Facebook to offer personal URLs

Facebook is to offer members personalised URLs, or web addresses, so they can be found more easily.

Just as microblogging network Twitter allows people to register their name in the web address, Facebook is to adopt usernames in URLs also.

From 13 June Facebook will roll out this feature on a first-come, first-serve basis. The new web addresses will now take the form of www.facebook.com/ followed by a username of your choice.

Facebook: a timeline

"We're planning to offer Facebook usernames to make it easier for people to find and connect with you," wrote Blaise DiPersia on the Facebook blog.

"This authenticity helps to create a trusted environment because you know the identity of the people and things on Facebook," DiPersia added.

Usernames must be at least five characters in length and only include alphanumeric characters (A-Z, 0-9), or a period or full stop, Facebook stipulated.

The social network said that anybody who signed up for a profile after 31 May may not be able to sign up for a username immediately.

The new Facebook feature will go live on 13 June at 1201 EDT in the US, or 1701BST.

Anyone whose name is registered as a trademark can stop others using it as a Facebook URL but will need to contact Facebook to do so.