YouTube are introducing @Handles – open to all users
Image Credit: YouTube
YouTube Handles are making it easier for all channels to identify themselves, tag others and search for creators.
Following in the footsteps of most other social media platforms, like Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube will soon allow all users to claim a unique @username. This move should make it easier for everyone to find and connect with other users.
YouTube Handles will show in various places across the video platform, including channel homepages, search results, Shorts feed, comments, community posts and more.
This should also open up new features, like the ability to tag other users in videos and comments. A unique username could also help ease the growing number of scams taking places from those pretending to be high profile users in places like comments.
How to reserve your YouTube Handle
Where previously personalized URLs were reserved to only those with over 100 subscribers, this eligibility requirement is being removed for Handles. Handles are rolling out to everyone over the coming weeks. You will be notified in the YouTube Studio app and by email when it’s your time to choose a handle.
Those with a personalized URL, in most cases, will automatically have that handle reserved. If you don’t have a personalized URL or want to change up your brand you’ll be able to choose a handle.
YouTube Handles must follow a number of criteria:
- Between 3 and 30 characters
- Alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 1-9), underscores, hyphens, full stops
- Not URL-like or phone number-like
- No violent, offensive, sexualised or spammy handles
- Follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines
If you don’t choose a handle by 14 November, YouTube will automatically assign you one, based on your channel name. This can be changed at any point.
Your Handle will create a matching URL in the following format: youtube.com/@example. YouTube recommend updating your social profiles and website to link to your new URL, although existing personalized URLs (/c/example, /user/example) will continue to work.
More information can be found at youtube.com/handle.