deletionist

Deletionist is a term used in collaborative online encyclopedias, most notably Wikipedia, to describe an editor who favors removing content that allegedly fails to meet the project’s notability, sourcing, or encyclopedic usefulness guidelines. Deletionists prioritize adherence to policies such as notability, verifiability, and reliable sourcing, and may seek deletion through formal processes like Articles for Deletion (AfD) or speedy deletion when criteria are met.

The term arises from a broader debate about what should be included in a shared encyclopedia. It is often contrasted with inclusionist viewpoints, which advocate retaining or expanding coverage even for topics with less prominent sources. The deletionist stance is typically policy-driven, arguing that high-quality, well-sourced topics deserve to be documented, while low-quality, unduly niche, or poorly sourced material should not be kept. Critics of deletionism argue that it can suppress coverage of marginalized or obscure topics and reflect gatekeeping rather than neutral judgment. Supporters contend that it helps maintain reliability and readability by preventing proliferation of low-value content.

In practice, decision-making involves notability and sourcing guidelines, as well as procedures for deletion, merging, redirecting, or expanding articles. AfD discussions collect arguments for and against retention, and decisions may be influenced by community norms, the availability of reliable sources, and the potential usefulness of the article to readers. The balance between deletion and retention is a core ongoing dynamic in many wiki communities.