Your Facebook link is the unique web address that points to your profile

Your Facebook link (also called a profile URL or profile link) is the web address you can share with anyone to let them visit your profile. It looks something like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789. Every Facebook account has one, and it's the same whether you're on a computer or phone — it's just a different way to reach your profile than typing your name into the search bar.

Facebook creates your link automatically when you set up your account. You can customize part of it (the part after the slash) to make it easier to remember and share, but you don't have to. Either way, the link works the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook link is a web address that takes people directly to your profile, and it's different from your username or display name.
  • You can find your link by visiting your profile and looking at the web address in your browser's address bar, or by clicking the three dots on your profile and selecting "Copy link to profile".
  • You can customize your link once to make it shorter and easier to share, but Facebook won't let you change it again for a set period of time.
  • Your profile link is public by default, but you can control who sees your profile itself through your privacy settings.

How to find your Facebook link right now

The fastest way is to go to your profile and look at the address bar at the top of your browser. Whatever appears there after facebook.com/ is your link. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Profile" — the address bar will show your link. On a phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down to your name, and tap it.

If you want to copy the link without typing it out, go to your profile and look for the three dots (or three lines on a phone). Tap or click it and select "Copy link to profile" — this puts the full address on your clipboard so you can paste it anywhere.

The difference between your link and your username

Your Facebook link and your username are not the same thing, even though they look similar. Your username is what you chose during setup (or what Facebook assigned if you didn't choose one), and it's used for logging in and for messaging. Your link is the web address that points to your profile.

For example, your username might be "john.smith.2024" but your profile link could be "facebook.com/john.smith" if you customized it. Some people never customize their link, so it stays as a long string of numbers (your user ID). Both work fine — the link just makes it easier for you to share your profile with others.

How to customize your Facebook link

Facebook lets you change the part after the slash to something shorter and easier to remember. Go to your profile, click the three dots, and select "Edit profile" or "Settings and privacy" depending on your device. Look for an option that says something like "Username" or "Profile link" — this is where you can type in what you want your link to be.

You can only customize your link once every 60 days (this timing can vary by account). Facebook will check that your chosen text isn't already taken and doesn't violate their rules. If someone else has already claimed "facebook.com/yourname", you'll need to pick something different. Once you change it, your old link stops working, so if you've shared it anywhere, those links will break.

Privacy: who can see your profile link and your profile

Your profile link itself is public — anyone with the link can see it in their browser. But that doesn't mean they can see your profile. What they can see depends on your privacy settings. You can set your profile to be visible to everyone, to friends only, or to no one except you.

Go to your settings (usually found in the menu or by clicking your profile picture), look for "Privacy" or "Who can see your profile", and choose your level. If you set it to "Friends only", someone with your link can still visit the address, but they'll only see your name, profile picture, and a message saying they need to be your friend to see more. This is different from blocking someone, which prevents them from finding you at all.

What to do if you want to change your link again

If you've already customized your link and want to change it, you'll have to wait. Facebook enforces a waiting period (usually 60 days) between changes. You can check when you'll be able to change it again by going back to the username or profile link settings — Facebook will show you a message saying something like "You can change your username again on [date]".

If you're locked out and need to change your link for safety reasons (for example, if your account was compromised), you can report the issue to Facebook through their help center. They may make an exception, but it's not may provide. The safest approach is to choose a link you're comfortable with the first time, since changing it frequently can confuse people you've shared it with.

Why your link matters and when you'll use it

Your Facebook link is useful when you want to share your profile with someone outside of Facebook — in an email, on a resume, in a forum post, or on another social media platform. It's also what you'd share if you wanted someone to find and friend you. Some people put their Facebook link on business cards or websites.

The link is also what Facebook uses when you report a problem or contact support — they may ask for your profile link to look up your account. Having a clean, easy-to-remember link makes this process simpler for both you and anyone trying to reach you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone find my profile if they only have my link?

Yes, they can visit the link in their browser. Whether they can see your profile depends on your privacy settings. If your profile is set to public or friends-only, they'll see your name and picture. If it's private, they'll see a message saying they need to be your friend to view more.

What if my Facebook link has numbers instead of my name?

That's your user ID, and it means you haven't customized your link yet. You can change it once to something shorter and easier to remember. Go to your profile settings and look for the username or profile link option.

If I change my Facebook link, do old links stop working?

Yes. If you've shared your old link anywhere and then change it, those old links will no longer work. People who click them will get an error. This is why it's good to pick a link you're happy with before sharing it widely.

Is my Facebook link the same as my profile URL?

Yes, they're the same thing. Profile URL, profile link, and Facebook link all refer to the web address that points to your profile. Some people use the terms interchangeably.

Can I make my Facebook link private so only friends can see it?

The link itself is always public — anyone can type it into their browser. What's private is your profile content. Use your privacy settings to control who can see your posts, photos, and information when they visit your profile.