Your Facebook link is the web address that takes people directly to your profile

Your Facebook link (also called your profile URL or username link) is a web address that points to your profile page. When you share it, people can visit your profile without searching for you by name. It looks like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/yourprofilenumber, depending on how you set it up.

Facebook creates a default link for you automatically when you open an account. That default link uses a long string of numbers (your user ID). You can change it to something shorter and easier to share — but only once, and only if you meet Facebook's requirements. Understanding what your link is and how it works matters because it affects who can find you, what you share publicly, and how much control you have over your online presence.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook link is a web address (URL) that goes directly to your profile, and it starts with facebook.com/ followed by your username or ID number.
  • You can find your current link by visiting your profile, clicking the three dots next to your name, and selecting "Copy link to profile".
  • You can change your default link once to a custom username, but only if your account is at least 14 days old and you have a confirmed name and email address.
  • Your profile link visibility depends on your privacy settings — a public profile link can be found by anyone, while a private profile link shows limited information to people not on your friends list.
  • Sharing your Facebook link is safer than sharing your full name alone because it prevents people from finding profiles that happen to have the same name as you.

How to find your current Facebook link

Open Facebook and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture in the top left corner. Once you are on your profile page, look for the three horizontal dots (called a menu button) next to your name and profile picture. Click those dots and select "Copy link to profile" from the menu that appears. This copies your current link to your clipboard so you can paste it anywhere — into a message, email, or document.

If you want to see the link without copying it, you can also look at the web address bar at the top of your browser. When you are on your profile page, the address bar shows your current Facebook link. Write it down or take a screenshot if you need to keep it.

The difference between a numbered link and a custom username

When Facebook creates your account, it assigns you a user ID — a long string of numbers. Your default link uses this number: facebook.com/100087654321098 (the numbers are different for every person). This link works forever and cannot be changed by anyone but you.

A custom username is a shorter, easier-to-remember link that you choose yourself: facebook.com/sarah.chen or facebook.com/sarahchen22. You can set up a custom username only once per account. If you change your mind later, you cannot go back to a different custom username — you can only switch back to your numbered link. Before you choose a custom username, make sure it is something you are comfortable with long-term, because changing it again is not possible.

How to set up or change your custom username

To create a custom username, go to your profile and click the three dots next to your name. Select "Edit profile" and then look for a section labeled "Username" (on some accounts it appears under "Public details"). Click "Edit" next to your username field. Facebook will show you your current numbered link and give you the option to create a custom one.

Type the username you want. Facebook checks in real time whether that username is available — if someone else has already claimed it, you will see a message saying so and you will need to try a different one. Usernames can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Once you confirm your choice, the change takes effect when ready. Your old numbered link still works, but your new custom link becomes the primary one.

You must meet three requirements to set up a custom username: your account must be at least 14 days old, you must have a confirmed name on your account, and you must have a confirmed email address. If you cannot find the username option, check whether your account meets these requirements.

How your privacy settings affect who can see your link

Your Facebook link itself is always public — anyone with the link can visit it. What they see when they arrive depends on your privacy settings. If your profile is set to public, anyone who visits your link sees your profile picture, cover photo, posts you marked as public, and your friends list (if you chose to make it visible). If your profile is private, people who are not your friends see only your profile picture and cover photo, plus a button to send you a friend request.

You control these settings by going to your profile, clicking the three dots, selecting "Settings and privacy," then "Settings," then "Privacy." From there you can choose who sees your posts, who can contact you, and whether your friends list is visible. These settings explore whether someone finds you through search or through your link — the link itself does not override your privacy choices.

When and why you might share your Facebook link

Sharing your Facebook link is useful when you want someone to find your exact profile without confusion. If your name is common (like "John Smith"), sharing your link prevents people from finding a different John Smith by mistake. You might share your link in an email signature, on a resume, in a dating profile, or in a message to someone you just met.

Sharing a link is also safer than sharing your full name and location, because a link points to one specific profile rather than giving someone information they could use to find multiple profiles or contact you through other platforms. If you are concerned about privacy, you can share your link only with people you trust, or you can keep your profile private so that people who visit your link see limited information.

What to do if you cannot find or change your username

If the username option does not appear on your profile, your account may not meet Facebook's requirements. Check that your account is at least 14 days old, that your name is confirmed (go to Settings, Personal Information, and look for your name), and that your email address is confirmed (go to Settings, Email). If all three are in place and you still cannot find the option, try logging out and logging back in, or try accessing Facebook from a different browser.

If you have already set a custom username and want to change it back to your numbered link, go to the username section and click "Remove" next to your custom username. Facebook will confirm that you want to remove it. Once you remove a custom username, you cannot claim that same username again, and you cannot set a new custom username — you can only use your numbered link. This is a permanent choice, so think carefully before removing a custom username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else use my Facebook link if I share it?

No. Your link is unique to your account and only you can access your account through it. When someone visits your link, they see your profile page, but they cannot post as you, change your settings, or access your messages unless they have your password. Sharing your link does not give anyone control over your account.

What happens to my old link if I create a custom username?

Your numbered link still works. Both links point to the same profile. You can share either one and people will reach your profile. However, your custom username becomes the primary link — it is the one Facebook shows in your profile header and the one that appears when you copy your link to profile.

Can I have more than one Facebook profile with different links?

Facebook's rules allow one personal profile per person. If you create a second profile, Facebook may disable one or both accounts. If you need a separate presence for business or a public figure page, use a Facebook Page instead — pages have their own links and do not count against the one-profile rule.

Is my Facebook link the same as my Facebook ID?

No. Your Facebook ID is a number assigned to your account (like 100087654321098). Your link is a web address that uses either that number or a custom username you choose. The ID is permanent and hidden from most people; the link is what you share with others to direct them to your profile.

What should I do if someone is impersonating me on Facebook?

Report the fake account to Facebook when ready. Go to the fake profile, click the three dots, and select "Report." Choose "It is pretending to be me or someone else" and follow the prompts. Facebook investigates impersonation reports and removes accounts that violate their rules. You can also file a report through Facebook's support center if the fake account is not straightforward to find.