It looks like we lost the main category hold post somewhere between the forum move and now. I was able to find an old post of Anna’s and have copied it under a cut, but because the main thread seems to be gone and I’ve seen people asking questions here and there, here’s a FAQ!
What’s the category hold?
Around 2017, category requests were temporarily paused. Initially, this was to allow for a restructuring of the category tree, but around 2019, staff announced that they needed to extend the hold because readers seemed to be having issues with the current category structure and they needed time to track reader data.
Wait, it’s 2021. Why is it taking so long?
The first two years were spent reorganizing and adding new categories to the category tree; this task was paused in 2019 to focus on tracking reader data, which takes time. (Most logged-out users use the search bar rather than browsing categories, and logged-in users are typically not included in data tracking or testing.)
What’s wrong with the current category tree?
The initial category request system allowed people to request categories once there were at least five articles about the topic. This worked well when wikiHow was a smaller site with fewer articles, but as the site grew, so did the categories - and so did the category requests. Because the requirements for categories didn’t change, we ended up with incredibly specific categories that only had a few articles in them (and which could look even smaller if several articles were stubbed or demoted). This wasn’t a good experience for readers, who could end up clicking through a ton of categories just to land in ones that were almost empty!
So what does that mean for existing categories?
Broader, well-developed categories will typically stay intact; smaller or overly specific categories will likely be reorganized. As of February 2021, articles are being moved to appropriate broader categories by staff, and some empty categories have been deleted. The Categorizer tool has also been changed to show broader results rather than very specific ones, so new articles are less likely to end up in too-specific and/or soon-to-be-deleted categories.
(If you’re wondering about the status of a specific category, ask JayneG or Chris H.)
Okay. When are category requests coming back?
We don’t know yet - it’s dependent on reader data. Most readers tend to use the search bar rather than category pages, and the search bar usually finds them what they’re looking for, so there’s no hurry. When category requests return, the requirements for new categories are also subject to change: in order to request a new category, you may need 40, 50, or more articles to show that there’s a genuine need for it.
But I really need a new category!
We hear you. But because category requests are on hold right now, we can’t promise the category will be made, even if you make a request. You can request it, but be prepared to wait a long time or be told it won’t be created. Remember, readers tend to use the search bar - they don’t always need specific categories!
No, you don’t understand. It’s actually necessary. Can’t there be an exception?
Under rare circumstances, exceptions can be made for new categories. These are limited to genuine necessities, or cases where there’s unusual popularity and readers might benefit from finding related articles more easily (like the COVID-19 category). However, these exceptions are uncommon, because adding new categories can disrupt tracking and cause problems during future reorganization. Before you request the category, ask yourself:
- Does the broader category truly not suffice?
The vast majority of articles can fit in our existing categories. A new category would need to benefit readers with no knowledge of the category tree, not just editors who are categorizing pages.
- How deep is the category?
We want to aim for the highest possible category so articles are easier to find. If the new category would be four or more subcategories deep, you might want to wait.
- How many articles would be in the requested category?
If there’s a massive influx of new articles on a certain topic, we may need a new category. Aim for 30 or more articles on the topic before making a category request.
- Is there something wrong with an existing category?
If there’s a serious problem with an existing category, like confusing or offensive terminology, a change can be considered. Explain what the problem is and what the category should be named, so staff can determine if further action is appropriate.
Keep in mind that “emergency” category requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, so there’s no guaranteed way to get yours approved.
My category request was rejected. What now?
That depends on what you’re doing, but here’s a few suggestions!
- When categorizing articles, place them in the most appropriate broad category - remember, we can always move them later.
- Weave related articles into the Related wikiHows section if there are more closely-related topics.
- If you’re looking for a specific article or trying to find a group of articles on a specific subject, use Special:Search
. Special:Search searches all pages, including deindexed ones that wouldn’t appear when using the normal search bar.
- If you’re gathering pages for a personal category (or so you don’t lose them), consider linking to the articles in your MyLinks or a text document.
Anna's post on the category hold in 2019
If you have any questions about the category hold that weren’t answered in this post, feel free to ask them below.
