Different Options for Activating User Accounts in Joomla 4

In Joomla, there are three main ways to set up user account activation on a website:

1. Self activation: This is the default activation method in Joomla and is the most common way for users to activate their accounts. With self activation, the user is responsible for activating their own account by clicking a link in a confirmation email sent to their email address. It DOES create the extra step for users to go to their email and click the activation link. Most sites with registration do this to prove that registrants at least have a legitimate email account. You will still get some spam registrations, but it will be a LOT less than the "no activation" method described below.

2. Administrator activation: This method involves the Joomla administrator manually activating user accounts. This can be useful if the user did not receive the confirmation email or if the email address provided is not valid. With administrator activation, the Joomla administrators get an email and must manually approve every registrant before the user can access the registered features on the website.

3. No activation: This method allows users to register for an account on the website without needing to activate their account. With no activation, users can log in to the website immediately after registering, without needing to confirm their email address. This method is convenient for users, but it may not provide as much security for the website. This WILL create a TON of spam user accounts on your site. Spammers use this method to try and insert bad content via comments and message boards in your site. They are too dumb to know whether you have comments or message boards. That won't stop them from creating spam accounts.

Overall, the choice of user account activation method will depend on the specific needs and goals of the Joomla website. The administrator can choose the activation method that provides the right balance of convenience for users and security for the website. Site administrators can find these settings after logging in to the Joomla dashboard at https://{yourwebsite.com/administrator} and going to Users > Manage and clicking the options button in the top right corner of your screen. You will then see the dropdown for "New User Account Activation".