Feature Request: Allow Users to Add Custom Notes or Aliases to Followed Accounts

[kingrays]

Select Topic Area

Product Feedback

Body

Hi GitHub Team,

First of all, thank you for building such an amazing platform that empowers developers worldwide!

I’d like to propose a small but potentially useful feature: the ability to add custom notes or aliases to accounts I follow.

Currently, when I follow other users—such as colleagues, open-source contributors, or mentors—their usernames appear in my “Following” list. However, if someone uses a non-descriptive or cryptic username (e.g., dev_83x), it can be hard to remember who they are or why I followed them—especially as my following list grows.

It would be incredibly helpful if GitHub allowed users to optionally add a private note or display alias next to followed accounts. For example:

Original username: jane_codes
My personal note: “Jane – React Core Team / Gave great talk at DevConf 2024”
This note would:

Be visible only to me (not public or shared with the other user),
Appear in my “Following” list—and possibly in notifications or activity feeds—for better context,
Be fully optional; most users could ignore it, while power users would benefit greatly.
Similar features exist in tools like Twitter/X (via third-party clients), email contacts, and even browser bookmarks, and they significantly improve personal organization.

I believe this small enhancement could meaningfully improve the user experience without impacting performance or privacy.

Thanks for considering!

Best regards,

KingRay

[github-actions[bot]]

💬 Your Product Feedback Has Been Submitted 🎉

Thank you for taking the time to share your insights with us! Your feedback is invaluable as we build a better GitHub experience for all our users.

Here's what you can expect moving forward ⏩

• Your input will be carefully reviewed and cataloged by members of our product teams. 
  • Due to the high volume of submissions, we may not always be able to provide individual responses.
  • Rest assured, your feedback will help chart our course for product improvements.
• Other users may engage with your post, sharing their own perspectives or experiences. 
• GitHub staff may reach out for further clarification or insight. 
  • We may 'Answer' your discussion if there is a current solution, workaround, or roadmap/changelog post related to the feedback.

Where to look to see what's shipping 👀

• Read the Changelog for real-time updates on the latest GitHub features, enhancements, and calls for feedback.
• Explore our Product Roadmap, which details upcoming major releases and initiatives.

What you can do in the meantime 💻

• Upvote and comment on other user feedback Discussions that resonate with you.
• Add more information at any point! Useful details include: use cases, relevant labels, desired outcomes, and any accompanying screenshots.

As a member of the GitHub community, your participation is essential. While we can't promise that every suggestion will be implemented, we want to emphasize that your feedback is instrumental in guiding our decisions and priorities.

Thank you once again for your contribution to making GitHub even better! We're grateful for your ongoing support and collaboration in shaping the future of our platform. ⭐