In my (so far) brief time as an admin on Wikipedia, I've already been asked about articles I delete by a number of editors. While I don't wish to be lazy, I think it may be best if I simply outline the main reasons why I usually delete articles. If after checking over this page, you still have questions, by all means let me know.
Why was my article deleted?
editSpeedy deletions
editThe deleted article may have met one of the criteria for speedy deletion. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Blatant advertising (CSD G11) - This is usually referred to as spam. Wikipedia is not a tool for you to promote your business. Yes, many other businesses have articles on here (Microsoft, Nabisco, and Vodafone are examples). But those articles are written and edited to be as neutral as possible. This part cannot be emphasized enough. If an article looks like it could be a press release, it could face deletion.
- The article did not assert the notability of the subject. (CSD A7) - This might be the most common reason articles are deleted. Your friend/band/company may be really great as far as you are concerned and may have done some great things. But unless objective third parties also say that, they're not notable. Giving proof of notability will help your cause a lot (especially in the form of websites that others can check). These sources must be verifiable, otherwise they may be disregarded. If the phrase "up and coming" could be used for the subject of an article, it will likely be deleted. Just as stated before, Wikipedia is not a tool to promote your company, band, or friend.
- Blatant copyright infringement (CSD G12) - If an article is a copy of something found on another copyrighted work (usually a website), it must be deleted. Changing around a few words won't make it any less of a violation.
Other deletions
edit- If I deleted an article that was listed on Articles for deletion, it is because the consensus in that particular debate was to delete it. Keep in mind that AfD is not a vote. If 10 people say to delete, and give sound reasons, while another 10 say to keep and say "this is a great article," I will probably delete it.
- The third method of deletion involves the WP:PROD process. Basically, someone stumbles across an article, decides that it doesn't belong, and marks it with a PROD tag. If that tag has been on the article for at least 7 days and no one objects, it is up to the admin's discretion whether or not to delete the article. If I agree with the reason stated on the prod tag, or can think of no compelling arguments to keep the article anyway, I usually delete.