Meta is experimenting with placing limits on how many links some users can share on Facebook posts, marking a potential shift in how the platform handles content distribution. Users in the UK and US have reported receiving notifications informing them that they can only share a set number of links each month unless they subscribe to Meta Verified, which starts at £9.99 per month.
Meta described the initiative as “a limited test to understand whether the ability to publish an increased volume of posts with links adds additional value” for subscribers. The company did not provide details on how long the test will last or how many users are involved.
Social media consultant Matt Navarra said the move signals Meta’s push to monetise additional features. “This isn’t really about verification as much as about bundling survival features behind a subscription,” he told the BBC. Meta Verified currently offers a blue tick, enhanced account support, and protection against impersonation on Facebook and Instagram.
Navarra explained that the company appears to be extending its paid model to content distribution itself. “If Facebook is a part of your growth or traffic strategy, that access now has a price tag attached to it,” he said, noting that creators and businesses could see limits on their ability to drive traffic to other websites unless they pay for a subscription.
The notification Navarra received specified that from 16 December, he would only be able to share two links per month in posts, highlighting the explicit nature of the test. Many users in professional mode or managing Pages, which are widely used by creators and businesses, are among those affected. These accounts often rely on Facebook to promote content and monitor engagement.
The test comes amid broader changes in social media, where paid verification and feature access are increasingly common. Meta’s move mirrors developments at X (formerly Twitter), where verification and boosted visibility are tied to subscription fees. Since Elon Musk’s overhaul of X’s verification system in 2022, similar models have been adopted by other platforms, despite controversy and regulatory scrutiny. The EU recently fined X €120m (£105m) over verification practices.
Navarra said the test reinforces a stark reality for content creators: Facebook is no longer a guaranteed source of traffic. “Meta will always optimise for Meta, first,” he noted. He added that creators and businesses need to be cautious about relying too heavily on a single platform, as policy changes can directly affect their reach and engagement.
Facebook confirmed to TechCrunch that the trial is limited to certain professional accounts and Pages, but did not provide further details. The test reflects Meta’s ongoing strategy to prioritise monetisation and platform control over free distribution, potentially reshaping how creators and businesses interact with its services.
