What a Facebook profile link is and why you might change it

Your Facebook profile link is the URL that takes people directly to your profile page. By default, Facebook assigns you a link based on your name — something like facebook.com/john.smith.12345 — but you can change it to something shorter and easier to share, like facebook.com/johnsmith or facebook.com/your-business-name.

People change their profile links for several reasons: to make their profile easier to find and share, to match a business name or brand, or straightforward to have a cleaner web address. You get one custom link per account, and you can change it, though Facebook does impose some limits on how often and what you're allowed to use.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create one custom Facebook profile link per account, and you can change it anytime after the first one is set.
  • Your custom link must be at least 5 characters long, contain only letters, numbers, periods, and hyphens, and cannot be a reserved word like "facebook" or "help".
  • The change takes effect when ready, but your old link stops working, so update anywhere you've shared it publicly.
  • If someone else has already claimed the custom link you want, you cannot use it — Facebook does not allow you to take over someone else's custom URL.
  • You can change your custom link as often as you want, but each change is permanent once you confirm it.

How to set or change your custom profile link on desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top left. Once you're on your profile page, look for the username section — it appears below your cover photo and next to your profile picture. Click the small pencil icon next to your username to edit it.

A window will pop up showing your current profile link. Type your new custom link in the text field. Facebook will tell you when ready if the link is available or if it's already taken. If it's available, click the Save button. The change happens right away, and your old link becomes inactive.

How to change your profile link on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to the Personal Information section and tap Username.

You'll see your current profile link. Tap the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new custom link, and Facebook will show you whether it's available. If it is, tap Save to confirm the change.

Rules for what your custom link can be

Facebook has specific requirements for custom profile links. Your link must be at least 5 characters long and can only contain letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), periods (.), and hyphens (-). Spaces and special characters like underscores or ampersands are not allowed.

You also cannot use certain reserved words that Facebook protects — words like "facebook," "help," "login," "home," "messages," "notifications," and similar terms. If you try to use a reserved word, Facebook will reject it and ask you to choose something else. The link is not case-sensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same link.

What happens when you change your profile link

When you confirm a new custom link, the old one stops working when ready. Anyone who tries to visit your old profile URL will see an error page. This means if you've shared your profile link on a website, in an email signature, or on other social media, you'll need to update those places with your new link.

Your Facebook friends and followers don't lose access to your profile — they can still find you by searching your name or through their friend lists. Only the direct URL changes. If you have a business page or a public profile that people rely on to find you, updating those links should be a priority.

If the custom link you want is already taken

Facebook assigns custom links on a first-come, first-served basis. If someone else has already claimed the link you want, you cannot use it, and Facebook will not let you take it over or request it from them. Your only option is to choose a different link.

If the link is very close to what you want, try adding a number, a hyphen, or a word to make it unique — for example, "johnsmith1" or "john-smith-photo" instead of "johnsmith." You can also check whether the person using the link is still active; if their account has been deleted, the link may eventually become available again, but there's no way to know when or to request it.

Changing your username versus your profile link

Facebook has two separate things: your username (the custom link) and your display name (the name that appears on your profile and in comments). Changing your profile link does not change your display name, and changing your display name does not change your profile link.

Your display name can be changed as often as you want and can include spaces, accents, and other characters. Your profile link (username) is more restricted and should be treated as permanent, even though you can technically change it. If you change your profile link frequently, it can confuse people trying to find you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old profile link after I change it?

No. Once you change your profile link, the old one becomes inactive and cannot be reused — not by you and not by anyone else. If you change your mind, you'll need to choose a different new link; you cannot go back to the previous one.

How many times can I change my profile link?

You can change your profile link as many times as you want. There is no limit on the number of changes, but each change is permanent once you confirm it. Changing your link frequently can make it harder for people to find and share your profile.

Will my friends lose access to my profile if I change my link?

No. Your friends can still find you by searching your name or through their friend lists. Only the direct URL changes. They won't be affected unless they were using the old link to visit your profile directly.

Can I use special characters like underscores or spaces in my profile link?

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, and hyphens in profile links. Spaces, underscores, and other special characters are not permitted. If you want to separate words, use a hyphen instead.

What if I see an error message when I try to save my new link?

The most common reasons are: the link is already taken, it contains characters Facebook doesn't allow, it's fewer than 5 characters, or it's a reserved word. Try a different combination, or add a number or hyphen to make it unique.