Facebook Tests User Fees for Posting Web Links, Potentially Dealing a Blow to News Outlets
Facebook's parent company, Meta, is running a small-scale trial where users without a paid subscription could be restricted to sharing only two links to other sites per month.
Details of the Test
This pilot program at present includes a selection of Facebook profiles operating in Professional Mode, which is typically utilized by creators and influencers to monetize their posts. While news organizations are not part of this test, the broader impact could prove substantial.
"Starting 16 December, certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified will be limited to sharing two free posts per month."
A History of Retreat
This action comes after Meta's multi-year deliberately retreating from news distribution. Media consultants 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.
Media companies already experienced a steep decline in online traffic following a 2023 decision to show less news in favor of more videos and viral content. While traffic had been recovering in 2024, it remained down by around 50% compared to the previous year.
Driving Verified Sign-ups
This latest trial is understood to be a broader campaign to persuade people to sign up for Meta Verified. This subscription service costs from £9.99 to nearly £400 monthly and offers extra features like a verified badge 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 provides extra benefit for Meta Verified subscribers."
- Analysts theorize this shift towards monetization may be linked to Meta's costly investments in other areas, like the virtual reality and AI.
A Potential Silver Lining?
Interestingly that in January, Meta stated it would take towards a more personalized approach for news and politics. Subsequent analysis indicated this may have led to increased publisher 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.
Ultimately, this test highlights the ongoing tension between social media platforms seeking fresh income sources and news organizations that rely on them for readers and visibility.
