How to like a Facebook Page as a Page

In late 2010, Facebook introduced a new feature called Use Facebook as Page which essentially allowed one to interact with other Facebook users and pages using a page (instead of a profile).

For example, when you are using Facebook as Page whenever you comment on someone’s wall your page name will be referred in that comment instead of your actual profile name.This feature was welcomed by many users who are interested in promoting their page instead of their own profile.

Ideally one would expect that when the Use Facebook as Page option is turned on, every activity you do in Facebook will be shown as originating from your page. But this is not true. For example, when you are in the Use Facebook as Page mode and if you like another page by pressing the Like button, that action is associated to the user profile instead of the page. Confused? Let me clarify with the following example.

Example:

  1. Bob logs into Facebook
  2. Bob selects Use Facebook as Page option. Then he selects Bob’s Baby Care Page.
  3. Bob likes the Facebook page of Babies R Us.
  4. Now this action is recorded as Bob likes Babies R Us, instead of it being Bob’s Bay Care Page likes Babies R Us.

So the question is how can you make one page like another page?

The solution is simple. Instead of using the Like button on the top of your Facebook page, scroll down your Facebook page. On the bottom left hand side of the page you will see a link called Add to My Page’s Favorites. By clicking on this link you are saying that Bob’s Baby Care Page likes Babies R Us.

If you are still not clear on what to do, the screen shot below will be useful. Click on the screen shot to see a larger version.

use_Facebook_as_a_Page

How to change your Facebook Vanity URL for a second time!

In 2009, when Facebook introduced custom URLs (also known as vanity URLs) for your profile and fan pages, Facebook claimed that the custom URL you choose can be only set once. Once the custom URL (example http://facebook.com/techthinker) has been set, it cannot be changed to another URL. But it looks like Facebook is giving a second chance to people who didn’t wisely choose their custom URLs for their profile page.

To change the custom URL of your profile page, simply go to Account –> Account Settings –> Username and click the link change. You will be now able to change your username for your profile page.

If you want to change the custom URL for your fan page for a second time, then you may be out of luck. I haven’t figured out how to do it.

Transferring the Profile Page URL to Fan Page URL

When Facebook introduced custom URLs last year, I secured the custom URL (techthinker) for my profile page as I couldn’t secure it for my fan page. In 2009, you should have at least 100 fans in order to get a custom URL for your fan page. Now this number has been reduced to 25.

Given that Facebook allows me to change the username for a second time, I was able to change my existing username (techthinker). By changing my username, I was able to release the URL techthinker.

Soon after I changed my username, I went to http://facebook.com/username and set the URL techthinker as the URL for my Facebook fan page!

The ability to change username for a second time gives you a chance to trade usernames with others. It also gives you a chance to transfer your profile page URL to your Fan Page URL.

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