This page details GTA Wiki's policy on the use of multiple accounts.
With a few exceptions, operating multiple accounts is completely forbidden on GTA Wiki.
Sockpuppetry
Sockpuppetry is defined as a user creating one or more accounts and operating them anonymously while pretending they are different people.
Logging out of your username and editing as your IP address in order to avoid detection is also considered a form of sockpuppetry.
Sockpuppetry is considered one of, if not the, worst offense one can commit on a wiki, and is punishable by instant banning of all accounts, current and future.
Meatpuppetry
Meatpuppetry is defined as using a second user to advance your side of a dispute. There can be a fine line between two or more users agreeing and meatpuppets, however, most would-be meatpuppetry turns out to be sockpuppetry after all.
Generally the meatpuppet poses as the main account's brother, cousin, real life (off-internet) friend, or some sort of other real life acquaintance, and in these cases meatpuppetry and sockpuppetry are functionally indistinguishable and can be treated the same.
An account may not be shared between two or more people.
Legitimate use alternate account guidelines
If a user is to operate more than one account, the accounts must be openly and publicly disclosed on the user pages of both accounts. In many cases the accounts should share similar names.
The following types of alternate accounts may be considered legitimate.
- Public use accounts - accounts designed to be used on public terminals so that the main account isn't at risk.
- Doppelgangers - It is considered acceptable to register a second account with a name similar to your own, provided it isn't edited with.
- Bots - see below section on bots.
- It is also considered acceptable to edit from an IP in public, providing it is made clear which user is behind the IP.
Occasional mistakes, such as accidentally editing from an IP while unaware that one wasn't logged in, are generally not considered sockpuppetry.
Bots
A bot (robot) is an automated program or script that performs repetitive edits on the wiki, as instigated by a human operator. They can either perform the edits themselves, running in the background, or can simply assist editors in making revisions.
All bots on GTA Wiki must be approved by staff before use. This includes if you use an automated program to assist in your editing. This is because bots can cause disruption, and mass-edits can be difficult to deal with if a mistake is made.
Operation of unapproved bots is prohibited, and this includes use of approved bots in unapproved ways (outside their conditions of operation). Circumvention of these rules may lead to blocking of the bot account, and possible sanctions for the operator. Wikia staff are permitted to operate a bot without notice for the purpose of general maintenance,
To submit your bot or bot account for approval, please use the talk page, if you need urgent attention, also leave a message at User talk:Monkeypolice188.
It is advised to run a bot in a second account, to help identify which edits are which, but this MUST be clearly marked as a bot. If bots are approved by the staff, they may be granted a bot flag, which adds them to the "bot" group. This hides their revisions from Recent Edits unless you click the "Show bots" option.
Approved Bots
- User:MonkeyBot188 - operated by User:Monkeypolice188, for general maintenance tasks.
- User:FANDOM - operated by FANDOM, for welcoming new users and creating user pages.