*Update (20 Sept 2015): Instagram has updated their app and now username changes are linked to all your previous tags and mentions. It is no longer crucial to follow the practice below; but it is still handy.

At some point in your social media "career" you may want to change your username on Instagram (or any other social media platform). Be it a sign of growing up, a change of branding strategy or simply because your dream username has finally been free'd up. Whatever the case, you should always follow SMO (Social Media Optimisation) best practice on this process because it is very important.

You'll want to make your username change as well advertised, seamless and easy as possible for your friends and followers. If for any reason, someone searching for you can't find you under your old username, you have failed, and they will move on without a second thought.