Facebook is making changes, again. Drat!

Facebook confirmed upcoming changes to my favorite function on Facebook Business pages - Static FBML.  If you are wondering what the heck it is, in simpler terms, it’s how people manage to use HTML to make branded landing pages on their official Facebook business page.  The big change means, instead of having 720 pixel-width to play with, you will now only have 520 pixels.  That is a loss of 30%, that is a huge amount of screen real estate.  Additionally, new installs of the Static FBML app will no longer permit you to place it on the Wall, located on the left side of the Wall content. Instead, the only option is to create a separate tab on the top  Word on the street is previous implementations of the Static FBML “box” on the Wall remain — for now, but I have a feeling that will be temporary given they are removing boxes too in August.  WHAT?!

Facebook also confirmed they will also axe profile boxes in August. Urgh.  I am sure this is all a part of a grand plan to make Facebook stronger, faster, and more awesome, and the fine folks at Facebook reassure us that this is the case, but I have to say it’s really hard to see that benefit just now.  Let’s all just hope the new tools they are developing will be worth the headache.

Article on Facebook Privacy from CNN

In my Social Media Crash Course Workshop, I spend a great deal of time talking about your privacy settings in Facebook.  I cannot tell you how important it is to go and reset these as your life may be more of an open book than you think!  CNN has written a great article about this, you can read it here.

Simply put, Facebook Applications can access any information you have set to EVERYONE as well as your publicly available information.  Which includes name, current city, and friend information to name a few.  Super creepy, huh?

The “I don’t want to pay for no stinkin’ workshop” fix?  Visit your Facebook Privacy Settings and have a look around and see what information you are sharing and make some changes.  Don’t know where your privacy settings live on Facebook? Look in the top right of your Facebook screen under Account, and you will find they are the third option from the top.  Go, make some ch-ch-ch-changes!

Facebook Fan Page Custom URL

I have noticed a huge increase in the number of Facebook Fan Page requests I receive, which is both exciting and awesome!  But, I have noticed many of the fan page owners have not taken the extra step to reserve a custom url for their fan pages.

WHAT? You didn’t know it was an option?  You just don’t know how to do it? The Geek to the rescue, it’s wicked simple folks!

MUY IMPORTANTE: You must have at least 25 fans to reserve your custom Facebook Fan Page url, which I am sure most of you do, so let’s move on.

Step 1:  Make sure you are logged into Facebook

Step 2:  Click on this link:  www.facebook.com/username

Step 3:  Select “Set User Name for Pages”

Step 4:  Select the correct Fan Page you want to claim the url for

Step 5:  Enter your Company Name or Key Words in the white box {remember, fan pages are indexed by all mighty Google, so you might want to be super specific}

Step 6:  Click the “Check Availability” button, and once you settle on the right moniker for you, reserve it.

*Be warned, once you set it, there is no changing it, so be sure you put some thought into it!*

See, it’s super easy and now you can add your awesomely cool custom Facebook Fan Page url to your business cards or the signature line in your emails.

No need to thank me, pay it forward and share this information with someone you know it will help!

Cheers!