How to create an account:

1. Go to http://twitter.com, enter your full name, email address, create a password and click the yellow Sign up for Twitter button, or simply navigate to https://twitter.com/signup.
2. On the next page, select a username from one of the usernames we've suggested or create your own. We will automatically suggest available usernames based on the real name and email address you've entered. Try to pick something that describes you - whether it's a nickname, an interest, or a hobby.
3. Double check your name, email address, password, and username to make sure all fields are correct. 
4. You may be asked to complete a Captcha. Fill in the words that are shown to let us know that you're human!
5. Success! You now have a Twitter account. Follow the directions given to you by "The Twitter Teacher" to follow accounts that interest you and find people you know.

Choosing a username: Tips and Tricks

• Your username is the name your followers use when sending @replies, mentions, and direct messages.
• It will also form the URL of your Twitter profile page. We'll provide a few available suggestions when you sign up, but feel free to choose your own.
• Please note: You can change your username in your account settings at any time, as long as the new username is not in use.
• Usernames must be fewer than 15 characters in length, and cannot contain 'admin' or 'twitter' in order to avoid brand confusion.

Tip: Entering your Email Address

We use this to confirm your new Twitter account. Be sure to enter an email address that you actively use. Note: An email address can only be tied to one Twitter account at a time in our system.

Find and Follow Sources That Interest You

Twitter is more useful and fun when you're getting regular updates relevant to your interests. After you've signed up and followed some users, you can browse our suggestions for you, based on who you follow and your interests:

1. Click on Discover. 
2. Browse the Who to follow tab for users you might like to follow. 
3. Clicking the 'Follow' button next to username will add them to the list of users you follow.
4. After you've browsed suggestions, take a look at accounts you may want to follow based on your interests under the Browse categories tab.  
5. After you've followed users suggested in one area of interest, select another and find more sources to follow!

Getting Personal: Contact Import

If you choose, Twitter can scan your email address book in order to find contacts that are also using Twitter. It's a fast and easy way to find your friends.

1. On the Discover page, click on Find friends. Simply select your email provider from the list and click "Search contacts". You may need to authorize access to your address book. Twitter does not store your email log in information and we will not use your email address without your permission.
2. When you see a list of the friends and colleagues found in your address book, follow them by clicking the Follow button beneath their photo. 
3. You can also follow all of your contacts by clicking 'Follow all'.
4. You will also see an "Invite xxxx to join Twitter" link. You can invite your remaining contacts who are not yet on Twitter to join by clicking on this link. Don't worry, we won't email everyone on this list immediately! Check the boxes next to the contacts you wish to invite - or click 'Select all' if you wish.
   Please note: if you click 'Select all' and proceed, it will invite all contacts in your address book.

Finding Friends with Twitter Search

You can also search for anyone else you would like to follow on Twitter. This example will demonstrate searching for Biz Stone, who did not show up in my contact import.

1. From the Discover page, type the name of the person you're searching for into the search box under Who to follow, (you can also search on the Find friends or Browse categories tabs).
2. Accounts related to your query will show in the center of the page.
3. Click the Follow button next to the account you wish to begin following and voila! 

Having Trouble?

Check out our Accounts settings troubleshooting for solutions to common problems.