tracks deleted articles. You need genuinely new coverage or a fundamentally different article structure.
Option 1: Deletion Review
If you believe the deletion process was flawed (not enough discussion, administrator error, policy misapplication), you can request Deletion Review. This is not for disagreeing with the outcome. It's only for procedural problems. Success rate is low.
Option 2: Build Coverage, Try Later
The most reliable path. If the deletion was for notability, work on generating genuine media coverage. This might take months or years. When you have substantial new sources that didn't exist during the AfD discussion, you have grounds for recreation.
Option 3: Draft Review
Create a new draft in Wikipedia's Articles for Creation system, citing the new sources. Mention in the draft that a previous article was deleted and explain what's different now. This shows good faith and gives reviewers context.
Page Under Threat?
If your Wikipedia page is facing deletion or has warning tags, time matters. We can assess the situation and advise on the best course of action. Sometimes pages can be saved. Sometimes it's better to let them go and rebuild properly later.