Meta Tests User Fees for Sharing Links, Possibly Dealing a Blow to Publishers
Meta, the company behind Facebook, is conducting a limited test where profiles without a Meta Verified account could be restricted to sharing only two external web links per month.
The Trial's Parameters
This pilot program at present includes a subset of Facebook pages operating in Professional Mode, which is typically utilized by creators and influencers to monetize their posts. Although publishers are excluded from this trial, the broader impact could prove substantial.
"Beginning 16 December, some Facebook accounts without Meta Verified will be restricted to posting two organic posts per month."
Stepping Back from News
This action comes after Meta's multi-year strategic withdrawal from news distribution. Media consultants note that after ending deals to pay publishers and restricting news sharing in Canada, Meta has signaled strongly that news is not a priority.
Media companies already experienced a steep decline in website visitors following a policy change last year to show less news in favor of short-form and engaging video. Although visits were starting to rebound in 2024, it was still lower by approximately half compared to the previous year.
Driving Verified Sign-ups
This latest trial is understood to be a wider effort to encourage users to sign up for Meta Verified. This subscription service ranges in price from £9.99 to nearly £400 monthly and provides additional perks like a blue checkmark and improved account protection.
- Meta's spokesperson stated: "This is a small experiment to see if the option to post an increased volume of posts with links provides extra benefit for paying users."
- Some experts suggest this move to charge for reach may be linked to Meta's costly investments in other areas, like the metaverse and AI.
Could News Benefit Elsewhere?
Interestingly that earlier in the year, Meta stated it would take towards a tailored feed for news and politics. Subsequent analysis indicated this may have led to more news content reappearing in feeds for some users.
As one instance, traffic from Facebook to certain newspaper websites was said to increase significantly in the early months of this year.
Ultimately, this trial underscores the ongoing tension between giant tech networks seeking fresh income sources and publishers that rely on them for readers and visibility.
