Hi everyone,
We’re excited to announce that handles are coming to YouTube: a unique identifier that will help people find & connect with you & your channel. Unlike a channel name, handles are unique and make it easy to confirm you’re engaging with the right person. Over the next few weeks, we’ll slowly open access for all YouTube channels to choose a unique @handle. If you don’t choose one by November 14th, we will begin assigning handles automatically based on your channel name (which you can change!). More details in our official blog post here and FAQs below.
Q: Why is YouTube launching handles?
Handles are a new unique identifier (example @youtubecreators) & ALL YouTube channels will have one. Your unique @handle will help people find & interact with you & your YouTube channel. And because handles are unique (unlike channel names), it’s easy to confirm if you’re engaging with the right person or not!
Your handle will also work as a unique channel URL (example: youtube.com/@youtubecreators). Previously only creators with 100+ subs were eligible for a custom URL – but with this update, all channels will have a unique URL based on their handle! In the coming months, people will be able to use your handle across YouTube in comments, mentions, in Shorts & more. More details at youtube.com/handle.
Q: Which channels are eligible for a handle?
All YouTube channels will have a handle! Reminder: in order to comment on YouTube, you need to create a YouTube channel – this means even if you primarily use YouTube to watch and comment, you’ll have a handle.
Q: How do I choose a handle?
Once you’re notified (via email & in YouTube Studio) that it’s time to choose a handle, you can visit youtube.com/handle to choose your handle. If you don’t choose a handle by November 14th, we will begin assigning one based on your channel name. You’ll be able to edit your handle from youtube.com/handle if you want to change it!
Q: Will existing URLs continue to work?
Your other URLs will continue to redirect to your channel and your new handle URL.
Q: When can I choose a handle?
Since we have billions of channels on YouTube, we can’t flip a switch and have everyone choose a handle at the same time. Because handles must be unique and every channel on YouTube will have one, we're rolling them out gradually. The timing of when a creator will get access to the handles selection process depends on a number of factors, including overall YouTube presence, subscriber count and whether the channel is active or inactive. Everyone will have the option to choose a handle by November 14 at the latest.
Q: Will I lose my verification badge if I change my handle?
No, your verification badge will not be removed when you choose a handle, or if you change your handle!
Important reminder: If you change your channel name, your verification badge will be removed & you’ll have to reapply – this has always been the case to help avoid impersonation.
Q: Where are all the places where my handle will appear?
We’re rolling out handles gradually to all channels over the next few weeks. Once it has been rolled out to all channels, your handle will begin appearing in a few places across YouTube (and more over time), including the Shorts player, Search results, your channel page, within comments & mentions, & more. Full details here.
Check out this video to learn more. Like and subscribe and look out for top answers to questions below!
- Sarah, TeamYouTube
Read more:
Handles overview - YouTube Help
Handles access is rolling out over the coming weeks; you will be notified in YouTube Studio and via email when you can choose. Go to youtube.com/handle
support.google.com
