# Forum needs a more accessible log out button **URL:** \ **Category:** Forum Feedback\ **Created:** [June 30, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629 "2019-06-30T15:32:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bazwal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bazwal/32/109_2.png) [@bazwal](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bazwal)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 3:32pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/1 "2019-06-30T15:32:12Z")
There’s a nice, clear blue button at the top of the page for logging in, but not for logging out. Why? It seems strange that I have to hunt around in a menu to find such a basic feature. And to make matters even worse, it’s implemented as a text link _at the bottom of the menu_ - which makes it hard to pick out from everthing else. At the very least, there should be a small log-out button at the top-right of the menu. ---
**Author:** ![ianhearn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/ianhearn/32/3261_2.png) [@ianhearn](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ianhearn)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 11:05am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/2 "2019-07-01T11:05:14Z")
I think the log out button is okay; in fact, iNat uses the setup that most websites use. That is, you click on your profile icon, and at the very bottom is a “log out” of “sign out” option. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. ---
**Author:** ![bazwal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bazwal/32/109_2.png) [@bazwal](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bazwal)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2019, 10:40am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/3 "2019-07-03T10:40:05Z")
Menus which include dynamic content should have all the control buttons at the top, so that they are easily discoverable. This is how major websites like [Stack Exchange](https://stackexchange.com/) work. It is also very common to see a prominent log out button at the top of the page. Most security-conscious websites (such as online banks) have this, as well as major websites like [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page). It’s okay to have the log out button at the bottom of a profile menu, so long as the menu is relatively small and has fixed content. But the iNat menu is clearly not like that, so adding a small logout icon at the top right would be a definite improvement. ---
**Author:** ![silkenpaw](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/silkenpaw/32/2944_2.png) [@silkenpaw](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/silkenpaw)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2019, 12:06pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/4 "2019-07-03T12:06:23Z")
@bazwal I totally agree. I hadn’t even noticed the log-out button until @ianhearn pointed it out. It should be at the top. ---
**Author:** ![tallastro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tallastro/32/1145_2.png) [@tallastro](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tallastro)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2019, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/5 "2019-07-03T12:10:18Z")
Agree. Button should not scroll off the bottom of the screen. Also, the forum could use a button that links to iNat. iNat interface easily leads you to the forum in a few places. Would be nice to be able to get back. ---
**Author:** ![OceanSanctuaries](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/oceansanctuaries/32/3420_2.png) [@OceanSanctuaries](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/OceanSanctuaries)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2019, 4:28am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/6 "2019-07-07T04:28:24Z")
I agree with Bozwal: you shouldn’t have to _hunt around_ for a log out button. It should be as easy to find as the log in button. I noticed the same issue myself, but have never commented on it until now. ---
**Author:** ![bouteloua](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bouteloua/32/1180_2.png) [@bouteloua](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bouteloua)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 3:35pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/8 "2025-09-04T15:35:10Z")
> [@bazwal](#): > > It seems strange that I have to hunt around in a menu to find such a basic feature. The [Discourse co-founder seems to disagree](https://meta.discourse.org/t/a-click-too-many-logging-out/130615/), so I don’t think this one is going to change. > codinghorror: Logout is a rare action for users to take, so putting it behind two clicks or taps isn’t a problem. > > It was too prominent in its previous location, if anything, so this is more correct. ---
**Author:** ![bazwal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bazwal/32/109_2.png) [@bazwal](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bazwal)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/13 "2025-09-04T20:22:39Z")
> [@](#): > > codinghorror: Logout is a rare action for users to take, so putting it behind two clicks or taps isn’t a problem. > > It was too prominent in its previous location, if anything, so this is more correct. On this analysis, since people rarely use fire alarms, they should be hidden out of sight. Most users spend more time on _other sites_, which means they will generally prefer the current site to work in more or less the same way. If the current site meets their existing expectations, they can become productive more quickly by simple transferrence of skills. It’s a very common pattern for logout/exit buttons to be placed at the bottom of top-level menus (e.g. File \> Quit), so many users will be frustrated if they can’t find them there. The alleged rarity of the action is irrelevant. > [@bouteloua](#): > > The [Discourse co-founder seems to disagree](https://meta.discourse.org/t/a-click-too-many-logging-out/130615/), so I don’t think this one is going to change. Probably. I mean, it’s not like prominent figures in software development ever get things wrong 🙃 ---
**Author:** ![bouteloua](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bouteloua/32/1180_2.png) [@bouteloua](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bouteloua)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/forum-needs-a-more-accessible-log-out-button/4629/14 "2025-11-03T20:22:55Z")
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