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If I Change Instagram Username Will I Lose Followers?

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Are you social media and image savvy? Have you considered how your handles and platform identify might impact your fanbase ?

You may be worried that if you change Instagram username you will lose followers. This shouldn’t be the case. But there are some things you can do to ensure you keep them and attract even more with on-point digital branding that’ll help you stand out.

In this article, we’ll show you how to change the name on your account and retain followers. We’ve also got some of the best artist Instagram names to give you inspiration.

Will I lose followers i f I my change Instagram username?

instagram username change limit

Whether you’re on iOS, Android or desktop, your Instagram name and username can be changed by editing your profile. Your username needs to be unique, otherwise, it will be unavailable. But your Instagram name can be the same as on your other social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, Tik Tok etc.)

Sometimes you just want to pick a new artist name. If so, you should change your username on Instagram also. This will help you keep your image synchronised across all of your social platforms. Instagram makes it quite easy to change your name but you could still run into problems so we’ve put together a guide on everything you need to know.

Can you change your Instagram name and keep your followers?

You shouldn’t lose followers for changing your name. It doesn’t create a new profile so all of your previous followers and people you follow will stay the same.

However, if you choose a name that is offensive or explicit then you might find yourself losing followers. You could also find yourself getting reported and blocked so even if you’re doing it for a joke, it really isn’t worth it. Before you set your heart on a username, run a search on Insta to check it it’s already taken.

Instagram username change limit

Make sure you’ve brainstormed and come up with plenty of ideas before choosing your name. Unlike Facebook, there isn’t a limit on changing your name but you should still commit to your choice. An Instagram username is limited to 30 characters and must contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You can’t use symbols or other punctuation marks.

How to change Instagram name within 14 days

What happens if you make the wrong decision about your name change – or someone gets hold of your phone and changes your name for a prank? Don’t worry. Instagram locks your old username when you change it to a new one. This means that for fourteen days, no one else can take it over. That way, if you decide to revert back, it’s guaranteed to still be available for you.

Once fourteen days have passed since you made the change, your old name will be released and any other users will be free to use it as their own.

Changing Instagram name

Now you’re ready to make the change. Here’s our step by step guide for how to do it.

#1 Go to your Instagram profile

You’ll find a little person icon on the bottom right-hand corner of your phone when you open the Instagram app. When you click on this then it will take you to your profile. If you are changing your username on a desktop then you will find Instagram is structured slightly differently. The icon is now on the top right on a panel with the logo, search bar and notifications and ‘explore’ icons.

#2 Edit profile (next to your Instagram picture)

When you land on your profile you should see all of you lovely photos that you’ve uploaded.  Above that, you’ll see the edit profile bar, which is also underneath your profile photo and follower number. On a desktop, this might be a bit harder to find. Instead of a big bar across the screen, it is a small button. You will find edit profile next to your username and above you follower numbers.

#3 Change your Instagram name and username

This is the same for both mobile and desktop and all you have to do is put in your new name. Make sure your username is available and try and keep your names consistent across all of your social media channels.

#4 Adapt your Instagram bio

You should read through your bio once you’ve changed your username. Your bio on Instagram is very visible on your profile and it won’t look very good if you’ve still got your old name there.

You can easily change your bio while you change your name. You might not have an in-depth one to cover your new name but it doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple sentence or two should do the trick.

#5 Change your hashtags

You want people to see your posts when people search for you. If all of your posts have a hashtag with your previous name then this won’t happen. It is a good idea to go through some of your old posts and edit the hashtag to include your new name. This way, if someone does find it hard to find your profile, they could still find your posts and then your profile from there.

If someone looks through your old posts then your previous name could be confusing so get as much as you can up to date.

How to change Instagram name more than twice

If you’re changing your name more than twice, you’re likely to be confusing fans. It’s easy to do, but perhaps you should take some time to make sure you’re picking well this time! Here’s some examples of great usernames, to give you some inspiration and guidance.

  • @badgalriri | Rihanna
  • @champagnepapi | Drake
  • @sushitrash | Joji
  • @feliciathegoat | Tyler, the Creator
  • @thisissigrid | Sigrid
  • @thegr8khalid | Khalid
  • @blonded | Frank Ocean
  • @skeptagram | Skepta
  • @this_nao | Nao
  • @jungle4eva | Jungle
  • @iamcardib | Cardi B

Why can’t I change my username on Instagram?

Usually, changing your username isn’t much hassle. However, you might put in your new username, only to find that it won’t change. This is often because the username is not available, meaning that it has been taken by someone else.

There isn’t anything you can really do about this and you’ll have to find a new username. You will be able to call your profile name whatever you want but you ideally want to keep them the same.  You might find a username is unavailable but there is has no user. This is likely to be because the previous user of that name has been banned. When Instagram bans or blocks someone’s account, the username becomes permanently inactive.

Is your current username working for you? If not, what will you change your name to? Have fun and get creative choosing. Then see what you can do to boost your social media presence and create a great online brand as an artist.

Related Questions

  • How can I gain more followers on Instagram?

Building a consistent brand and posting regularly with hashtags is important if you want to gain more followers. Constantly changing your name could make this more difficult so it is better to stick with a single name. If you want some more advice, check out our best Instagram promotion tips.

  • Does your Instagram name matter?

Yes! It’s how people find you for a start. And it’s part of your image and communicating who you are as an artist. If it doesn’t make sense, is irrelevant to you or is difficult to search up, it’ll likely mean you get fewer followers.

  • How do I pick a good Instagram name?

You should use your artist name across all of your social media handles but you might want to use a different version. This could be because your artist name isn’t available or maybe you just want to be cool and creative. It should be relevant to you as a performer though.

Have you changed your Instagram username? Did you lose followers or gain some as a result? Let us know in the comments below.