Facebook Usernames, due to launch on Saturday, June 13th, is to give members of the social networking site the opportunity to customise the URL of their profile:  Creating what has become known as a 'vanity URL'.

Whereas profiles on the site have previously been given a unique number, Facebook explains that its members can now choose a descriptive word on a first come, first served basis.

Facebook designer Blaise DiPersia suggests that this should help to make profiles more visible to search engines - including Facebook's internal search function and external sites such as Google.

"The URL was just a randomly assigned number like 'id=592952074'. That soon will change," he writes in a Facebook blog post.

As well as improving search visibility for profiles on Google and internally, the move could also see them become more of a hub for individuals to allow them to share information with friends and family.

With the customised URLs in place, Mr DiPersia adds that the new addresses will mean that "people will have an easy-to-remember way to find you" online.

The first come, first served registration process for customised URLs opens at 00:01 Eastern Daylight Time on June 13th and gives users the option of choosing a variation on their own name or a preferred nickname to appear in their profile's web address.

Facebook has also recently revealed that it is removing geographical groups from its list of networks after four years.

The social media site explains that, since it launched regional networks in 2005, it has become too popular for them to work as an effective means of separating users into manageable groups.

Living Streams comment:  Be quick if your name and/or the name of your company is not unique - Don't let your alto-ego get there first.