Introduction
Reddit has become a haven for online communities to share their ideas and thoughts. As you explore the site, you may have come to realize that you would like to change your username. People typically want to change their usernames on Reddit due to a change in interests or because they feel their current name isn’t as reflective of who they are anymore – but you may be wondering if it’s even possible. This guide will explain how to change your Reddit username and the pros and cons associated with this decision.
A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Change Your Reddit Username
If you want to change your Reddit username, below are the steps to follow.
Step 1: Log in to your Reddit account
The first step in changing your Reddit username is to log in to your account on the site. If you are logged out, you won’t be able to make any changes.
Step 2: Click on the “User Settings” dropdown menu
Once you’re logged in, navigate to the top-right corner of the site where you’ll find a dropdown menu. There, click on “User Settings”.
Step 3: Click on “Account” tab
Once you are in your user settings, select the “Account” tab in the menu.
Step 4: Click on “Username”
Under the “Account” tab, click on the “Username” section to edit your username.
Step 5: Choose a new username
Enter your new desired username in the box provided. Keep in mind that you can only change your username once every 30 days and that the username must not be taken by someone else on Reddit.
Step 6: Confirm changes
After entering your new username, click the “Save” button to save your new username. Once you have confirmed the changes, your new username should appear on your profile.
The Pros and Cons of Changing Your Reddit Username
As with any change in online identity, there are pros and cons to changing your Reddit username. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages you need to keep in mind before making the leap.
Pros:
Changing your Reddit username can provide the following advantages:
- A fresh start: If your previous username doesn’t reflect who you now are or if you want a fresh start in your Reddit activities, a new username will help you achieve that.
- Better username for branding or marketing: If you are using Reddit to promote your business, changing your username to a more appropriate one can enhance your branding or marketing, providing a consistent and recognizable online image.
- Caters to change in interests or theme: If you change your interests or theme on the site, your former username may no longer be suitable or appropriate. A new username is perfect for these types of changes.
Cons:
However, there are also some disadvantages that come with changing your Reddit username:
- Can confuse the followers: Your followers may not quickly understand who you are after changing your Reddit username. In turn, this can result in losing traffic and engagement.
- Difficult to maintain the recognition: If you change your username then get recognized for it, it may be hard to maintain that recognition you are going for due to the fluid nature of Reddit.
- Even the new name can be mistaken for derogatory or offensive: While trying to be creative and quirky, a new username might end up being misinterpreted or even offensive.
What You Need to Consider Before Changing Your Reddit Username
Before changing your Reddit username, you must consider a few things. The following are a few factors that can make or break the decision to change a handle:
Impact on Karma points
All the Reddit accounts have a karma score that reflects their reputation and their contributions to the various threads. The username change will not affect your Karma points. You can keep a consistent presence while changing your username.
How it affects personal flair
If you have a personal flair associated with your username, it may need to be changed if you change your handle. Existing comments will also need to be manually updated if your flair is tied to your username.
Will it cause confusion to the followers
As mentioned in the disadvantages section, changing your Reddit username can cause confusion for your followers. If you have a small following, this may not be as big of an issue, but this could lead to problems if you have a significant number of followers or you are involved in many subreddits.
How the cost-benefit-analysis looks
At the end of the day, the decision to change your Reddit username is a cost-benefit analysis. Does the new name provide enough benefit that is worth losing the familiar name? Take careful consideration before making a decisive call on this.
Success Stories of Redditors Who Successfully Changed Their Usernames
There are lots of success stories of Reddit users who have successfully changed their usernames, and have raised their reputation and engagement on the platform. Here are a few examples:
Brenda_Jones: LinkedIn Marketing Pro to E-Com Executive
Brenda Jones was working in a company as a LinkedIn Marketing pro when she got into Reddit and started sharing insights about the industry. But while at it, she realized that her LinkedIn background wasn’t relevant on Reddit. Hence, she switched her username from Brenda_Jones to EcomExecNews, which made her ‘more suited’ to the Reddit community, earning more recognition and engagement.
TechCannibal: Cringy High School Nickname to Professional Username
TechCannibal was struggling with a cringy high school nickname as a username that reflected his interests in gaming and technology. But after he realized that such a name would not instill confidence with potential clients, he switched to TechConsultant, a name that was more reflective of his work.
GumboGirl: Louisiana Inspired to Gaming Name
GumboGirl was initially using a username that didn’t reflect who they were and their interests- a Louisiana-inspired handle was a no-go on a gaming thread. After a username change, they picked a gaming inspired handle, and the engagement rose almost immediately.
Latestagecapitalism to Indecisive : How Frequently Changing Usernames Shaped Their User Experience.
Failure to decide on a username led to the decision to have an indecisive handle- but then they began to feel that this playful username didn’t reflect their contributions on the platform. That led to further changes and then became recognized and sought after on the platform as a result of these changes.
Submitting a Request to Reddit Admins for a Username Change: What You Need to Know
How to request a username change
If you’ve already used the one-month typical window for changing your username, you will need to contact the mods on the subreddit or reach out to the Reddit admins directly. They will guide you on the format of email that you need to send to request a name change.
Tips for contacting Reddit admins
Make sure that your email is polite and brief, highlighting the need to change the username on Reddit. To ensure that you get to the right people, Reddit has a contact page where you can select different reasons for your email.
Typical response time from Reddit admins
Typically the response time for Reddit admins is 24-48 hours; follow up on the progress if there is no response posted within the timeframe.
Common reasons for name change rejection
There are two common reasons why name changes get rejected:
- The new name is already taken by an existing user.
- The new name violates Reddit’s username policy, consisting of vulgar words, impersonation, and the like.
Conclusion
Changing your Reddit username is possible with the right steps and considerations. The steps include logging into your account, clicking on “User Settings”, selecting the “Account” tab, clicking on “Username,” and confirming the changes you’ve intended to make. While changing your name comes with its advantages (fresh start or better name for branding), it may be outweighed by disadvantages, such as confusion to followers. Nevertheless, you will need to weigh the cost-benefit analysis to make an informed decision.
Finally, before requesting a username change, consider the impact it will have on your Reddit experience with your karma points and personal flair. Reach out to the Reddit admins if you have any problems changing your name, with a polite and brief email. Finally, know that a good Reddit username is a key part of establishing a social media presence on the platform.
And now, you’re all set to make an informed decision about changing your Reddit username.
