How to Change Your Facebook Username
Whether you're rebranding your business, launching a new campaign, or simply want a cleaner, more professional handle, changing your Facebook username (also called your vanity URL) can give your Page a fresh identity. However, unlike Instagram which allows unlimited changes, Facebook has strict rules: you can only change your username once every 60 days. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to make the change successfully and avoid costly mistakes.
⚠️ Critical: 60-Day Waiting Period
Unlike Instagram (unlimited changes) or TikTok (30-day limit), Facebook only allows username changes once every 60 days. Once you change it, you're locked in for two full months. Make absolutely certain your new username is correct before confirming. Test it, spell-check it, and verify it's available across all platforms before proceeding.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Facebook Username
1On Desktop (facebook.com)
- •Go to facebook.com and log in
- •Navigate to your Page by clicking Pages in the left menu
- •Once on your Page, click Settings in the left menu (you must be an admin)
- •In the General tab, scroll down to the Username section
- •Click Edit next to your current username
- •Enter your new username (5-50 characters, letters, numbers, periods only)
- •Facebook will instantly show if it's available. If taken, try variations
- •Click Create Username or Save Changes
- •Your username changes immediately—you're now locked for 60 days
2On Mobile (Facebook App)
- •Open the Facebook app and log in
- •Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Pages
- •Select your Page
- •Tap Settings (gear icon or under More)
- •Scroll to find Page Info or General
- •Tap on Username
- •Enter your new username and check availability
- •Tap Save to confirm
Understanding the 60-Day Rule: Why It Exists
📅 The 60-Day Lock Explained
Facebook implemented the 60-day waiting period to prevent abuse, username squatting, and impersonation. This restriction discourages rapid username cycling and gives people time to find the correct Page after a rebrand. While it protects the platform, it also means you must be absolutely certain before making any change.
- •Compare to Other Platforms: Instagram allows unlimited username changes, TikTok requires 30 days between changes, and Twitter has no official restriction (but may flag suspicious activity). Facebook's 60-day rule is the strictest among major platforms.
- •Best Practice: Before changing, verify your desired username is available on all platforms (Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube) using Handle Grab. This ensures consistent branding everywhere and avoids the need for multiple changes.
- •What Happens If You Need to Change Again: If you realize you made a mistake or need to rebrand urgently, you're stuck for the full 60 days. Facebook provides no exceptions, even for verified Pages or businesses with urgent needs.
- •Work Around the 60-Day Rule: If you absolutely must use a new username immediately, consider creating a new Page (not recommended as you lose followers and history) or temporarily using your Page name instead, which can be changed more frequently.
What Happens When You Change Your Username?
✓What Stays the Same
- •All your followers and Page likes
- •All posts, photos, videos, and content
- •All comments, reactions, and engagement
- •Your verification badge (if you have one)
- •Your Page name, profile picture, and cover photo
- •Messenger conversations with your Page
- •Facebook Business Manager and ad accounts
- •Page Insights and analytics history
✗What Changes
- •Your Page URL (facebook.com/newusername)
- •How people tag and mention your Page
- •Old username becomes available immediately
- •External links with old username break
- •QR codes with old username no longer work
- •Bookmarked/saved links become invalid
- •Business cards/marketing materials outdated
- •Email signatures and website links need updating
Facebook Username Rules & Restrictions
- •Minimum Length: Must be at least 5 characters long (unlike Instagram's 1 character minimum)
- •Maximum Length: Cannot exceed 50 characters
- •Allowed Characters: Only alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9) and periods (.). No spaces, underscores, hyphens, or special characters
- •No Consecutive Periods: You cannot use two or more periods in a row (e.g., brand..name is invalid)
- •Period Placement: Periods cannot be at the beginning or end of the username
- •Must Be Unique: No two Pages can have the same username across Facebook
- •Generic Terms: Facebook may reject overly generic usernames like "pizza" or "coffee" to prevent monopolization
- •Trademark Protection: Cannot use trademarked terms unless you own the trademark or have permission
- •Community Standards: Must not violate Facebook's community standards (no hate speech, impersonation, misleading terms)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Changing Without Checking Availability Elsewhere
Many people change their Facebook username only to discover the same handle is unavailable on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. This creates inconsistent branding across platforms. Always check availability everywhere first using Handle Grab.
❌ Not Updating External Links Before Changing
Your old URL will break immediately after changing. Before you change, prepare updates for your website, email signatures, business cards, ads, and any printed materials. Schedule the change when you can update everything simultaneously.
❌ Forgetting to Announce the Change to Followers
Many Pages lose engagement after a username change because followers don't recognize the new handle. Post a clear announcement several days in advance and immediately after, explaining why you're changing and what the new URL is.
❌ Rushing the Decision Due to the 60-Day Window
Because you only get one change every 60 days, some people panic and rush the decision. Take your time to test the username, get feedback from your team, and ensure it aligns with your long-term brand strategy before committing.
Best Practices for a Smooth Username Change
- ✓Pre-Announce the Change: Post an announcement 1-2 weeks before changing, explaining the new username and why you're rebranding. This prepares your audience and reduces confusion.
- ✓Update All Marketing Materials Simultaneously: Prepare updates for your website, email signatures, business cards, letterhead, and any ads before making the change. Deploy them all at once to avoid broken links.
- ✓Add a Temporary Note to Your About Section: For 30-60 days after changing, include a line like "Formerly facebook.com/OldUsername" in your About section to help people find you.
- ✓Pin an Announcement Post: Create a pinned post at the top of your Page that clearly states your new username and URL. Keep it pinned for at least a month.
- ✓Test Your New Username: Before committing, type out the new URL, say it aloud, check for any unintended meanings, and verify it's easy to spell and remember. Get feedback from colleagues or friends.
- ✓Secure the Same Username on Other Platforms: Use Handle Grab to check if your desired username is available on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch. Claim it everywhere simultaneously to maintain consistent branding.
What If Your Desired Username Is Already Taken?
If your ideal Facebook username is already claimed by another Page or profile, you have several options:
- •Monitor with Handle Grab: Sign up for Handle Grab to get instant notifications when the username becomes available due to account deletion, username change, or policy violations.
- •Try Variations: Add your location (e.g., YourBrandNYC), industry (e.g., YourBrandCoffee), or descriptive words (e.g., TheRealYourBrand, OfficialYourBrand).
- •Contact the Owner: If it's an inactive Page with few followers, you might try contacting the owner through Facebook Messenger to negotiate a transfer (be professional and respectful).
- •Report Impersonation: If someone is impersonating your trademarked brand or business, report them through Facebook's intellectual property reporting process.
- •Use Periods Creatively: Facebook allows periods in usernames. Try variations like Your.Brand, YourBrand.Official, or Brand.Name (but avoid making it too complex).
Monitor Your Desired Username Across All Platforms
Don't settle for inconsistent usernames across social media. Use Handle Grab to monitor your desired handle on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitch. Get instant notifications when it becomes available on any platform:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I change my Facebook username?
You can only change your Facebook username once every 60 days. This is a significant restriction compared to platforms like Instagram (unlimited changes) or TikTok (30 days). Plan carefully before making the change to avoid being stuck with a username you don't want.
Will I lose my followers if I change my Facebook username?
No, you will not lose any followers, likes, posts, photos, or Page content when you change your Facebook username. All your existing content and audience remain intact. However, followers may be temporarily confused if they don't recognize your new username.
What happens to my old Facebook username after I change it?
Your old username becomes immediately available for anyone else to claim once you change it. Facebook does not reserve or hold your old username. If you want to reclaim it later, someone else might have already taken it. Consider this carefully before changing.
Can I change my Facebook username if someone else already has it?
No, you cannot change to a username that's already taken by another Page or profile. Facebook usernames must be unique across the entire platform. If your desired username is taken, try variations or use Handle Grab to monitor when it becomes available.
Why can't I change my Facebook username?
Common reasons include: 1) You changed it within the last 60 days, 2) The username is already taken, 3) It violates Facebook's community standards, 4) It contains prohibited characters (only letters, numbers, periods allowed), 5) It's too short (minimum 5 characters), 6) You don't have admin access to the Page, or 7) Your Page has been flagged for policy violations.
What's the difference between my Page name and username?
Your Page name is the display name shown at the top of your Facebook Page and can be changed anytime (with some restrictions). Your username is the custom URL that appears after facebook.com/ and can only be changed once every 60 days. Both are important for branding.
Do I need a certain number of likes to create a username?
No, Facebook removed the minimum like requirement in recent years. Any Page can now create a custom username immediately after creation, as long as it meets Facebook's username requirements and community standards.
Will changing my username affect my Facebook ads or business tools?
Changing your username will update your Page URL, which may affect any hardcoded links in ads, emails, or other marketing materials. However, your ads, Business Manager settings, and analytics will continue to work normally. Update all external links and promotional materials after changing.
Can other people still find my old Facebook posts and mentions?
Yes, your old posts remain visible. However, the URL structure changes, so any external bookmarks or saved links with your old username may no longer work. Facebook does not automatically redirect old username URLs to your new one.
Should I announce my username change to my followers?
Absolutely! Post a prominent announcement on your Page at least a few days before changing, and again immediately after. Pin the announcement to the top of your Page, add a temporary note to your About section mentioning 'Formerly facebook.com/oldusername', and consider sending an email to your subscribers.
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