How to Get a Name on Instagram That Is Taken

Finding the perfect Instagram handle only to see the dreaded “this username is taken” message is a gut-punch for any creator or business. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up and settle for a clunky, forgettable name. This guide walks you through actionable steps you can take - from negotiation and trademark claims to smart, creative alternatives - to secure the Instagram handle that truly fits your brand.

First Things First: Investigate the Current Account Holder

Before you make any moves, you need to know what you’re up against. Is the username held by an active global brand, a forgotten personal account, or a username squatter? Each scenario requires a different approach. Spend a few minutes doing some simple reconnaissance to find out who owns the handle.

What to Look For: Signs of Life (or Lack Thereof)

Open the profile and assess its activity level. A quick look will tell you a lot:

• Posts & Engagement: When was the last time they posted? If their last photo was from 2015, the account is likely dormant. Do any of their posts have recent comments or likes?
• Bio & Links: Does the bio contain an email address, a link to a website, or any other contact information? This is your first clue for a direct approach.
• Follower Count vs. Following: An account with zero posts, few followers, and following hundreds of accounts might suggest it’s abandoned or a bot. Conversely, an account with many followers but no posts can be a sign someone is “parking” the username on purpose.
• Account Type: Is it a personal account full of family pictures, or does it look like a business profile that never got off the ground? Identifying the owner's intent helps you tailor your strategy.

This initial research prevents you from wasting time pursuing an account owned by a massive, active corporation. Most of the time, you'll discover the handle belongs to an individual or small business, making your odds of acquiring it much more realistic.

The Direct Approach: How to Ask for the Username

If the account looks inactive or privately owned by a person who might not be attached to the name, the most straightforward tactic is to simply ask for it. This can feel awkward, but countless people have found success by being polite, professional, and prepared to negotiate.

Step 1: Find Their Contact Information

Your best bet is a method outside of Instagram DMs, which can easily get lost in request folders. Check their bio for:

• An email address
• A linktree or other "link-in-bio" page with more contact details
• A website with a contact form or email

If you can't find direct contact info, a friendly and concise Instagram DM is your next best option. Just be aware that it might go unanswered.

Step 2: Craft a Friendly, Professional Message

Your opening message sets the tone. You don't want to come across as demanding or spammy. The goal is to start a conversation, not make a demand.

Here’s a simple template you can adapt:

Subject (for email): Question About Your Instagram Username (@username)

Hi [Name, if you can find it],

My name is [Your Name] and I'm the founder of [Your Brand/Project Name]. We’re launching our business and are building our social media presence.

I saw that you have the Instagram username @[username], which perfectly matches our brand name. I also noticed you haven't been active on the account for a while and was wondering if you might be willing to part with the handle.

We'd be happy to compensate you for the trouble.

Let me know if this is something you might be open to discussing.

Thanks,

[Your Name]

Key Points for Negotiation:

• Be Respectful: Remember, they don't owe you anything. A polite tone goes a long way.
• Mention Compensation: Offering money upfront shows you're serious and respectful of their time. Don’t state an amount in the first message - let them respond with their interest first. Offers can range anywhere from $100 to a few thousand, depending on the name's value and desirability.
• Acknowledge the Rules (Carefully): Instagram's Terms of Service technically prohibit the buying and selling of usernames. For this reason, frame your offer as "compensation for your time and inconvenience" rather than a direct purchase. If a payment is agreed upon, use a secure platform like PayPal or Escrow.com to protect both parties.
• Be Prepared for "No": The owner might have a sentimental attachment to the name or simply not be interested. Accept their decision gracefully and move on to other options.

The Trademark Route: Claiming a Username Legally

If you own a registered trademark for your business name, you have the most powerful tool at your disposal. Instagram has a formal process for handling trademark infringement, which includes someone using your trademarked name as their username.

Who Can Use This Method?

This strategy is primarily for established businesses that have filed for and received a registered trademark from their country’s intellectual property office (like the USPTO in the United States). Simply having a registered business name (like an LLC) is not the same as having a trademark. However, if the account is clearly trying to impersonate your business, a trademark isn't always needed to get the handle.

How to File a Trademark Claim with Instagram

If another account is using your trademarked business name in a way that could confuse customers, you can report it directly to Instagram.

1. Go to Instagram’s Help Center: Navigate to the “Trademark Report Form.” You can easily find this with a quick search online.
2. Complete the Form: The form will ask for your contact information, the details of your registered trademark (including the registration number), and a link to the account you are reporting.
3. Explain the Infringement: You’ll need to clearly state how the account in question is infringing upon your trademark. For example: "The username @[BrandName] is our exact registered trademark and is likely to cause confusion among our customers, who may believe this is our official account."

Instagram's legal team will review your claim. If they find it valid, they may disable the other account and release the username to you. This process isn't instant and can take several weeks, but it's a definitive way to secure your brand name if you hold the legal rights to it.

Reporting an Inactive or Impersonation Account: The Long Shot

Instagram's official policy states that an account may be removed due to "prolonged inactivity," but they don't have a clear public definition of what that means, and they do not release handles upon request simply because they are inactive. Logging in is enough to keep an account active in their eyes, even without any public posts.

However, if inactivity is combined with another policy violation like impersonation, you have a stronger case.

If an inactive account is not using your trademark but is clearly set up to impersonate you or your brand (e.g., using your logos and bio information without permission), you can report it for impersonation.

• From the app: Go to the profile, tap the three dots in the corner, select "Report," then "Something about this account," and follow the prompts for impersonation.
• Evidence is everything: To prove impersonation, you will likely need to provide a government-issued photo ID (for a personal brand) or business documents (for a company).

This method is far from a guarantee. But in clear-cut cases of squatting or impersonation, it can be effective. It is always worth trying before resorting to a name change.

The Creative Pivot: How to Choose a Great Variation

If direct negotiation, trademark claims, and reporting don't work, don't despair. Your final option is to get creative with your username. A good variation can be just as strong and memorable as your original choice, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

The goal is to add a small modification that remains professional and brand-aligned, not one that makes your handle confusing or hard to remember. Avoid random numbers and a long string of underscores at all costs.

Smart and Professional Username Variations

Let's say your desired username is "@Driftwood". Here are some strong alternatives:

1. Add a Geo-Qualifier

Perfect for local businesses, this immediately tells customers where you are.

• Examples: @DriftwoodNYC, @DriftwoodLA

2. Use an Industry-Specific Word

Add a word that describes your service or product. This has the added benefit of making your business easier to find.

• Examples: @DriftwoodCoffee, @DriftwoodCreative, @DriftwoodDesign

3. Add a Prefix or Suffix

Think of words that hint at your brand’s mission or structure. Keep it short and simple.

• Prefixes: @TheDriftwood, @WeAreDriftwood, @GetDriftwood
• Suffixes: @DriftwoodCo, @DriftwoodHQ, @DriftwoodOfficial, @DriftwoodNow

4. Use a Period

This is often the cleanest and simplest modifier. Instagram allows periods in usernames, and they can be used to separate words or add your Top-Level Domain (TLD).

• Examples: @Driftwood.Coffee, @Driftwood.Co

A variation can feel like a compromise, but when chosen thoughtfully, it can actually strengthen your brand identity. Make sure that whatever username you decide on is also available on other social media platforms like TikTok, X, and YouTube to maintain consistent branding everywhere.

Final Thoughts

Securing your ideal Instagram username can feel like a big hurdle, but you have several paths forward, from polite negotiation and legal trademark claims to choosing a smart, professional variation. The key is to be strategic, persistent, and ready to adapt your plan based on who currently holds the handle.

Once you’ve locked down that perfect username across all your platforms, the real work of building a consistent brand presence begins. At Postbase, we built our modern social media management tool precisely to solve this challenge. With features like our visual content calendar for planning ahead and a unified inbox to manage all your comments and DMs in one place, you can finally stop juggling apps and focus on what matters: creating great content and engaging with your community. Our goal is to make managing your hard-won brand simple, intuitive, and maybe even a little fun. You can check us out at Postbase.