When it comes to choosing a name for your page, there are actually two names you need to consider: the Page name itself and the Facebook Page username. There are some rules and guidelines you should be aware of to select the perfect names. Especially since the process for changing a Facebook Business Page name is complicated – though not impossible – and I'll walk you through that as well.
Page Name Rules
The Page name will appear at the top of your Facebook Page and will show up in search both on Facebook and other search engines like Google. It is recommended that you choose a short, simple, and specific name for your Facebook Page. In many cases, you may already have a business name you are using, so this part may be an easy decision for you.
Facebook Terms of Service do outline some rules and regulations for what you can – and can't – use for your Page name:
- Page names must accurately reflect the Page content, and only authorized representatives can manage a Page for a brand, place, organization or public figure – so if you don't work for Ben & Jerry's you can't create/manage a Page that claims to be Ben & Jerry's – no matter how much you love the ice cream.
Page names can't include:
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- Terms or phrases that may be abusive or violate someone's rights.
- The word “official” if the Page isn't the official Page of a brand, place, organization or public figure.
- Improper capitalization (example: tHe best CaFE). Page names must use grammatically correct capitalization and may not include all capital letters, except for acronyms.
- Symbols (example: ® ) or unnecessary punctuation!!!!!
- Descriptions or slogans (example: The Best Cafe – We serve the best coffee in town). People who manage Pages can add this information to a Page's About section.
- Any variation of the word “Facebook” – including “FB.”
Page names can't consist only of:
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- Generic words (example: Pizza). Pages must be managed by official representatives of the topics they're about.
- Generic geographic locations (example: New York). However, you can create a Page name for an organization that represents a geographic location. For example, “New York City – Mayor's Office” and “Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain” are acceptable Page names.
[Source: https://www.facebook.com/help/519912414718764]
Username Rules
The username will display under the Page name on your Facebook page and can be used to tag your page around Facebook when you type “@Username.” The username will also become the path for your Facebook Business Page URL (ex. Facebook.com/*YOUR USERNAME*).
Rules are similar to the above in that you can not use the word “Facebook” or the abbreviation “FB,” nor can you use any inappropriate (cuss) words. The tricky part comes into play when you have 2 words that when separate they are law-abiding, but when pressed together into a username it's not okay. Consider, a company called “Bush IT services” wants to use Bush IT for their username @bushit. See the problem? @buSHIT – not okay.
Usernames can use letters, numbers, and periods, so Bush IT could select the username @bush.it if they wanted to.
It's also important to note that you can not select a username that's already in use, and you also can't park a username on an inactive page (Facebook may release the username in that case). In some cases, you may not be able to select your username until after your Page is followed by at least 25 people (Facebook's effort to prevent parking usernames), but this guideline has been enforced inconsistently over recent months. If you don't see the option of selecting your username, get those first 25 Facebook fans and then try again.
You want the username to be short and sweet, easy to remember, and it's generally a good branding decision for your usernames to be consistent across all social media platforms if possible, making it easier for your followers to find you across all platforms.
[Source: https://www.facebook.com/help/105399436216001]
Changing a Page Name
Changing a page name can be a multi-step process. Keep in mind, the reason that Facebook has made it so difficult is to preserve the user experience in an attempt to prevent the “bait and switch.” They don't want someone to create a page that's super appealing to the masses, get a ton of followers, then switch it to something shady. This is why they have such strict rules surrounding changing a Page's name.
To actually request the name change, you'll want to go to your business page and edit your about information. That's where you'll find the ability to change your name. But, of course, Facebook will review all change requests and there is a chance that it will be denied.
It's easiest to make small changes – like if you need to edit spelling or add/remove a single word. Larger changes set off red flags and you may need to reach out to Facebook's support to plead your case in those instances.
The most important thing is that you be able to explain to Facebook that the name change is consistent with the content you've always been posting (in the case of a rebrand, for example) and they often like to see blog posts or social media posts telling your audience that you're going through a rebrand.
You can submit a change to your Facebook Page once every 7 days (though I do NOT recommend making that many changes). If you can't change your Page name, it may be that a another change was processed too recently, you don't have admin permissions, or Facebook has limited you from requesting another change for some reason.
If you're name change request is denied, and you want to avoid having to contact Facebook support for a review, then I suggest you try making small changes bit by bit over time. For example, my Page used to be named “EIEIO Marketing” and I wanted to change it to “Meg Brunson” but that was denied. So instead, I changed it to “EIEIO Marketing with Meg Brunson” first – then, dropped the “EIEIO Marketing with” part.
Now, let's be honest – Facebook can be unpredictable and sometimes even that does not work and your only option may be reaching out to Facebook support. I love the chat feature, however it does tend to only be available to users who are running paid Facebook ads, and only certain hours of the day. You can check to see if you have access to chat at THIS LINK.
[Source: https://www.facebook.com/help/271607792873806]
Changing a Username
This is WAY easier! You can just go in and change your username at any time. Just remember that this will change how people can tag you and the URL for your Facebook Page which can pose issues if people were already familiar with your previous username.
At least not everything on Facebook is super complicated!