How generated usernames are built
With Email only sign-up, the plugin invents the username. Two strategies, and the rules both obey.
- Beginner
- 4 min read
- Applies to 2.0
Choose a strategy
These settings appear once Email only is the sign-up method.
The username generation settings, under the Email only method.
| Strategy | john.doe@example.com becomes |
|---|---|
| From Email | john.doe |
| Random | a random string, e.g. k7fp2q |
From Email gives a name the member recognises, which helps when they see it in a comment byline or a profile. Random gives away nothing about the person — worth choosing if usernames are visible on your site and your members would rather not publish part of their address.
The rules both obey
Whichever strategy is used, the result respects the same requirements as a typed username:
| Setting | Default |
|---|---|
| Minimum length for random names | 3 |
| Maximum length for random names | 8 |
| Prefix | none |
| Separator | _ |
The uppercase, lowercase and digit requirements set further down the tab apply
to generated names as well as typed ones. A prefix is a good way to recognise
accounts created through the site later — member_ in front of everything, for
instance.
A generated name that is already taken gets a suffix until it is unique. Members never see a "username already exists" error from a name they did not choose.
- You have signed up a test account and looked at the username it received
- The result is acceptable where usernames are visible on your site
- If you set a prefix, it appears
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