Hajra Naz
Meta is testing a new feature that limits the number of links users can post on Facebook unless they subscribe to Meta Verified, the company’s paid membership program.
The test has been noticed by several users over the past week. Social media strategist Matt Navarra reported that users participating in the test can only post two links unless they pay for Meta Verified, which starts at $14.99 per month.
Screenshots shared by Navarra indicate that users can still post affiliate links, comments, and links to other Meta platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Meta confirmed the experiment, saying it applies to users in professional mode and those managing Facebook Pages. Professional mode allows personal profiles to become creator accounts and makes content more discoverable to wider audiences.
A Meta spokesperson said.
“This is a limited test to understand whether the ability to publish an increased volume of posts with links adds additional value for Meta Verified subscribers.”
The test could directly affect creators, brands, and marketers who regularly post links to blogs, websites, or external platforms to reach their audiences. Users who reach the limit would need to either subscribe to Meta Verified or rely on posting links on Meta-owned platforms to continue sharing externally.
Meta clarified that publishers are not part of this test, and users can still post links in comments without restriction.
Read More: Meta has launched a new tool to help Facebook creators protect their reels from theft.
The experiment may be influenced by data from Meta’s Q3 transparency report, which found that over 98% of feed views in the U.S. come from posts without links. Only 1.9% of views were generated by posts with links, mostly from pages that users followed. Links shared by friends and groups contributed minimally to feed engagement.
The report also highlighted that the most shared external domains included YouTube, TikTok, and GoFundMe. Limiting link posts could nudge creators to prioritize posting content natively on Meta platforms instead of external websites.
This move reflects a broader trend across social media. As AI-powered search and content summarization reshape the internet, link-based engagement has declined. Platforms like X have experimented with demoting linked posts to encourage users to create and share native content directly within the platform. Meta’s new test appears to continue that trend while exploring ways to increase the value of its paid subscription.
