Alright, so you’re getting your business up and running, and now it’s time to set up those social media profiles. You know Instagram’s gotta be in the mix, so you go to create your business account, type in the perfect username… and bam—you get hit with that dreaded message: “This username isn’t available. Please choose another.”

Someone else already snagged it. Now what?

Sure, you could go with something close to your brand name, but let’s be real—there’s nothing like having the exact handle you want. So, if you’re set on claiming that username from whoever’s holding it, this guide is for you. Let’s go through some ways to try and wrestle that handle away from your current rival.

How to claim an Instagram username that’s already taken:

Here’s the deal—Instagram’s got a billion users, with about 200 million of those being businesses. With all those active accounts, it’s no shocker that a ton of good usernames are already taken, maybe even the exact one you want.

Now, it is possible to claim a username that’s already in use, but don’t get your hopes up too high. Instagram’s stance is clear: usernames are claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. So, no guarantees here.

But, if you’re set on getting that specific handle, here’s a few moves you can try:

Reach out to the current owner and ask if they’d be willing to switch.
Make an offer—money talks.
Report the account to Instagram if it’s inactive.
File a trademark report if you own the rights.

No promises, but these steps can up your chances.

1. Ask the current account owner to change their username

The first play: reach out directly to the current username holder and see if they’re open to giving it up. Just shoot them a direct message, keep it friendly, and explain why you’re asking.

Here’s a message template to keep it simple:

Hey,

I noticed you’re using the Instagram username [@USERNAME]. I wanted to ask if you’d be open to changing it.

I’m working with [YOUR BUSINESS/CLIENT], and it would really help us to have that handle to match our other social accounts.

Thanks for any help you can give!

This approach might work, especially if they’re just using the username casually and could switch to something else that fits them.

But if you think they’re actually impersonating your brand or business, that’s different territory. If it feels like your name is being used unfairly, you could look into trademark infringement. In cases like that, you can be a little more direct and ask them to stop using your brand name (more on trademarks later).

2. Offer to buy it from them

If just asking doesn’t get you anywhere, consider sweetening the deal by offering some cash for the username. Money talks, and often a little compensation can be all it takes for someone to give up the handle.

Now, when it comes to how much to offer, it’s smart to play it cool. Don’t just throw out a number right away—ask if they’d be open to selling, and let them say what they’d want for it.

Just one thing to keep in mind: you’re buying the username, not the whole account. You want to bring that username onto your own Instagram account. Even if they have thousands of followers, their audience might not be relevant to your business. Starting fresh lets you build up a genuine, engaged following that’s more valuable in the long run.

How much should you actually pay? There’s no set price for Instagram usernames. It all comes down to how much you value that specific handle and how attached they are to it. If both sides are open to a deal, you might find a price that works for you both.

3. If the account is inactive, Report it to Instagram

If the account you’re after hasn’t been active in a while, chances are your DMs will go unanswered. When that happens, it can be tricky to get the attention of an inactive account holder.

In this case, try going directly to Instagram to show that the account’s inactive and ask if they’ll consider transferring the username to you.

Here’s the move: keep it professional and polite. Rather than just demanding the username, take a more tactful approach. Emphasize that it’s not being used and would fit better with your brand. Here’s an example:

Hi,

I’d like to inquire about transferring an existing Instagram username to my account.

The handle is @ABCXYZ. As you can see from the attached screenshots, the account has been inactive since [DATE].

The username includes my business’s/client’s name, and it aligns with our other social profiles and marketing materials. We’d love to be able to use it for consistency across our platforms.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide!

4. Fill out Trademark Report Form

If the other options aren’t getting you anywhere, and your business name is trademarked, you might be able to file a trademark infringement report with Instagram.

To do this, fill out their trademark report form, where you’ll include key details about your brand and trademark. Here’s what you’ll need:

Your contact info
A link to your (or your client’s) website or online presence
Details about your trademark
A link to the account using your brand name
Any additional supporting info

Once you send this in, Instagram will review it and decide if they’ll transfer the username over to you.

Note: If you don’t have a trademark yet, you can apply for one first and then take that to Instagram.

If still no luck, contact us!

We have claimed over 300+ inactive Instagram usernames for many top brands, businesses, and influencers! We have a direct access Meta Partnerships with several Reps that can claim inactive usernames on Instagram! Don’t take our word for it, check out the many case studies we have below!

Get a quote!