![]() | This page in a nutshell: If a topic has received significant coverage in reliable secondary sources that are independent of the subject, it is presumed to be notable. |
Within Wikipedia, notability is an inclusion criterion based on encyclopedic suitability of a topic for a Wikipedia article. This concept is distinct from "fame", "importance", or "popularity", although these may correlate with notability. If an article currently does not cite reliable secondary sources that are independent of the subject, that does not necessarily mean the topic is not notable. However, notability is based upon the reasonable presumption that enough sources exist to craft a complete article. Notability only pertains to the suitability of topics for articles but does not affect article content.
If a topic has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject, it is presumed to be notable.
Notability requires verifiable objective evidence to support a disputed claim of notability. Substantial coverage in reliable, independent sources is the principal form of such evidence. Wikipedia is not a news source: it takes more than just a short burst of news reports about a single event or topic to constitute evidence of sufficient notability. The Wikimedia project Wikinews covers topics of present news coverage.
If an article fails to demonstrate the notability of its subject, look for sources yourself, or:
If appropriate sources cannot be found, consider merging the article's content into a broader article providing context. Otherwise:
Clearly established notability does not expire, but substantial coverage over a period of time is still required. Also, articles should not be written based on speculation that the topic may receive additional coverage in the future, as we only consider existing reliable sources.
Notability guidelines give guidance on whether a topic is notable enough to be included in Wikipedia as a separate article, but do not specifically regulate the content of articles. Individual facts and subtopics within an article are governed by content policy, not notability.
Essays related to notability:
![]() | This page in a nutshell: If a topic has received significant coverage in reliable secondary sources that are independent of the subject, it is presumed to be notable. |
Within Wikipedia, notability is an inclusion criterion based on encyclopedic suitability of a topic for a Wikipedia article. This concept is distinct from "fame", "importance", or "popularity", although these may correlate with notability. If an article currently does not cite reliable secondary sources that are independent of the subject, that does not necessarily mean the topic is not notable. However, notability is based upon the reasonable presumption that enough sources exist to craft a complete article. Notability only pertains to the suitability of topics for articles but does not affect article content.
If a topic has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject, it is presumed to be notable.
Notability requires verifiable objective evidence to support a disputed claim of notability. Substantial coverage in reliable, independent sources is the principal form of such evidence. Wikipedia is not a news source: it takes more than just a short burst of news reports about a single event or topic to constitute evidence of sufficient notability. The Wikimedia project Wikinews covers topics of present news coverage.
If an article fails to demonstrate the notability of its subject, look for sources yourself, or:
If appropriate sources cannot be found, consider merging the article's content into a broader article providing context. Otherwise:
Clearly established notability does not expire, but substantial coverage over a period of time is still required. Also, articles should not be written based on speculation that the topic may receive additional coverage in the future, as we only consider existing reliable sources.
Notability guidelines give guidance on whether a topic is notable enough to be included in Wikipedia as a separate article, but do not specifically regulate the content of articles. Individual facts and subtopics within an article are governed by content policy, not notability.
Essays related to notability: