Wikipedia:Articles for deletion: Difference between revisions

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When you nominate a page for deletion, it gets an entry in a sub-sub-page corresponding to the (UTC) date of nomination. Go back to viewing this page instead of editing it, and look for the link to edit today's sub-sub-page.
When you nominate a page for deletion, it gets an entry in a sub-sub-page corresponding to the (UTC) date of nomination.
Go back to viewing this page instead of editing it, and look for the link to edit today's sub-sub-page.
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{{Short description|Wikipedia article deletion discussions}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{redirect2|WP:AFD|Wikipedia:Pages for deletion|the abuse filter documentation|WP:EFD|the information page on April Fool's Day|Wikipedia:April Fools|other types of pages for deletion|WP:XFD}}
<big><big><big><div class="center">'''[[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/{{#time:Y F j}}|Today's AfD log]]'''</div></big></big></big>
{{for|articles nominated for deletion today|Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/{{#time:Y F j}}}}
{{Floatinglink|Administrator instructions|Administrator instructions}}
{{Hatnote|{{purge|Click here to refresh this page}}. (For help, see [[Wikipedia:Purge]].)}}
{{Afd notice}}
<noinclude>{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}</noinclude>
:''{{purge|Click here to refresh this page}}'' (For help, see [[Wikipedia:Purge]])
{{Floating link|Administrator instructions|Administrator instructions}}
{{Deletion debates}}
{{Shortcut|WP:AFD}}
{{Shortcut|WP:AFD}}
{{#ifexpr:{{#invoke:XfD old/AfD and MfD|afd|month=total}}>10|{{admin backlog|auto=yes}}}}
'''Articles for deletion (AfD)''' is where [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedians]] discuss whether an article should be deleted. Articles listed are normally discussed for at least seven days, after which the [[Wikipedia:Deletion process|deletion process]] proceeds based on community [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]]. Then the page may be kept, [[Wikipedia:Duplicate articles|merged]] or [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirected]], [[Wikipedia:Transwiki log|transwikied]] (copied to another [[Wikimedia]] project), [[Wikipedia:How to rename (move) a page|renamed/moved]] to another title, [[Wikipedia:Userfication|userfied]] to a user subpage, or deleted per the [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|deletion policy]].
{{Before Afd}}
{{AfDs}}
{{Deletion debates}}
{{XFD backlog|right}}
'''Articles for deletion''' ('''AfD''') is where [[Wikipedia:Wikipedians|Wikipedians]] discuss whether an article should be deleted. Articles listed are normally discussed for at least seven days, after which the [[Wikipedia:Deletion process|deletion process]] proceeds based on community [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]]. Common outcomes are that the article is [[Wikipedia:ATD|kept]], [[Wikipedia:ATD-M|merged]], [[Wikipedia:ATD-R|redirected]], [[Wikipedia:ATD-I|incubated]], [[Wikipedia:Moving a page|renamed/moved]] to another title, [[Wikipedia:Userfication|userfied]] to a user subpage, or deleted per the [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|deletion policy]]. [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation|Disambiguation pages]] are also nominated for deletion at AfD.


This page explains what you should consider [[#Before nominating: checks and alternatives|before nominating]], the steps for nominating, and how to discuss an AfD. It also links to the lists of current debates, and two companion processes to AfD: [[Wikipedia:Speedy deletion]] has a clearly defined set of criteria such as [[Wikipedia:Vandalism|vandalism]] and [[Wikipedia:Patent nonsense|patent nonsense]], whereas [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion]] is used to suggest deletions that no editor would contest.
This page explains what you should consider [[#Before nominating: checks and alternatives|before nominating]], the steps for nominating, and how to discuss an AfD. It also links to the lists of current debates, and two companion processes to AfD: [[Wikipedia:Speedy deletion|speedy deletion]] has a clearly defined set of criteria such as [[Wikipedia:Vandalism|vandalism]] and [[Wikipedia:Patent nonsense|patent nonsense]], whereas [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|proposed deletion]] is used to suggest deletions that no editor would contest.


'''If you want to nominate an article''', the [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|Wikipedia deletion policy]] explains the criteria for deletion, and may help you understand when an article should be nominated for deletion. The [[Wikipedia:Guide to deletion|guide to deletion]] explains the deletion process. If an article meets the criteria for deletion and you understand the process, consult [[#How to nominate a single page for deletion|the instructions below]]. If you are '''unsure''' whether a page should be nominated for deletion, or if you need more help, try [[Wikipedia talk:Articles for deletion|this talk page]] or [[Wikipedia:Help desk|Wikipedia's help desk]].
'''If you want to nominate an article''', the [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|Wikipedia deletion policy]] explains the criteria for deletion, and may help you understand when an article should be nominated for deletion. The [[Wikipedia:Guide to deletion|guide to deletion]] explains the deletion process. If an article meets the criteria for deletion and you understand the process, consult [[#How to nominate a single page for deletion|the instructions below]]. If you are '''unsure''' whether a page should be nominated for deletion, or if you need more help, try [[Wikipedia talk:Articles for deletion|this talk page]] or [[Wikipedia:Help desk|Wikipedia's help desk]].


==Past and current articles-for-deletion discussions (AfDs)==
== Current and past articles for deletion (AfD) discussions ==
{{/current}}
{{/current}}
{{/Old}}
{{/Old}}
=== [[:Category:AfD debates|Categorized discussions]] ===
=== [[:Category:AfD debates|Categorized discussions]] ===
'''[[Wikipedia:WikiProject_Deletion_sorting/Flat|AfDs sorted by topic & country]]'''
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Biographical)|Biographical]] {{!}}}}
{{flatlist|class=nowraplinks}}
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Fiction and the arts)|Fiction and the arts]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Games or sports)|Games and sports]] {{!}}}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Biographical)|Biographical]]
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Media and music)|Media and music]] {{!}}}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Fiction and the arts)|Fiction and the arts]]
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Organisation, corporation, or product)|Organisation, corporation, or product]] {{!}}}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Games or sports)|Games and sports]]
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Places and transportation)|Places and transportation]] {{!}}}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Media and music)|Media and music]]
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Science and technology)|Science and technology]] {{!}}}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Organisation, corporation, or product)|Organisation, corporation, or product]]
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Society topics)|Society topics]] {{!}}}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Places and transportation)|Places and transportation]]
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Web or internet)|Web and internet]] {{!}}}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Science and technology)|Science and technology]]
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Indiscernible or unclassifiable topic)|Indiscernible or unclassifiable topic]] {{!}}}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Society topics)|Society topics]]
{{nowrap|[[:Category:AfD debates (Not yet sorted)|Topics not yet sorted]]}}
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Web or Internet)|Web and Internet]]
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Indiscernible or unclassifiable topic)|Indiscernible or unclassifiable topic]]
* [[:Category:AfD debates (Not yet sorted)|Topics not yet sorted]]
{{endflatlist}}


===Search current and archived AfD discussions===
=== Search current and archived AfD discussions by topic ===
<inputbox>
{{search archives|searchbuttonlabel=Search current and archived AfDs}}
bgcolor=transparent

type=fulltext
*To find discussions containing the word ''navy'', enter:&nbsp;&nbsp; '''navy'''<!--This shouold be a table or something so that the code samples align horizontally?-->
prefix=Wikipedia:Articles for deletion
*To find discussions about articles whose titles contain ''battleships'', enter: &nbsp;'''intitle:battleships'''
searchbuttonlabel=Search
*To find discussions with ''navy'' anywhere, but ''battleships'' only in the article title, enter: &nbsp;'''navy intitle:battleships'''
</inputbox>
*Or, '''browse archived discussions grouped chronologically''' [[Wikipedia:Archived deletion discussions|here]]
* To find discussions containing the word ''navy'', enter:&nbsp;&nbsp; '''navy'''<!--This shouold be a table or something so that the code samples align horizontally?-->
* To find discussions about articles whose titles contain ''battleships'', enter: &nbsp;'''intitle:battleships'''
* To find discussions with ''navy'' anywhere, but ''battleships'' only in the article title, enter: &nbsp;'''navy intitle:battleships'''
* Or, '''browse archived discussions grouped chronologically''' [[Wikipedia:Archived deletion discussions|here]]
* A '''sortable table of current AfDs''' can be found [[User:Cyberbot_I/Current_AfD's|here]]


== Contributing to an AfD discussion ==
== Contributing to AfD discussions ==
=== Wikietiquette ===<!--I suspect this subsection should be integrated with "How to discuss an AfD" below-->
=== Wikietiquette ===<!--I suspect this subsection should be integrated with "How to discuss an AfD" below-->
{{shortcut|WP:AFDEQ}}
{{Shortcut|WP:AFDEQ}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Guide to deletion#General advice}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Guide to deletion#General advice}}
* Users participating in AfD discussions are expected to be familiar with the policy of [[Wikipedia:Civility|civility]] and the guidelines [[Wikipedia:Etiquette|Wikietiquette]] and [[Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers|"do not bite the newbies"]].
* Users participating in AfD discussions are expected to be familiar with the policy of [[Wikipedia:Civility|civility]] and the guidelines [[Wikipedia:Etiquette|Wikietiquette]] and [[Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers|"do not bite the newbies"]].
** This also applies to the other deletion pages.
** This also applies to the other deletion pages.
* AfDs are public, and are sometimes quoted in the popular press.<ref name="economist">[http://www.economist.com/printedition/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10789354&logout=Y "The battle for Wikipedia's soul"], [[The Economist]], Mar 6th 2008.</ref><ref>Seth Finkelstein,[http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/sep/28/wikipedia.web20 "I'm on Wikipedia, get me out of here"], [[The Guardian]], September 28 2006. <br />"At Wikipedia, contentious decisions are made by a process of elaborate discussion culminating in administrative fiat. Deletions go through a comment period. The process is not a vote, but the result forms a recommendation to the administrators."</ref> Please keep to public-facing levels of civility, just as you should for any edit you make to Wikipedia.
* AfDs are public, and are sometimes quoted in the popular press.<ref name="economist">[http://www.economist.com/printedition/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10789354&logout=Y "The battle for Wikipedia's soul"], ''[[The Economist]]'', March 6, 2008.</ref><ref>Seth Finkelstein,[http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/sep/28/wikipedia.web20 "I'm on Wikipedia, get me out of here"], ''[[The Guardian]]'', September 28, 2006.<br />"At Wikipedia, contentious decisions are made by a process of elaborate discussion culminating in administrative fiat. Deletions go through a comment period. The process is not a vote, but the result forms a recommendation to the administrators."</ref> Please keep to public-facing levels of civility, just as you should for any edit you make to Wikipedia.
* Avoid [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|personal attacks]] against people who disagree with you; avoid the use of sarcastic language and [[Wikipedia:Staying cool when the editing gets hot|stay cool]].
* Avoid [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|personal attacks]] against people who disagree with you; avoid the use of sarcastic language and [[Wikipedia:Staying cool when the editing gets hot|stay cool]].
* Do not make unsourced negative comments about living people. These may be [[WP:GRAPEVINE|removed by any editor]].
* Do not make unsourced negative comments about living people. These may be [[WP:GRAPEVINE|removed by any editor]].
* Remember that while AfD may look like a voting process, [[Wikipedia:Polling is not a substitute for discussion|it does not operate like one]]. Justification and evidence for a response carries far more weight than the response itself. Thus, you should not attempt to structure the AfD process like a vote:
* Remember that while AfD may look like a voting process, [[Wikipedia:Polling is not a substitute for discussion|it does not operate like one]]. Justification and evidence for a response carries far more weight than the response itself. Thus, you should not attempt to structure the AfD process like a vote:
** Do not add tally boxes to the deletion page.
** Do not add tally boxes to the deletion page.
** Do not reorder comments on the deletion page to group them by keep/delete/other. Such reordering can disrupt the flow of discussion, polarize an issue, and emphasize vote count or word count.
** Do not reorder comments on the deletion page to group them by keep, delete, or other. Such reordering can disrupt the flow of discussion, polarize an issue, and emphasize vote count or word count.
** Do not message editors about AfD nominations because they support your view on the topic. This can be seen as votestacking. See [[Wikipedia:Canvassing]] for guidelines. But if you are proposing deletion of an article, you can send a [[Wikipedia:Canvassing#Friendly notices|friendly notice]] to those who contributed significantly to it and therefore might disagree with you.
** Do not message editors about AfD nominations because they support your view on the topic. This can be seen as votestacking. See [[Wikipedia:Canvassing]] for guidelines. But if you are proposing deletion of an article, you can send a [[Wikipedia:Canvassing#Friendly notices|friendly notice]] to those who contributed significantly to it and therefore might disagree with you.
* If a number of similar articles are to be nominated, it is best to make this a group nomination so that they can be considered collectively. This avoids excessive repetition which would otherwise tend to overload involved editors. However, group nominations that are too large or too loosely related may be split up or speedy-closed.
* If a number of similar articles are to be nominated, it is best to make this a group nomination so that they can be considered collectively. This avoids excessive repetition which would otherwise tend to overload involved editors. However, group nominations that are too large or too loosely related may be split up or speedy-closed.
* While there is no prohibition against moving an article while an AfD discussion is in progress, editors considering doing so should realize such a move can confuse the discussion greatly, can preempt a closing decision, and can make the discussion difficult to track.
* While there is no prohibition against moving an article while an AfD or deletion review discussion is in progress, editors considering doing so should realize such a move can confuse the discussion greatly, can preempt a closing decision, can make the discussion difficult to track, and can lead to inconsistencies when using semi-automated closing [[Wikipedia:scripts|scripts]].


=== How to contribute ===<!--I suspect this subsection should be integrated with "Wikietiquette" above-->
=== How to contribute ===<!--I suspect this subsection should be integrated with "Wikietiquette" above-->
{{Shortcut|WP:AFDFORMAT|WP:DISCUSSAFD}}
{{Shortcut|WP:AFDFORMAT|WP:DISCUSSAFD}}
AfDs are a place for rational discussion of whether an article is able to meet Wikipedia’s article guidelines and policies. Reasonable editors will often disagree, but valid arguments will be given more weight than unsupported statements. When an editor offers arguments or evidence that do not explain how the article meets/violates policy, they may only need a reminder to engage in constructive, on-topic discussion. But a pattern of [[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions#Personal point of view|groundless opinion]], [[proof by assertion]], and ignoring content guidelines may become disruptive. If a pattern of disruptive behavior persists after efforts are made to correct the situation through dialogue, please consider a [[Wikipedia:Dispute resolution|dispute resolution]] process outside the current AfD.
AfDs are a place for rational discussion of whether an article is able to meet Wikipedia's article guidelines and policies. Reasonable editors will often disagree, but valid arguments will be given more weight than unsupported statements. When an editor offers arguments or evidence that do not explain how the article meets/violates policy, they may only need a reminder to engage in constructive, on-topic discussion. But a pattern of [[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions#Personal point of view|groundless opinion]], [[proof by assertion]], and ignoring content guidelines may become disruptive. If a pattern of disruptive behavior persists after efforts are made to correct the situation through dialogue, please consider a [[Wikipedia:Dispute resolution|dispute resolution]] process outside the current AfD.


There are a few basic practices that most Wikipedians use in AfD discussions:
There are a number of practices that most Wikipedians use in AfD discussions:
* Usually editors recommend a course of action in '''bold text''', ''e. g.'', "'''Keep'''", "'''Delete'''", "'''Merge'''", "'''Transclude'''" or other view. Some [[WP:BOTS|bots]] and [[WP:TOOLSERVER|tools]] which parse AfD's will only recognize bolded words, so following this convention is highly recommended.
* When editors recommend a course of action, they usually do so in '''[[MOS:BOLD|bold]] text''', ''e. g.'', "'''Keep'''", "'''Delete'''", "'''Merge'''", "'''Redirect'''", or other view. A number of [[WP:WMFCLOUD|tools]] which parse AfDs will only recognize bolded words.<ref>The tools [https://tools.wmflabs.org/afdstats/ AfD Statistics] and [https://tools.wmflabs.org/jackbot/snottywong/afdadminstats.html Admin AfD Counter] cannot parse unbolded !votes or closures.</ref>
* Start your comments or recommendations on a new bulleted line (that is, starting with <code>*</code>), and sign them by adding <code><nowiki>~~~~</nowiki></code> to the end. If you are responding to another editor, put your comment directly below theirs, making sure it is indented (using multiple <code>*</code>s).
* Start comments or recommendations on a new bulleted line (that is, starting with <code>*</code>), and sign them by adding <code>{{4~}}</code> to the end. If you are responding to another editor, put your comment directly below theirs, making sure it is indented (using multiple <code>*</code>s).
* Please do not accompany comments with [[Wikipedia:Voting templates|label templates]].
* Please [[Full disclosure (media)|disclose]] whether you are the article's creator, a substantial or minor contributor, or if you otherwise have a vested interest in the article; [[WP:AVOIDCOI]].
* Please disclose whether you have a vested interest in the article, per [[WP:AVOIDCOI]].
* Please have a look at the article before making a recommendation. Do not base your recommendation solely on the information supplied by the nominator. To understand the situation, it may also help to look at the history of the article. Also, please read the earlier comments and recommendations. They may contain relevant arguments and further useful information.
* Please have a look at the article before making a recommendation. Do not base your recommendation solely on the information supplied by the nominator or other editors. To understand the situation, it may also help to look at the history of the article. However, please read the earlier comments and recommendations. They may contain relevant arguments and further useful information.


When participating, please consider the following:
The following are practices that should be avoided:
* The debate is not a vote; please make recommendations on the course of action to be taken, sustained by arguments.
* The debate is not a vote; please do not make recommendations on the course of action to be taken that are not sustained by arguments.
* When making your case or responding to others, explain ''how'' the article meets/violates policy rather than merely stating that it meets/violates the policy.
* When making your case or responding to others, explain ''how'' the article meets/violates policy rather than merely stating that it meets/violates the policy.
* Use of multiple accounts to reinforce your opinions is absolutely forbidden. Multiple recommendations by users shown to be using "[[Wikipedia:Sock puppet|sock puppets]]" (multiple accounts belonging to the same person) will be discounted and the user manipulating consensus with multiple accounts will likely be [[WP:BLOCK|blocked indefinitely]].
* Use of multiple accounts to reinforce your opinions is absolutely forbidden. Multiple recommendations by users shown to be using "[[Wikipedia:Sock puppet|sock puppets]]" (multiple accounts belonging to the same person) will be discounted and the user manipulating consensus with multiple accounts will likely be [[WP:BLOCK|blocked indefinitely]].
* You can explain your earlier recommendation in response to others, but do not repeat your recommendation on a new bulleted line.
* You can explain your earlier recommendation in response to others but do not repeat a bolded recommendation on a new bulleted line.
* Nomination already implies that the nominator recommends deletion (unless indicated otherwise), and nominators should refrain from repeating this recommendation on a separate bulleted line.
* {{anchor|nom-already-implies}}Nomination already implies that the nominator recommends deletion (unless indicated otherwise), and nominators should refrain from repeating this.
* Do not make conflicting recommendations; if you change your mind, modify your original recommendation rather than adding a new one. The recommended way of doing this is to use strike-through by enclosing a retracted statement between <code><nowiki><s></nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki></s></nowiki></code> after the <code>*</code>, as in {{nowrap|1="<span style="font-size:170%; vertical-align:bottom; color:#638c9c">&#9642;</span> '''<s>Delete</s> Keep'''"}}.
* Do not make conflicting recommendations; if you change your mind, modify your original recommendation rather than adding a new one. The recommended way of doing this is to use strike-through by enclosing a retracted statement between <code><nowiki><del></nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki></del></nowiki></code> after the <code>*</code>, as in {{nowrap|1=" '''<del>Delete</del> Keep'''"}}.
* Unregistered or new users are welcome to contribute to the discussion, but their recommendations may be discounted if they seem to be made in bad faith (for example, if they misrepresent their reasons).
* Unregistered or new users are welcome to contribute to the discussion, but their recommendations may be discounted if they seem to be made in bad faith (for example, if they misrepresent their reasons). Conversely, the opinions of logged in users whose accounts predate the article's AfD nomination may be given more weight when determining consensus.


There are many good ways to advocate keeping, deleting, or even redirecting an article. This includes:
There are many good ways to advocate keeping, deleting or even redirecting an article. This includes:
* Arguments commonly used to recommend deletion are: "unverifiable" (violates [[WP:V]]), "original research" (violates [[WP:NOR]]), and "non-notable" in cases where the subject does not meet their respective [[:Category:Wikipedia notability guidelines|notability criteria]]. (In the cases of non-notable biographical articles, it is better to say "does not meet [[WP:BIO]]" to avoid insulting the subject.) The accusation "[[WP:VAIN|VANITY]]" should be avoided,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.nabble.com/AFD-courtesy-problem-td2434386.html |title=AFD courtesy problem |publisher=Nabble |date= |accessdate=2010-06-30}}</ref> and is not in itself a reason for deletion. The argument "non-neutral point of view" (violates [[WP:NPOV]]) is often used, but often such articles can be salvaged, so this is not a very strong reason for deletion either.
* Arguments commonly used to recommend deletion are: "unverifiable" (violates both [[WP:V]] and [[WP:NEXIST]], i.e., not just currently unverified), "original research" (violates [[WP:NOR]]), and "non-notable" in cases where the subject does not meet their respective [[:Category:Wikipedia notability guidelines|notability criteria]]. (In the cases of non-notable biographical articles, it is better to say "does not meet [[WP:BIO]]" to avoid insulting the subject.) Accusations of [[WP:VAIN|vanity]] and other motives should be avoided and is not in itself a reason for deletion. The argument "non-neutral point of view" (violates [[WP:NPOV]]) is often used, but often such articles can be salvaged, so this is not a very strong reason for deletion either.
* If you wish for an article to be kept, you can directly improve the article to address the reasons for deletion given in the nomination. You can search out [[WP:RS|reliable sources]], and refute the deletion arguments given using policy, guidelines, and examples from our [[WP:GA|good]] and [[WP:FA|featured]] articles. In certain cases, if you believe the article topic is valid and encyclopedic, and it lacks only references and other minor changes to survive, you may request help in the task by adding a {{tl|rescue list}} tag below the AfD template and listing the article in the [[Wikipedia:Article_Rescue_Squadron/Rescue list|rescue list]], in accordance with info given at [[WP:RESCUE]]. Please do ''not'' do this for articles which are likely to be eventually deleted on grounds other than simple incompleteness or poor writing (see [[WP:SNOW]]).<p>If the reasons given in the deletion nomination are later addressed by editing, the nomination should be withdrawn by the nominator, and the deletion discussion will be closed by an admin. If the nominator fails to do it when you think it should have been done (people can be busy, so [[WP:AGF]] on this point), leave a note on the nominator's talk page to draw their attention.
* If you wish for an article to be kept, you can directly improve the article to address the reasons for deletion given in the nomination. You can search out [[WP:RS|reliable sources]], and refute the deletion arguments given using policy, guidelines, and examples from our [[WP:GA|good]] and [[WP:FA|featured]] articles. If you believe the article topic is valid and encyclopedic, and it lacks only references and other minor changes to survive, you may request help in the task by listing the article on the [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron - Rescue list|rescue list]] in accordance with instructions given at [[WP:RSL]], and then adding the {{tl|rescue list}} template to the AfD discussion by posting {{tlsc|rescue list}} to the discussion thread. Please do ''not'' do this for articles which are likely to be eventually deleted on grounds other than simple incompleteness or poor writing (see [[WP:SNOW]]).{{pb}}If the reasons given in the deletion nomination are later addressed by editing, the nomination should be withdrawn by the nominator, and the deletion discussion will be closed by an admin. If the nominator fails to do it when you think it should have been done (people can be busy, so [[WP:AGF|assume good faith]] on this point), leave a note on the nominator's talk page to draw their attention.
* If you think the article should be a disambiguation page, or a redirect to another article, then recommend "'''Disambiguation'''" or "'''Redirect'''". Do not recommend deletion in such cases.
* [[WP:ATD|Alternatives to deletion]] should be considered. If you think the article should be a [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation|disambiguation page]], a [[WP:REDIRECT|redirect]] or [[WP:MERGE|merger]] to another article, then recommend "'''Disambiguation'''", "'''Redirect'''" or "'''Merge'''". Do not recommend deletion in such cases.


You do not have to make a recommendation on every nomination; consider ''not'' participating if:
You do not have to make a recommendation on every nomination; consider ''not'' participating if:
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Please also see [[Wikipedia:Notability]].
Please also see [[Wikipedia:Notability]].


== Nominating an article(s) for deletion ==
== Nominating article(s) for deletion ==
=== Before nominating: checks and alternatives ===
{{IncGuide}}
{{shortcut|WP:BEFORE|WP:BEGIN}}
{{selfref|"WP:BEFORE" and "WP:BEGIN" redirect here. You may also be looking for [[Wikipedia:Before commenting in a deletion discussion|Before commenting in a deletion discussion]] or [[Wikipedia:Lead section]].}}


=== Before nominating: checks and alternatives {{anchor|Wikipedia:Before}}===
;A. Read and understand these policies and guidelines:
{{shortcut|WP:BEFORE}}
# The [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|Wikipedia deletion policy]], which explains [[WP:DEL#REASON|valid grounds for deletion]] as well as [[WP:ATD|alternatives to deletion]] and the [[WP:DEL#PROCESSES|various deletion processes]]
{{Redirect|WP:BEFORE|the essay on reading discussions before commenting|Wikipedia:Read before commenting|the essay on steps to take before commenting in a deletion discussion|Wikipedia:Before commenting in a deletion discussion}}
# The main four guidelines and policies that inform deletion discussions: [[Wikipedia:Notability|notability]] ([[WP:N]]), [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiability]] ([[WP:V]]), [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|reliable sources]] ([[WP:RS]]), and [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|what Wikipedia is not]] ([[WP:NOT]])
{{Notability guide}}
# Subject specific notability guidelines, which can be found at [[:Category:Wikipedia notability guidelines]], with further related essays at [[:Category:Wikipedia notability]]. [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Common outcomes|Common outcomes]] may be checked to see if other articles on a specific topic tend to be kept or deleted after an AfD discussion
Prior to nominating article(s) for deletion, please be sure to:


<ol type="A">
;B. Carry out these checks:
<li> '''Read and understand these policies and guidelines:'''
# The [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|Wikipedia deletion policy]], which explains [[WP:DEL#REASON|valid grounds for deletion]] as well as [[WP:ATD|alternatives to deletion]] and the [[WP:DEL#PROCESSES|various deletion processes]].
# The main four guidelines and policies that inform deletion discussions: [[Wikipedia:Notability|notability]] ([[WP:N]]), [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiability]] ([[WP:V]]), [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|reliable sources]] ([[WP:RS]]), and [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|what Wikipedia is not]] ([[WP:NOT]]).
# Subject-specific notability guidelines, which can be found at [[:Category:Wikipedia notability guidelines]], with further related essays at [[:Category:Wikipedia notability]]. [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Common outcomes|Common outcomes]] may be checked to see if other articles on a specific topic tend to be kept or deleted after an AfD discussion.
</li>

<li> '''Carry out these checks:'''
# Confirm that the article does not meet the criteria for [[Wikipedia:Speedy deletion|speedy deletion]], [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|proposed deletion]] or [[Wikipedia:Speedy keep|speedy keep]].
# Confirm that the article does not meet the criteria for [[Wikipedia:Speedy deletion|speedy deletion]], [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|proposed deletion]] or [[Wikipedia:Speedy keep|speedy keep]].
# If there are [[WP:V|verifiability]], [[WP:N|notability]] or other sourcing concerns, take reasonable steps to search for [[WP:IRS|reliable sources]]. (See "Sourcing search" below)
# If there are [[WP:V|verifiability]], [[WP:N|notability]] or other sourcing concerns, take reasonable steps to search for [[WP:IRS|reliable sources]]. (See step D.)
# Review the article's history to check for potential vandalism or poor editing.
# Review the article's history to check for potential vandalism or poor editing.
# Read the article's [[Wikipedia:talk page|talk page]] for previous nominations and/or that your objections haven't already been dealt with.
# Read the article's [[Wikipedia:talk page|talk page]] for previous nominations and/or that your objections haven't already been dealt with.
# Check to see if enough time has passed since previous nominations before [[Wikipedia:Renominating_for_deletion|renominating]].
# Check "[[Help:What links here|What links here]]" in the article's sidebar, to see how the page is used and referenced within Wikipedia.
# Check "[[Help:What links here|What links here]]" in the article's sidebar, to see how the page is used and referenced within Wikipedia.
# Check if there are [[Help:Interlanguage links|interlanguage]] links, also in the sidebar, which may lead to more developed and better sourced articles.
# Check if there are [[Help:Interlanguage links|interlanguage]] links, also in the sidebar, which may lead to more developed and better-sourced articles. Likewise, search for native-language sources if the subject has a name in a non-[[Latin alphabet]] (such as Japanese or Greek), which is often in the lead.
</li>


;C. Consider whether the article could be improved rather than deleted.
<li> '''Consider whether the article could be improved rather than deleted:'''
# If the article can be fixed through normal editing, then it is not a candidate for AfD.
# If the article can be fixed through [[WP:ATD|normal editing]], then it is not a candidate for AfD.
# If the article was recently created, please consider allowing the contributors more time to develop the article.
# If the article was recently created, please consider allowing the contributors more time to develop the article.
# If an article has issues try first raising your concerns on the article's talk page, with the main contributors, or an associated WikiProject, and/or adding [[Wikipedia:Template messages/Cleanup|a cleanup tag]], such as {{tlx|notability}}, {{tlx|hoax}}, {{tlx|original research}}, or {{tlx|advert}}; this ensures readers are aware of the problem and may act to remedy it.
# If an article has issues try first raising your concerns on the article's talk page, with the main contributors, or an associated WikiProject, and/or adding [[Wikipedia:Template messages/Cleanup|a cleanup tag]], such as {{tlx|notability}}, {{tlx|hoax}}, {{tlx|original research}}, or {{tlx|advert}}; this ensures readers are aware of the problem and may act to remedy it.
# If the topic is not important enough to merit an article on its own, consider [[Wikipedia:merge|merging]] or [[Wikipedia:redirect|redirecting]] to an existing article. This should be done particularly if the topic name is a likely search term.
# If the topic is not important enough to merit an article on its own, consider [[Wikipedia:merge|merging]] or [[Wikipedia:redirect|redirecting]] to an existing article. This should be done particularly if the topic name is a likely search term. {{shortcut|WP:CONRED}}{{anchor|Controversial redirects}}If a redirection is controversial, however, AfD may be an appropriate venue for discussing the change in addition to the article's talk page.
</li>


;D. If the main concern is notability, search for additional sources:
<li> '''Search for additional sources, if the main concern is notability:'''
# The minimum search expected is a [http://books.google.com/ Google Books] search and a [http://news.google.com/archivesearch Google News ''archive''] search; [http://scholar.google.com/ Google Scholar] is suggested for academic subjects. Such searches should in most cases take only a minute or two to perform.
# The minimum search expected is a [https://www.google.com/ normal Google search], a [https://books.google.com/ Google Books] search, a [https://news.google.com Google News] search, and a [https://news.google.com/newspapers Google News ''archive''] search; [https://scholar.google.com/ Google Scholar] is suggested for academic subjects.
# Where possible, also please make use of [[Wikipedia:The Wikipedia Library|The Wikipedia Library]], which offers free access to various subscription databases of additional resources. Not every resource available in that collection will always be relevant in every situation, so it is not necessary to exhaustively check every database, but there are many resources which may be useful for specialized or older topics that might not Google well.
# If you find a ''lack of sources'', you've completed basic due diligence before nominating. However, if a quick search does find sources, this does not always mean an AfD on a sourcing basis is unwarranted. If you spend more time examining the sources, and determine that they are insufficient, e.g., because they only contain passing mention of the topic, then an AfD nomination may be still be appropriate.
# If you find a ''lack of sources'', you've completed basic due diligence before nominating. However, if a quick search does find sources, this does not always mean an AfD on a sourcing basis is unwarranted. If you spend more time examining the sources and determine that they are insufficient, e.g., because they only contain passing mention of the topic, then an AfD nomination may still be appropriate.
# If you find that adequate sources ''do appear to exist'', the fact that they are not yet present in the article is not a proper basis for a nomination. Instead, you should consider citing the sources, using the advice in [[Wikipedia:How to cite sources]], or at minimum apply an appropriate template to the page that flags the sourcing concern. Common templates include {{tl|unreferenced}}, {{tl|refimprove}}, {{tl|third-party}}, {{tl|primary sources}} and {{tl|one source}}. For a more complete list see [[WP:CTT]].
# If you find that adequate sources ''do appear to [[WP:NEXIST|exist]]'', the fact that they are not yet present in the article is not a proper basis for a nomination. Instead, you should consider citing the sources, using the advice in [[Wikipedia:Citing sources]], or at minimum apply an appropriate template to the page that flags the sourcing concern. Common templates include {{tl|unreferenced}}, {{tl|refimprove}}, {{tl|third-party}}, {{tl|primary sources}} and {{tl|one source}}. For a more complete list see [[WP:CTT]].
</li>
</ol>


=== How to nominate a ''single page'' for deletion ===
=== How to nominate a ''single page'' for deletion ===
:''Please also take a look at [[WP:DELPRO]], which includes more information about deletion discussions.''
{{hatnote|Please also take a look at [[Wikipedia:Deletion process]], which includes more information about deletion discussions.}}
{{shortcut|WP:AFDHOWTO|WP:AFDHOW2|WP:AFDHOW}}
{{shortcut|WP:AFDHOWTO}}
{{ombox|small=y|image=none|text=
{{AfD footer}}
{{center|'''Does this look too complicated?''' <br>Try this semi-automated process instead:}}
[[File:Twinkle XFD Menu Screenshot.tiff|frameless]]
# Enable [[Wikipedia:Twinkle|Twinkle]] in the [[Special:Preferences#mw-prefsection-gadgets|Gadgets tab]] of your preferences.
#Go back to the article, and choose "XFD" from the new Twinkle ("TW") menu.
# Fill in the form and submit it.
}}
{{Afd footer}}


=== How to nominate ''multiple related pages'' for deletion ===
=== How to nominate ''multiple related pages'' for deletion ===
{{shortcut|WP:BUNDLE}}
{{shortcut|WP:MULTIAFD|WP:BUNDLE}}{{redirect|WP:BUNDLE|citation bundling|WP:CITEBUNDLE}}
Sometimes you will find a number of related articles, all of which you feel should be deleted together. To make it easier for those participating in the discussion, it may be helpful to bundle all of them together into a single nomination. However, for group nominations it is often a good idea to only list one article at afd and see how it goes, before listing an entire group.
Sometimes you will find a number of related articles, all of which you feel should be deleted together. To make it easier for those participating in the discussion, it may be helpful to bundle all of them together into a single nomination. However, for group nominations, it is often a good idea to only list one article at AfD and see how it goes, before listing an entire group.


Examples of articles which may be bundled into a single nomination:
Examples of articles which may be bundled into a single nomination:
* A group of articles with identical content but with slightly different titles.
* A group of articles with identical content but with slightly different titles.
* A group of hoax articles by the same editor.
* A group of [[WP:HOAX|hoax articles]] by the same editor.
* A group of [[WP:ARTSPAM|spam articles]] by the same editor.
* A group of [[WP:ARTSPAM|spam articles]] by the same editor.
* A series of articles on nearly identical manufactured products.
* A series of articles on nearly identical manufactured products.


An article with a fair or better chance of standing on its own merits should not be bundled&mdash; nominate it separately. '''If you're unsure, don't bundle it.'''
An article with a fair or better chance of standing on its own merits should not be bundled—nominate it separately. For the avoidance of doubt, bundling should not be used to form consensus around policy decisions such as "should Wikipedia include this type of article". Bundling AfDs should be used only for clear-cut deletion discussions based on existing policy. '''If you're unsure, don't bundle it.'''


For the sake of clarity, debates should be bundled ''only'' at the start or near the start of the debate, before most of the discussion.{{clarify}} <!-- this implies adding more to the bundle, which isn't explained anywhere (I don't think) -- doesn't that mess up keeping track fo 7-day period?-->
For the sake of clarity, debates should be bundled ''only'' at the start or near the start of the debate, ideally before any substantive discussion, but may be acceptable following one or two other editors' comments, particularly (but not only) where those comments are "per nom", by [[WP:SPA|single purpose accounts]], the article creator, or were clearly in bad faith.


'''To bundle articles for deletion:'''
'''To bundle articles for deletion:'''
{| style="width:100%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"
{| style="width:100%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"
|-
|-
| style="background:#ff9;"| <span style="font-family:verdana,arial;">'''I.<br>II.<br>III.'''.</span>
| style="background:#ff9;"| <span style="font-family:verdana,arial;">'''I.<br />II.<br />III.'''</span>
|| <div style="font-size:100%; width:12em; max-width:30%; float:left; margin:2px 0; border:1px solid #fc0; padding:.1em; text-align:center; background:#ff9;">Nominate the first article.</div>
|| <div style="font-size:100%; width:12em; max-width:30%; float:left; margin:2px 0; border:1px solid #fc0; padding:.1em; text-align:center; background:#ff9;">Nominate the first article.</div>
&nbsp; Follow steps I to III above.
&nbsp; Follow [[#WP:AFDHOWTO|steps I to III above]].
|-
|-
| style="background:#fc0;"| <span style="font-family:verdana,arial;">'''IV'''.</span>
| style="background:#fc0;"| <span style="font-family:verdana,arial;">'''IV'''.</span>
| style="background:#f6f6f6;"|<div style="font-size:100%; width:12em; max-width:30%; float:left; margin:2px 0; border:1px solid #fc0; padding:.1em; text-align:center; background:#ff9;">Nominate the additional articles.</div>
| style="background:#f6f6f6;"|<div style="font-size:100%; width:12em; max-width:30%; float:left; margin:2px 0; border:1px solid #fc0; padding:.1em; text-align:center; background:#ff9;">Nominate the additional articles.</div>
&nbsp; On each of the remaining articles, at the top insert the following:
&nbsp; On each of the remaining articles, at the top insert the following:
{{clearleft}}
{{clear left}}
: '''<nowiki>{{subst:afd1</nowiki>|''NominationName''<nowiki>}}</nowiki>'''
: '''{{tlxs|afd1|<var>NominationName</var>}}'''
Replace ''NominationName'' with the page name of the first page to be deleted, ''not'' the current page name. In other words, if [[User:Ashibaka/example|Some article]] was the first article you nominated, replace ''PageName'' with ''Some article''. As before, please include the phrase "AfD: Nominated for deletion; see <nowiki>[[</nowiki>Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/''NominationName''<nowiki>]]</nowiki>" in the edit summary (again replacing ''NominationName'' with the first page name to be deleted), and do not mark the edit as minor. Save the page. Repeat for all articles to be bundled.
Replace <var>NominationName</var> with the page name of the first page to be deleted, ''not'' the current page name. In other words, if [[Add article|Some article]] was the first article you nominated, replace <var>PageName</var> with ''Some article'' (or ''Some article (nth nomination)'' if this is not the first nomination of ''Some article''). As before, please include the phrase "AfD: Nominated for deletion; see <nowiki>[[</nowiki>Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/<var>NominationName</var><nowiki>]]</nowiki>" in the edit summary (again replacing <var>NominationName</var> with the first page name to be deleted), and do not mark the edit as minor. Publish the page. Repeat for all articles to be bundled.


(If the article has been nominated before, use <nowiki>{{subst:afdx}}</nowiki> instead of <nowiki>{{subst:afd1}}</nowiki>, and replace "''NominationName''" with the name of the page '''plus''' a note like ''"(second nomination)"'' for a second nomination, etc. See [[Template talk:Afdx]] for details.)
(If the article has been nominated before, use {{tlxs|afdx}} instead of {{tlxs|afd1}}, and replace "<var>NominationName</var>" with the name of the page '''plus''' a note like "<var>(2nd nomination)</var>" for a second nomination, etc. See [[Template talk:Afdx]] for details.)
|-
|-
| style="background:orange;"| <span style="font-family:verdana,arial;">'''V'''.</span>
| style="background:orange;"| <span style="font-family:verdana,arial;">'''V'''.</span>
|| <div style="font-size:100%; width:12em; max-width:30%; float:left; margin:2px 0; border:1px solid #fc0; padding:.1em; text-align:center; background:#ff9;">Add the additional articles to the nomination.</div>
|| <div style="font-size:100%; width:12em; max-width:30%; float:left; margin:2px 0; border:1px solid #fc0; padding:.1em; text-align:center; background:#ff9;">Add the additional articles to the nomination.</div>
&nbsp; Go to the first article's deletion discussion page, <br />
&nbsp; Go to the first article's deletion discussion page: Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/<var>PageName</var>, and add a note<br />
&nbsp; <tt>Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/''PageName''</tt>, and add a note <br />
&nbsp; under your original nomination listing all related pages, for example:
&nbsp; under your original nomination listing all related pages, for example:
<pre>
<blockquote><tt><nowiki>I am also nominating the following related pages because [insert reason here]:</nowiki></tt><br />
I am also nominating the following related pages because [insert reason here]:
<tt><nowiki>:{{la|related article 1}}</nowiki></tt><br />
<tt><nowiki>:{{la|related article 2}}</nowiki></tt></blockquote>
:{{la|related article 1}}
:{{la|related article 2}}
</pre>
In the edit summary, note that you are bundling related articles for deletion.
In the edit summary, note that you are bundling related articles for deletion.
|}
|}


=== Creating an AfD ===
=== Creating an AFD ===<!--not really sure where this goes; poorly explained how it fits with elaborate instructions above-->
This template can be used by [[WP:AUTOCONFIRMED|autoconfirmed]] users to nominate an article for deletion:
Use this template:


<inputbox>
<inputbox>
type=create
type=create
preload=Template:Afd2 starter
preload=Template:Afd2 starter
default=Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/ARTICLENAME
default=Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/<ARTICLENAME>
buttonlabel=Nominate this article for deletion
buttonlabel=Nominate this article for deletion
bgcolor=#eeeeff
bgcolor=#eeeeff
width=60
width=60
</inputbox>
</inputbox>
If you do it this way, don't forget to add your nomination to the top of the page of [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/{{CURRENTYEAR}} {{#time:F j}}|the current AFD log page]].
If you do it this way, remember to add {{tlxs|AFD|Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/{{var|subpage name}}}} at the top of the article, as well as list the nomination at the top of [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/{{CURRENTYEAR}} {{#time:F j}}|the current AFD log page]].


Alternatively, you can use [[Wikipedia:Twinkle|Twinkle]] (TW) to do the same thing, and without having to add the nomination to the current AFD log page, plus a bunch of other things, such as reverting and reporting vandalism and marking articles and templates for speedy deletion. Twinkle can be activated by going to [[Special:Preferences|your preferences page]], click on the "[[Wikipedia:Gadgets|Gadgets]]" tab, make sure the "Twinkle" checkmark under the "Editing gadgets" section is selected, and click on "Save". For more information, see [[Wikipedia:Twinkle/doc]].
Alternatively, you can use [[Wikipedia:Twinkle|Twinkle]] (TW) to do the same thing, and without having to add the nomination to the current AFD log page, plus a bunch of other things, such as reverting and reporting vandalism and marking articles and templates for speedy deletion. Twinkle can be activated by going to [[Special:Preferences|your preferences page]], click on the "[[Wikipedia:Gadgets|Gadgets]]" tab, make sure the "Twinkle" checkmark under the "Editing gadgets" section is selected, and click on "Save". For more information, see [[Wikipedia:Twinkle/doc]].


=== After nominating: notifying interested projects and editors ===
=== After nominating: Notify interested projects and editors ===
While it is sufficient to list an article for discussion at AfD ''(see below)'', nominators and others sometimes want to attract more attention from and participation by informed editors. All such efforts must comply with [[WP:CANVASS|Wikipedia's guideline against biased canvassing]].
While it is sufficient to list an article for discussion at AfD ''(see above)'', nominators and others sometimes want to attract more attention from and participation by informed editors. All such efforts must comply with [[Wikipedia:Canvassing|Wikipedia's guideline against biased canvassing]].


To encourage participation by less experienced editors, please avoid Wikipedia-specific abbreviations in the messages you leave about the discussion, link to any relevant policies or guidelines, and link to the AfD discussion page itself. If you are recommending that an article be speedily deleted, please give the [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|criterion]] that it meets, such as "[[WP:A7|A7]]" or "biography not asserting importance". Unless it is obvious from the page's title, the nomination should also indicate what the nominated article is about (e.g., "[[Broda Otto Barnes]], a physician that developed a now-discredited idea about [[thyroid]] function").
To encourage participation by less experienced editors, please avoid Wikipedia-specific abbreviations in the messages you leave about the discussion, link to any relevant policies or guidelines, such as [[WP:N|notability]], [[WP:V|verifiability]] or a specific section of [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not]], e.g., [[WP:NOTDIR|Wikipedia is not a directory]], and please provide a link to the AfD discussion page itself.


;Deletion sorting
;Deletion sorting
Once listed, deletion discussions can, optionally, also be transcluded into an appropriate [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting|deletion sorting]] category, such as the ones for [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting/Actors and actresses|actors]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting/Music|music]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting/Academics and educators|academics]], or for specific countries. Since many people watch deletion sorting pages for subject areas that particularly interest them, including your recent AfD listing on one of these pages helps attract people familiar with a particular topic area. Please see the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting/Compact|the complete list of categories]].
:Once listed, deletion discussions can, optionally, also be transcluded into an appropriate [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting|deletion sorting]] category, such as the ones for [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting/Actors and filmmakers|actors]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting/Music|music]], [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting/Academics and educators|academics]], or for specific countries. Since many people watch deletion sorting pages for subject areas that particularly interest them, including your recent AfD listing on one of these pages helps attract people familiar with a particular topic area. Please see the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting/Compact|complete list of categories]].
{{anchor|wikiProjects}}
{{anchor|wikiProjects}}
;Notifying WikiProjects that support the page
;Notifying related WikiProjects
<!-- OLD TEXT (please restore when ArticleAlertbot is resurrected) [[:Category:ArticleAlertbot subscriptions|Many projects]] have subscribed to [[WP:Article alerts|Wikipedia's article alerts service]], a fully automated program that keeps track of AfD discussions for subscribed projects. Projects that have not subscribed may welcome a brief, neutral note on their project's talk page about the AfD. -->
:<!-- OLD TEXT (please restore when ArticleAlertbot is resurrected) [[:Category:ArticleAlertbot subscriptions|Many projects]] have subscribed to [[WP:Article alerts|Wikipedia's article alerts service]], a fully automated program that keeps track of AfD discussions for subscribed projects. Projects that have not subscribed may welcome a brief, neutral note on their project's talk page about the AfD. -->
[[WP:WikiProject|WikiProjects]] are groups of editors that are interested in a particular subject or type of editing. If the article is within the scope of one or more WikiProjects, they may welcome a brief, neutral note on their project's talk page(s) about the AfD.
:[[WP:WikiProject|WikiProjects]] are groups of editors that are interested in a particular subject or type of editing. If the article is within the scope of one or more WikiProjects, they may welcome a brief, neutral note on their project's talk page(s) about the AfD.

:Tagging the nominated article's talk page with a relevant Wikiproject's banner will result in the article being listed in that project's ''[[WP:AALERTS|Article Alerts]]'' automatically if they [[Wikipedia:Article_alerts/Subscription_list|subscribe to the system]]. For instance, tagging an article with {{tl|WikiProject Physics}} will list the discussion in [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Physics/Article alerts]].

{{anchor|substantial}}
{{anchor|substantial}}
;Notifying substantial contributors to the article
;Notifying substantial contributors to the article
While not required, it is generally considered courteous to notify the [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|good-faith]] creator and any main contributors of the articles that you are nominating for deletion. One should not notify [[Wikipedia:Bot policy|bot accounts]], people who have made only insignificant 'minor' edits, or people who have never edited the article. To find the main contributors, look in the [[Help:Page history|page history]] or [[Help:Talk page|talk page]] of the article and/or use [[tools:~daniel/WikiSense/Contributors.php|Duesentrieb's ActiveUsers tool]] or [http://vs.aka-online.de/wppagehiststat/ Wikipedia Page History Statistics]. Use {{tlsx|AfD-notice|''article name''|''AfD discussion title''}}.
:While not required, it is generally considered courteous to notify the [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|good-faith]] creator and any main contributors of the articles that you are nominating for deletion. One should not notify [[Wikipedia:Bot policy|bot accounts]], people who have made only insignificant 'minor' edits, or people who have never edited the article. To find the main contributors, look in the [[Help:Page history|page history]] or [[Help:Talk page|talk page]] of the article and/or use the [//tools.wmflabs.org/xtools-articleinfo/ Page History tool] or [http://vs.aka-online.de/wppagehiststat/ Wikipedia Page History Statistics]. Use: <code>{{tlsp|Afd notice|<var>article name</var>|<var>AfD discussion title</var>}} {{4~}}</code>

At this point, you've done all you need to do as nominator. Sometime after seven days have passed, someone will either close the discussion or, where needed, "[[WP:RELIST|relist]]" it for another seven days of discussion. (The "someone" ''must not'' be you, the nominator. However, if you want to see how it's done, refer to the next section.)

=== Withdrawing a nomination ===
{{See also|#Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal)}}
{{shortcut|WP:WDAFD}}
If you change your mind about the nomination, you can withdraw it. This might be because the discussion has produced new information about the topic, or because you realise the nomination was a mistake.

To withdraw a nomination, add a note saying "'''Withdrawn by nominator'''" immediately below your nomination statement at the top of the discussion, give a brief explanation, and sign it.


At this point, you've done all you need to do as nominator. Sometime after seven days has passed, someone will either close the discussion or, where needed, "[[WP:RELIST|relist]]" it for another seven days of discussion. (The "someone" ''must not'' be you the nominator, but if you want to see how it's done see the next section.)
If no one has supported deletion of the article you may close the discussion yourself as a [[WP:Speedy keep]], or you may leave it for someone else to close the discussion. Withdrawing a nomination can save other editors' time by cutting short the discussion.


== How an AfD discussion is closed ==
== How an AfD discussion is closed ==
{{Main|Wikipedia:Deletion process#Articles for deletion page|/Administrator instructions}}
{{Main|Wikipedia:Deletion process#Articles for deletion page|Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Administrator instructions}}
{{Shortcut|WP:CLOSEAFD|WP:NotEarly}}
{{Shortcut|WP:CLOSEAFD|WP:NotEarly}}
* A deletion discussion should normally be allowed to run for seven full days (168 hours).
*After seven days, an uninvolved [[Wikipedia:Administrators|admin]] (i.e. one who has not participated in the deletion discussion) will assess the discussion for [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]] to '''Keep''', '''Delete''', '''Merge''', '''Redirect''', or '''Transwiki''' the article.
* Consensus is not based on a tally of votes, but on reasonable, logical, policy-based arguments.
* An editor in good standing who is not an administrator, and is also uninvolved, may close AfDs in certain circumstances; appropriate closures that non-admins may make are detailed at [[Wikipedia:Non-admin closure#Appropriate closures]].
* The AfD nominator can withdraw the nomination ''and'' close a discussion as [[WP:Speedy keep|speedy keep]] reason #1, if ''all'' other viewpoints expressed were for '''Keep''' ''and'' doing so does not short-circuit an ongoing discussion. For how to perform this, see below, subsection [[#Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal)|Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal)]]
*If consensus seems unclear the outcome is '''No consensus''' (with no effect on the article's status) or the discussion may be [[WP:RELIST|relist]]ed for additional discussion.
* An [[WP:Administrators|admin]] who is [[WP:UNINVOLVED|uninvolved]] and has not participated in the deletion discussion will assess the discussion for [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]]. For how to perform this, see [[WP:AFD/AI]].
*A discussion can be closed sooner than seven days if [[Wikipedia:Deletion process#Early closure|any of certain special conditions]] obtains.
* An editor in good standing who is not an administrator, and is also uninvolved, may close AfDs in certain circumstances; closures that non-admins may make are detailed at [[Wikipedia:Non-admin closure]]. For how to perform this, see below, subsection [[#Procedure for non-administrator close (other)|Procedure for non-administrator close (other)]]
*Questions or concerns about a closure should first be asked on the [[Help:Using talk pages|talk page]] of the editor who closed the discussion. If that does not resolve the concerns, the closure can be appealed at [[Wikipedia:Deletion review]].
* If consensus seems unclear the outcome can be listed as '''No consensus''' (with no effect on the article's status) or the discussion may be [[WP:RELIST|relisted]] for further discussion.
* A discussion can be closed sooner than seven days if [[Wikipedia:Deletion process#Early closure|any of certain special conditions]] applies.
* Questions or concerns about a closure should first be asked on the [[Help:Using talk pages|talk page]] of the editor who closed the discussion. If that does not resolve the concerns, the closure can be appealed at [[Wikipedia:Deletion review]].


===Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal)===
== References ==
As mentioned [[#How an AfD discussion is closed|above]], the AfD nominator can withdraw the nomination ''and'' close a discussion as [[WP:Speedy keep|speedy keep]] reason #1, if ''all'' other viewpoints expressed were for '''Keep''' ''and'' doing so does not short-circuit an ongoing discussion.
{{reflist|close=1}}


This procedure involves performing edits to three pages, as follows:
== Related pages ==
* On the deletion discussion page
Please '''{{highlight|DO NOT}}''' try to update these pages or start a new day yourself. (Note: These pages are not the deletion log pages referred to in [[Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion#How_to_list_pages_for_deletion|step III of the instructions, above]]).
** Remove the {{tlx|Closing}} tag from the page, if it was placed beforehand.
** Insert at the top of the page: <span style="color: green;"><nowiki>{{subst:Afd top|'''speedy keep'''. Nomination withdrawn. {{subst:nac}}}} ~~~~</nowiki></span>
** Remove the line containing <span style="color: green;">{{tlf|REMOVE THIS TEMPLATE WHEN CLOSING THIS AfD}}</span>
** Insert at the bottom of the page: <span style="color: green;"><nowiki>{{subst:Afd bottom}}</nowiki></span>
** Publish the page with an edit summary such as <span style="color: green;">Closing AfD, result was speedy keep (nomination withdrawn).</span>
* On the article page
** Find the article page
*** The name of the votepage might not identically match that of the article
*** The prefix "Wikipedia:Articles for deletion" should not be part of the "votepage" name
** Remove from the top of the page the text beginning <span style="color: green;"><nowiki><!-- Please do not remove or change this AfD message until the issue is settled --></nowiki></span> and ending <span style="color: green;"><nowiki><!-- End of AfD message, feel free to edit beyond this point --></nowiki></span>
** Publish the page with an edit summary such as <span style="color: green;">AfD closed as speedy keep (nomination withdrawn).</span>
* Paste the suggested template from the article page on the top of talk page itself. It resembles the following, with PageName and Date prefilled.
** <span style="color: green;"><nowiki>{{Old AfD multi|page</nowiki>{{=}}<var>PageName</var>|date{{=}}<var>Date</var>|result{{=}}<nowiki>'''speedy keep'''}}</nowiki></span>
** Publish the page with an edit summary such as <span style="color: green;">AfD closed as speedy keep (nomination withdrawn).</span>

===Procedure for non-administrator close (other)===
As mentioned [[#How an AfD discussion is closed|above]], an editor in good standing who is not an administrator, and is also uninvolved, may close AfDs in certain circumstances; closures that non-admins may make are detailed at [[Wikipedia:Deletion process#Non-administrators closing discussions]].

For a result of "keep", this procedure differs from the [[#Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal)|Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal)]] above, only in the reasons to be listed in the templates and the comments to be annotated in the edit summaries. Follow those instructions, replacing references to "keep (nomination withdrawn)" with the relevant reason.

For any other appropriate result, the procedure is basically the same, with the differences listed in [[WP:Articles for deletion/Administrator instructions#Carrying out the AfD close]].

== See also ==
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/Today]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/Today]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/Yesterday]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/Yesterday]]
**Please '''{{hilite|DO NOT}}''' try to update these pages or start a new one yourself. (Note: These pages are not the deletion log pages referred to in [[#Nominating article(s) for deletion|step III of the instructions, above]]).
<!-- *[[User:Dragons flight/AFD summary|Open AFD debates sorted by age (Dragons_flight summary tool)]] //-->
* See the [[:Category:Proposed deletion|proposed deletion current nominations]]&nbsp;– ''(Note that this is under the separate Wikipedia process [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion]] rather than'' '''''Articles for Deletion'''''.)
* [[:Category:Proposed deletion]] (''Note that this is under the separate Wikipedia process [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion]] rather than Articles for Deletion.'')
* [[:Category:Articles for deletion templates]]
* An editor can use {{tl|Db-u1}} to make a [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#U1|user request]] for starting the process of deleting certain pages from their [[Wikipedia:User pages|userspace]].
<!-- *[[User:Dragons flight/AFD summary|Open AFD debates sorted by age (Dragons flight summary tool)]] //-->
*[[User:Cyberbot I/Current AfD's|Sortable table of open AfDs]]
*[[User:SDZeroBot/AfD sorting|Topic-wise sorted list of open AfDs with nominations statements]]
*[[User:JPxG/Oracle|Oracle for Deletion]] AfD statistics
*[[Wikipedia:List of online newspaper archives]] - sources useful for AFD discussions and [[WP:BEFORE]] searches
* [[Wikipedia:Undeletion policy|Undeletion policy]]
* [[Wikipedia:Deletion guidelines for administrators|Deletion guidelines for admins]]
* [[Wikipedia:Deletion process|Deletion process]]
* [[Wikipedia:Alternative outlets|Alternative outlets]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Common outcomes|Common outcomes of AfD]]
* [[Wikipedia:Archived deletion discussions|Archived deletion discussions]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Policy consensus|Policy consensus discussions]]
* [[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions|Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions]]
* [[Wikipedia:Deletion review|Deletion review]]
* [[Wikipedia:Non-admin closure|Non-admin closure]]
* [[Wikipedia:Proposed mergers|Proposed mergers]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for merging|Articles for merging]], a failed proposal
<!-- *[[Wikipedia:Votes for deletion]], which was the name of this process until circa 2005 August 28. -->


==Citations==
''{{purge|Purge server cache for today's AFD page|page={{FULLPAGENAME}}/Log/{{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}}}''
{{reflist}}

{| style="margin:auto; margin:0 auto;" class="toccolours"
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| '''See&nbsp;also:'''
| style="text-align:center;"|
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Undeletion policy|Undeletion policy]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Deletion guidelines for administrators|Deletion guidelines for admins]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Deletion process|Deletion process]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Alternative outlets|Alternative outlets]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Common outcomes|Common outcomes of AfD]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Archived delete debates|Archived delete debates]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Policy consensus|Policy consensus discussions]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions|Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Deletion review|Deletion review]] {{!}}}}
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Non-admin closure|Non-admin closure]] }}<br />
{{nowrap|[[Wikipedia:Articles for merging]]}}, a proposal
|}


{{Wikipedia community|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Wikipedia deletion|Articles for deletion]]
[[Category:Wikipedia deletion|Articles for deletion]]
[[Category:Non-talk pages with subpages that are automatically signed]]
[[Category:Non-talk pages with subpages that are automatically signed]]

[[af:Wikipedia:Bladsyverwydering]]
[[ar:ويكيبيديا:نقاش الحذف]]
[[ba:Wikipedia:Тикшереү урыны]]
[[be-x-old:Вікіпэдыя:Кандыдатуры на выдаленьне]]
[[bar:Wikipedia:Löschkandidaten]]
[[bs:Wikipedia:Kandidati za brisanje]]
[[br:Wikipedia:Pajennoù da nullañ]]
[[bg:Уикипедия:Страници за изтриване]]
[[ca:Viquipèdia:Esborrar pàgines/Propostes]]
[[cv:Википеди:Кăларса пăрахмалли статьясем]]
[[cs:Wikipedie:Hlasování o smazání]]
[[da:Wikipedia:Sletningsforslag]]
[[de:Wikipedia:Löschkandidaten]]
[[dsb:Wikipedija:Kandidaty za lašowanje]]
[[el:Βικιπαίδεια:Σελίδες για διαγραφή]]
[[eo:Vikipedio:Forigendaj artikoloj]]
[[es:Wikipedia:Consultas de borrado mediante argumentación]]
[[fa:ویکی‌پدیا:نظرخواهی برای حذف/بالا]]
[[fr:Wikipédia:Pages à supprimer]]
[[fy:Wikipedy:Siden wiskje]]
[[ko:위키백과:삭제 토론]]
[[hy:Վիքիփեդիա:Ջնջման ենթակա հոդվածներ]]
[[hsb:Wikipedija:Kandidaty za šmórnjenje]]
[[ia:Wikipedia:Votos pro deletion]]
[[it:Wikipedia:Pagine da cancellare]]
[[he:ויקיפדיה:הצבעות מחיקה]]
[[sw:Wikipedia:Makala kwa ufutaji]]
[[lb:Wikipedia:Läschen]]
[[li:Wikipedia:Eweg te goeje pazjena's]]
[[hu:Wikipédia:Törlésre javasolt lapok]]
[[mk:Википедија:Статии за бришење]]
[[na:Wikipedia:Animwen iyababa]]
[[nl:Wikipedia:Te verwijderen pagina's]]
[[ja:Wikipedia:削除依頼]]
[[no:Wikipedia:Sletting]]
[[pl:Wikipedia:Poczekalnia]]
[[pt:Wikipédia:Páginas para eliminar]]
[[ro:Wikipedia:Pagini de șters]]
[[ru:Википедия:К удалению]]
[[sco:Wikipedia:Votes for deletion]]
[[simple:Wikipedia:Requests for deletion]]
[[sk:Wikipédia:Stránky na zmazanie]]
[[sl:Wikipedija:Predlogi za brisanje]]
[[sr:Википедија:Чланци за брисање]]
[[fi:Wikipedia:Poistoäänestykset]]
[[sv:Wikipedia:Sidor föreslagna för radering]]
[[tr:Vikipedi:Silinmeye aday sayfalar]]
[[uk:Вікіпедія:Статті-кандидати на вилучення]]
[[vi:Wikipedia:Biểu quyết xoá bài]]
[[vls:Wikipedia:Verwyderlyste]]
[[yi:װיקיפּעדיע:בלעטער צו אויסמעקן]]
[[zh:Wikipedia:頁面存廢討論]]

Latest revision as of 12:27, 17 January 2024

XFD backlog
V Jan Feb Mar Apr Total
CfD 0 0 0 32 32
TfD 0 0 0 0 0
MfD 0 0 0 1 1
FfD 0 0 0 0 0
RfD 0 0 0 44 44
AfD 0 0 0 12 12

Articles for deletion (AfD) is where Wikipedians discuss whether an article should be deleted. Articles listed are normally discussed for at least seven days, after which the deletion process proceeds based on community consensus. Common outcomes are that the article is kept, merged, redirected, incubated, renamed/moved to another title, userfied to a user subpage, or deleted per the deletion policy. Disambiguation pages are also nominated for deletion at AfD.

This page explains what you should consider before nominating, the steps for nominating, and how to discuss an AfD. It also links to the lists of current debates, and two companion processes to AfD: speedy deletion has a clearly defined set of criteria such as vandalism and patent nonsense, whereas proposed deletion is used to suggest deletions that no editor would contest.

If you want to nominate an article, the Wikipedia deletion policy explains the criteria for deletion, and may help you understand when an article should be nominated for deletion. The guide to deletion explains the deletion process. If an article meets the criteria for deletion and you understand the process, consult the instructions below. If you are unsure whether a page should be nominated for deletion, or if you need more help, try this talk page or Wikipedia's help desk.

Current and past articles for deletion (AfD) discussions

Current discussions

Articles being considered for possible deletion are indexed by the day on which they were first listed.

Read how toAdd a new entry

Alternatively, if you believe that deletion of an article would be uncontroversial, you may place the code {{subst:prod|insert reason for deletion}} on the article instead. See also Wikipedia:Proposed deletion for more information, and Category:Proposed deletions, for other currently pending nominations for deletion.

Old discussions (open)

Categorized discussions

AfDs sorted by topic & country

Search current and archived AfD discussions by topic

  • To find discussions containing the word navy, enter:   navy
  • To find discussions about articles whose titles contain battleships, enter:  intitle:battleships
  • To find discussions with navy anywhere, but battleships only in the article title, enter:  navy intitle:battleships
  • Or, browse archived discussions grouped chronologically here
  • A sortable table of current AfDs can be found here

Contributing to AfD discussions

Wikietiquette

  • Users participating in AfD discussions are expected to be familiar with the policy of civility and the guidelines Wikietiquette and "do not bite the newbies".
    • This also applies to the other deletion pages.
  • AfDs are public, and are sometimes quoted in the popular press.[1][2] Please keep to public-facing levels of civility, just as you should for any edit you make to Wikipedia.
  • Avoid personal attacks against people who disagree with you; avoid the use of sarcastic language and stay cool.
  • Do not make unsourced negative comments about living people. These may be removed by any editor.
  • Remember that while AfD may look like a voting process, it does not operate like one. Justification and evidence for a response carries far more weight than the response itself. Thus, you should not attempt to structure the AfD process like a vote:
    • Do not add tally boxes to the deletion page.
    • Do not reorder comments on the deletion page to group them by keep, delete, or other. Such reordering can disrupt the flow of discussion, polarize an issue, and emphasize vote count or word count.
    • Do not message editors about AfD nominations because they support your view on the topic. This can be seen as votestacking. See Wikipedia:Canvassing for guidelines. But if you are proposing deletion of an article, you can send a friendly notice to those who contributed significantly to it and therefore might disagree with you.
  • If a number of similar articles are to be nominated, it is best to make this a group nomination so that they can be considered collectively. This avoids excessive repetition which would otherwise tend to overload involved editors. However, group nominations that are too large or too loosely related may be split up or speedy-closed.
  • While there is no prohibition against moving an article while an AfD or deletion review discussion is in progress, editors considering doing so should realize such a move can confuse the discussion greatly, can preempt a closing decision, can make the discussion difficult to track, and can lead to inconsistencies when using semi-automated closing scripts.

How to contribute

AfDs are a place for rational discussion of whether an article is able to meet Wikipedia's article guidelines and policies. Reasonable editors will often disagree, but valid arguments will be given more weight than unsupported statements. When an editor offers arguments or evidence that do not explain how the article meets/violates policy, they may only need a reminder to engage in constructive, on-topic discussion. But a pattern of groundless opinion, proof by assertion, and ignoring content guidelines may become disruptive. If a pattern of disruptive behavior persists after efforts are made to correct the situation through dialogue, please consider a dispute resolution process outside the current AfD.

There are a number of practices that most Wikipedians use in AfD discussions:

  • When editors recommend a course of action, they usually do so in bold text, e. g., "Keep", "Delete", "Merge", "Redirect", or other view. A number of tools which parse AfDs will only recognize bolded words.[3]
  • Start comments or recommendations on a new bulleted line (that is, starting with *), and sign them by adding ~~~~ to the end. If you are responding to another editor, put your comment directly below theirs, making sure it is indented (using multiple *s).
  • Please do not accompany comments with label templates.
  • Please disclose whether you have a vested interest in the article, per WP:AVOIDCOI.
  • Please have a look at the article before making a recommendation. Do not base your recommendation solely on the information supplied by the nominator or other editors. To understand the situation, it may also help to look at the history of the article. However, please read the earlier comments and recommendations. They may contain relevant arguments and further useful information.

When participating, please consider the following:

  • The debate is not a vote; please do not make recommendations on the course of action to be taken that are not sustained by arguments.
  • When making your case or responding to others, explain how the article meets/violates policy rather than merely stating that it meets/violates the policy.
  • Use of multiple accounts to reinforce your opinions is absolutely forbidden. Multiple recommendations by users shown to be using "sock puppets" (multiple accounts belonging to the same person) will be discounted and the user manipulating consensus with multiple accounts will likely be blocked indefinitely.
  • You can explain your earlier recommendation in response to others but do not repeat a bolded recommendation on a new bulleted line.
  • Nomination already implies that the nominator recommends deletion (unless indicated otherwise), and nominators should refrain from repeating this.
  • Do not make conflicting recommendations; if you change your mind, modify your original recommendation rather than adding a new one. The recommended way of doing this is to use strike-through by enclosing a retracted statement between <del> and </del> after the *, as in "• Delete Keep".
  • Unregistered or new users are welcome to contribute to the discussion, but their recommendations may be discounted if they seem to be made in bad faith (for example, if they misrepresent their reasons). Conversely, the opinions of logged in users whose accounts predate the article's AfD nomination may be given more weight when determining consensus.

There are many good ways to advocate keeping, deleting or even redirecting an article. This includes:

  • Arguments commonly used to recommend deletion are: "unverifiable" (violates both WP:V and WP:NEXIST, i.e., not just currently unverified), "original research" (violates WP:NOR), and "non-notable" in cases where the subject does not meet their respective notability criteria. (In the cases of non-notable biographical articles, it is better to say "does not meet WP:BIO" to avoid insulting the subject.) Accusations of vanity and other motives should be avoided and is not in itself a reason for deletion. The argument "non-neutral point of view" (violates WP:NPOV) is often used, but often such articles can be salvaged, so this is not a very strong reason for deletion either.
  • If you wish for an article to be kept, you can directly improve the article to address the reasons for deletion given in the nomination. You can search out reliable sources, and refute the deletion arguments given using policy, guidelines, and examples from our good and featured articles. If you believe the article topic is valid and encyclopedic, and it lacks only references and other minor changes to survive, you may request help in the task by listing the article on the rescue list in accordance with instructions given at WP:RSL, and then adding the {{rescue list}} template to the AfD discussion by posting {{subst:rescue list}} to the discussion thread. Please do not do this for articles which are likely to be eventually deleted on grounds other than simple incompleteness or poor writing (see WP:SNOW).
    If the reasons given in the deletion nomination are later addressed by editing, the nomination should be withdrawn by the nominator, and the deletion discussion will be closed by an admin. If the nominator fails to do it when you think it should have been done (people can be busy, so assume good faith on this point), leave a note on the nominator's talk page to draw their attention.
  • Alternatives to deletion should be considered. If you think the article should be a disambiguation page, a redirect or merger to another article, then recommend "Disambiguation", "Redirect" or "Merge". Do not recommend deletion in such cases.

You do not have to make a recommendation on every nomination; consider not participating if:

  • A nomination involves a topic with which you are unfamiliar.
  • You agree with the consensus that has already been formed.

Please also see Wikipedia:Notability.

Nominating article(s) for deletion

Before nominating: checks and alternatives

Prior to nominating article(s) for deletion, please be sure to:

  1. Read and understand these policies and guidelines:
    1. The Wikipedia deletion policy, which explains valid grounds for deletion as well as alternatives to deletion and the various deletion processes.
    2. The main four guidelines and policies that inform deletion discussions: notability (WP:N), verifiability (WP:V), reliable sources (WP:RS), and what Wikipedia is not (WP:NOT).
    3. Subject-specific notability guidelines, which can be found at Category:Wikipedia notability guidelines, with further related essays at Category:Wikipedia notability. Common outcomes may be checked to see if other articles on a specific topic tend to be kept or deleted after an AfD discussion.
  2. Carry out these checks:
    1. Confirm that the article does not meet the criteria for speedy deletion, proposed deletion or speedy keep.
    2. If there are verifiability, notability or other sourcing concerns, take reasonable steps to search for reliable sources. (See step D.)
    3. Review the article's history to check for potential vandalism or poor editing.
    4. Read the article's talk page for previous nominations and/or that your objections haven't already been dealt with.
    5. Check to see if enough time has passed since previous nominations before renominating.
    6. Check "What links here" in the article's sidebar, to see how the page is used and referenced within Wikipedia.
    7. Check if there are interlanguage links, also in the sidebar, which may lead to more developed and better-sourced articles. Likewise, search for native-language sources if the subject has a name in a non-Latin alphabet (such as Japanese or Greek), which is often in the lead.
  3. Consider whether the article could be improved rather than deleted:
    1. If the article can be fixed through normal editing, then it is not a candidate for AfD.
    2. If the article was recently created, please consider allowing the contributors more time to develop the article.
    3. If an article has issues try first raising your concerns on the article's talk page, with the main contributors, or an associated WikiProject, and/or adding a cleanup tag, such as {{notability}}, {{hoax}}, {{original research}}, or {{advert}}; this ensures readers are aware of the problem and may act to remedy it.
    4. If the topic is not important enough to merit an article on its own, consider merging or redirecting to an existing article. This should be done particularly if the topic name is a likely search term.
      If a redirection is controversial, however, AfD may be an appropriate venue for discussing the change in addition to the article's talk page.
  4. Search for additional sources, if the main concern is notability:
    1. The minimum search expected is a normal Google search, a Google Books search, a Google News search, and a Google News archive search; Google Scholar is suggested for academic subjects.
    2. Where possible, also please make use of The Wikipedia Library, which offers free access to various subscription databases of additional resources. Not every resource available in that collection will always be relevant in every situation, so it is not necessary to exhaustively check every database, but there are many resources which may be useful for specialized or older topics that might not Google well.
    3. If you find a lack of sources, you've completed basic due diligence before nominating. However, if a quick search does find sources, this does not always mean an AfD on a sourcing basis is unwarranted. If you spend more time examining the sources and determine that they are insufficient, e.g., because they only contain passing mention of the topic, then an AfD nomination may still be appropriate.
    4. If you find that adequate sources do appear to exist, the fact that they are not yet present in the article is not a proper basis for a nomination. Instead, you should consider citing the sources, using the advice in Wikipedia:Citing sources, or at minimum apply an appropriate template to the page that flags the sourcing concern. Common templates include {{unreferenced}}, {{refimprove}}, {{third-party}}, {{primary sources}} and {{one source}}. For a more complete list see WP:CTT.

How to nominate a single page for deletion

This section describes how to list articles and their associated talk pages for deletion. For pages that are not articles, list them at other appropriate deletion venues or use copyright violation where applicable. As well, note that deletion may not be needed for problems such as pages written in foreign languages, duplicate pages, and other cases. Use Wikipedia:Proposed mergers for discussion of mergers.

Only a registered, logged-in user can complete steps II and III. (Autoconfirmed registered users can also use the Twinkle tool to make nominations.) If you are unregistered, you should complete step I, note the justification for deletion on the article's talk page, then post a message at Wikipedia talk:Articles for deletion requesting that someone else complete the process.

You must sign in to nominate pages for deletion. If you do not sign-in, or you edit anonymously, you will get stuck part way through the nomination procedure.

I – Put the deletion tag on the article.
  • Insert {{subst:afd1}} at the top of the article. Do not mark the edit as minor.
    If this article has been nominated before, use {{subst:afdx|2nd}} or {{subst:afdx|3rd}} etc.
  • Include in the edit summary AfD: Nominated for deletion; see [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/NominationName]]. replacing NominationName with the name of the page being nominated. Publish the page.
    The NominationName is normally the article name (PageName), but if it has been nominated before, use "PageName (2nd nomination)" or "PageName (3rd nomination)" etc.)
II – Create the article's deletion discussion page.

The resulting AfD box at the top of the article should contain a link to "Preloaded debate" in the AfD page. Click that link to open the article's deletion discussion page for editing. Some text and instructions will appear.

You can do it manually as well:

  • Click the link saying "deletion discussion page" to open the deletion-debate page.
  • Insert this text:
    {{subst:afd2 | pg=PageName | cat=Category | text=Why the page should be deleted}} ~~~~
    Replace PageName with the name of the page, Category with a letter from the list M, O, B, S, W, G, T, F, and P to categorize the debate, and Why the page should be deleted with the reasons the page should be deleted.
  • If appropriate, inform members of the most relevant WikiProjects through one or more "deletion sorting lists". Then add a {{subst:delsort|<topic>|<signature>}} template to the nomination, to insert a note that this has been done.
  • Use an edit summary such as Creating deletion discussion for [[PageName]]. Publish the page.
III – Notify users who monitor AfD discussions.
  • Open the articles for deletion log page for editing.
  • At the top of the list on the log page (there's a comment indicating the spot), insert:{{subst:afd3 | pg=NominationName}}
    Replace NominationName appropriately (use "PageName", "PageName (2nd nomination)", etc.)
  • Link to the discussion page in your edit summary: Adding [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/NominationName]]. Publish the page.
  • Consider letting the authors know on their talk page by adding: {{subst:Afd notice|Page name}} ~~~~
    If this is not the first nomination, add a second parameter with the NominationName (use "PageName (2nd nomination)" etc.): {{subst:Afd notice|PageName|NominationName}} ~~~~


How to nominate multiple related pages for deletion

Sometimes you will find a number of related articles, all of which you feel should be deleted together. To make it easier for those participating in the discussion, it may be helpful to bundle all of them together into a single nomination. However, for group nominations, it is often a good idea to only list one article at AfD and see how it goes, before listing an entire group.

Examples of articles which may be bundled into a single nomination:

  • A group of articles with identical content but with slightly different titles.
  • A group of hoax articles by the same editor.
  • A group of spam articles by the same editor.
  • A series of articles on nearly identical manufactured products.

An article with a fair or better chance of standing on its own merits should not be bundled—nominate it separately. For the avoidance of doubt, bundling should not be used to form consensus around policy decisions such as "should Wikipedia include this type of article". Bundling AfDs should be used only for clear-cut deletion discussions based on existing policy. If you're unsure, don't bundle it.

For the sake of clarity, debates should be bundled only at the start or near the start of the debate, ideally before any substantive discussion, but may be acceptable following one or two other editors' comments, particularly (but not only) where those comments are "per nom", by single purpose accounts, the article creator, or were clearly in bad faith.

To bundle articles for deletion:

I.
II.
III.
Nominate the first article.

  Follow steps I to III above.

IV.
Nominate the additional articles.

  On each of the remaining articles, at the top insert the following:

{{subst:afd1|NominationName}}

Replace NominationName with the page name of the first page to be deleted, not the current page name. In other words, if Some article was the first article you nominated, replace PageName with Some article (or Some article (nth nomination) if this is not the first nomination of Some article). As before, please include the phrase "AfD: Nominated for deletion; see [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/NominationName]]" in the edit summary (again replacing NominationName with the first page name to be deleted), and do not mark the edit as minor. Publish the page. Repeat for all articles to be bundled.

(If the article has been nominated before, use {{subst:afdx}} instead of {{subst:afd1}}, and replace "NominationName" with the name of the page plus a note like "(2nd nomination)" for a second nomination, etc. See Template talk:Afdx for details.)

V.
Add the additional articles to the nomination.

  Go to the first article's deletion discussion page: Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/PageName, and add a note
  under your original nomination listing all related pages, for example:

I am also nominating the following related pages because [insert reason here]:
:{{la|related article 1}}
:{{la|related article 2}}

In the edit summary, note that you are bundling related articles for deletion.

Creating an AfD

This template can be used by autoconfirmed users to nominate an article for deletion:


If you do it this way, remember to add {{subst:AFD|Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/subpage name}} at the top of the article, as well as list the nomination at the top of the current AFD log page.

Alternatively, you can use Twinkle (TW) to do the same thing, and without having to add the nomination to the current AFD log page, plus a bunch of other things, such as reverting and reporting vandalism and marking articles and templates for speedy deletion. Twinkle can be activated by going to your preferences page, click on the "Gadgets" tab, make sure the "Twinkle" checkmark under the "Editing gadgets" section is selected, and click on "Save". For more information, see Wikipedia:Twinkle/doc.

After nominating: Notify interested projects and editors

While it is sufficient to list an article for discussion at AfD (see above), nominators and others sometimes want to attract more attention from and participation by informed editors. All such efforts must comply with Wikipedia's guideline against biased canvassing.

To encourage participation by less experienced editors, please avoid Wikipedia-specific abbreviations in the messages you leave about the discussion, link to any relevant policies or guidelines, such as notability, verifiability or a specific section of Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not, e.g., Wikipedia is not a directory, and please provide a link to the AfD discussion page itself.

Deletion sorting
Once listed, deletion discussions can, optionally, also be transcluded into an appropriate deletion sorting category, such as the ones for actors, music, academics, or for specific countries. Since many people watch deletion sorting pages for subject areas that particularly interest them, including your recent AfD listing on one of these pages helps attract people familiar with a particular topic area. Please see the complete list of categories.

Notifying related WikiProjects
WikiProjects are groups of editors that are interested in a particular subject or type of editing. If the article is within the scope of one or more WikiProjects, they may welcome a brief, neutral note on their project's talk page(s) about the AfD.
Tagging the nominated article's talk page with a relevant Wikiproject's banner will result in the article being listed in that project's Article Alerts automatically if they subscribe to the system. For instance, tagging an article with {{WikiProject Physics}} will list the discussion in Wikipedia:WikiProject Physics/Article alerts.

Notifying substantial contributors to the article
While not required, it is generally considered courteous to notify the good-faith creator and any main contributors of the articles that you are nominating for deletion. One should not notify bot accounts, people who have made only insignificant 'minor' edits, or people who have never edited the article. To find the main contributors, look in the page history or talk page of the article and/or use the Page History tool or Wikipedia Page History Statistics. Use: {{subst:Afd notice|article name|AfD discussion title}} ~~~~

At this point, you've done all you need to do as nominator. Sometime after seven days have passed, someone will either close the discussion or, where needed, "relist" it for another seven days of discussion. (The "someone" must not be you, the nominator. However, if you want to see how it's done, refer to the next section.)

Withdrawing a nomination

If you change your mind about the nomination, you can withdraw it. This might be because the discussion has produced new information about the topic, or because you realise the nomination was a mistake.

To withdraw a nomination, add a note saying "Withdrawn by nominator" immediately below your nomination statement at the top of the discussion, give a brief explanation, and sign it.

If no one has supported deletion of the article you may close the discussion yourself as a WP:Speedy keep, or you may leave it for someone else to close the discussion. Withdrawing a nomination can save other editors' time by cutting short the discussion.

How an AfD discussion is closed

  • A deletion discussion should normally be allowed to run for seven full days (168 hours).
  • Consensus is not based on a tally of votes, but on reasonable, logical, policy-based arguments.
  • The AfD nominator can withdraw the nomination and close a discussion as speedy keep reason #1, if all other viewpoints expressed were for Keep and doing so does not short-circuit an ongoing discussion. For how to perform this, see below, subsection Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal)
  • An admin who is uninvolved and has not participated in the deletion discussion will assess the discussion for consensus. For how to perform this, see WP:AFD/AI.
  • An editor in good standing who is not an administrator, and is also uninvolved, may close AfDs in certain circumstances; closures that non-admins may make are detailed at Wikipedia:Non-admin closure. For how to perform this, see below, subsection Procedure for non-administrator close (other)
  • If consensus seems unclear the outcome can be listed as No consensus (with no effect on the article's status) or the discussion may be relisted for further discussion.
  • A discussion can be closed sooner than seven days if any of certain special conditions applies.
  • Questions or concerns about a closure should first be asked on the talk page of the editor who closed the discussion. If that does not resolve the concerns, the closure can be appealed at Wikipedia:Deletion review.

Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal)

As mentioned above, the AfD nominator can withdraw the nomination and close a discussion as speedy keep reason #1, if all other viewpoints expressed were for Keep and doing so does not short-circuit an ongoing discussion.

This procedure involves performing edits to three pages, as follows:

  • On the deletion discussion page
    • Remove the {{Closing}} tag from the page, if it was placed beforehand.
    • Insert at the top of the page: {{subst:Afd top|'''speedy keep'''. Nomination withdrawn. {{subst:nac}}}} ~~~~
    • Remove the line containing {{REMOVE THIS TEMPLATE WHEN CLOSING THIS AfD}}
    • Insert at the bottom of the page: {{subst:Afd bottom}}
    • Publish the page with an edit summary such as Closing AfD, result was speedy keep (nomination withdrawn).
  • On the article page
    • Find the article page
      • The name of the votepage might not identically match that of the article
      • The prefix "Wikipedia:Articles for deletion" should not be part of the "votepage" name
    • Remove from the top of the page the text beginning <!-- Please do not remove or change this AfD message until the issue is settled --> and ending <!-- End of AfD message, feel free to edit beyond this point -->
    • Publish the page with an edit summary such as AfD closed as speedy keep (nomination withdrawn).
  • Paste the suggested template from the article page on the top of talk page itself. It resembles the following, with PageName and Date prefilled.
    • {{Old AfD multi|page=PageName|date=Date|result='''speedy keep'''}}
    • Publish the page with an edit summary such as AfD closed as speedy keep (nomination withdrawn).

Procedure for non-administrator close (other)

As mentioned above, an editor in good standing who is not an administrator, and is also uninvolved, may close AfDs in certain circumstances; closures that non-admins may make are detailed at Wikipedia:Deletion process#Non-administrators closing discussions.

For a result of "keep", this procedure differs from the Procedure for non-administrator close (nominator withdrawal) above, only in the reasons to be listed in the templates and the comments to be annotated in the edit summaries. Follow those instructions, replacing references to "keep (nomination withdrawn)" with the relevant reason.

For any other appropriate result, the procedure is basically the same, with the differences listed in WP:Articles for deletion/Administrator instructions#Carrying out the AfD close.

See also

Citations

  1. ^ "The battle for Wikipedia's soul", The Economist, March 6, 2008.
  2. ^ Seth Finkelstein,"I'm on Wikipedia, get me out of here", The Guardian, September 28, 2006.
    "At Wikipedia, contentious decisions are made by a process of elaborate discussion culminating in administrative fiat. Deletions go through a comment period. The process is not a vote, but the result forms a recommendation to the administrators."
  3. ^ The tools AfD Statistics and Admin AfD Counter cannot parse unbolded !votes or closures.