TikTok is a popular short-form video app with over 1 billion monthly active users globally. On TikTok, each user has an account with a unique username that identifies them on the platform. Usernames on TikTok can contain up to 30 characters, including letters, numbers, underscores and periods.
TikTok usernames are an important part of a user’s identity and brand on the app. However, TikTok does allow users to change their username under certain circumstances. This article will provide an overview of how to change your username on TikTok and what impacts this change can have.
Why Change Your Username?
Most TikTok users simply sign up for an account using whatever username they can think of in the moment. As a result, many end up with usernames they later regret or that no longer fit their evolving interests and content focus (Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/socialmedia/comments/ov2c5f/is_it_a_bad_idea_to_change_my_username/).
As your TikTok presence grows, you may find your initial random username is irrelevant or unprofessional. Changing it can give you a fresh start with a username more tailored to your niche and personal brand. Having username regret is one of the main reasons TikTok creators decide to go through the process of changing their handle.
Character Limits for Usernames
TikTok usernames have a character limit between 2-20 characters, with 24 characters being the absolute maximum length https://charactercounter.com/tiktok. Usernames can contain letters, numbers, underscores and periods. When choosing a username, it’s best to keep it as short, memorable and unique as possible.
Having a concise, original username makes it easier for others to find and remember you on TikTok. The shorter the name, the easier it will be to include it in captions, comments and videos. Aim for a username that stands out from the crowd yet clearly identifies you or your brand.
Change Username on Profile
To change your username on TikTok, first open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner. This will take you to your profile page. Next, tap the “Edit Profile” button, which looks like a pencil icon. On the Edit Profile page, tap on your current username and a text box will appear. Delete your current username and type in the new username you want. The username can be up to 30 characters. Once you’ve entered the new username, tap “Save” in the top right corner to confirm the change.
According to TikTok’s Help Center, “Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and periods.” The username is displayed on your profile page, under your videos, and in search results so make sure to choose something recognizable (https://support.tiktok.com/en/getting-started/setting-up-your-profile/changing-your-username). Changing your username does not free up your old username to be claimed by someone else right away. The old username remains tied to your account for 30 days before it becomes available to others.
Rename Doesn’t Free Up Username
An important thing to note is that just because you change your username on TikTok, it doesn’t automatically free up your old username for others to claim. According to this Reddit discussion, once you change your username, your old one is not immediately available for anyone else to take. TikTok seems to keep old usernames reserved for a certain period of time after a change.
So if you see a username you want that seems to be inactive, it may not actually be available for you to claim right away even if the account is no longer using it. You’ll have to wait an undetermined amount of time before TikTok releases inactive usernames to be claimed again. This prevents other users from quickly snatching up coveted usernames right after someone changes theirs.
Change Causes Loss of Followers
Although TikTok says that changing your username will not cause you to lose existing followers, many users have reported a noticeable dip in followers after making the change. This temporary follower drop seems to happen because some followers do not immediately get redirected to your new username.
According to a Reddit user, “You shouldn’t lose followers for changing your username. You aren’t creating a new profile so all of your previous followers and people you follow will remain the same.”
However, another Redditor counters: “I changed mine and went from 800 followers to 400 real quick.”
So while followers are not directly lost due to a username change, the transition period right after changing your username can cause a noticeable but temporary drop in followers. This appears to be because the redirect does not happen instantly for all users.
Redirecting to New Username
One of the downsides of changing your TikTok username is that any existing links to your profile or content using the old username will break and lead to a nonexistent page. To mitigate losing followers or those trying to find you, you can set up redirects to seamlessly send people to your new profile.
The easiest way is to update your TikTok bio with a message like “I’m now @newusername” and include a link to your new profile. You’re limited to 150 characters in your bio, so keep it short.
Another popular option is to use a service like Linktree to create a landing page with a redirect link. Simply create a Linktree profile, add your new TikTok username as the single link, and add that Linktree URL to your old TikTok bio. Anyone who clicks will be sent to your new profile.
This allows a smooth transition so existing followers can find you, while also signaling that you have changed your username. Over time, your content and new username will begin ranking for searches, reducing the need for redirects.
Regaining Followers
When you change your TikTok username, you will inevitably lose some followers in the process. Here are some tips to help regain followers after a username change:
Go live more frequently. Livestreams are a great way to get your new username in front of old followers. When you go live, your broadcast will show up in the “Following” feed of your current followers. This gives them a chance to rediscover your new profile.
Post consistently. Keep posting quality content on a regular schedule. This keeps your existing followers engaged while also helping you show up in more feeds and gain new followers. Consistency is key for TikTok’s algorithm.
Do collaborations and shoutouts. Partner with other creators to gain exposure to their followers. Offer shoutouts to loyal fans to thank them for following your new account.
Use relevant hashtags. Include hashtags related to your niche so your content shows up in those feeds. This helps you get discovered by new users.
Run contests and giveaways. Incentivize followers to share your new username. Require them to follow your new account to enter.
Leverage other platforms. Promote your new TikTok username on Instagram, YouTube, etc. to notify fans of the change.
Multiple Username Changes
TikTok limits how often you can change your username. According to their help center, you can only change your username once every 30 days. This is to prevent people from constantly changing their handle and confusing their followers.
If you try to change your username more frequently than every 30 days, you’ll get an error message from TikTok informing you that you have to wait before changing it again. So it’s important to choose a username you like and can stick with for at least a month before changing it.
TikTok does not place a limit on the total number of times you can change your username over the lifetime of your account. As long as you wait 30 days between each change, you can rename your handle as many times as you want.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few key steps to changing your username on TikTok:
– First, go to your profile and tap Edit Profile. This is where you can enter a new username.
– Be aware of the 30 character limit for usernames. Pick something short, memorable and unique.
– Once you hit Save, your username will be changed instantly across TikTok.
– Remember that changing your username will cause you to lose some followers. The old username will not redirect people to your new profile.
– Consider running a campaign to let your followers know about the change, so you can regain followers under the new name.
– You can change your username multiple times, but don’t overdo it as that may confuse your followers.
With this advice in mind, you should be prepared to easily change your username on TikTok while minimizing disruption. Pick a great new name and let your fans know!
