🔗 Share this article Facebook Tests Charging Users for Posting Web Links, Potentially Dealing a Blow to News Outlets Meta, the company behind Facebook, is conducting a limited test where users without a Meta Verified account may be limited to sharing only two external web links per month. The Trial's Parameters This pilot program currently involves a selection of Facebook profiles operating in Professional Mode, which is typically utilized by creators and influencers to earn money from their posts. Although publishers are excluded from this trial, the broader impact could be significant. "Starting 16 December, certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified will be restricted to posting two free posts per month." A History of Retreat This action comes after years of Meta strategic withdrawal from hosting news content. Industry analysts point out that after withdrawing from publisher payments and restricting news sharing in Canada, Meta has signaled strongly that news is not a priority. Publishers previously faced a massive drop in online traffic following a policy change last year to de-prioritise news in favor of short-form and engaging video. While traffic had been recovering in 2024, it was still lower by around 50% compared to the previous year. The Push for Subscriptions This latest trial is understood to be a broader campaign to persuade people to sign up for Meta Verified. This paid tier ranges in price from £9.99 to almost four hundred pounds monthly and offers extra features like a blue checkmark and enhanced security. A company representative said: "This is a small experiment to see if the ability to publish an greater number of posts with links adds additional value for Meta Verified subscribers." Some experts suggest this shift towards monetization may be linked to Meta's expensive ventures in other areas, like the metaverse and artificial intelligence. A Potential Silver Lining? Interestingly that earlier in the year, Meta stated it would take towards a tailored feed for news and politics. Later reports indicated this could have resulted in more news content showing up again for some users. For example, visitors referred by Facebook to certain newspaper websites reportedly grew by a notable margin in the first part of 2025. Ultimately, this test highlights the continuing struggle between social media platforms seeking new revenue streams and news organizations that rely on them for readers and visibility.