# Temporary placeholder

**URL:** <https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/temporary-placeholder/37300>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [November 16, 2022, 10:39am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/temporary-placeholder/37300 "2022-11-16T10:39:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 7

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**Author:** ![DianaStuder](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/dianastuder/32/43358_2.png) [@DianaStuder](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/DianaStuder)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2022, 11:47am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/temporary-placeholder/37300/7 "2022-11-16T11:47:50Z")

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I agree with you. I feel it is a deliberate boobytrap for newbies. Like hazing / initiation ritual. Your examples are from the ID box, not the Placeholder text.

But I am curious if anyone can tell me of a valid use for it. The forum is always interesting for varied workflows.

When I [ID Unknowns for the Rest of Africa](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?per_page=10&iconic_taxa=unknown&order_by=observed_on&place_id=97392&project_id=123926), the binomial is often in placeholder due to a **tiny typo** , which prevents iNat offering that ‘valid’ name. Or it is a **missing species** which needs to be Flagged for Curation. Perhaps a common name in **another language**. All are important and should not vanish unless the observer choose to delete.

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