Have you ever tried to change your Facebook page name but found that the option was grayed out or unavailable? Many page admins run into this frustrating issue at some point. The good news is that in most cases, it’s possible to change your Facebook page name with a few easy steps.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the main reasons why you may be unable to change your Facebook page name and provide step-by-step instructions to fix the problem quickly. Whether you simply want to update your page name or need to change it because it contains errors, this guide has got you covered.
Reasons Why You Can’t Change Your Facebook Page Name
There are a few main reasons why the option to edit your Facebook page name may be unavailable or grayed out:
You Recently Changed the Page Name
Facebook limits how often you can change your page name, likely to prevent abuse. If you already changed your page name within the past 24 hours, you’ll need to wait before changing it again.
Page Category Restrictions
Certain page categories on Facebook have different name change rules and restrictions. For example, pages categorized as “Politician” or “Government Official” cannot change the page name once set.
Loss of Admin Privileges
If your admin privileges were removed on a page you manage, you’ll lose the ability to edit the page name until privileges are restored.
Facebook Banned the Page
In some cases, Facebook may ban a page that violates its policies. Banned pages cannot change the name until the ban is lifted.
The good news is that in most cases, there are steps you can take to regain access to change your page name, which we’ll cover next.
Fix 1: Wait 24 Hours Before Editing Page Name Again
If you already changed your Facebook page name recently, Facebook’s limit on name change frequency may be preventing another change.
To fix this, simply wait 24 hours from the last time you edited the name. After 24 hours passes, you should regain the ability to change the page name again.
Keep in mind you can only change a Facebook page’s name twice within a 14 day period. So if you maxed out the 2 changes within 2 weeks, you’ll have to wait 14 days before the limit resets.
Fix 2: Change Category to Enable Page Name Change
As mentioned above, certain categories like “Politician” have restrictions that prevent name changes after creation.
The way around this is to temporarily change your page category to one that allows name edits, like “Company” or “Brand.” Here’s how:
- Go to your Facebook page and click “Edit Page Info”
- Scroll down and click on the current category (Ex. Politician)
- Choose a category from the list that allows name changes, like “Company” or “Brand.”
- Click “Save Changes.”
- Now you should be able to edit the page name by clicking on it.
- After changing the name, you can switch the category back if needed.
So changing the category essentially resets the name lock and gives you editing access again.
Fix 3: Verify Page to Regain Editing Access
In some cases, Facebook may require ID verification to confirm you’re an authorized admin before letting you edit the page again. Here’s how to complete ID verification:
- Go to your page and click “Edit Page Info”
- Click on the lock icon next to your name under “Page Roles”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to submit ID documents to verify your admin status.
- After verification is complete, you should regain the ability to edit the page name.
Verification helps Facebook confirm valid admins for security purposes. So if your access seems restricted, going through ID verification can unlock editing in most cases.
Fix 4: Create a New Facebook Page
If none of the above fixes work and your page name is permanently stuck, the last resort is to simply create a brand new Facebook page with your desired name.
Here are some tips for smoothly switching to a new page:
- Set up the new page but don’t publish it yet.
- Use your existing page to promote the new page and ask followers to like it.
- Once you’ve migrated a good portion of your audience, delete the old page and switch the new one to public.
- Redirect links from your old page’s URL to the new page.
- Associate any ad accounts and assets like Instagram to the new page.
While starting fresh takes more effort, sometimes it’s the only way to change a troublesome page name. Just be sure to migrate your audience properly beforehand.
Facebook Page Name Change Limits
To prevent abuse, Facebook enforces the following limits around page name changes:
- You can edit a page’s name up to 2 times total within a 14 day period.
- After changing the name once, you must wait 24 hours before changing it again.
- After hitting the limit of 2 changes in 14 days, you must wait 14 days for the counter to reset.
- Certain categories like Politician do not allow name changes after initial creation.
- Pages with bans or restrictions may be unable to change the name until issues are resolved.
- Verified pages tend to have fewer name change restrictions.
So in summary, you get 2 name changes per 14 days, with a mandatory 24 hour waiting period between edits. Keep these limits in mind when maintaining your page.
Can I Change My Facebook Page Name Without Losing Likes?
A common concern when changing a Facebook page name is losing accumulated likes and followers in the process. Thankfully, changing the page name does NOT reset your existing likes and followers.
Your audience stays intact across the name change. Followers may be unaware the name changed at first, but the transition shows up clearly in their feed and notifications.
The key is to give your audience advanced notice by promoting the upcoming change. Here are some best practices:
- Alert followers several days before changing the name via news updates, posts, Stories, etc.
- After changing the name, post again recapping the change for anyone who missed it.
- Temporarily add the old name in parentheses after the new name, like “NEW NAME (OLD NAME)”. This helps recognition during the transition.
- Respond to any confused followers who inquire about the name change via comments or messages.
With proper communication, you can minimize confusion and retain your existing audience through a Facebook page name change.
Should I Change My Facebook Page Name?
Deciding whether to change your Facebook page name depends on your specific situation. Here are some factors to consider:
Rebranding Your Business
If you’re rebranding your company with a new name, updating your Facebook page name is critical for consistency. Your page acts as the digital embodiment of your brand, so it should align with rebrands.
Correcting Errors or Typos
fixes glaring errors like typos in your existing name. This helps project professionalism.
Reflecting Pivots in Offerings
If you significantly updated your products, services, or focus since creating the page, a name change can reflect that pivot.
Boosting Discovery and Search Visibility
Adjusting your name to include relevant keywords can make it easier for your target audiences to find your page organically.
Renewing Interest
Sometimes a stale page name needs a refresh to generate renewed interest from existing and potential followers.
In most cases, page name changes are beneficial when done strategically. Just be sure to follow Facebook’s limits and communicate changes clearly.
Conclusion
Being unable to edit your Facebook page name is a common headache, but solvable in most cases. Typical causes include hitting Facebook’s name change limits, category restrictions, or loss of admin access.
Waiting 24 hours between edits, switching categories temporarily, verifying your admin status, and starting a new page are fixes that can enable name changes again. Just be sure to give followers sufficient notice before and after changing the name to retain your audience.
With a strategic name change, you can boost discovery, fix issues, and keep your Facebook presence aligned with shifts in branding or offerings. Just follow Facebook’s limits and communicate clearly.
Hopefully this guide provided the troubleshooting tips you need to successfully modify your page name. Let us know if you have any other questions!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I change my Facebook page name?
The most common reasons are:
- You already changed the name twice in the past 14 days.
- Your page category like Politician restricts name changes.
- You lost admin privileges to edit the page.
- Facebook banned the page.
How do I enable Facebook page name changes?
Fixes include:
- Waiting 24 hours if you changed the name recently.
- Temporarily switching the page category to one without name lock restrictions.
- Verifying your admin status via ID confirmation.
- Creating a brand new page and migrating followers.
Does changing my Facebook page name lose likes?
No, changing the page name does not reset or lose any current likes or followers. Your audience stays attached after a name change.
Can I change my Facebook page name back to the original?
Yes, you can revert back to a previous page name as long as you haven’t hit the limit of 2 name changes per 14 days.
How often can you change a Facebook page name?
Facebook allows up to 2 page name changes within a 14 day rolling period. You must wait 24 hours between edits
