View source for Wiki143:Overcategorization

{{Short description|Wikipedia editing guideline}}
{{redirect|WP:OC}}
{{for|the diffusion of categories (the equivalent of the Commons' [[c:Commons:Categories#Over-categorization|COM:OVERCAT]])|WP:SUBCAT}}
{{for|other guidelines which concern overcategorization|WP:OCEGRS|WP:OCEPON|WP:USERCAT}}
{{pp-move-dispute|small=yes}}
<noinclude>{{subcat guideline|editing guideline|Overcategorization|WP:OVERCAT|WP:OCAT|WP:OC}}</noinclude>
{{nutshell|Do not create categories for every single verifiable fact in articles. This only makes the category system more crowded and less easy to navigate.}}
{{see also|Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Non-encyclopedic cross-categorizations}}
[[Wikipedia:Categorization|Categorization]] is a Wikipedia feature used to group pages for ease of navigation, and correlating similar information. However, not every [[WP:V|verifiable]] fact (or the [[WP:Category intersection|intersection of two or more such facts]]) in an article requires creating an associated category.  For some article topics, this could potentially result in hundreds of categories, most of which aren't particularly relevant. This may also make it more difficult to find any particular category for a specific article. Such '''[[overcategorization]]''' is also known as "category clutter".

To address these concerns, this page lists types of categories that should generally be avoided. Based on existing guidelines and previous precedent at [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion]], such categories, if created, are likely to be deleted.

{{Precedents}}

__TOC__

{{anchor|Defining|DEFINING|NONDEFINING}}

== Non-defining characteristics ==
{{shortcut|WP:NONDEFINING|WP:NONDEF}}{{Main|Wikipedia:Categorization#Defining}}
{{see also|Wikipedia:Categorizing articles about people#Defining|Wikipedia:Defining}}
<section begin=NonDefining1 />One of the central goals of the categorization system is to categorize articles [[WP:CATDEF|by their defining characteristics]]<section end=NonDefining1 />:{{quotation|{{#section:Wikipedia:Categorization|DefiningDef}}}}

<section begin=NonDefining2 />It is sometimes difficult to know whether or not a particular characteristic is "defining" for any given topic, and there is no one definition that can apply to all situations. However, the following suggestions or rules-of-thumb may be helpful:

*a defining characteristic is one that reliable, secondary sources commonly and consistently define, in prose, the subject as having. For example: "''[[Subject]]'' is an ''[[adjective]] [[noun]]''  ..." or "''Subject'', an ''adjective noun'', ...". If such examples are common, each of ''adjective'' and ''noun'' may be deemed to be "defining" for ''subject''.
*if the characteristic would not be appropriate to mention in the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section|lead section of an article]] (regardless of whether it is currently mentioned in the lead), it is probably ''not'' defining;
*if the characteristic falls within any of the forms of overcategorization mentioned on this page, it is probably ''not'' defining.

Often, users can become confused between the standards of ''[[WP:N|notability]]'', ''[[WP:V|verifiability]]'', and ''"definingness"''. ''Notability'' is the test that is used to determine whether a topic should have its own article. This test, combined with the test of verifiability, is used to determine whether particular information should be included in an article about a topic. ''Definingness'' is the test that is used to determine whether a category should be created for a particular attribute of a topic. In general, it is much easier to verifiably demonstrate that a particular characteristic is notable than to prove that it is a defining characteristic of the topic. In cases where a particular attribute about a topic is verifiable and notable but not defining, or where doubt exists, creation of a [[WP:LIST|list]] is often the preferred alternative.

It is recommended to name or rename categories to have as little vagueness as possible, discouraging non-defining articles from being added. If you have just invented a subcategory on the spot that lacks a main article, it may not be a defining attribute. Examples include:

*''[[:Category:Physicians|Physicians]]'' instead of ''Medically-skilled people''
*''[[:Category:Quadcopters|Quadcopters]]'' instead of ''Fast-moving drones''
*''[[:Category:Fiction about robots|Fiction about robots]]'' instead of ''Robots in fiction''

In disputed cases, the [[WP:CFD|categories for discussion]] process may be used to determine whether a particular characteristic is defining or not. 
For example, [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2021 July 27#Establishments based on first-mentioned dates|there is consensus]] that places should not be categorized as established in the year of the earliest surviving historical record of the place.<section end=NonDefining2 />

{{anchor|TRIVIAL|TRIVIALCAT|OCTRIVIAL}}

== Trivial characteristics ==
{{shortcut|WP:TRIVIALCAT|WP:OCTRIVIAL}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 26#Category:Celebrity Gamers|Celebrity Gamers]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 28#Category:Red haired kings|Red haired kings]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 December 20#Category:Bald People|Bald People]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 13#Category:Famous redheads|Famous redheads]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2008 September 30#Category:Deaths by age|Deaths by age]]''</div>

Avoid categorizing topics by characteristics that are unrelated or wholly peripheral to the topic's notability.

For biographical articles, it is usual to categorize by such aspects as their career, origins, and major accomplishments. In contrast, someone's tastes in food, their favorite holiday destination, or the number of tattoos they have would be considered [[trivial]]. Such an item which may be appropriate information to include in an article, may still be inappropriate for categorization. In general, if something could be easily left out of a biography, it is likely that it is a trivial characteristic. 

Also avoid categorizing people by information associated with a person's death, such as the age at which the person died, the place of the person's death, or by whether the person still had [[:Category:Unreleased works|unreleased or unpublished work]] at the time of their death. 

{{anchor|SUBJECTIVECAT|SUBJECTIVE|Subjective|Subjective inclusion criterion}}

== Subjective inclusion criteria ==
{{shortcut|WP:SUBJECTIVECAT}} 
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 July 18#Category:Obese people|Obese people]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 July 31#Category:Cult actors|Cult actors]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 November 23#Category:Mysterious musicians|Mysterious musicians]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 December 12#Category:Outstanding Canadians|Outstanding Canadians]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 March 25#Category:Wars France lost|Wars France lost]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 December 26#Category:Racist people|Racist people]]''</div>

<section begin=SubjectiveCat />Adjectives which imply a subjective, vague, or [[WP:NPOV|inherently non-neutral]] inclusion criterion should not be used in naming/defining a category. Examples include [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch|subjective descriptions]] (''famous'', ''popular'', ''notable'', ''great'', ''important''), any reference to relative size (''large'', ''small'', ''tall'', ''short''), relative distance (''near'', ''far''), or personal trait (''beautiful'', ''evil'', ''friendly'', ''greedy'', ''honest'', ''intelligent'', ''old'', ''ugly'', ''young'').<section end=SubjectiveCat />

{{anchor|ARBITRARYCAT|ARBITRARY|Arbitrary inclusion criterion}}

==  Arbitrary inclusion criteria ==
{{shortcut|WP:ARBITRARYCAT}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 December 14#Category:School districts at the top 7% in Pennsylvania on Pennsylvania standardized tests|School districts at the top 7% in Pennsylvania on Pennsylvania standardized tests]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 January 14#Category:Locations with per capita incomes over $30,000, Category:Locations with per capita incomes over $50,000, Category:Locations with per capita incomes over $100,000 and Category:Locations with per capita incomes over $200,000|Locations with per capita incomes over $30,000]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2010 February 18#Category:100th episodes|Category:100th episodes]]''</div>

There is no particular reason for choosing "7%", "$30,000", or the [[100 episodes|100th episode]] as cutoff points in these cases. Likewise, a [[school district]] with 3,800 students is not meaningfully different from one with 4,100 students. A better way of representing this kind of information is to make it a [[WP:LIST|list]], either in an existing article, or as a separate list, such as "List of school districts in ''(region)'' by size". Note that Wikipedia allows a [[m:Help:Sorting|table to be made sortable]] by any column.

{{anchor|YEAR|OCYEAR|Year|Time period}}

== Intersection by year or time period ==
{{shortcut|WP:OCYEAR}}
{{see also|Wikipedia:People by year}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2016 October 2#Category:20th-century American politicians|20th-century American politicians]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2005 August 15#Category:November 11 births and similar|November 11 births]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 November 19#Subcategories of Category:National League All-Stars|1971 National League All-Stars]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 November 16#religious leaders by year|1852 religious leaders]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2015 May 16#Category:Films set in the 10th millennium BC|Films set in the 10th millennium BC]]''</div>

Categorizing ''by [[year]]'' (or group of years, such as ''by [[decade]]'', ''by [[century]]'', or even ''by [[List of time periods|historical era]]'') is not generally considered an [[#ARBITRARY]] division for categorization.

However, avoid creating a [[WP:CAT#Category tree organization|category tree]] of individual ''by year'' categories with very few members (see also [[#NARROW]]). In that situation, consider grouping them by the next tier up. So for example, instead of grouping ''by year'', group ''by decade''. And then [[WP:DIFFUSE|diffuse]] the ''by decade'' categories ''by year'' only when necessary. This applies to any time period, like months to years; or years or decades, to centuries.

Similarly, If two or more ''by year'' categories have a large [[#OVERLAP]], (for example, because many athletes participate in multiple [[all-star game]]s, or because [[religious leadership]] does not usually change from year to year), it is generally better to (up)merge to the (non-year) parent category of the topic, and then diffuse as appropriate.

In addition, people are categorized by time period only if their activity in that time period is a [[#DEFINING]] characteristic.

For example:
* a writer who lived from 1850 to 1910 and wrote their only work in 1908 should be categorized under [[:Category:20th-century writers]]. They did no notable writing in the 19th century, so should ''not'' be included in [[:Category:19th-century writers]]
* an English soldier born in 1590 and notable for military service in the 1620s should not be categorized in [[:Category:People of the Tudor period]], since their defining characteristic relates to years after the Tudor period ended in 1603.

While people may be categorized by the year of their birth and year of death, do not categorize people by day or month of birth or death. (See also list of CFD examples [[Wikipedia talk:Categorization/Archive 14#Categories for births/deaths by day of the year|here]].)

When categorizing by time period, clearly state the inclusion criteria at [[Wikipedia:Categorization#Category description|the top of the category]]. For example, ''This category is for politicians who were active in the 19th century'' is not the same as ''This category is for politicians who were born in the 19th century''.

{{anchor|LOCATION|OCLOCATION}}

== Intersection by location ==
{{shortcut|WP:OCLOCATION}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 December 6#Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Ohio|Roman Catholic bishops of Ohio]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 November 30#Category:Quarterbacks from Louisiana|Quarterbacks from Louisiana]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 November 19#Category:Male models from Dallas, Texas|Male models from Dallas, Texas]]''</div>

Categorizing by the [[Border|geographic boundary]] of a [[polity]] can be a way to divide subjects into regions that are directly related to the subjects' characteristics. Location may also be used as a way to [[WP:DIFFUSE|diffuse]] a large category into subcategories, for example, [[:Category:American writers by state]].

However, avoid sub-categorizing subjects by location if that location does not have any relevant bearing on the subjects' other characteristics.  For example, quarterbacks' careers are not defined merely by the specific state that they once lived in (unless they played for a team within that state). The place of residence of parents and relatives is never [[#DEFINING|defining]] and rarely [[WP:NOTABILITY|notable]]. 

And while the [[Place of birth|place of a person's birth]] may seem significant from the perspective of local studies, is rarely defining from the perspective of the individual. The place of death is not normally categorized – consider using a [[WP:LIST|list]] if this relates to a specific place or event. If it is relevant to identify the place of burial (either from the perspective of the person or the burial place), then someone buried in a less notable cemetery, or in a place with just a few notable burials, should be recorded in a list within the article about the burial place. However, if the burial place is notable in its own right and has too many other notable people to list, then such burials may be categorized.

{{anchor|OCNARROW|NARROW|NARROWCAT|NarrowCat}}

== Narrow intersection ==
{{shortcut|WP:NARROWCAT|WP:OCNARROW}} 
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Example: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2015 January 30#Category:Sportsmen from Brisbane|Sportsmen from Brisbane]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2015 May 2#Roads in Ukraine by Oblast|Roads in Ukraine by Oblast]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2015 June 27#Category:Triathletes from Leeds|Triathletes from Leeds]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2015 July 20#Category:American people of Hungarian descent by occupation|American people of Hungarian descent by occupation]]''</div>

Categories which intersect two (or more) topics or characteristics can result in very narrow categories with few members. Such categories should only be created when both parent categories are large enough for [[WP:DIFFUSE|diffusion]] to be an option, and when similar intersections can be made for related categories.  A common way to address such narrow categorization is to selectively "Up-Merge" the contents of the category to its parent categories.

: For example, if an article is in category "A" and in category "B" – a '''category A and B''' does not necessarily need to be created for this article. 
: Similarly, while an article in categories A, B, and C could potentially be placed in categories "A and B", "B and C", and "A and C" – creating a "triple intersection" of '''category A, B, and C''', should generally be avoided.

{{anchor|MISC|OCMISC}}

== Miscellaneous categories ==
{{shortcut|WP:OCMISC}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2009 January 24#Category:People of the Moravian Church miscellaneous|People of the Moravian Church miscellaneous]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2010 February 9#Category:Brass bands of other countries|Brass bands of other countries]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2011 January 27#Category:Uncategorised songs|Uncategorised songs]]''</div>

It is not necessary to completely empty every parent category into sub-categories. So do not categorize articles into "miscellaneous", "other", "not otherwise specified" or "remainder", categories. Such articles will have little in common. If there are some articles that don't fit appropriately into any of the sub-categories, then leave the articles in the parent category. 

{{anchor|OVERLAP|OVERLAPPING|OVERLAPCAT}}{{anchor|Mostly overlapping|Overlapping}}

== Mostly overlapping or duplicative ==
{{shortcut|WP:OVERLAPCAT}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples:  ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2014 October 31#Category:Church History|Church History]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2014 November 3#Category:Climate change denial|Climate change denial]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2014 November 30#Category:German expatriates in Tanzania|German expatriates in Tanzania]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2014 December 1#Crime history nominations|Crime history nominations]]''</div>

If a category is mostly duplicative or overlapping with another category (such as the coverage of "[[crime]]" and "crime history"), or if two categories' names are similar enough to have nearly identical inclusion criteria (such as "[[denial]]", and "[[skepticism]]"), it is generally better to merge the subjects to a single category, and re-categorize any articles or categories which might no longer meet the criteria of the unified target category. 
 	
It might also be appropriate to create [[WP:LIST|lists]] to provide clarity and detail to each of the instances.

{{anchor|SHAREDNAME|SHAREDNAMES|Shared name|Shared names}}

== Unrelated subjects with shared names ==
{{shortcut|WP:SHAREDNAME}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 June 18#Category:Ice-named rappers|Ice-named rappers]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 November 14#Category:Churches named for St. Dunstan|Churches named for St. Dunstan]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 November 14#Category:Fictional Misters|Fictional Misters]]''</div>

Avoid categorizing by a subject's ''name'' when it is a non-defining characteristic of the subject, or by characteristics of the name rather than the subject itself. 

For example, a category for unrelated people who happen to be named "[[Jackson (name)|Jackson]]" would be inappropriate. However, categorization may be appropriate if the categorized subjects are directly-related. For example, a category grouping articles directly-related to a specific Jackson family, such as [[:Category:Jackson family (show business)]].

When considering grouping subjects that share a name, a [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation|disambiguation page]] might be a possible alternative solution.

{{anchor|OCASSOC|ASSOCIATED|ASSOCIATEDWITH|People associated with}}

== By being associated with ==
{{shortcut|WP:OCASSOC|WP:ASSOCIATEDWITH}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2009 December 7#Category:People associated with John McCain|People associated with John McCain]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2009 December 8#Category:People associated with Pope Pius XI|People associated with Pope Pius XI]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2009 November 29#Category:People associated with Madonna|People associated with Madonna]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2010 January 27#Category:People associated with the hippie movement|People associated with the hippie movement]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 July 31#Category:Films associated with Generation X|Films associated with Generation X]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2011 November 21#Category:Places associated with The Beatles|Places associated with The Beatles]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2020 March 20#Category:Hospitals and medical institutions associated with the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic|Hospitals and medical institutions associated with the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic]]''</div>

The problem with saying that ''something'' is "associated" with ''something else'', is that it can be a [[#SUBJECTIVE]] and vague determination. Determining what degree or nature of "association" with a particular subject is necessary to qualify for inclusion in such a category can also be subjective and vague, and any threshold set may fail [[#ARBITRARY]]. 

However, it may be appropriate to have categories whose title clearly conveys a specific and defined relationship to a specific subject, such as [[:Category:Obama family]] or [[:Category:Obama administration personnel]].

{{anchor|OPINION|OPINIONS|OPINIONCAT}}

== By opinion or preference of an issue or topic ==
{{shortcut|WP:OPINIONCAT}} 
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Example: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 March 11#Category:Cat lovers|Cat lovers]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2005 November 15#Category:Iraq liberation opposition|Iraq liberation opposition]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 July 22#Category:Star Trek fans|Star Trek fans]]''</div>

Avoid categorizing people by their personal opinions, even if a reliable source can be found for the opinions. This includes supporters or critics of an issue, personal preferences (such as liking or disliking [[green bean]]s), and opinions or allegations ''about'' the person by other people (e.g. "[[alleged]] criminals"). 

Please note, however, the distinction between holding an opinion and being an [[activist]], as the latter may be a defining characteristic (see [[:Category:Activists]]).

{{anchor|CANDIDATE|CANDIDATES|Candidates and nominees}}

== Potential candidates and nominees ==
{{shortcut|WP:CANCAT}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Example: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 November 19#Category:Potential 2008 Republican U.S. Presidential Candidates|Potential 2008 Republican U.S. Presidential Candidates]]'' (deleted in November 2006)</div>

[[WP:NOT#Wikipedia is not a crystal ball|Wikipedia is not a crystal ball.]] A candidate not yet nominated for public office, the possible next CEO of a certain corporation, a potential member of a sports team, an actor on the [[short list]] to play a role, or an award nominee (just to name a few examples) should not be grouped by category. [[WP:LIST|Lists]] may sometimes be appropriate for such groupings, especially after the passage of the events to which they relate.

{{anchor|Award winners}}{{anchor|AWARD|AWARDS|OCAWARD|OCAWARDS}}

== Award recipients ==
{{shortcut|WP:OCAWARD}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Example: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2010 November 5#Category:MTV Movie Award winners|Category:MTV Movie Award winners]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2010 October 24#Category:Honorary citizens of Berlin|Category:Honorary citizens of Berlin]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2009 January 6#Category:People who have recieved honorary degrees from Harvard University|Category:People who have received honorary degrees from Harvard University]]''</div>

A category of award recipients should exist only if receiving the award is a [[#DEFINING]] characteristic for the large majority of its [[WP:Notability|notable]] recipients. And a recipient of an award should be added to a category of award recipients only if receiving the award is a defining characteristic of the recipient.

Per [[Wikipedia:Categories, lists, and navigation templates]], the existence of [[WP:LIST|lists]] and [[WP:CAT|categories]] is determined by separate criteria. So regardless of whether a category is created, a list of the recipients may be created (presuming that [[WP:LISTN|the list meets the notability criteria]]). If both a category and a list are viable on the same topic, such a list may make a suitable main article for the category, indicated with the {{tl|Cat main}} template.<ref name="OCAWARD_June_2020">[[Special:Diff/963964459|Per this RfC]]</ref>

{{anchor|TOPTEN}}{{anchor|LIST|LISTS|OCLIST|OCLISTS}}

== Published list ==
{{shortcut|WP:TOPTEN|WP:OCLIST}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Example: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 March 3#Category:Rolling Stone.27s 500 Greatest Albums|Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums]]''</div>

[[Book]]s, [[magazine]]s, [[website]]s, and other such [[publication]]s, regularly publish lists of the "top 10" (or some other number) in any particular field. Such lists tend to be [[#SUBJECTIVE]] and may be somewhat arbitrary. Some particularly well-known and unique lists such as the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' charts may constitute exceptions, although creating categories for them [[Wikipedia:Copyright in lists|may risk violating the publisher's copyright or trademark]].

{{anchor|VENUE|VENUES|OCVENUE|OCVENUES}}

== Venues by event ==
{{shortcut|WP:OCVENUE}}
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Example: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 February 9#Category:Professional wrestling venues|WrestleMania venues]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 February 8#Convention venues|Republican National Convention venues]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 February 8#Convention venues|Democratic National Convention venues]]''</div>

Avoid categorizing locations by the events or event types that have been held there, such as arenas that have hosted specific sports events or concerts, convention centers that have hosted specific conventions or meetings, or cities featured in specific television shows that film at multiple locations.

Likewise, avoid categorizing events by their hosting locations. Many notable locations (e.g. [[Madison Square Garden]]) have hosted so many sports events and conventions over time that categories listing all such events would not be readable.

However, categories that indicate how a specific facility is regularly used in a specific and notable way for some or all of the year (such as [[:Category:Major League Baseball venues]]) may sometimes be appropriate.

<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">''See also [[#Performers by production or performance venue]].''</div>

{{anchor|PERF|PERFCAT|Performer|Performers}}

== Performers by performance ==
{{shortcut|WP:PERFCAT}}

Avoid categorizing performers by their performances. Examples of "performers" include (but are not limited to) [[Actor|actors/actresses]] (including [[pornographic actor]]s), [[comedian]]s, [[dancer]]s, [[Model (person)|model]]s, [[orator]]s, [[singer]]s, etc. 

This includes categorizing a [[Production#Arts, entertainment, and media|production]] by performers' performances. For example, just as we shouldn't categorize a performer by action or appearance, we shouldn't categorize a production by a performer's action or appearance in that production.

=== Performers by action or appearance ===
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 August 9#Category:Actresses who have appeared veiled|Actresses who have appeared veiled]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 September 23#Category:Anal porn actress|Anal porn actress]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 19#Category:Musicians who play left-handed|Musicians who play left-handed]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 16#Category:Saxophonists who are capable of circular breathing|Saxophonists who are capable of circular breathing]]''</div>

Avoid categorizing performers by some action they may have performed (such as a "[[pirouette]]", a "[[Catwalk|runway]] [[Fashion show|walk]]", a "[[spit take]]", a "[[sword fight]]", "[[anal sex]]", etc.); some method of performance (such as while [[Headstand|standing on their head]], [[left-handed]], etc.); or how they may have chosen to appear (such as [[bald]], [[veil]]ed, etc.)

{{anchor|Performers by role}}

=== Performers by role or composition ===
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 July 26#Category:American dramatic actors|American dramatic actors]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 August 7#Category:Actors that portrayed heroes or villains|Actors that portrayed heroes or villains]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 September 24#Category:Jim Steinman artists|Jim Steinman artists]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 5#Actors / Actresses who portrayed|Actresses who portrayed Lois Lane]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 17#Category:Batman actors|Batman actors]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 10#Category:Actors who have played serial killers|Actors who have played serial killers]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 15#Category:Actors who have played gay characters|Actors who have played gay characters]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 29#Category:Actors who played HIV-positive characters|Actors who played HIV-positive characters]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 January 4#Category:Actors who have played the President of the United States|Actors who have played the President of the United States]], and [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2011 April 4#Category:Actors who have played Doctor Who|Actors who have played Doctor Who]].''</div>
*Performers who have portrayed &lt;character name&gt;
*Performers who have portrayed &lt;a type of character&gt; 
*Performers who have performed &lt;a specific work&gt; 

Avoid categories which categorize performers by their portrayal of a role. This includes:
* Portraying a specific [[Character (arts)|character]] (such as [[Hamlet (character)|Hamlet]] or [[Batman]]), including [[Character (arts)#Real people, in part or in full|characters based upon real people]] from history or legend (such as [[King Arthur]] or [[Steve Jobs]]), and also non-human characters (such as [[Lassie]] or [[Kermit the Frog]])
* Portraying, [[Impersonator|impersonating]], or doing an "[[Impressionist (entertainment)|impression]]" of, a [[celebrity]] or [[politician]]. (This does not currently include [[WP:NOTABILITY|notable]] [[tribute acts]].)
* Portraying a "type" of character (such as dead, female, gay, homeless, queen, old, president, religious, Scottish, wealthy, etc.) This also includes [[archetype]]s, [[stereotype]]s, and [[stock character]]s.
* Performing a specific work (such as ''[[Amazing Grace]]'', "Waltz of the swans" from ''[[Swan Lake]]'', "[[To be or not to be]]" from ''[[Hamlet]]'' (the play), "[[Why did the chicken cross the road?]]" (a joke), etc.). 
This also includes [[Voice acting|voicing]] or [[dubbing]] characters, both in [[live-action]] (such as [[Darth Vader]] or [[Ultraman (character)|Ultraman]]) or in [[animation]] (such as [[Bugs Bunny]] or [[Donald Duck]]), even if the "voice" in question is [[List of animal sounds|animal sounds]] or other specific [[sound effects]].

Similarly, avoid categorizing artists based on producers, film directors or other artists they have worked with (such as "[[George Martin]] musicians" or "[[Steven Spielberg]] actors"). Performers are defined by their body of work, not by the people they have [[#ASSOCIATED]] with professionally. For example, [[Tom Hanks]] is distinguished by his performances as an actor, not by the fact that he has appeared in Steven Spielberg's films.

=== Performers by production or performance venue===
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 April 27#Category:Artists who played Coachella|Artists who played Coachella]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 July 18#Category:Saturday Night Live musical guests|Saturday Night Live musical guests]],  [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 August 25#Category:Ozzfest performers|Ozzfest performers]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 August 25#Category:Celebrity Poker Showdown players|Celebrity Poker Showdown players]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 October 1#Category:Entertainers who performed for troops during the Vietnam War|Entertainers who performed for troops during the Vietnam War]], and [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 January 25#Category:Actors by series|Actors by series]]''</div>
*Performers who have performed at &lt;location&gt;
*Performers who have performed on &lt;production&gt; 

Avoid categorizing performers by an appearance at an event or other performance venue. This also includes categorization by performance—even for permanent or recurring roles—in any specific radio, television, film, or theatrical production (such as ''[[The Jack Benny Program]]'', ''[[M*A*S*H]]'', ''[[Star Wars]]'', or ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'').

Note also that performers should not be categorized into a general category which groups topics about a particular performance venue or production (e.g. [[:Category:Star Trek]]), when the specific performance category would be deleted (e.g. [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 February 16#TV writers by series|Category:Star Trek script writers]]).

<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">''See also [[#Venues by event]].''</div>

===  Role or composition by performer ===
<div style="margin-left:1.6em;">Examples: ''[[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2006 July 12#Category:Fictional characters by actor and subcategories|Fictional characters by actor]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 April 22#Category:Characters portrayed by Johnny Depp|Characters portrayed by Johnny Depp]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2007 October 19#Category:Characters Portrayed by Leslie Nielsen|Characters Portrayed by Leslie Nielsen]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2016 July 8#Category:Fictional characters portrayed by Peter Dinklage|Fictional characters portrayed by Peter Dinklage]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2016 July 10#Category:Fictional characters portrayed by Tim Curry|Fictional characters portrayed by Christopher Lee]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for deletion/Log/2005 September 30#Category:Films by star|Films by star]], [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2013 June 17#Category:Films starring Jim Carrey|Films starring Jim Carrey]]''</div>
*&lt;Characters&gt; who have been portrayed by a specific performer
*&lt;Types of characters&gt; which have been portrayed by a specific performer
*&lt;Works&gt; which have been portrayed by a specific performer

Avoid categorizing characters or specific works by the performers who have portrayed them or appeared in them. A typical film or television series has many actors in various roles, so categorizing by actor results in needless clutter. Similarly, some roles, particularly animated ones like [[Woody Woodpecker#Voice actors|Woody Woodpecker]] and historical/mythological figures like [[Heracles in popular culture|Hercules]], have been performed by multiple actors, and being performed by a particular actor is seldom a defining trait for such roles.

==Notes==
<references />

==See also==
*[[m:Help:Sorting]] and [[Help:Sortable tables]]
*[[Wikipedia:Category intersection]] – one of several open [[WP:BUG|feature requests]] which seek to be an alternative way to address overcategorization.

{{Wikipedia categorization navbox}}

[[Category:Wikipedia categorization|Overcategorization]]