Incorrect SteamID link

"Also on" SteamID link in profile doesn't work properly.

The new "also on" SteamID app doesn't link to my Steam profile. That, or it doesn't link to my profile properly.
My profile can be found at http://steamcommunity.com/id/citrusfreak
The link in my profile is going to http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/11519428

I recently updated my profile and was told that I needed to use my SteamID number instead of my username for it to work. I'm not certain whether the link in my profile was also borked before I made this change.

Furthermore, the instructions in the FAQ for finding my SteamID number did not work for me. After logging in and clicking "view my SteamID, the URL did not contain any numbers. Instead, as you may be guessing, the URL was the first one I linked to above.

posted by CitrusFreak12 to bugs at 6:22 AM (17 comments total)

Hmm, the Steam ID link seems to not be working. Can you check to see if that's the right number? I just tried setting up my Steam ID on Mefi and it worked okay.
posted by Dr-Baa at 6:38 AM on April 18

CitrusFreak12, your numeric Steam ID is 76561197983304585. I found it by hovering over the "Add to your friends list" link at your working profile. Not all users have a username-based profile like you do, that's why we're going with numeric IDs. Sounds like we need to come up with new instructions for finding that numeric ID that will work for everyone.
posted by pb at 6:53 AM on April 18

I'm not a Steam member, but I just created an account. Looks like the problem is stemming from whether or not people have a "custom URL" value set in their profile. Much like Flickr, this setting can be anything, it's not necessarily related to your username. Just browsing briefly around the MeFi group there it looks like almost everyone has a custom URL set, so maybe that is the way to go. I'm guessing finding that custom URL setting is easier than finding your numeric ID. But please weigh in here if you have a feeling about it one way or the other.

Sorry about the hassle with this. I don't use the service, and the best way to hook into another site isn't always immediately clear.
posted by pb at 7:10 AM on April 18

Personally, I'd prefer using the custom URL. It seems a lot more intuitive and easy to find than having to log into the Steam client and finding your long id number. Plus you wouldn't have to be physically at your computer with the Steam client installed to get the right info.

But as long as we know what the standard is, whatever makes it easier for pb is fine.
posted by gemmy at 9:42 AM on April 18

I'm all for custom URL, since the other option seems comparatively convoluted.

It really could be as simple as "copy and paste the url from your SteamID page." No need to try and make it a fancy form that automatically redirects you. I just like having it in a neat little button.
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 11:47 AM on April 18

I forgot to add, in case I wasn't entirely clear, that copying and pasting the entire URL would take care of the /profiles/ vs /id/ thing.

If a person creates a custom URL, then the link should still work. The only time we'd have a problem is if someone enters their custom URL, and then changes their custom URL to a new one. But I figure it's common sense that people doing this would know enough to change the link in their MeFi profile, right?
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 11:50 AM on April 18

ok, we're back to using the /id/[some name] URLs. I updated the FAQ to include information about Steam custom URLs for folks who only have a numeric ID. I agree that finding your numeric ID is a pain and the custom URLs were designed specifically as an easy way to share your Steam profile. So let's go with that. Sorry again about the confusion.
posted by pb at 12:14 PM on April 18

My profile still has an error:

Medieval II: Total War
Played 0 hours past 2 weeks

This is a lie perpetrated by the Polish state to halt the beneficent northern advance of the Komnenian dynasty. The good people of Byzantium will endeavor to correct this and other untruths!
posted by cowbellemoo at 2:00 PM on April 18

cowbellemoo, I recognize your symptoms.
I was playing Medieval II compulsively and with great results (unless you're talking about real life).
while I didn't destroy the discs, I keep them at the bottom of a drawer that I rarely go into.
Total War: Empires looks terrifying to me.

while not a fanboi or anything, I think Steam's a pretty damned good product.
then again, my account hasn't been stolen or anything, either.
posted by Busithoth at 2:52 PM on April 18

Incorrect SteamID link April 18, 2008 6:22 AM Subscribe

Incorrect SteamID link
April 18, 2008 6:22 AM Subscribe