How to Check if Your Desired YouTube Channel Name is Available
Starting a YouTube channel can be an exciting venture, but one of the first hurdles you might encounter is checking if your desired channel name is already taken. This article will guide you through the process of determining whether your preferred name is available or if you need to explore alternative options.
Methods to Check Your Desired YouTube Channel Name
1. Search on YouTube
The first step in any quest is understanding where to start. By directly using YouTube's search function, you can quickly see if your preferred channel name already exists. Simply go to the YouTube website or app, and enter your desired channel name in the search bar. Look for existing channels with the same name or similar variations.
2. Check YouTube URL
Another method involves checking the URL of the channel. Try entering [YourDesiredChannelName] in your browser search bar. If it leads to an existing channel, the name is already taken. This step is quick and straightforward, ensuring you don't waste time creating content only to find out the name is unavailable.
3. Create a YouTube Account (Optional)
If you already have a Google account, consider going through the process of creating a new channel with your desired name. During this process, YouTube will notify you if the name is unavailable. This method can be helpful if you want an early indication of whether the name is suitable.
Additional Tools and Tips
4. Social Media and Domain Check
It's a good practice to check social media platforms and domain registrars to see if the name is being used elsewhere. This can help ensure the channel name you choose is truly unique and not already claimed by another entity. Sites like aWhois, GoDaddy, or similar can help you verify domain availability.
5. Trademark Search (If Planning to Build a Brand)
If you plan to build a brand around your YouTube channel, it's crucial to perform a trademark search. This ensures that no one else is legally protecting the name and that you can use it without running into legal issues down the road.
Using Social Blade for a Comprehensive Check
One of the most efficient tools for checking YouTube channel names is Social Blade. From this website, you can find out if your desired name is available or not with much ease. Simply navigate to the search function, input the channel name you're interested in, and see the results.
For instance, if there are no existing channels with that name, Social Blade will either show no results or closely similar results. This is often a clear indication that the name is available and ready for you to claim. Additionally, Social Blade is not limited to just YouTube channels; you can also check other social media profiles and domains.
This platform is particularly useful as it provides much more than just availability checks. It can also help you understand which categories are trending on YouTube by navigating to the 'Top Lists' section and selecting the desired category, such as 'Gaming'. From there, you can view a list of the hottest gaming channels, ranging from the largest to the smallest, which might give you insights into popular content areas and trends.
Conclusion and Additional Resources
Starting a successful YouTube channel requires careful planning, and one of the first steps is ensuring your channel name is unique and available. By following the steps outlined in this article, especially using Social Blade, you can efficiently check the availability of your desired channel name.
If you found this guide useful, consider exploring more resources for YouTube channel growth and online monetization. Good luck on your journey to becoming a successful YouTuber!