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Acquiring an inactive Instagram username
I am planning on starting an editing company, but the Instagram name that I would like is currently taken. The username is @NAME. I’ve DM’ed the person they’re following and they told me the person who owns the account is their sister in law and she will try to give me the account. Unfortunately she does not have access to the account since she cannot remember the password nor has Instagram messaged her back about deactivating the account. The account is currently inactive. My website also has the same domain name as the IG username. I am also filing to trademark the name so I would be able to file a trademark claim on the account as this is the only way I see possible in acquiring the account name. Does it seem likely that Instagram would give me the @ or would this be a waste of time and effort?
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3 Replies
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byu/JonODonovan insocialmedia -
highly doubt IG will give u the name
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You can try reaching out directly to Instagram to see what happens, but in general your best chance of this happening is if the company is already established.
For now, your best bet is to start building a following for the company on another handle, like “NAMEediting”. Get the trademark for the name. Create social accounts with the original “NAME” on other platforms if possible, and start building a following there. It’s even better if you’re able to get verified on some of the other channels as further “social proof”.
Once you have all of that in place, try reaching out directly to Instagram and make your case again. Explain that the “NAME” handle you would like to use is inactive; that your company already has the “NAME” handle on X, Y, Z social platforms (include URLs); and that your company has the “NAME” web domain (include URL). If you’re lucky, they’ll be able to change your current “NAMEediting” handle to “NAME” while keeping all of your “NAMEediting” posts, followers, etc.
You will also have MUCH better chances of this working successfully if you are actually running paid ads through the Facebook/Instagram platform and get assigned a platform rep.
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