Your YouTube channel name is a vital part of your brand on the video platform. Whether you've outgrown your current name or just want a more memorable and captivating one, changing your channel's name can breathe new life into your YouTube presence.

In this article, you'll learn how to change your YouTube channel name, potential limitations, and best practices to ensure a smooth transition. 

TL;DR:

• Changing your YouTube channel name is important for branding and can breathe new life into your online presence.
• You can change your YouTube channel name on mobile, desktop, or through the YouTube Studio app.
• Consider informing your audience, updating all social platforms, and monitoring metrics when changing your channel name.
• Changing your YouTube handle will change your channel's URL.
• Using your own name for a YouTube channel can lend credibility, but a unique channel name may be more memorable and stand out better in searches.

YouTube channel name vs. YouTube handle: What's the difference?

A YouTube handle is an identifier for every channel, starting with "@." No two YouTube channels can have the same handle, but they can have the same name. 

A handle helps people find you, and you can use it to engage with viewers or other YouTube channels. For instance, you can tag someone in your videos' comments using their handle—not the channel name. 

Your handle is also apparent in your channel's YouTube URL. For example, if your YouTube handle is @DescriptTutorials, your channel URL will likely be https://youtube.com/@DescriptTutorials. 

Things to keep in mind before you change your YouTube channel name or handle name

1. You’ll lose your verified status, if you have one, upon changing the channel name. In contrast, updating your YouTube handle will not remove your verification badge.  
2. You can change your YouTube channel and handle names, respectively, only twice in 14 days. 
3. Changing your YouTube handle will change your channel’s URL.

How to change your YouTube channel name  

You can change your YouTube channel name on a mobile device—both on web and using the YouTube Studio app—and on a desktop computer.

How to change your YouTube channel name on a phone

1. Open the YouTube mobile app on your Android or iOS device. 
2. Tap on your profile picture icon at the bottom right.

1. From the menu, select View channel.
2. Look for the E‎dit option and tap on it.
3. Type in the new channel name for your YouTube channel.
4. After entering the updated name, click Save to confirm and apply the change.

You can also change the name of your YouTube channel using the YouTube Studio app on Android and iOS devices by following these instructions:

1. Tap on your profile picture icon to access your account.
2. From the menu, select the Edit channel profile option.
3. Locate the section showing your current channel name or description.
4. Tap the Edit button next to your name or description.
5. Type in the new name for your YouTube channel.
6. After entering the updated channel name, click Save to confirm and apply the change.

How to change your YouTube channel name on a PC

1. Log into your YouTube account on a web browser.

2. Click on your profile picture on the top right and then open YouTube Studio. 

3. On the left sidebar, click Customization and then navigate to the Basic info section. 

4. You will see a field that allows you to enter a new name for your channel. 

5. Type in the desired new channel name in this field and click the Publish button to apply the change.

Why change your YouTube channel name?

Here are five reasons you may want to change your YouTube channel name:

• Branding refresh: A new channel name can breathe fresh life into your brand and better align it with your current content direction and target audience.
• Improved discoverability: An optimized name containing relevant keywords can boost your channel's visibility in YouTube search results, especially if you're also following YouTube SEO best practices. 
• Signaling a shift: If your content has evolved, a new name can effectively communicate that pivot to viewers in order to set accurate expectations.
• Professionalism upgrade: Moving away from an amateur-sounding or outdated name can lend more credibility and polish to your channel.
• Avoiding confusion: If your current name is too vague, obscure, or similar to others, a distinct new name can prevent mix-ups.

Essential tips when changing your YouTube channel name or handle name

Let your audience know ahead of time

When changing your YouTube channel's name, inform your viewers beforehand. This shows respect for their loyalty and helps them find you easily in the future. You can do this through a dedicated video announcement, community posts, or mentions in your regular uploads. Make sure to explain the reasoning behind the change.

MrBeast, the world’s biggest YouTuber, did exactly that when he changed the name of his channel a long time ago. 

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Keep the name change consistent across all social platforms

Consistency of branding is important to maintain a recognizable online presence. Keep the same name across all your social media channels—X/Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook—to reinforce your brand identity and make it easy for your audience to find you.

Need the inspiration to name your channel? Here are 175 YouTube channel name ideas to get you started. 

Update any existing video links and channel metadata to reflect the new URL

When you change your YouTube handle, your channel URL will also change. To avoid broken links and ensure a seamless experience for your viewers, ensure you update video descriptions, playlists, and other places where you've shared your channel URL. 

Use YouTube Analytics to monitor the impact of name change

While changing your YouTube channel name doesn't directly affect your subscriber count or the way YouTube's algorithm treats your channel, it can indirectly influence metrics like views, subscriber growth, and engagement rates. This is because your audience will need time to familiarize themselves with your channel's new identity. The name change will also result in the removal of your verification badge, which will potentially impact brand recall until you regain verification.

Monitor your metrics closely before and after the name change using YouTube Analytics to make informed decisions about whether to switch back to your original name.

Update all external references of your channel

To ensure a consistent brand presence:

1. Update all instances of your old channel name: your website, social media bios, email signatures, business cards, and promotional materials.
2. Replace with the new name and URL.
3. Remember to contact collaborators, partners, and websites to update their materials.

Make the most out of YouTube 

Knowing how to change the YouTube channel name or handle is just a small part of building a successful presence on the platform. While a compelling name is important, true success lies in consistently creating high-quality content that resonates with your target audience and keeps them engaged and returning for more.

However, crafting great content can be a significant challenge, especially when juggling various aspects of video creation, editing, and promotion. Fortunately, Descript's intuitive and AI-powered video creation and video editing suite can streamline the process, empowering you to work more efficiently and effectively.

‎‎Sign up for Descript now.

FAQ

How do I change my YouTube handle?

1. Open the YouTube mobile app on your Android or iOS device. 
2. Tap on your profile picture icon at the bottom right.
3. From the menu, select View channel.
4. Tap Edit.
5. Type in the new handle name for your YouTube channel.
6. Click Save to confirm and apply the change.

How do I change my YouTube channel URL?

You can change your YouTube channel URL by updating your handle. For example, if you change your YouTube handle to @descripttutorials, your channel URL will automatically update to youtube.com/@descripttutorials—as long as that handle isn't taken.

Why can't I change my YouTube channel name?

You might be unable to change your YouTube channel name for several reasons, including:

• You’ve already updated it twice in the last 14 days; YouTube restricts changing channel names more than two times in a 14-day period. 
• Your new name may not adhere to YouTube’s community guidelines. 

Can I use the same name as another channel?

Yes, you can have the same name as another YouTube channel, but your YouTube handle name has to be unique. Still, we recommend coming up with a unique name to stand out.  

Will name change affect monetization?

When you change the name of your YouTube channel, it doesn't have any direct impact on your monetization. But you will lose the verification badge associated with your channel when you change its name. This could harm your reputation among new viewers, who may view your content skeptically and choose not to watch your videos, leading to decreased views and negatively impacting your monetization.

Can I change my YouTube channel name without losing subscribers?

Yes, you can change your YouTube channel name without losing subscribers—there's no correlation between changing the name of your YouTube channel and the number of subscribers. But it's a good idea to inform your subscribers about the name change. They may unsubscribe after seeing an unfamiliar name if they don't check out the channel's content to discover it's you.  

Can I change my YouTube channel name without changing my Google name?

Yes, you can change your YouTube channel name and picture without changing your Google Name. 

Should I use my own name for a YouTube channel?

Using your own name for a YouTube channel can lend credibility and personal branding, making it easier for viewers to connect with you. However, a creative and unique channel name may be more memorable, stand out better in searches, and allow for future rebranding or team expansions. Consider your long-term goals and content focus when deciding between a personal name or a distinct brand identity.