Meta Tests Charging Users for Posting Web Links, Possibly Striking a Hard Blow to Publishers
Meta, the company behind Facebook, is running a small-scale trial where profiles without a Meta Verified account could be restricted to posting just two links to other sites per month.
The Trial's Parameters
This pilot program at present includes a subset of Facebook pages using Professional Mode features, which is typically utilized by content creators to monetize their posts. Although publishers are excluded from this trial, the long-term implications could prove substantial.
"Beginning 16 December, certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified will be limited to sharing two free posts per month."
Stepping Back from News
This action comes after years of Meta strategic withdrawal from hosting news content. Industry analysts note that after ending deals to pay publishers and restricting news sharing in Canada, Meta has made it clear that news is no longer strategic.
Publishers already experienced a steep decline in online traffic following a 2023 decision to de-prioritise news in favor of short-form and engaging video. While traffic had been recovering in 2024, it remained down by around 50% compared to the previous year.
Driving Verified Sign-ups
The new test is seen as part of a wider effort to encourage users to subscribe to Meta Verified. This subscription service ranges in price from £9.99 to nearly £400 monthly and offers extra features like a blue checkmark and enhanced security.
- Meta's spokesperson stated: "This is a limited test to understand whether the option to post an increased volume of posts with links adds additional value for Meta Verified subscribers."
- Analysts theorize this shift towards monetization may be connected with Meta's costly investments in other areas, like the virtual reality and AI.
A Potential Silver Lining?
Interestingly that in January, Meta announced a shift towards a tailored feed for news and politics. Later reports indicated this may have led to more news content reappearing in feeds for some users.
For example, traffic from Facebook to certain newspaper websites reportedly grew by a notable margin in the first part of 2025.
In the end, this test highlights the continuing struggle between social media platforms seeking fresh income sources and publishers that rely on them for traffic and audience reach.
