Is YouTube Handle Important and How to Choose the Right One

Choosing the right YouTube handle can make a big difference in your online presence. A well-chosen handle can help you stand out and make your channel more memorable.

Your YouTube handle is your unique identifier on the platform, and it's the first thing people see when they search for your content. According to the article, a study found that 70% of users make judgments about a website based on its name alone.

A good YouTube handle should be easy to remember, spell, and pronounce. This is especially important if you're planning to build a brand around your channel.

Having a unique handle on YouTube is a game-changer for creators. It makes it easier for people to mention your channel in comments, posts, and tags. This is especially true if you're using the same handle across all platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.

You might be thinking, "But what if I already have a personalized URL for my channel?" Don't worry, if that's the case, you don't need to update your link. It will automatically be redirected to your creator account.

However, if you're looking to change your handle, be aware that it might not be as easy as you think. If you have a very common name like "John Doe", you might have a hard time finding a new username.

Here are some pros and cons to consider:

It's also worth noting that having a unique handle can make it easier for your audience to reach you, but if you change it too often, it can be harder for them to find you.

A YouTube handle is a unique identifier that represents your channel, and it's essential to choose one that accurately reflects your brand and content. You can choose a handle when YouTube notifies you via email and YouTube Studio that it's ready for you to pick one.

To select a handle, go to youtube.com/handle and follow the guidelines, which include: it must contain numbers and letters, be unique, not violate YouTube's Community Guidelines, not resemble a URL or phone number, and be between three and 30 characters long.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when choosing a handle:

Remember, you can't transfer or sell a handle, and if your channel has a verification badge check mark, adding a handle won't affect that.

You can choose a handle for your YouTube channel after YouTube notifies you via email and YouTube Studio. To pick a handle, go to youtube.com/handle.

A handle must contain numbers and letters, and can include hyphens, underscores, or periods. It can't already be claimed by another channel, and must not resemble a URL or phone number.

The handle should be between three and 30 characters long. If your channel already has a personalized URL, your YouTube handle will default to the "unique part" of that URL.

To choose a handle, consider what your channel is about and what name best represents it. If your channel is promoting a business, use your business name. If it's a depiction of your life, use your name.

Here are the guidelines for a YouTube handle in bullet form:

YouTube handles help you create a unique presence on the platform and make it easier for people to find and interact with your channel.

You can change your YouTube handle across different devices, and it's a relatively straightforward process.

To start, you need to sign in to YouTube Studio on your computer to change your handle.

The process is similar across devices, but the steps vary slightly.

To change your handle on an Android device or iPhone/iPad, you can open the YouTube app and sign in.

Once you're signed in, tap your profile picture and go to Your channel.

From there, tap Edit channel and select Handle.

You can then enter your new handle and tap Save.

It's worth noting that changing your handle on one device will sync across all your devices.

You can change your YouTube handle on a computer, an Android device, or an iPhone/iPad. To do so, sign in to YouTube Studio, go to Customization > Basic info, and edit your handle under the Handle section.

To change your handle on an Android device or iPhone/iPad, open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture, and go to Your channel. Then, tap Edit channel and select Handle.

Your new handle should represent your channel and align with the content and brand you're trying to portray. YouTube's guidelines state that your handle must be between 3-30 characters, made up of alphanumeric characters, and include underscores, hyphens, or periods.

Here are the YouTube handle guidelines in a nutshell:

Remember, you can't transfer or sell a handle, and if your channel has a verification badge check mark, adding a handle won't affect that. Parent-supervised YouTube accounts for children won't have access to handles.

YouTube is still going to be a leader when it comes to longer content, such as video podcasts. This is a key advantage for creators who prefer to produce more in-depth content.

The new handles initiative on YouTube is an attempt to appeal to the next generations and remain relevant in business. It's a smart move by YouTube to adapt to the market's needs.

Some creators might have a hard time finding a username since this initiative is going to be applied gradually for the rest of the month. This means some creators will have to wait for others to change their handles before they can do so.

In the end, adapting to change is what digital marketing is all about.

A YouTube handle is a unique identifier for your channel, and it's essential to choose a good one. You'll receive an email and notification in YouTube Studio when it's ready for you to choose a handle.

To choose a handle, go to youtube.com/handle and pick a name that meets YouTube's guidelines. These guidelines include:

Your handle should represent your channel, and it's a good idea to keep your brand consistent across platforms. If your channel is promoting a business, opt for the business name, and if it's a depiction of your life, opt for your name.

Some creators might find it challenging to come up with a unique handle, especially if their name is very common. In these cases, they'll have to be creative and try different combinations of letters and numbers.

YouTube handles are a great way to make your channel more easily found and reduce the risk of having your content lost in the algorithm. Creating a handle is easy and only takes a few minutes.