# Tutorials **URL:** https://forum.inaturalist.org/c/tutorials/12.md [Latest](https://forum.inaturalist.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.inaturalist.org/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.inaturalist.org/tags.md) --- ## [About the Tutorials category](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/about-the-tutorials-category/56)
**Author:** [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2019, 12:54am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/about-the-tutorials-category/56 "2019-02-06T00:54:08Z")
Share your iNaturalist knowledge with others here by creating a tutorial. This is a place for tutorials which show others how to use iNaturalist and iNat-adjacent things - website, mobile apps, API, photo prep, etc. Ple… --- ## [How to use iNaturalist's Search URLs - wiki part 1 of 2](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-use-inaturalists-search-urls-wiki-part-1-of-2/63)
**Author:** [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Replies:** 424\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2026, 3:55am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-use-inaturalists-search-urls-wiki-part-1-of-2/63 "2026-09-24T03:55:15Z")
part 2 here Background The Explore page (aka Observations search) at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations is the primary way for iNaturalist users to search for a set of observations. The page has multiple filters … --- ## [Captive/Cultivated or NOT: Best Practices](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/captive-cultivated-or-not-best-practices/84530)
**Author:** [@NuthatchFanatic](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/NuthatchFanatic)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2026, 2:01pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/captive-cultivated-or-not-best-practices/84530 "2026-09-19T14:01:14Z")
A common mistake is marking a bee or butterfly on a rose that someone planted “captive/cultivated.” This is because while the plant is cultivated because it’s at the exact time and place a human intended it to be, the be… --- ## [New User Tutorial Badge](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/new-user-tutorial-badge/649)
**Author:** [@kiwifergus](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/kiwifergus)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/new-user-tutorial-badge/649 "2026-09-07T19:08:24Z")
If you have discovered the badge system, you might also have noticed the following badge: It took me a while to find out how to start that tutorial. To do so, just send a direct message to “discobot” with any subject … --- ## [Guidelines: - Best Practice for Using iNaturalist in the UK:](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/guidelines-best-practice-for-using-inaturalist-in-the-uk/74370)
**Author:** [@SteveMcBill](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/SteveMcBill)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/guidelines-best-practice-for-using-inaturalist-in-the-uk/74370 "2026-08-19T12:33:54Z")
Best Practice for Using iNaturalist in the UK A practical, optional guide to help your observations integrate smoothly with the UK biological recording system This guidance is entirely optional. You can use iNaturalist… --- ## [iPhone Back Tap → Instant iNaturalist Photo ID](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/iphone-back-tap-instant-inaturalist-photo-id/83944)
**Author:** [@thenestinglab](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/thenestinglab)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/iphone-back-tap-instant-inaturalist-photo-id/83944 "2026-08-15T20:03:33Z")
Goal Create a one-gesture field workflow: \*\*Double-tap the back of your iPhone → take a photo with the rear camera → automatically send the photo to iNaturalist.\*\* No need to open iNaturalist first. No URL scheme is r… --- ## [What Are Coarse IDs -- And Why You Should Use Them](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-are-coarse-ids-and-why-you-should-use-them/83429)
**Author:** [@NuthatchFanatic](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/NuthatchFanatic)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2026, 1:06am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/what-are-coarse-ids-and-why-you-should-use-them/83429 "2026-08-12T01:06:52Z")
What are coarse IDs? On iNat, sometimes you see an ID of, say, “Plants” or “Typical Thrushes”. This happens for 1 of 2 reasons: A user made an ID (say, “Rufous-breasted Robin” or “Sugar Maple”) that does not agree with… --- ## [Spotting copyright violations](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/spotting-copyright-violations/3287)
**Author:** [@cmcheatle](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cmcheatle)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/spotting-copyright-violations/3287 "2026-08-11T18:00:39Z")
Unfortunately as with many places on the internet there is an issue with users uploading copyrighted photos onto the site as part of their ‘observations’. Adding photos to which you do not have ownership is both banned b… --- ## [How to fix your observation with photos of multiple species: splitting an observation](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-fix-your-observation-with-photos-of-multiple-species-splitting-an-observation/15096)
**Author:** [@arboretum\_amy](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/arboretum_amy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-fix-your-observation-with-photos-of-multiple-species-splitting-an-observation/15096 "2026-08-01T21:20:54Z")
So you went to a park and took four pictures: a pine cone, a deer, a quail, and some rose hips. You opened your new iNaturalist app, and created one observation using all four photos. Now other users have started reactin… --- ## [How to Add a Common Name to a Taxon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-add-a-common-name-to-a-taxon/9792)
**Author:** [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-add-a-common-name-to-a-taxon/9792 "2026-07-28T18:09:09Z")
While iNat strives to maintain a single taxonomy that is managed by its site curators, any user can add a common name to a taxon and edit any common names they have added. Staff and site curators can edit and manage all … --- ## [Ideas for photographic guidelines to improve our records and identifications on iNaturalist.](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ideas-for-photographic-guidelines-to-improve-our-records-and-identifications-on-inaturalist/81454)
**Author:** [@ventomar](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ventomar)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 1:36am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/ideas-for-photographic-guidelines-to-improve-our-records-and-identifications-on-inaturalist/81454 "2026-07-14T01:36:28Z")
I’ve noticed a large influx of new users on iNaturalist recently, and it’s being used by students and even teachers in their classes to guide students in documenting living organisms through this platform. This is due to… --- ## [Geotagging Photos](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/geotagging-photos/66)
**Author:** [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2026, 7:47am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/geotagging-photos/66 "2026-07-02T07:47:35Z")
When you take a photo with your smartphone, date, time, and GPS location information (if you allow your camera app to access your location) are stored within the photo’s metadata. iNaturalist’s app and website are able t… --- ## [Using Identify to Annotate Observations](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-identify-to-annotate-observations/1417)
**Author:** [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2026, 8:34pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-identify-to-annotate-observations/1417 "2026-06-11T20:34:03Z")
If I’m in the mood of not wanting to think too hard but still contribute to iNat, I’ll use the Identify page to annotate observations. Many, many observations lack any annotations and for some taxa it’s quite easy to go … --- ## [Helpful Tips and Resources for Beginner (Plant) iNatters AND Common Beginner Mistakes](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/helpful-tips-and-resources-for-beginner-plant-inatters-and-common-beginner-mistakes/28824)
**Author:** [@arnanthescout](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/arnanthescout)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2026, 1:11pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/helpful-tips-and-resources-for-beginner-plant-inatters-and-common-beginner-mistakes/28824 "2026-06-10T13:11:47Z")
IMPORTANT NOTE: As I update this, this page may not always be up to date, so I suggest viewing the original journal post. I adapted this from a journal post I made to the forum because I think it would be useful to shar… --- ## [How to use iNaturalist's Search URLs - wiki - part 2 of 2](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-use-inaturalists-search-urls-wiki-part-2-of-2/18792)
**Author:** [@jdmore](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jdmore)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-use-inaturalists-search-urls-wiki-part-2-of-2/18792 "2026-05-17T01:22:38Z")
This is a continuation of the wiki tutorial starting here: https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-use-inaturalists-search-urls-wiki/63 The post body began exceeding the 32,000 character limit, requiring this split. See… --- ## [How to easily mass rename the locations on your observations after upload](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-easily-mass-rename-the-locations-on-your-observations-after-upload/76971)
**Author:** [@jamie-aa](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jamie-aa)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2026, 1:06am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-easily-mass-rename-the-locations-on-your-observations-after-upload/76971 "2026-03-25T01:06:57Z")
This can be fairly useful if e.g iNat applied the wrong name of something nearby, the names applying to an area have been inconsistently formatted, or if you just want to rename locations of all the observations to be mo… --- ## [How to get KML boundaries for iNat places - wiki](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-get-kml-boundaries-for-inat-places-wiki/3750)
**Author:** [@jwidness](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jwidness)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-get-kml-boundaries-for-inat-places-wiki/3750 "2026-03-10T20:20:48Z")
From a place page, if you can see the “Edit place” link to the right just below the map, click on that. (It will not be available for all places.) When the next page loads, there will be a link under the map that say… --- ## [Searching for Annotations - Basic to Advanced](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/searching-for-annotations-basic-to-advanced/65375)
**Author:** [@ncb1221](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ncb1221)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2026, 11:46am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/searching-for-annotations-basic-to-advanced/65375 "2026-03-02T11:46:45Z")
Advanced Annotation Filtering The Basics What are annotations? Annotation values and definitions Using Identify module and adding annotations Filtering annotations with search URLs The most b… --- ## [Using the field "Similar Observation Set" for linking observations of lepidoptera when raising on](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-the-field-similar-observation-set-for-linking-observations-of-lepidoptera-when-raising-on/1018)
**Author:** [@kiwifergus](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/kiwifergus)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-the-field-similar-observation-set-for-linking-observations-of-lepidoptera-when-raising-on/1018 "2026-02-13T17:03:49Z")
copied from: https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/add-a-dqa-choice-for-survey-photos/190/20?u=kiwifergus I created a field for linking observations where you don’t want a full on project to do so. It is perfect for linking … --- ## [Birdweather PUC as a field recorder for iNaturalist users](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/birdweather-puc-as-a-field-recorder-for-inaturalist-users/75362)
**Author:** [@sc\_beetles](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/sc_beetles)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/birdweather-puc-as-a-field-recorder-for-inaturalist-users/75362 "2026-02-06T15:42:03Z")
Haven’t seen any useful ‘how to’ videos about using the Birdweather PUC for iNaturalist users, so … https://youtu.be/HhAKeCbShdE --- ## [Work-around for HEIC photos on Windows 10/11](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/work-around-for-heic-photos-on-windows-10-11/75321)
**Author:** [@granddude2](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/granddude2)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2026, 8:04am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/work-around-for-heic-photos-on-windows-10-11/75321 "2026-02-04T08:04:52Z")
Platform: Win10/11 and iOS App version number, if a mobile app issue: NA Browser, if a website issue: (I am using MS Edge, but issue is not isolated to this browser) URLs (aka web addresses) of any relevant observatio… --- ## [How to find out-of-range observations - wiki](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-find-out-of-range-observations-wiki/4271)
**Author:** [@jwidness](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jwidness)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-find-out-of-range-observations-wiki/4271 "2022-06-18T14:54:46Z")
One way to help out on iNaturalist is to look for out of range observations. These are often misidentified or captive/cultivated, but sometimes they’re interesting range extensions or species new to iNaturalist. Some wa… --- ## [Using Collection Projects to Explore](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-collection-projects-to-explore/73813)
**Author:** [@sc\_beetles](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/sc_beetles)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/using-collection-projects-to-explore/73813 "2025-12-17T21:32:35Z")
Scenario - I want to view observations of the nominate species “red spotted admiral”, but exclude the ssp “red spotted purple” in N. Carolina & S Carolina I can use explore and edit the URL: https://www.inaturalist.org… --- ## [Code for excluding taxon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/code-for-excluding-taxon/73739)
**Author:** [@redeft23](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/redeft23)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/code-for-excluding-taxon/73739 "2025-12-17T20:31:37Z")
Hi iNaturalist community. I do not know if this already exists but recently a family member of mine made something he calls a bookmarklet. It is javascript that can be used to make a bookmark that allows you to exclude t… --- ## [How to check for Disagreements and Mavericks on your iNaturalist posts](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-check-for-disagreements-and-mavericks-on-your-inaturalist-posts/73633)
**Author:** [@Bernie](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/Bernie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-check-for-disagreements-and-mavericks-on-your-inaturalist-posts/73633 "2025-12-12T13:53:45Z")
Step by step insturctions at How to check for Disagreements and Mavericks on your iNaturalist posts --- ## [iPhone Macro Lens needed](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/iphone-macro-lens-needed/72773)
**Author:** [@ctmiami](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ctmiami)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/iphone-macro-lens-needed/72773 "2025-12-04T22:48:22Z")
Hi everyone, I need recommendations for a good iPhone 15 Pro clip-on macro lens to inspect tiny insects on avocado leaves (mites, thrips, small flies, scale crawlers). I’ve tried a couple of Amazon digital microscopes … --- ## [Getting the iNaturalist AWS Open Data metadata files and working with them in a database](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/getting-the-inaturalist-aws-open-data-metadata-files-and-working-with-them-in-a-database/22135)
**Author:** [@pisum](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/pisum)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2021, 4:39am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/getting-the-inaturalist-aws-open-data-metadata-files-and-working-with-them-in-a-database/22135 "2021-04-18T04:39:03Z")
Overview As you may have heard, iNaturalist officially launched its “iNaturalist Licensed Observation Images” open dataset on AWS on 15 April 2021. Most of the dataset consists of CC-licensed and non-copyrighted images f… --- ## [Identification Etiquette on iNaturalist - Wiki](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/identification-etiquette-on-inaturalist-wiki/1503)
**Author:** [@jdmore](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jdmore)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2025, 12:58am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/identification-etiquette-on-inaturalist-wiki/1503 "2025-11-03T00:58:37Z")
Background The intended emphasis here is on general etiquette and best practices of identification with an eye toward newer users, not on the technical details of specific identification issues. I intentionally stayed … --- ## [Useful iNaturalist Tasks for Non-Experts - wiki](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/useful-inaturalist-tasks-for-non-experts-wiki/35034)
**Author:** [@graysquirrel](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/graysquirrel)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/useful-inaturalist-tasks-for-non-experts-wiki/35034 "2025-10-17T23:42:56Z")
Lately, I’ve seen a few folks asking about ways non-experts can help out with iNaturalist tasks - so I figured I’d make a list of simple yet extremely useful things to be done. (This is a wiki, so if you have items to a… --- ## [How to bulk/batch annotate your own observations](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-bulk-batch-annotate-your-own-observations/28729)
**Author:** [@jwidness](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jwidness)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-to-bulk-batch-annotate-your-own-observations/28729 "2025-09-08T17:32:33Z")
There is currently no direct option to bulk annotate your own observations, either during or after upload. However, there is a workaround that uses the fact that many observation fields are mapped to annotations. For e… [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/c/tutorials/12.md?page=1)