What Is A YouTube Handle?

In October 2022, YouTube announced a new way to tag people and channels in comments, posts, etc. YouTube Handles are a way to find creators and quickly contact them. Like any other social media handle, they start with ‘@.’ Soon after YT launched this feature, they emailed all their users, stating it was time to choose their new handles.

So,  let’s see what a YouTube Handle is and how to create and change it.

What Does YouTube Handle Mean?

YouTube handles are unique names for channels that help other users find the YouTuber. These handles are represented with an ‘@’ sign and follow the name the YouTuber has chosen. You can also see the handle in the YouTube channel URL.

Is YouTube Handle Different From YouTube Channel Name?

Absolutely! A YouTube handle differs from your channel name. In other words, it is meant to be unique for every creator. It is what sets a YouTuber apart from other creators. It allows you to build a separate identity, helping viewers find your content easily without hassle and confusion. If you wish to promote video on YouTube, having a YT handle can be highly beneficial to boost your growth.

Who Can Be Eligible for YouTube Handles?

YouTube will gradually roll out this feature for all channels across the platform. However, in the initial stages, the YouTube handle feature is provided only to the most active channels with a huge subscriber base. YouTube will notify you when you are eligible to own your unique URL. However, you can still see whether you can create a YT handle by learning how to make it.

Why Should You Use YouTube Handles?

The YouTube handle may sound like a username, and it is similar somewhere else, but that isn’t wholly the case. As many channels would have usernames close to yours on YouTube, the channel handle is always unique. It increases the visibility as viewers can visit your channel by clicking on the username mentioned somewhere.

You can use the YouTube handle even while promoting on different social media platforms like blogs and websites. Usually, when users look for a YouTube channel, they are more likely to find several channels on one name, which creates difficulty in finding the one you are looking for. With a YouTube handle, viewers can also find your channel directly and hassle-free.

How To Create A YouTube Handle?

Your YouTube handle is, by default, created by the platform. But if you want to make or change it, you can follow the steps below:

• Open YouTube and click on your profile.
• Then go to your channel and click on Customize channel.
• You will be directed to YouTube studio. Select basic info in the customization tab.
• Under the Handle box, type the new handle that you want.
• Click save to confirm the change.

If the handle you want is unavailable, add or change the letters to special characters or numbers. The unavailable handle can be because another channel is already using the handle or it isn’t as per the guidelines.

Guide To Name Your YouTube Handle

Here are specific guidelines you need to follow while creating your YT handle. A good handle on your YT channel has the following features:

• 3-30 character limit
• It is made up of alphabets and numeric characters (A–Z, a–z, 0–9)
• Your YouTube handle can include underscores, hyphens, periods
• It should not be like a URL or a phone number
• It should be unique and not used by another channel on the platform
• YouTube handles must adhere to the platform’s community guidelines

What is not allowed in the YT handles:

• Violent, sexual, or spammy names
• You cannot sell or purchase any handles on YouTube

Tips For Picking The Best YouTube Handle

Here are some tips for choosing the most suitable names for the YT handle of your channel:

• First, remember that the YouTube channel name and handle name should be similar to avoid confusion.
• The YouTube handle must match the style of content you create and try to represent your niche. This makes it easy for the viewers to relate to your content just by your name.
• The YT handle must be short and straightforward as it is easy to remember and share.
• Use a suitable keyword in your YouTube handle, as it will improve your SERP rankings and visibility.
• You must follow all the YouTube community guidelines while selecting a name and avoid using numbers.

Effects Of YouTube Handles On Creators

What is your YouTube handle’s effect on viewers? Based on our observations, we can state that it positively impacts the creators and your audience. Firstly, viewers uniquely identify you. Your YouTube handle also increases and improves search visibility in Shorts and suggested videos. So, creating short, easy-to-remember YouTube handles is recommended to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

Now, that is all you need to know about a YT handle and how to change it. Also, once you change your YouTube handle, you cannot change it back for 14 days, so be wise when choosing a user handle for yourself. Your handle showcases your unique identity and gives your viewer the confidence that they are interacting with their favorite creators. So keep it original and related to your creative values.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How To Find Your Channel Handle On YT?

You can find your YouTube handle in channel customization under the basic info tab.

Q2. Do YouTube Handles Expire?

YouTube handle doesn’t expire, but channel owners can remove or replace it. You can use the removed handle after 14 days of the removable.

Q3. Can My Instagram And YT Handle Be The Name?

Yes, your Instagram and YT handles can be the same until and unless the Instagram handle name is available on YT.

Q4. What Is An Example Of A YouTube Handle?

YouTube handle is the unique identifier of your YouTube channel that starts with ‘@,’ just like on Instagram. For example, if your channel name is techsavvy, your channel handle will be @techsavvy.

Q5. How Do You Share A YouTube Handle?

The custom URL the creator sets is the YouTube handle in most cases. So, to share the handle, tap on the profile picture and select ‘view your channel.’ The page URL at the browser address bar can be copied and pasted wherever you want to share it.