How to Change the Title of a Facebook Page

Changing the name of your Facebook Page is a simple process, but getting it right involves more than just clicking a button. This guide will walk you through the exact steps for both desktop and mobile, explain Facebook's rules so your request gets approved, and show you how to prepare your audience for a smooth transition.

Before You Change Your Page Name: Key Things to Consider

A name change is a big deal for your brand's digital identity. Before you submit your request, a little planning can save you a lot of headaches later. Taking a moment to think through the implications will protect your audience engagement, a community you've worked hard to build.

Understanding Facebook's Naming Rules

Facebook has specific guidelines for Page names to keep the platform authentic and prevent confusion. If your new name request gets rejected, it’s almost always because it broke one of these rules. Keep your new name idea in line with these rules to get it approved on the first try:

• Be Authentic: The name must accurately reflect what the Page is about. A Page for a local bakery shouldn't suddenly be renamed "Crypto Investment Tips." The change needs to make sense.
• No Deceptive Terms: Page names can't mislead people. For example, you can't use words like "Official" unless you are the genuine, verified official Page for that brand, figure, or organization.
• Keep it Clean: Abusive terms, hateful language, or anything that violates Facebook's Community Standards is strictly forbidden.
• Proper Grammar and Capitalization: Avoid using ALL CAPS (unless it’s an acronym), excessive punctuation (like !!!), character symbols (*, @, #), or long, rambling descriptions in your name. Think more "Sarah's Style Boutique" and less "SARAHs STYLE booooutique!!!$$$."
• No Generic Names: You can't name your page something overly generic like "Pizza" or "Travel." Your page name must be more specific, like "Brooklyn Pizza Co." or "Jane’s Adventures Abroad."

Thinking about these rules first will save you from the back-and-forth of a rejected name change request.

How a Name Change Impacts Your Followers

Imagine your favorite local coffee shop changing its name overnight with no explanation. You’d be confused, right? Your followers feel the same way. A sudden, unannounced name change can lead to confusion, unfollows, and a drop in engagement because people might not recognize your Page in their feed anymore.

To prevent this, communication is vital. Here’s a simple strategy:

1. Announce it Early: A week or two before you plan to make the change, create a few posts explaining the "what" and the "why." Are you rebranding? Expanding your services? Let your audience in on the story.
2. Update Your Visuals: Show them what to look for. Unveil your new logo or brand colors along with the name. This helps create a visual connection between the old brand identity and the new one.
3. Pin the Announcement: Pin a post to the top of your Page that clearly explains the name change. This ensures it’s the first thing new and returning visitors see for a few weeks after the switch.

By bringing your followers along for the ride, you turn a potentially confusing change into an exciting new chapter for your brand.

Will a New Name Hurt Your SEO and Discoverability?

Your Facebook Page name is a significant factor in how people find you, both within Facebook's search and on Google. Changing it can temporarily affect your visibility if people are still searching for your old name.

To minimize the impact:

• Update Your Vanity URL: After your name change is approved, update your Page's username (e.g., facebook.com/YourNewName). This creates consistency and strengthens your new brand identity.
• Incorporate the Old Name Temporarily: Consider adding "(formerly YourOldName)" to your Page's bio or About section for a few months. This can help capture people who are still searching for your old identity.
• Update External Links: Don't forget to update the link to your Facebook Page on your website, in your email signature, and on other social media profiles.

How to Change Your Facebook Page Name (Step-by-Step)

Once you’ve done your prep work, the technical part is relatively straightforward. You'll need to be an Admin of the Page to request a name change. The process varies slightly between desktop and the mobile app.

Changing Your Page Name on a Desktop

Using a computer is often the easiest way to access all your Page settings. Facebook continues to update its interface, so you'll likely do this through the Meta Business Suite or the new Pages experience.

1. Log in to the Facebook profile that has Admin access to your Page.
2. On the left-hand menu of your homepage, click on Pages and select the Page you want to update.
3. Once you're on your Page, look for the Edit Page or Settings button, usually on the left-hand navigation menu.
4. Under General Page Settings, you'll see your current name. Click the Edit link next to it.
5. A box will pop up. Enter your desired new Page name in the "New Page Name" field.
6. Carefully review your new name for typos and ensure it follows Facebook's guidelines mentioned earlier.
7. Click the Request Change button.

Facebook will then review your request. You'll receive a notification about their decision, typically within a few hours to three days.

Changing Your Page Name on the Mobile App

If you're on the go, you can also request a name change from the Facebook mobile app. The steps are very similar.

1. Open the Facebook app and navigate to your Page. You can find it by tapping the menu icon (three lines) and selecting your page from the shortcut.
2. Tap the gear icon for Settings in the top right corner, or scroll down and find the Settings & Privacy dropdown menu.
3. Select Page Info or Page Settings.
4. Tap on the Name field.
5. Enter your new page name and tap Continue or Request Change.
6. Confirm your choice, and Facebook will begin its review process.

What Happens After You Request a Name Change?

Submitting the request is just the first step. Here's what you can expect to happen next and what you need to know about the process.

The Review Process and Timing

Facebook's team manually reviews name change requests to ensure they adhere to the guidelines. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to three days, and in some cases, a bit longer. During this time, you can't submit another name change request.

You will receive a notification directly from Facebook letting you know if your request was approved or rejected. If approved, your Page name will update automatically.

Follower Notification

Once your Page name is changed, Facebook will automatically post a notification on your Page to inform your followers. It typically says, "[YourOldPageName] is now [YourNewPageName]." This notification is a good thing - it helps reduce follower confusion. However, it's important to remember that you cannot disable this public notification. This is why announcing the change beforehand is so effective, the official Facebook post serves as confirmation rather than a surprise.

How Often Can You Change Your Page Name?

You can't change your page name every other day. After a name change is approved, Facebook typically prevents you from changing it again for 60 days. This is to prevent spam and instability. A brand should have a consistent identity, and frequent name changes erode trust. Think carefully about your new name, as you'll be sticking with it for a while.

Troubleshooting: Why Was My Page Name Change Rejected?

Receiving a notification that your request was rejected can be frustrating, but there's almost always a clear reason. By understanding why it failed, you can fix it and try again.

Common Rejection Reasons

Most rejections fall into one of these categories, which directly tie back to Facebook's guidelines:

• The Name Was Drastically Different: If your change appears to be completely rebranding the Page's purpose (e.g., changing from "Tina's Travel Blog" to "Atlanta Real Estate"). Facebook sees this as potentially misleading the existing followers who liked the Page for its original content. Small tweaks or natural brand evolutions are more likely to be approved.
• Guideline Violations: This is the most common reason. Your proposed name might have included symbols, improper capitalization, or terms that violate Community Standards. Go back and double-check the rules.
• Restricted Words: Using words like "Official" or trying to imitate another brand can lead to an instant rejection.
• Too Many Recent Changes: If you've changed your name recently, you might have to wait a little longer before you can request another one.

What to Do if Your Request Is Denied

Don't panic. Take a breath and follow these steps:

1. Review the Guidelines Again: Read through Facebook's page-naming policies with your requested name in mind. The reason for the rejection is almost certainly there.
2. Make a Smaller Change: If your new name was a huge leap from the old one, try making the change in smaller increments. For example, if you want to go from "Jen's Homemade Creations" to "Willow & Sage Home Goods," you might first change it to "Willow & Sage by Jen" to bridge the gap. After a few months, you can shorten it further.
3. Submit a Revised Request: Adjust your desired name to fit the guidelines and try again. Sometimes, a tiny tweak is all it takes for approval.

Changing your page name is a chance to better align your online presence with your brand's vision. A little patience and a clear understanding of the rules can make it a quick and painless process.

Final Thoughts

Updating your Facebook Page name is a straightforward task when you know the rules and prepare your audience for the switch. By following these steps and communicating clearly, you can refresh your brand's identity without losing the community you've built.

Once your new brand identity is set, keeping your content on point across all your profiles is the next big step. At Postbase, we designed a simple, modern social media tool centered around a visual calendar to help creators and marketers plan and publish content everywhere - especially for short-form video on Reels, TikTok, and Shorts. We make it easy to manage your entire social strategy without the clunky interfaces or confusing workflows, so you can focus on building your newly rebranded community.