Facebook usernames, also known as vanity URLs, are custom web addresses that allow users to have a personalized URL instead of a bunch of numbers at the end of facebook.com/. Your username is public information that people can see when they visit your profile or if you comment on a post. However, there are some limitations on who can see your username and how it is displayed on Facebook.
What is a Facebook username?
A Facebook username is a custom URL that looks like facebook.com/yourusername. It replaces the string of numbers that usually comes after facebook.com/ in your profile URL.
For example, instead of having a profile URL like facebook.com/123456789, you could create a username like facebook.com/johnjohnson. Usernames make it easier for people to find and remember your profile.
You can create a unique username in your Facebook settings. When you do this, your username will appear in the URL for your public profile and in some places where your name is displayed on Facebook. People can also use your username to tag you in posts, send you friend requests, and search for your profile.
Who can see my Facebook username?
Your Facebook username is considered public information. Here are some of the ways people can see or access your username:
- Your username is shown in the URL of your public profile page. Anyone who visits your profile will see your custom username in the web address.
- Your username is displayed on your profile below your name. Both friends and non-friends viewing your profile can see it there.
- When you comment on public posts or in groups, your username may be shown next to your comments.
- People can use your username to tag you in posts and photos if your settings allow tagging.
- Friends and non-friends can search for your profile using your username in the Facebook search bar.
- Your username is visible when you engage with public Pages or celebrities as your username.
- Facebook apps and services that connect with Facebook accounts may display your username.
So in most cases, if someone knows your username they can access your public profile, even if they aren’t your Facebook friend. However, there are some limitations…
Limitations on who can see your username
While Facebook usernames are designed to be public, there are some cases where your username is not shown or searchable:
- If you set your profile to private, only your friends will see your username on your profile.
- Strangers can’t search for your private profile using just your username.
- You can choose to disable username tags so only friends can tag your username.
- Pages and groups you’ve liked or joined are not searchable by your username.
- Your username is not searchable on Facebook Messenger or Messenger Rooms.
So in summary, your username is public on your profile, comments, and anywhere else you actively engage on Facebook as yourself. But private profiles, Pages you follow, and Messenger are not tied to your username.
Should you use your real name as your username?
You can make your username anything you want, but here are some pros and cons of using your real name:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy for friends to find you | Less privacy from strangers |
| Looks more professional | Harder to obscure your identity |
| Avoids confusion with similar usernames | Higher risk of identity theft |
In the end, it’s a personal choice. Using your real name makes it easier for people you know to connect with you. But it also gives strangers and bad actors more details about your identity.
Can you change your Facebook username?
Yes, you can change your Facebook username at any time. Here’s how:
- Go to your Facebook profile
- Click the “More” dropdown menu in the upper right
- Select “Settings & Privacy”
- Click “Settings”
- Click “Username” on the left sidebar
- Enter your new desired username
- Click “Save Changes”
Your profile URL will automatically update with your new username. However, links to your old username may still work for a short time before redirecting to your new URL.
What happens when you delete your Facebook account?
If you delete your Facebook account, your username will be removed along with the rest of your profile. Facebook goes through a deletion process where your username and data are removed from their systems over time.
Specifically:
- Your profile URL will show a “content unavailable” page.
- Searching for your username on Facebook will say no results are found.
- Your past posts and comments will be anonymized or attributed to “Facebook User.”
- Your username can become available for anyone else to claim.
So in summary, deleting your account effectively deletes your username from Facebook. Someone else could potentially register the same username after your account is deleted.
Conclusion
Facebook usernames are designed to be a public-facing identifier on your profile and interactions. When you create a unique username, it will be visible to anyone who engages with your public profile or sees your activity on Facebook.
However, private profiles and Messenger interactions are shielded from your username. You also have control over things like username tagging and the ability to change your username at any time.
Overall, Facebook usernames help personalize your profile, but they also expand your public presence. It’s up to each user to decide if the benefits of a unique, consistent username outweigh the reduction in privacy and anonymity.