Should I Use My Real Name on YouTube?

According to my opinion and what many people believe, going with your real name is a better option in many ways. Not only does it look and sound professional, but it also can rank your channel on top if you use a high-volume keyword in your channel name.

In short, you have both options of either using your real name or a pseudonym on your YouTube channel. Both can equally advantage and disadvantage you, so it depends on your choice.

The advantages and disadvantages of using your real name on a YouTube channel are thoroughly discussed in the article.

Should you use your real name for a YouTube channel?

Since YouTube doesn't restrict its users from using their real name, you can use any name you want. The success of your YouTube channel has nothing to do with your channel's name. There are many examples of YouTubers who didn't use their real name for YouTube channels, yet they're doing pretty well there. Most of them use their nicknames, brand names, or any creative identity that makes them stand out from the crowd.

Do YouTubers use their real name?

The short and straightforward answer is that some YouTubers use their real name, while others don't. But that doesn't affect their views because we have both kinds of YouTubers with crazy views. Some YouTubers use their real names on YouTube, i.e., James Charles, David Dobrik, Casey Neistat. While others are those who don't use their real names, i.e., PewDiePie, Liza Koshy, Mr. Beast, etc., that doesn't matter much.

Is it legal to use a fake name on YouTube?

Yes, it is entirely legal to use a fake name on YouTube unless you are not using someone else's name doing any suspicious activity as it is a fraud.

Besides this, you can use any name you like on YouTube. Whether it's your surname, real name, pseudonym, keyword of your content, or a nickname, all are acceptable to use on YouTube.

Should You Disclose Your Real Identity on YouTube?

It personally depends on you and the purpose of making an official youtube account. Disclosing your identity anywhere online has an equal set of pros and cons to consider. By revealing your real identity on YouTube, you receive appreciation and unwanted abuse.

One thing that gets affected the most when you disclose your real identity on youtube is privacy. People with different mindsets watch you and judge your whole character watching your content. This way, if your content clashes with their perspective, they start abusing and criticizing you.

Is it advisable to use my real name?

Yes. I would 100% recommend you use your real name while making a YouTube channel unless you want to keep things private by using a pseudonym or nickname.

However, your name can become a brand if you put the required effort into your work. Also, using your real name attracts people because you sound trustworthy to them, and they can easily connect to you.

Pros and cons of using your real name online

As you know, online platforms have benefited and harmed their users in one way or another. This is why your decision to use your name should solely be yours, considering all future consequences and benefits. Below is a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of using your real name on youtube to make it easy for you to decide.

Pros of using your real name online

1. You are trusted

We know that the online world is full of scams and significantly less real. So, whenever we find something online that is real and raw, we appreciate it so much.

In the same way, if you use your real name online, people will trust you and like you more. You can even expand your brand reach, grow your audience and do much more.

2. You will establish a solid identity

If you use your real name online on multiple platforms, there is more than a good chance that people will start recognizing you. Whether in the review section of a product or social media sites, you are just a click away from people searching for you.

It can be especially helpful to people who are looking forward to promoting their brand online.

Cons of using your real name online

1. Giving up your privacy

In my opinion, the biggest con of using your real name online is that you have to give up your privacy. Anybody online can see your account and know your name.

None of us like walking on the road and hearing people talk about our personal lives.

2. Welcoming abuse

When it comes to the online world, people are different behind the screen. You can't expect everybody to like and appreciate you. Most people will have highly toxic mindsets on social media, trying to hurt others online by abusive criticism.

When such people don't like your idea or work, they start criticizing you and your work instead of looking at the brighter side.

How to not use your real name on YouTube?

Interestingly, there are several ideas you can follow not to use your real name on YouTube. You can use a nickname as a pseudonym or choose a unique name for your channel that matches your content.

What is YouTube's real name policy?

In 2013, YouTube introduced a policy to connect your YouTube account with the Google+ account. But after some time, the famous video-sharing platform removed the policy as it faced a lot of backlash from users.

Today, there are no such policies, and you can use any name you want. But one thing to follow is that you can change your name only a few times, so don't be in a rush when choosing a channel name.

Does changing your YouTube channel name hurt you?

In this case, it's better not to change your YouTube channel unless you have a solid reason to back up your decision.

Once you make your YouTube account, your channel name becomes your identity, and your subscribers know you from that identity. Now, whenever your subscriber recommends your channel to someone, the person will probably use your channel name to address you. During this time, if you have changed your YouTube channel name, there's more than a good chance that a new person won't be able to find you, and you'll lose a to-be subscriber.

Most people come to youtube to build their career by making channels that make them money. Therefore, it's essential to choose a name to put on the content. Getting doxxed is a severe problem faced by youtube users, but you can prevent that by reading this guide on how to avoid getting doxed on YouTube.

Conclusion

As said earlier, using your real name on youtube has both advantages and disadvantages to consider when making an official youtube account. Although you can get recognized online in minutes, the consequences can be equally severe.

Whether you use your real name or something representing your channel's content, try to keep it catchy. Of course, people subscribe to your channel because of your identity, content, and how you run your channel.

When choosing a name, you don't have to worry about whether your channel name will get banned or suspended. As YouTube has no such policy that enforces real names on its official YouTube channel. So, be careful while choosing one.