[WikiEN-l] Searchability of non-mainspace pages

[Charles Matthews]

"Newyorkbrad (Wikipedia)" wrote
 
> Given the visibility of Wikipedia results on Google and other searches, and
> consistent with the overall intent of [[WP:BLP]] on En-Wiki (and what I hope
> is its equivalent on other projects), we have a serious responsibility to
> ensure that the overall effect of Wikipedia content is a responsible one.

This is problematic - I mean highlighting Google. They deliberately conceal details of PageRank, preventing us using any technical tuning that isn't simply ad hoc. I don't think it is helpful to make us responsible for how Google ranks our pages.

> This includes eliminating the likelihood that the first hit on the Google
> search for a living person is not (for example) a deletion discussion on how
> insignificant and non-notable that individual is, or a page discussing the
> ban of that individual (who might be a minor, for example) who chose to edit
> Wikipedia under his or her real name and made some mistakes in doing so and
> was criticized or even banned as a result.

Admin blanking works for that.
> 
> There has been discussion from time to time about implementing a technical
> modification such that only mainspace pages (or such other pages as the
> community might consciously choose) would be visible to searches.  In view
> of the number of concerns raised about the current situation where
> everything is searchable, it seems to me that the necessary changes should
> be developed and implemented quickly.

Well, maybe we should discuss the downside first. Not having project pages on Google would certainly impede my work. You know, some of us still develop articles, and so on.
 
> The main argument in opposition to this change that I have seen is that the
> internal Wikipedia search capability is not as strong as the external search
> engines, so that it is desirable that the ability to conduct a complete
> external search be maintained.  I know that I have sometimes found it useful
> to be able to search all spaces within the site in, for example, looking for
> precedent cases while drafting EnWiki arbitration decisions.  It therefore
> would probably be desirable to upgrade our internal search capability.
> However, in view of the number of third parties affected by the current
> practice, I do not believe that implementation of the non-search capability
> should await this development.

Ah, but I do. Isn't it a better solution to blank some AfDs, than to say "the mission has to come second"? After all, really negative material should be off the site, not just harder to find.

Charles

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