How to Change your X (Twitter) Handle – Simple Steps

Twitter or X’s unparalleled speed and impact have made it a vital platform for connecting and sharing impactful messages. With 528 million monthly active users, it’s a prime arena for businesses and creators to foster communities and engage directly with their audience.

Your Twitter presence needs to be compelling across every aspect, from your tweets to your profile details—including your username or handle.

In this blog, we’ll explore the significance of a robust Twitter handle and guide you through the process of changing yours, ensuring your presence on the platform remains potent and effective. Read on!

Why Change Your X (Twitter) Handle?

Why would anyone ever want to change their Twitter handle? Well, here are some reasons I can think of:

• When a business needs to rebrand, the handle is the first thing that needs to change.
• If you want to match the rest of the social media handles.
• You might not like your old profile handle anymore.
• You might want to distance yourself from the controversies of your past.

Understanding The Format of Your Twitter Handle

When it comes to choosing or changing your Twitter handle, it’s essential to understand the format and limitations. Your Twitter handle can contain up to 15 characters and can include letters, numbers, and underscores.

Here’s what you need to know about the format:

1. Character Limit: Your Twitter handle can be up to 15 characters long. Keep this in mind when selecting or changing your handle, as shorter handles are often easier to remember and type.
2. Allowed Characters: You can use letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores in your Twitter handle. Special characters, such as symbols or punctuation marks, are not allowed.
3. Uniqueness: Each Twitter handle must be unique. If someone else is already using the handle you want, you’ll need to choose a different one.

How to Change Your X (Twitter) Handle?

Here’s how you can change your Twitter handle in three easy steps:

1.  Step One: Log in, Go To Your Profile Bar, and Click Settings and Privacy

Once you’ve logged into your account, look for and click on the three dots that say “more.” 

This pops up to show you a few more options. Click on settings and privacy.

2.  Step Two: Click on Account Information

After settings and privacy, a new tab will display your account details. Click on “Account information.”

After clicking account information, the platform may ask you to enter your password to verify that you are trying to change account details. Once you’ve entered it, you need to click on “Username.”

3.  Step Three: Type Up Your New Username

Now, you’re free to enter your new Twitter handle that reflects your brand. If what you want is already taken, you can refer to the suggestions offered by Twitter.

After you type it in, click the “Save” button.

With just three simple steps, your Twitter handle transformation will be complete. Harness it to convey precisely the message and brand image you wish to impart to your followers and viewers.

In this regard, leverage Predis.ai integrations for Twitter to ensure a seamless journey throughout the process. With Predis.ai, effortlessly generate image and video posts, schedule them, and maintain your content calendar with precision.

What Happens After You Change Your X (Twitter) Handle?

The process of changing a Twitter handle can be easy and quick, but it will have some rippling effects after that. And what are those? Let us check it out!

• Your followers will stay intact after you change your Twitter handle. But people might see your new name after some time and get confused, which is why it is best to announce your plans well beforehand.
• Your old username is up for grabs, which means anyone can take it up. So, if that username is of relevance to your brand, then you need to create a backup account and claim it immediately.
• Your profile URL changes with the handle, but the tweets will redirect to it automatically. But profile links, on the other hand, will not redirect and will display a message called “The account no longer exists”.
• The account mentions you have received will no longer be active. But if someone claims your old username, then these mentions will point to that account.
• If you have a verified account, then you will lose your badge. When you recreate a new handle, you need to reapply for verification.

How To Choose a Twitter Handle for Your Account?

When choosing a Twitter Handle, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. For those who don’t know, here is a brief checklist for you to look out for:

• Keep between 6 – 12 characters, shorter the better.
• Align your handle with your brand identity.
• Avoid numbers and special characters as they make your handle look unprofessional and make it hard to remember.
• See if you can get the same username across all other platforms to avoid impersonation by others.
• See if it passes the radio test, where you can sound it aloud over the phone and make it understandable.
• Use keywords if possible to improve SEO and discoverability.

Essential Tips While You Change Your X (Twitter) Handle

Here are five essential tips and practices to effectively change your Twitter handle without any hassle:

1.  Get Your Messaging Right

As a creator or business, your new Twitter handle must represent your theme, content, product niche, and overall principle. Brainstorm catchy or impactful handles that blend all that you stand for so that your profile resonates with the content you post.

A helpful tip would be to create a checklist while you round up your ideas so that you can keep track of whether the new handle fits in.

You need to make sure that your new handle is easy to remember, spell, and type. Avoid using complex or obscure terms that may confuse your audience.

2.  Keep Your Handle Consistent Across Platforms

While targeting creativity as you change your Twitter handle, ensure that it stays consistent with your theme and handles on other social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. This is especially important if you have a content bucket approach for multiple social media platforms.

When you nail your theme on all platforms, the image your viewers and followers perceive is consistent and strong. This uniformity makes it much easier to deliver a professional and clear message.

3.  Make Sure To Double-Check Availability

As you brainstorm ideas, it is also crucial to check if the handle you have in mind has not already been taken.

When you type in the handle while changing it, Twitter will let you know whether or not the option is available. It’s best to keep the tab open as you list options so that you can instantly check if the idea makes it to the next round of scrutiny.

Businesses that include their names often do not encounter this issue, but it is very important to check before proceeding with design and logo rebranding so that resources are not wasted.

4.  Don’t Forget to Announce It before the Update

This is a crucial and effective communication tip that avoids unnecessary confusion after an update.

Before you change your X (Twitter) handle, announce to your followers through a short post that you will rebrand your Twitter profile and change your handle.

After reading your shout-out, followers will know they look forward to content on the right page. Without an announcement, rebranded accounts may experience a drop in interactions, engagement, or even followers.

5.  Update All Links Post-Update

Once you’ve updated your Twitter handle, ensure all your external references, links, and documents are updated to match the latest developments. When viewers click on a link and find themselves on a broken page or a differently themed profile, it sends an unprofessional brand image.

6.  Sync Changes with Your Brand Strategy

While Twitter allows you to change your handle as many times as you like, refrain from making too many updates, as this can confuse viewers’ brand perception.

If your marketing strategy incorporates numerous revisions, such as changes according to ad campaigns, make sure the new handles are catchy and noticeable so that they create an impression on your viewers.

7.  Don’t Be Afraid to Take Aid from Your Followers

Twitter is a great platform with interactive elements for polls and surveys.

While you are on your way to change your Twitter handle, you can also incorporate feedback from your followers by holding surveys and polls about what they think of your brand and what elements or approaches would change their thinking.

With this real-time, fresh perspective from your audience, you can confidently make data-driven decisions as you change your Twitter handle.

Getting a Better Handle on Your Brand Image

To boost your brand’s online impact, updating your Twitter handle is key. Whether it’s a major overhaul or a small adjustment, aligning your handle with your brand message is vital.

Follow the tips in this guide to ensure your new handle is available and reflects your brand strategy. Also, remember your audience when making changes, as consistency and recognition are important for maintaining engagement.

With Predis.ai’s Twitter integrations by your side, enhancing your brand’s Twitter presence will be a breeze. Schedule a demo today and take the first step towards refining your brand’s online identity with ease.

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