What is a TikTok User Name?
A TikTok user name is the unique identifier that users choose when they create their account on the platform. It functions similarly to a username on other social media sites.
The TikTok user name allows other users to identify and find your profile. It appears next to your display name and is included in the URL for your profile page. For example, if your user name is @catvideos, your profile URL would be www.tiktok.com/@catvideos.
The TikTok user name is different from your display name. Your display name is the name that appears on your profile and with your videos. You can change your display name at any time, but your original user name will remain the same.
TikTok user names can only contain letters, numbers, underscores, and periods. They must be between 4-30 characters. TikTok user names are unique and once a name is taken, no one else can use it.
Choosing a TikTok User Name
When choosing a TikTok user name, there are some tips to follow as well as pitfalls to avoid. According to Adobe Express, you’ll want your user name to be memorable and representative of your brand and identity. Shorter names without numbers or special characters are easier to remember. Using your real name or a version of it can help build your personal brand. Descriptive names related to your niche can attract the right audience. Just be sure not to choose something too obscure. Avoid numbers, special characters, or hard to spell names as they can confuse users. See the Adobe article for additional tips on choosing a great TikTok user name.
You’ll also want to steer clear of certain kinds of user names, according to Hootsuite. Stay away from anything offensive, inappropriate, or controversial that could get you banned. Don’t choose names that are misleading or appear to represent TikTok or another brand without permission. Avoid user names that are extremely long or complicated. And don’t use names that are hard to tag in captions. Check out Hootsuite’s article for more username ideas and their free username generator tool.
Changing Your TikTok User Name
You can only change your TikTok username once every 30 days. This limit prevents users from constantly changing their username, which could be confusing for followers or make it difficult to maintain a consistent brand identity. According to TikTok’s Help Center:
“To change your username on TikTok: 1. In the TikTok app, tap Profile at the bottom. 2. Tap Edit profile. 3. Enter your desired username. 4. Tap Save.” (source)
So if you want to change your username, you’ll need to wait 30 days between each change. Plan your new username carefully, because you’ll be stuck with it for at least a month at a time. The 30 day limit prevents potential abuse, keeps the platform organized, and ensures usernames remain somewhat consistent for each user.
Display Name vs. User Name
TikTok makes a distinction between a user’s display name and their username. The display name is the name shown at the top of a user’s profile and on their videos. It can be changed at any time and does not need to be unique. The username is the unique identifier attached to a user’s account that appears in their profile URL and is used to tag or search for a user. It can only be changed once every 30 days.
When a user first creates their account, they choose a unique username that then becomes their permanent account identifier. They can then customize their display name separately to show whatever name they want to users. The display name has no restrictions and can be changed as often as desired, while the permanent username cannot be changed for 30 days after initial creation or after any subsequent change.
So in summary:
- Display name – Shown at top of profile and on videos. Can be changed anytime.
- Username – Unique ID in profile link. Can only change every 30 days.
This allows users to brand themselves consistently with their display name, while keeping a fixed unique account identifier as their permanent username.
User Name and Branding
Your TikTok user name can be an important part of your overall brand identity and strategy. Many experts recommend choosing a user name that aligns with your brand name, handles on other platforms, or company URL to promote consistency.
Having an identifiable, on-brand user name makes it easier for your existing audience and customers to find you on TikTok. It also helps establish your brand authority in the space. As social media marketing strategist Jay Baer advises, “The handle should ideally include your brand name and be the same as other handles you use on other platforms.”
However, you also want to choose something short, catchy and memorable. Your full brand name may be too long or cumbersome. Consider abbreviations or shortened versions that capture the essence of your brand.
Just be sure not to sacrifice clarity. If an abbreviated or altered handle becomes too vague or unrecognizable, it defeats the purpose of reinforcing your brand through a consistent user name.
User Names and Searchability
A TikTok user’s name can have an impact on their searchability and discoverability on the platform. Optimizing one’s username with relevant keywords can help their profile and content show up in TikTok’s search results and recommendations.
According to research from LinkedIn, keyword-optimized TikTok user names rank better in searches compared to generic names like “user123” or “john_doe”. For example, an account named “CoffeeTips” or “BaristaTutorials” is more likely to show up when users search for coffee-related terms on TikTok, versus an account named “BobsAccount”.
TikTok’s algorithm looks at usernames, page titles, captions, hashtags and more to understand what a user’s content is about. Having keywords in one’s username signals to TikTok the topics and categories one creates content on. This allows the platform to better index and recommend that content to users interested in those topics. As noted in blog posts by Hootsuite, a username that clearly communicates one’s niche can be an important optimization for TikTok SEO.
However, while keyword-rich names have benefits, overly spammy or promotional usernames like “BuyMyProductNow” could hurt perception and credibility. Experts recommend finding a balance between optimization and branding when naming a TikTok profile.
Notable TikTok User Names
Examples of creative, memorable or successful TikTok user names include:
@charlidamelio – With over 142 million followers, Charli D’Amelio has one of the most recognizable usernames on TikTok. Her simple, readable handle reflects her first name.
@bellapoarch – Bella Poarch went viral with her lip sync videos, and now has over 92 million followers. Her username references her last name in a short, catchy way.
@khaby.lame – With 148 million followers, Khaby Lame is one of the most popular TikTok creators. His username highlights his first and last name in a unique format.
@itscaitlinhello – Caitlin Reilly uses a playful username referencing her first name and a warm greeting.
@420doggface208 – Nathan Apodaca’s account honors his viral longboarding video featuring Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” The numbers reference his area code.
@waffler69 – With 15 million followers, this comedic account uses an amusing fake name as their handle.
@TabithaBrown – Tabitha Brown’s motivational videos have earned her 3.7 million followers. Her username highlights her personal name brand.
Creativity, branding, simplicity, and memorability are all important factors for a notable TikTok username.
User Names for Businesses
Businesses and brands on TikTok should carefully consider their user name as part of their overall branding and marketing strategy. Some best practices for business accounts include:
– Choose a user name that closely matches your business name or brand. This helps customers easily identify your business on TikTok. For example, @Pepsi, @UberEats, @Chipotle.
– Keep it simple and consistent with other social media accounts. Don’t use underscores, hyphens, or other symbols that may break up the name. @nike is better than @justdoit_nike.
– Check username availability. Make sure the desired user name is not already taken by another account. TikTok does not allow duplicate user names.
– Use a business or creator account, not a personal account. Business and creator accounts unlock more analytics and promotional features.
– Add a link to your website and other social media profiles in the TikTok bio. This helps direct traffic to your other online properties.
– Leverage a branded hashtag in your bio. Encourage users to search and engage with the hashtag. For example, @Target’s #TargetStyle.
Some notable examples of business accounts on TikTok with clever or effective user names include:
– @Grubhub: Food delivery service Grubhub built brand awareness through dance trends.
– @Gymshark: Fitness apparel retailer Gymshark leaned into influencer marketing campaigns.
– @Chipotle: Chipotle drove engagement through their viral food and recipe videos.
For more tips, check out TikTok’s guide for building your brand on TikTok.
User Names and Verification
One of the perks of having an official TikTok user name is the ability to get verified with a blue checkmark badge next to your username. According to TikTok’s Help Center article on verified accounts, “This is a verified symbol or badge that TikTok provides to help you make informed choices about the content you watch or accounts you follow.”
Getting verified on TikTok involves going through an application process to confirm your authenticity as the person, brand, or organization you represent on the platform. TikTok reviews factors like your account’s authenticity, uniqueness, popularity and engagement when considering verification requests. According to their newsroom article, “A verified badge means that TikTok has confirmed the account belongs to the user it represents.”
The verification process involves submitting information like your official identification, contact information, and social media accounts along with a justification for why your account should be verified. TikTok’s team reviews applications and grants verified status at their discretion. There is no way to instantly or automatically get a verified badge on TikTok – it requires applying and being approved through their official channel.
Pros and Cons of TikTok User Names
Having a customized TikTok user name comes with both benefits and drawbacks that are important to consider. One of the main benefits of picking your own unique user name is that it allows you to brand yourself on TikTok. As social media strategist Jenn Herman explains, “Your username is an important part of your brand on TikTok. It helps identify you and allows you to stand out from the crowd” (source). A customized user name makes you more memorable and can reflect your personality or content niche.
However, one potential downside of a unique user name is that on TikTok, user names are permanent and can’t be changed. As pointed out on Quora, “Once you choose a username, you cannot change it” (source). This permanence means you have to choose wisely and pick a user name you’ll be happy with long-term as your brand and content evolve. An outdated or no longer relevant user name could hinder your ability to adapt your branding over time.
