 | This page in a nutshell: In certain limited circumstances, a deletion discussion may be closed with a result of "redirect" without running its full course. Speedy redirect is available only where the target is obvious and uncontroversial, and where no editor has argued for deletion. |
This page documents a deletion guideline for Bharatpedia. Editors should generally follow it, though exceptions may apply. Substantive edits to this page should reflect consensus. When in doubt, discuss first on this guideline's talk page.
Speedy redirect is the practice of closing a deletion discussion with a result of "redirect" before the normal discussion period has ended. It is the counterpart to speedy keep, and like speedy keep, it is available only in narrow circumstances. A speedy redirect does not delete the page; it replaces the page's content with a redirect to another page.
This guideline applies only to speedy redirect closures. Ordinary redirects that are not the subject of a deletion discussion are governed by the redirect guideline.
When speedy redirect is available[edit source]
A deletion discussion may be closed as a speedy redirect where all of the following are true:
- The nominator has suggested redirect as an alternative to deletion, or has withdrawn the nomination in favour of a redirect.
- No editor has recommended deletion — other than the nominator, whose position has changed.
- The redirect target is obvious and uncontroversial. Typically this means the subject is already covered at another article, and no editor has disputed that the target is appropriate.
- No editor has objected to the redirect during the discussion.
- There is no substantive content at the nominated page that would be lost by redirecting rather than deleting. Where there is, a merge discussion is more appropriate than a speedy redirect.
If any of these conditions is not met, the discussion should run its normal course and be closed by an uninvolved editor in the usual way.
When speedy redirect is not available[edit source]
Speedy redirect should not be used where:
- An editor has argued for deletion, even if that editor is in a minority.
- The redirect target is disputed, unclear, or itself the subject of an ongoing discussion.
- The nominated page contains material worth preserving — for example, reliably sourced content that is not already present at the target.
- The discussion concerns a biography of a living person, and redirecting would leave contentious material in the page history without a clear editorial consensus for doing so.
- The nomination is procedural, for example one relisted following a deletion review.
- The matter has already been discussed and closed, and the new nomination is an attempt to reopen it without new arguments.
Where any doubt exists, the discussion should be allowed to run. A speedy redirect that is later contested creates more work than simply waiting for the discussion to close normally.
Relationship to speedy keep[edit source]
Speedy keep and speedy redirect are related but distinct:
| Outcome | Effect | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|
| Speedy keep | The page is retained as-is | The nomination is withdrawn, frivolous, or erroneous, and no editor supports deletion |
| Speedy redirect | The page is replaced by a redirect | The nominator and other editors agree that a redirect is the better outcome |
Neither process deletes the page. Both terminate a discussion early. Both are available only where the outcome is clear and uncontested.
Procedure[edit source]
When a discussion is closed as a speedy redirect, the closing administrator or editor should:
- Confirm that all the conditions above are met. If they are not, do not close early.
- Replace the content of the nominated page with a redirect to the agreed target, using
#REDIRECT Target page. - Where appropriate, add a redirect template to the talk page or to the redirect itself, indicating the redirect type.
- Close the deletion discussion with a result of "speedy redirect", stating which target was chosen and why.
- Note in the closing statement that the page was not deleted, and that its history remains available.
- Ensure that any incoming links are updated where they would otherwise point to a redirect that is unlikely to be useful.
If the target is itself deleted or redirected later, the redirect should be revisited.
Redirects and page history[edit source]
A speedy redirect preserves the nominated page's history. This is one of its advantages over deletion: if the redirect is later contested, or if the target changes, the earlier content remains available for review, restoration, or reuse. Editors considering a speedy redirect should therefore be satisfied that a redirect is the right long-term outcome, not merely a convenient shortcut.
Where the intention is to remove the content from public view entirely, deletion — not redirect — is the appropriate process, and it must follow the normal deletion procedure.