All about Instagram Handles - What is an Instagram Handle, and how do you pick the best one?


An Instagram handle, sometimes known as a "username," with a "@" prefix, is the identity you use on Instagram. Your handle identifies and distinguishes you from other users and helps in engaging with your followers. 

It's critical to stand out on Instagram, which has roughly a billion active users. Therefore, having a good Instagram handle is a must to ensure success. An Instagram account with a memorable handle gives you the identity to better connect with your audience. If you have a catchy Instagram handle, your target audience is more likely to remember you.

Today, we'll go through the fundamentals of picking an Instagram account that can help you gain more Instagram followers. Let's explore further.

Contents

What is an Instagram Handle, and how do I get one?

Technically speaking, your Instagram username with the "@" sign as a prefix is your Instagram handle. It's thus derived from your Instagram username and is unique to your account, giving people a sense of your personality (and identity).

Most individuals use something like cakehouse22, which is a variant of their name, their company's name, or something relating to what they're going to publish on Instagram. Following are a few points you should consider in choosing an Instagram handle;

The naming of your Instagram handle

When creating your Instagram account, you were probably asked to choose a username immediately. You need not worry if you already have an Instagram handle that you don't like — it is not compulsory to use this one. Later, we'll show you how to alter it.

An Instagram handle connects to your Instagram profile, similar to a phone number or website URL. You're the only one who knows what your handle is. If someone else wants to locate and follow you on Instagram, they can do so by typing your handle into the search field.

What is the importance of an Instagram Handle?

On Instagram, your handle represents you, and it is also how people find you. Having a good Instagram handle that is easy to recall is also highly shareable, and it will increase your chances of multiplying your followers. 

The appropriate Instagram username will not only make it easier for clients to find you on Instagram, but it will also help to raise brand awareness. If your Instagram username is your business name, your followers will immediately know how to find you elsewhere online.

Thus a good Instagram username is paramount to your success and should fulfill the following criteria;

  • Help you to set yourself apart and distinguish yourself from the crowd.
  • Make your content easier to find for the target audience.
  • Encourage others to @mention you on social media for word-of-mouth marketing.
  • Increase brand exposure and recognition

How to choose the right Instagram Handle?

We have discussed multiple points on the importance of a good Instagram handle. We also discussed how a good Instagram handle is essential to your digital identity. Now the following question arises, how to choose an Instagram handle that is right for you. 

However, before creating your Instagram handle, you first need to determine;

What kind of Instagram account do you have -

  • Use your name as your Instagram account if you're developing a personal brand. For example, for Delhi Gym, shorter variations such as @DelGym, could also be considered.
  • Choose a handle that highlights or at least demonstrates what you're going to publish, like @techArt, if you're curating and sharing technical stuff related to art on Instagram.

Give details about who you are and what you do -

  • Choose an Instagram handle that best defines you or the work you are into, or the business you represent for business accounts. Samsung, for example, uses the handle "Samsung" to make it easy to find their content on Instagram. The use of the same brand name also aids clients in recognizing the account as genuine.

The name of your Instagram handle is the same as your company's name -

  • Ensure that there is no ambiguity in the name of the Instagram handle and your business or brand name. Instagram handle, like any other social media tool, is an extension of your business identity and can be a critical asset for the business or brand's recognition. 
  • Your Instagram account should generally be your company's name if you own a business. This will demonstrate to your clients that your account is legitimate and increase recognition. In our example of Samsung, it uses the "Samsung" handle since it is a brand, and the word "Samsung" is also trademarked by Samsung.

Following are a few pointers to help you pick the right Instagram handle -

1. Make it easy on yourself

An Instagram handle, like a URL or a business name, should be simple to remember.

The upper limit for an Instagram handle is thirty characters, although you shouldn't need quite that many letters. The longer the handle, the more likely it is to be misspelled or forgotten. Choose something meaningful, such as your name or the name of your company, and:

2. Short is sweet

Wherever possible, reduce the number of extra characters without making the spelling more difficult. If you don't have to, don't use numbers or additional characters.

Avoid complicated spelling: It is tough to spell if your name is Schwarzenegger. Consider shortening it to something like @swarz or @schwars.

Avoid underscores and dashes: If at all possible, avoid underscores and dashes. Your followers may forget where they should put them.

3. Make it stick in your mind

It's not only about keeping things basic when it comes to making your Instagram handle distinctive. Onyx Salon, for example, will not just go with "Onyx" as an Instagram account. A simple username will be easier for your fans to remember, but if you can, add some intrigue.

To make the name more memorable, you can probably alter the handle to "Salonx" which will be more likely to stick in users' minds right away and reflect the company's personality. Therefore, to demonstrate character, use your handle name.

4. Make use of keywords

If you're starting a curation account and the name you'd like for your Instagram handle is already taken, you can make a username out of a keyword. For example, if you intend to write about drones, you may type "mini-drones" into Google and see what comes up.

Remember that the keywords you choose should be relevant to your target audience and the material you will share. For example, if you post photographs of dogs on Instagram, an Instagram username like @Justdogs or @dogLovers makes sense. Therefore integrate the relevant keyword in your Instagram handle.

5. Use "The" or "I'm." in your Instagram handle

There is a possibility that your ideal Instagram handle may already be taken. Fortunately, there are a variety of alternatives you can try to create a new one.

Adding "The" in front of your handle is one option. For example, Dwayne Johnson, a famous Hollywood actor, uses the Instagram account @therock. Similarly, an online Media/News company named 'Film Zone' uses @thefilmzone as its Instagram handle. This modest change allows a person/brand to keep its name, which aids in brand recognition.

6. Maintain consistency

Customers expect to see consistency wherever they find you online. You'll likely have multiple social media profiles in today's digital age. You can even have your website where you share information about your company.

Make sure your brand identity is consistent across all platforms. The more titles you have, the more difficult it will be for people to find you. Using the Instagram handle "Salonx" is pointless if you use an entirely different name on Facebook, such as "Onyx Salon."

7. Don't put limitations

Finally, remember that you'll be using this Instagram account for a long time. Utilizing the name business clothes may be tempting if you're starting a clothes business, but this won't make sense if you decide to sell other things later. With this in mind, you should avoid limiting yourself to a single product or region.

Adding a place like "Japan" or adding a product like "Pizza" to your Instagram handle may make it more difficult to reach global consumers or multi-cuisine customers as your brand grows. Always keep your long-term objectives in mind.

8. Be unique and creative

Explore for ideas for your Instagram handle now that you know how to get started. Do brainstorming or take inspiration from your field of work, and once you've got the perfect handle, you can look at marketing options like Instagram automation and Instagram themes.

Remember, the name of your Instagram handle should resonate with the name of your business/profession.

Suppose you're having trouble deciding on an Instagram handle. Many "generating" tools are available online, which can assist you in coming up with some ideas. 

How to change your Instagram Handle?

If you don't like your current Instagram handle, it's simple to change it.

However, before you do anything make sure you notify your users that your username will be changing as you don't want to lose followers due to a lack of visibility.

It's also a good idea to create an account with your old username before switching to the new one to secure it. That profile can always be made private.

Keeping your old username prevents others from snatching it and exploiting your success.

Following are the steps to change your Instagram handle;

  1. Go to Instagram.com or the app and click/tap on your profile to change your username.
  2. Click/tap on "Edit Profile" next to your username.
  3. The option to edit your profile will be at the "Edit profile" option under your bio if you use the Instagram app.
  4. Delete your old username and replace it with a new one under the username area.

Check to see whether the name you want is already taken. You can revert to your old username for up to 14 days if you make a mistake during the process of changing your username.

If you're concerned about losing your Instagram verified badge, contact the Instagram Help team and let them know you've changed your name so they can make sure the verification is transferred.

After changing your Instagram Handle

Changing your Instagram handle will not automatically delete all of your followers or photos. Instead, it simply modifies the name associated with your profile. Although there are a few basic things that you should be aware of:

  • Instagram handle - Your Instagram profile URL includes your username. You'll need to update your profile URL with your new username if you're linking to your Instagram profile from anyplace else on the internet.
  • Followers - At first, your followers may be perplexed by the new username. You must notify them ahead of time that you're changing your handle.
  • @Mentions - Any @Mentions to your old username won't work anymore. Therefore you'll have to ask Influencers to amend their posts.
  • Content - You'll have to change other account handles if you want to keep your image and brand name consistent across numerous social media accounts.
  • Social media buttons -If you have social networking buttons on your email accounts or website, you'll need to modify where they connect to.
  • Availability in search -If someone searches for your former username on Instagram (assuming no one else has taken it), they'll receive the "User Not Found" box.

Conclusion - 

Your Instagram handle is an essential aspect of your Instagram identity and, as a result, a powerful branding tool in your arsenal. It's critical to pick the right name from the start. 

It is always worth investing your time in getting a good Instagram handle. Be creative and also think about the long-term implications of choosing an Instagram handle as it is going to represent you for a long time.

If you wish to change your username or Instagram handle at a later date, notify your customers or followers ahead of time. This is to ensure that you have the desired impact on your prospects.