It appears that today is the day of reckoning for Twitter and Facebook users. While Twitter is busy handling signed integer issues with their tweets, Facebook users are on standby while they wait to get their Facebook username. The form for selecting your Facebook username will open up at 12:01 AM EDT. You can view what time the form will open for your time zone by visiting the form. If you are on the east coast then don’t plan on staying out late tonight because you have to get your Facebook username, right?
Many journalists have been fortunate to have their usernames reserved (I happened to be one of the lucky ones) and while some are calling it unfair, it’s an important moment for many users are hoping for an easy to remember username. Journalists that were part of the early group are currently limited to the username “[firstname][lastname]“. For example Facebook gave me the username nickoneill although I was hoping to grab nick since no Facebook employees have appeared to grab it yet.
So why is a username so important? The most important reason is the search engine optimization that’s available by getting a good username. Additionally Facebook is expected to begin implementing new features which include username status tagging (similar to @ replies on Twitter) and mobile support for usernames. Want to become a friend of someone you just met a conference? Simply text “add nickoneill” to 32665 to become a friend of mine.
Want to become a fan of the AllFacebook page? Text “fan allfacebook” to become a fan. We could soon see television commercials that encourage users to become a fan of their brand via the simple Facebook mobile codes. Usernames simplify the Facebook mobile interface, and may soon make Facebook messages more like Twitter. So what else are the Facebook usernames useful for? Well aside from completely redefining the way users interact with the service, not much else!
So will you be spending your Friday night waiting next to your computer to get your Facebook username? Do you think your username is a really important thing?
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You wouldn't be able to get "nick" anyway because: "Your username must be at least five characters in length"
Comment by James Clark Embree — June 12, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
I think the them "vanity" is very appropriate. For those in the industry – journalists, consultants, coaches, and brands – the change is very important. For everyone else, and truly the bulk of Facebook users, I don't think they will see much benefit in it.
Brands, coaches, consultants, and journalists see the value in owning their "vanity" URL (theirname.com) and understand the importance to their online property portfolio. The general public, however, still don't own theirname.com.
I spoke to several business owners this morning and they had either not heard of the change, or didn't understand what it meant. "Vanity URL" doesn't mean anything to them.
Until there is such integration (either out of necessity or convenience), like "add username" or "fan allfacebook", a majority of the Facebook population will continue to use it as they did before the "land rush".
Comment by Shaun — June 12, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
How can one find out which usernames have been already reserved?
The opening time is at 6am in italian timezone, and I'd find it useful if I'm going to wake up early to try grabbing an username that's been already reserved for someone (it's not my firstname.lastname, of course)
Comment by Facebook User — June 12, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
> "The most important reason is the search engine optimization that’s available by getting a good username."
SEO "Experts" always need something new to make what they sell seem less like snake oil. If you're relying on a single FB username for your SEO then you're destined to fail anyway, give up.
> "Additionally Facebook is expected to begin implementing new features which include username status tagging (similar to @ replies on Twitter) and mobile support for usernames."
When will this obsession with "keeping up with the joneses" end? (and by that I mean Twitter)
Comment by Thomas M — June 12, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
What service enables this?
"Simply text “add nickoneill” to 32665 to become a friend of mine."
I hope I get /glenn or /cnnbrk
Comment by Glenn Friesen — June 12, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
What is this form about? What information will I have to have ready? Would hate to miss my name b/c I wasn’t prepared? Any insight?
Comment by Neil — June 12, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
lol@ Thomas M
I think it's cleaver though, would like to see how far they can go.
Comment by Bessie Obiageli Adim — June 12, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
It was hard for Europeans (6 AM in France) but now it's done, and I got what I wanted:
http://www.facebook.com/joffrey
Comment by Joffrey — June 12, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Thanks for the info!
I got my name as the username.
You don't need 1,000 Fans to get your own username.
Your Facebook account must be registered before June 9 as the only criteria.
Mike
Comment by Mike — June 12, 2009 @ 9:13 pm
A mate of mine just got an awesome (heh) username, but kinda spelt it wrong: http://tinypic.com/r/ddp8qc/5
Comment by Nathan — June 12, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
no. i can’t believe facebook would do this on a friday night. that’s certainly not the way to go about looking for employees. anyone who is sitting around waiting to grab their facebook username at midnight has no life. i guess they are trying to find out how many facebook users have no life.
Comment by mike — June 12, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
@ Nathan lol, maybe if his first name was Awesome, that wouldn't have happened since you just check off the options.
mine's http://facebook.com/terence can't get the name wrong in the registration interphase unless you decide to call yourself something fanciful.
Comment by Terence Chan — June 13, 2009 @ 2:29 am
Couldn't grab the username I wanted, "lonestar", which I suppose has been previously reserved for the Texas state, or for the country rock band, or for the beer brand. But it would have been fair to be informed in advance which names were not available, to avoid waiting for the start time in vain.
Also it's been totally unfair to allow internals and journalists to pick the name they liked in advance. They should have been limited to pick only their firstname.lastname and not whatever they liked, to allow normal people still have a chance to gain their fav and possibly common nicknames.
Comment by Facebook User — June 13, 2009 @ 4:06 am
I wonder.. does google give you any SEO cred for your username?
Comment by deancowart — June 13, 2009 @ 7:36 am
Check this out http://www.facebook.com/the.owner
Comment by Shandy — June 13, 2009 @ 8:46 am
Grrrr! My name is showing not available but the URL goes no where. I had a friend check it from her location and all it does is take you to your homepage. Crazy.
I sent a bug report to facebook.
I had to settle with a stupid one with a number in it…not real happy
Blessings,
Wendy
P.S. I hope they lift the 1,000 fans limitation for pages as that stinks!
Comment by Wendy Mashburn Merri — June 13, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
Turns out it is possible to have 3 and 4 letter usernames on Facebook. Not to sure if this is a bug or a easter egg or whether they intend to stop it but if you are still looking for a username why not grab a 3 letter for bragging rights.
Comment by blackhat.me — June 18, 2009 @ 3:37 am
ceheck my account http://www.facebook.com/kocham.cie.zielinska
Comment by Triyono — September 5, 2011 @ 1:53 pm
I JUST ENTERD A FACEBOOK USERNAME N I XNT STIL ACCESS
JULIUS
Comment by JULIUS — December 1, 2011 @ 12:23 pm