How to Change Your Facebook Page Name

As I was making the official move from Momcomm to Blog Clarity, one of the first things I wanted to do was change my Facebook page name. If you've ever looked into it, you'll notice that it isn't quite that easy. And it's not guaranteed they'll approve your new name. *bangs head on desk*

So this post walks you through the steps not only of requesting a name change, but also how not to back yourself into a corner should your name not get approved.

Changing your Facebook page name is really two separate parts: Requesting the actual name of your Facebook page be changed (the name displayed beside your profile image) and changing your page web address (fb.com/yourpagename).

Under 200 likes? You can change your page name yourself without a request. Just follow steps 1 – 3 below, then change your name. If you have more than 200 likes, then follow along the entire way through!

Part 1: Request a Facebook Page Name Change

1. From the Admin Panel, go to Edit Page >Edit Settings.

2. Click the tab Page Info.

Here you'll see your page name, page URL and a whole lot of other info.

3. Click Edit beside Page Name.

Don't get ahead of yourself and try to change your Facebook URL first! If for some reason you don't get approved, you'll have to start a new page and you won't be able to use your new URL. So be patient you will (said in my best Yoda voice).

4. Click Request Change.

When you click Request Change, a page opens on a new tab to being the process. Make sure you READ the guidelines for choosing a new name, then click “I understand the formatting guidelines for my Page's new name.” When you do this more text appears.

5.  Select description from the drop-down under “Your Page name currently represents.”

Underneath, more text appears explaining some things to keep in mind before you change your page name. Read it all! And this text does vary depending on what you selected.

Once you read through, click “I would still like to change my Page name. I have documentation to demonstrate this change.” Then MORE steps appear and at this point you start getting cross-eyed.

But at least you're getting to the meat of the name change.

6. Enter your Desired page name.

Now we're getting somewhere. Notice they say changing subject matter or the page meaning won't be approved. So if you write about hamsters and now you're trying to write about beauty, well then, you just need to start a new page. The reasoning is that people who liked your page because you wrote about hamsters might not still want to follow you if you write about beauty (well, unless you give hamster makeup tips). Yeahhhh. Okay.

7. Tell Facebook WHY you're changing your name.

You don't get to write them a letter, or even a paragraph. You just get to select one of these options.

When I changed from Momcomm to Blog Clarity, I selected “I am rebranding my Page.” Because my content didn't change, just the name did.

8. Add one piece documentation to support your name change.

You only get to add one item so choose carefully. While it says that unacceptable documentation includes a website, I don't have utility or phone bills so I uploaded a screenshot of my blog with the URL showing in the browser window. I can't guarantee you'll have the same success but it worked for me.

9. Check more boxes, then click send.

As you can see, you have to wait up to 3 days to see if your request is approved and there might be a 14-day waiting period if it does get approved.

And then you wait.

If your name change gets approved, you'll get an email saying the change has been approved (yay!) and it might also say there's a 14-day waiting period. If you go back into your page name and click the question mark, you'll see a message saying what day your name change goes into effect.

Tip: If you wake up on the morning of your name change day and see that it hasn't changed yet, no freaking out! Mine changed about mid-day so hang tight and it'll happen at some point. Once when midnight strikes should you freak out. 🙂

If you don't get approved, I'm pretty sure that's the end of it and you need to create a new page, then ask your current fans to like you on your new page.

Part 2: Changing Your Facebook Web Address

Once your name has officially switched over, then and only then should you change your page URL. Yes, you can change this sooner but if for some reason things go awry, you'll be glad you waited.

1. From the Admin Panel, go to Edit Page >Edit Settings.

2. Click the tab Page Info.

3. Click Edit beside Facebook Web Address.

If the name is available, select and ta-da! Your name change is finally complete!

Over to You

If you've ever had to change your Facebook page name, I'd love for you to share your experience. Did you get approved? Was it seamless? Tell me in the comments!

Psst… I'm just getting started on Bloglovin'! You can find follow Blog Clarity with Bloglovin‘.