What "Facebook link" means and where to find it
Your Facebook link is the web address that points to your profile or page. It looks like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/your.name — the part after the forward slash is what you can change. This is different from your profile photo or cover image; it is the actual URL that people type or click to reach you.
You can see your current link by visiting your profile, then looking at the address bar at the top of your browser. Facebook also displays your link on your profile under your name, sometimes labeled as "facebook.com/" followed by your username.
Not every account can change this link. You need to have had your account for at least 14 days, and you can only change it once every 14 days after that. If your account is brand new, you will need to wait before making a change.
Key Takeaways
- Your Facebook link is the web address in the address bar when you visit your profile, and you can change it once every 14 days.
- You must have had your account for at least 14 days before you can change your link for the first time.
- The change happens in your profile settings under the "Username" section, and the new link takes effect when ready.
- Facebook will not let you use a username that is already taken, contains certain words, or is too similar to another account.
- Changing your link does not affect your messages, photos, or friends — only the web address people use to find you.
How to change your username in Facebook settings
Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile photo in the top left corner. Once you are on your profile page, look for the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the top right. Click it, then scroll down and select Settings and privacy, then Settings.
In the Settings page, look for the left sidebar menu. Click on Personal information. You will see a section labeled Username with your current link displayed. Click the pencil icon or the word "Edit" next to your username.
A text box will appear with your current username. Delete the old one and type your new username. Facebook will show you a preview of what your new link will look like. Click Review Change to confirm, then Save Changes.
Rules Facebook enforces on usernames
Facebook has specific rules about what usernames are allowed. Your new username must be between 5 and 50 characters long, and it can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like hyphens or dashes are not allowed.
You cannot use a username that is already taken by another account. If you try to use one that exists, Facebook will tell you it is unavailable and suggest alternatives. You also cannot use usernames that Facebook has reserved for itself, such as "facebook", "help", "pages", or "settings".
Facebook will block usernames that contain hate speech, slurs, or words that violate their community standards. If you try to use a blocked word, you will see an error message. The system is automated, so sometimes common words get flagged by mistake — if that happens, try adding a number or period to your username.
What happens after you change your link
Your new link becomes active when ready after you save the change. The old link will no longer work, and anyone who tries to visit your old profile address will be redirected to your new one. This redirection usually lasts for a few months, though Facebook does not publish exactly how long.
All of your messages, photos, friends, and posts stay exactly where they are. Changing your link does not delete anything or affect your account in any way — it is purely a change to the web address. People who have you bookmarked or saved your old link may find it stops working, so you may want to let close friends know about the change if they use your link often.
If you share your profile link on other websites, social media, or in emails, you will need to update those places with your new link. The old link will redirect for a while, but it is better to update them sooner rather than later.
If you cannot change your link or get an error message
The most common reason you cannot change your link is that you have already changed it within the last 14 days. Facebook enforces a 14-day waiting period between changes. If you recently changed your username, you will need to wait until that period passes before you can change it again.
If you see an error message saying the username is unavailable or invalid, try a different username. Add a number, period, or underscore to make it unique. If the error persists and you believe it is a mistake, you can report the issue to Facebook through their Help Center, though response times vary.
If your account is very new (less than 14 days old), you will not be able to change your link yet. Wait until your account reaches the 14-day mark, then try again. There is no way to speed this up.
Changing your link on mobile versus desktop
The steps are nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the menu layout is slightly different. On a mobile phone, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right of the screen (on iPhone) or top right (on Android). Then tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. From there, follow the same steps: Personal information, then Username, then edit and save.
Some people find it easier to make this change on a desktop or laptop computer because the text boxes are larger and easier to read. If you run into trouble on mobile, try switching to a computer browser instead. The change will sync across all devices once you save it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Facebook link back to what it was before?
Not when ready. You can only change your username once every 14 days. If you changed it and want to switch back, you will have to wait 14 days, then change it again to your old username — assuming no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else took your old username, you cannot get it back.
Will changing my link affect my Facebook Page or business account?
If you are changing the link on a Facebook Page (not your personal profile), the process is the same, but you access it through the Page settings instead of your personal profile settings. Your personal profile link and your Page link are separate and can be changed independently.
What if someone else is using the username I want?
You cannot use a username that is already taken. Facebook will tell you it is unavailable. Your only option is to choose a different username. You cannot request that Facebook remove someone else's username or give it to you.
Does my old link still work after I change it?
Your old link will redirect to your new one for a period of time, but Facebook does not may provide how long the redirect lasts. It is safer to update your link everywhere you have shared it — on your website, email signature, or other social media profiles — rather than relying on the redirect.
Can I have a Facebook link without a username?
No. Every Facebook profile and page must have a username, which becomes your link. You cannot delete your username or have a profile without one. If you do not set a username yourself, Facebook will assign you a numeric ID instead.