kgsban

kgsban is a term used in online go communities to refer to a moderation action on the KGS, the Kiseido Go Server, or similar platforms. The word combines "KGS" and "ban" and is often used as shorthand in discussions, incident reports, and moderation logs to indicate that a user has been restricted from participating. Because it is not an official label, its precise meaning can vary between sites and discussions.

Origin and usage: The term appears in forums, chat transcripts, and issue threads from the late 2000s onward, in conversations about rule enforcement and penalties. In some contexts, kgsban describes the act of banning a user, while in others it denotes the status of an account that is currently banned.

Moderation and policy context: On most online platforms, bans are administered by site moderators or admins to enforce conduct guidelines, prevent abuse, or address rule violations. Common reasons include cheating, harassment, spam, or evading a prior ban. Bans can be temporary or permanent, and some communities provide an appeals process or review mechanism.

Ambiguity and usage notes: As an informal term, kgsban may be used differently across communities. Some threads use it as a tag for discussions about bans, while others use it as shorthand within private logs. Readers are advised to rely on the surrounding context to determine whether the term refers to a specific ban, a suspension period, or general moderation practices.

See also: Online moderation; Ban (punishment); KGS (Kiseido Go Server).