You cannot buy a username directly from Instagram, but you can buy one from the person who owns it
Instagram does not sell usernames or transfer them between accounts for money. The company treats usernames as part of your account identity, not as a tradeable asset. However, if someone else owns the username you want, you can negotiate to buy their account or pay them to change their username so you can claim the one they leave behind.
This is a private transaction between you and the account holder — Instagram is not involved in the payment or the deal. You are responsible for making sure the transaction is safe and that you understand what you are actually buying.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram does not sell usernames, but the person who owns an account can change their username, leaving the old one available for you to claim.
- You can offer to pay someone to change their username, or you can buy their entire account if it has followers or content you want to keep.
- These transactions happen outside Instagram and carry real risks — the seller can take your money and not follow through, or change the username back after you pay.
- If you are buying an account, change the email address and password when ready after the sale, and ask the seller to remove two-factor authentication first.
- Usernames with high follower counts, short length, or brand recognition sell for anywhere from a few dollars to thousands, depending on what the account includes.
How buying a username actually works
When you want someone else's username, you have two paths. The first is to contact the account holder and offer to pay them to change their username voluntarily. Once they change it to something else, their old username becomes available, and you can claim it by changing your own username to that name.
The second path is to buy the entire account from them. This means you get their username, their follower count, their posts, and their direct message history — everything attached to that account. You then take control of the account by changing the email address, password, and phone number linked to it.
Neither of these transactions involves Instagram. You are making a deal with another person, usually through direct message, email, or a marketplace like Fiverr or specialized username broker sites. Instagram will not mediate the sale, refund your money if something goes wrong, or help you recover the account if the seller changes the password back.
The real risks of buying a username or account
The biggest risk is that you send money and the seller does not follow through. They can take your payment and straightforward ignore you, change their username to something else but not the one you wanted, or change the username back after you pay. Instagram's terms of service do not protect you in these situations because you are not buying from Instagram.
If you are buying an entire account, the seller can regain control after the sale by using the original email address to reset the password. They can also claim the account was stolen and ask Instagram to return it to them. Instagram may side with whoever can prove they created the account or has the original recovery information.
There is also a risk that the account itself violates Instagram's rules. If you buy an account that was used for spam, hate speech, or other violations, Instagram can disable it without warning. You will lose both your money and the username.
How to protect yourself if you decide to buy
If you are buying just the username (not the whole account), use a payment method that offers buyer protection, such as PayPal Goods and Services or a credit card with chargeback rights. Do not use wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency — these cannot be reversed if the seller does not hold up their end of the deal.
Ask the seller to change their username first, while you watch. Have them send you a screenshot showing the username is now available. Only after you see proof should you send money. Then when ready claim the username by changing your own account's username to that name.
If you are buying an entire account, ask the seller to remove two-factor authentication and any recovery phone numbers before you take over. Change the email address to one you control, set a new password, and add your own phone number for recovery. Do this all in the first few minutes after you gain access. Take screenshots of these changes as proof you own the account.
Consider using an escrow service — a neutral third party who holds the money until both sides confirm the deal is complete. Some username brokers offer this, though they charge a fee.
What usernames actually cost
A username with no followers or brand value might sell for five to twenty dollars if the account holder is willing to negotiate at all. Short usernames (three to five characters) or those that spell real words or brand names can sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars. An account with a large follower count in a popular niche — fitness, beauty, business — can sell for thousands to tens of thousands.
The price depends on the follower count, the engagement rate (how many people like and comment), whether the followers are real or bot-generated, and how recognizable the username is. A username like @fitness might sell for far more than @fitnessguy2019, even if both have the same number of followers.
Before you offer money, research what similar accounts have sold for. Look at marketplace listings on Fiverr, Playerup, or Instagram username broker sites to see what people are asking. This gives you a realistic sense of whether the seller's price is reasonable.
Alternatives if buying is too risky or expensive
If the username you want is too expensive or the seller seems untrustworthy, consider building your brand around a different username. You can use a username that is available now and build your following with that name. Many successful accounts do not have the "perfect" username — they succeed because of the content and community they build.
You can also add your desired name to your bio or display name. Your display name can be changed anytime and does not have to match your username. Many people search for accounts by display name, not username, so this can help people find you even if your username is not ideal.
If the username belongs to an inactive account with no followers, you can try reporting it to Instagram as abandoned. Instagram sometimes reclaims usernames from accounts that have been inactive for a very long time, though this is rare and the company does not may provide it will happen.
Red flags that a seller is not trustworthy
Do not buy from someone who asks you to pay before they change the username or hand over the account. Do not send money through untraceable methods like wire transfer or gift cards. Do not buy from someone who cannot or will not show you proof that they own the account — ask them to send a screenshot of the account settings page or to change something small (like the bio) while you watch.
Be suspicious of sellers who pressure you to decide quickly, claim they have other buyers interested, or ask you to send money to a different person than the account holder. These are common scam tactics. A legitimate seller will be patient and willing to prove ownership.
If a username is extremely valuable or the account has a large following, consider hiring a broker or escrow service to handle the transaction. The fee is worth the protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Instagram force someone to give up their username?
No, Instagram does not force account holders to change their usernames except in cases of impersonation or trademark violation. If you own a trademark, you can file a complaint with Instagram's legal team, but this is a slow process and Instagram will not sell you the username — they will only disable the account if they find a violation.
What happens if I buy an account and the seller claims it was stolen?
Instagram will investigate and may return the account to whoever can prove they created it or has the original recovery information. If the seller has the original email address or phone number, they can regain control. This is why changing the email and password when ready is critical — it makes it harder for the seller to prove they still own it.
Is it against Instagram's rules to buy or sell a username?
Instagram's terms of service prohibit buying and selling accounts, but the rule is rarely enforced against individual users. The company focuses on stopping large-scale account trading operations. That said, if you buy an account and Instagram discovers it, they could disable it without refunding your money.
Can I get my money back if the seller does not change the username?
Only if you used a payment method with buyer protection, such as PayPal Goods and Services or a credit card. You will need to file a dispute and provide evidence that the seller did not hold up their end of the deal — screenshots of your agreement and proof that the username was not changed. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency cannot be reversed.
How long does it take to claim a username after someone changes theirs?
The username becomes available when ready after the account holder changes it. You can claim it right away by going to your account settings and changing your own username. There is no waiting period.