User:KStoller-WMF/sandbox
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Account Creation Experiments (2026)
A comprehensive review and redesign of the account creation experience on Wikimedia wikis.
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Overview
[edit]Account creation is the first step toward participation on Wikimedia projects, yet current registration flows create unnecessary friction, particularly on mobile. Many good faith contributors abandon the process due to poor discoverability, confusing form design, or technical barriers such as IP blocks.
This project focuses on running small, measurable experiments to make account creation clearer, easier, and more discoverable, especially for mobile readers and temporary account holders. The goal is to increase successful registrations without harming downstream outcomes such as constructive editing and retention.
Key Result
By the end of Q4, achieve a 5 percent relative increase in the mobile account creation completion rate, supported by at least three controlled experiments that each deliver a minimum 2 percent relative improvement within their target audience.
- This work sits under the WMF FY25-26 Annual Plan WE1 Objective: Contributions increase because volunteers are offered compelling opportunities and understand their impact.
Current status:
[edit]- January 2026: Early planning, research, and designing.
Problems
[edit]- Account registrations have declined significantly since 2019[1], contributing to fewer new active editors.
- On mobile, the option to create an account is difficult to find and confusing.
- The current wiki account creation form performs below common industry benchmarks.
- We do little to convert successful newcomers using temp accounts to regular accounts.
- Many good faith users encounter IP blocks during registration, with limited clarity or resolution paths.
Why this work matters
[edit]Improving account creation strengthens the foundation of the contributor pipeline. More successful registrations mean:
- More newcomers who can receive mentorship, guidance, and feedback.
- Greater participation from mobile users, the fastest growing segment of readers.
- A healthier flow of new editors who are more likely to return and stay engaged.
This work is an early step in a longer term effort to improve the newcomer journey and support a sustainable, multi generational editing community.
Focus areas
[edit]We are currently investigating ideas in four main areas, in consultation with other teams and the community.
1. Improving the Account Creation Experience
[edit]This workstream focuses on simplifying and modernizing the core account creation flow, with an emphasis on mobile usability and clarity. Experiments will explore ways to reduce cognitive load by streamlining the interface, removing or consolidating legacy warnings, and clearly explaining the benefits of creating an account in newcomer friendly language.
2. Encouraging Temporary Accounts to Register
[edit]This workstream explores how and when temporary account holders are most motivated to create a full account. Experiments may test targeted prompts or invitations shown at high intent moments, supported by lightweight research such as surveys to better understand Temporary Account holder motivations and barriers. The emphasis is on clearly communicating how a permanent account unlocks features like mentorship, Suggested Edits, and community recognition, and how these benefits can support longer term participation.
3. Making Account Creation Easier to Find on Mobile
[edit]This workstream addresses the limited visibility of account creation for logged out traffic on mobile web. Experiments will explore clearer and more intuitive entry points to account creation, ensuring users can easily distinguish between logging in and registering.
4. Surfacing Reading Lists to Logged Out Readers
[edit]This workstream explores whether exposing Reading Lists to logged out readers can create meaningful opportunities for deeper engagement and encourage account creation. The goal is to help readers understand how creating an account enhances their reading experience, while providing a natural and low pressure pathway toward registration.
How success will be measured
[edit]At the KR level: We are aiming for at least a 5 percent relative increase in the overall mobile account creation completion rate.
At the experiment level:
- Each successful experiment shows at least a 2 percent relative increase in account creation for its defined audience.
- Guardrail metrics such as constructive activation and retention are monitored to ensure no harmful downstream effects.