Comments for Facebook Relents, Lets You Change Your Username

Facebook Relents, Lets You Change Your Username

2009-07-23T12:48:45Z

Last month, Facebook finally announced that they would allow users to pick out custom usernames for use in vanity URLs that read www.facebook.com/username. At the time, users were advised to "choose wisely" because the username they selected would be stuck with them for life. That didn't stop some Facebook users from picking out names that were clearly meant as jokes, though, including the guy who decided to go with "rickroll" and the other fellow who just kept pressing the letter "a." We're not sure if those folks are now having regrets about their choices, but if so, they'll be happy to know they now have the option to select a username yet again. But only once, says Facebook.

]]> It appears that Facebook has quietly launched a new option in the settings area called "username" where you have the option to change your Facebook username. To find this option, go to "Settings" at the top-right of the Facebook page and then click on "Account Settings." The second option from the top is "Username." Press "Change" to enter in your new username and then click "Confirm" when you're ready to set it.

Since there's no official announcement from Facebook at this time, it's hard to know why they've decided to give users another chance to pick their names. Maybe they took pity on folks like this guy whose "friends" pranked him by selecting an...errr...rather interesting username for him. Or perhaps they just saw the ridiculous choices people were making and realized that these people probably had no idea that what they were creating would be permanent...as in etched in stone on the internet forever and ever. Or maybe they simply took pity on the moms and dads and grandparents joining Facebook who now had to all of a sudden discover that their kids weren't as clean-cut and innocent as they once thought.

But for whatever reason, those regretting their username choice now have the opportunity for a "do-over." But Facebook warns, "Choose your new username carefully. You can only change your username once." We're not sure if we believe them this time.

Thanks to FBHive for this tip.

Comment from Shandi Lee Ketcham on 2011-08-07

2011-08-08T03:17:18Z

I didn't know this...
They should let people change more than once...

My friend picked out mine without me knowing. ._. Un-fair

Comment from Claire Angeli on 2011-06-19

2011-06-19T09:58:13Z

my username is lost

Comment from zach hulme on 2011-05-04

2011-05-05T06:45:15Z

lol my facebook thing was bendoverandslurponem

Comment from Bang Pan on 2011-05-03

2011-05-03T22:43:33Z

bangpan

Comment from quertime on 2011-03-12

2011-03-13T03:48:23Z

Thanks for sharing.
You may check out the article below on How to Create a Facebook Username URL
http://www.quertime.com/articl...

Comment from coolfunnytshirts.net on 2011-01-20

2011-01-21T07:54:06Z

username creation option is a big mess in facebook.

Comment from Marie Blake on 2011-01-17

2011-01-17T21:02:35Z

I am having trouble changing my page name. I go to Account setting, click user name,a screen comes up asking me to enter my phone number...I enter it. Get a text with a url.Type it into my browser. Then it says problem loading every single time. Can someone help me with this, please? It is not like in the pic above. It says to click change, I do, but then it ask me my # so They send me the can text.

Comment from evolution on 2010-12-02

2010-12-03T01:40:32Z

facebook is becoming Big Brother. They are requiring I give them my true name with legal proofs and block my account while I do not cooperate. http://goo.gl/ClNEP (screenshot) . What the fuck are they in mind?

Comment from Cool sam on 2010-11-25

2010-11-26T07:19:52Z

My user name link is hide.....

Comment from Mike on 2010-11-09

2010-11-09T14:40:34Z

Its another option from Facebook. Cool

Comment from Jetrica on 2010-11-09

2010-11-09T12:08:21Z

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You can employ these same tactics in the search engines optimization efforts of your site. This will go a long way in boosting the number of targeted traffic that gets to your site. This will be more specific and will most likely be bringing traffics that would convert. There is no limit to the ways you can use both SEO and PPC to keep marketing and projecting your business especially if you are in the internet marketing niche. SEO Company

Comment from Website Designers on 2010-11-09

2010-11-09T12:07:55Z

I'd chosen one for me, but now I wanna change that, but I can't.. I think that makes this cool feature a bit dull.

Comment from John on 2010-10-22

2010-10-22T12:56:54Z

Facebook does a pretty good job! Look, they have more popularity than yahoo.com now!

Comment from barcos en ibiza on 2010-10-04

2010-10-04T17:23:29Z

There are a lot oif people who enjoy using their PC, but become disenchanted with facebook

Comment from sazi on 2010-09-29

2010-09-29T14:53:00Z

my comment is why facebook team decides to use my email name and surname instead of using the name and the surname i used the time i register for facebook,by saying this i want my surname and my name to appear on my profile as SAZI MBUNDU, please i want that

Comment from Web Design Company on 2010-09-24

2010-09-25T02:38:58Z

I wish there was a way to update the name of a company page on Facebook. I get the reasoning...you could be thinking you're signing up for one thing and a company pulls the old switcheroo on you. In my case, our Milwaukee web design company went through a rebrand and changed part of our name. I have to create a whole new company page now!

Comment from Conveyor on 2010-09-17

2010-09-17T07:07:32Z

Screw 'em if they don't understand what the meaning of 'permanent'.People need to understand that their actions have repercussions ... and they have to live with them. They shouldn't get a second chance.Is anyone not responsible for their actions anymore?

Comment from miguel on 2010-09-10

2010-09-10T15:40:00Z

you can log in with only your username example:
email:kill.me.world
pass: **********************

Comment from Montreal website design company on 2010-09-02

2010-09-02T15:29:34Z

It a good thing indeed but personally i don't like facebook

Comment from Web Design Company USA on 2010-08-13

2010-08-13T20:59:06Z

They must have an option to change it in future as well

Comment from Anthony Severe on 2010-07-28

2010-07-28T09:20:13Z

People get married and businesses merge you morons. It has nothing to do with being held responsible for something, or not understanding the word permanent. We're not talking about being let off the hook for murder. Jesus.

Comment from Web Designing Company on 2010-06-28

2010-06-28T14:54:11Z

Hey Sarah,

Great to know about the feature. I did changed my url as i wanted to be. but the sad news is it allows only one time to change user name :(

Comment from Insanity Workout on 2010-04-07

2010-04-07T07:43:55Z

I don't know why other commenters say this doesn't work. I've managed to change my profile name and URL and they work just fine.

Comment from jim couger on 2010-04-03

2010-04-03T16:47:35Z

this website sucks my dick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment from Shirley Caudle Figueredo on 2010-03-18

2010-03-19T01:46:43Z

Why have a lot of people who want to learn how to use Facebook, been having problems getting everything set up bso they might actualy enjoy. There are a lot oif people who enjoy using their PC, but become disenchanted with facebook

Comment from ashley on 2010-02-28

2010-02-28T11:33:27Z

that so doesnt work!

Comment from malalai on 2010-02-27

2010-02-27T13:16:34Z

im chnging my profle name but it si not cnhging?????

Comment from Julie on 2010-02-17

2010-02-17T10:25:30Z

I have a problem on changing my username. When i changed it & visited my profile afterwards it says:

The page you requested was not found.

You may have clicked an expired link or mistyped the address. Some web addresses are case sensitive.

* Return home
* Go back to the previous page

Please help!

Comment from NameAchange on 2010-02-05

2010-02-06T04:27:45Z

What's the difference between your Facebook 'Real name' and 'Username' I changed my real name and my username changed too...

Comment from resumes for model on 2010-01-22

2010-01-22T09:41:09Z

Great post! I would also recommend the in my e-book, every entrepreneur should give it a read.

Comment from KOTHEA on 2010-01-03

2010-01-04T00:49:50Z

This is definitively how you change your business page fan page url especially if you have already set it up wrongly on your personal account in facebook http://blog.kothea.com/2009/12/12/facebook-vanity-url-username-fan-page/

Comment from Ck on 2009-12-15

2009-12-15T08:46:13Z

hey,

is there a way to make a change on a fan page???

Comment from Bela Fekete on 2009-12-13

2009-12-13T16:11:03Z

Well I Just got married and my wife who has an account on here needs to change to her married name and so far we just cant work out how to change it
* sigh *

Comment from kjohnsak1419 on 2009-12-05

2009-12-05T08:34:37Z

Very intuitive system. However, it may yet be a little confusing. I will keep visiting this blog very often. After this I will read all your posts thankful.

Comment from lousie on 2009-11-22

2009-11-22T13:45:20Z

can you change my name please

Comment from ipunk on 2009-10-28

2009-10-28T16:41:01Z

thanks for the tips, thats exactly what i need right now for my facebook page

Comment from Kimberly on 2009-10-05

2009-10-05T22:10:20Z

I need to change my username, and I cannot contact anyone at Facebook. I have tried multiple times. I recently changed my username, and ever since, my page will not load. It states the following:

"The page you requested was not found.

You may have clicked an expired link or mistyped the address. Some web addresses are case sensitive.

* Return home
* Go back to the previous page"

I am really annoyed. I think it is because my username has periods in it. I just want them to get rid of the periods, so that my page will work. They shouldn't let you put periods in your username, if it is going to cause your page not to work. Or they should at least have someone around to help you. I haven't been able to access my account for at least 5 days, and that is how long I have been trying. The only way that I can see it is if i use my cell phone application, which proves that it is a URL problem. UGHHHHH! Someone please help me with this issue!

Comment from Boberella on 2009-08-21

2009-08-21T18:31:38Z

Actually, it's not stuck with us for life. It's not that hard to delete your profile and create a new one, should your username become that much of a problem. I have a friend with a racist term in her URL, and it's not bothering anyone now. Should it in the future, I will advise her to create a new account.

On a related-ish note, Facebook won't let me change my PROFILE name. I've seen people with silly-as-fuck names like 'Alexis Onfire', and '*** Eatsairplane*. Why can't I be Boberella Bobbins?

Comment from by_karizma on 2009-08-07

2009-08-07T21:54:42Z

Any word if they still require your vanity URL username to be at least five characters?
sesliruyalar
Thanks for sharing. It is a news facebook for me.

Comment from echo27713 on 2009-07-30

2009-07-31T02:39:19Z

Would they change their usernames if their grandparents could see them on facebooks? haha! very funny!

Comment from echo27713 on 2009-07-30

2009-07-31T02:34:28Z

nothing permanent in the world?

Comment from Lediable on 2009-07-30

2009-07-30T22:58:07Z

Anyone know how to change the name on a page, not a profile.

Comment from Jamie on 2009-07-30

2009-07-30T19:45:23Z

The whole reason they probably changed so you can change it once is so women who marry can change it after they get married. That was the whole thing stopping me from taking a username right now...I didn't want to be stuck with my old last name. Now that I know I'll be able to change it when I marry, I'll go snap up my current name now.

Comment from Alex Manderson on 2009-07-29

2009-07-29T16:34:34Z

Thanks for sharing. It is a news facebook for me.

Comment from S Mehmood on 2009-07-29

2009-07-29T16:25:21Z

Yes facebook is growing fast and its now accepting the user names

Comment from Facebook Developer on 2009-07-29

2009-07-29T09:44:35Z

The Username features by facebook was really a nice decision. Which make every one to choose the relevant names for their own. Nice info, Thanks for update about facebook usernames.

Comment from cheap new air jordan shoes on 2009-07-29

2009-07-29T09:25:41Z

You cant help both hating and loving it though.

Comment from micheal on 2009-07-26

2009-07-26T08:32:08Z

The feature is nice but...if I ever forget what I've changed to? I did expect more from facebook.

Comment from adıyaman haber on 2009-07-26

2009-07-26T07:49:19Z

i got a nice one for my business...

Comment from michelle lobo on 2009-07-26

2009-07-26T07:09:57Z

Well, this move by Facebook may be liked by some. But considering Facebook had run into security problems earlier,this may not be a very good idea.

Comment from Big Dan on 2009-07-25

2009-07-25T09:29:25Z

I don't see the problem with allowing 'modular' user names anyhow, it's all tied to your user ID number on the back end, the user name is pretty much just an alias.

Heck, I'd even be okay if Facebook upselled for say $10 a user name change after the first one.

Comment from FaceBook Earnings on 2009-07-24

2009-07-25T03:12:01Z

wow thats a Nice Feature to have

Comment from LC on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T14:34:10Z

to #8

Yeah sure ... Facebook is here to educate people ... they should ban all the people you use it for fun ...

Facebook ... serious business.

Comment from Jaap on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T10:40:35Z

When Napoleon made the surname obligatory in Europe (at least the part he controlled), a lot of people also choose funny names (thinking it was temporary), their offspring are still living with these names ...........

names as : naaktgeboren (nakedborn)
jeuken (itchy)
Overrijp (over ripe)

are still common here ;-)

Comment from 電報 on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T09:40:03Z

was again awarded a poor ranking due to the use of toxic waste materials. And Sony,who rank rather well in their mobile

Comment from n on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T08:36:13Z

oh no etched into history noooooo, what will my ancestors think in 400 years time, wow great, great, great, great grandad was a joker,lol

Comment from g on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T08:34:49Z

I dont see the problem with having a funny user name, like its gonna affect you if it was online for life!!! ooooohhhh nooo, your life is ruined, my username is a funny one in croatian im not woried it will stick with me for my whole life, as only idiots would take it seriously, facebook is a joke anyway people have like 400 friends on there and they hardly know 90% of them...

Comment from Delphine Zhu on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T21:30:50Z

The way facebook allows us to choose username is a great way to brand oneself, and shorten the url.

Comment from Etan Horowitz on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T20:50:16Z

Any word if they still require your vanity URL username to be at least five characters?

Comment from Richard Roll on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T19:15:23Z

Screw 'em if they don't understand what the meaning of 'permanent'.

People need to understand that their actions have repercussions ... and they have to live with them. They shouldn't get a second chance.

Is anyone not responsible for their actions anymore?

Comment from B. Ackles on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T18:49:26Z

When is Facebook going to lift the 100 fan restriction on Pages vanity urls? How do you get traction for a new business or non-profit? Any chance of relevant generics being available?

I tried contacting Facebook Support 3 WEEKS AGO & I still haven't received a response.

Comment from Web Design Mumbai on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T18:06:05Z

i got a nice one for my business... WebDesignMumbai

Comment from Miramon on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T14:31:55Z

Ridiculous. You can open as many facebook accounts as you like. Do you really think they use secure identity verification?

Comment from ITrush on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T13:44:52Z

Hmm, now atleast we have options to think on.

Comment from Lauren on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T13:31:42Z

Or perhaps they rewrote the username rules so that people could change their username when they change their legal name - ie after a wedding or a divorce. That seems more likely to me.

Comment from NMN on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T13:31:05Z

So FB is trying to play this push and pull game with its users, huh? You cant help both hating and loving it though.
http://AppUseful.com

Comment from Adam on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T13:27:17Z

To be honest I think that Facebook should have stuck to their guns - not allowing the name to be changed - so that the fact that these people are complete idiots be recorded in history for all to see.