Can you get a username that is already taken?

  • Unknown's avatar
    lauraillustrated · Member ·

    I’d really like to change my username and blog address but wordpress tells me it’s already taken, which is fair enough. However, I looked at the site which seems to have only one post in April 2011. Is there a point at which usernames are freed up if deemed inactive for too long? It’s important to me because I’d like to build on my blog and maybe even turn it into my own website using a domain name that is currently available.

    So alternatively, is there a way that I can directly change my blog, into a website using an available domain name without having to go via the change-your-username-then-upgrade-to-a-website route?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • Unknown's avatar
    danielisreading · Member ·

    Unfortunately you cannot get an old username or blog address, no matter how long ago it was last used. They never will be freed up, as wordpress doesn’t allow URL recycling.

    I’m not really sure what you mean about turning your blog into a website, you can follow these tips here about using wordpress for websites: http://en.support.wordpress.com/using-wordpress-to-create-a-website/

    But there isn’t anything in particular you have to do to use wordpress for websites. You don’t have to pay anything. If you want your own domain (so removing the .wordpress from the URL) then you will have to pay $18 a year. If you already have a domain name, then you just have to pay $13 a year for domain mapping. If you just want to change your URL to an available wordpress one, then follow these instructions: http://en.support.wordpress.com/changing-blog-address/

  • Unknown's avatar
    raincoaster · Member ·

    You can change your DISPLAY name on your Profile page under Nickname. Put it in, save, then select it from teh drop down menu and save again. Your original username will show on your dashboard and in the forums, but on the blog and in comments your new nickname will display.

  • Unknown's avatar
    lauraillustrated · Member ·

    Thank you for your help! I’ll try and think of a completely new name for my blog.

    I’ve done some reading and I’m a little confused about the difference between ‘changing a blog address’ (where you’ll have to pay for redirection from old to new so your permalinks don’t break) and ‘changing your username’ (where it seems you have the opportunity to change your blog address to match and you don’t have to pay for the privilege).

    I won’t lose my content with either of these options will I?

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