Instagram, an immensely popular social media portal, allows users to change their usernames without hassle. However, keeping your former usernames hidden from public view isn’t an inherent feature of Instagram. So, How to Hide Former Usernames on Instagram?
Once you change your username, the old one becomes available for anyone else to claim. As of now, Instagram doesn’t provide a direct method to hide your previous usernames. It’s advisable to be cautious when changing your username, particularly if you have a substantial following or if your account is verified, as it may lead to confusion or mistaken identity.
It is always recommended that you inform your followers ahead of any username change to avoid any potential misunderstandings.
Merits of Unique Username On Instagram
Usernames on Instagram offer several advantages:
- Identity and Branding:
A username helps establish your identity or brand on the platform. It can reflect your personality, profession, or the content you share, making it easier for people to recognize and remember you. - Uniqueness:
Having a unique username sets you apart. It helps prevent confusion and ensures that people can easily find and tag you without mistaking you for someone else. - Privacy and Security:
Using a username instead of your real name can provide a layer of privacy and security. You can control the information you share and limit personal details associated with your account. - Consistency Across Platforms:
If you use the same username across multiple social media platforms, it helps maintain consistency and makes it simpler for your followers to find and connect with you elsewhere. - Memorability:
A catchy or memorable username can stick in people’s minds, making it more likely for them to recall and search for your profile. - Ease of Sharing:
When your username is straightforward to spell, it becomes effortless for others to share your profile with friends or followers.
Remember, choosing a good username can significantly impact your online presence, so it’s worth putting some thought into selecting one that represents you or your brand well.
Key Point While Choosing a Username
- Length:
Usernames can be up to 30 characters long. They can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores but cannot include special characters or punctuation marks. - Uniqueness:
Each username must be unique within the Instagram platform. Once a username is taken, no other account can use the same one. - No Spaces:
Spaces are not allowed in usernames. If you want to create a distinct separation, you can use underscores (_) or periods (.), but remember, and they must not be consecutive or at the beginning/end of the username. - Case Insensitive:
Usernames on Instagram are not case-sensitive, meaning whether you use uppercase or lowercase letters doesn’t affect the uniqueness of the username. - Changeability:
Users have the option to change their usernames. However, keep in mind that frequent changes might need to be clarified for your followers and make it harder for them to find or recognize your account. - Representation:
A username is often the first impression someone has of your profile, so it should ideally represent your identity, brand, or the content you share.
When choosing a username, consider its readability, memorability, and relevance to your personal or brand identity. Finding a balance between being unique and easy to remember is key for a successful username on Instagram.
Why Do People Hide Usernames?
Hiding your username or keeping it private on Instagram might be a personal choice for various reasons:
- Privacy Concerns:
Some users prefer to maintain a level of privacy on social media. By keeping their username hidden or private, they limit who can find and follow them, ensuring that only approved followers have access to their content. - Controlling Access:
Hiding your username allows you to control who sees your content. It’s particularly useful if you want to share posts or stories selectively with a specific audience without making your profile public. - Avoiding Unwanted Attention:
In some cases, users might want to prevent random or unwanted followers from accessing their profiles or interacting with their content. Hiding the username can act as a barrier, making it more challenging for unknown users to find and follow the account. - Security Reasons:
Concealing your username can add an extra layer of security. It may prevent potential harassment, stalking, or unwanted contact from individuals who may have access to your username.
However, on platforms like Instagram, completely hiding your username is a unique feature. The platform is designed for social interaction and discovery, so usernames are usually visible to help people find and connect.
Instagram does offer privacy settings that allow users to make their profiles private, controlling who can follow them and see their content. This limits visibility to approved followers only, but the username remains visible to those followers.
Steps to Hide Previous Usernames on Instagram
Here are a few steps to hide usernames
- Launch Instagram App:
Start by opening the Instagram application on your device. - Access Profile:
Tap on the profile icon located at the bottom right corner of your screen. - Edit Profile:
From the list of options displayed, select “Edit Profile”. - Navigate to Private Information:
Scroll down until you find the “Private Information” section. - Select Previous Username:
Click on your old username listed under this section. - Delete Old Username:
Press and hold the old username to trigger a pop-up menu. Select “Delete” from the options provided. - Confirm Deletion:
Lastly, confirm your decision by clicking on “Yes”.
After following these steps, your old username will be removed from your Instagram profile and will not be visible to other users.
Remember to take necessary precautions before changing your username and inform your followers of any changes to avoid confusion or mistaken identity.
It’s important to note that while these methods can help in hiding your previous usernames, they could be more foolproof. Some users may still be able to find your old username through third-party websites or apps.
Therefore, it’s always advisable to be mindful of the usernames you choose and take necessary precautions to protect your online presence. Instagram also continuously updates its privacy settings and features, so make sure to regularly check for any new options that may help in hiding your former usernames.
- Avoiding Similar Usernames
Another way to hide your former usernames is by avoiding similar or identical usernames in the future. This reduces the chance of someone associating you with your previous usernames. For example, if your old username was “johndoe1”, try to avoid using “johndoe2” or any other variations of the same name. - Changing Instagram Profile Picture
Updating your profile picture can also help in hiding your previous usernames. This is because some users may recognize you by your profile picture and associate it with your old username, even if they are not following you. By changing your profile picture, you can create a new identity and reduce the chances of being recognized. - Utilizing Privacy Settings
Instagram offers various privacy settings that can help you hide your former usernames. By switching to a private account, only people who follow you can see your content, including your username. This means that anyone not following you won’t be able to view any previous usernames associated with your account. Additionally, you can also restrict specific users from viewing your profile altogether, further ensuring your previous usernames remain hidden.
What’s Next?
While Instagram doesn’t provide a direct option to hide former usernames, utilizing the methods mentioned above can help in avoiding any confusion or potential identity mix-ups. As always, it’s important to be cautious when changing your username and inform your followers of any changes beforehand to avoid any misunderstandings.
With these techniques, you can maintain your privacy on the platform and continue using Instagram without any concerns about previous usernames being visible. So, it’s always recommended to be mindful of your username choices and take necessary precautions to protect your online identity.