You can now convert your personal Facebook profiles into Official Pages (Public Figure, Brand, Business, etc). Facebook rolled this out a few days ago and being the eager beaver that I am, I converted my page since I already was near the 5,000 friend limit. However it looks like I will end up regretting my decision. Since I’m the do-now, read-later type, I didn’t bother reading the mechanics (yes Carlo, you suck). Apparently the only thing that will be ported is your current profile picture and all of your existing friends will automatically like your page. Everything else goes *poof*! I literally just lost 2,000+ photos that I uploaded in the last few years. It’s a good thing they’re all still in iPhoto.
Anyway, if you want to convert head on over to this link while logged on to your account. You’ll get to this page:
Just pick what type you are and your account will get converted.
Conversion Pros:
- You can go beyond the 5,000 Friend Limit
- You have access to FBML landing pages for your account (Yay!)
- Instant “Likes”
- Business and brand applications
- “Purge” your friends list. Turn your current profile into a page and make a more personal and closed profile for people that you really know.
Conversion Cons:
- You can’t see the stream anymore of your friends’ updates. This is probably one of the most depressing things about conversion.
- Only your profile pic and friends will be ported. All the pics, videos, and content will go bye-bye. Make sure to download everything first and back it up if you will convert (don’t be stupid like me).
Anyway, here’s my new Facebook Page. Check it out. Now to make a new personal one. Sadness.
thank you for the article carlo!
don’t be hard on yourself
great men are those who have fallen and have risen back again – it need not be in 3 days
at least… you can have a profile with only the people you’ve met or personally know.
Now I’m thinking.
What happens if you had previously owned a Fan Page? Can’t you just merge the two?
(Then again…gosh, that would make my profile seem more public because I really don’t want to maintain more than one. Having a page and a profile is already confusing for me.)
Is there an option to change the name when you ‘convert’?
Nope you can’t.
No for now.. my wall posts and photos will like go away.. haha
I was about to suggest this one to my aunt, good thing I carefully read the details LOL! Anyway, thanks for the info about this Sir!
(And I just “liked” your page now
)
I read others were able to get help from FB in reversing the process – from page back to being a profile. Though I don’t remember them getting their photos back, status updates, etc.
Might be worth a try to contact FB.