Why You Need To Claim Your Facebook Short Name
“One of the most common overlooked steps on setting up a Facebook business page is claiming your short name. Without it, you are basically as invisible as a Halloween ghost. Let’s improve your discoverability together.” —Sarah Lockard
Claiming your Facebook business short name is an essential and valuable part of setting up your page correctly. Remember the term “Vanity URL?” Oh boy, I do! It is now referred to as, most commonly, your short name or social badge name.
This is truly one of the biggest mistakes and oversights I see on a daily basis with business pages. I have literally come across hundreds of business pages over the years who have missed this very important step. What does this mean to your page?
First, let’s clear up one major misconception or even assumption. Facebook’s search feature is not anywhere near operationally sophisticated as Google. So, no, you cannot just ‘type in a business name’ (that does not have a short name) and it will pop up. In fact, it will not. In addition, and maybe even more catastrophic, is that your page cannot be tagged by anyone unless your short name is in place. This is social media platform suicide. But no fear, I am here to the rescue!
Secondly, what is a short name exactly? Your short name acts as the link of your page that identifies who you are. For example, here is my business Facebook page link-url. https://www.facebook.com/aroundmainline
Facebook.com/YourBusinessName
For some business pages, at the time of their creation, you get an option to enter a short name, but for other business accounts you might need to reach about 25-75 page likes/followers before you can have a custom personalized address aka “short name.”
Instead of a mish mosh of words and numbers, you need to have something clearly defined. Really think of your social media platforms as adjunct “professors” in your world of online presence. It is, ironically, not a vanity move anymore but a move of functionality and value.
Step One: Take a Deep Breath
Well friends, here you are. And you realized your Facebook business page is not set up correctly. How do you know this? Your page link has a long, confusing and unwieldy url full of random characters and bundled numbers. You are in trouble! But not for long. I am on duty to help you quickly remedy that. Take a moment to read Facebook’s official instructions here.
https://www.facebook.com/help/121237621291199/
Still need some step-by-step stuff? See Step Two.
Who ya gonna call when your Facebook page is a hot mess express? Ghostbusters? nahhh. Me!
Step Two: The Simple Steps from a Blog
Here are the step-by-step instructions (outside of Meta pages which I know a lot of people disdain for help purposes. I get it dude). I did the leg work for you and found this blog post from the Summer of 2025 that completely nails it.
https://www.izoate.com/blog/how-to-get-a-custom-url-for-your-facebook-page-in-2025-complete-guide/
Step Three: Update All Online Platforms with Your Short Name
Congrats! That was easy right? Listen, these steps are just clerical errors, in essence, and lack of knowledge of the platform. And very common. But, you are not finished yet. It is imperative that now that you have your short name established on Facebook, you edit all platforms linked to it. Yes, check your website, your Instagram, LinkedIn, email signature. You get it.
On this eve of All Hallows Eve, we wish you a fun weekend. And as we like to say, the devil is in the details! Happy Trick or Treating everyone!
I have personally been advising and guiding small businesses on best practices for social media success for over 17 years. “The devil is in the details.”
Have Questions? Get in Touch.
Need help with your social media business platforms?
I would love to chat. 610-715-9091