Instagram has been around for over a decade now since its launch in the spring of 2010. It has become one of the most popular apps on smartphones today, boasting over a billion users. However, not all accounts are actively used. Sometimes, an account that hasn’t posted since 2013 is sitting on that perfect username. So, what can you do to claim an inactive Instagram username?
Firstly, the bad news is that Instagram isn’t going to be much of a help in getting you the username you want from an inactive account. It’s not something the team has ever been interested in, especially since anyone with an inactive account may return to it at any point. If the account is shut down or disabled, the username can become available again, but at that point, it’s all about the luck of you getting the username you want.
However, there are a few things you can do to try and claim an inactive username. Firstly, you can ask to swap usernames. For instance, if you’re running the Instagram account for a podcast and someone else holds the name of your podcast, take a username with a slight variation. Then ask if the person who holds the account you want would be willing to switch. If they aren’t willing to switch for free, you can also offer them some kind of payment or forego switching altogether and offer cash in advance if the account is inactive.
Check the profile to see if you can find some kind of contact information like an email or a Twitter account associated with the person. Attempt to contact them through direct messages. If you still can’t get through to them either through Instagram or other various social media accounts, it might be worth trying to see if you can get Instagram to shut the account down. If you can find a violation of Instagram’s rules in one of their photos, report the inactive account to Instagram to see if you can get it closed off.
Finally, you can try copyrighting or trademarking the brand name you’re looking for to see if you can issue a takedown notice through Instagram. It’s risky and really only worth it if you’re trying to get your business name up and running. Still, it’s a worthy effort if you want to put in the fight. If all else fails, using a variation of the name you want can still work. Try adding “real” or “official” to the name or make small changes in the characters to get your desired name to work.
In conclusion, getting the perfect Instagram handle isn’t the end-all be-all of your social presence, and sometimes it’s better to accept defeat than to throw away hundreds of dollars in a fruitless effort. Remember, an inactive account may become active at any time, so it’s best to have a backup plan.
So, there you have it – how to claim an inactive Instagram username. Don’t forget to check out more of our tech news, reviews, and top picks every week.