Editing Incubator escapee wiki:Categorization (section)

===Before creating a new category <span class="anchor" id="BEFORECAT"></span> ===
{{shortcut|WP:BEFORECAT}}{{main|Wikipedia:Categories, lists, and navigation templates|Wikipedia:Overcategorization}}
{{see also|Help:Sortable tables}}

Categories are not the only means of enabling users to browse sets of related pages. And categories have [[WP:DOAC|several disadvantages]], including that categories only show ''the page name'' of each page being categorized, therefore:

*While the [[#Category description|category description]] may provide broader information, individual category members cannot be annotated with descriptions or comments, so they give no context or elaboration for any specific entry.
*There is no provision for referencing any specific entry, to [[WP:V|verify]] a page meets a category's criteria of inclusion.

So, consider whether a [[WP:LIST|list]] would be more appropriate for such a grouping of pages. Lists would also be more useful where it is important to see dates, for example, a [[list of Nobel laureates]]. And can provide options for sorting the entries.

Also, consider whether the category might be considered category clutter. Please see [[Wikipedia:Overcategorization]], for more information on this.