Facebook is experimenting with a limit on how many links some users can share when they post on the platform. Certain users in the UK and the U.S. have stated they can only share a certain number of links in Facebook posts. Once they exceed the limit, users will have to pay $11.99 per month to be able to share more links.
Facebook testing subscription plan for link sharing posts
Facebook is testing a unique subscription plan wherein users will have to pay $11.99 per month. This has to be paid once they exhaust their limited quota of links. Meta revealed it is “a limited test to understand whether the ability to publish an increased volume of posts with links adds additional value”. (via BBC).
According to social media expert Matt Navarra, this is Meta’s way of monetizing several aspects of its platforms. He told BBC, “This isn’t really about verification as much as about bundling survival features behind a subscription.”
Notably, Mr. Navarra is one of the users who received a notification stating that, from December 16, he could only share two links a month.
Users are already aware that they have to pay a certain amount to get a certified blue tick on their Facebook and Instagram accounts. According to Mr. Navarra, Meta is taking this a step further and putting a price on their everyday social media features as well. He called it “the basic ability to send people” to other parts of the internet.
Additionally, Meta is urging its users to verify themselves and pay an additional amount to unlock more features. It is similar to how LinkedIn and X function as well.
Facebook told TechCrunch that its link-testing feature is especially extended to a select group. These include users or pages who use professional mode. These are tools for creators and businesses to promote their content and check how well it performs.
Mr. Navarra is wary of this move. He reasons, “For creators, it reinforces a pretty brutal reality that Facebook is no longer a reliable traffic engine. Meta is increasingly nudging it away from people trying to use it as one.”
The social media expert clarified that no matter what, “Meta will optimize for Meta first.” He added, “tests like this underline why building a business that’s overly dependent on any one platform’s goodwill is incredibly risky.”
Originally reported by Anwaya Mane on Mandatory.
