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I just came across a question by a new contributor to a Stack (in this case, SF & Fantasy), as indicated by the new contributor indicator. Since it was an ID request, I launched into a comment linking to our guide on asking ID requests and was about to invite them on the [tour], when I checked their network accounts and found that they had 17k+ rep on Stack Overflow.

Now I know that not everyone will welcome new contributors like that, but still, it would be useful to have an indication if a new contributor is new to Stack Exchange and may not even realise they can edit their own posts (yes, I've encountered those; self-answering just to add new information), or merely new to the current Stack and may only need a couple of pointers on topicality and tagging conventions. Likewise, someone may be a regular on the main Stack, but new to meta.

So please, expand the new contributor indicator to indicate if a user is new to the current Stack, new to the current Meta, new to Meta in general, or new to the Stack Exchange Network.


I realise that a reputation of 101 may indicate a user having received the association bonus, so they may have some experience elsewhere on the Stack Exchange Network. However, that doesn't tell me if they're 200+ on their highest reputation account, or 20k+. The former may still need some help using basic features while the latter doesn't.


I came across a request to indicate if someone is new to meta. That sounds useful as well, so I've edited my question to incorporate that request.

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  • 1
    Good idea. I'd change the hand to have the SE logo color scheme (gradient blue, I lack the skills to create a mockup) in case the user is new to a site, but is not new on at least one other site in the network. Commented Sep 3, 2018 at 7:49
  • 1
    Sounds like a good idea. Someone with 17k on SO likely doesn't need any new user treatment besides special particularities of the stack they're on atm.
    – Magisch
    Commented Sep 3, 2018 at 7:59
  • 11
    If done right, it might also solve indicating if a user is new to meta.
    – SQB
    Commented Sep 3, 2018 at 8:03
  • 4
    SQB - the meta one is especially useful. Many high rep folks on sites have never really checked out meta, and the oddities therein...
    – Rory Alsop
    Commented Sep 3, 2018 at 8:52
  • 2
    @RoryAlsop I've included that request in my request now.
    – SQB
    Commented Sep 3, 2018 at 17:43
  • You already had my upvote :-)
    – Rory Alsop
    Commented Sep 3, 2018 at 18:20
  • 1
    Here's a suggestion regarding the wording: If the user is new to this site (or meta site) but has experience on the Stack Exchange network, it should say "<user> is new to <site name>".
    – 3D1T0R
    Commented Sep 11, 2018 at 19:45
  • The tour should still be linked to, as it provides useful information as to what is and what isn’t on topic for that specific site. Commented May 23, 2021 at 0:31

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