User talk:VanGoghology

September 2026

Hello, I'm Frost. I wanted to let you know that I removed one or more external links you added to Auberge Ravoux because they seemed inappropriate for an encyclopedia. If you think I made a mistake, or if you have any questions, you can leave me a message on my talk page or take a look at our guidelines about links. Thank you. Frost 15:23, 6 September 2026 (UTC)

Your account has been indefinitely blocked from editing because it has been used for advertising or promotion, which is contrary to the purpose of Wikipedia. Also, your username gives the impression that the account represents a business, organisation, group, website, or role, which is against the username policy.

If you intend to make useful contributions instead of promoting your business or organization, you may request unblock and a username change. In your reasons, you must follow all these steps:

1. Disclose any compensation you may receive for your contributions in accordance with the paid-contribution disclosure requirement; and
2. Convince us that you understand the reason for your block and that you will not repeat the kind of edits for which you were blocked; and
3. Describe in general terms the contributions that you intend to make if you are unblocked; and
4. Provide a new username.

To do this, insert the text {{unblock-spamun|Your proposed new username|Your reason here ~~~~}} at the bottom of your talk page. Replace the text "Your proposed new username" with your new username and replace the text "Your reason here" with your reasons to be unblocked. If you are having trouble, you may want to try using the unblock wizard.

Before requesting a new username, check if it is still available. If the search says "There is no global account for [username]", the username is free to use.

Appeals: If, after reviewing the guide to appealing blocks, you believe this block was made in error, you may appeal it by adding the text {{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}} at the bottom of your talk page. Replace the text "Your reason here" with the reasons you believe the block was an error, and publish the edit. Mfield (Oi!) 15:34, 6 September 2026 (UTC)

This user's request to be unblocked to request a change in username has been reviewed by an administrator, who declined the request. Other administrators may also review this block, but should not override the decision without a good reason (see the blocking policy). Do not remove this unblock review while you are blocked.

VanGoghology (block log • active blocks • global blocks • autoblocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

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Requested username:

ArtistGE (talk · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · block log)

Request reason:

The following request was written through the unblock wizard.

Can you explain, in your own words, why your edits were promotional?

They were NOT promotional. I was trying to simply link to a more extensive page on the topic as I was working on expanding the topic. I guess my username is considered advertising?

What is your relationship with the subjects you have been editing about?

I am a Van Gogh historian with extensive knowledge of the subject. I personally carried out research at the Auberge Ravoux in Auvers-sur-Oise, which is what I was trying to add to. Some of this information came personally to me via the owner himself!

If you are unblocked, what topic areas will you edit in?

Just Van Gogh

Is there anything else that may be helpful to your unblock request?

As a Van Gogh historian trying to update relevant information on Wikipedia about the subject, I am disheartened that I was accused of trying to "advertise" on this platform.

VanGoghology (talk) 20:12, 6 September 2026 (UTC)

Decline reason:

When you add a gratuitous link to your website for millions of our readers to see, then yes, that is promoting your website. And when your username is the same as the domain name of the site, that makes your username also promotional. Your account cannot be deleted for legal reasons. You can simply abandon it instead, ie. stop using it. As for your appeal, I see nothing in it which would give me a reason to unblock you. DoubleGrazing (talk) 06:11, 8 September 2026 (UTC)

• (Non-administrator comment) Are you connected in any way to vangoghology.com? ‍Relativity ⚡️ 00:24, 7 September 2026 (UTC)

  In lieu of not deleting my account, then you can change my username from the registered mark. So please at least change my username, as I do not give Wikipedia permission to use my registered mark. Thank you. VanGoghology (talk) 12:27, 8 September 2026 (UTC)

Hi, I am the owner of VanGoghology. Please either change my name to anything you wish unrelated to my current username or just delete my account entirely. I believed I was contributing by sharing my expertise accumulated over three decades of research. I was in no way trying to "promote" my websites; I merely added a link. In fact, if possible, please delete my account entirely, including the registered mark. Thank you.

It is not possible to delete an account, as legally all edits must be attributable to someone. If you no longer wish to participate here, just log out and abandon your account. Note that if you change your mind later, you need to request unblock under this account; you personally are blocked and not permitted to edit Wikipedia, not just your account. 331dot (talk) 12:28, 8 September 2026 (UTC)

We did not force you to provide the name of your website as your username; trademarks are not an issue here; we can mention the word Google without permission from Google. 331dot (talk) 12:30, 8 September 2026 (UTC)

I do not see why you would just not change my username!! I asked, infact was banned for my username, and indeed suggested BY Wikipedia that I change my username, and now you are refusing? Please just change my username, and all will be done. TY VanGoghology (talk) 12:34, 8 September 2026 (UTC)

There is no need to change your username if you are not going to participate here. Vanishing(which is essentially what you are asking be done) is not available to you as you are blocked, and you won't be unblocked just to vanish.

You were also blocked for your editing, not just your username.

The more edits you make, the more attention you draw to yourself. If you just want to leave Wikipedia and not participate here, you should just log out and not return, then very few people, if anyone at all, will see your account. The more edits you make, the more likely it is people will see your account. 331dot (talk) 12:39, 8 September 2026 (UTC)

The fact that you are banning a trusted and well-researched authority who has more than two decades of Vincent van Gogh research. Materials and studies acquired from the Van Gogh Museum archives, the United States government archives, the Ministère de la Culture in Paris, the Netherlands Institute for Art History, among many others... sadly explain why Wikipedia is regarded by some, and indeed Wikipedia itself, as an unreliable source for academic writing or research. Perhaps then it is best we are not associated with Wikipedia, for we ARE a reliable source. Good day to you. VanGoghology (talk) 13:47, 8 September 2026 (UTC)

We know Wikipedia is unreliable for academic and scholarly work, and have never claimed otherwise. Wikipedia should never be used for academic purposes or scholarly research. It's written by lay people for lay people, summarizing what published independent reliable sources say about a topic.

Please read WP:EXPERT.

You are not banned, you are blocked, and you can get unblocked if you follow the instructions provided. You indicated you don't want to. 331dot (talk) 14:19, 8 September 2026 (UTC)