STOWiki:Policy/Deletion

A page can be marked for and deleted immediately without any delay or discussion if:
 * The page is a redirect left over from a move or merge, all links have been changed to the new page, and the redirect is unlikely to be useful.
 * The page is improperly named and a properly named article with the same content already exists.
 * The page is a user page and the owning user has requested its deletion.
 * The page is obvious spam, vandalism, completely and unequivocally off-topic, or has always been blank.
 * The page is for a duty officer that is no longer, or never was, available on the live server.
 * The page is in clear violation of any other policy of the wiki.

A page should not be marked for deletion if:
 * The page's content is unique or useful
 * Anything needs to be done to the page before it's ready for deletion.

If a page does not meet any of the criteria for either category above, it may be marked for deletion, but may only be deleted by the administrators as described below.

It is important to note that this is not Wikipedia. We do not delete because an article is far below standards as long as continuing effort is being put into that article. If there are obvious problems with an article, make a note of it, or do the work yourself, but don't use the delete tag to advertise the issue.

To use the deletion template, add the following to the top of the article that you wish to be reviewed for deletion:
 * insert reason

If you believe the page meets the criteria for immediate deletion, you may optionally add the following instead:
 * insert reason'''

Do not use the delete template as a way to communicate desired changes for an article; that's what the article's talk page is for. For instance, please don't use, as that clutters up the deletion categories with pages that aren't actually ready to be deleted. Use the merge template instead.

If administrators do not believe an article meets the criteria for immediate deletion, they will delete it at least a few days after the tag is added to the page, assuming no dissent in the talk page. Contested deletes must reach a consensus for deletion before an administrator will delete the article; he or she will delete a few days after the last meaningful comment posted after the consensus is reached.

As a matter of tact and to avoid conflict of interest, administrators should avoid deleting articles they themselves mark as candidates for deletion. Administrators should always leave a talk page with a deletion discussion intact for future reference and possible reopening of the deletion discussion due to new developments or information.

Administrators may, as a last resort, delete an article where the deletion is contested if there is overwhelming reason to believe a consensus will not be achieved and those arguing for retaining the page are acting in obvious bad faith. This decision is final except in the case of new information or developments which constitute cause for reconsideration.