So, for over a year, maybe two, I got used to tag Pixiv's artists by using the name that appears on the direct image's URL. However, very too often, I get to tag artists using names like a bunch of numbers or just something completely unreadable. Also in some cases, People in Pixiv tend to actually use a valid and readable artist name, such as kuma25-ya being Yu-Ya.

What should I do for cases like these ? Can I make some exceptions for them, or do I continue to tag them like I do for the past years ?

Neitsuke said:
So, for over a year, maybe two, I got used to tag Pixiv's artists by using the name that appears on the direct image's URL. However, very too often, I get to tag artists using names like a bunch of numbers or just something completely unreadable. Also in some cases, People in Pixiv tend to actually use a valid and readable artist name, such as kuma25-ya being Yu-Ya.

What should I do for cases like these ? Can I make some exceptions for them, or do I continue to tag them like I do for the past years ?

Western characters are always preferred. Helps with the search. I suggest doing something like this:

1 - Paste artist main page link in the artist search box. If there is a match, great. If not, you'll need to add.

2 - You can translate the Japanese characters with a translator. Romaji translator usually works. A japanese name with western characters will show. Use that name.

3 - It's rare but sometimes it doesn't translate. In that case search for other usernames on the artist page like twitter or signatures on the images.

4 - If even so, you can't find anything, search the artist name on google images. Japanese gibberish will show with random pics but sometimes they all have something in common and you can guess (it's fun!)

Not failproof but it gets the job done without tears. Add the artist tag with link after you post for awesome points!

Sometimes other users already chose a completely different name. It usually happens when the artist has other usernames outside pixiv. In those cases, it's best to keep using the same artist tag.

I did know that if the artist is well known and has a "bigger" name than Pixiv, it is best to use it instead. Also by the way it works, the artist name I get from the Pixiv image URL is always letter/numbers/-_etc. so there's no troubles about getting japanese characters. Also, I noticed some people changing their nicknames on Pixiv (While the one you get from the image URL can't) from time to time.

I guess it's a case by case problem, and I probably should try to find a more decent artist name to use next time I get a 2374982349 for the artist's name

Neitsuke said:
I did know that if the artist is well known and has a "bigger" name than Pixiv, it is best to use it instead. Also by the way it works, the artist name I get from the Pixiv image URL is always letter/numbers/-_etc. so there's no troubles about getting japanese characters. Also, I noticed some people changing their nicknames on Pixiv (While the one you get from the image URL can't) from time to time.

I guess it's a case by case problem, and I probably should try to find a more decent artist name to use next time I get a 2374982349 for the artist's name

Check the pixiv member account to see what the western name is.

Where do you check for that ? You mean the one that shows up under the avatar and on the profile's info (They are the same) ? If so, that's what I'm going to use (Translated of course) for my next uploads when I get those random names

123easy said:
Check the pixiv member account to see what the western name is.

Those are often a completely random sequence of letters and numbers.

I'd far prefer the original Japanese names, maybe with an alias to the westernized name. After all, that's what the artists themselves are using...and it makes them easier to find on the net if they're no longer on pixiv.