Facebook gives away 500,000 usernames in 15 minutes.  Get yours while you can.

Starting at 12:01AM on June 13, 2009 Facebook allows custom names to create a direct link to profiles.  Some call this a vanity URL.  Here’s how it works.

Before the direct link to a Facebook profile looks something like this:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=123456789
The new leaner and cleaner link looks like this:
http://www.facebook.com/rhowington
Much better!

If you want one you need to log on your Facebook account and setup-it-up.  It’s very easy on only took me a few minutes.

But choose carefully.  Facebook warns that once you select a username you are stuck with it like a tattoo.  The only way to get a new one is to setup a new Facebook account.  My advice is to pick something practical and stay clear of usernames like “mrbigstuff” or “hotpinkmama”.

For obvious reasons you cannot use a name this is already taken.  Facebook will let you name if the name you want is not available and will offer alternative suggestions.

BTW – linkedin.com and MySpace.com have had vanity URL, so this is sort of a catch-up thing for Facebook, but a welcome one.

One more thing, if you have a Facebook page for business or any other non-profile page you will have to wait a few weeks for your vanity URL.  So stayed tuned to Facebook updates.