How to Change Your Instagram URL

Changing your Instagram URL is a simple update that can have a big impact on your brand's presence and discoverability. It’s a fast process, but it pays to be prepared for the marketing fallout. This guide will walk you through the exact steps for changing your username on both mobile and desktop, detail the critical considerations you need to think through beforehand, and explain what happens to your old links and tags after you make the switch.

What is an Instagram URL, Anyway? Let's Clear Things Up

Before you change anything, it's important to understand the two different names associated with your Instagram profile, because users often confuse them.

1. Your Username (aka Your @Handle)

Your username is your unique identifier on Instagram. It’s the name that starts with the "@" symbol and it forms your unique Instagram URL: instagram.com/yourusername. No two accounts can have the same username. This is what you'll be changing when you want to update your profile link. It's how people tag you in photos and mention you in comments and Stories.

• Must be unique on the platform.
• Forms your personal profile URL.
• Appears at the top of your profile.
• How others tag and mention you (@yourusername).

2. Your Name (aka Your Display Name)

Your "Name" is the title that appears in bold below your profile picture. Unlike your username, your Name does not have to be unique. You can use your actual name, your business name, or whatever you want, and it can include emojis and special characters. This field is searchable on Instagram, so it’s a good idea to put your real name or business name here even if it's already in your handle.

• Does not need to be unique.
• Can be changed as often as you like (up to twice every 14 days).
• Has no effect on your profile URL.
• Visible under your profile picture.

In this guide, when we talk about changing your Instagram URL, we are talking about changing your username.

The Critical Checklist: 7 Things to Do BEFORE Changing Your Instagram URL

Changing your URL seems like a quick tap of a button, but the ripple effects can be significant. Rushing it can lead to broken links, follower confusion, and lost traffic. Take a few minutes to run through this checklist before making the switch.

1. Your Old Username Will Be Gone (Possibly Forever)

As soon as you change your username, your old one is technically "released." Instagram holds it for 14 days, during which only you can switch back to it. After 14 days, it becomes available for anyone else on Instagram to claim. If you have a desirable username, a bot or another user could snatch it up the moment it becomes public. Assume that once you give up your old name, it's gone for good.

2. Every Link to Your Profile Will Break

This is the most time-consuming part of the process. Every single link on the internet pointing to your old URL will stop working. They will lead to a "Sorry, this page isn't available" error page. Be prepared to update your link everywhere you've shared it. Make a list and check it twice.

• Your Website: Check headers, footers, "Contact Us" pages, and social icon widgets.
• Link-in-Bio Tools: Update your direct Instagram link in your Linktree, Lnk.Bio, or other landing pages.
• Email Signature: This is an easy one to forget but a critical brand touchpoint.
• Other Social Media Profiles: Your bio links on X (Twitter), TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube.
• Physical Marketing Materials: Will you need to reprint business cards, flyers, posters, or brochures?
• Guest Posts and Interviews: You may not be able to change these, but it's good to be aware of where your broken links will live.

3. You Could Lose Your Verification Badge

If you have a verified account (the blue checkmark), changing your username may result in losing your badge. Instagram's verification guidelines link the badge to a specific account identity. While it isn’t a guarantee that you'll lose it, it's a significant risk. If verification is important to you, consider if the username change is absolutely necessary.

4. Inform Your Audience to Avoid Confusion

Don't make the change in secret! Your followers are used to seeing and searching for your current handle. A sudden change can make them think you've disappeared or, worse, that they're seeing an impersonator account. Prepare a simple post or a series of Stories announcing the change. Let them know your new handle and why you made the switch. This maintains trust and helps them get used to the new name.

5. Consider Your Brand Recognition and "Searchability"

A consistent username across all your social platforms is a branding best practice. If your name is `SuperDuperSkincare` on TikTok, YouTube, and X, but you change it to `GlossyGlowSkincare` on Instagram, you create a disconnect. Try to secure a new username that is available (or can be adapted) across all of your key platforms for a cohesive presence. Remember that anyone searching for your old handle on Instagram won't find you anymore.

6. The Old Mentions Will No Longer Link to You

Anytime anyone has ever mentioned you in a Story, caption, or comment with your old @handle, that tag will go dead. The text will still appear as `@oldusername`, but it will no longer be a clickable link to your profile. All the user-generated content and social proof tied to those mentions will be disconnected from your account. This is a big deal for brands that rely on user photos and reviews.

7. Pick a New Username That Sticks

Before starting the process, brainstorm a few strong new username options so you're not scrambling. A good handle is:

• Easy to remember and spell: Avoid long strings of numbers or complex words.
• Relevant to your niche: It should hint at what your account is about.
• Consistent with other platforms: As mentioned, aim for cross-platform consistency.

How to Change Your Instagram URL: The Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve gone through the checklist and are ready to make the switch, the actual mechanical process is very simple. You can do it from either the mobile app or your desktop computer.

On the Instagram App (iOS and Android)

This is the most common way to make a change. The process is identical on both iPhone and Android devices.

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Tap "Edit profile." It's the button located directly under your bio.
3. Select the "Username" field. Tap on your current username to edit it.
4. Type your new username. As you type, Instagram will automatically check if the name is available. If it's taken, you'll see a red "x" and a message. If it's available, you'll see a green checkmark.
5. Save your changes. Once you have a username you're happy with that shows the green checkmark, tap the "Done" button (on iPhone) or the blue checkmark icon (on Android) in the top-right corner.

Your Instagram URL and username will update immediately across the platform.

On a Desktop Browser

If you prefer using a computer, the steps are just as straightforward.

1. Go to Instagram.com and log in.
2. Navigate to your profile. Click your profile picture thumbnail, located in the top-right corner of the webpage, and select Profile from the dropdown menu.
3. Click "Edit profile." It’s the button to the right of your handle, near the top of the page.
4. Find the "Username" field and type your new choice. In the profile editing screen, delete your old username from the designated field and type in your new one.
5. Click "Submit." Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the blue Submit button. If the username is taken, Instagram will let you know with an error message. If it's available, the page will reload with your new username and URL applied.

Your New Username is Taken? Try These Variations

You’ve picked the perfect username, but of course...it’s already claimed. This is a common hurdle, but don't give up. Instead, try these simple modifications to find an available alternative that's just as good.

• Add a prefix: Try adding "the," "im," "weare," or "official" before your name. (e.g., `thebrandname`).
• Add a suffix: Try adding your business type or location, like "co," "app," "nyc," or "shop." (e.g., `brandname.co` or `brandnamenyc`)
• Incorporate an underscore or period: A period or an underscore can break up words and help you secure a name that’s close to your original idea. Both `brand.name` and `brand_name` are clean alternatives. Avoid using more than one.
• Use a call to action: Try something creative like `joinbrandname` or `getbrandname`.

Final Thoughts

Changing your Instagram URL is technically very easy, but it requires careful planning to maintain your brand's presence without losing your audience. By mapping out a strategy before and after the change - from updating every external link to clearly communicating the switch with your followers - you can execute a smooth transition that helps, rather than harms, your brand growth.

Once you’ve settled on a new username and updated your links, the focus shifts back to consistently showing up for your audience. Managing a consistent content calendar across multiple platforms can feel like a full-time job in itself, and that's exactly why we built Postbase. We designed our visual calendar to give creators and marketers a bird's-eye view of their entire content strategy, making it simple to plan ahead and keep a steady presence, especially after a rebrand. It helps us feel organized and lets us focus on creating content instead of worrying about when things need to go live.