Choosing the right YouTube handle can feel like a balancing act between expressing your unique identity and ensuring it aligns with your brand.
You might be struggling with a current handle that doesn’t quite fit anymore – it’s either too quirky, outdated, or doesn’t reflect the content you’re now passionate about creating.
Changing it isn’t just about a new name; it’s about realigning your channel’s first impression with your evolved content and goals. A well-chosen handle can be a powerful tool in making your channel more memorable and searchable, directly impacting your growth and audience connection.
What Is A YouTube Handle or YouTube URL?
A YouTube handle or URL is your channel’s web address on YouTube, making it easy for viewers to find and share your content.
Think of it as your online identity on YouTube. It’s how viewers find you, share your channel, and refer back to your content.
Having a clear and memorable handle or URL is vital for building a strong online presence, as it’s often the first point of contact between your channel and potential subscribers. A well-chosen URL reflects your brand and makes it easier for your audience to remember and locate your channel amidst the millions of others.
Why Does Having a Custom Handle Matter?
A custom handle can greatly enhance your YouTube channel’s identity and accessibility, making it a key element in your digital branding strategy. Here are some of the reasons why you may want to have a custom YouTube handle:
- Brand Consistency: It ensures your channel’s URL matches your brand or channel name, creating a cohesive and professional appearance.
- Easy Recall: A custom URL is typically shorter and more memorable, making it easier for viewers to remember and revisit your channel.
- Improved Shareability: A concise and clear URL can be easily shared, both verbally and through social media, increasing your channel’s reach.
- Enhanced Marketing: A custom URL can be used in marketing materials, business cards, or email signatures, providing a direct link to your YouTube content.
- Search Engine Optimization: A URL that includes your channel name or relevant keywords can improve your channel’s visibility in search engine results.
What Are the Requirements To Get A Custom Handle?
To obtain a custom handle for your YouTube channel, there are specific requirements and guidelines you must follow.
1. Requirements
To qualify for a custom handle, your channel needs to:
- Have at least 100 subscribers.
- Be more than 30 days old.
- Must display both an uploaded profile picture and banner image.
2. Guidelines For Naming
Your chosen handle should:
- Be 3-30 characters long.
- Contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9).
- Optionally include underscores (_), hyphens (-), or periods (.).
- Avoid resembling a URL or phone number.
- Not already be in use.
- Adhere to YouTube’s Community Guidelines.
3. Best Practices For Choosing A Handle
When selecting a handle, choose one that reflects your public identity on YouTube. Keep in mind:
- Handles aren’t case-sensitive.
- Avoid violent, offensive, sexualized, or spammy handles.
- YouTube prohibits the sale or transfer of handles.
- Violation of Community Guidelines can result in YouTube revoking and replacing your handle.
How Do I Change My YouTube Handle or URL?
You can manage your handle through YouTube Studio or directly at youtube.com/handle, where viewing and editing options are available.
Keep in mind that you have the flexibility to update your YouTube handle up to twice within a two-week period. When you change it, YouTube reserves your old handle for 14 days, giving you the option to revert back. Both the old and new handle URLs will be functional during this time. After 14 days, if not reclaimed, your previous handle becomes available for others.
How Do I Change My YouTube Handle Manually?
On a Computer🖥️
Step #1: Log into YouTube Studio.
Step #2: Select ‘Customization‘ from the left menu, then choose ‘Basic info‘.
Step #3: Your current handle is visible under ‘Handle‘. To change it, simply edit the text field.
Step #4: Confirm the change by clicking ‘PUBLISH‘.
On Mobile Devices📱
Step #1: Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture.
Step #2: Go to ‘Your Channel‘ and then ‘Edit Channel.
Step #3: Find the ‘Handle‘ section. To edit, tap ‘Edit‘ next to your current handle.
Step #4: Enter your new handle. If it’s not available, YouTube will suggest alternatives.
Step #5: Save your new handle by tapping ‘Save‘.
Why Is My Handle Not Available?
If the handle you want is unavailable, it’s typically for one of two reasons: either it’s already been chosen by another channel, or it doesn’t align with YouTube’s handle naming guidelines.
