Facebook gives away 500,000 usernames in 15 minutes. Get yours while you can.
Starting at 12:01AM on June 13, 2009 Facebook allows custom names to create a direct link to profiles. Some call this a vanity URL. Here’s how it works.
Before the direct link to a Facebook profile looks something like this:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789
The new leaner and cleaner link looks like this:
http://www.facebook.com/rhowington
Much better!
If you want one you need to log on your Facebook account and setup-it-up. It’s very easy on only took me a few minutes.
But choose carefully. Facebook warns that once you select a username you are stuck with it like a tattoo. The only way to get a new one is to setup a new Facebook account. My advice is to pick something practical and stay clear of usernames like “mrbigstuff” or “hotpinkmama”.
For obvious reasons you cannot use a name this is already taken. Facebook will let you name if the name you want is not available and will offer alternative suggestions.
BTW – linkedin.com and MySpace.com have had vanity URL, so this is sort of a catch-up thing for Facebook, but a welcome one.
One more thing, if you have a Facebook page for business or any other non-profile page you will have to wait a few weeks for your vanity URL. So stayed tuned to Facebook updates.
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