Meta Trials Charging Users for Posting Web Links, Possibly Dealing a Blow to News Outlets
Facebook's parent company, Meta, is conducting a limited test where users without a paid subscription may be limited to sharing only two external web links per month.
Details of the Test
This experiment currently involves a selection of Facebook profiles operating in Professional Mode, which is typically utilized by content creators to monetize their posts. While news organizations are not part of this test, the broader impact could be significant.
"Beginning 16 December, some Facebook accounts without Meta Verified will be restricted to posting two organic posts per month."
Stepping Back from News
This action comes after Meta's multi-year strategic withdrawal from hosting news content. Media consultants point out that after withdrawing from publisher payments and restricting news sharing in Canada, Meta has signaled strongly that news is no longer strategic.
Publishers previously faced a steep decline in online traffic following a policy change last year to show less news in favor of more videos and viral content. While traffic had been recovering in 2024, it was still lower by approximately half compared to the previous year.
The Push for Subscriptions
This latest trial is seen as part of a wider effort to persuade people to subscribe to Meta Verified. This subscription service costs from ÂŁ9.99 to almost four hundred pounds monthly and offers extra features like a verified badge and improved account protection.
- A company representative said: "This is a limited test to see if the option to post an increased volume of posts with links provides extra benefit for Meta Verified subscribers."
- Some experts suggest this shift towards monetization may be connected with Meta's costly investments in other areas, like the metaverse and artificial intelligence.
Could News Benefit Elsewhere?
It is worth noting that earlier in the year, Meta announced a shift towards a tailored feed for political content. Later reports indicated this may have led to more news content showing up again for some users.
As one instance, visitors referred by Facebook to some major sites reportedly grew by a notable margin in the first part of 2025.
In the end, this test highlights the ongoing tension between social media platforms seeking new revenue streams and publishers that depend upon them for readers and visibility.
