What counts and what does not
| Proof | Helps with a handle? | | Registered trademark for the name | Yes, through the IP form | | Profile posing as your brand | Yes, through an impersonation report | | Domain registration | No | | Company registration alone | Rarely | | Older social accounts with the name | No |
What to do
- Check who holds the handle: active, inactive, or posing as you.
- If they copy your logo, site or products, save screenshots with dates and file an impersonation report.
- If you hold a registered mark, see trademark and Instagram handles.
- Otherwise, register a variation and add it to your site header and footer so people find the right account.
If the holder links to a copy of your site
That is a strong sign of impersonation or a copycat shop. See handle used by a copycat shop.
Official sources
- Instagram: report an intellectual property infringement
- Instagram: report an impersonation account
- Instagram Help Center: change your username
Platforms change their help pages and forms often. Follow the wording on your own screen and the current Help Center. Atclaim is an independent service and is not affiliated with Meta or any platform named on this site.