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CEO.wiki:Notability guidelines

The comprehensive free global encyclopedia of CEOs, corporate leadership, and business excellence

Notability guidelines determine whether a topic deserves its own article on CEO.wiki. These guidelines help maintain quality and ensure CEO.wiki remains a valuable resource focused on significant figures and organizations in the business world.

General notability

A topic is generally notable if it has received significant coverage in reliable, independent sources. This means:

  • Significant coverage: More than trivial mentions; substantial discussion of the topic
  • Reliable sources: Established publications with editorial oversight (see Reliable sources)
  • Independent: Not from the subject itself, its employees, or paid promoters
  • Multiple sources: Generally at least 2-3 substantial sources, preferably more

What counts as coverage

Sufficient coverage includes:

  • Feature articles in major business publications
  • In-depth profiles in news magazines
  • Substantial coverage in business books
  • Multiple news articles about the subject's activities
  • Academic journal articles
  • Detailed analysis in industry publications

Insufficient coverage includes:

  • Brief mentions in passing
  • Directory listings
  • Press release republications
  • Social media posts
  • Promotional material
  • Single-source coverage

Notability for CEOs and executives

CEOs and business executives are generally notable if they meet any of the following criteria:

Company size and prominence

  • CEO of a publicly traded company
  • CEO of a company with annual revenue exceeding $100 million
  • CEO of a company with more than 500 employees
  • Leadership of a privately held company that has received substantial independent media coverage

Individual achievements

  • Received significant awards or recognition in the business community
  • Led a notable corporate transformation, merger, or turnaround
  • Pioneered significant business practices or innovations
  • Subject of multiple in-depth profiles in major business publications
  • Author of influential business books or thought leadership
  • Served on boards of multiple notable companies

Historical significance

  • Played a significant role in the development of an industry
  • Led during a historically significant period or event
  • Long tenure as CEO (generally 10+ years) with documented impact

Media coverage

  • Featured in major business publication lists (Fortune 500, Forbes rankings, etc.)
  • Subject of biographical books or documentaries
  • Regular media presence as a business thought leader
  • Coverage in multiple major publications over an extended period

Not sufficient alone

These alone do not establish notability:

  • CEO of a small private company without media coverage
  • Brief tenure with no significant impact
  • Coverage limited to local news
  • Self-published material
  • Social media following

Notability for companies

Companies are generally notable if they meet any of the following:

Financial thresholds

  • Publicly traded on a major stock exchange
  • Annual revenue exceeding $100 million
  • Market capitalization exceeding $500 million
  • More than 1,000 employees

Market position

  • Market leader in their industry or sector
  • Significant market share in their category
  • Pioneered products or services that created new markets
  • Substantial impact on their industry

Media and cultural significance

  • Subject of substantial coverage in multiple reliable sources
  • Involved in significant business events (major mergers, acquisitions, controversies)
  • Brand with widespread consumer recognition
  • Historical importance in the development of an industry

Innovation and impact

  • Developed significant technologies or business models
  • Created products or services used by millions
  • Substantially influenced industry practices
  • Subject of business school case studies

Not sufficient alone

These alone do not establish notability:

  • Having a website or social media presence
  • Local business with only local coverage
  • Startup without significant funding or coverage
  • Subsidiary of a notable company (unless independently notable)
  • Age of company alone

Notability for business topics

Business concepts, practices, and events are notable if:

  • Extensively documented in reliable sources
  • Taught in business schools or professional education
  • Significantly impacted business practices or industries
  • Subject of substantial analysis and commentary
  • Addressed in academic research or textbooks

Special considerations

Privately held companies

Private companies face higher notability bars:

  • Must have substantial independent media coverage
  • Coverage should go beyond routine business announcements
  • Should have clear industry significance or impact
  • Notable private companies typically have:
    • Been featured in major business publications multiple times
    • Substantial revenue (generally $500M+) or employee count (2,000+)
    • Pioneered significant innovations or market changes

Startups

Startups require exceptional coverage to merit articles:

  • Routine funding announcements are not sufficient
  • Must have substantial independent analysis and coverage
  • Coverage should focus on business impact, not just funding
  • Multiple in-depth articles from major business publications

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries should generally be covered within parent company articles unless:

  • They operate largely independently
  • They have significant independent media coverage
  • They were previously independent notable companies
  • They represent a major business segment with substantial coverage

International subjects

  • Standards apply equally to subjects from all countries
  • Sources may be in any language but must be reliable
  • Consider the subject's significance in their market/region

Historical subjects

  • Historical subjects may have fewer contemporary sources available
  • Inclusion in historical business books and academic works counts
  • Documented impact on business history is important

Common questions

"The subject is important to many people"

Subjective importance is not the criterion. The question is whether the subject has received significant coverage in reliable, independent sources.

"The subject has lots of social media followers"

Social media following does not establish notability. Independent media coverage in reliable sources is required.

"The subject is the CEO of a successful company"

Success alone is not sufficient. The company or executive must meet specific notability criteria and have substantial independent coverage.

"The subject is growing quickly"

Growth potential does not establish notability. Current, documented significance and coverage are required.

"The subject just hasn't been covered yet"

If reliable sources haven't covered a topic substantially, it does not yet meet notability guidelines. CEO.wiki is not for introducing topics to the world, but for covering topics that have already been covered elsewhere.

Borderline cases

When a topic's notability is uncertain:

  • Discuss on the article's talk page
  • Seek input from experienced editors
  • Consider creating a draft for review
  • Wait for additional coverage to emerge
  • Propose merger with a related article

Maintaining notability

Notability is not temporary:

  • Once a topic meets notability criteria, it remains notable
  • Articles should not be deleted solely because coverage has decreased
  • However, articles may be merged into broader topics if appropriate

Notability can be gained:

  • Topics that don't currently meet notability may do so in the future
  • As coverage increases, previously non-notable topics may become notable

Deletion and mergers

Articles that do not meet notability guidelines may be:

  • Deleted: If there is no substantial independent coverage
  • Merged: Into articles about related notable topics
  • Redirected: To a more appropriate article
  • Kept as stubs: If clearly notable but limited coverage exists

Exceptions

These guidelines are not absolute:

  • Rare exceptions may exist for topics of exceptional importance
  • Unusual cases should be discussed with the community
  • Administrators may use discretion for edge cases

See also

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