Meta Trials User Fees for Sharing Links, Possibly Dealing a Blow to Publishers
Meta, the company behind Facebook, is conducting a limited test where users without a Meta Verified account could be restricted to posting just two external web links per month.
Details of the Test
This pilot program at present includes a selection of Facebook profiles operating in Professional Mode, which is often used by creators and influencers to monetize their posts. While news organizations are not part of this test, the broader impact could be significant.
"Beginning 16 December, certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified will be limited to sharing two free posts per month."
Stepping Back from News
This move follows years of Meta deliberately retreating from news distribution. Industry analysts point out that after ending deals to pay publishers and restricting news sharing in Canada, Meta has made it clear that news is no longer strategic.
Media companies previously faced a steep decline in website visitors following a policy change last year to de-prioritise news in favor of more videos and viral content. Although visits were starting to rebound in 2024, it remained down by approximately half compared to the previous year.
Driving Verified Sign-ups
This latest trial is understood to be a broader campaign to persuade people to subscribe to Meta Verified. This paid tier ranges in price from ÂŁ9.99 to almost four hundred pounds monthly and offers extra features like a blue checkmark and enhanced security.
- Meta's spokesperson stated: "This is a small experiment to understand whether the option to post an increased volume of posts with links adds additional value for Meta Verified subscribers."
- Some experts suggest this move to charge for reach may be linked to Meta's costly investments in other areas, like the virtual reality 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. Subsequent analysis indicated this could have resulted in more news content showing up again for some users.
For example, traffic from Facebook to some major sites was said to increase by a notable margin in the first part of 2025.
Ultimately, this test highlights the ongoing tension between social media platforms seeking new revenue streams and news organizations that rely on them for traffic and audience reach.
