[wp-meta] [Making WordPress.org] #5590: Improve messaging on login.wordpress.org

[Making WordPress.org]

#5590: Improve messaging on login.wordpress.org
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 Reporter:  Otto42                  |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  task                    |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                  |  Milestone:
Component:  Login & Authentication  |   Keywords:
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 We've been getting a lot of very specific kinds of emails to the forum-
 password-resets email lately. Not sure why the uptick in these
 specifically, but after asking people how they got to us, we are
 reasonably sure how they got there.

 Case:
 - User goes to their wp-admin on their own site.
 - Some error happens (various causes), causing the error message:
 "There has been a critical error on this website. Please check your site
 admin email inbox for instructions.
 Learn more about debugging in WordPress."
 - The learn more line is linked to https://wordpress.org/support/article
 /debugging-in-wordpress/
 - Now, this is a user, so they get there, and there's no info there that
 really helps them out (the content there can be debated elsewhere), but
 there are Login links in the admin bar.
 - That takes them to https://login.wordpress.org/
 - They try to login using admin/whatever or some other username. The admin
 name has been a bit common in these cases.

 Result: "ERROR: Your account has been disabled. Please contact forum-
 password-resets at wordpress.org for more details."

 Which leads them to emailing us. We then have to explain the difference
 between their site and w.org, why their username won't work, how to
 register, how to get to the support forums to ask their question, etc.
 Basically, they're confused as heck and we're getting the email about it.

 So, there's a few ideas, but one of them is to improve the messaging on
 the login page.

 1. On the login page, we have the WordPress.org logo instead of the normal
 one, but no messaging indicating where they are. Idea: Add in some text
 right there, before they login.

 "Log in to your WordPress.org account to contribute to WordPress, get help
 in the support forum, or rate and review themes and plugins." or something
 like that. Tell them where they are and what they are currently doing.

 2. On the error message: detect common username cases like "admin" and
 provide better info. Yes, the "admin" account is blocked on org and will
 be forever, so nobody will ever use it legitimately, so they are obviously
 in the wrong place and should be told so and where to properly go to most
 likely help them.

 3. Similar for username does not exist cases. Different messaging perhaps,
 tell them to try their email address instead or something.

 The goal being to try to prevent confused people emailing us and even
 including their admin passwords. Which yes, happens a lot. If we can
 recognize what they're doing wrong, then provide them with better info
 instead of just the password reset email address.

 While we're at it, improve the existing messages as well. This may need
 some design work for how to best display this information on the page,
 since the current space is too small, really. Mobile is tricky as well.

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Ticket URL: <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/5590>
Making WordPress.org <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/>
Making WordPress.org