How to Recover Sources to Save a Wikipedia Article from Deletion

If your Wikipedia article is up for deletion, it’s not the end. Most articles get deleted because they lack reliable sources, not because the topic is unimportant. The fix isn’t rewriting the whole thing-it’s finding and adding credible references that prove the subject meets Wikipedia’s notability standards. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to know where to look and how to use what you find.

Why Wikipedia Articles Get Deleted

Wikipedia doesn’t delete articles just because they’re short or poorly written. It deletes them because they can’t prove the subject is notable. Notability means independent, reliable sources have talked about the subject in depth-not just mentioned it in passing. A company with a website and a social media page? Not enough. A local news article calling it "the best coffee shop in town"? Still not enough. But a feature in The New York Times, a peer-reviewed journal, or a book from a university press? That’s what matters.

Most deletion discussions happen on the article’s talk page. Look for tags like "{{db}}" or "{{prod}}". If you see "no reliable sources," that’s your clue. The problem isn’t the article-it’s the lack of proof.

Where to Find Reliable Sources

Start by thinking like a journalist. What kind of sources would a reporter use to verify this topic? Here’s where to look:

• News outlets: Major newspapers, magazines, and broadcast networks. Look for articles that discuss the subject in detail-not just a brief mention in a list or event calendar.
• Academic journals: Use Google Scholar or your local library’s database. Peer-reviewed articles count even if they’re behind paywalls. You don’t need to read the whole thing-just cite the title, author, and journal.
• Books: Published by university presses or reputable commercial publishers. Check Amazon’s "Look Inside" feature or Google Books to verify the content.
• Official publications: Government reports, census data, or records from recognized institutions. A city’s official website listing a nonprofit as a grant recipient? That’s a source.
• Documentaries and reputable media: PBS, BBC, or Netflix originals that cover the subject with research and interviews.

Avoid blogs, personal websites, press releases, self-published books, and social media. These aren’t considered reliable unless they’re republished by a trusted outlet.

How to Search Effectively

Don’t just type the article’s title into Google. Use advanced search techniques:

1. Use quotation marks around exact phrases: "Jane Doe" "founder of GreenTech Solutions"
2. Add keywords like "review," "profile," "study," or "report" to narrow results.
3. Filter by date-sources from the last 5-10 years are best. Older sources can work if they’re landmark publications.
4. Search in Google Scholar with the subject’s name + "academic" or "research".
5. Check the Wayback Machine (archive.org) for dead links. If a source was online but is gone now, you can still cite the archived version.

Example: You’re trying to save an article about a small nonprofit. Try searching: "Habitat for Hope" "nonprofit" "funding" site:.gov or site:.edu. You might find a city grant announcement or a university case study.

How to Add Sources Correctly

Once you find a source, don’t just paste the URL. Follow Wikipedia’s citation rules:

• Use the {{cite news}}, {{cite journal}}, or {{cite book}} templates.
• Include author, title, publication, date, and URL or ISBN.
• Link the source to the specific claim in the article. Don’t just dump sources at the bottom-tie each one to a sentence.
• If the source is behind a paywall, still cite it. Wikipedia accepts paywalled sources if they’re reputable.

Example: If you write, "GreenTech Solutions reduced local emissions by 32% in 2023," add a citation right after that sentence to a news article that reported the same number.

What to Do When Sources Are Hard to Find

Sometimes, the subject is real but underreported. That’s okay. Here’s how to handle it:

• Expand the scope: If the subject is too niche, show how it connects to a broader topic. A local artist might not have articles, but a regional arts council report mentioning them counts.
• Use secondary sources: A book about urban gardening that mentions your nonprofit as a case study? That’s a valid source.
• Check citations in related articles: Look at similar Wikipedia articles. Do they cite sources you can reuse? If so, follow those references.
• Ask for help: Post on the article’s talk page: "I’m working on adding sources. Does anyone know of any reports or articles about this?" Often, other editors have saved links they haven’t added yet.

Don’t make up sources. Don’t copy from other websites. Don’t use Wikipedia itself as a source. If you can’t find a credible reference, the article may not meet notability standards-and that’s okay. Not every worthy topic belongs on Wikipedia.

How to Respond to Deletion Nominations

If your article is nominated for deletion, act fast. Most discussions last 7 days. Here’s what to do:

1. Go to the article’s talk page and find the deletion nomination.
2. Reply directly to the nominator with: "I’m adding reliable sources now. Here’s what I’ve found so far: [list 2-3 sources]."
3. Use the {{revisions}} tag to show your edits in progress.
4. Don’t argue about the topic’s importance. Focus on sources. Say: "The sources demonstrate notability under WP:N.
5. If you need more time, ask for an extension. Many editors will grant it if you show clear progress.

One editor saved a deleted article about a local theater by finding a 2018 article in the regional paper that reviewed their 10th-anniversary production. The article had been deleted because it only had a website and a Facebook page. The newspaper article was the key.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced editors mess this up. Here’s what not to do:

• Using Wikipedia as a source: You can’t cite Wikipedia to prove something is notable. That’s circular logic.
• Using press releases: These are promotional. Even if they come from a university, they’re not independent.
• Adding too many weak sources: Ten blog posts won’t replace one solid news article.
• Waiting until the last minute: Deletion discussions move fast. Start gathering sources as soon as you see the nomination.
• Editing the article while the discussion is open: Make edits, but don’t change the tone or add new claims unless you have sources for them.

What Happens After You Add Sources

Once you’ve added at least three solid, properly cited sources, go back to the deletion discussion. Leave a clear comment:

"I’ve added three reliable sources: [1] [2] [3]. Each confirms the subject’s notability under WP:N. The article now meets the criteria for retention. Please reconsider."

Many deletion nominations are dropped when editors see credible sources have been added. If the discussion stays open, be patient. Some editors need time to review. If it’s closed as "keep," congratulations. If it’s closed as "delete," you can still appeal-but only if you have new, strong sources.

Next Steps

If your article survives:

• Keep adding sources over time. Wikipedia is always evolving.
• Improve the article’s structure and clarity. Sources keep it alive, but good writing keeps it useful.
• Monitor the talk page. Someone might ask for more details later.

If your article doesn’t survive, don’t give up. The information isn’t lost. Save your sources and your draft. You can always start over with a better structure and stronger references. Many successful Wikipedia articles began as deleted drafts.