How to Change Your Facebook Page Name: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Your Facebook Page name is a crucial part of your brand’s identity online. It’s how people find you, remember you, and recommend you. But businesses evolve, and sometimes your original page name no longer accurately reflects who you are. Perhaps you’ve rebranded, expanded your services, or simply made a typo. Whatever the reason, knowing how to change your Facebook Page name is essential for maintaining a relevant and effective online presence. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring you make the change smoothly and successfully.

Why Change Your Facebook Page Name?

There are various valid reasons why you might need to change your Facebook Page name. Here are some common scenarios:

• Rebranding: Your business might have undergone a significant rebranding, including a new name, logo, and overall aesthetic. Your Facebook Page name should align with this new branding.
• Typos or Errors: Mistakes happen! You might have initially created your page with a typo in your name, and it’s important to correct it for professional appearance.
• Change in Services: Perhaps your business has evolved and now offers different services or products than when your page was created. Your name might need to reflect this shift.
• Geographic Expansion: If your business expands into new geographic regions, you might want to adjust your page name to be more inclusive or region-specific.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: If your company merges with or acquires another business, you’ll likely need to update your Facebook Page to reflect the new entity.
• Clarity and Searchability: You might realize your current page name isn’t clear enough or isn’t easily searchable for your target audience.

Facebook Page Name Change Guidelines

Before you rush into changing your name, it’s essential to understand Facebook’s guidelines. Violating these rules can lead to your name change request being rejected or even, in rare cases, your page being penalized. Here are the crucial rules to keep in mind:

• Accuracy: Your page name must accurately represent your business or organization. It shouldn’t be misleading or contain false claims.
• Authenticity: Your name should be genuine and reflect the real-world entity you are representing. Impersonating another business or brand is strictly prohibited.
• Capitalization: Proper capitalization is expected. Avoid using all uppercase letters or excessive capitalization.
• Special Characters: Avoid unnecessary special characters and symbols, as they can negatively impact searchability. Limit special characters to those that are a legitimate part of your business name.
• Generic Terms: Do not include generic terms or descriptions of your business in the name. For example, using “Best Pizza Restaurant” is not acceptable if it’s not part of your official business name. Instead of just “Pizza Restaurant” or “Pizzeria”, use your business’ real name i.e “Joe’s Pizzeria”.
• Slogans and Taglines: Slogans or taglines should not be included in your page name.
• Location Information: Location information (e.g., “New York”) should typically be used in conjunction with the page’s category and description (if not in the legal name of the business), not as part of the core business name unless it’s officially part of your brand. Instead you should add the address to your ‘About’ section.
• Length Restrictions: While Facebook doesn’t have a strict character limit, it’s best to keep your page name reasonably concise and easy to read.
• Facebook’s Review Process: Facebook reviews name changes to ensure they adhere to their guidelines. Expect a waiting period for the review process which can vary depending on the number of page changes requested.
• Number of Changes Allowed: Be aware that Facebook may restrict how often you can change your page name, therefore changing it frequently is highly discouraged. Therefore, consider it carefully before requesting a change.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Facebook Page Name

Now, let’s dive into the actual process of changing your Facebook Page name. The steps are similar for both desktop and mobile devices, but we’ll provide instructions for each.

Method 1: Changing Your Facebook Page Name on Desktop

1. Log in to Facebook: Open your web browser and go to the Facebook website (www.facebook.com). Log in to your personal Facebook account that is the administrator of the page you wish to change.
2. Navigate to Your Page: On the left-hand side menu, you’ll see a list of your Pages. If not visible in the left hand side navigation menu, click on “Pages” under the “Explore” section, or click the menu button at the top of the screen and choose Pages. Select the specific Facebook Page you want to edit the name of.
3. Go to the ‘About’ Section: In the left-hand menu of your Facebook page, click on ‘About’, usually located towards the bottom.
4. Click on the Edit Icon Next to Your Name: Under the ‘General’ section, you’ll see your current page name. Hover your mouse over it. An ‘Edit’ icon (a small pencil) will appear. Click on this edit icon.
5. Enter Your New Page Name: A text box will appear, allowing you to enter your desired new page name. Type in your new name carefully, making sure to comply with Facebook’s guidelines mentioned earlier.
6. Review and Confirm: Once you’ve entered the new name, carefully review it for accuracy. Click the blue ‘Continue’ button.
7. Facebook Request Confirmation: You will be given a preview of your request. Carefully verify that everything is correct. If you agree, click on the button ‘Request Change’. You’ll get a confirmation message that your request has been submitted to Facebook for review.
8. Wait for Facebook’s Approval: Facebook will review your name change request. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. You’ll receive a notification once your request is approved or denied, and if it’s denied, you will usually receive a reason why, and the option to modify the request.
9. Verify the Change: Once your request is approved, your page name will be updated. Verify that everything looks correct on your page.

Method 2: Changing Your Facebook Page Name on Mobile (Android & iOS)

1. Open the Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet and log in to your personal Facebook profile that administers the page you wish to change.
2. Go to Your Page: Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) at the top right (Android) or bottom right (iOS). Tap on ‘Pages’ and select the specific Facebook Page you want to change the name of.
3. Access ‘Edit Page’: Scroll down until you find the “Edit Page” option and tap it.
4. Access Page Info: Under the ‘Edit Page’ Menu, click on “Page Info” section.
5. Edit Name: In the “General” section you should see your current page name. Tap on it. You will be presented with the edit screen where you can modify your name.
6. Enter Your New Page Name: A text box will appear. Carefully enter your new page name, keeping Facebook’s guidelines in mind.
7. Review and Confirm: Once you’ve entered the new name, review it carefully. Tap the blue ‘Continue’ button.
8. Facebook Request Confirmation: You will be given a preview of your request. Carefully verify that everything is correct. If you agree, click on the button ‘Request Change’. You’ll get a confirmation message that your request has been submitted to Facebook for review.
9. Wait for Facebook’s Approval: Facebook will review your name change request. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. You will receive a notification once your request is approved or denied.
10. Verify the Change: After approval, check your page to ensure that the name has been updated correctly.

Tips for a Successful Facebook Page Name Change

Changing your Facebook Page name can be a smooth process if you follow these tips:

• Plan Ahead: Don’t rush the process. Make sure you have a clear idea of your new name and that it aligns with your overall branding strategy.
• Inform Your Audience: If your name change is a significant departure from your previous name, inform your audience ahead of time. Post about it on your Facebook Page, and mention it in other communication channels (email, website, etc.).
• Update Other Platforms: Once your Facebook name is changed, make sure to update your business name on all other relevant platforms, including your website, other social media channels, business listings, etc. Consistency is key.
• Choose a Searchable Name: Opt for a name that is relevant to your industry and that your audience is likely to search for. Conduct keyword research to help you make the best choice.
• Be Patient: Facebook’s review process may take time. Be patient and avoid repeatedly submitting requests if your initial request is pending.
• Consider the Impact on Your Audience: Changing your page name can potentially confuse your audience, especially if it is a drastic change. Be sure to communicate clearly with your followers and explain the reasons for the change to ensure that they recognize your page.
• Backup Page Info: If possible consider taking a backup of all of the information on your page, screenshots etc. This will be helpful in case anything unexpected happens.
• Check Existing Content: Review existing posts and content to make sure that the new name fits correctly and that you don’t have to change it in any other locations.
• Consider Page URL: Facebook doesn’t allow you to change the page URL directly once your page has a certain amount of followers. However, when you change your name it is possible in some cases, especially if you are very early on with your page that Facebook may also approve a change to your Facebook page’s URL. It is not guaranteed but worth considering if your brand has changed substantially. If you have more followers on the page this is usually not permitted.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter issues when changing your Facebook Page name. Here are some common problems and how to address them:

• Name Change Rejected: If your request is rejected, Facebook will typically provide a reason. Review the guidelines carefully and resubmit your request with a corrected name. Ensure that your name complies with all the above criteria.
• Edit Option Not Available: If you don’t see the edit icon next to your page name, ensure that you are an administrator of the page. Only page admins have the authority to change a page’s name.
• Too Many Changes: If you’ve recently changed your page name several times, Facebook might restrict further changes for a while. Be patient and wait a bit before trying again.
• Facebook Support: If you are still having issues, try contacting Facebook support through their help center, and explain your issue clearly, it is also recommended to provide screenshots.

Conclusion

Changing your Facebook Page name is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s crucial to do it correctly to avoid issues and maintain a professional online presence. By following this step-by-step guide, understanding Facebook’s guidelines, and planning ahead, you can ensure a smooth and successful name change. Remember to always communicate clearly with your audience and update your brand information across all channels for maximum impact.

We hope this comprehensive guide has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please let us know in the comments below!