Description:

This task focuses on early research to inform a comprehensive review and redesign of the account creation experience on Wikimedia wikis.

Details:

Account creation is the first interaction many potential contributors have with Wikipedia, and the current flow is outdated, cluttered, and can create confusion.

For logged-out users, dense text, multiple warnings, pop-ups, and a complex interface can discourage registration. For logged-in users, Special:CreateAccount serves dual purposes—creating accounts for oneself versus creating accounts for others—which can lead to confusion, unintentional duplicates, and a user experience that diverges from common web conventions.

The goal of this project is to modernize the interface, clarify workflows, reduce friction, and ensure that account creation behaves as expected for all user types while maintaining necessary functionality for trusted users.

Strategic Alignment:

This project supports the Contributor Strategy by improving the earliest interactions in the contribution funnel. A clearer, modernized account creation experience strengthens clarity, engagement, and motivation for new contributors.

User Stories:

As a newcomer,

• I want a clear, simple, and welcoming account creation process so that I can register easily and start editing without confusion.
• I want to understand the benefits of creating an account (e.g., tracking edits, receiving notifications, connecting with mentors) so that I feel motivated to complete registration.
• I want appropriately timed prompts to appear when I try to edit while logged out so that I can create an account without interrupting my workflow.
• I want a streamlined interface with minimal warnings and pop-ups so that I don’t feel overwhelmed or discouraged from completing registration.

As an experienced editor,

• I want to be able to create accounts for other users (e.g., for editathons or rate limited IPs) so that I can support contributors efficiently.
• I want the system to make clear when I am creating a new account for someone else versus modifying my own account so that I avoid accidental duplicate accounts.
• I want the ability to override filters or restrictions when appropriate so that I can create accounts intentionally while

As a temporary account holder,

• I want guidance and encouragement to convert my temporary account into a full account so that I can access a personal Homepage and continue contributing without losing my progress

Opportunities that may be considered:

• Modernize and clarify the account creation experience
• Simplify the interface for logged-out and logged-in users
• Make the design mobile-friendly and visually clear
• Reduce cognitive overload by removing unnecessary text, warnings, and pop-ups
• Explain benefits of account creation, such as edit tracking, notifications, and mentorship
• Audit logged-in user flows on Special:CreateAccount
• Identify pain points and confusion for users creating accounts for themselves or others
• Explore design solutions that prevent accidental duplicate account creation while preserving functionality for trusted users (e.g., event organizers)
• Align the experience with standard web UX patterns
• Experiment with engagement strategies for new users
• Streamline the “create an account” entry point from the logged-out editing view
• [In consideration]Test in-context prompts when users attempt to edit while logged out
• [In consideration] Surface account creation on mobile.
• [In consideration] Encourage Temporary Accounts to convert to regular accounts
• [In consideration] Investigate ways to reduce the negative impact of IP blocks on good-faith newcomers
• [In consideration] Experiment further with surfacing editing opportunities to engaged readers.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Review of existing Account Creation Funnel data, and suggestions for further data analysis to help guide our approach.
• Completion of research and competitor analysis with clear documentation of findings.
• Identification of high-priority pain points or friction areas in the current flows.
• Early design recommendations to guide future design work.