Instagram, with its billion-strong user base, has emerged as an undeniable powerhouse in the realm of social media. In this visually captivating platform, usernames act as digital calling cards, representing individuals and brands alike. The significance of securing the perfect Instagram username cannot be overstated, for it serves as the key to a distinct online identity, effortless recognition, and a direct link to your audience.
Whether you’re an aspiring influencer, a business aiming to solidify its online presence, or simply an individual desiring a unique digital persona, the allure of an inactive Instagram username is undeniable. With Handle Monitor, you’ll know right away when your chosen username becomes available again so you can claim it quickly.
In this article, we embark on a comprehensive journey to unveil the strategies, tips, and insights needed to claim that elusive inactive Instagram username, unlocking the gateway to a world of endless possibilities and unparalleled online recognition.
Understanding Instagram’s Username Policies
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty details, it’s vital to understand Instagram’s username policies. So, what is an inactive account? Even though Instagram doesn’t directly answer this, an inactive account is an abandoned or unused account for long periods. There are several reasons why accounts end up inactive. The user may sometimes lose access to their accounts.
In other cases, users may choose to go off of social media. Whatever the reason, these accounts will generally be classified as inactive. So, does Instagram delete inactive accounts? Well, Instagram has never clearly spoken about this matter. That makes it hard to determine when and how fast the management will decide to delete any inactive accounts.
How to Claim an Instagram Username that’s Already Taken?
Now, here comes the fun part! Claiming an inactive Instagram username can be a little tricky but not impossible. Here are the top ways to get that username you’ve been waiting for.
Buying An Instagram Username
There are thousands of secondary markets where users get to sell their good usernames for a few bucks. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the most secure and effective ways to get an inactive Instagram username. Those selling these usernames had the foresight to stake out their accounts in the early days and picked out names that would likely be valuable.
Some of these names only gain popularity later on after a movie or show has come out. Though you might part ways with a few coins, buying an Instagram username is still one of the most effective ways to claim inactive accounts. However, it’s not the technique you can use to get a hold of your desired IG username.
Monitoring Instagram Usernames with Handle Monitor
Another effective way to recover an inactive account is by using Handle Monitor’s checker tool. This tool lets you find rare inactive insta usernames. The best part is that the tool is free and doesn’t require any login to use. If you don’t find your username, don’t worry.
You can always come back later to the finder tool and check if it’s available. Constantly monitoring can increase your chances of successfully claiming a username once it’s available. At Handle Monitor, we can also monitor active usernames and notify you whether it is available.
Find Their Contact Information
Once you’ve identified that the username is taken over, it’s time to find the contact information of the current owner of the IG username. Just because the account is inactive, it doesn’t mean that the owner isn’t around. However, talking to the original owner can be a little challenging.
The obvious way is to Direct Message them on their Instagram account and hope for a response. But if the account is inactive, there’s a huge chance they might not respond. On the other hand, you can do a little deep research and find out if there are other social media accounts, for instance, LinkedIn bio or Facebook pages linked to that account. Check if the insta account has any links or references included on the profile.
If you are lucky enough to get their contact information, be it an email address or website URL, take your time to craft a respectful message. It’s crucial for the current owner to see you as a potential client who might want to claim the username instead of a spammer.
Trademark the Name
Another incredible way to recover an inactive account is by getting a patent online. Once you’ve obtained a patent, you can always report the unused account for copyright claims. Instagram will eventually respond, and you can get back the IG name.
Although this might take a while and could cost a little extra, it’s definitely the most efficient. In fact, most available IG handles have been patented, which gives the owners exclusivity and legal protection.
Wait for an Instagram Purge
If you’ve hit a snag with the recovery of your desired username, then all you have to do is wait for Instagram’s purge. An Instagram purge is a large clean-up of unused IG accounts that this platform performs to help maintain its integrity with its user base.
Once a purge has happened, it becomes easy to acquire the already inactive Instagram account. However, it’s not always a sure guarantee that you will get the username will be available after the purge. Unfortunately, you won’t receive any warning when this will happen, but they generally seem to be at the end of every year.
Attempt Instagram Verification
This might sound a bit odd, but it’s definitely worth the try. You can try to verify the account using your details. In some rare cases, Instagram might actually choose to give you priority, especially for an inactive account that probably only has one post.
You can claim the account is impersonating your official trademark. It might take up to 30 days or more for Instagram to verify your claim and get back to you. Once Insta’s team verifies, the account will immediately be handed over to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Usually Take for a Username to Be Available After Someone Deletes Their Account?
Though not an official claim, most users have reported that the usernames were available as soon as the original account was deleted. But remember, if the account is banned, there’s a good chance the username might also be unavailable for future use.
Does Instagram Remove Inactive Accounts?
Yes, they do, although after a while. Instagram hasn’t officially released any statement about that, but it’s important to log in to your account to avoid the next purge.
Can I Make a Request for an Inactive Username?
There’s no official clarification on this matter. But you can at least try by sending a request to the company that you want to claim an inactive account. Or better yet, if you’ve obtained a patent, you can easily file an impersonation claim.
What Occurs to a Username When Instagram Bans the Original Account?
In most cases, Instagram takes bans quite seriously. The company will likely ban the account plus any ig names or usernames associated with the account. That’s probably the reason why you might not find certain usernames on their database.
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