What is the difference between friend and fan on Facebook?

[Angela]

Is it the way you set up your facebook? Do you have that option when you first sign up? I want to be Michael Phelps friend but I can only be a fan and you can't do as many things on their page.

[kaire]

A friend is being connected through their Facebook profile. A fan is being connected through their Facebook Page. Most likely you came across Michael Phelps' Page -- which is a page that celebrities/athletes/bands etc put up so that fans can keep up with their activity.

"Regular" people have Facebook profiles (like you or me). Michael Phelps also has a regular Facebook profile, but I heard he's not accepting friend requests anymore. I think he reached the max friends already so you can't be his friend -- you can only connect with him as a fan on his Page.