What is a TikTok account ID number?
A TikTok account ID number is a unique identifier assigned to each user account on the platform. According to High Social’s TikTok User ID Finder1, the ID number consists of 19 digits generated by TikTok when a new account is created. The ID can’t be changed and remains the same for the lifetime of the account.
The TikTok ID number is different from your username. Usernames can be changed, but the ID number will stay the same. The ID number is not visible on your public profile, so you’ll need to use a tool like High Social or Media Mister2 to find your account’s ID.
Every TikTok account has its own unique ID number. It allows TikTok to identify accounts internally and serves various functions related to analytics, payments, advertising, and more. While users don’t need to know their ID number for daily use of TikTok, it can be useful for tracking performance or integrating your account with other platforms.
Why do TikTok account ID numbers matter?
TikTok account ID numbers are important for a few key reasons:
- They are used to identify each unique account on TikTok. Just like a username, the ID number is assigned to each account and can’t be changed. It differentiates one account from another.
- The ID number is needed to tag or mention other accounts in posts and comments. On TikTok you can tag other users by using their ID number preceded by the @ symbol, allowing you to directly interact with other accounts.
- The account ID is part of each TikTok account’s unique webpage URL. For example, the URL format is www.tiktok.com/@accountidname. The ID number comes after the @ symbol in the URL.
So in summary, TikTok ID numbers are important identifiers that allow accounts to be distinguished from each other and interacted with across the platform.
How to find your TikTok account ID number
Finding your TikTok account ID number is easy to do both in the TikTok app and on the web. Here is a step-by-step guide to locating your account ID:
- Open the TikTok app on your mobile device and go to your profile page. Your profile picture and username will be at the top.
- Tap on the three-dot menu icon next to your username. This will open up a dropdown menu.
- Select “Copy link” from the menu. This will copy your profile URL to your clipboard.
- The profile URL will contain your unique TikTok user ID number, which is a long string of numbers. For example: https://www.tiktok.com/@1234567890123
- To confirm, you can paste the copied URL in a notes app or text document to clearly see the ID number.
To find your TikTok ID on the web:
- Go to TikTok.com and log into your account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right and select “View profile” from the dropdown menu.
- This will open your public profile page. The URL of this page will contain your TikTok user ID number.
- You can copy the URL or simply look at the unique numbers after “@” in the URL to identify your account ID.
Knowing these simple steps makes it easy to access your TikTok ID whenever you need it. The ID number is the primary way the TikTok platform identifies and links content and data to your specific account.
Using Your TikTok Account ID Number
There are a few key ways you can utilize your TikTok account ID number:
Tagging Other Accounts: You can tag other TikTok accounts in your posts, comments, and messages by using their account ID number preceded by the @ symbol (e.g. @12345678). This is a convenient way to directly notify other accounts or give them credit without needing their username.
Adding to Profile URL: You can append your account ID to the end of your TikTok profile URL (e.g. tiktok.com/@username/12345678) to create a unique, easy-to-share link to your profile. Sharing your profile URL with ID can make it simpler for new viewers to find and follow you.
Posting Your ID: You may want to directly include your TikTok account ID in your bio or posts to help viewers identify you and your content. This can be especially useful if you have a generic username that’s difficult to search.
Overall, your TikTok account ID gives you a unique identifier to leverage across the platform. It can help optimize discovering and engaging with other accounts in addition to sharing your own profile. As TikTok usage continues to grow, IDs may take on even more functionality for users, creators and brands.
Changing your TikTok account ID
One way to change your TikTok account ID number is by changing your TikTok username. According to TikTok’s Help Center, “Your TikTok URL is tied to your username. If you change your username, your URL will change too.”
To change your username on TikTok:
- In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom.
- Tap Edit profile.
- Enter your desired new username.
- Tap Save.
Your account ID URL will update to reflect your new username. For example, if your username was @katie123 and you change it to @dancevideos456, your updated account URL would change from tiktok.com/@katie123 to tiktok.com/@dancevideos456.
This will break any existing links directing users to your old account ID URL. You will need to update your profile links and tags across platforms to direct to your new account ID URL.
TikTok Account ID Best Practices
When creating your TikTok account ID, it’s important to follow best practices to ensure your ID is effective. Here are some tips:
Create a memorable, brandable ID. Your ID should be easy to remember and communicate, and represent your brand if you’re a business. Avoid random numbers or letters.
Avoid prohibited or duplicate IDs. Make sure your desired ID doesn’t contain offensive words, impersonate other accounts, or is already taken. Check TikTok’s account policies for prohibited content.
Be consistent across platforms. Use the same ID consistently on TikTok and other platforms like Instagram or Twitter so users can easily find you.
Keep it simple. Short, catchy IDs with a few words or numbers are easiest to remember.
Consider your target audience. Tailor your ID to your audience for better engagement.
Brand accounts should use business names. Use your official business name or username for branding.
Avoid frequent changes. Only change your ID if absolutely necessary, as it can confuse followers.
Following TikTok’s best practices when creating your account ID will help ensure you have an effective, optimized presence on the platform.
Troubleshooting TikTok Account ID Issues
If you run into problems with your TikTok account ID, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try. Some common issues include forgetting your ID number, having an invalid ID in shared links, or your desired ID being prohibited by TikTok. Here are some ways to fix TikTok account ID problems:
If you’ve forgotten your account ID number, the easiest way to find it again is by going to your TikTok profile page. Your unique ID will be displayed next to your username. You can also find it in the account settings under the “Username” section.
If someone shared a link to your TikTok profile but the ID in the link is invalid or incorrect, you’ll need to ask them to re-share the link using your current ID. Make sure you provide the correct number.
In some cases, the TikTok account ID you want may not be allowed due to prohibited keywords or violations of TikTok’s username policy. If your desired ID is prohibited, you’ll have to choose a different one that follows the platform’s rules.
Resetting your account is one option if you’re unable to resolve ID issues yourself. You can request an account reset through TikTok’s support options. This will generate a new account ID, but you will lose followers and account history in the process.
If you’re still having trouble fixing problems with your TikTok ID, you can contact TikTok support directly for additional help. Be ready to provide details about the specific issue you’re encountering.
TikTok Account ID Limitations
TikTok places some key limitations on account IDs that users should be aware of:
Character limits: TikTok account IDs can only contain up to 30 characters. This puts a hard limit on how long an ID can be when creating a new account or changing your ID.
Restricted symbols and words: Certain symbols and words are restricted from being used in a TikTok ID. This includes special characters like %, $, #, @, as well as words like “admin” or “TikTok” that are reserved. Using these in an ID could result in an error or the ID being changed.
Namespace issues: With millions of TikTok users, namespace issues can arise around duplicate or expired IDs. Users may not be able to claim an ID if it was previously held by a deleted or banned account. TikTok also recycles inactive IDs, so claiming a desired ID may depend on timing.
Citing a relevant source: According to TikTok’s Inactive Account Policy, “If an account remains inactive for 180 days or more, the username may be reset to a randomized numeric username.” This demonstrates the namespace issues that can occur.
Notable TikTok accounts and their IDs
Some of the most notable and influential TikTok accounts belong to top creators, brands, and organizations. Knowing the account IDs of popular accounts can make it easier to find and follow them.
The current most-followed individual account on TikTok belongs to Khaby Lame, with over 178 million followers as of February 2023. His TikTok ID is @khaby.lame, linked here: https://www.tiktok.com/@khaby.lame
Other top creators with huge followings include Charli D’Amelio (@charlidamelio), Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch), and Addison Rae (@addisonre). Their account IDs make it fast and simple for fans to locate their profiles.
Major brands like Amazon (@amazon), Chipotle (@chipotle), and Gucci (@gucci) have cultivated large followings on TikTok as well. Checking their account IDs reveals how they attract audiences on the platform.
In general, looking up the account IDs of popular TikTok creators or brands lets you easily find and follow influential accounts. The ID links directly to their profile no matter how common their name is. Monitoring trending or suggested accounts’ IDs can also help you discover rising stars and viral moments early.
The future of TikTok account IDs
As TikTok continues to evolve and grow in popularity, there will likely be changes and improvements made to the account ID system. According to an article on What’s Next 2024 Trend Report from TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/business/en/trends-whats-next), the platform is focused on “curiosities, new story arcs & deepening trust.” This indicates potential shifts in features that could impact account IDs.
Some possible changes include new ID features for improved discoverability and analytics. TikTok may add options to customize or enhance IDs to help users build their brand and get better data on their content performance. There could also be a transition from solely using IDs to focusing more on user handles and usernames over time, as we’ve seen on other social platforms. According to Social Media Today, TikTok is already rolling out “Artist Accounts” to better promote musicians (https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/tiktok-artist-accounts-promote-emerging-musicians/701181/), suggesting a move toward handles.
While the specifics are unclear, TikTok account IDs will likely evolve to offer more functionality, personalization, and integration with other identifying features. The main goals would be improving the user experience and providing stronger tools for discovery and analytics.