On Facebook, Profiles are personal. PAGES are for Business
The CORRECT way to register an account on Facebook is in your personal name. To register an account in your business name is against Facebook’s Terms of Use.
I’m going on a wee rant here! Sure, it’s true you don’t know what you don’t know. But sometimes I think people are chancing their luck.
See, I just received my umpteenth friend request… from someone who set up a Facebook Profile in their business name. Actually, worse, it’s in the name of a huge international MLM company. I’ll bet you a dime to a dollar this account has been set up by an independent rep. BIG no-no. Probably in breach of the company rules too, not just Facebook’s.
I totally get it’s not all that clear!!! However, Facebook PROFILES are for your own personal account in your first and last name. In order to represent your business on its own “profile” in Facebook, you must set up a Facebook PAGE. Yep, confusing! However, that’s why I’m writing this post - to hopefully educate those folks who aren’t clear.
See Facebook’s Terms of Use - emphasis added by me:
If you’re in business for yourself, I highly recommend you set up a Facebook PAGE. You may already have a Group as well. And, that’s okay. One of the primary reasons I recommend getting started with a Facebook Page is you’ll enjoy high Google ranking! Facebook currently has an Alexa ranking of 7 3!
Facebook used to create Page URL’s with your Page ID#. Now, they include the keywords from the title of your business. Good or good? [UPDATE: You can now select your own Facebook Username (Vanity URL) with just 25 fans by going to facebook.com/username.
That way, more people can find you online. You’re welcome to join my Facebook Fan Page.
By the way, if you receive friend requests from Businesses, I recommend you ignore them. If you’re feeling helpful, you could take the time to send them a message and point them to the Facebook Terms of Service (or my blog post here!).
And, in case it’s not obvious, you don’t want to do something against Facebook’s Terms of Use, and build up an active high-trafficked Profile in the name of your business… only to have it torn down by Facebook, right? May as well start on the right footing with a business Page.
Got a Facebook Page? Include the URL in your comment here!
Make A Comment: ( 33 so far )
33 Responses to “On Facebook, Profiles are personal. PAGES are for Business”
Why Facebook? Social Networking for Fun and Profits! » Blog Archive » Invite friends to be fans Using share feature on pages
March 6th, 2008
I find this practice of registering a Facebook user account in a company’s name very annoying. Although I’m tempted to start reporting friend requests from such accounts… I’ll just point them here instead.
There is absolutely no personal connection from such a friend request. It’s like someone is asking me to be a fan of their business without giving me a chance to get to know them.
Connect with me on a personal level first, THEN invite me to be a fan of your business page.
Michael Roach
March 16th, 2008
I’ve created 2 pages for myself. I’m confused about what they mean tho. I have tons of info on my home page and profile page, my photo albums, etc, but these look like ‘blank’ pages to me. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Master-Law-of-Attraction-Coach-Speaker-Author-and-Radio-Host/10133166278
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emeryville-CA/Leading-Edge-Coaching-Training/14451295774
Eva
March 23rd, 2008
Yes, I have a Facebook Page promoting one of the workshops we facilitate in South Africa. Here’s the link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heal-Love-Your-Life-Workshop/7821693467
Don’t know how the 35 fans found us? Still figuring out how to add value and make more interactive.
Our group is growing steadily.
Tina Cook
April 1st, 2008
Oh ya had me worried for a sec! I have my real name listed with my nickname, which conveniently happens to also me my business/web site name. It’s all about the branding!
But I have found it infinitely helpful because sometimes I look for friends I know, especially some that I only have known online so maybe their location doesn’t ring a bell, and I’m unsure that I am connecting to the right person. For example, there are a lot more “Christy Hoffmans” out there than there are “funDiva Christy Hoffmans”!
So far the only person looking for me that my nickname didnt help was a gal from grade school!
Thanks for the insight on pages, I didn’t know what they were before now, I’ve got quite a few friends who will benefit.
funDiva Christy
funDiva Christy Hoffman
April 2nd, 2008
Hi Mari. I like your comments about the misuse of business names in personal profiles. Another pet peeve of mine are people who don’t upload pictures and have a “?” instead. ITS CALLED FACEBOOK! hahah
There is no question that the launch of facebook pages was a watershed for using facebook for business, and being able to measure results. I have built a number of pages (with tens of thousands of fans) and have learned how facebook pages and groups are different and similar. Now that facebook is “opening up” their platform, we’ll see what twists and turns the future brings! Looking forward to your call with Kevin nations this coming week.
Frank Abrams
July 10th, 2008
[...] A post by Mari specific to pages for business purposes [...]
[...] A post by Mari specific to pages for business purposes [...]
Facebook Pages: Using Them to Benefit Your Organization : Brazen Careerist - A Career Center for Generation Y
August 7th, 2008
I’m in the process of setting my Facebook Page up. My goal is to use it to promote my upcoming seminars and once created, my own program material and ebooks
Katy’s last blog post.. Stop Worrying About the Recession
Katy
September 1st, 2008
And of course I forgot to include my Page in my last comment…
http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Burbank-CA/Success-for-Solopreneurs/41887625352
Katy’s last blog post.. Stop Worrying About the Recession
Katy
September 1st, 2008
Wow! Did not know that.. I just added a 2nd Personal/AKA Business profile (who reads those little words anyway??.lol) So I am not in the midst of setting up my page…
Chris Morin
September 5th, 2008
Thank you so much for clarifying the difference. I set up a profile page for my business: http://www.weddingchimeaccessories.com but then wondered if I had chosen the right function. Your post cleared that up for me!
Kathleen
October 22nd, 2008
[...] as your business. Find more info about the differences between Facebook profiles and pages click here. You can see my profile page [...]
Marketing Your Pet Business on Facebook : Pet Sitting Business Tips and Tools - Start and Grow Your Own Pet Sitting Business
November 11th, 2008
Does anyone know if it’s Ok to post your website link on your personal page?
Jane
February 4th, 2009
oops - http://www.janehuntart.com
Jane
February 4th, 2009
love your website, can you show me where to find information on law of attraction? thank you.
kuntantina
March 16th, 2009
Hi Mari,
Thank you for this clarification ! I’m trying to find out if my pesonal profile will be available to anyone who looks at my business page…I’m hoping the answer is no, since I want to keep them separate…
thanks!
Deborah
March 17th, 2009
[...] guru, Mari Smith, author of “Why Facebook?” advises, “The CORRECT way to register an account on Facebook is in your personal name. [...]
Facebook: An Important Tool For Ad Agency New Business « FUEL LINES Fueling Ad Agency New Business Through Social Media
April 2nd, 2009
[...] On Facebook, Profiles are personal. PAGES are for Business | Facebook, Twitter, Social Networking to… [...]
Facebook Privacy issues scare me so I do not do business on FB other than Groups
Darla Sycamore
July 22nd, 2009
[...] Posts: On Facebook, Profiles are personal. PAGES are for Business | Invite friends to be fans Using share feature on [...]
International Association of Web Entrepreneurs
August 31st, 2009
Awesome post Mari! I just recently set up a Facebook fan page for Internet Entrepreneurs: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Internet-Entrepreneurs-United/130642570667
Lonnie Robinson
September 5th, 2009
Follow Me On Twitter!
[...] Posts: On Facebook, Profiles are personal. PAGES are for Business | Invite friends to be fans Using share feature on [...]
How To Create and Promote Your Facebook Fan Page |
October 6th, 2009
I’ve just started a fan page & can’t figure out how to keep those posts separate from my pesonal pages. Suggestions?
Sharron
October 9th, 2009
Icreated my personal profile, then added a business page. My url facebook.com/MYBUSINESS lands on my personal profile & not my business page. How do I change that? (Hard to find an answer on this one)
Mary
October 18th, 2009
Follow Me On Twitter!
Mike
October 19th, 2009
I agree it is very annoying to see business names as personal profiles. I have a personal profile - http://facebook.com/frederick.pearce
– and a fanpage - http://facebook.com/selfimprove
– and a group for my book — http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=87380788039
I ought to have a page for my coaching business, too. Are we allowed to have more than one fan page, Mari?
Frederick Pearce
October 23rd, 2009
I have a personal profile and a business page. Is there anyway to share links from the personal to the business? I have a travel agency and I am fans of the tourist boards and suppliers under my personal profile and would like to share the links of some of the postings.
Heather McNamara
November 14th, 2009
Follow Me On Twitter!
[...] Ping.FM - http://ping.fm/ SocialOoomph - http://www.socialoomph.com/ Facebook Fan Pages - http://whyfacebook.com/2008/03/05/on-facebook-profiles-are-personal-pages-are-for-business/ Linking Facebook and Twitter - [...]
Insights November 2009 | Speedie Consulting
November 16th, 2009
Monica Johansson
November 17th, 2009
Follow Me On Twitter!
[...] guru, Mari Smith, author of “Why Facebook?” advises,“The CORRECT way to register an account on Facebook is in your personal name. On [...]
Facebook: An Important Tool For Driving Dealership Traffic « Up Your Ups
December 7th, 2009
I don’t even seem able to view personal profiles with my biz acct., nevermind requesting friendship. I guess FB changed that since you wrote this.
My FB biz page; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eye-Candy-The-Art-and-Photography-of-Lana-Gramlich/124020672361?ref=ts
Lana Gramlich
January 18th, 2010
Thanks for the post Mary!
Every time I get a “friend” request from a business we share your link with them.
Thanks for letting us share our fanpage here!
danielle hatfield
January 19th, 2010
Follow Me On Twitter!
[...] my post here for more on Facebook Pages and why need [...]