How to Delete a Facebook Page
Note: I originally published this tutorial in 2011, and it is Blogging Bistro’s most-visited post. That’s why you’ll see a lot of comments from years gone by. I update this tutorial regularly to reflect Facebook’s changes. This is the 2020 update.
Fed up with Facebook’s ever-increasing stranglehold on the organic reach of brand pages, many page admins are washing their hands of Facebook altogether.
If you’re in that camp or you don’t use your business page any longer, you may want to delete it.
I advise using a desktop/laptop computer to delete your Facebook page. It’s much easier than attempting to do it via a tablet or smartphone.
How to unpublish your page without deleting it
If you aren’t certain whether you want to permanently delete your page, you can “unpublish” it (make it private so only page admins can view it).
Note: Only Page admins can unpublish a Page.
Here’s how:
Log in to the Facebook page you administer.
Click “Settings” in the upper righthand corner of your screen.
From the “General” settings (the first one on the list), find the “Page Visibility” setting (it’s the first one). Click the pencil icon to edit.
Click the “Unpublish Page” radio button and then click “Save Changes.”
How to delete a Facebook brand/fan page
Log in to the Facebook page you administer. Note: You MUST be a Page administrator in order to delete a Page.
Click “Settings” in the upper righthand corner of your screen.
From the “General” settings (the first one on the list), scroll to the bottom of the list of options and locate “Remove Page.” Click the pencil icon to edit.
A pop-up notice will inform you that if you delete your page, you have a grace period of 14 days in which you can restore it. (Unsure whether that means 14 calendar days or 14 business days.)
After the 14-day grace period, you’ll be asked to confirm that you want to permanently delete your page.
If you are certain you want to remove your page and begin the 14 day grace period, click the link that says “Delete [name of your page]” and then click “Save Changes.”
Can I re-use my custom Facebook page address?
People often ask me:
“If I delete my page, will Facebook release my username (page URL/address) so I can re-use the same name on another page I create?”
I have not received a reliable answer to this question. People who’ve deleted pages have told me they’ve tried to use the same username (web address) and have been unable to. If anyone knows how long Facebook holds on to the usernames of deleted pages, please share that info.
I have a Facebook issue that seems to be unresolvable. Please help! I created a business page last year and now I can’t delete it. I have created another one and want the new one to be the official page. The old one does not show up in the “Use Facebook as” Now, both the new page and the old page(which has nothing on it) are tied to my personal page. I even tried permanently deleting my personal. I didn’t create another personal page for over 3 weeks. But that old URL is still there. Help!! I have no idea what to do! I emailed Facebook, but Uhhh, yea, NOTHING! : (
How do I contact Facebook customer service?
How do I contact Facebook customer service?
Here’s a link you may find helpful: https://bloggingbistro.com/150-ways-to-contact-facebook-customer-service-linkedin-twitter-google-youtube-pinterest-instagram/
Here’s a link you may find helpful: https://bloggingbistro.com/150-ways-to-contact-facebook-customer-service-linkedin-twitter-google-youtube-pinterest-instagram/
somehow a fired employee changed the email address connected to our business fb page and now the page is missing what do I do ?
somehow a fired employee changed the email address connected to our business fb page and now the page is missing what do I do ?
Is there a way to delete it permanently faster? I want a page that allredy existed. The owner deleted it, but I still can’t use the name.
Is there a way to delete it permanently faster? I want a page that allredy existed. The owner deleted it, but I still can’t use the name.
Sophie – That is unfortunate. I don’t have any idea just how long Facebook holds on to the domain names of deleted pages before they release them for others to claim.
Sophie – That is unfortunate. I don’t have any idea just how long Facebook holds on to the domain names of deleted pages before they release them for others to claim.
That tutorial was very informative and helpful. However, when i search for the page, the name still comes up. What can i do?
That tutorial was very informative and helpful. However, when i search for the page, the name still comes up. What can i do?
How long has it been since you deleted the page? Facebook keeps deleted pages in their system for some time (I’ve heard at least two weeks, but don’t quote me on that).
How long has it been since you deleted the page? Facebook keeps deleted pages in their system for some time (I’ve heard at least two weeks, but don’t quote me on that).
Hey guys I thought I might get my chances of promoting
http://www.empowernetwork.com/almostasecret.php?id=moneymakingmachines
Hey guys I thought I might get my chances of promoting
http://www.empowernetwork.com/almostasecret.php?id=moneymakingmachines
I am leaving my job. While I was there, I set up a Facebook page for the organization that I access through my personal account. I now need to separate that account from my personal account and remove myself as the manager of that page. I don’t know how to do this. Can you help?
I am leaving my job. While I was there, I set up a Facebook page for the organization that I access through my personal account. I now need to separate that account from my personal account and remove myself as the manager of that page. I don’t know how to do this. Can you help?
Gigi, Here’s a link to Facebook’s Help Center that may help you with this issue https://www.facebook.com/help/168172433243582#How-do-I-claim-a-Page-that-already-exists-for-my-business?-Can-I-merge-it-with-my-business%27s-official-Page?
Gigi, Here’s a link to Facebook’s Help Center that may help you with this issue https://www.facebook.com/help/168172433243582#How-do-I-claim-a-Page-that-already-exists-for-my-business?-Can-I-merge-it-with-my-business%27s-official-Page?
Hi there. Great page! I am taking over marketing for a business. They have a current FB page, but the person who set it up did not leave either an email log-in or password. Is there any way for me to get access to that page? I’d rather not start a new page from scratch. It’s a nightmare to contact FB themselves as you know and I have tried at least 20 known address and even some that are very left of field just to be sure. When I am asked for ‘Email, Username, Phone Number or Full Name’ the number associated with the account and the username do not allow me access. Any help appreciated. Thanks.
Hi there. Great page! I am taking over marketing for a business. They have a current FB page, but the person who set it up did not leave either an email log-in or password. Is there any way for me to get access to that page? I’d rather not start a new page from scratch. It’s a nightmare to contact FB themselves as you know and I have tried at least 20 known address and even some that are very left of field just to be sure. When I am asked for ‘Email, Username, Phone Number or Full Name’ the number associated with the account and the username do not allow me access. Any help appreciated. Thanks.
Lou, I’m guessing you’ve already tried this, but have you been able to contact the person who created the page and get the login from them? Seems as if that would be your best bet. And hopefully, that person did not use their own Facebook account to create the company page. If they did, you may be out of luck.
Lou, I’m guessing you’ve already tried this, but have you been able to contact the person who created the page and get the login from them? Seems as if that would be your best bet. And hopefully, that person did not use their own Facebook account to create the company page. If they did, you may be out of luck.
Laura, I love your approach it’s so simple, but, I had a site for a book I published and is no longer available and I want to take the page down. Your instructions say I’ll get a “manage permissions” tab after clicking on the “edit” tab when I’m on the page I wish to delete…but I don’t get anything with “manage permissions”…help! :))
Laura, I love your approach it’s so simple, but, I had a site for a book I published and is no longer available and I want to take the page down. Your instructions say I’ll get a “manage permissions” tab after clicking on the “edit” tab when I’m on the page I wish to delete…but I don’t get anything with “manage permissions”…help! :))
Keith,
Thanks for pointing that out. As usual, Facebook has yet again changed the placement of the buttons and links. I just updated the tutorial to reflect those changes. It should work for you now.
Keith,
Thanks for pointing that out. As usual, Facebook has yet again changed the placement of the buttons and links. I just updated the tutorial to reflect those changes. It should work for you now.
Laura, Thank you so much for your simple and precise tips…………
Laura, Thank you so much for your simple and precise tips…………
love it thanks bristo, your blog can be FAQ for Facebook, theirs sucks!
love it thanks bristo, your blog can be FAQ for Facebook, theirs sucks!
Thanks for tips, this is great information! Just wondering – What if Facebook has created a business page on your behalf? Do the same rules apply? I am guessing you would have to take ownership of that page and then delete it, correct?
Thanks for tips, this is great information! Just wondering – What if Facebook has created a business page on your behalf? Do the same rules apply? I am guessing you would have to take ownership of that page and then delete it, correct?
Vivian – I have never heard of Facebook creating a business page on your behalf — you have to create those yourself. However, they can (and do) create Community Pages, which are kind of like Wikipedia for Facebook. It creates a lot of confusion and a lot of angry page owners. I’m not sure how to get rid of those kinds of pages. Anyone know?
Vivian – I have never heard of Facebook creating a business page on your behalf — you have to create those yourself. However, they can (and do) create Community Pages, which are kind of like Wikipedia for Facebook. It creates a lot of confusion and a lot of angry page owners. I’m not sure how to get rid of those kinds of pages. Anyone know?
I followed the instructions and deleted the page but now when it is searched for the link goes to my personal newsfeed. If it’s deleted shouldn’t a 404 error message be given rather than linking to my personal page?
I followed the instructions and deleted the page but now when it is searched for the link goes to my personal newsfeed. If it’s deleted shouldn’t a 404 error message be given rather than linking to my personal page?
Hello,
I have a business page that I would like to delete. I understand that there will be a 14-days window to change my mind, but I want to delete the page completely then make a new one from scratch. The question is: after that 14-days window, would I be able to create a new page with the same store name like the deleted page?
I would appreciate fast reply 🙂 as this is quite urgent for me. Thanks soo much in advance.
Dee
Hello,
I have a business page that I would like to delete. I understand that there will be a 14-days window to change my mind, but I want to delete the page completely then make a new one from scratch. The question is: after that 14-days window, would I be able to create a new page with the same store name like the deleted page?
I would appreciate fast reply 🙂 as this is quite urgent for me. Thanks soo much in advance.
Dee
I have never been able to find the answer to this question at Facebook’s Help Center, but people who have deleted pages have told me that they are unable to create a new page with the same name or URL as the deleted page. I’m not certain how long Facebook holds on to the old page URL whether it be a few weeks or indefinitely.
I have never been able to find the answer to this question at Facebook’s Help Center, but people who have deleted pages have told me that they are unable to create a new page with the same name or URL as the deleted page. I’m not certain how long Facebook holds on to the old page URL whether it be a few weeks or indefinitely.
Patsy, I read that Facebook recently made personal profiles searchable via Graph Search https://www.facebook.com/about/graphsearch You may find the link above helpful in tweaking your privacy settings.
Patsy, I read that Facebook recently made personal profiles searchable via Graph Search https://www.facebook.com/about/graphsearch You may find the link above helpful in tweaking your privacy settings.
Hi Laura,
Thanks for the tips.
I would like to check with you.
1. After the 14-day grace period, you’ll be asked to confirm that you want to
permanently delete your page, right? What if i don’t reply or take any action when Facebook ask to confirm to delete the page? Will my page be deleted directly? of my page will still be there until i reply?
2. If i use facebook.com/abc as my page url, and i decided to delete my page, after 14 days, is other user able to use “abc” as his/her page url?
Hope to hear from you soon Laura:)
Hi Laura,
Thanks for the tips.
I would like to check with you.
1. After the 14-day grace period, you’ll be asked to confirm that you want to
permanently delete your page, right? What if i don’t reply or take any action when Facebook ask to confirm to delete the page? Will my page be deleted directly? of my page will still be there until i reply?
2. If i use facebook.com/abc as my page url, and i decided to delete my page, after 14 days, is other user able to use “abc” as his/her page url?
Hope to hear from you soon Laura:)
Nick, Unfortunately, Facebook’s Help Desk does not provide us with this information. My suggestion would be: When you delete your page, assume it’s a permanent decision. I don’t know how long Facebook holds onto a page URL until they release it fro someone else to use (or for you to re-use).
Nick, Unfortunately, Facebook’s Help Desk does not provide us with this information. My suggestion would be: When you delete your page, assume it’s a permanent decision. I don’t know how long Facebook holds onto a page URL until they release it fro someone else to use (or for you to re-use).
Thank you Laura^^