Wikipedia notability criteria: is your company eligible?
More than 30% of company pages created on Wikipedia are deleted within days due to lack of notability. Understanding the criteria before starting saves weeks of wasted work. Here is the Wikipedia reviewer's grid.
Wikipedia does not function as a business directory. The platform applies strict criteria to decide which companies deserve an encyclopedic page — known as notability criteria. More than 30% of pages created by companies are deleted within 72 hours for non-compliance. Here is the framework, and a quick test to assess your eligibility.
The principle: publicly attested notability
Wikipedia's golden rule fits in one sentence: a company is notable when multiple reliable, independent, secondary sources give it significant coverage.
- Independent — not you, your subsidiaries, your press releases, or your direct commercial partners.
- Secondary — analysis, investigation, editorial piece — not a press-release rehash.
- Significant — the article must discuss the company substantially, not as a passing mention.
General criteria for companies
A company is presumed notable if it meets at least one of:
- Sustained national media coverage — at least two in-depth articles over more than two years.
- Listing on a regulated stock exchange.
- Recognized industry award from an independent body.
- Significant innovation documented in independent scientific or technical publications.
- Dominant position in a niche market documented by an independent sector study.
What is not a notability criterion
- Revenue, however high.
- Number of employees.
- Company age.
- Website and social media popularity.
- Press releases, however many.
- Directory listings (Crunchbase, Pitchbook, etc.).
- Participative rankings.
Quick test: is your company eligible?
- ☐ At least two in-depth articles (≥ 500 words each) in recognized national or business press.
- ☐ Articles span at least two years.
- ☐ Written by professional journalists (not sponsored content).
- ☐ Cited in at least one independent sector study.
- ☐ Cited by at least fifteen distinct sources easily findable online.
If you check at least three boxes, your company is likely eligible. Below two, page creation will likely be refused — strengthen press coverage first.
What if you're not yet eligible?
- Structured PR — secure three or four in-depth pieces in tier-1 business media.
- Commissioned sector study from an independent firm.
- Publications or talks at recognized academic/industry events.
- Participation in independent rankings.
Conclusion
Before investing time and money in creating a Wikipedia page, verifying notability is the most cost-effective step. We offer a free feasibility audit: we analyze your press coverage and public sources, and tell you honestly whether a Wikipedia page is realistic. If it isn't, we charge you nothing.