Meta Tests User Fees for Sharing Links, Potentially Dealing a Blow to News Outlets
Meta, the company behind Facebook, is running a small-scale trial where profiles without a paid subscription may be limited to sharing only two links to other sites per month.
Details of the Test
This pilot program currently involves a selection of Facebook profiles using Professional Mode features, 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 prove substantial.
"Beginning 16 December, certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified will be restricted to posting two free posts per month."
Stepping Back from News
This action comes after Meta's multi-year strategic withdrawal from news distribution. Media consultants point out that after ending deals to pay publishers and blocking news links in Canada, Meta has made it clear that news is no longer strategic.
Publishers already experienced 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 around 50% compared to the previous year.
Driving Verified Sign-ups
The new test is seen as part of a broader campaign to encourage users 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.
- Meta's spokesperson stated: "This is a limited test to see if the ability to publish an greater number of posts with links provides extra benefit for paying users."
- Analysts theorize this shift towards monetization may be connected with Meta's expensive ventures in other areas, like the virtual reality and AI.
Could News Benefit Elsewhere?
Interestingly that in January, Meta stated it would take towards a more personalized approach for political content. Later reports indicated this could have resulted in increased publisher content reappearing in feeds for some users.
As one instance, traffic from Facebook to some major sites was said to increase by a notable margin in the first part of 2025.
In the end, this trial underscores the ongoing tension between giant tech networks seeking new revenue streams and news organizations that depend upon them for traffic and audience reach.
