Hide username field on registration

Product Support

AI-generated summary

satonotdead proposes extending a feature that disables the name field during registration to also hide the username field. The goal is to reduce friction for users, discourage lazy registrations, and promote more thoughtful contributions by minimizing the initial data collection. NateDhaliwal questions how users would set usernames without SSO, leading satonotdead to suggest collecting the username after email validation, potentially using a custom wizard. Heliosurge clarifies the distinction between name and username fields and notes a current bug where admins cannot always see the username field. Ultimately, satonotdead shares that they disabled email validation requirements to further reduce friction, arguing that email verification makes the username field redundant in their marketing-driven user experience. Finally, satonotdead notes that email code verification is now bundled into Discourse, offering an alternative to external SSO providers for handling authentication with less friction.

1

I wonder if there is current interest in extending this feature to the username field.

The curreny behavior stops lazy users to register that should learn how to contribute and take their time to discuss.

Considering extending this feature to the username field to promote more thoughtful contributions and discourage lazy registrations.

While third-party solutions like SSO with Discourse Connect can manage this, it may also be possible to implement within Discourse.

Open to discussion on potential technical concerns or other aspects to consider.

2

So… no username field? I’m curious, how would users set up their username for posting, if there was no SSO?

3

Oh well, it needs to be asked after validating the e-mail and login for the first time.

In our use case, we want to try Wizards.

It’s a general rule in marketing: ask only what you really need. We get the attention of people for 7 seconds nowadays.

4

Okay I see what you mean. Not Name but “Real Name”.

An alternative to disable the field…I imagine you could do something like rename the site text to say “Please re enter username”

However not a bad idea for the gesture. I don’t think they have fixed the issue yet either where Admin & said user should always be able to see this field.

5

I ended up disabling the e-mail validation requirement, so users can enter the site with less friction.

With validation, I don’t understand why we need the username; we want the user to validate their e-mail and then complete their fields.

It’s a must these days for a marketing overall product experience. Lazy users wants some love.

6

It is now bundled into Discourse, e-mail codes handle it like using an external SSO provider as alternative.