As a social media marketing guru with over 10 years of experience driving growth for top brands, I‘m often asked "what is a TikTok handle?". With TikTok exploding in popularity and becoming a critical platform for businesses, it‘s important to understand what sets accounts apart on TikTok – and that all starts with your unique handle.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll leverage my expertise to explain everything you need to know about TikTok handles, from what they are to choosing the perfect one to promote your brand effectively on TikTok. Let‘s dive in!
What Exactly is a TikTok Handle?
A TikTok handle is the unique username that identifies your account on TikTok. It always begins with the "@" symbol, followed by a mix of numbers, letters, underscores or periods. For example:
- @charlidamelio
- @tiktok
- @downelink
Your TikTok handle is different from your display name or profile name. Your display name is what shows up on your posts and profile info. You can change your display name at any time, but your handle will stay the same forever.
Think of your TikTok handle like a URL – it‘s the address that leads users to your account. Handles allow people to search for and find your profile easily on TikTok.
According to TikTok, handles must be between 2-30 characters long and can only contain:
- Letters (upper and lowercase)
- Numbers
- Underscores
- Periods
No special characters or spaces are allowed.
How To Find Your TikTok Handle
If you already have a TikTok account, there are a few easy ways to locate your handle:
- Tap your profile icon – your handle will show up under your display name.
- Go to Settings > Account > Username to view your handle.
- Copy your profile link by tapping Share Profile – your handle will be in the URL.
- Look at your previous posts and comments – your handle will be tagged.
Once you know your handle, add it to your TikTok bio so viewers can find you easily.
Choosing the Best TikTok Handle
Your TikTok handle makes a first impression on every new viewer who comes across your account. As a social media marketing expert, I always advise my clients to be strategic when selecting their TikTok handle.
Here are my top tips for choosing a handle that stands out:
Make It Memorable
Opt for a short, catchy handle that‘s easy to remember. Avoid random numbers or letters that don‘t mean anything. Data shows handles with real words perform better than cryptic ones.
Include Relevant Keywords
Work keywords like your name, niche, business type, location, etc. into your handle. This can help you rank higher in TikTok searches related to those words.
Be Consistent
Use the same handle across multiple platforms like Instagram and Twitter. This builds brand awareness and makes you easier to find.
Add Your Name
Adding your first name, last name or business name makes your account seem more approachable and personal.
Use Camel Case
Formatting with no spaces and capital letters for each word (like YourNameHere) looks clean and professional.
Avoid Numbers and Symbols
Stick to letters and words only. Numbers and symbols can be confusing and difficult to search.
Make It Unique
Get creative with puns, rhymes, alliteration and other wordplay to stand out from the crowd.
Spend time brainstorming to create a handle checking multiple boxes above. A strategic handle drives results on TikTok!
Changing or Resetting Your Handle
Many users ask me "can I change my TikTok handle?". Unfortunately, TikTok does not allow you to directly change your handle after account creation.
However, you can reset your handle which lets you create a brand new one from scratch. Here are the steps:
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Go to your profile and tap "Edit Profile".
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Tap "Username" then "Reset Username".
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Confirm you want to reset – this immediately frees up your old handle.
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Create and submit a new handle you want.
Important: Resetting removes any verification badge you have. You‘ll need to re-verify your new handle.
You can only reset your handle once every 30 days, so choose wisely! An alternative is making a new account with your desired handle instead of a reset.
Promoting Your TikTok Handle
Now that you have an amazing handle set up, it‘s time to spread the word! Here are some of my favorite tactics for promoting TikTok handles:
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Add it to your TikTok bio and profile picture.
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Link to it from other social profiles like Instagram and YouTube.
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Collaborate with influencers in your niche and cross-promote handles.
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Create a branded hashtag featuring your handle for fans to use.
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Include it on online industry profiles related to your business.
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Add merch with your handle like t-shirts, water bottles, etc.
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Run TikTok challenges encouraging users to tag and share your handle.
With consistent promotion across channels, you‘ll drive more followers to your powerful TikTok handle in no time.
TikTok Handle FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common TikTok handle questions I receive:
Can you have spaces in your handle?
No, spaces aren‘t allowed in TikTok handles. Use camel case instead.
Can you change your TikTok handle after creating your account?
No, you can only reset your handle once per 30 days to create a new one.
Is my handle different from my display name?
Yes, your handle is permanent while your display name can be changed at any time.
What if the handle I want is taken?
Try variations like adding numbers, hyphens or underscores until you find one available. Username checker sites can help generate ideas too.
Can two people have the same TikTok handle?
No, every handle on TikTok must be 100% unique. No duplicates are allowed.
How do I reset my handle if I want a new one?
Go to Edit Profile > Username > Reset Username. Confirm and create a new handle. You can only reset once per 30 days.
In Closing
As a leading social media marketing expert, I hope this comprehensive guide provided you with a deep understanding of what a TikTok handle is and how to choose the best one for your brand.
An strategic, catchy and optimized TikTok handle is the key to standing out on the platform and engaging new viewers. Use these tips and tricks to take your TikTok presence to the next level!
Let me know if you have any other TikTok handle questions. I‘m always happy to share my knowledge and experiences from managing top brands‘ TikTok accounts over the past decade.
