Background
In Q4 of FY2526, we performed an experiment to see whether showing a bookmark to logged out users on mobile web at the top of articles will yield a higher likelihood of users creating Wikipedia accounts compared to the watchstar which they currently see. https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T420238
We saw that logged out users are twice as likely to tap on the bookmark compared to the star, and once they see the explanation and invitation to create an account, they are four times more likely to try and create an account after tapping on the bookmark compared to the star. Based on that learning from our secondary metrics, we will roll out the bookmark to all logged out users across all wikipedias on mobile web.
Timing
Reading lists are being rolled out to all logged in users across all Wikipedias by Sep 28, 2026. We will aim for this logged-out rollout to occur ~1 week after.
Measurement
Originally, we wanted to track the exact % improvement of new accounts created from the bookmark compared to the baseline of accounts created from the watchstar. However, we currently do not have all entry points instrumented to be able to track precisely this way, and the work to do so has not been prioritized this half. We will instead look at whether the overall number of account creations on mobile web changes directionally after this release.
Hypothesis
If we show anonymous users on mobile articles the bookmark button with a call to action to create an account, we'll see a directional increase in account creations.
User story
As a logged out user on any wikipedia on mobile web, I see a bookmark at the top of an article. Tapping on it informs me that I need to have an account in order to save articles, and I am invited to do so.
Design requirements
Requirements
Acceptance criteria for done
- As a logged out user on Minerva on any wikipedia, I see a bookmark at the top of any article
- The bookmark is marked with a blue pulsating dot until I tap the bookmark once
- Tapping no the bookmark opens a screen that informs users they must create an account or sign in to be able to save articles
- Tapping on either create account/login takes user to the appropriate existing flow
- After creating an account or logging in, user is taken back to the same article they were on previously. The bookmark is filled as the page has been automatically saved to my default list.
QA strategy
- Risky change? Should announce that we're fully removing the watchstar for logged-out mobile users, should ensure the flow after account creation or logging in works as expected especially in tandem with Growth team features
- QA by: Design, QA engineer
- QA in: Patchdemo, beta, production
- Test steps: Add if needed.
Communication criteria
This was already included in recent Movement Comms announcements about Reading List rollouts.
Rollback plan
Describe the rollback plan in production for this task if something goes wrong.
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