Facebook only allows one personal Facebook account per person. However, there are some limited cases where you may be able to create additional accounts on Facebook.
Why Facebook limits accounts
Facebook’s Terms of Service state that “You will not create more than one personal account” and “If we disable your account, you will not create another one without our permission.” The main reasons Facebook prohibits multiple personal accounts per person are:
- Prevent spam and abuse – Having multiple accounts makes it easier for bad actors to spam and harass others on Facebook.
- Authenticity – Facebook aims to be a place for real people to connect with friends and family. Fake or duplicate accounts go against this goal.
- Security – Multiple accounts per person can be used to circumvent bans or spread scams/malware more easily.
So in general, you should not create a second personal Facebook account if you already have one. However, there are some cases where a second account may be allowed.
When a second personal account is allowed
Facebook does permit people to have two personal accounts in certain situations, such as:
- Stage names – Entertainers, writers, artists, etc. who use a stage name and want an account separate from their personal identity.
- Couples – Married couples who want a joint “family” account in addition to their own personal accounts.
- Language/region specific accounts – Having separate accounts for different languages or regions you operate in.
- Security concerns – If your personal account has been compromised, hacked, or merged with a Page you admin.
In these cases, you may appeal to Facebook to allow a second personal account. You’ll need to provide documentation and an explanation of why you require two accounts. But outside of limited exceptions, most people should not have more than one personal Facebook account.
Steps to create a second account
If you believe your situation warrants a second personal Facebook account, here is the process to request one:
- Open the Facebook Help Center and search for “create new account after being disabled.”
- Click the article “I can’t create an account after mine was disabled” and select “My personal account was disabled.”
- Fill out the form explaining why you need a new account. Provide as much detail as possible.
- Upload any necessary documentation, such as legal name change forms, proof of stage name, etc.
- Submit the request and wait for Facebook to review your appeal.
- If approved, you’ll receive an email confirmation and be able to create a new account.
The review process can take up to a few weeks. There is no guarantee your request will be approved if you do not have a justified need for a second account.
Using multiple accounts correctly
If you are permitted to have two personal accounts, be sure to use them properly:
- Do not use the accounts to mislead people about your identity.
- Do not use one account to evade restrictions or bans on the other.
- Keep the accounts truly separate – do not friend the same people or post the same content.
- Log in and out properly between accounts – do not stay logged into both at once.
As long as you follow Facebook’s rules and terms around multiple accounts, having two can be acceptable in special cases.
Non-personal Facebook accounts
While you should only have one personal account, you are permitted to create and manage additional types of accounts on Facebook:
- Business Page – For brands, businesses, organizations, public figures, etc. to have an official presence.
- Group – For communities, events, discussions, support groups, etc.
- Ad Account – To run and manage Facebook ads.
- Work Accounts – Separate accounts issued by employers, typically for social media marketing.
So if you need a presence related to a business, hobby, pet, etc. – a Page or Group is appropriate. And anyone can create unlimited ad accounts and work accounts for marketing purposes.
Risks of duplicate accounts
If you create an additional personal Facebook account without permission, here are some of the risks:
- Account disabled – Facebook aggressively looks for duplicate accounts and will disable them.
- IP address banned – Creating multiple accounts from the same IP can get your IP banned.
- Lose access – You may lose access to both your unauthorized duplicate account and your original account.
- Legal issues – Facebook can pursue legal action for Terms of Service violations.
It’s simply not worth the effort to try and maintain two personal accounts improperly. And any followers/connections you obtain through deception will not be real.
Conclusion
Except in special circumstances that you document and appeal directly, you should only have one personal Facebook account as per Facebook’s rules. While you can create other types of accounts like business Pages, having multiple personal profiles risks getting all your accounts disabled. If you feel your situation absolutely requires a second personal account, be upfront with Facebook by submitting a review request – but recognize there is a strong chance it will be denied. For most Facebook users, focusing creative energy on properly using a single personal account is the best approach.