A username, also called a handle or login name, is the unique name that identifies a person's account on a service. On social networks it is usually public and often shown with an @ prefix, such as @example.
Why it matters
A username is how others find, mention and recognize you, and on many services it is also the identifier you type to log in. Because it is often public and sometimes permanent, it affects privacy: a handle reused across sites makes it easy for others to link your accounts together. It is not a secret and should never be the only thing protecting an account.
Example
On a platform you register as @maya_designs. Other users can mention you with that name and visit example.com/maya_designs. If the site uses email for login, the handle is only a display identity, and your password and email address stay private.
Common mistakes
- Including a full birth date, phone number or workplace in a username that is public.
- Reusing one handle on every service, which makes tracking you across the web easier.
- Assuming a username is unchangeable or always unique across platforms. Rules differ, and a name free on one site may be taken on another.
Related
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