Are you ready to take your TikTok game to the next level this year? It all starts with choosing a killer username that captures attention, showcases your personality, and sets you apart from the crowd.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive deep into the art and science of TikTok usernames, arming you with all the tips, tricks, and insider knowledge you need to create a truly unforgettable handle. Plus, we‘ll explore the fascinating world of username psychology, analyze the latest trends and data, and even peek into the thriving marketplace for coveted "OG" usernames. Let‘s get started!
Why Your TikTok Username Matters 🤔
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of crafting the perfect username, let‘s talk about why it‘s so important in the first place. On TikTok, your username is a key component of your online identity and personal brand. It‘s often the first thing people will notice about your profile, and it can make a huge impact on whether someone decides to check out your content or hit that "follow" button.
Think about it: Which username is more likely to catch your eye as you‘re scrolling through the TikTok feed – @jane_doe_123 or @sparkledancer2000? A dull, generic, or hard-to-read username can make you blend into the background, while a creative, memorable one will make you stand out and stick in people‘s minds.
Your username also plays a role in TikTok‘s search and discovery algorithms. Like hashtags and keywords, usernames are indexed by TikTok‘s search function, meaning users can find your profile by searching for terms in your username. That‘s why incorporating relevant keywords or phrases into your handle can be a smart move (more on that later).
The Anatomy of a Top-Notch Username 🔍
So what exactly makes a TikTok username great? According to a 2022 study by social media analytics firm Conviva, the most effective TikTok usernames tend to be:
- Short and sweet: Usernames under 12 characters perform best, with engagement rates dropping by 50% for handles over 20 characters.
- Easy to read and remember: Handles that are simple to spell and pronounce get 38% more profile views on average. Avoid excessive numbers, underscores, and special characters.
- Relevant to content: Usernames that include keywords related to the creator‘s niche or industry see a 22% boost in followers compared to generic handles.
- Consistent with other platforms: Cross-platform promotion is 40% more effective when creators use the same username on all their social media accounts.
Of course, there‘s no one-size-fits-all formula for the perfect TikTok username. The key is to strike a balance between memorability, brandability, and authenticity to you and your content.
Popular Username Styles and Aesthetics 💅
One way to narrow down your username options is to decide on an overall style or vibe that matches your personality and the type of content you plan to post. Here are some of the most popular username aesthetics on TikTok right now:
😎 Cool & Edgy
For the ultimate cool-kid energy, go for a username that oozes confidence and attitude. Think bold, powerful words and phrases like "icon," "legend," "maverick," "rebel," or "boss." Edgy descriptors like "savage," "villain," "devil," or "baddie" can also give your username a mysterious, don‘t-mess-with-me flair.
Example: @thecoolestrebel
💖 Cute & Soft
On the flip side, a cute or soft username aesthetic can convey a sweet, friendly, approachable vibe. Lean into whimsical, playful words like "pixie," "sunshine," "rainbow," "bubbles," or "butterfly." Adorable emoji like hearts, stars, and baby animals are also fair game.
Example: @fairy.daydreams ✨
😂 Funny & Clever
If your TikTok niche is all about the LOLs, a humorous username is the way to go. Puns, jokes, irony, and witty wordplay will show off your comedic chops and give your profile a lighthearted feel. Pop culture references, meme-inspired phrases, and funny alter egos also work well.
Example: @avocado_toast_queen
🎨 Creative & Artistic
For the artists and visionaries of TikTok, a username that showcases your creative side is a must. Abstract or poetic words like "dream," "imagine," "spark," "wild," or "color" can paint a vivid picture. You could also reference your specific art form or medium, like @instapoet or @3Danimator.
Example: @electric.daydream.art
Again, these are just a few potential directions to explore. The most important thing is to choose a username style that feels true to you and the unique content you bring to the table.
What If Your Username Is Already Taken? 😱
It‘s a heart-sinking feeling: You‘ve brainstormed the most incredible, genius username idea ever…only to find that some rando has already snagged it. Unfortunately, since TikTok usernames are one-of-a-kind, you‘ll need to pivot and find an alternative. Here are some tips:
- Add prefixes or suffixes: Tack on modifiers like "the," "real," "not," "xo," or "official" to put a twist on your original username idea.
Example: @sarahsmith ➡️ @therealxosarah
- Use numbers or symbols: The simplest solution is to add your favorite number, birth year, or a few underscores to distinguish your username.
Example: @joesmith ➡️ @joe_smith_94
- Play with synonyms: If your username is based around a specific word, hit up the thesaurus for related terms that are just as impactful.
Example: @dancerlife ➡️ @balletvibes
- Vary the spelling: Try swapping in alternate or phonetic spellings of words in your username, as long as they‘re still easy to understand.
Example: @musicman ➡️ @myoozikdude
- Combine ideas: If all else fails, you can always combine multiple words, references, or inside jokes to create a username that‘s 100% unique to you.
Example: @kathysmith + @catlady ➡️ @kathysprettykitties
The Rising Market for OG Usernames 📈
One fascinating trend to emerge in recent years is the booming market for so-called "OG" (original gangster) usernames. These are ultra-short, highly sought-after handles that are usually just a few letters or numbers long, or a single common word. Think @dog, @lol, @queen, @123.
Due to their scarcity and prestige value, OG usernames have become a hot commodity on TikTok and other social platforms. Rare handles are bought and sold for anywhere from a few hundred bucks to tens of thousands of dollars, with dealers and collectors trading them like fine art or vintage cars.
According to GoDaddy, the top 5 most expensive TikTok usernames sold to date are:
- @shock – $50,000
- @soar – $30,000
- @newt – $30,000
- @care – $20,000
- @ring – $20,000
So if you‘re lucky enough to be sitting on a short, snappy username, you could be sitting on a gold mine! But for the average TikTokker, your best bet is to focus on creating a handle that‘s unique, authentic, and memorable to you.
How to Optimize Your Username for TikTok SEO 🥇
As we mentioned earlier, your TikTok username can have an impact on how discoverable your content is in the app‘s search and suggestion algorithms. By incorporating relevant keywords into your username, you can potentially boost your rankings for those search terms and get your videos in front of more eyeballs.
For example, if you post a lot of plant care videos, a username like @greenhumbmama or @philodendrophile could help you show up in searches for those topics. Just be sure to keep it natural and avoid overstuffing your handle with clunky keywords.
It‘s also smart to align your TikTok username with the usernames you use on other social platforms, especially Instagram and YouTube. Using the same handle across all your accounts makes it easier for your followers to find and identify you, no matter where they‘re scrolling.
When to Consider Changing Your TikTok Username 🔀
Already have a TikTok account but thinking about switching up your username? Here are a few scenarios where it might make sense:
Your current username is too long or confusing: If you chose your username in a hurry or didn‘t put much thought into it, it might be worth changing to something cleaner and catchier.
You‘ve pivoted your content strategy: If the focus of your TikTok has shifted since you first made your account, a new username can help signal that change and attract the right audience. For example, if you started out posting cat videos but now you‘re all about makeup tutorials, @crazycatlady might not fit anymore.
You want to align with your other social profiles: As your online presence evolves, you may want to consolidate all your usernames to create a more cohesive personal brand across platforms.
You‘re getting a fresh start: If you‘re revamping your image or starting over after a hiatus, a username change can be a powerful way to mark a new chapter.
Just remember, you can only change your TikTok username once every 30 days, so be sure about your decision before taking the plunge!
Tips for Promoting Your TikTok Username 📣
Once you‘ve landed on the perfect TikTok username, the next step is making sure your target audience knows about it! Here are some ways to get your handle out there and start racking up those followers:
Cross-promote on other platforms: Plaster your TikTok username across all your other social media bios, including Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and even LinkedIn if it makes sense for your brand. You can also share your TikTok videos on those platforms to lead people back to your profile.
Collaborate with other TikTokkers: Partnering up with creators in your niche is a great way to expose your username to new audiences. When you appear in other people‘s videos or go live together, be sure to give your handle a verbal shoutout and include it in any text overlays.
Engage with other users‘ content: The more you comment on, like, and share other people‘s videos, the more visible your username will become. Jump into conversations in the comment sections of popular TikToks in your niche and don‘t be afraid to drop your handle if it‘s relevant.
Run a hashtag campaign: Create a branded hashtag that includes your username and encourage your followers to use it in their own posts. You can even run a contest where people post videos with your hashtag for a chance to win a prize or get featured on your profile.
Put your handle everywhere: Have a website, blog, or email newsletter? Put your TikTok username in your site header, email signature, and any other marketing materials. You could even print it on business cards or merch to hand out at events.
The key is to treat your TikTok username like a crucial part of your personal brand and to promote it with the same consistency and enthusiasm that you do your actual content.
Usernames for Personal vs. Business Accounts ⚖️
If you‘re using TikTok to promote your business or brand, you might be wondering if the username rules are different than for personal accounts. In general, the same principles of memorable, discoverable, easy-to-spell handles still apply. But there are a few specific things to keep in mind:
Incorporate your brand name: If you have an established brand or business name, try to work it into your TikTok username in some way. This helps with brand recognition and makes it easy for customers to find you. For example, if your company is called Sunrise Coffee, your TikTok handle could be @sunrise_coffee_co or @sunrisecoffeetok.
Avoid personal names: Unless you‘re a celebrity or influencer, it‘s best to steer clear of using your personal name as your business TikTok username. Handles like @JanesDogGrooming or @JohnsPlumbing can make your account seem less professional and established.
Prioritize keywords: For business accounts, including relevant keywords in your username is even more important for discoverability. Think about the main products, services, or value propositions you offer, and try to natural incorporate those terms. For instance, a plant shop might go with something like @tropicalleafco or @succulentsupplyshop.
Keep it on-brand: Your TikTok username should align with your overall brand identity and tone of voice. If your brand is high-end and sophisticated, a username like @sparklyunicorn_babies might not be the best fit (unless you‘re Tiffany‘s launching a very unexpected new product line).
Ultimately, whether you‘re creating a personal or business TikTok account, the goal of your username should be to capture attention, communicate what you‘re all about, and entice people to click and explore your content.
The Future of TikTok Usernames 🔮
As TikTok continues to dominate the social media landscape (the app now has over 1 billion monthly active users!), the competition for stand-out usernames is only going to get fiercer.
We predict that in the coming years, we‘ll see even more demand for short, snappy, keyword-optimized handles as discoverability becomes a bigger priority for creators. More users will likely want to secure the same username across multiple platforms to create a stronger cross-platform brand.
At the same time, we expect TikTok to keep updating its algorithm to surface content based on factors beyond just username, like video descriptions, hashtags, and engagement signals. The key will be optimizing your entire TikTok presence, not just your handle.
Key Takeaways 🗝️
We covered a ton of ground in this guide to TikTok usernames, so let‘s recap some of the most important points:
Your TikTok username is a crucial part of your online identity and personal brand on the app. It should be memorable, easy to read and spell, and reflective of your personality or content niche.
Some popular username styles include cool/edgy, cute/soft, funny/clever, and creative/artistic. Choose an aesthetic that feels authentic to you.
If your desired username is taken, you can try adding prefixes, suffixes, numbers, or symbols to make it unique. Avoid generic or hard-to-remember handles.
Short, rare "OG" usernames are highly coveted and can be bought and sold for big bucks. But for most users, it‘s better to focus on a handle that‘s unique and meaningful to you.
Incorporating relevant keywords into your username can potentially help with TikTok SEO and discoverability, but don‘t force it at the expense of readability.
You can change your TikTok username every 30 days if needed, but it‘s best to choose one you can stick with for the long haul.
Promote your TikTok handle across all your other social platforms, marketing channels, and IRL touchpoints to build your following.
Business TikTok accounts should prioritize brand name, keywords, and tone in their username, while avoiding overly personal handles.
As TikTok grows, competition for standout usernames will only increase. The key is optimizing your entire profile for discoverability, not just your handle.
Parting Thoughts 💭
At the end of the day, choosing the perfect TikTok username is both an art and a science. Yes, there are proven best practices and data-based guidelines to consider. But ultimately, the best handle for YOU is the one that feels right in your gut, captures your unique essence, and gets you excited to keep creating killer content.
So get out there and start brainstorming, iterating, and A/B testing different username ideas. Stay true to yourself, keep an eye on the trends, and don‘t be afraid to take risks or think outside the box.
Your dream TikTok username is waiting for you – go claim it and start raking in those sweet, sweet views. Happy TikTokking! 🎉
