What is a TikTok handle?
A TikTok handle is your TikTok username (e.g. @followchain).
Your TikTok name is not your handle. Your handle must contain an @ sign and it must be unique to your account.
tiktok.com/@followchain
Your TikTok handle = TikTok username or link.
An example of a handle is @followchain.
So, the next time someone asks you for your TikTok handle, give them your username or link to your profile.
Here’s how you can find your TikTok profile link and share it with others.
You can send them a link to your profile from the app by navigating to me > triple dots > share profile > copy link.
If you share this link with others, they will be directed to your TikTok profile via the TikTok app or website.
- How do I get a TikTok handle?
- What is the @ sign on TikTok?
- Character limit
- What makes a good TikTok username?
- Tips when choosing a TikTok username
- Should I use my real name on TikTok?
- Suggestions if your first choice is taken
- Cheatsheet of TikTok handle suggestions
- Conclusion
How do I get a TikTok handle?
Once you signed up for TikTok, you’ll get to choose your handle.
Here’s how you can create a TikTok account.
1. Download the TikTok app from the App Store (if you’re using an iPhone) or from Google Play (if you’re using an Android).
2. You can either sign up for TikTok via phone or email, Facebook, Google, Line, Twitter, KakaoTalk or with apple.
3. Then, follow the instructions as shown on the screen.
What is the @ sign on TikTok?
The @ sign simply means at ‘your username’.
Example: @followchain
Typically, every social media platform utilizes the @ sign to signify your username.
Hence, when someone asks you for your @, just tell them your TikTok username.
Character limit
What is the character limit you can have for a TikTok username?
Your username can have up to 24 characters.
Source: TikTok
The maximum number of characters for a TikTok username is 24 characters.
You cannot go more than the character limit.
What makes a good TikTok username?
It can be daunting to come up with the perfect TikTok username.
There are so many factors you have to consider when choosing the right username.
Moreover, there are more than 800 million accounts on TikTok, so most usernames are already taken.
The perfect TikTok username is simple and easy to remember.
When coming up with a username, make sure to keep it as simple as possible so that it is easy to remember.
Here are some tips you can use to choose the perfect username.
Choose something related to your niche
To begin with, try choosing something that is related to your niche.
For instance, if you’re posting videos about dancing, skits, or pets, try adding related words in your username.
This will make your niche clear to your audience.
Keep it short and simple
Keep your username short and simple so that people can easily remember it.
If people are able to remember your username, they can easily find your profile.
Try not to use any numbers or special characters in your TikTok username.
In addition, try not to use any numbers or special characters (e.g. underscores, periods). Using special characters makes your username seem unprofessional.
Moreover, it is harder for others to type your username whenever their searching for it.
The perfect TikTok handle is one word, without any numbers or special characters (e.g. memes, music, dance).
However, since most of the one-word usernames are taken, you’ll have to come up with combinations of words if you want a username without numbers or special characters.
Tips when choosing a TikTok username
Still can’t decide on your TikTok username?
Here are a couple of tips you can use to come up with the perfect one if you’ve ran out of ideas.
Use the same handle as other social media platforms
A good idea is to keep your username consistent on all social media platforms.
This means that if your username is “example” for a particular social media platform (e.g. Instagram), you want to use the same username for all other social media platforms (e.g. TikTok).
It’s easier for people to find you if you have the same username in all your socials.
Using the same username for all social media platforms allows people to find your profile easily.
This is because they only have to remember only one username.
Imagine if you had different usernames for every social media platform.
It confuses your audience and they will have a harder time trying to find your profile.
Hence, keep your username consistent in all of your socials. This will make it easier for people to find and follow you.
Use a combination of words
Here’s how to come up with a TikTok username in less than a minute.
follow (your niche) + chain (related noun) = followchain
Using the same strategy, you can easily come up with a TikTok username in a jiffy.
Using a combination of words is a great idea to come up with creative and catchy usernames.
As single word usernames are already taken, a combination of words has a higher chance to be available.
Hence, you don’t have to spend hours of your time choosing a username.
Should I use my real name on TikTok?
Before diving into the answer, let’s examine the culture of TikTok.
TikTok is all about short-form videos with people doing dances, skits, and funny moments.
For the most part, these videos involve people putting their faces in front of the camera.
That being said, TikTok is all about showing and expressing yourself on camera.
So, should you use your real name on TikTok?
The answer is yes because it reinforces your personal brand and identity.
Using your real name on TikTok is generally safe unless you’re sharing personal information (e.g. your address, mobile number).
Moreover, using your real name makes it easier for others to find and follow you (if they know you in person).
The majority of the most-followed TikTok accounts use their real names either in their username or their name.
Hence, it’s a good idea to use your real name on TikTok if you’re posting content that shows yourself on camera.
Suggestions if your first choice is taken
Is the username that you want taken?
Don’t worry, there are lots of other variations you can use for your TikTok username.
Do not use TikTok’s given suggestions because most of them include numbers and special characters.
For example, if the username example is taken, TikTok will suggest usernames like example015, example123, example456, etc. which are very unprofessional.
Instead of using the suggestions from TikTok, utilize the suggestions below if the username you want is unavailable.
1. Use ‘the’ in front of your username
Using ‘the’ in front of the username is the easiest way to come up with another username if your first choice is taken.
2. Add ‘thereal’ in your username
Adding ‘thereal’ signifies that your profile is the real one, and not someone else.
Typically, popular users or celebrities utilize this title if there’s someone is trying to impersonate them (stole their username).
3. Include ‘im’ in your username
Another simple suggestion to include in your username if your first choice is taken is to include ‘im’ at the front of your username.
4. Use ‘iam’ in front of your username
Lastly, you can use “iam” as an alternative to your first choice.
It’s a great way to emphasize your username.
Cheatsheet of TikTok handle suggestions
Here’s a cheatsheet of TikTok username suggestions.
Feel free to use these suggestions and add them in front of your username.
| Suggestions to include in your username (if your first choice is taken) |
| the |
| thereal |
| im |
| iam |
| its |
| not |
| official |
| the official |
Conclusion
A TikTok handle is basically your TikTok username.
Typically, people who want to find and follow you on TikTok will search for your real name.
Hence, it’s a good idea to use your real name because people will be easily able to find and follow you.
Otherwise, they’ll ask for your TikTok handle (if they can’t find you on the search results).
If they do, just send them your TikTok link by navigating to me > share profile > copy link or tell them your TikTok username.
Choosing the right username is challenging because there are already millions of registered users on TikTok.
If your username is already taken, don’t be disheartened. Just utilize the suggestions above and you’re all set.
