What an Artist Account Is and Why You Might Want One
A Facebook Artist Account is a profile type designed for musicians, visual artists, performers, and other creative professionals who want to share work and connect with fans. Unlike a personal profile, an Artist Account gives you tools built for that purpose: the ability to add music or video samples, display tour dates, link to your website or shop, and see detailed statistics about who engages with your posts.
You do not need an Artist Account to post about your work on Facebook. A personal profile works fine for that. An Artist Account makes sense if you want those built-in features, if you plan to run ads promoting your work, or if you want a clear separation between your personal life and your creative presence. Many artists use both — a personal profile for friends and family, and an Artist Account for fans and professional contacts.
Key Takeaways
- An Artist Account requires a personal Facebook profile first; you cannot create one from scratch without one.
- You set up an Artist Account from your personal profile's settings, then fill in your genre, location, and links to your music or portfolio.
- Facebook lets you switch between your personal profile and your Artist Account, but they share the same login and password.
- You can add a profile photo, cover image, and samples of your work, and fans can message you or follow your updates without being friends.
Step One: Make Sure You Have a Personal Profile
Before you create an Artist Account, you need an active personal Facebook profile. If you already have one, skip to the next section. If you do not, go to facebook.com and click "Create New Facebook Account." You will need to provide your name, email address or phone number, birth date, and gender. Facebook will send you a confirmation link; click it to finish.
Your personal profile does not need to be public or filled out completely. It just needs to exist and be active. You will use this profile to log in to your Artist Account later.
Step Two: Navigate to Your Settings and Create the Artist Account
Log into your personal Facebook profile. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen, then select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." On the left side menu, scroll down and click "Artist." If you do not see this option, click "See More" at the bottom of the menu.
Click "Create Artist Account." Facebook will ask you to confirm your name and choose a category for your work — musician, visual artist, comedian, dancer, writer, or other. Select the one that fits you best. You can change this later if needed.
Step Three: Fill in Your Artist Profile Information
After you create the account, Facebook takes you to your new Artist Account page. Add a profile photo (a headshot or logo works well), a cover image (a banner that spans the top of your page), and a short bio describing your work. Keep the bio clear and specific — "Singer-songwriter from Nashville" tells people more than "Creative artist."
Add your location, website, and links to where people can listen to your music, see your portfolio, or buy your work. If you are a musician, you can link to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or your own website. If you are a visual artist, link to your portfolio site or shop. These links help fans find your work outside Facebook.
Step Four: Add Samples of Your Work
Depending on your category, Facebook lets you add samples directly to your Artist Account. Musicians can add songs or music videos. Visual artists can upload images of their work. Comedians can add video clips. To add samples, go to your Artist Account page, click "Add Music" or "Add Videos," and follow the prompts.
You can also upload these to your regular Facebook timeline and pin them to the top of your page so they are the first thing visitors see. Pinning a post keeps it at the top of your timeline even as you add new posts below it.
Step Five: Understand How Your Artist Account Works
Your Artist Account is separate from your personal profile, but they share the same login. When you log into Facebook, you see your personal profile by default. To switch to your Artist Account, click the downward arrow in the top right, then click your Artist Account name. You can switch back and forth whenever you want.
People can follow your Artist Account without being your Facebook friend. They will see your posts in their feed if they follow you or if Facebook shows them your content. You can message with fans through your Artist Account, and you can turn on or off the ability for people to message you. You can also see statistics about your followers — their age, location, and which posts got the most engagement — by clicking "Insights" on your Artist Account page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one Artist Account?
No. Each personal Facebook profile can have only one Artist Account. If you work in multiple genres or under different names, you have two options: use one Artist Account and mention your other projects in the bio, or create a second personal profile and link an Artist Account to that one. Keep in mind that Facebook requires you to use your real name on personal profiles, so a second profile for a stage name may violate their terms.
Do I have to use my real name on my Artist Account?
Your Artist Account can use a stage name, band name, or professional name. Your personal profile still needs your real name under Facebook's rules, but your Artist Account name can be different. When you set up the Artist Account, Facebook asks for the name you want to display publicly — use whatever name your fans know you by.
Can people message me through my Artist Account?
Yes. By default, people who follow your Artist Account can send you messages. You can change this in your Artist Account settings by clicking "Settings," then "Messages," and choosing who can contact you. You can limit messages to followers only, or turn off messages entirely if you prefer not to receive them.
What is the difference between followers and friends on an Artist Account?
Friends are people connected to your personal profile. Followers are people who follow your Artist Account without being your friend. Followers see your Artist Account posts in their feed, but you do not see their personal information. This separation lets you keep your personal life private while sharing your work publicly.
Can I run ads from my Artist Account?
Yes. Artist Accounts can run ads to promote your work, upcoming shows, or merchandise. To create an ad, go to your Artist Account page, click the three dots next to a post, and select "Boost Post." Or go to facebook.com/ads and create a new campaign. You will need to set a budget and choose who you want to reach — by location, age, interests, or other details. Facebook charges you based on how many people see or click your ad.