While most articles can be edited by anyone, semi-protection is sometimes necessary to prevent vandalism to popular pages.
The reason for protection can be found in the protection log. If there are no relevant entries in the protection log, the page may have been moved after being protected.
What can I do?
If you have a user account, log in first. If you do not yet have an account, you may create one; after 4 days and 10 edits, you will be able to edit semi-protected pages.
If you have noticed an error or have a suggestion for a simple, non-controversial change, you can submit an edit request by clicking the button below and following the instructions. An established user may then make the change on your behalf. Please check the talk page first in case the issue is already being discussed.
If your task could be controversial (e.g. most bots making non-maintenance edits to articles and most bots posting messages on user talk pages), seek consensus for the task. Common places to start include WP:Village pump (proposals) and the talk pages of the relevant policies, guidelines, templates, and/or WikiProjects. Link to this discussion in your request for approval.
You will need to create an account for your bot if you haven't already done so. Click here when logged in to create the account, linking it to yours. (If you do not create the bot account while logged in, it is likely to be blocked as a possible sockpuppet or unauthorised bot until you verify ownership)
Create a userpage for your bot, linking to your userpage (this is commonly done using the {{bot}} template) and describing its functions. You may also include an 'emergency shutoff button'.
II
Filing the application
easy-brfa.js can be used for quickly filing BRFAs. It checks for a bunch of filing mistakes automatically! It's recommended for experienced bot operators, but the script can be used by anyone.
Enter your bot's user name in the box below and click the button. If this is a request for an additional task, put a task number as well (e.g. BotName 2).
Complete the questions on the resulting page and save it.
Your request must now be added to the correct section of the main approvals page: Click here and add {{BRFA}} to the top of the list, directly below the comment line.
For an additional task request: use {{BRFA|bot name|task number|Open}}
III
During the approvals process
During the process, an approvals group member may approve a trial for your bot (typically after allowing time for community input), and AnomieBOT will move the request to this section.
Run the bot for the specified number of edits/time period, then add {{Bot trial complete}} to the request page. It helps if you also link to the bot's contributions, and comment on any errors that may have occurred.
AnomieBOT will move the request to the 'trial complete' section by moving the {{BRFA}} template that applies to your bot
If you feel that your request is being overlooked (no BAG attention for ~1 week) you can add {{BAG assistance needed}} to the page. However, please do not use it after every comment!
At any time during the approvals process, you may withdraw your request by adding {{BotWithdrawn}} to your bot's approval page.
IV
After the approvals process
After the trial edits have been reviewed and enough time has passed for any more discussion, a BAG member will approve or deny the request appropriately.
For approved requests: The request will be listed here. If necessary, a bureaucrat will flag the bot within a couple of days and you can then run the task fully (it's best to wait for the flag, to avoid cluttering recent changes). If the bot already has a flag, or is to run without one, you may start the task when ready.
For denied/expired/withdrawn requests: The request will be listed at the bottom of the main BRFA page in the relevant section.
Before granting a trial, consider whether the task could be controversial (e.g. most bots making non-maintenance edits to articles and most bots posting messages on user talk pages). If so, and the request does not already link to a discussion showing consensus in an appropriate forum (or silence after a reasonable waiting period), use {{BOTREQ|advertise}} to request that that be done.
When you are satisfied that enough time has passed for discussion and (if relevant) that any technical issues have been resolved, use {{BotTrial}} to approve a trial run.
AnomieBOT should then move the request from the 'open' section to the trial section, and also change the last parameter of {{BRFA}} from 'Open' to 'Trial'.
Approving/denying a request
When you feel enough time has passed after the trial for discussion/analysis/improvements, and are ready to approve/deny the request (the procedure is the same for expired/withdrawn requests), add {{subst:BT|STATUS|BOT_NAME_AND_TASK_NUMBER}} (where STATUS is Approved, Speedy, Denied, Withdrawn or Expired) to the top of the request page, replacing Category:Wikipedia bot requests for approval and the code surrounding it.
Make any final comments along with a relevant status template (listed here), and add {{subst:BB}} to the bottom of the page.
Archival
AnomieBOT will typically take care of the below; these instructions are retained for posterity and in case of any interruption in bot service. As a best practice, watchlist the relevant pages and keep an eye to ensure the bot does the needful.
After closing the BRFA, you'll need to remove the BRFA template from whichever section it is in on the main requests page (tip: copy the template to the clipboard for use in the next step) and then archive it in the appropriate section:
For approved requests where a bot flag is required: Click here, and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Approved|~~~~~}} to the top of the list.
For approved requests where the bot is already flagged: Click the above link and add {{subst:BRFAA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Flagged|~~~~~}}.
For approved requests where the bot is going to run unflagged: Click the above link and add {{subst:BRFAA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Unflagged|~~~~~}}.
For denied requests: Click here and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Denied|~~~~~}} to the top of the list.
For expired/withdrawn requests: Click here and add {{BRFA|BOT_NAME|TASK_NUMBER (if needed)|Withdrawn/Expired|~~~~~}} to the top of the list.
Approved for trial (50 edits or 7 days, whichever happens first). Please provide a link to the relevant contributions and/or diffs when the trial is complete.
This is for a trial with a race condition, where either a singular day/time limit may result in either too much or too little information
A user has requested the attention of a member of the Bot Approvals Group. Once assistance has been rendered, please deactivate this tag by replacing it with {{t|BAG assistance needed}}.
This is intended for use if urgent attention is needed or if a request is being neglected (wait seven days first).
Your recent bot approvals request has been Status. Please see the request page for details.
== WP:RFBOT ==
Your recent bot approvals request has been approved. Please see the request page for details. When the bot flag is set it will show up in this log.
This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia. This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.
The IP address or range 172.70.96.0/20 has been blocked by Blablubbs for the following reason(s):
This IP address range is blocked because it is an anonymizing proxy. Please read the instructions below to edit.
This range is owned by a content delivery network provider and is believed to be used as an anonymizing proxy. Anonymizing proxies are routinely blocked in order to prevent abuse.
Solutions:
Turn off your VPN or traffic anonymizer. Services that use this method of anonymization include Apple Private Relay and CloudFlare WARP. For Apple iCloud Private Relay users, temporarily disable it for Wikipedia.
This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia. This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.
The IP address or range 3.144.0.0/16 has been blocked by Blablubbs for the following reason(s):
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host or colocation provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
We recommend that you attempt to use another connection to edit. For example, if you use a proxy or VPN to connect to the internet, turn it off when editing Wikipedia. If you edit using a mobile connection, try using a Wi-Fi connection, and vice versa. If you are using a corporate internet connection, switch to a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a Wikipedia account, please log in.
How to appeal if you are confident that your connection does not use a colocation provider's IP address:
If you are confident that you are not using a web host, you may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: {{unblock|reason=Caught by a colocation web host block but this host or IP is not a web host. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~}}. You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the unblock ticket request system. There are several reasons you might be editing using the IP address of a web host or colocation provider (such as if you are using VPN software or a business network); please use this method of appeal only if you think your IP address is in fact not a web host or colocation provider.
Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using web host in exceptional circumstances, and requests should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.
This block will expire on 11:04, 19 October 2026. Your current IP address is 172.70.100.196.
Even when blocked, you will usually still be able to edit your user talk page, as well as email administrators and other editors.
This IP address range has been globally blocked. This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.
This block affects editing on all Wikimedia wikis.
The IP address or range 172.70.96.0/20 has been globally blocked by JJMC89 for the following reason(s):
This block will expire on 01:48, 22 April 2027. Your current IP address is 172.70.100.196.
Even while globally blocked, you will usually still be able to edit pages on Meta-Wiki.
If you believe you were blocked by mistake, you can find additional information and instructions in the No open proxies global policy.
Otherwise, to discuss the block please post a request for review on Meta-Wiki. You could also send an email to the stewardsVRT queue at stewards@wikimedia.org including all above details.
This page is currently semi-protected so that only established, registered users can edit it.
Approved for trial. Please provide a link to the relevant contributions and/or diffs when the trial is complete.
Approved for extended trial. Please provide a link to the relevant contributions and/or diffs when the trial is complete.
Trial complete.
On hold.
Speedily Approved.
Approved.
Withdrawn by operator.
Denied.
Revoked.
Comment.
A user has requested the attention of the operator. Once the operator has seen this message and replied, please deactivate this tag.
Needs wider discussion.
Not a good task for a bot.
Idea is not well explained.
This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia.
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host or colocation provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
