How to Add a Username to a Facebook Page

Securing a custom username for your Facebook Page is one of the quickest and most effective ways to make your brand look professional and easy to find. It transforms your generic Page URL into a clean, memorable link you can proudly display on business cards, emails, and other marketing materials. This guide will walk you through how to add or change your Facebook Page username, why it’s so important, and what to do if you run into any trouble.

What Exactly is a Facebook Page Username (and Why Does it Matter)?

A Facebook Page username, sometimes called a "vanity URL," is the unique identifier that appears after "facebook.com/" in your Page's web address. For example, instead of a long, confusing URL like facebook.com/Our-Awesome-Brand-10987654321, you get a clean and professional one like facebook.com/OurAwesomeBrand.

But it's more than just a tidy link. Your username also becomes your Page's unique "handle" on the platform, which looks like this: @OurAwesomeBrand.

Here’s why taking a few minutes to set this up is a massive win for your brand:

• It Makes Your Page Discoverable: People can easily find and tag your Page in posts, comments, or photos by simply typing "@" followed by your username. Without it, tagging becomes a clumsy search for your full Page name, and users might give up or tag the wrong page.
• It Creates a Professional, Memorable URL: Which one looks more trustworthy and is easier to remember? facebook.com/pages/Janes-Bakery/9873456... or facebook.com/JanesBakeryNYC? The answer is obvious. A custom username is essential for print marketing, email signatures, and word-of-mouth referrals.
• It Strengthens Your Brand Identity: Consistency is king in branding. Using the same username across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (@YourBrandName) creates a cohesive and recognizable digital footprint. It makes it simple for your audience to find you no matter which platform they prefer.
• It Improves SEO: A clean URL with your brand name is more search-engine-friendly than one with a string of random numbers. While not a massive SEO factor, it contributes to an overall healthier online presence that search engines can easily understand.

Page Name vs. Username: Understanding the Difference

It's common to get these two mixed up, so let's clear it up. They serve different purposes but work together to represent your brand.

• Your Page Name: This is the main title of your Page. It’s the prominent name people see at the top, like "The Daily Grind Coffee Shop." It should be your official business name. Page names can be changed, but there are more restrictions and it requires a review process.
• Your Username: This is your unique identifier and URL marker, like "@TheDailyGrindNYC." It has no spaces and directly creates your custom link (facebook.com/TheDailyGrindNYC). You have a bit more creative flexibility here, but it must be unique to your Page.

Think of it like this: your Page Name is your formal title, and your username is your unique, easy-to-find address.

Before You Start: Eligibility Requirements

Before you jump in, Facebook has a few ground rules to prevent spam and misrepresentation. You generally need to meet these conditions to set a username:

• You Must Be an Admin: Only Page Admins can create or change a username. Editors, Moderators, and other roles do not have this permission.
• The Page Must Be Published: Unpublished or draft Pages cannot have a username. It must be live and visible to the public.
• New Pages May Have to Wait: Sometimes, brand-new Pages need to be active for a bit or gain a small number of followers (often around 25) before Facebook allows you to set a username. If the option is greyed out, this is the most likely reason. This requirement helps prevent people from squatting on usernames without having an actual presence.

Additionally, your chosen username must follow Facebook's rules:

• It must be unique and not already taken by another Page or profile.
• It must be at least five characters long.
• It can only contain alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9) and periods (".").
• It cannot impersonate someone else.
• It must adhere to Facebook’s Terms of Service.

How to Add or Change a Facebook Page Username: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process is straightforward, but finding the right setting can be tricky as Meta frequently updates its interface. We'll cover the most current methods for both desktop (using Meta Business Suite) and the mobile app.

On a Desktop (Using Meta Business Suite)

This is the most reliable way to update your Page settings.

1. Go to Your Page's Settings: Log into the Facebook account that is an Admin of your Page. Navigate directly to your business Page.
2. Switch to "Manage Page": From your Page's main view, click on "Settings" in the left-hand sidebar. If you're automatically redirected to Meta Business Suite, look for "All Tools" and then "Page Settings."
3. Edit Your Username: You should now be on the "General Page Settings" screen. The second option down will be "Username." Click the "Edit" link next to it.
4. Enter Your Desired Username: A box will pop up. Type in the username you want to use. Facebook will check its availability in real-time and show a green checkmark if it's available or a red "X" if it's taken. If it’s taken, try a variation (we’ll cover tips for this below).
5. Save Your Changes: Once you find an available username you're happy with, click "Save Changes." You'll be asked to enter your password to confirm. Your new username and custom URL (facebook.com/yournewusername) will be active immediately.

On the Facebook Mobile App

You can also do this on the go, though the menus can be a little different on iOS versus Android.

1. Switch to Your Page Profile: Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (your profile picture and three horizontal lines) in the bottom-right corner (iOS) or top-right corner (Android). Tap the dropdown arrow at the top to select and switch to your business Page.
2. Navigate to Settings: Once you’re managing your Page, tap the menu icon again. Scroll down and tap on "Settings &, Privacy," then tap "Settings."
3. Open Page Settings: On the next screen, tap "Page Settings" at the very top.
4. Find the Username Option: Under the "Personal Information" section, tap on "Name." Strangely, the username setting is located here. Tap your current Page Name (the one with the arrow next to it).
5. Edit Your Username: You'll see fields for both your Page Name and your Username. Tap into the Username field to edit it. The app will confirm its availability as you type.
6. Save and Confirm: Once you've entered an available username, tap "Save Changes." That's it!

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Facebook Page Username

Your ideal username might be taken, or you might be starting from scratch. Here’s how to pick a great one.

• Keep it Branded and Consistent: The number one goal is brand consistency. If your Instagram handle is @StellaDesigns, try to get the same one for your Facebook Page. This makes you instantly recognizable.
• Short, Simple, and Sweet: The shorter the username, the easier it is to remember, type, and fit on marketing materials. Avoid long, complicated names.
• Make it Pronounceable: If people can’t easily say your username, they won’t be able to tell their friends about you. Avoid weird spellings or excessive numbers. @KreativDezinz4U is much harder to share than @CreativeDesigns.
• Add a Logical Modifier: If your brand name is taken, don't just add random numbers. Try adding a logical, professional-sounding modifier.
  • Location: @StellasDesignsNYC, @StellasDesignsCA
  • Industry Descriptor: @StellasDesignsStudio, @StellasBridal
  • Qualifier: @TheRealStellaDesigns, @StellaDesignsOfficial
• Avoid Overusing Dots and Numbers: While a period can be used strategically (e.g., @stellas.designs), it can sometimes be visually confusing. Use it sparingly and avoid looking like spam (@s.t.e.l.l.a.designs).

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Hitting an error message can be frustrating. Here’s a breakdown of the most common issues and what to do.

"This Page isn't eligible to have a username."

This is the most frequent roadblock. It usually means your Page is too new or doesn't have enough engagement yet. There isn't an official, public number of followers required, but it's often cited as being around 25. The best solution is patience. Focus on posting quality content, inviting friends to like your Page, and building a small initial audience. Try checking again in a week or two.

"This username isn't available."

If someone is already using your desired username, you’ll have to get creative. Go back to the tips in the section above and try different modifiers. Resist the urge to add underscores (they aren’t allowed) or a long string of numbers. An easy fix is often adding a location or industry keyword.

"This username is not allowed."

Your choice might be violating one of Facebook’s policies. This could mean it contains a generic term (e.g., you can't have @pizza), uses a trademark you don't own, or contains offensive language. Try a name that’s more uniquely tied to your actual brand name.

Error Message When Saving

Sometimes you’ll get a generic "Something went wrong" error. If this happens, try these simple fixes:

• Log out and log back in.
• Try using a different web browser or switch from desktop to mobile.
• If you've recently changed your username, you might be temporarily restricted. You can only change your username a limited number of times, so be sure you're happy with your choice before saving.

Final Thoughts

Creating a custom username for your Facebook Page is a quick, foundational step that has a major impact on your brand's professionalism and visibility. It’s a simple change that refines your online presence and makes it much easier for your audience to connect with you across the digital landscape.

Establishing brand consistency with a uniform username across all your social accounts is a smart first move. Of course, managing content for all those profiles is the next big challenge. That's precisely why we built Postbase. After spending years wrestling with outdated tools that were built a decade ago, we created a single, modern platform to help you plan, schedule, and analyze your content - especially short-form video for Reels, TikTok, and Shorts - without the usual headaches. It just works the way you expect a social media tool to work today.