Wikipedia talk:Notability (products)

Problems

I'd like to start by saying that writing policies and guidelines is difficult. It's difficult to find words that say what you mean, without unintentionally saying other things. That said, most of the suggested points to date are seriously flawed. Here are two:

"It is internationally recognised and has been made for sale in most countries."

"Internationally recognised" is a subjective phrase whose meaning will be reduced to an WP:IKNOWIT violation. The second half will be read as proof that every major product produced by any multinational company deserves its own article. Practically every single one of Hershey's candy bars would get a separate article. Basically every separate printer marketed by Hewlett-Packard would get a separate article. Papermate ball point pens are declared notable. And every book and piece of software meets at least the last half of this requirement.

"It is a generic product or service offered by a number of suppliers."

Every single service offered by your local plumber, auto mechanic, and construction contractor is hereby declared to be worthy of a separate article. Checking the air pressure in your vehicle's tires, installing a water pressure regulator on your water pipes, and draping furniture before painting a room are declared WP:Notable, not merely things to be mentioned in another article.

I know that your goal is to restrict product articles, but this will have the opposite effect. I think you'd be better off starting with what we've already got at WP:PRODUCT and expanding it. WhatamIdoing (talk) 02:17, 19 September 2011 (UTC)