MediaWiki:Blockiptext explained

You can use this form to block editing access from individual accounts or IP addresses in accordance with the blocking policy.

Please remember to include an informative reason for blocking. When using the pull-down menu, please also elaborate on the following line whenever helpful (citing relevant policy pages, sock puppet accounts, the nature of the disruption, Arbitration Committee rulings, etc.). Keep in mind that the block message will be very visible when someone tries to edit Wikipedia through the blocked account or IP.

• When blocking legitimate bot accounts, please ensure that you disable autoblocks to avoid blocking the bot owner.

Related pages: Block log, List of active blocks and rangeblocks, List of autoblocks,

[{{fullurl:Special:BlockList|action=unblock}} Unblock form], Range block calculator, List of block message templates.

IP addresses

• In general: Most IP addresses should not be blocked for more than a few days, as they may be reassigned to innocent users. Only in rare cases should IPs be blocked indefinitely. For detailed information on blocking IP addresses, please see .
• Shared IPs: Before blocking an IP address with a long history of vandalism, please check if it is a shared proxy server or part of a dynamic IP address pool.
  See here for details on how to identify and tag such addresses. When blocking, please ensure that Prevent logged-in users from editing from this IP address is unchecked to limit collateral damage to innocent users and consider reporting the IP to .

Blocks of governmental IP ranges: If you block any IP in the ranges listed above under the "Sensitive IP addresses" table, you must notify the Wikimedia Foundation Communications Committee immediately (see contact instructions there). These ranges are allocated to major governmental organizations; blocks of these organizations have political and public relations implications of which the Foundation's press relations team must be aware. Avoid long blocks of these addresses, and be especially careful in formulating your block messages because your block message will probably be seen and commented on by the press.

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