Is there a sort of etiquette between IDers and observers that dictates requests to ‘fix’ an identification? I’ve recently been asked (politely) to change my initial ID so it agrees with the IDer’s suggestion. When I first began using iNat I used to naively Agree with IDers all the time and/or chan…

If you aren’t sure you gave the right id and not sure the other person gave the right one too - leave yours at least before the 3rd person comes. If you’re sure the second person might be right, then just withdraw or delete yours, there’s no obligation of agreeing to a new id.

[image] jessicaleighallen: I don’t pay much attention to the Leaderboards but I did assume those users are knowledgeable/experts in the field…or, at least Community-respected (if that makes sense?). In general, I would imagine it would be difficult to reach a reallllly high level of IDs witho…

It starts that way, then touches on identifiers. I added another topic for your perusal, and @sbushes added more after that, which at first glance look more comprehensive. Happy reading!

One type of case where I find the Compare button handy is for very similar-looking species that have well-known distinct ranges. For example, the various Sceloporus lizards in the US. I don’t always remember where the boundaries are between the species, and Compare will quickly show me which of the …

Good to hear other use. For me, I’ve changed my opinion on this slightly following the comments here. If its in use, then maybe its just more practical in other taxa or for other purposes than I realise. I just don’t think it should take precedence over a withdraw button. On website we have 3 com…

At the right side of each identification or comment is a little downward pointing carat (like > rotated to point down). It leads to Edit and Withdraw options. So a Withdraw button has never been a priority for me. Which isn’t to say it wouldn’t be useful. I usually, but not always, just “withdra…

Sure - this isn’t for me either. Its not particularly time-consuming to use as is. This is about the different ways the UI design encourages blind agreements by those who know no better … or like the OP, figure there must be an alternative, but can’t see what that might be.

[image] sedgequeen: I’ve always assumed that a lot of people using “compare” can’t remember how to tell a leopard from a jaguar, or perhaps leopard from Leo the lion, and need the help. Those people, and there are lots of them, won’t ever get to the right species of bee-fly but would be helped …

This may have already been covered, but if I disagree with an ID, I will explain why, and give reasons for my change, even if it is only a page link. Disagreement with an initial ID carries with it the unspoken rider that the person who disagrees at least gives some reason to explain their rationale…

I used the withdraw button recently - I knew my initial ID was not correct, but was not sure what the new ID should be. Others had already been commenting, and although I did not agree with them, I knew my initial id was wrong. So I withdrew it. It does come in handy sometimes!

There have been times where I have been quite unsure of an identification, and I’ve made an ID and immediately withdrawn it. That way it doesn’t affect the CID, potentially adds to the “similar taxa”, and provides a clickable link should anyone want to go to the species page. Sometimes I’ll think it…

General Consesus on Being Asked to 'Fix' One's ID

General

saturnring July 21, 2020, 9:47pm 86

Have you seen the Identification Etiquette topic on this forum? It just occurred to me that these particular questions might fit there. https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/identification-etiquette-on-inaturalist-wiki/1503

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Identification Etiquette on iNaturalist - Wiki Tutorials identification , etiquette	203	37272	November 3, 2025
Emphasize that it is OK not to know the correct ID Feature Requests	22	1007	March 6, 2025
People making wrong suggestions General	126	7448	March 3, 2024
Users disrupting species identifications General question	48	3622	August 22, 2023
Track and mark identifications made through "Agree?" buttons Feature Requests	27	3822	May 10, 2019

General Consesus on Being Asked to 'Fix' One's ID

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