Facebook Relents, Lets You Change Your Username
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.
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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.
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
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.
Hmm, now atleast we have options to think on.
Ridiculous. You can open as many facebook accounts as you like. Do you really think they use secure identity verification?
i got a nice one for my business... WebDesignMumbai
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.
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?
Any word if they still require your vanity URL username to be at least five characters?
The way facebook allows us to choose username is a great way to brand oneself, and shorten the url.
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...
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
was again awarded a poor ranking due to the use of toxic waste materials. And Sony,who rank rather well in their mobile
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 ;-)
to #8
Yeah sure ... Facebook is here to educate people ... they should ban all the people you use it for fun ...
Facebook ... serious business.
wow thats a Nice Feature to have
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.
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.
i got a nice one for my business...
The feature is nice but...if I ever forget what I've changed to? I did expect more from facebook.
You cant help both hating and loving it though.
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.
Yes facebook is growing fast and its now accepting the user names
Thanks for sharing. It is a news facebook for me.
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.
Anyone know how to change the name on a page, not a profile.
nothing permanent in the world?
Would they change their usernames if their grandparents could see them on facebooks? haha! very funny!
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.
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?
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!
thanks for the tips, thats exactly what i need right now for my facebook page
can you change my name please
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.
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 *
hey,
is there a way to make a change on a fan page???
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/
Great post! I would also recommend the in my e-book, every entrepreneur should give it a read.
What's the difference between your Facebook 'Real name' and 'Username' I changed my real name and my username changed too...