Do you want to change the username of your YouTube account? Follow the guide to know how you can change it easily. It’s a simple process that only takes a couple of minutes. Let’s get you started!
Can a YouTube username be changed?
Yes, you can change your YouTube username. It is simple and is much easier now than it ever was in the past. In the past, your channel name was often completely linked to your Google account identity, but YouTube changed this a while ago. Now, you have two distinct names for the same, making it much more interesting. Your Channel Name becomes the display name people see on your videos, and your Handle remains the unique name used for tagging and URLs. This makes it easier for the users to change the names of the channels to better suit the needs of their audience and niche. Just keep in mind that changing your handle updates your unique URL, but it does no more. So, even if you change it, it remains visible to the audience that you have, but it doesn’t impact the functioning of your account.
Steps to change the username of YouTube
If you want to change your username on YouTube, then these are the steps that you can follow.
Open your Channel
The first step is to sign in to YouTube and click on your profile picture in the top right corner. From there, you can select “View your channel” or jump straight into YouTube Studio.
Go to Customization
If you’re in the Studio, look for the “Customization” tab. It is usually located on the left-hand sidebar and usually has a little magic wand icon.
Head to Basic Info
Now, click on the “Basic info” tab at the top. Here you will find all the necessary settings for the same purpose.
Edit Name and Handle
You’ll see specific areas for both your Name and your Handle. Once you have found them and see the old names, you can click on them and simply type in your new names.
Check Availability
For the handle, YouTube will give you a green signal if it’s available and may sometimes even tell you that it is already taken. You can pick a name that is close to the one that you thought about, or something different!
Publish
After you have made the changes, you can click on the “Publish” button at the top right to save your changes.
Although it is pretty simple to change the name as per your needs, you can generally change these twice within a 14-day period. Also, if you’re verified on the platform, changing your name will remove your checkmark, often making users reapply for the same.
