TikTok is a popular short-form video sharing app that allows users to create and share 15-60 second videos. The app was launched in September 2016 in China under the name Douyin and later introduced to the global market as TikTok in 2017. TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.
In just a few years, TikTok has experienced tremendous growth in users worldwide. As of December 2022, TikTok had over 1.5 billion monthly active users globally according to Business of Apps. The app has been downloaded over 3.3 billion times on the App Store and Google Play. TikTok’s growth has been especially significant in India, the United States, and parts of Southeast Asia.
TikTok is particularly popular among younger demographics. Around 41% of TikTok users are aged between 16 and 24 according to Backlinko. The app provides an easy way for teenagers and young adults to express themselves creatively, showcase talents, or simply find entertainment through short videos.
With its huge userbase and youthful demographics, TikTok presents major opportunities and challenges for brands aiming to reach Generation Z consumers. The platform has become a marketing phenomenon, blending entertainment and influencer marketing in new ways.
What is a TikTok Handle?
A TikTok handle is essentially your username on the TikTok platform. It is how other users identify you and find your profile. Your handle begins with the “@” symbol, followed by your unique username (e.g. @tiktok).
Your TikTok handle allows you to establish a unique presence and brand on the platform. It is different from your display name or profile name, which can be changed at any time. Your handle is permanent (unless you decide to change it).
According to Followchain, “A TikTok handle is your TikTok username (e.g. @followchain). Your TikTok name is not your handle. Your handle must contain an @ sign and can only contain letters, numbers, dots and underscores.” https://www.followchain.org/tiktok-handle/
In short, your TikTok handle is like your unique online identity on the platform. It allows others to search for and find your profile and content.
Importance of a TikTok Handle
A TikTok handle, also known as a username, serves as your unique identity on the platform. Your handle allows viewers to locate your profile and content. It is the way people find and follow you on TikTok.
Your handle is important for building your brand and audience on TikTok. It helps establish recognition and awareness. A good handle makes it easier for fans to find your content and share it with others. It also enables potential collaborators and partners to identify you.
For businesses, an effective handle promotes your brand identity. It helps people instantly associate your content with your company. A branded handle like @GoPro or @Target generates more followers and engagement. It also provides consistency with handles used on other platforms.
In summary, your TikTok handle allows you to grow an audience, build a brand, and be discoverable on the platform. Choosing a relevant and memorable handle is key for standing out and gaining followers on TikTok.
How to Choose a TikTok Handle
When choosing a TikTok handle, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
First, make your handle memorable and unique to your brand or personality, like @duetwithbae or @socality (https://www.adobe.com/express/learn/blog/tiktok-username-ideas). Avoid generic usernames like @user32465. A creative, fun handle will help people notice and remember you.
Keep handles fairly short, around 12-15 characters. The maximum is 30, but shorter titles are easier to search and remember. Include keywords related to your niche or content type if it fits, like @outdoorsfan or @bookreviewer.
You want the handle to represent your identity on TikTok. Brainstorm ideas related to your name, interests, niche, persona or descriptions of you. Get inspired by the list of username ideas in the sources.
Check if your desired username is available before finalizing it. Search TikTok to make sure no one else is using that exact handle.
Finally, once you choose your handle, aim to stick with it. Consistency across platforms helps fans find and follow you. But TikTok does allow changing your handle if needed.
Changing Your TikTok Handle
You may wish to change your TikTok handle if your current one is outdated or no longer reflects who you are. While you can change your handle, there are some limitations.
To change your TikTok handle:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap “Edit Profile”.
- Tap on your current handle and edit it.
- Tap “Save” to confirm the change.
According to TikTok’s support page, you can only change your handle once every 30 days [1]. This restriction is to prevent users from constantly changing their handle, which can be confusing for your followers.
Additionally, once you change your handle, your old handle becomes available for anyone else to claim. So you won’t be able to switch back to a previous handle later on.
Overall, changing your TikTok handle is easy to do but the limitations mean you’ll want to choose your new handle wisely.
Finding Someone’s Handle
There are a few different ways you can search for and find someone’s TikTok handle.
The most straightforward way is to use the Discover search bar. You can access this by tapping the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the app. Then, type the person’s name or username into the search bar and tap “Search.” The app will show results related to that query, including matching accounts you can click on to view the handle (source).
Another option is to use a direct link to the person’s profile. Most TikTok links are formatted as “tiktok.com/@username” – so if you have this link, you can extract the handle from the @ portion. Entering a direct profile link into the TikTok app will also take you right to that person’s account.
You can also find handles by searching related hashtags or content. For example, if you remember a popular TikTok dance or meme but not the creator, look up the hashtag or sounds associated with it. Often the top results will be the original viral videos which can lead you to the correct handle.
In summary, the Discover search, direct profile links, and exploring related content are the primary ways to search for and identify someone’s TikTok handle when you only have limited information to start with (source). With some detective work, you can usually track down a TikTok user’s unique handle.
Promoting Your TikTok Handle
Promoting your handle is key to growing your following and reaching more users on TikTok. Here are some best practices:
Link your other social media accounts like Instagram and YouTube in your TikTok bio. This allows followers on those platforms to easily find and follow you on TikTok as well. You can also put your TikTok handle in your Instagram and YouTube bios to promote cross-platform discovery.
Use relevant hashtags in your captions and make sure you have keywords in your profile bio. This helps the content become more discoverable in hashtag searches and account searches. Some good hashtags to try are #fyp #foryou #viral and any hashtags related to your niche.
Engage with your current followers by liking comments, responding, and hosting Live streams. This keeps followers interested in your account and can lead to shares and engagement on your videos.
Collaborate with other creators in your niche to tap into each other’s audiences. Make creative or entertaining videos together that highlight both of your handles.
Run TikTok’s built-in Promote tool as described in this TikTok support article. This lets you pay to boost views and engagement on specific videos.
Share your videos across other platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Cross-promoting great content can bring new followers to your TikTok handle from other sites.
Handle Ideas and Inspiration
Coming up with a creative, memorable handle is key to standing out on TikTok. When brainstorming ideas, it helps to get inspiration from relevant sources.
For individuals, consider using a fun play on your real name like TheOneAndOnly[YourName] or include words that reflect your personality or interests like NatureGirl or PizzaLover123. Get creative with puns, rhymes, alliteration or song lyrics. Examples include DontWaitUp, SnapCracklePop and WalkingOnSunshine.
For brands, incorporate your company or product name into the handle when possible. PLAYfulPets, CleanMachinesCo and BrightSmilesDental are professional yet catchy options. You can also highlight your niche like OrganicEats or AdorablePets. Just make sure it’s easy to remember and searchable for your target audience.
Check out sources like this article for expanded lists of handle ideas. Look at competitors or influencers in your niche for inspiration as well. With a clever, branded handle, you can stand out and get more visibility on TikTok.
Handles vs. Usernames on Other Platforms
On most social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, the terms “handle” and “username” are used interchangeably. However, there are some subtle differences:
On Twitter, your handle is the same as your username. It’s the @ name that identifies your account and appears in your profile URL. For example, @TikTok’s Twitter handle and username are the same.
On Instagram, your username is the name that appears in your profile URL and is used to tag your account in posts. Your handle is the shortened version without the @ symbol that people use to mention you in comments. For example, selenagomez’s Instagram username is selenagomez, while her handle is selenagomez.
On YouTube, your channel URL is youtube.com/c/youtubehandle. The “handle” part is unique and is considered your YouTube username. People can mention your channel in comments using @youtubehandle. So for the YouTube channel, the handle and username are the same.
So in summary, while terminology differs slightly across platforms, your handle is generally the unique public identifier for your account that people can use to interact with or mention you.
Summary
In summary, a TikTok handle is the unique username that identifies a user or brand on the platform. It’s important to choose a memorable, unique handle on TikTok since it allows others to search for and find your profile more easily. Handles also play an important role in building your brand on TikTok.
When selecting a TikTok handle, it’s best to pick something short, recognizable and related to your brand or content. Avoid using random numbers or characters that are difficult to remember. You can change your handle up to once per 30 days if needed.
Promoting your TikTok handle on other social platforms and elsewhere can help drive more followers. Handles are an integral part of building a presence and following on TikTok. For users and brands alike, choosing the right handle and promoting it properly is key to TikTok success.
In summary, TikTok handles enable discovery, help build brands and allow users to find the creators they love. Picking a strategic handle and promoting it widely is essential for anyone looking to grow their audience on this fast-growing platform.
