Instagram is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. Your username is your identity on Instagram, and it can have a big impact on how people perceive you and your content. With more and more followers, you might want to change your username for various reasons.
Changing the Instagram Username to Rebrand Yourself or Your Business
If you have changed your niche, target audience, or style of content, you might want to change your username to reflect that. For example, if you used to post about travel and now you post about fitness, you might want to change your username from @travelwithme to @fitwithme. Or if you have changed your business name or logo, you might want to update your username accordingly. For example, if you used to sell handmade jewelry and now you sell digital products, you might want to change your username from @handmadejewels to @digitaljewels.
Making Your Instagram Username More Memorable or Catchy
If your current username is too long, complicated, or hard to spell, you might want to change it to something more simple and catchy. For example, if your current username is @jennifer_smith_1987, you might want to change it to @jennysmith or @jenny.smith. Or if your current username is too generic or boring, you might want to change it to something more unique and creative. For example, if your current username is @foodlover, you might want to change it to @foodiesaurus or @foodventures.
Matching Your Instagram Username With Other Platforms
If you have a presence on other social media platforms or websites, you might want to change your username on Instagram to match them. This can help you create a consistent brand identity and make it easier for people to find you across different platforms. For example, if your username on Twitter is @thebookworm, you might want to change your username on Instagram from @booklover123 to @thebookworm as well.
Changing the Instagram username to avoid confusion or conflict
If your current username is similar or identical to someone else’s username, you might want to change it to avoid confusion or conflict. For example, if your current username is @taylorswift and you are not the famous singer, you might want to change it to something more distinctive and personal. Or if your current username is @starbucks and you are not the official account of the coffee chain, you might want to change it to avoid legal issues or angry fans.
Good Usernames for Instagram
Good usernames for Instagram reflect personality, brand, or niche, and that are easy to remember and search for. Here are some tips and ideas to help you find the perfect username for your Instagram account:
- Use your name or a variation of it. This can make your username more personal and recognizable, especially if you have a common name. For example, @jessicaalba, @taylorswift, @kevinhart4real.
- Use keywords related to your niche or industry. This can help you attract followers who are interested in your content and show what you do or offer. For example, @travelandleisure, @foodnetwork, @yogawithadriene.
- Use a catchy phrase or wordplay. This can make your username more memorable and creative, and show your sense of humor or style. For example, @maketheleap, @photoshopjamielyn, @brunettethelabel.
- Use punctuation or symbols to spice up your username. This can help you stand out from the crowd and add some flair to your name. For example, @fentyskin, @instausername.com, @ladygaga.
- Check the availability of your username on other platforms. This can help you maintain consistency and avoid confusion across different social media sites. You can use tools like Namechk or Knowem to check if your username is taken or not.
Before you change your username, make sure you consider the pros and cons of doing so. For example, changing your username can confuse or lose some of your existing followers who might not recognize you anymore. It can also affect your SEO ranking and visibility on search engines and other platforms. Therefore, make sure you choose a new username that suits your goals and personality, and communicate the change clearly with your audience.
How to Change Your Name on Instagram in the Mobile App
- Tap on your Instagram profile picture
- Select “Edit profile”
- Tap your Instagram Name or Instagram Username for editing
Your Instagram name and your Instagram username are two different things. Your Instagram name is the display name that appears on your profile, next to your profile picture. It can be anything you want if it follows the community guidelines. Your Instagram username is the unique identifier that appears in your profile URL and allows people to find you on the app. It starts with an @ symbol and can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You can change both your Instagram name and your Instagram username anytime in your account settings.
- Enter a new name and tap the hook symbol to confirm
- Tap the hook symbol again to save the changed Instagram name/username
How to Change Your Name on Instagram on PC/Web
You can use the following method both in the web-browsr or the official app for PC to change your Instagram name and Instagram username.
- Click the Instagram profile picture
- Click “Edit profile”
- Click “See more in Accounts Center”
- Open the “Profiles” section
- Select the Instagram profile you want to change the name/username for
- Select what to change – “Name” or “Username”
- Enter your new Instagram name or username and click “Done”
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Instagram Username
What are the best practices for announcing a username change to my followers?
To ensure your followers are aware of your username change, start by announcing your planned change a few days in advance through multiple posts and stories. Consider using engaging visuals or a countdown to grab attention. After changing your username, update your bio to include a note like “Formerly @oldusername” for a few weeks. Additionally, engage with your audience through comments and direct messages to personally inform them of the change, minimizing the risk of losing followers.
Can I change my username back if I don’t like the new one?
If you’re unhappy with your new username, you can attempt to revert to your previous one via the same settings page where you made the change. However, this is subject to availability; if another user claims your old username in the interim, it won’t be possible to reclaim it. To prevent this, make the decision to revert as quickly as possible and consider reserving your old username on a secondary account if it’s of significant value to you.
How can I secure my desired Instagram username if it’s currently inactive?
Securing an inactive username can be challenging due to Instagram’s policies on inactive accounts. Begin by checking the account’s activity for signs of inactivity, such as no recent posts or engagement. If it seems inactive, you might try reaching out to the user via direct message to express interest in the username. Although Instagram doesn’t typically release inactive usernames upon request, they do periodically clear out inactive accounts, so keep an eye on the desired username for any changes.
Is it possible to set up a redirect from my old Instagram username to the new one?
Instagram doesn’t offer a direct redirect feature for changed usernames. To mitigate confusion, continue to monitor the old account (if you still control it) for a while, posting reminders about your new username. Utilize other platforms and communication channels you have with your audience to spread the word about your change to ensure they can follow you at your new username without disruption.
How does changing my username affect my search visibility on Instagram?
After a username change, your profile might temporarily drop in Instagram search results until the platform’s algorithms update with your new information. This process can take a few days to a few weeks. During this time, continue to actively post and engage with your followers to maintain visibility. Using consistent hashtags and engaging in popular trends can also help bolster your presence in search results during the transition.
What are the implications of changing my username for branded content and partnerships?
Changing your username can have significant implications for ongoing and future branded partnerships. Notify all current and past partners of your new username to ensure seamless collaboration and update any contractual documents where necessary. Additionally, revise any digital content, such as blog posts or videos, that feature your old username to prevent broken links and maintain the credibility of your partnerships.
Can I change my username to include emoji characters?
Instagram usernames are limited to alphanumeric characters (letters and numbers), underscores (_), and periods (.). Emoji and other special characters are not permitted in usernames. When choosing a new username, focus on creating a unique and memorable name within these constraints, utilizing creative combinations of letters and allowed symbols to stand out.
Will changing my username affect the links to my Instagram profile that I’ve shared elsewhere?
Yes, any external links using your old username (such as those on websites, in email signatures, or on other social media profiles) will lead to a “Page Not Found” error once you change your username. It’s crucial to update all external links promptly to prevent confusion and ensure your audience and potential collaborators can find you. Make a list of all places where your Instagram link is featured and systematically update each to reflect your new username.
How can I ensure my new username aligns with Instagram’s community guidelines?
To ensure compliance with Instagram’s guidelines, avoid usernames that imply hate speech, discrimination, or other offensive content. Steer clear of names that might infringe on trademarks or intellectual property rights, and ensure your chosen username doesn’t mislead by implying an affiliation with Instagram or other entities you’re not officially connected to. When in doubt, review Instagram’s community guidelines or consult legal advice to ensure your new username is appropriate and compliant.
What steps should I take if I encounter technical issues while trying to change my username?
If you face technical difficulties, first try basic troubleshooting: log out and back into your account, reinstall the Instagram app, or try changing your username via the web version of Instagram on a computer. If problems persist, check Instagram’s Help Center for known issues or use the app’s report a problem feature to seek direct assistance from Instagram’s support team. Documenting the issue with screenshots and detailed descriptions can help resolve the problem more efficiently.
Related: How to Turn off Active Status on Instagram
The activity status on Instagram is a feature that lets other users you follow and anyone you message see when you were last active or currently active on Instagram. There are several reasons why you might want to turn off your activity status on Instagram. In our other guide we will explain you everything about Instagram active status and show you how to turn it off, if you want to.
Related: How to See the Posts You’ve Liked on Instagram
Likes are one of the most important features of Instagram. They can help you grow your account, discover more content, and learn more about yourself. But they can also have some drawbacks if you are not careful or mindful of what you like. That’s why you should know how likes work on Instagram, what they mean for the content you will see, and why you might want to check which Instagram posts you have liked.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 10:23 pm CET
