Meta Tests Paywall for Link Sharing on Facebook, Angering Creators Creators and publishers have long been concerned about Meta’s power to limit the reach of links to external websites. Now, the company is running a test that essentially puts the ability to share links behind a subscription paywall for many Facebook creators. In this experiment, having a Meta Verified subscription determines how many links a creator can share from their profile each month. A screenshot shared by social media consultant Matt Navarra shows a notification sent to creators in the test. It states that certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified, including theirs, will be limited to sharing links in just two organic posts per month. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the test to Engadget. It is currently affecting an unspecified number of creators and pages using Facebook’s professional mode. Publishers are not part of this initial test. The spokesperson described it as a limited test to understand if allowing more posts with links provides extra value for Meta Verified subscribers. While Meta is framing this as a small experiment, it represents a significant potential shift. Many creators and small businesses depend on Facebook to drive traffic to their own websites, online stores, or other content. Severely restricting that ability could deal a major blow to their operations. This move is likely to deepen existing frustrations. Many creators are already unhappy that Meta reserves features like improved customer support and account protection for those who pay for Meta Verified, which starts at $14.99 per month. Turning a fundamental function like link-sharing into a premium feature would likely provoke even stronger backlash, reinforcing concerns that Meta is increasingly locking essential tools behind a subscription. The test highlights the ongoing tension between platforms and creators who rely on them. As social media companies seek new revenue streams, features once considered basic utilities for building an audience online may become paid add-ons, changing the economics of digital content creation.
