Editing Encyclopedia:Username policy (section)

== Dealing with inappropriate usernames ==
{{policy shortcut|WP:BADNAME}}
If you encounter an inappropriate username as described [[#Inappropriate usernames|above]], there are various actions you might take. [[Wikipedia:What "Ignore all rules" means#Use common sense|Use common sense]] in making your choice, and avoid [[Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers|"biting" newcomers]].

=== No action necessary ===
If the name is not unambiguously problematic, it may be sensible to ignore it. [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|Assume good faith]], and also note the [[#Exceptions|exceptions]] in the section on inappropriate usernames. Also, except in extreme cases, it is probably not worth taking action unless the user has made at least one ''recent'' edit.

=== Talk to the user ===
If you see a username that is problematic but was not obviously created in bad faith, politely draw the user's attention to this policy, and try to encourage them to create a new account with a different username. If you want, you can use the {{tls|uw-username}}, {{tls|uw-uall}} or {{tls|uw-coi-username}} template for this.

=== Request for comment ===
If, following an attempt to discuss a problematic username with the user, there is still doubt or disagreement as to whether the name is appropriate, you may open a [[WP:RFC/N|Request for comment on the username]], inviting other users to discuss the issue.

=== Report blatant violations ===
If you believe that a username needs to be immediately blocked and is an obvious violation of policy, you can report it to [[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention|Usernames for administrator attention]]. This page should only be used for clear and egregious username violations that merit an immediate block and without any discussion or warning beforehand.

Do not ''both'' warn a user account or discuss the username and your concerns with a user account, ''and'' file a report against the user account at [[WP:UAA|Usernames for administrator attention]] at the same time. A warning or discussion by another editor should be perceived as an ''invitation'' or an ''encouragement'' for the user to change their username or otherwise resolve the matter at-hand, while filing a report against the account invites a block to be immediately placed and without warning or discussion beforehand. These two actions directly counteract with one another; performing both actions can cause confusion, frustration, and the [[WP:BITE|biting of newcomers]] where [[WP:AGF|the assumption of good faith]] likely should have been the preferred initial response.

===Report other problems===
If the user with a bad username is breaching other policies, such as those against [[WP:SPAM|spam]] or [[WP:VAND|vandalism]], follow up using those policies rather than reporting the username. If the user is editing in a biased or promotional way on a subject they appear to have a connection with, report them at the [[WP:COIN|Conflict of Interest noticeboard]].

=== Usernames for administrator attention guidelines ===
[[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention |Usernames for administrator attention]] (UAA) is a noticeboard for drawing attention to abusive usernames quickly. See [[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention/Instructions]] for information on how to place or resolve UAA reports, including the options that are available to administrators.

Remember that blocking a new user is not actually something we ''want'' to do, it is something we do when it is needed to protect Wikipedia from harm. Generally, editors whose usernames are a technical or borderline violation of the Username policy should be given an opportunity to discuss the username and how they may register a new username. However, users who are reluctant to register a new username and are otherwise showing a positive history of contributions to Wikipedia should be allowed to continue editing in a positive fashion and the matter should be dropped. But this exemption does not apply to editors who have a clearly offensive username, disruptive or vandalizing edits, or edits that show a history of problematic bias or conflict of interest.