What is an Instagram Handle?

Upon creating your Instagram account, you’ll also have to come up with your own Instagram handle. Before you choose one, you’ll want to know everything there is to know about Instagram handles.

Continue reading for some tips and tricks to use when picking the Instagram handle that suits you the best.

As of 2022, Instagram roughly has 1.45 billion active users – and yes, you read that right – billion. With so many people using the platform, finding a specific person or company can be very difficult.

You’ll have to keep in mind a few things when prompted to create your Instagram handle so it can be easy for people to find you. But don’t worry, we’ll go over everything you need to know before you let your creativity take over.

What is an Instagram Handle?

An Instagram handle is essentially your Instagram username. It’s what people will type in Instagram’s search bar to find you. To make it even easier to understand, you can compare it to a phone number or website URL because it’s linking directly to you and your account.

An Instagram handle is easy to confuse with your Instagram name because they might seem similar, but they’re two different things. Your handle is what appears at the top of the screen on your profile, while your Instagram name is what you include in your bio. The main difference between the two is that once you claim your Instagram handle, no one else will be able to use it. Whereas your Instagram name can be used by anyone.

Why is an Instagram Handle important?

An Instagram handle is important because it’s how people find you on Instagram.

A memorable, shareable, and creative handle increases your chances of gaining followers. It can help you to boost brand awareness as well as make it easier for clients to find you on Instagram. For example, your followers will instantly know how to contact you if the handle you use is the name of your business.

What are Instagram’s requirements for Handles?

Like any other feature on Instagram, you’ll have some guidelines to follow when coming up with your username.

Keep these few things in mind when deciding:

The length of your Instagram handle cannot exceed 30 characters.
Numbers, letters, and periods are the only acceptable characters.
Symbols and punctuation marks cannot be used in it.
It cannot already be taken by another user.

How to Change Instagram Handle on the App

If you don’t like the username that you chose when you created your account, it’s a fairly simple process to change it. Just follow these steps:

Open the Instagram app.
Click on your profile picture in the bottom right-hand corner
Click “Edit Profile.”
Click “Username.”
Change your username to what you want it to be.
Click “Done.”

How to Change Instagram Handle on Desktop

Changing your Instagram handle on a desktop uses almost the same process as the app, it just has some minor differences. Follow these steps to begin:

Log in to your Instagram account.
Click your profile icon in the top right-hand corner.
Click “Settings.”
Click “Username.”
Change your username to what you want it to be.
Click the blue “Submit” button on the bottom of the screen.

What if the username I want isn’t available?

Instagram automatically lets you know if the username you’re trying to use is already taken. Since you aren’t able to use the same username as another user, you’ll have to try different versions of it until you get one that is available.

Some Tips to Help Create Your Own Instagram Handle

Trying to find the right Instagram username/handle is sometimes difficult. A lot of users don’t care for what their username is, they just want to get through it to start using the app. But for those of you that want to get creative with your Instagram handle, here are some tips to keep in mind that might give you a few username ideas:

Connect your handle to your niche – whether you want your account to focus on health, art, food, or travel content, be sure to include a keyword relevant to your specific niche in your handle.
Make it Memorable – you’ll want to choose a handle that is simple, yet memorable. If you pick one that is hard to doesn’t stand out, chances are it’ll be harder for people to find you in the search bar.
Keep Away from Extra Characters – Instagram has a 30-character limit for usernames. Keeping it short and sweet is the better route to take when picking a name. Using a longer handle increases the chances of people forgetting what it is, so, avoid adding any extra characters, numbers, or symbols to your name.
Add Keywords in Front – if you’re stuck picking a name because yours is already taken, try adding some keywords in front of it instead of numbers or symbols. Putting in “I’m,” or “The” in front elevates your account to come off as a little more professional or business-like.

Conclusion

Now that you have a master’s degree in Instagram handles, use your knowledge to create an Instagram handle that fits you and your niche. Whether you’re using the Instagram mobile app or desktop version, changing and creating your username is easy. If you get sick of your current handle, remember a few things if you feel like changing it: