Claiming an inactive Instagram username is a growing trend as more and more people are starting to see the benefits of having a unique username. While it may seem like a huge workaround, it is quite simple, and only a few steps are involved.
The Growing Market for Instagram Usernames
There has been a growing market for unique Instagram usernames in recent years. As the platform has become more popular, users have increasingly sought out ways to stand out from the crowd. For many, this has meant purchasing an eye-catching username. While some users are happy to settle for a less-desirable username that is still available, others are willing to pay top dollar for a more stylish name. The most desirable names tend to be short, catchy, and easy to remember.
However, prices have skyrocketed as the market for Instagram usernames has become more competitive. Some users have even been known to pay thousands of dollars for a single name. While the trend shows no signs of slowing down, it remains to be seen how much longer the market will continue to grow.
How Can You Get an Inactive Instagram Username?
It might be difficult to obtain an Instagram handle. Even if someone shuts down their account, claiming the username of an inactive account requires a number of limitations and workarounds. Instagram users cannot submit a form and claim a username; it's not that simple.
If you're looking for an available Instagram username, don't despair – there are a few ways to find one. This article includes all of your options for obtaining an Instagram username.
Buying an Instagram Username
Many people have found success selling their desirable usernames on secondary markets for sums that can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. In most cases, those who are making money from selling names are those who staked out their accounts early on and were able to choose names that others would eventually want.
Sometimes a name becomes valuable because it's tied to something popular, like a movie, show, or album. For example, 'BigBangTheory' goes from being an account for a physics student to being a coveted property. If the profile becomes inactive, you may be able to snag the username. But beware if you choose to purchase an Instagram username: only buy it from a reputable source. In 2021 alone, Instagram banned hundreds of accounts because hackers stole usernames and sold them illegally.
Finding The Account Owner's Information
Even if an account appears to be inactive, that doesn't guarantee that the owner is no longer using it. They may still check their messages from time to time and would be open to selling you their profile. However, getting in touch with them can pose a challenge. The best method would be to send a Direct Message on Instagram, though if they're not active, then there's little chance they'll see it anytime soon.
To find information about an account, check the bio section. There are several things that can be helpful here. Some people include a contact e-mail address or their personal website's URL in their bio, which would make your search easier.
Some people are more protective of their privacy and, as a result, don't post their contact information publicly. However, they may have links to or mention other social media accounts, such as Facebook pages or LinkedIn bios. So, if you have this person's name available to you, try searching for them across different social media platforms so that you can send them a message.
Instagram's Stance on Deleted Accounts
In general, Instagram does purge old accounts after a period of inactivity. The platform doesn't release how long this inactive period is, but it does state that "If you don't log in for a while, your account will be deleted."
This policy has led some users to believe that if an account appears to be inactive, it may have been deleted by Instagram and made available for anyone to claim. However, this is not the case – Instagram doesn't delete accounts and make username availability instant.
Hold on for an Instagram Purge
Accounts that are inactive and have little to no content are usually purged from the Instagram database. So, there's a good chance- although it's not definite- that the account you want will be dropped, and the username will become available again.
Unfortunately, you won't receive any warning from Instagram before it happens, so the best way to catch a purge in action is by following one of the more popular and well-known accounts. Check their follower count each day to see if there are any sudden changes. A sudden drop in followers could mean that Instagram purged some user accounts overnight. If your account goes from 9,341 followers to 9,102 (and there's no negative post driving the loss), it's likely that a purge occurred, and usernames are now available.
Trademark the Instagram Name
You may file for a patent online. Once you've secured your patent, you can notify Instagram of the inactive account. This might take some time and money, but it's an option. Many users have claimed success in getting their Instagram usernames by asking them to transfer their accounts. You can argue that because your clients' existing accounts are confusing. If you own a trademark or copyright, you can file a report and attempt to claim the name for yourself. While this method may be difficult, it is more likely to succeed if the account is active and frequently used.
Getting a new trademark is time-consuming and costly, but copyright protection is straightforward. You have legal ownership of everything you create if it's original; you may file an official copyright registration to confirm your rights, but the assertion isn't made by filing the claim. In other words, you must use the name consistently and show how much money you could lose if someone else uses it.
Choose a Similar Name
Choosing a username similar to your real name is the simplest way to set up an Instagram account. It's easy and effective to use underscores or digits. Instagram usernames are limited to 30 characters long and must include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. This restriction allows you a lot of freedom in naming your child after the one you want. You may need to exercise a little creativity, but most of it should be simple enough.
Adding a city, location, or type of business to your name can help you maintain your brand while adding a quick way for locals to identify you. For example, if you're surnamed Smith, adding "Pittsburgh Painting" as your company name tells customers from the get-go what services you offer and where they can find you.
Workarounds For Established Brands
If you're a bigger business or a more well-known brand, adding 'official' or 'real' to the end of your Instagram account name can be beneficial. Artists often do this with common names, so don't feel like you can't do it as well. For example, although it is legal to create an account for Microsoft Software, if you reach a level of success and become noticeable to Microsoft, they will shut down your account immediately due to trademark and copyright infringement. Just as other people cannot intrude on your intellectual property, you cannot do the same to others.
If you're having trouble finding a username that isn't already taken, remember that some accounts are set to private. If this is the case, the username is unavailable, and you cannot search for the account.
Conclusion
When it comes to Instagram, the username you choose is extremely important. It's how people will find and recognize you, so you want to make sure it's something memorable. If you're having trouble finding a name that isn't already taken, these tips should help you get started.
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