On all platforms, are from Twitter arrive Instagram arrive Google DocsThe method of mentioning and tagging someone by typing an “@” symbol after their chosen name or treatment is now well established — but YouTube is still evolving.
The largest video site on the internet is just starting to introduce handles to its users, giving people on the platform an easier way to communicate with each other, acknowledge each other, and generally keep contact.
“Each channel will have its own unique approach, making it easier for fans to discover content and engage with the creators they love,” YouTube says. For the time being, at least, the handles exist with the channel name and custom channel URL—so you can access the page with the custom URL at that and also at youtube.com/ @handle new.
If you have a YouTube channel — so you’ve uploaded at least one video or left at least one comment on the platform — you’ll get a handle on it eventually. How long you’ll be invited to do so depends on your subscriber count and how active you are on YouTube. You can find the official FAQ on how handling works here.
Choose a handle
YouTube is gradually rolling out handles, to which popular creators will get first access. When your time comes, you’ll receive an email in your inbox for the account you signed up for with YouTube: Look for the email “You can now choose your YouTube address.” If you log in YouTube Studioyou may also see a message saying “It’s time to choose your handle” along with Choose now attachment button.
Click this button or the . button Choose a handle link in the email you received to get started. Remember that this handle will identify you throughout the site, in mentions and comments and videos, so you should think about which one you will use — and keep in mind the username you use. used on other social media sites, of course.
In some cases, YouTube will pre-generate a unique username for you based on your current username or channel URL. If there’s a controller already saved for you, you’ll see it appear first—click Change the handle and you can confirm that you accept the selection or edit the handle to something else. When you’re done, click Confirm selection. You’ll see a confirmation screen and a new URL linking to your channel page.
