On each platform, from Twitter to Instagram to Google Docs, the habit of mentioning and tagging someone by typing an “@” sign followed by a name or handle of their choice has taken hold — but YouTube is still playing catch-up.
The biggest video site on the internet has just started introducing handles to its users, giving everyone on the platform an easy way to talk to each other, rent to each other, and connect in general.
“Each channel has a unique handle, making it easy for fans to find and connect with their favorite creators,” says YouTube. Currently, handles are available along with channel names and channel URLs – so a page with a static link can be accessed from that address as well as the new youtube.com/@handle address.
If you have a YouTube channel, then you have uploaded one video or left one comment on the platform, you will get a handle. How you get invited to do this depends on how many subscribers you have and how active you are on YouTube. You can find the official FAQ on how handles work here.
Choosing a Handle
YouTube works slowly, popular creators get the first chance. When your time is up, you will receive an email in your inbox of the account you registered with YouTube: Look for the email “Now you can choose your YouTube handle”. When you log into YouTube Studio, you may also see a message telling you “It’s time to choose your handle” and Choose now button included.
Press this button or Select a handle link in the email you received to get started. Remember that this handle will identify you across the site, in posts, comments and videos, so it’s important to think about who you’re going to use – and also remember the usernames you use on other social media sites. , of course.
In some cases, YouTube will already create a saved username for you based on your channel link or username. If there is a handle reserved for you, you will see it appear first-click Change the handle and you can confirm that you agree to select or change another handle. When you’re done, click Confirm the selection. You will see a confirmation screen with a new link to your channel page.
