Instagram usernames aren’t permanent—people change them all the time for different reasons like rebranding, wanting more privacy, or just needing a fresh vibe. But sometimes, you might want to check out someone’s old usernames—maybe to make sure it’s really them or just to see their account history.
Whatever the reason, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll walk you through three simple and working methods to find out someone’s past Instagram usernames without too much hassle.
Benefits of Knowing Username Change History
Being able to check out the old usernames of an Instagram account can be surprisingly useful. Whether you’re just curious, trying to figure out if it’s the same person you knew before, or want to see how their profile has changed over time, knowing their username history can give you a lot of insight. It’s one of those little things that can actually tell you a lot.
Verify Identity: If you’re unsure about someone’s authenticity, past usernames can help confirm if they’ve rebranded or are pretending to be someone else.
Recover Familiar Accounts: Sometimes, people you knew might change their usernames. Username history helps you find them again.
Research Purpose: Whether you’re a marketer, journalist, or investigator, tracking username changes can support account tracking and analysis.
3 Methods to Check Former Instagram Usernames
Alright, now let’s dive into the three best and actually working ways you can use to find someone’s old Instagram usernames. These methods are pretty simple and can really come in handy if you’re trying to dig up a bit of username history.
Method #1: Use Instagram Profile Info (If the Account is Public)
Instagram does show the history of username changes, but only if the account is either verified or set up as a business account. So yeah, it’s kind of limited, but still worth checking if the profile fits that category.
Steps:
Go to the Instagram profile (must be public).
Tap the three dots (⋮) on the top right.
Select About This Account.
Tap on Former Usernames.
If the info is available, you’ll be able to see all the usernames that account has used before. But keep in mind, this only works if Instagram has chosen to make that kind of detail public for that specific type of account. So, it’s not guaranteed for everyone.
Method #2: Check Internet Archives (Wayback Machine)
If someone changed their Instagram username and their account was publicly indexed or linked, you might find old data through internet archives.
Steps:
Visit archive.org/web.
Enter the old or suspected Instagram URL, like instagram.com/username.
Browse the calendar to view old versions of the page.
If snapshots exist, you can view previous usernames from bios, links, or posts.
This method works best if the account was public at some point and had been visited or linked by other websites before. Basically, if the account left any kind of digital footprint, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find something through it.
Method #3: Use Third-Party Tools or Username Trackers
Some online tools and forums track Instagram usernames, especially of public or notable accounts.
Popular tools (subject to availability):
Socialblade.com – Tracks username history for influencers and public profiles.
Namechk or Knowem – Helps see if a username was previously in use across social platforms.
Reddit communities like r/Instagram can also help if you post details.
Just a quick heads-up—be really careful when using third-party tools. Some of them might look legit but could be risky, especially if they ask for your Instagram login info. It’s best to avoid entering your username and password on any sketchy or unfamiliar websites. Better safe than sorry!
Conclusion:
So, while Instagram doesn’t openly show the old usernames of every account, there are still some pretty handy ways to find them out. You can try using some of Instagram’s own features, dig through internet archives, or even use a few trusted third-party tools that are out there.
These three methods are actually working pretty well right now, and they can really help you figure out someone’s username history—whether you’re just curious or need it for a specific reason. Plus, they’re pretty simple and safe to use if you go about it the right way.
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