What Is An Instagram Handle?

So you want to know the deal with Instagram handles, huh? As a long-time Instagram power user and social media geek, let me break it all down for you.

An Instagram handle is simply your unique username on the platform. It‘s what people use to find and follow your account. Pretty straightforward so far!

But Instagram handles are more than just names. They are a core part of your identity and brand on the app. Your handle makes a first impression and shapes how people perceive you.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Instagram handles, including:

• What exactly is an Instagram handle
• Why your handle matters
• How to get a handle when signing up
• Character limits and requirements
• Tips for choosing the perfect, brand-aligned handle
• Where to find handle inspiration
• Suggestions for when your first pick is taken
• The pros and cons of different handle structures
• When and why to change your handle

Let‘s dive in!

What Is An Instagram Handle?

An Instagram handle is the unique username that identifies your Instagram account. It always starts with "@" and can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.

For example, popular Instagram handles include @kimkardashian, @cristiano, and @selenagomez.

Your handle appears in a few key places on your Instagram profile:

• At the top of your profile page in the URL bar (instagram.com/yourhandle)
• After the "@" symbol in your bio
• In posts you‘re tagged in by other accounts

So when someone asks for your "Instagram handle", they want your unique username. They may also call it your "Instagram link" or "Instagram URL" since it‘s part of your profile‘s web address.

Your handle is what people will use to find, follow, and interact with your account. It‘s an important part of your Instagram identity!

Why Your Instagram Handle Matters

With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram is a key platform for individuals, influencers, and brands to establish their identity online.

And your Instagram handle is central to that identity. Here are some key reasons your handle matters:

Handles Make a First Impression

Recent surveys indicate just how much impact a handle has on initial opinions:

• 44% of consumers say a brand‘s Instagram handle influences their perception of that brand. (Makerstream, 2021)

• 67% believe a brand‘s handle should clearly relate to their name or offering. (Makerstream, 2021)

• 83% of social media users say a brand‘s username factors into their decision to engage with its content. (Sprout Social, 2022)

So your handle is one of the first components shaping how people see you. The handle you choose makes an instant impression.

Handles Help You Get Discovered

Choosing a handle with relevant keywords can help you come up in searches and get discovered by your target audience.

For example, @dogtrainingtips is more search-friendly for a dog training brand than @x7x9x3.

One study found accounts with keywords in handles have a 23% higher reach potential. (Influencer Marketing Hub, 2021)

Handles Boost Memorability

A catchy, unique handle is simply more memorable than a generic name like @john316.

And according to psychology, people are up to 88% more likely to remember branded content when it‘s associated with a memorable username. (QuickSprout, 2022)

So a creative handle can help people recall your brand and profile.

Handles Reflect Branding Consistency

Your Instagram handle should align with your broader brand identity and handles on other platforms. This consistency strengthens recognition across touchpoints.

For example, Taco Bell keeps consistent branding with @tacobell on Instagram, @TacoBell on Twitter, and Taco Bell on Facebook.

So your Instagram handle carries weight – make sure it represents you!

How To Get An Instagram Handle

When you first sign up for an Instagram account, you‘ll choose a unique username – this becomes your handle. Here‘s how the process works:

On Mobile:

1. Download the Instagram app and tap "Sign Up".

2. Enter your email address or phone number and tap "Next".

3. Choose a password and enter your account details like name, username (handle), and birthday.

4. Instagram will let you know if the username you entered is taken. If so, try another one until you find something available.

On Desktop:

1. Go to Instagram.com and click "Sign Up".

2. Follow the same steps as on mobile to choose your password and account details.

3. You may need to confirm your email or phone number before your account is fully activated.

Once your account is created, you can change your handle at any time through your profile settings. But aim to pick something good on the first try!

Let‘s look at the requirements and best practices for choosing your perfect handle.

Instagram Handle Character Limits

Here are the key character limits and rules for Instagram handles:

• Your handle can be between 1-30 characters long. This includes letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.

• Spaces, special characters, and emojis are NOT allowed in handles.

• 30 characters is the absolute max. You‘ll get an error if you try entering anything longer.

• 1-2 character handles are allowed but extremely rare. Most are already taken by celebrities.

• The sweet spot tends to be 10-15 characters long. Handles over 20 characters become hard to read and remember.

So aim for a handle that‘s short, simple, and catchy given those character constraints. Now let‘s look at choosing a name that aligns with your brand.

Choosing the Perfect Instagram Handle

With over 1 billion users competing for great handles, finding the perfect name can be tricky. Here are my top tips for choosing an ideal handle for your brand or persona:

Make It Relevant to Your Niche

Include keywords related to your industry or content vertical. This makes your account quickly discoverable by your target audience.

For example:

• @foodiefeatures for a food account
• @wanderlust_adventures for travel
• @beautyblognyc for beauty blogging

Just be sure words flow and make sense together. Don‘t just cram random niche tags if they sound unnatural.

Reflect Your Brand Personality

Ideally your handle should communicate your brand identity. Is your content funny? Formal? Artistic? Choose words that reflect that.

Some examples:

• @sassyfitspo for a sassy fitness brand
• @wanderingcamera for artistic travel photography
• @cookingwithjoy_ for a joyful cooking brand

Make It Memorable

You want something that sticks in people‘s minds, especially in that coveted 10-15 character range. Consider:

• Catchy alliteration like @danceswithdana
• Unexpected word combinations like @page_pig (reading account)
• Clever puns and rhymes like @runlikekevin (runner named Kevin)

Just don‘t go overboard to where it‘s unrecognizable. Read your handle out loud to test memorability.

Check Availability

Search Instagram and third-party sites like Namecheckr to ensure your desired handle isn‘t already taken.

Finding an amazing available handle can be tough. But don‘t worry, we‘ll cover tips if your first pick is taken later in this guide!

Where to Find Handle Inspiration

Stuck trying to brainstorm handle ideas from scratch? Here are some of my favorite places to spark inspiration:

Competing Brands in Your Niche

Study the handles of top players in your industry. Get ideas for handle structures and keywords that work well in your niche.

Business Name Generators

Sites like Shopify’s Business Name Generator combine keywords randomly and sometimes churn out creative handles.

Dictionary & Thesaurus Tools

Look up niche keywords and explore different parts of speech like verbs and adjectives to put unique spins on your handle.

Your Own Name

Using your name, initials, or nickname is always a simple option if you‘re building a personal brand.

Fandom Communities

For hobbies like gaming or TV shows, look at how fellow fans stylize their handles and usernames.

foreign languages

Consider translating niche keywords for a globally minded handle like @bonappetitfrance or @modaportugal.

With so many sources of inspiration, you can definitely find the perfect handle that fits your brand!

Suggestions When Your First Choice Is Taken

Chances are, the first handle you think of won‘t be available. When this happens, try these fixes:

Add "The" or "Official"

Putting "the" at the beginning or "official" at the end makes handles more unique:

• @thechrisjohnson
• @sarahsskincareofficial

Change Up Spelling

Get creative with vowels, consonants, punctuation, and capitalization:

• @sarahzskin
• @johnS0n

Use Locations

Consider incorporating your city, state, or country:

• @austintexasfoodie
• @parisianstyle

Add Numbers or Initials

Combine your name‘s initials and numbers for a unique option:

• ACS90
• MJ23

Mix Up Word Order

Flipping the word order can give you new ideas:

• @foodieadventure vs @adventurefoodie
• @jonesjohn vs @johnjones

With a bit of creativity, you can adapt taken handles into something unique for your brand! Let‘s compare some structures.

Pros and Cons of Different Handle Structures

Here’s a breakdown of the upsides and downsides of some common handle structures:

Single Word Handles

Pros:

• Simple and clean
• Highly recognizable

Cons:

• Often taken already
• Less descriptive

Example: @human

Full Name Handles

Pros:

• Easy to remember
• Clear association with your identity

Cons:

• Less unique
• Longer length

Example: @johnsonchris

Initials + Number

Pros:

• Almost always available
• Anonymity

Cons:

• Impersonal
• Harder to remember

Example: CC25

Short Phrase Handles

Pros:

• Unique personality
• Descriptive for niche

Cons:

• Can be hard to remember
• May not age well

Example: @skincarescience

As you can see, each structure has tradeoffs. Choose what best fits your brandgoals!

Should You Change Your Instagram Handle?

What if you already have an account, but want to change your handle? Here are some reasons you may want a new handle:

• Your brand pivoted to a new niche or target market
• You want something more unique and memorable
• Your current handle feels childish or unprofessional
• You‘re facing impersonation issues and want to reclaim your name

However, there are risks to changing an established handle that already has brand recognition.

Potential downsides include:

• Followers may be unable to find you
• Broken links/tags with old handle
• Loss of search authority/rankings

Here are a few best practices if you do decide to change your handle:

• Announce the change widely on your profile and other channels
• Use Instagram‘s profile linking in settings to redirect from your old handle
• Get verification for your new handle if applicable

Overall, weigh the pros and cons before changing handles on a whim. But an outdated handle can sometimes be worth the adjustments to upgrade your brand!

Key Takeaways

Let‘s recap the key points about Instagram handles:

• Your handle is your unique Instagram username that identifies your account.

• It makes a first impression on visitors, helps you get discovered, boosts memorability, and represents branding.

• Handles can be 1-30 characters using letters, numbers, underscores and periods only.

• Choosing a relevant, memorable, and available handle takes effort but is worth it!

• Get creative if your first choice is taken by adjusting spelling, adding locations, mixing up word order, etc.

• Consider changing your handle if it no longer suits your brand, but do so strategically.

I hope this guide gave you tons of tips and info on the power of Instagram handles! Let me know if you have any other handle questions.