View source for Wiki143:Deletion process

{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{dablink|For instructions on nominating a page for deletion, please refer to the [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|deletion policy]] or the
[[Wikipedia:Guide to deletion|Guide to deletion]].}}
{{subcat guideline|deletion guideline|Deletion|WP:DELPRO}}
{{deletion debates}}

The '''deletion process''' encompasses the [[Wikipedia:Processes|processes]] involved in implementing and recording the community's decisions to [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|delete]] or keep [[WP:ARTICLE|articles]], [[Help:media|media]], and other pages.

Normally, a '''[[#Deletion discussion venues|deletion discussion]]''' must be held to form a [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]] to delete a page. In general, administrators are responsible for closing these discussions, though non-administrators in good standing ''may'' [[#Non-administrators closing discussions|close them]] under specific conditions. However, editors may '''[[#Proposed deletion|propose]]''' the deletion of a page if they believe that it would be an uncontroversial candidate for deletion. In some circumstances, a page may be '''[[#Speedy deletion|speedily deleted]]''' if it meets [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|strict criteria]] set by consensus.

'''Note:''' [[Wikipedia:Office actions|Office actions]] and declarations from the [[meta:Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees|Wikimedia Foundation Board]] or the [[meta:System administrators|system administrators]], particularly concerning copyright, legal issues, or server load, take priority over community consensus.

==Speedy deletion==
The '''speedy deletion process''' applies to pages which meet at least one of the [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|criteria for speedy deletion]] (CSD), which specify the only cases in which administrators have broad consensus support to, at their discretion, bypass deletion discussion and immediately delete Wikipedia pages or media.

'''Before deleting''' a page through the speedy deletion process, please verify that it meets at least one of the criteria for speedy deletion, check the [[Wikipedia:Page history|page history]] to assess whether it would instead be possible to [[Help:Reverting|revert]] and salvage a previous version and to determine whether there was a [[Wikipedia:How to fix cut and paste moves|cut-and-paste move]] involved, and search for other information which may impact the need or reason for deletion:
* The initial [[Help:Edit summary|edit summary]] may have information about the source of or reason for the page.
* The [[Help:Talk page|talk page]] may refer to previous deletion discussions or have ongoing discussion relevant to including the page.
* The [[Help:Log|page log]] may have information about previous deletions that could warrant [[WP:SALT|SALT]]ing the page or keeping it.
* ''[[Special:WhatLinksHere|WhatLinksHere]]'' may show that the page is an oft-referred part of the encyclopedia, or may show other similar pages that warrant deletion. For pages that should not be recreated, incoming links in other pages (except in discussions, archives and tracking pages) should be removed.

'''If speedy deletion is inappropriate''' for a page:
# Please remove the speedy deletion tag from the page. Doing so will automatically remove the page from [[:Category:Candidates for speedy deletion]].
# Consider notifying the nominator, using {{tl|speedy-decline}} or {{tl|uw-csd}}. (If you're using [[User:Ale jrb/Scripts|CSD Helper]], it will usually notify the nominator for you; it will normally use [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Ale_jrb/Scripts/CSDHelper&action=raw its own notification template].)

'''When deleting''' a page through the speedy deletion process, please specify the reason for deletion in the deletion summary, so that it will be recorded into the [[Special:Log/delete|deletion log]]. Quoting page content in the deletion summary may be helpful, but '''''must not''''' be done for [[WP:CSD#G10|attack content]] or [[WP:CSD#G12|copyrighted text]]. In some cases, it would be appropriate to notify the page's creator of the deletion.

If they wish, administrators are free to use the [[User:Ale jrb/Scripts|CSD Helper]] '''user script''' to help them process editors' CSD nominations. It makes the process smoother and quicker.

==Proposed deletion==
The '''[[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|proposed deletion]] (PROD) process''' applies to articles and files that do not meet the stringent criteria for speedy deletion, but for which it is believed that deletion would be uncontroversial. In this process, an editor places a tag on the article or the file, and any editor can remove the tag to save the page. If the tag remains after seven days, the page can be deleted. For instructions on handling articles and files that have been proposed for deletion, see {{sectionlink|Wikipedia:Proposed deletion#Deletion}}.

A [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion of biographies of living people|stronger version of the proposed deletion criteria]] (BLPPROD) applies to articles about biographies of living people with no sources. Their deletion can only be contested by adding a source.

==Copyright problems==
Pages may be speedily deleted in the case of unambiguous copyright infringement (see {{Slink|Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#G12. Unambiguous copyright infringement}} for details). Pages written extensively by contributors with a history of copyright violation may also be deleted if they qualify for [[Wikipedia:PDEL|presumptive deletion]] and have been listed at [[Wikipedia:Copyright problems]] for at least 7 days.

If you delete a file due to copyright or non-free use issues that will not apply after some future date (for example, once the file enters the [[WP:PD|public domain]] in the United States) and that future date is known, please list the file at [[:Category:Future copyright expiration]].

==Deletion discussion venues ==
{{shortcut|WP:XFD}}
'''Deletion discussion venues''' (or '''deletion forums''') are the six places to formally nominate for a discussion, a page not eligible for [[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|speedy deletion]]. 

{| class=wikitable style='clear: both'
|+ Deletion venues
! scope="col" | Discussion type
! scope="col" | Scope
! scope="col" | [[WP:DEL-REASON|Reasons&nbsp;for&nbsp;deletion]] / Starting&nbsp;a&nbsp;discussion{{refn|group=note|name=one|The process of starting a discussion is greatly aided by the use of [[WP:TWINKLE|Twinkle]], a software package available to any [[WP:autoconfirmed|autoconfirmed]] user.}} / [[Wikipedia:Closing discussions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|Articles&nbsp;for&nbsp;deletion]]&nbsp;(AfD){{anchor|Articles for Deletion|AfD|AFD}}
| [[Wikipedia:What is an article?|Articles]] and other pages in the [[WP:MAINSPACE|main namespace]] (e.g. [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation pages|disambiguation pages]]), excluding [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirects]].{{refn|group=note|name=two|There is also [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|proposed deletion]], an alternative system to suggest uncontroversial delayed speedy deletion of pages in the article namespace after a notice has been present for seven days.}}
| [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion#Contributing to AfD discussions|Reasons for deletion]]<br />[[WP:AFDHOWTO|Starting&nbsp;a&nbsp;discussion]]<br />Speedy&nbsp;process:&nbsp;[[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|PROD]],&nbsp;[[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|CSD]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Administrator instructions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#AFD|}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion|Categories&nbsp;for&nbsp;discussion]]&nbsp;(CfD){{anchor|Categories for discussion|CfD|CFD}}
| [[Wikipedia:Categorization|Categories]] and [[Wikipedia:Stub template|stub templates]].
| [[Wikipedia:Overcategorization|Reasons for deletion]]<br />[[WP:CFD#HOWTO|Starting&nbsp;a&nbsp;discussion]]<br />Speedy process:&nbsp;[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Speedy|CFDS]],&nbsp;[[Wikipedia:Speedy deletion#Categories|CSD]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Administrator instructions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#CFD}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! [[Wikipedia:Files for discussion|Files&nbsp;for&nbsp;discussion]]&nbsp;(FfD){{anchor|Files for discussion|FfD|FFD|IfD|IFD}}
| [[Help:Files|Files]] (most of which are [[Wikipedia:Images|images]]).
| [[Wikipedia:Guide to image deletion|Reasons&nbsp;for&nbsp;deletion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Files for discussion/heading|Starting&nbsp;a&nbsp;discussion]]<br />Speedy&nbsp;process:&nbsp;[[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|PROD]],&nbsp;[[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#Files|CSD]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Files for discussion/Administrator instructions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#FFD}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion|Miscellany&nbsp;for&nbsp;deletion]]&nbsp;(MfD){{anchor|MFD|MfD}}
| {{bulleted list|All pages, except redirects, in the <samp>[[Wikipedia:Drafts|Draft]]:</samp>, <samp>[[Help:Contents|Help]]:</samp>, <samp>[[Wikipedia:Portal|Portal]]:</samp>, <samp>[[Help:MediaWiki namespace|MediaWiki]]:</samp>, <samp>[[Wikipedia:Project namespace|Wikipedia]]:</samp> (including [[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProjects]]), <samp>[[Wikipedia:User pages|User]]:</samp>, <samp>[[mw:Extension:TimedMediaHandler|TimedText]]:</samp>, <samp>[[mw:Extension:CampaignEvents|Event:]]</samp>, <samp>[[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|Talk]]:</samp>, and the various <samp>[[Wikipedia:Namespace#Talk namespaces|&nbsp;<var>X</var>&nbsp;talk]]:</samp> [[Wikipedia:Namespace|namespaces]].{{refn|group=note|name=three|Established policies, guidelines, and process pages, along with templates related to them, should not be nominated at deletion venues, because it is outside of their prerogative to modify or revoke policy. Instead, start a discussion on the talk page of the concerned page or at the [[Wikipedia:Village pump|village pump]].}}|[[WP:Userbox|Userbox]]es (regardless of namespace).|Files in the <samp>[[Help:Files|File]]:</samp> namespace that have a local description page but no local file.}}
| [[Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion#Before nominating a page for deletion|Reasons for deletion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion#How to list pages for deletion|Starting&nbsp;a&nbsp;discussion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion|Speedy process]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/Administrator instructions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#MFD}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion|Redirects&nbsp;for&nbsp;discussion]]&nbsp;(RfD){{anchor|Redirects for discussion|RfD|RFD}}
| [[Wikipedia:Redirect|Redirects]], including [[Wikipedia:soft redirects|soft redirects]], in any [[Wikipedia:Namespace|namespace]].
| [[Wikipedia:Redirect/Deletion reasons|Reasons&nbsp;for&nbsp;deletion]]<br />[[WP:RFD#HOWTO|Starting&nbsp;a&nbsp;discussion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#Redirects|Speedy process]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Administrator instructions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#RFD}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion|Templates for discussion]] (TfD){{anchor|Templates for discussion|TfD|TFD}}
| Pages in the <samp>[[Wikipedia:Template namespace|Template]]:</samp> and <samp>[[Wikipedia:Lua|Module]]:</samp> namespaces, excluding [[Wikipedia:Stub template|stub templates]], [[WP:Userbox|userboxes]], and [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirects]].{{refn|group=note|name=three}}
| [[WP:TFD#REASONS|Reasons for deletion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion#Listing a template|Starting&nbsp;a&nbsp;discussion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#Templates|Speedy process]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion/Administrator instructions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#TFD}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Wikipedia:Requested moves|Requested moves]] (RM){{anchor|Requested moves|RM}}
| While primarily for renaming (moving) pages, may result in deletion (e.g. of a redirect or trivial content at the target page name) or [[Wikipedia:Merging|merger]].<p>Use for all rename discussions other than for categories and stub templates (both of which are done at [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion]]).</p>
| [[Wikipedia:Requested moves#When not to use this page|When to use RM]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Requested moves#Requesting controversial and potentially controversial moves|Starting a discussion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Requested moves/Technical requests|Speedy process]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Requested moves/Closing instructions|Closing instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#RM|}}
|}
{{reflist|group=note}}

{| class=wikitable
|+ Review venues
! scope="col" | Discussion type
! scope="col" | Scope
! scope="col" | [[Wikipedia:Closing discussions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Wikipedia:Deletion review|Deletion&nbsp;review]]&nbsp;(DRV){{anchor|Deletion review|DRV}}
| For appealing the deletion of a page or outcome of a deletion discussion that appears to be against community consensus, if the request is outside of the scope of [[Wikipedia:Requests for undeletion|requests for undeletion]], and after discussing with the deleting administrator or closer respectively.
| [[WP:DRVPURPOSE|Purpose]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Deletion review|Starting a discussion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Deletion review/Administrator instructions|Closing&nbsp;instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#DRV|}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" | [[Wikipedia:Move review|Move review]] (MR){{anchor|Move review|MR}}
| For appealing the closure of a requested move, including one that resulted in a deletion or merger, if it appears to be against consensus or proper closing procedure, and after discussing with the closer.
| [[Wikipedia:Move review#What this process is not|Purpose]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Move review#Instructions|Starting a discussion]]<br />[[Wikipedia:Move review#Closing reviews|Closing instructions]]
| {{shortcut| WP:DELPRO#MRV|}}
|}

== Closing discussions that have run their full time==
{{shortcut|WP:XFDCLOSE}}
Discussions are usually closed after seven days (168 hours). Although the [[#Closing instructions per venue|steps or process for closing]] deletion discussions vary between the {{sectionlink|#Deletion discussion venues}}, a few general principles apply for all deletion discussions.

Usually, closing a discussion is an [[WP:ADMIN|administrator]] action, but experienced users in good standing may close (or relist), per [[#NAC|the guidelines below]].

When closing a discussion, make certain that all pages under discussion have an [[:Category:Deletion templates|XfD notification template]] placed upon the page (also known as "[[Wikipedia:Tagging pages for problems|tagging]]" the page under discussion), in order to notify others about the discussion. And pay close attention to this for group nominations, as it is not uncommon for only one of the pages in question to have been tagged. In general, if this happens, all the pages under discussion should be tagged, and once that is done, {{sectionlink|#RELIST}} the discussion. If circumstances indicate that relisting may be inappropriate, then instead just close (depending on tagging) part or all of the discussion as "no action", due to the lack of tagged notification.

=== <span class="anchor" id="CON"></span><span class="anchor" id="CONSENSUS"></span><span class="anchor" id="Consensus"></span>Determining consensus===
{{shortcut|WP:XFD#CON}}
{{main|Wikipedia:Consensus#Determining consensus|Wikipedia:Polling is not a substitute for discussion}}
{{See also|#Common outcomes}}
[[WP:CON|Consensus]] is formed through the careful consideration, dissection and eventual synthesis of different perspectives presented during the discussion, and '''[[Wikipedia:Polling is not a substitute for discussion|is not calculated solely by number of votes]]'''.

Outcomes should reflect the [[Wikipedia:Deletion guidelines for administrators#Rough consensus|rough consensus]] reached in the deletion discussion and [[Wikipedia:Consensus#Level of consensus|community consensus on a wider scale]]. (While [[Wikipedia:Consensus#Consensus can change|consensus can change]], consensus among a limited group of editors, at one place and time, cannot override community consensus on a wider scale; see also [[WP:XFDSMALLCON|this ArbCom ruling]].) 

Other possible (non-standard) decision results, and/or "combinations" may sometimes be appropriate at the closer's discretion. For example, "Merge and delete", "Rename and merge", or "[[m:Help:Transwiki|Transwiki]]". The closer should aim in any case, to decide based upon consensus, policy, and community norms.

In addition, it can sometimes be useful to provide a brief explanatory note, to make the rationale for the decision clear. This is especially true in heated and high public profile discussions, or where many views will be given little weight (or a few views given substantial weight), or where you think the basis of the close may be misunderstood or potentially [[WP:DRV|reviewed by others]].

Also remember that ''nobody is obligated to close a discussion'', nor is it crucial that a discussion be closed immediately once its week-long run has ended. If you feel that there is a conflict between the views expressed, and [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia's policies and guidelines]] (e.g., an inappropriate super-majority view [[WP:ATA|without an appropriate basis]]), it may be preferable to instead comment yourself, rather than closing, even if the "due date" for closing has been reached, and leave the close to another editor.

===Deletion requested by subject===
{{main|Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons#Deletion|Wikipedia:Deletion policy#Deletion of biographies and BLPs}}
Deletion discussions concerning biographies of living persons who are relatively unknown, non-public figures, where the subject has requested deletion ''and'' there is no rough consensus to keep, ''may'' be closed as 'delete' per the [[WP:BIODEL|deletion policy]] and [[WP:BLPREQUESTDELETE|BLP policy (request for deletion)]]. Closers should review these policies to confirm the criteria are met, and then use their discretion.

=== <span class="anchor" id="Conduct"></span><span class="anchor" id="CONDUCT"></span>Conduct during discussions ===
{{shortcut|WP:XFD#CONDUCT}}
* ''[[WP:AGF|Assume good faith]]'': Editors should presume that other editors, including those who disagree with them, are acting in good faith toward the betterment of the project, at least [[WP:GFISNOT|until strong evidence emerges to the contrary]]. Even when an editor becomes convinced that another editor is not acting in good faith, and has a reasonable basis for that belief, the editor should attempt to remedy the problem [[Wikipedia:Civility#Being_right_is_not_enough|without resorting to inappropriate conduct of their own]]. 
* ''[[WP:BATTLE|Wikipedia is not a battleground]]'': Wikipedia is not a place to hold grudges or insult, harass, or intimidate those with whom you have a disagreement. Wikipedia users are expected to behave reasonably, calmly, and courteously in their interactions with other users. Unseemly conduct, such as [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|personal attacks]], [[Wikipedia:Civility|incivility]], [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|assumptions of bad faith]], [[Wikipedia:Harassment|harassment]], [[Wikipedia:Do not disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point|disruptive point-making]], and [[Wikipedia:Gaming the system|gaming the system]], is prohibited. Making unsupported accusations of such misconduct by other editors, particularly where this is done repeatedly or in a bad-faith attempt to gain an advantage in a content dispute, is also unacceptable.
* ''Inappropriate [[Wikipedia:Canvassing|canvassing]] and suspected [[WP:MEAT|meatpuppetry]]'': Evaluate whether it has influenced the outcome of the discussion in a way that compromised the standard consensus-building process. If appropriate, remind participants that deletion discussions are [[WP:NOTAVOTE|not a vote]], and link to a suitable information page. Remember to [[WP:AGF|assume good faith]] in your tone – the participants may well intend to help by doing what they think is right.
* ''Suspected [[WP:SOCK|sock-puppetry]]'': If blatant, individual comments may be [[Wikipedia:SOCK#Tagging|tagged]] (this is likely to be seen as lacking good faith or offensive if the case is not clear). If unsure, report as usual for suspected sock-puppetry, and indicate your concern and reason in the discussion for the closer and future participants, but in a way that addresses the page under discussion, rather than [[WP:NPA|attacking the user]].

===<span class="anchor" id="NOQUORUM"></span>No quorum===
{{shortcut|WP:NOQUORUM|WP:NPASR}}
{{redirect|Wikipedia:Soft deletion|the failed proposal|Wikipedia:Soft deletion (failed proposal)}}

If a nomination has received few or no comments from any editor, and no one has opposed deletion, and the page hasn't been declined for proposed deletion in the past, <em style="font-style:normal;text-decoration:underline;">the closing administrator should treat the XfD nomination as an expired PROD</em> and follow the instructions listed at {{sectionlink|Wikipedia:Proposed deletion#Procedure for administrators}}. Generally, this will result in soft deletion (see below), but administrators should evaluate the nominating statement as they would a PROD rationale. Closing an unopposed XfD nomination under this procedure does not require the discussion to have been relisted any particular number of times.

If the nomination has received very few or no comments but appears controversial to the closing administrator, or has been declined for proposed deletion in the past, the discussion may be closed at the closer's discretion and best judgement. Common options include, but are not limited to:
* [[#Relisting|relisting]] the discussion.
* closing as "no consensus" with "no prejudice against speedy renomination" ('''NPASR''');<ref>The acronym "NPASR" may be also be used outside of this context, and does not necessarily refer to a close due to no quorum.</ref>
* closing in favour of the nominator's stated proposal;
* soft deleting the article.
{{Anchor|Soft deletion}}
{{shortcut|WP:SOFTDELETE}}
'''Soft deletion''' is a special kind of deletion which may be used after a page's deletion discussion. If a deletion discussion receives minimal participation, the page may be deleted. However, in this case, the page can be restored for any reason on request. If your page was soft-deleted, you can request it be restored at [[Wikipedia:Requests for undeletion|Requests for undeletion]]. The closer should make it clear the deletion is a soft delete as part of the close, ideally with a link to this guideline.

There is consensus among the community that problematic or likely problematic articles<ref>Usually articles unreferenced for years.</ref> with an appropriate redirection target may be [[WP:BLAR|blanked and redirected]] by any editor if there are no objections. This similarly applies to deletion nominations as well; if no editor suggests that the corresponding article should be kept, then redirection is an option.

===<span class="anchor" id="RELIST"></span><span class="anchor" id="Relist"></span><span class="anchor" id="Relisting"></span>Relisting discussions===
{{shortcut|WP:RELIST}}
{{redirect|Wikipedia:Relisting|relisting requested moves|Wikipedia:Requested moves#Relisting a requested move}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Dashboard/Relisted AfD debates}}If, at the end of the initial seven-day period:
* the discussion has [[#No quorum|only a few participants]] (including the nominator);<ref>However, discussions with minimal participation where no one opposes deletion should be closed per {{sectionlink|#No quorum}}.</ref> or
* the discussion seems to be lacking arguments based on [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|policy]]; or
* the participants in the discussion might be nearing a {{sectionlink|#Consensus}};
it may be appropriate to '''relist''' the discussion instead of closing, in order to allow for the possibility that further discussion might lead to a discernible consensus. However, relisting should not be a substitute for a [[WP:NOCONSENSUS|no consensus]] closure. If the closer feels there has been substantive discussion, and disparate opinions supported by policy have been expressed, but consensus has not been achieved, a no-consensus close may be preferable. A relisted discussion may be closed once consensus is determined, without necessarily waiting for another seven days. 

Editor qualifications to ''relist'' a discussion are the same as required to ''close'' a discussion - see {{sectionlink|#NAC}}, for further information.

While having a [[:Category:Deletion notification templates|deletion notice]] on a page is not harmful, its presence over several weeks can become disheartening for potential editors. Therefore, repeatedly relisting discussions merely in the hope of getting sufficient participation is ''not recommended''. In general, '''a discussion should not be relisted more than twice.''' When relisting for a third (or further) time, or when relisting a discussion with a substantial number of commenters, the relisting editor should write a short explanation either within the {{tl|relist}} template, or in addition to it, on why they did not consider the current state of the discussion sufficient to determine a closure result.<ref>When adding comments within the {{tl|relist}} template, please keep in mind that this is a [[:Category:Wikipedia administration templates|Wikipedia administration template]], and should not be used to give priority to one's own desired outcome</ref>

When relisting a discussion, it should be '''removed from the log for its original date''' (or in some venues replaced with a pointer to the current date) and moved to the current date's log where the discussion will continue. Scripts and gadgets such as [[Wikipedia:XFDcloser|XFDcloser]] automate the process.

===Non-administrators closing discussions<span class="anchor" id="NAC"></span>===
{{shortcut|WP:NACD}}
In general, [[Wikipedia:Administrators|administrators]] (admins) are responsible for closing deletion discussions, but non-administrators who are [[WP:REGISTERED|registered]] (i.e. not [[Wikipedia:Temporary accounts|temporary accounts]]) may close (or relist) these discussions, with the following provisions:
* Non-admin closers should indicate their non-admin status with the {{tlx|nacd}} ("non-admin closure") template in the comment for the closure.
* Non-admin closers are accountable to the policies at [[WP:ADMINACCT]] and [[WP:UNINVOLVED]]. Repeated non-adherence to these policies may result in being [[WP:TBAN|topic banned]] from closing discussions.
* Non-admin closers should limit their closes to outcomes they have the technical ability to implement; for example, non-admins should not close a discussion as ''delete'', because only admins can delete pages.
** Certain venues have made an exception to this rule: Non-admins may close [[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion]] discussions as ''orphan''<ref>See [[Wikipedia talk:Templates for discussion/Archive 19#RfC: Proposal to allow non-admin "delete" closures at TfD|this July 2015 discussion]].</ref> and – per the implementation process at [[WT:CFD/W]] – may close [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion]] discussions as delete.
* Close calls and controversial decisions are better left to admins.

Do not close a discussion if:
* you are not fairly experienced with (or are unfamiliar with) [[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia policies and guidelines]], in particular,  [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]], [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|deletion policy]], or the workings of deletion discussions.
* you have offered an opinion in the discussion
* the discussion is for a page in which you have a [[Wikipedia:Vested interest|vested interest]] (i.e. a page that you have edited heavily). 

However, you may close your own {{sectionlink|#Withdrawn}} nomination as a [[Wikipedia:Speedy keep|speedy keep]], when all other viewpoints were for keep as well.

If an administrator has deleted a page (including by speedy deletion) but neglected to close the discussion, anyone with a registered account may close the discussion provided that the administrator's name and deletion summary are included in the closing rationale.

{{anchor|REOPEN}}{{shortcut|WP:REOPEN}} 
Closed discussions generally should not be re-opened. A non-admin should not re-open a discussion unless they were the closer. An [[WP:UNINVOLVED|uninvolved]] administrator, acting in their individual capacity, and giving their reasoning, may re-open a discussion closed by a non-admin. The administrator should notify the original closer of the re-opening. Discussions may also be re-opened as a result of a closure review discussion, such as at the [[WP:AN|Administrators' noticeboard]], or at the [[WP:DRV|Deletion review]] or [[WP:MRV|Move review]] processes. If a discussion is re-opened, take it only as a sign that the decision may not have been as obvious as you thought.

When [[WP:DELPRO#AFD|closing an AfD]], do the following:
{|
|-
| <span style="color:green;">'''<nowiki>{{subst:Afd top|'''result'''}}. ~~~~</nowiki>'''</span>
| &larr; Add ''this line'' at the ''very top'' of the page, with the appropriate result in <nowiki>'''</nowiki>'''bold'''<nowiki>'''</nowiki>.
|-
| <nowiki>===[[Header]]===</nowiki>
| &larr; Leave this line, the article page title, alone.
|-
|
| &larr; Remove the line containing {{tl|REMOVE THIS TEMPLATE WHEN CLOSING THIS AfD}}.
|-
| ''DISCUSSION'' || &larr; Body of the discussion stays unchanged
|-
| <span style="color:green;">'''<nowiki>{{subst:Afd bottom}}</nowiki>'''</span> || &larr; Add bottom template
|}

===Common outcomes===
{{See also|Wikipedia:Guide to deletion#Recommendations and outcomes|Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Common outcomes|Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Common outcomes}}
As a result of a closer {{section link|#Determining consensus}}, a deletion discussion may result in one of a number of distinct outcomes, with certain outcomes being more common at certain deletion discussion venues.

{| class="wikitable" <!-- first column sortkey: all, article-focus, others; abc where possible -->
|+ Common outcomes
|-
! scope="col" | Outcome !! scope="col" | Commonly used for !! scope="col" | Details
|-
| '''Keep''' || All || A [[Wikipedia:Deletion guidelines for administrators#Rough consensus|rough consensus]] to retain (i.e. not delete) a page, though not necessarily in its current form. To implement a 'keep' outcome: close the deletion discussion as 'keep'; edit the page to remove the deletion notice; and record the outcome on the page's [[Help:Talk page|talk page]] using one of several venue-specific templates (see {{sectionlink|#Closing instructions per venue}} for details).
|-
| '''Delete''' || All || A rough consensus to remove (i.e. not retain) a page, including its entire revision history. To implement a 'delete' outcome: close the deletion discussion as 'delete'; delete the page, and link to the deletion discussion in the deletion summary; and, if the page should not be recreated, remove incoming links in other pages (except in discussions, archives and tracking pages).
|-
| '''No consensus''' || All || A lack of a rough consensus for any one particular action. To implement a [[WP:NOCONSENSUS|no consensus]] outcome: close the deletion discussion as 'no consensus'; edit the page to remove the deletion notice; and record the outcome on the page's talk page using one of several venue-specific templates (see {{sectionlink|#Closing instructions per venue}} for details).
|-
| '''Move''' (non-category pages), or<br />'''Rename''' (categories) || All || Issues to be addressed by changing the page title (and perhaps then expanding or improving its content). This can happen at AFD especially, if the article could be suitable for Wikipedia, but is created under an inappropriate title, and was nominated for deletion, but consensus agrees it is [[WP:SOFIXIT|fixable]] if the title is changed. Categories require a different method than other pages.
|-
| '''[[WP:Merging|Merge]]''' || Articles, categories, templates || This combines two separate pages into a single page. Merge votes should be [[WP:Merge what?|specific and clear]]. If you wish to merge templates or categories, use the deletion discussions. If you wish to merge articles, do not use a deletion discussion, but instead discuss it on the talk page.
|-
| '''[[WP:Disambiguation|Disambiguate]]''' (or "Dabify") || Articles, redirects || If the discussion concludes that the title can refer to many topics, it can be changed to a disambiguation page to list all of them.
|-
| '''Redirect''' || Articles, templates, miscellaneous pages || This would be used if the page has no unique and usable content, but information about the topic is found in another article.
|-
| '''Userfy''' || Articles, templates, miscellaneous pages || This would move the page into the creator's userspace so that they may make improvements. If [[WP:Essays|Wikipedia essays]] are nominated, they will sometimes be moved to userspace if they are found to violate policies or guidelines.
|-
| '''[[Wikipedia:Deletion policy#Incubation|Incubate]]''' (or "Draftify") || Articles || This changes the article into a draft to be improved so that it meets inclusion requirements.
|-
| '''Delete but allow undeleting with [[Wikipedia:File copyright tags|an appropriate licence]]''' || Files || If a file is only deleted due to copyright issues, it could be re-uploaded if these issues are resolved
|-
| '''[[Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists|Listify]]''' || Categories || This means to delete the category and create a list article instead.
|-
| '''Retarget''' || Redirects || This means that the redirect should lead to a different page.
|-
| '''Refine''' (or "Keep and refine")|| Redirects || The redirect should lead to a specific section of the page it currently targets (e.g. [[Africa]] → {{sectionlink|Africa#History}})
|}

==Deletion discussions needing action before their end date==
===<span class="anchor" id="Procedural closure"></span>Nomination errors and issues===

In certain situations, a deletion discussion [[WP:Settle the process first|may require]] correcting, moving elsewhere, or a null outcome ("'''procedural close'''"), due to issues with the deletion nomination rather than the merits of the page itself. A deletion discussion that is poorly formatted should not be closed for this reason alone, in order to avoid [[WP:BITE|biting new users]]. Instead, [[WP:SOFIXIT|fix it]].

{| class=wikitable style="clear: both"
|-
! scope="col" | Error
! scope="col" | Correction
|-
| '''No deletion notice''' on nominated page || The best course of action is to add the tag and note that you've done so. The time of tagging would then be treated as the nomination time.
|-
| '''Currently linked from [[Main Page]]''' || If the nominated page is currently linked from the Main Page, remove any tag from the page itself. Then, if there are legitimate concerns, please use [[Wikipedia:Main Page/Errors]] to have the link removed before nominating the article. If there are clearly none, or the nomination is disruptive, the nomination page should be closed early (see 'speedy close').
|-
| '''Nomination is an immediate objection to a prior deletion outcome''', more appropriate for [[Wikipedia:Deletion review|deletion review]] || List it at deletion review on the nominator's behalf, and link it appropriately (including linking it from the closed discussion), notify the nominator, and close the deletion discussion.
|-
| '''Venue inappropriate''' (e.g., a file hosted on [[Commons:|Commons]], category or redirect at AFD, or discussions that the chosen venue is unable to address) || List the topic at the correct venue, notify the nominator, and close the discussion providing a link to the new discussion. Never close a discussion as a wrong venue without opening a discussion at an appropriate one.
|-
| '''Page does not exist''' or has already been deleted prior to the nomination || Close the discussion, and place a notice on the nominator's talk page. It is entirely possible that they may have mistyped the page name, or that the page was already deleted before they could start the deletion discussion. If the former was the case, politely tell the nominator to properly start a new discussion with the correct title, and the time they start the new discussion will be treated as the nomination time.
|}

===Early closure===
In general, deletion discussions should remain open for at least seven days (168 hours) to allow interested editors adequate time to participate. However, under certain circumstances, discussions may be closed prior to the seven-day timeframe.

Closers should apply good judgment before speedily closing a discussion, since often it is best to allow the discussion to continue for the entirety of the seven-day period.

{| class=wikitable
|-
! scope="col" | Reason
! scope="col" | Explanation
|- id="Withdrawn"
| id="Withdrawn nomination" |'''Withdrawn''' || {{Shortcut|WP:WITHDRAWN}}
While the nominator may withdraw their nomination at any time, if subsequent editors have suggested an outcome besides keep or added substantive comments unrelated to deletion, the discussion '''should not be closed simply because the nominator wishes to withdraw it'''.
* The nominator can <s>strike</s> out their nom statement, and add a note about the withdrawal. 
* Early closure is inappropriate where it appears that the withdrawal is simply an attempt to short-circuit an ongoing discussion.
* If the nominator appears to have genuinely changed their mind due to other views expressed, the discussion should not be considered withdrawn. Instead, consider whether to use any of the early closures below.
|- id="Speedy keep"
| '''[[Wikipedia:Speedy keep|Speedy keep]]''' || A "speedy keep" close is warranted when the nominator withdraws the nomination or fails to advance an argument for deletion or redirection—perhaps only proposing an alternative action such as moving or merging—'''and''' no one other than the nominator recommends that the page be deleted or redirected. A "speedy keep" outcome is also appropriate when the nomination unquestionably is an attempt to vandalize or to otherwise create disruption. For example:
* Nominations which are clearly an attempt to end an editing dispute through deletion (possibly in an attempt to [[WP:GAME|game the system]]), when [[WP:DR|dispute resolution]] would be a more appropriate course.
* Nominations which are made solely to provide a forum for disruption (this includes [[WP:HARRASS|editor harassment]]).
* {{anchor|policy}}The nominated page is a policy or guideline. The deletion process is not a forum for policy concerns.
* [[Frivolous or vexatious]] nominations (recently featured articles, for example). This includes re-nominating the same page with the same arguments immediately after they were strongly rejected in a recently closed deletion discussion.
* Nominations which are so erroneous that they indicate that the nominator has not even read the article in question.
* The nominator is [[Wikipedia:Banning policy|banned]], so their edits are not to be retained. In that case, the ''nominated page'' is speedily kept while the ''nomination'' can be tagged with {{tl|db-g5}} and speedily deleted as a banned contribution. However, if subsequent editors have added substantive comments in good faith, the nomination should not be speedily closed (though the nominator's opinion will be discounted in the closure decision).
|- id="Speedy delete close"
| '''Speedy delete'''<br/>(see also {{Section link||Speedy deletion}}) || When the nominated page unambiguously falls within any criteria for speedy deletion, particularly [[WP:CSD#G10|criterion G10]] (attack page) or [[WP:CSD#G12|criterion G12]] (copyright violation), it is not necessary to wait until the end of the discussion period.
|- id="SNOW"
| <b id="Snowball clause">[[Wikipedia:Snowball clause|Snowball clause]]</b> || The "snowball clause" exists to avoid [[WP:NOT#BUREAUCRACY|process for the sake of process]], or when the outcome of the deletion discussion is, or has become, [[almost certain]], such that there is not a "snowball's chance in hell" that the outcome will be anything other than what is expected, and there is clearly no need at all to prolong discussion further.

This clause '''should not be used''' to close a discussion when a particular outcome is merely "likely" or "highly likely", and there is a genuine and reasoned basis for disagreement. This is because deletion discussions are [[WP:NOTAVOTE|not a vote]]; it is important to be reasonably sure that there is little or no chance of accidentally excluding significant input or perspectives, or changing the weight of different views, if closed early. Especially, closers should beware of interpreting "early pile on" as necessarily showing how a discussion will end up. This can sometimes happen when a topic attracts high levels of attention from those engaged (or having a specific view) but slower attention from other less involved editors, perhaps with other points of view. It can sometimes be better to allow a few extra days even if current discussion seems very clearly to hold one opinion, to be sure that it really will be a snowball and as a courtesy to be sure that no significant input will be excluded if closed very soon.
|}

==Search all deletion discussions==
{{shortcut|WP:SEARCHDEL}}

To search for any mention of an existing [[wp:pgn|fullpagename]] of interest in "all discussion types" listed above, go to the page of interest, and [[help:preview|preview]] this line in any of its wikitext:
<code>{<nowiki />{ [[help:Labeled section transclusion|#lst:]] WP: Deletion process | search links }}</code>
These three [[template:search link|search link]]s will then appear in this box (but in warning coloration):
<section begin=search links />
{| border="1" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" style="width:61%;<includeonly>background:pink</includeonly>"
|
* {{sl| "{{FULLPAGENAME}}" intitle: discussion | discussion | limit=100 | ns4 | ns5 }} <!-- namespace #4 is Wikipedia -->
* {{sl| "{{FULLPAGENAME}}" intitle: deletion | deletion | limit=100 | ns4 | ns5 }} <!-- namespace #5 is Wikipedia talk -->
* {{sl| "{{FULLPAGENAME}}" intitle: copyright| copyright| limit=100 | ns4 | ns5 }}
|}<section end=search links />

From that preview, activate a search. From search results, modify the query, return to the preview, or not. Preview is safe. Return and search all three.

==Pages with many revisions==
{{Shortcut|WP:BIGDELETE}}
The deletion of pages with long histories may impact server performance. As a precaution, therefore, deletions of pages with more than [[mw:Manual:$wgDeleteRevisionsLimit|5,000 revisions]] require the special "bigdelete" user right, which administrators do not have. Such deletions can be requested of stewards at [[:meta:Steward requests/Miscellaneous]].

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
*[[Wikipedia:Alternative outlets|Alternative outlets to recreate deleted articles]]
*[[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions|Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions]]
*[[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in image deletion discussions|Arguments to avoid in image deletion discussions]]
*[[Wikipedia:Deletion and deletionism|Deletion and deletionism]]
*[[:Category:Deletion archival templates|Deletion archival templates]]
*[[Wikipedia:Deletion guidelines for administrators|Deletion guidelines for administrators]]
*[[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|Deletion policy]]
*[[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Precedents|Deletion precedents]]
*[[User:GRBerry/DRVGuide|Deletion review guide]]
*[[Wikipedia:Guide to deletion|Guide to deletion]]
*[[Wikipedia:Introduction to deletion process|Introduction to deletion process]]
*[[Wikipedia:List of policies to cite in deletion debates|List of policies to cite in deletion debates]]
*[[Wikipedia:Mass nomination|Mass nomination]]
*[[Wikipedia:Page blanking|Page blanking]]
*[[Wikipedia:Undeletion policy|Undeletion policy]]
* [[Wikipedia:Relist bias]]
}}

[[Category:Wikipedia deletion|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Wikipedia processes|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Wikipedia project content guidelines]]

{{Wikipedia community|state=collapsed}}