The Facebook Username Vanity URL coundown has begun. Many people around the world are logged into Facebook online right now waiting…watching the countdown to an opportunity to secure their very own Facebook username aka vanity url. Up until now, Facebook users have been assigned a long string of numbers in their profile URL and have not had an option to change this to something that is user friendly. As you can imagine, if you were to try to direct someone to your Facebook profile using this original URL it would be quite cumbersome. Now you get the option to create your own Facebook username. This is another chance to own your name online in Google search results.
It will be particularly important for businesses as more and more companies begin to embrace social media filling the spectrum of online competition. Some companies are moving completely away from the “traditional” Web site. Skittles’ Web site consists soley of links to social media profiles such as a YouTube page, Flickr account, and Facebook fan page. Boone Oakley’s Web site is a YouTube video. Opening up the username vanity url will encourage businesses to consider using Facebook as their main web presence, further continuing the movement away from the “traditional” Web site. To prevent users from creating profiles and squatting on business usernames, Facebook is only allowing those pages with more than 1,000 fans (as of May 31st) to get first rights to their username. As for those legitimate businesses with less than 1,000 fans, you will have to wait until June 28th.
So what is the big deal? Why all of the excitement now?
Well, Facebook is offering up these usernames on a first come first serve basis. So if you want to “own” your Facebook name – you better act now. You can sign up for your Facebook username vanity url here.
As I write this post less than 30 minutes remain in the countdown.
