Complete Guide: Are Youtube Channel Names Copyrighted?

Picking out your YouTube channel name is an exciting task. Choosing a name that can become a brand is essential for long-term success on YouTube. What happens if the name you want is already taken? Is it possible for YouTube names to be copyrighted?

In this blog post, we will go over everything you need to know about YouTube channel names being copyrighted.

Answer To The Question Are YouTube Channel Names Copyrighted:

YouTube doesn’t limit a channel name from being used twice. That means you can have the same channel name as someone else. Do you have to make sure the name you use isn’t copyrighted?

First off, when it comes to names, copyright isn’t the right type of protection. If you want to protect a name from being used a trademark is what you need to file for.

You can trademark a name for a business, product, or service. If someone else is already using your channel name as a trademark, they can stop you from using it.

So when it comes to choosing a name for your YouTube channel name, you need to make sure it’s not trademarked.

How To Check if a Name Is Trademarked

You can use the USPTO database to check if a name is trademarked. The USPTO stands for the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

What is Considered Copyright Infringement on YouTube?

There are a few different types of copyright infringement on YouTube. They are as follows:

Uploading someone else’s copyrighted content without their permission.
Using copyrighted music in your videos without the copyright owner’s permission.
Stealing someone’s thumbnail image and using it for your video.
Using someone’s channel art and pretending it’s your own.

These are just a few examples of copyright infringement on YouTube. If you’re not sure if something is considered copyright infringement, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get permission from the copyright owner before using it.

When Should You Trademark Your YouTube Channel Name?

You should trademark your YouTube channel name if you plan on growing your channel and turning it into a business. If you’re just starting and are still experimenting with names, there’s no need to trademark them right away.

You can always file for a trademark later down the road once you’ve settled on a name and have built up some traction with your channel.

Tips For Choosing a New Channel Name

If you’re stuck on choosing a new channel name, here are a few tips to help you out:

Keep it short and sweet

A shorter name is easier for people to remember and type out. Remembered channel names are more likely to get typed into YouTube’s search bar.

Make it easy to pronounce

If your channel name is difficult to say, people will have a hard time searching for you. They might end up spelling your name wrong or getting frustrated and giving up altogether.

Use keywords

Include keywords in your channel name that describe what your channel is about. That way, when people are searching for channels like yours, yours is more likely to come up.

Do your due diligence

Before settling on a channel name, do a thorough search to make sure it’s not already being used by someone else and that it’s available as a URL. If you want to expand the channel into a business and have a website you want to make sure the domain name is available as well.

Can You Change Your YouTube Channel Name If Needed?

If you run into an issue with your first YouTube channel name you may be wondering if you can just change it.

The answer is, yes, you absolutely can!

If you want to change your channel name for any reason, all you have to do is go into your YouTube settings and make the changes. You don’t need to contact YouTube or anything like that.

Just keep in mind that if you have a lot of subscribers, changing your channel name may cause you to lose some of them. They might not be able to find you if they don’t know your new name.

How To Ensure People Remember Your Channel Name

Repeat it in your videos

Mentioning your channel name and saying, hey guys, welcome to the “insert channel name” channel.

This will get people to remember the channel off the top of their head.

Use it as a tagline in your thumbnail image

If you have text in your thumbnail image, make sure your channel name is included. That way if someone sees the thumbnail somewhere other than YouTube, they’ll still know whose channel it is.

You can even include a logo with your channel name if you have one.

Use it in other social media platforms

If you’re active on other social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram, make sure to include your channel name in your bio. That way people who come across you on those platforms will know where to find your YouTube videos.

Use it on a Website or Blog

If you have a website or blog, make sure to include your channel name on there as well. You can even embed YouTube videos on your site and make sure the channel name is in the title.

By following these tips, you can be sure that people will remember your channel name and be able to find it when they’re looking for it.

Conclusion

A YouTube channel name can’t be copyrighted, but it can be trademarked. Now that you know everything you need to know about YouTube channel names, it’s time to choose one for yourself!

Use the tips we provided to help you choose a unique and easy-to-remember channel name. And don’t forget to do a thorough search before settling on one to make sure it’s available.

If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with your friends and fellow YouTubers!

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