User blog:SilverPlays97/An Analysis of Featured Articles

Since 2008, SNN has had a featured article on the main page. Over time, the frequency of features has changed to where there are usually a new featured article a month. I have analysed the types of featured articles we post and made some data so we can determine what types of articles should be featured in the future. You view find my spreadsheet here: link

By type


The majority of featured articles in our history have been characters. The Sonic fandom is big on characters, so it’s no surprise they have been featured more often. However, this has caused other articles to be neglected to be featured. For example, there are almost 500 pages about Attacks and Moves, but only one, Boost, has been featured. Despite the hundreds of comics and episode articles we have, only 3 featured comics (all Archie), and 1 episode featured (Battle of the Boy Bands). Stages have also been underappreciated.

By cannon
Games have been disproportionately featured compared to the many other cannons in the Sonic universe. Sonic X, one you would think would be more popular, has only been featured twice (the Nazo article, that doesn’t exist anymore, and Talisman). SatAM has only one featured article, while AoSTH, OVA, Underground, or a Real World article have never been featured.

Major vs Non-Major
The amount of Major articles featured has been appropriate and should stay the same. What makes an article major is the amount of traffic it gets, number of edits, and the chances of it changing over time. The version of an article when it is featured is not likely to be same version latter on. For example, the featured article version of Blaze the Cat is not the same as it is now. The featured version of Albion Attack is not much different from the current version. There are some exemptions to this rule, such as the featured version of Sonic Forces will most likely be very similar to the version a few years from now.

What we should do going forward

 * Major characters should not be featured. Articles like Sonic, Eggman, and Knuckles are dynamic and are constantly changing. Featured Articles are supposed to show a complete and final version of an article; featuring major characters defeats that purpose.


 * More cannons should be featured. It will take time to improve the diversity of featured articles, but it will be beneficial to diversify so we can show visitors all of what SNN has to offer. I'm starting with AoStH, with Sonic Christmas Blast being featured on Nov. 24, it's anniversary.