Facebook has always had a policy of requiring users to supply their real name on the site.
Enforcement has been lax, but there’s still a risk of getting caught.
Here’s how to fly under the radar if you better.
It should be noted that what we’re discussing is technicallyagainst Facebook policy.
Until Facebook changes its policies, this is the risk you run.
We also can’t guaranteewhat kindof name you’re free to use.
You want to distance yourself from a past relationship.Changing your surname upon getting married is fairly common.
However, returning to an old name after a divorce isnot always painless.
And a lot of paperwork.
At least not without a method of seeking an exception.
While we don’t know exactly what criteria they search for, something is looking.
These computers likely catch many spammers and bot accounts that follow easily-defined patterns.
User reports:Any user can flag another account as using a fake name.
We can use that to at least help understand how to avoid getting spotted.
While this is an extremely limited form of Facebook compared to a profile, it’s useful for publicity.
Save the personal profile for people you know directly, are related to, or communicate with regularly.
Particularly because of the next reason.
For private, personal sharing, lock your profile down.
you’ve got the option to check out our guidehereon how to keep your profile on lockdown.
“John Smith” is perhaps the most obvious-sounding fake name.
It’s more about knowing your audience.
And Facebook doesn’t exactly have the best track record forconsistent, reliable privacy configs.
That being the case, requesting that pseudonyms be allowed on Facebook officially is your best course of action.
All of the above tips help you fly under the radar, but they don’t fix the policy.
it’s possible for you to find places to provide feedback to Facebookhere.
Photos byMartin Poulter,David Goehring, andMarco Pakoeningrat.
