Step-by-Step Guide on How to Change YouTube Channel URL

What Is a YouTube Channel URL

A YouTube channel URL is a website address that takes you to a specific YouTube channel. It looks like a regular URL, but includes the channel name. YouTube automatically creates a channel URL when you create a YouTube channel. However, you can customize your channel URL later. A custom domain for your YouTube channel URL allows people to see your channel name or brand name directly, making it easier to remember and share.

When you customize your YouTube channel URL, you can add your channel name or other keywords. Not only does this make your URL more unique and memorable, but it also helps your channel appear in more search engine results.

Types of YouTube Channel URLs

A YouTube channel can have multiple channel URLs. All of these URLs can quickly navigate you to the homepage of the YouTube channel. A YouTube channel may contain the following 4 URLs:

#1. ID-Based URL

Once a YouTube channel is successfully created, a URL will be automatically generated with the channel’s unique ID. The characteristic of this URL is that the end part is a channel ID composed of numbers and letters. ID-based channel URL is the most standard YouTube channel URL.

#2. Handle URLs

Handle URLs are channel links that include your YouTube username. When you set your handle on YouTube, a new channel URL is generated for you – the handle URL. This URL starts with an @ symbol and includes your chosen handle.

A YouTube handle is a combination of letters and numbers. You can change your handle twice within 14 days. This means you can only change your handle URL twice within 14 days.

#3. Legacy Username URLs

Legacy username URLs are channel URLs that YouTube used before handles were introduced. These URLs start with “/user/” and are followed by the username you chose when you created your channel. Now, YouTube no longer requires usernames, but legacy username URLs that have already been generated are still valid. You can still use this URL to direct viewers to your channel.

#4. Custom URLs

Custom URLs are also a type of old YouTube channel URL. They start with “/c/” and the rest of the URL can be customized. This type of URL is more personalized and easier to remember. You can no longer create or change custom URLs now. However, existing custom URLs will continue to work.

In general, the handle URL is currently the default for YouTube channels. handle URLs, legacy username URLs, and custom URLs are all personalized URLs. You can change channel URL on YouTube. However, only the handle URL can be changed currently.

How to Find Your YouTube Channel URL

As we mentioned above, legacy username URLs and custom URLs are the old versions of YouTube channel URLs. The links generated before can still be used but cannot be changed. Therefore, you can only find ID-based channel URLs and handle URLs in YouTube Studio now. Here are the steps to find them:

Step 1: Go to the YouTube Studio website (studio.youtube.com).

Step 2: Sign in to your account.

Step 3: Choose the Customization option on the left of the interface. Then scroll down to find the Handle section. You can see the handle URL just below your handle. Continue scrolling down to see your channel URL.

You can also do the following in YouTube Studio:

• Enable Live Chat on YouTube
• Schedule YouTube Shorts
• Manage Spam Comments on YouTube
• Add Moderators to Your YouTube Channel

Simple Steps to Change the YouTube Channel URL

The current YouTube channel URL is actually the handle URL. The handle URL is more recognizable than the ID-based channel URL. Moreover, the handle URL is the only channel URL that can be changed now. Here are the steps to change the YouTube handle URL:

Step 1: Go to the YouTube Studio website and sign in to your account.

Step 2: Choose the Customization tab on the left and find the Handle section on the right.

Step 3: You can make changes to your existing handle in the text box. However, you can only change your handle twice within 14 days.

Step 4: After modifying your handle, you can see the √ icon displayed behind the text box. After that, the handle URL displayed below will also change accordingly.

Step 5: Don’t forget to click on the Publish button at the top right corner to save your change.

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Bottom Line

This post teaches you how to change YouTube channel URL. More specifically, how to change YouTube handle URL. You can follow the steps in this post to set your YouTube handle according to your preferences to generate a unique YouTube channel URL.