Why can't I pick this Gmail username?

[lsquare]

So I'm trying to create this new Gmail account with this particular username. However, it's been taken. Just for fun, I decide to go and do a password recovery, but it says that the account doesn't exist for that username even though Gmail's new account page is telling me the username has been taken. What's going on?

[Amarok]

Could just be poor wording on Google's part and that for some reason that account username just isn't allowed, or it could be that the account did exist but has been closed and there is some sort of delay between closure/deletion/re-creation.

Or it could just be wonkiness in general, I know some cow used my email address for their blockbuster express account so every time they rent some dumbass movie I get an email about it. I sent her a polite facebook message asking if she could rectify the situation and she told me to go jam a garden hose somewhere unpleasant and die. So I went to the blockbuster site and tried to do a password recovery and change the email address to the address listed on her facebook page, but Blockbuster told me that no account was registered with that email address. So basically I'm still getting emails every time she decides to go to blockbuster.

[Xoligy]

Email google and ask them but as said maybe the name was once in use or got deactivated for illigal use only google would know.

@Amarok that sucks, i would just add a new filter that deleted the emails meaning i would never know about them ive done this with a few companies i dont want to hear from ^^

[Slammers]

"Just for fun, I decide to go and do a password recovery"

wtf is wrong with you? that could have been someones email with important data.

[RCOO]

This topic brought back an issue I have.

I created an account years ago, with a username, with google. I eventually deleted it because of all the spam I was getting, hoping I could re-create it later on.

The thing is, I can't.

I have checked, and the account is still deleted, yet the usename can't be used again... What's up with this?

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

I tried creating a gmail account for my little brother to play angry birds like a week ago, even with random characters, every username was taken. Could be an issue in googles part.

[Ryoken]

As far as I know, Google doesn't free up no-longer used usernames, because someone could still get sensitive information sent to, or connected to it.

[Seizure1990]

wtf? How could he have possibly done a password recovery? How is he being a dick?

Could just be poor wording on Google's part and that for some reason that account username just isn't allowed, or it could be that the account did exist but has been closed and there is some sort of delay between closure/deletion/re-creation.

Or it could just be wonkiness in general, I know some cow used my email address for their blockbuster express account so every time they rent some dumbass movie I get an email about it. I sent her a polite facebook message asking if she could rectify the situation and she told me to go jam a garden hose somewhere unpleasant and die. So I went to the blockbuster site and tried to do a password recovery and change the email address to the address listed on her facebook page, but Blockbuster told me that no account was registered with that email address. So basically I'm still getting emails every time she decides to go to blockbuster.

maybe try emailing blockbuster or calling them or something?

[Brian Miller]

Since you didn't share what name you were looking to create, and the fact Google A) claimed it was in use and B) did not allow it to be recovered, I can only assume you were trying to register a disallowed name like "fu*[email protected]".

Stop trying to circumvent the system, and use your real name.

[Wolfbane]

IIRC Gmail doesn't let you use a similar address to a registered address e.g. if you had "lsquare" registered, I couldn't register "1square" (with a one).

Maybe that is the problem?

Since you didn't share what name you were looking to create, and the fact Google A) claimed it was in use and B) did not allow it to be recovered, I can only assume you were trying to register a disallowed name like "fu*[email protected]".

Stop trying to circumvention the system, and use your real name.

"use your real name" - Really? Apart from privacy issues, what if someone already registered your real name? Look at this. Your name isn't exactly unique.

[mps69]

How would you like someone to do the same to your email address, you'd no doubt be on here claiming someone was hacking your email, have some respect at least. :angry:

[Amarok]

Stop trying to circumvent the system, and use your real name.

So using a handle for a gmail account instead of your real name is circumventing the system? I guess that makes my email address I've been using since the first week of gmail beta bad. :(

[dancedar]

You can't re-use a closed gmail username for security reasons - resetting some elses account if it's still linked to the username etc.

It's common practice.

Nothing to see here, move on, ma'am.

[-KJ]

Some guy uses my [email protected] email for gamestop, and I have received but never accepted some random PayPal donations to my account. I just use that account for forums and gaming.

[White Man]

Since you didn't share what name you were looking to create, and the fact Google A) claimed it was in use and B) did not allow it to be recovered, I can only assume you were trying to register a disallowed name like "fu*[email protected]".

No, it's more likely that the account was deleted.

Stop trying to circumvent the system, and use your real name.

Not sure if troll...

[PatrynXX]

Could just be poor wording on Google's part and that for some reason that account username just isn't allowed, or it could be that the account did exist but has been closed and there is some sort of delay between closure/deletion/re-creation.

Or it could just be wonkiness in general, I know some cow used my email address for their blockbuster express account so every time they rent some dumbass movie I get an email about it. I sent her a polite facebook message asking if she could rectify the situation and she told me to go jam a garden hose somewhere unpleasant and die. So I went to the blockbuster site and tried to do a password recovery and change the email address to the address listed on her facebook page, but Blockbuster told me that no account was registered with that email address. So basically I'm still getting emails every time she decides to go to blockbuster.

I'd report it to spamcop each and every time. bound to do the shawshank and give up :p happens often with sportsmans guide but that one is understandable. won't seperate the accounts so when my brother order something everyone in the family finds out about it.

[tagerd0g]

I can't find what I'm looking for right now but if you're trying to register (for example) bob.smith, you won't be able to because it seems Google sets it so bobsmith = bob.smith.

[John S. Veteran]

Neowin isn't the place to help you circumvent Gmail

[Thread Closed]