Facebook is testing a way for users to associate up to five separate profiles with one account. The social media giant says the test will allow users to dedicate different profiles to specific groups they want to connect with, such as a special Facebook feed exclusively for their friends and another just for their colleagues. Users who are part of the test can switch between their different profiles with a few taps.
“To help people customize their experience based on interests and relationships, we’re testing a way for people to link more than one profile to a single Facebook account,” Facebook spokesperson Leonard Lam told TheTechWarrior in an email. “Anyone who uses Facebook must continue to follow our rules.”
Additional profiles do not have to contain a person’s real name, as users can choose any profile name and username, as long as it is unique and does not use numbers or special characters. People’s main profiles should still use the name they use in everyday life, Facebook says.
The company says additional profiles are still subject to its policies and cannot misrepresent your identity or impersonate others. If you receive a violation on an additional profile, it will affect your account as a whole. Facebook says this rule will help prevent people from abusing its platform across multiple profiles. If someone repeatedly violates company policies using one of their supplemental profiles, Facebook’s systems will recognize which profile was in violation and take appropriate action, such as deleting the supplemental profile or all profiles, including the main account.
Facebook says some parts of the platform are only available to people’s main profiles, such as creating and managing a Page or using Facebook Dating.
Since a user’s additional profiles are under a single Facebook account, the company says the multi-profile feature won’t change the way user metrics are reported, such as monthly and daily active user totals.
So far, the company has barred regular users from having multiple Facebook accounts, so the introduction of additional profiles marks a change for the social media giant. The launch of the test indicates that Facebook is experimenting with ways to increase engagement on its platform, while also encouraging users to post more content and share it with others.
The test also shows that Facebook is trying to go beyond just a platform to share updates with family and friends, as the company notes that additional profiles can be used to delve deeper into topics you care about and want to learn more about. know. For example, Facebook says a user may want to create an additional profile focused on sustainable design where they can follow their favorite brands and connect with others who share their passion. Facebook also suggests that additional profiles can be used to organize content about the things that matter to you. For example, you could have one profile dedicated to foodie content, where you can follow your favorite chefs and find local events and restaurants.
Facebook’s shift away from separate profiles comes as it tries to find ways to retain users while continuing to compete with growing threats like TikTok. In February, the company reported a drop in daily user numbers for the first time in its history in the fourth quarter of 2021, but later reported an increase in the first three months of this year.
The company’s additional profiles feature is currently being tested with selected users.