How to Restrict Usernames and User Emails in WordPress

April 26. 2022

Allowing people to register on your website comes with certain risks. People might create usernames that contain offensive language, trademark words, official-sounding names, or cause other problems. Luckily, there is a simple way to restrict usernames and user emails in WordPress. So continue reading this article as we’ll reveal a very easy way to do this. Or you can skip all that and simply let the experienced WP Full Care team make your life easier by making sure every aspect of your WordPress website is always in great shape.  Now let’s find out how to restrict usernames and user emails on your website!

Why should you restrict usernames and user emails on your WordPress website?

When you run a WordPress membership site or a community site, you’ll need to let people sign up and create user accounts. By default, new users can choose any username and email when they sign up for your service. On your end, you’ll receive an email confirming this. Of course, if you haven’t disabled new user notifications already.

There are plenty of reasons why allowing your users to choose any username and email isn’t a good idea. Here are some of them:

• Your website users can choose a username that looks like that of the admins, moderators, and help staff. This way, they could even pretend to be a member of your team so you’re basically putting your WordPress website at an unnecessary risk.
• People can also choose to use words that are offensive and rude.
• Or, they can use names that are trademarked when they sign up for an account on your WordPress website.

That’s why it’s best to stop people from using certain words in their usernames and email addresses. It will prevent people from using bad language on your forums and communities and helps keep them clean and safe. This can only benefit your website and positively influence overall user experience.

Now let’s see how you can easily limit usernames and user emails in WordPress.

Restrict usernames and user emails in WordPress with Restrict Usernames Emails Characters plugin

No matter what the problem is in WordPress, there is always a plugin that offers a easy and simple solution. So the answer to how to restrict usernames and user emails in WordPress lies in using a Restrict Usernames Emails Characters plugin. However, do be mindful of number of plugins you have installed on your WordPress website.

It’s a free plugin for WordPress that lets you block certain usernames, email addresses, symbols, domain names, and more from being used. Besides helping you make sure people don’t use certain words and phrases in their usernames, the plugin has an option that lets you use a different languages. This small feature can go a long way when it comes to boosting user experience on your website.

How to use Restrict Usernames Emails Characters plugin?

Now let’s see how to use Restrict Usernames Emails Characters plugin. The first thing you need to do is install this plugin which very easy and straightforward. Activation happens automatically upon installation.

After you’ve successfully installed Restrict Usernames Emails Characters plugin, simply go to Settings and then click on Restrict Username and Email Characters from your WordPress dashboard. You’ll access settings where you can set up your plugin. However, before you do this, make sure the plugin is turned on in the “General Settings” section.

If you scroll down, you’ll be able to see the “Not allow these names” section. There, you’ll be able to enter words or phrases that you don’t want people to use as usernames or have in their emails. Another interesting option is called “Make Lower Case Equal Upper Case“. This setting is turned on by default but you can disable it any time from the dropdown menu.

How to restrict user email addresses?

In the same way we’ve described above, you can prevent certain email addresses from being used. Users can’t use the email addresses that you put in the “Not allow these emails” section when they sign up. They won’t be able to register on your website unless they use a different email address. This will help you avoid getting spam emails, and force users to use their real email addresses.

Besides that, the plugin has more settings that let you change the restrictions on usernames and email addresses. For instance, you can stop certain email domains from being used, limit usernames that include specific words, prevent the use of specific characters and symbols, and allow special characters be used. You can even limit the number of spaces in usernames, not allow people to only use number, and more. After you’re done, remember to click on “Save Changes” button and you’re good to go.

How to customize error messages?

The plugin will already have error messages for different situations set up by default. However, you can customize any error message if you go to the “Error message” tab in the plugin.

If someone tries to sign up with a username or email that’s not allowed on your website, they’ll get an error message. They’ll either have to choose another username or email or give up on creating an account on your website.

The bottom line

We hope our article helped you understand why it’s important to restrict usernames and user emails in WordPress and how it’s an important factor for boosting user experience. As you can see, Restrict Usernames Emails Characters plugin allows you to this in the matter of minutes so there’s really no excuse not to do this on your WordPress website. Or better yet, get in touch with WP Full Care team and let them do everything for you. Leave your site in the capable hands of experts and you can enjoy that time doing something you like or focus on another aspect of your business.