Reading the Social Handle check
Erik Kostelnik
Last Update 5 days ago
The social handle check tells you whether your name is available as a username across the major platforms — Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
For each platform, the report shows whether the handle is open or taken, and gives you a quick summary (for example, "2 of 5 taken"). Consistent handles across platforms make a brand easier to find and look more credible, so this check helps you spot problems before you've printed business cards.
How to use it:
For each platform, the report shows whether the handle is open or taken, and gives you a quick summary (for example, "2 of 5 taken"). Consistent handles across platforms make a brand easier to find and look more credible, so this check helps you spot problems before you've printed business cards.
How to use it:
- Full availability is ideal but rare. Don't be surprised if a name is open on some platforms and taken on others.
- Partial availability is workable. Many brands use a slight variation of their name as a handle when the exact one is taken — and that's fine, as long as it's close and consistent.
- Weigh it against the rest. A name that's strong on trademarks and domains but has a couple of taken handles is usually still a good candidate.