What is a placeholder ID?

General
1

I’m a forum newbie. I’ve seen you refer to “placeholders” a few times, but have no idea what those are. Could you be so kind as to explain or link to the explanation? Are placeholders non-standard common names stuck in the suggested ID field but not linked to one of iNat’s accepted taxa?

Thanks!

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2

When you first upload an observation, you include it with an ID. If what you initially typed in isn’t recognised by iNaturalist’s database, it will become a placeholder ID and doesn’t contribute to the community identification. This usually happens when you misspell a word or enter a taxon that isn’t currently on iNaturalist.

When another user enters an ID on the observation, the placeholder ID will disappear.

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3

Thank you.

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4

Here’s an example:
https://inaturalist.ca/observations/206662170

“Placeholder: Avery strange trillium”

5

That one is okay - because the text is also in the Notes - which don’t automagically disappear. Very strange is just a double flower? - can happen.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/206648986
This one will disappear. Since it is marine life on the ocean floor - it helps to know what the observer ‘saw’. Needs a copypasta in a comment.

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PS dear moderator - this thread is an answer to question 4 on the original post.
We 3 are not off topic.

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