I want to use my nickname as my Google+ custom URL, however Google+ is forcing me to use my name as prefix. Since I can only set my URL only once, how can I choose one without my name on it?
Google Plus – Use Without Prefix Name
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Related Solutions
It looks like under an older Google Profiles system (such as Buzz) it was possible to have a pretty URL like you've found above. Google axed it as a default however, in part because it effectively exposed users' username / email addresses.
The best article I could find on the topic was this blog post, which mentions:
if you had selected a vanity URL for your old Google Profile those have been grandfathered in to point to your current Google+ profile.
They may be coming at some stage, in terms of anything from Google itself is this line in the product forum in March:
The team has actually decided to take another look at vanity URLs based on user feedback and will be talking about whether or how to proceed - rest assured that they have not been ruled out. Stay tuned for updates.
In the mean time there are a bunch of URL shortening services operating you could use, or if you have your own domain you can point that to your profile.
Short answer
Now Youtube offers more options for live streaming. You could still use Hangouts on Air but also could use the Stream Now [BETA], but if you still want to use Hangouts on Air, you will require a Google+ profile or Google+ page.
Extended answer
Hangouts on Air requires a Google+ profile or Google+ page connected to a Youtube Channel. It's worth to say that
- Now are other options for live streaming from a Youtube channel.
- Youtube is making changes so will not be required anymore a Google+ profile or page to be tied to a Youtube channel.
Regarding 1, now there are three types of doing live streaming in Youtube: Stream now Beta, Quick and Custom Live Event.
Regarding 2, from Your channel and Google+ - Youtube Help
Most people don't need Google+ to use YouTube.
If you’re comfortable using the name and photo you’ve selected for your Google account on YouTube, you no longer need to have a Google+ profile on your account. You can create a channel and use all YouTube features without Google+. If you already have a Google+ profile, it won't affect your channel whether you keep or remove your Google+ profile.
Reasons you might still need Google+ connected to your YouTube channel
If you want to use a different name and photo on YouTube than the name and photo you’ve chosen for your Google account, your channel should be connected to a Google+ page. When connected to a Google+ page, your YouTube channel gets its name and channel icon from the connected page, instead of from your Google account. Any name and photo changes will apply to both the Google+ page and the YouTube channel.
If you want multiple managers to have access to your channel without sharing passwords, you can use admin features with a Google+ page.
You’ll soon be able to do the above without Google+ Pages as well. Check out our blog post for more information and keep an eye on this article for updates.
Comment notifications
If you want to get comment notifications through the notification bell , your account needs to have an associated Google+ profile or page.
What if I never connected my channel to Google+?
If you’d like to use the same name and photo that you’ve selected for your Google account on YouTube, consider confirming your name so you can regain some features on YouTube, like commenting.
Best Answer
In short, you can't. You can only use the URLs that have been "suggested" by Google.
Your best bet to changing this policy is to send feedback.
You may be able to create a Page that is attached to your profile with your nickname as the page name. But even this is no guarantee that they will give you a vanity URL for the page.