Permanently working information systems need to consider the whole content life cycle as regards the management of data. Oftentimes, the phase of deleting information is payed little attention.

The point of the guarantee of existence is not to delete a piece of information as soon as the guaranteed date of existence has been reached. In order to guard against misunderstandings: The date of existence is not an expiration date. Even if the guarantee of existence of a piece of information expires, the information does not necessarily need to be deleted.

However, it can be assumed that intelligent deleting mechanisms will evolve in environments where the concept of the guarantee of existence is used. Unused information can be identified and deleted, contextualized information is maintained. If required, all information with expired guarantee of existence can be displayed. Information is ordered by degree of linking which reflects its relevance (see above).

With regard to the ranking the following automatic classifications could be possible:

1. highly ranked information:
   The guarantee of existence is extended if allowed by the authors.
   
   
2. moderately ranked information:
   Information will be maintained without extending the guarantee of existence.
   
   
3. lowly ranked information:
   Information will be deleted.