Create a YouTube Channel

What is the name of the channel?

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Your channel name is the official name of your channel on YouTube. There are many different types of channel names, including a person's first and last name (Cassey Neistat) and names that describe the overall theme of the channel (5-Minute Crafts).

Why is the name of your channel important?

Your channel's name appears in your videos, your channel's page, and YouTube search results.

Channel name

Also, the name of your channel is a big part of how people will appreciate and understand your channel. That's why it's important that your name accurately represents your brand.

Best practices

Select the channel name category.

The first step is to decide the name category of the channel you are going with.

In general, channel names fall into 4 main categories:

Name (Taylor Swift)

Brand (Nike)

Category (Classic Gameroom)

Epic Rap Battles

The easiest and straightforward way is to use your first and last name as your channel name. And it works especially well if you plan to be the 'face' of your channel.

For example, Marie Forleo is a business person with a strong personal brand. So when he created his YouTube channel, he just named it: Marie Forleo.

Name the channel.

However, using your name as your channel name may not be appropriate for you. If so, be sure to review these best practices to help you choose the best channel name.

Let your name describe your topic.

Ideally, someone can see the name of your channel and immediately understand what kind of videos you are releasing.

That said, you don't have to literally describe the topic of your channel. It can take the name of a flat, normal sounding channel (e.g. videos for weightlifters).

Instead, think of these as actions that you must take on a regular basis to highlight (or even point to) your channel.

For example, let's take a look at the video influencer channel.

Inspiring video

Video Influencers define the theme of this channel (promoting your brand through video); without boring or ordinary sound.

Your name must be unique.

It is important that your name is different from other channels on YouTube.

For example, Action Lab is a growing science channel.

Action Lab

Suppose you want to name your channel Action Laboratory. The name can easily be confused with The Action Lab.

So before deciding on a name, pop your potential name into YouTube and see what comes up.

Search - Retrieved.

If you watch another channel (or channels) whose channel name is very similar to yours, you should probably go with something else.

However, if you can't find a similar sounding channel, you're ready to go.

Search - Not found.

Also, be sure to search for your potential name on Google. This will help you avoid channel names that are similar to other brands (even those that are not active on YouTube).

For example, Screen Junkies is a movie-focused channel with 6.4 million subscribers.

Screen junkies

The name of this unique channel ensures that it will not be confused with any other movie related brand on or outside of YouTube.

Your name should be "sticky"

You want your channel name to be something that people can easily remember.

So the more unique your name is, the more it will stick in people's minds.

For example, Epic Meal Time is one of the most popular food channels on YouTube (over 7 million subscribers).

Epic meal time

Epic Meal Time gives you an idea of ​​what this channel is all about; and it's very memorable.

Another example of a very sticky name is Crazy Russian Hacker (10 million subscribers).

Crazy Russian hacker

Not only are Taras' videos great but the name of her comedy channel is one that is hard to forget.

Naming Tips and Strategies

Here are some quick tips and strategies to help you decide on your channel name.

Avoid using numbers: Using numbers in your channel (CookingWithMelissa85) may make your name appear automatically. It also makes it difficult to find the name of your channel ("Is this 85 ... or 85?").

Use name modeling: Think of some of the brands you follow on YouTube and beyond. What makes them stand out? What makes them memorable? Try modeling their formula with your channel name.

Domain Name Availability: As your channel grows, you may want to start building a brand away from YouTube. Having a permanent channel name and domain name can help. That said, you don't have to have a .com domain (a .net, .co or .io can work).

Social Media Account Availability: Also check if your channel name is available on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other popular social media websites. It is not necessary. But it is helpful to have social media account names and URLs that match your channel name.

Keep it simple: Make your channel name easy to pronounce and spell. Typically, a 2-3 word phrase (film theorist) versus a complex word (film)Theology) is better to use.

Use a tool: If you're stuck, I recommend checking out Shopify Business Name Generator. Enter only one word or PHR.As you would like to add to your channel name, and this tool will remove 100 name ideas that contain that term.

Shopify Name Generator

learn more

Change your channel details: A guide to changing your channel settings (including your channel name)

NameChk: Easily see if your channel name is available as a domain name and on various social media sites.