GOOGLE is emailing all YouTube users with an alert about a major change to the app.
The tech giant will make all YouTube accounts have an account handle – just like Twitter.
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It means every YouTube user will have a unique handle that will appear across the entire app.
This will be true for YouTube videos and channels, as well as Shorts – the TikTok rival.
An email is being circulated to all users, prompting them to choose a handle.
But the rollout is staggered so some users will get a chance to claim their handle first.
“We’re writing to let you know that over the coming weeks YouTube will be introducing handles to make it easier for members of the community to find and connect with each other,” Google explained in an email seen by The Sun.
“Your handle will be unique to your channel and will be how people mention you in comments, community posts and more.”
Your place in the handle-choosing queue will depend on a host of factors.
That could includes your YouTube usage, activity, number of subscribers or more.
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“We’re gradually rolling out the ability to choose a handle for all channels over the coming weeks,” Google said.
“And you will receive another email and a notification in YouTube Studio when you’re able to choose yours.
“In most cases, if you already have a personalised URL for your channel, we’ve reserved this for you as your handle.
“If you want a different handle from the one that we’ve reserved, you can change it.
“If you don’t already have a personalised URL today, you’ll also be able to choose a handle for your channel.”
Like on Twitter, account handles will have an @ symbol at the start.
And you’ll be able to use these handles to tag other users in your videos.
It should also make it easier for people to find you on YouTube.
Sadly, it’s entirely possible that you don’t get the handle that you wanted.
“A handle may not be available for several reasons,” Google warned.
“In most cases, it’s either because another channel already selected that handle, or it did not meet our handle selection guidelines.
“You can select one of the automatically generated handles provided by YouTube or choose another available handle.”
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
