What Username Should I Pick?

If you're a lurker considering signing up, your username is one of the most important parts of your new identity. It's what members will remember you by; it's what they're going use to tag you in posts (e.g., @MrDenz), and it's what other members will use to search for you on the forum.

So, before you join the forum, keep the following in mind when you pick a username.

• Your username must be between 3 and 22 characters

Avoid usernames that:

• Imply an official association with BHW Best BHW Seller, Dispute Resolution King, etc. (e.g.,)
• Attempt to impersonate BHW Staff or another member
• Violate BHW’s Terms of Service (e.g., offensive, racist, or sexist language)
• Contain web addresses(e.g., MySite.com, BestSEOAgency.net) - These are considered URL usernames and may be changed or rejected by staff.
• Tip: If you're unsure whether a username crosses the line, it probably does. When in doubt, go with something neutral and brandable.

If your selected username does not comply with our Terms of Service, it will be removed.

Avoid Using Your Real Name:

Too many new members mistakenly register with their real name, only to request a username change later. 

This creates confusion and can compromise your privacy. 

BHW is a public platform; your username, posts, and profile can all appear in search results.

Think About Your Future:

Your future on the forum is one you should consider. Even if you’re joining the forum just to browse or ask questions, consider your long-term goals:

• Will you eventually want to sell services?
• Do you want to build a recognizable reputation?
• Will members need to remember or refer others to your profile?
• A simple, brandable, and easy-to-type username helps you grow with the community.

Example: WebBoostPro is better than seo_pro_reviews_usa112233.

Don't Pick Something Too Similar To Another Member:

Surprisingly, this is rarely a problem on Black Hat World, but it does happen.

For example, there's a member here who has a name similar to "flipflop", but then someone signed up after him with the username "flipflop1". They're not related in the least bit, yet I used to confuse the two members due to their similar usernames.

You can check available usernames by visiting our member directory and scrolling down to the "Find Member" box.

Pick Something Memorable:

This is only important if you want to stand out. A username like "97898658468467SEO42647574" is... yeah, you see the problem there. Nobody is going to remember that!

Want to Change Your Username Later?

If you've created your account within the last 7 days, you can request a username change by contacting BHW Support.

If you're an upgraded member (Premium, Jr. VIP, or Marketplace Seller), you can request a change once per year.

Avoid Foreign Characters:

Unless you don't care about being tagged by other members, foreign characters should be avoided. In the end, it'll be you who makes the username, so make sure it's something you can live with

Related BHW Newbie guide thread: https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/read-this-before-you-pick-a-username.1060128/