Wikipedia notability standards are the criteria used to determine whether a topic or subject merits inclusion on the platform. Notability is a fundamental principle that ensures the content on Wikipedia is relevant, significant, and verifiable. By adhering to these standards, Wikipedia maintains its reputation as a reliable source of information and avoids becoming cluttered with trivial or unimportant topics.
The notability standards on Wikipedia are outlined in various guidelines and policies, including the General Notability Guideline (GNG) and specific notability guidelines for different types of topics, such as biographies, organizations, events, and creative works. These standards provide a framework for assessing the importance and significance of a topic based on its coverage in reliable, independent sources.
The General Notability Guideline (GNG) is a cornerstone of professional wikipedia notability standards. It states that a topic is considered notable if it has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject. This means that the topic must be the subject of substantial and reliable coverage in reputable publications, such as books, newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. Trivial or self-published sources are generally not considered sufficient to establish notability.