Shorten the address for your Facebook Profile or Page

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When I heard the same question from several clients or friends, that's my cue to blog about the topic. This post is about how to shorten the address of your Facebook Profile or Page. A shorter URL (web address) makes it easier to share the link on a business card or in an email signature.

YOUR PERSONAL PROFILE After you log into Facebook, click "Profile" and look at the address in the browser. If you have not yet selected a username, the address looks like this:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=XXXXXXXXX
(The X's are standing in for your account number.)

This URL is long and impossible to remember. To shorten it, click Account > Account Settings > Username, and then choose any available username. Choose carefully, because you are allowed to change your Profile username only once.

Your new URL will look something like this:
http://www.facebook.com/your.name

YOUR BUSINESS PAGE Facebook Pages are for brands, companies, organizations, causes, entertainers, and personalities (think Oprah). When you first set up a Page, the URL is often very long, like:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rose-City-Sisters-flash-fiction/102999716426124

However, once your Page has 25 fans, you can shorten the address, like this:
http://www.facebook.com/rosecitysisters

If you are the administrator your Page, go to this page to choose a username. (You'll need to log into Facebook.)

Proofread your Page username carefully before you commit. Facebook does not allow any username changes on Pages.

Get more info about usernames for Profiles or usernames for Pages.