If you’re trying to find a specific person on TikTok but can’t seem to find their username, there are a few potential reasons why this may be happening.
They changed their username
The most common reason you can’t find someone on TikTok is because they have changed their username. Usernames on TikTok are not permanent – users can change their username at any time in their profile settings. So if you haven’t interacted with a user in a while, there’s a good chance they have switched to a new username that you don’t recognize.
There is currently no way to search for a user’s old or previous usernames on TikTok. The only way to find them again is if you happen to come across content with their new username organically, or if they notify their followers that they have changed their username.
Their account is private
If a TikTok user has set their account to private, their username and videos will not show up in searches or be viewable to the public. Only followers approved by the user will be able to see their private content.
So if you try searching for a username of someone you know has a TikTok but can’t find them, it likely means their account is private. You will have to request to follow them in order to view their profile and videos.
They blocked you
If a TikTok user has blocked you, their account will also not be visible or searchable to you. So if you previously were following or interacting with someone but now can’t find their profile, they may have blocked you.
There is no notice or indication given to a user if they have been blocked by someone else on TikTok. The only way you may realize it is if you are suddenly unable to view their profile or content.
They deleted or deactivated their account
It’s also possible the user you are searching for has deleted or deactivated their TikTok account altogether. If an account is removed, the username will disappear from the platform and will no longer show up in any searches.
Sometimes users take breaks from TikTok and deactivate their accounts temporarily before reactivating them later under the same username. But there is no way to find a deactivated account, even through searching.
TikTok search limitations
TikTok’s search functionality has some limitations that can also cause issues finding specific usernames. Some key limitations include:
- Search is case sensitive – searching for @JohnDoe won’t show @johndoe
- Only exact full usernames will appear in search – searching for “john” won’t show @JohnDoe
- Search prioritizes larger accounts – smaller accounts may not appear in search
- Search results are personalized based on past engagement
So even if the account still exists, these types of search algorithm issues could prevent you from finding a username. Trying alternative spellings or searching from a different device/account can sometimes work around this.
Their username contains special characters
Some TikTok users include special characters like periods, underscores, or emoji in their usernames. But TikTok’s search function does not always properly index special characters.
As a result, those usernames may not appear in search results, even if you enter the exact characters. Removing any non-alphanumeric characters from your search query can sometimes help surface those users.
How to find someone’s new or changed username
If you can’t locate someone you previously followed on TikTok, there are a few ways you can try to find their new username or account:
- Check their other social media accounts like Instagram or Twitter to see if they have linked their TikTok
- Look for hashtags or sounds they commonly used and browse those feeds to see if you spot them
- Watch for friends of that person liking or commenting on videos and click through to those profiles
- Browse your Following list and Following Activity for any signs of their new account
- Ask a mutual friend if they know the new username
Essentially leverage all connections or past interactions you had with that user to uncover clues about their new or changed username. While not foolproof, these tips can help narrow down the possibilities.
Prevent losing track of usernames
To avoid the headache of losing track of TikTok friends and creators in the future, there are some habits you can build:
- Follow any accounts you want to keep tabs on so you stay connected
- Check your Following list periodically for username changes
- Add usernames you want to remember to your TikTok profile bio or notes
- Save important usernames in your phone contacts, notes, or an external list
Even if they change it later, this will give you a starting point to reconnect with lost accounts. And proactively building these habits can prevent you from having to hunt down users you enjoy engaging with.
In summary…
TikTok usernames are changeable, so don’t be surprised if old ones disappear. But with a combination of search tricks, social media checks, watchful browsing habits, and external tracking methods you can often reconnect with lost accounts. Just be prepared for the extra work of tracking down users who frequently change names.
