Editing Encyclopedia:Signatures (section)

== Dealing with problematic signatures ==
{{shortcut|WP:SIGPROB}}
Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Username policy|Username policy]] describes accepted practices and behavior in naming and operating a user account on Wikipedia that apply to both usernames and signatures. A purpose of your signature is to identify you as a contributor. If your signature is unnecessarily confusing, editors may request that you change it. Our guidelines for talk page usage also [[WP:TPO|permit editors to change signatures that contravene this guideline back to the standard form]]. An editor with a confusing signature may be blocked sooner than usual for other inappropriate behavior such as disruption or vandalism, if their confusing signature contributes to the disruption.

{{anchor|confusing}}Signatures that link to, but do not display, the user's username (for example by signing with a nickname, as in <kbd><nowiki>[[User:Example|User:Nickname]]</nowiki></kbd> or <kbd><nowiki>[[User:Example|Nickname]]</nowiki></kbd>) can be confusing for editors (particularly newcomers). The actual username always appears in the page history, so using just the nickname on the relevant talk page can make your signed comments appear to be from a different person. Alternatives include [[WP:CHU|changing your username]] and including your account name in addition to the username, e.g., in the form <kbd><nowiki>[[User:Example|Example]]/Nickname</nowiki></kbd>.

The timestamp must adhere to the system-generated format (<code>HH:MM, D MM YYYY (UTC)</code>) and must not be customized. This is necessary for clear communications and for archiving bots to function correctly<!-- as well as gadgets and DiscussionTools -->. Timestamps that are customized may be considered disruptive and editors using them may be blocked accordingly.

Persistent failure to sign after being reminded may become disruptive and be subject to sanctions.