Facebook tests paid tier to increase link-sharing limits for posts

Facebook, owned by Meta, is reportedly conducting a limited test in the UK and US that would restrict the number of links users can share in posts unless they subscribe to a paid plan starting at £9.99 per month. The test appears to target creators and pages who frequently post links, with notifications indicating that some users will be limited to two links per month unless they subscribe. Meta describes the test as an attempt to understand whether allowing a higher volume of link sharing provides additional value to subscribers. Industry voices, including social media expert Matt Navarra, interpret the move as part of Meta’s broader strategy to monetize features and distribution, effectively tying content reach and traffic to a paid tier. The discussion situates this test within a wider context of platform monetization, echoing changes seen previously on Twitter/X, where verification and features have been tied to paid models. Meta notes that the test extends to its professional mode and Pages, platforms popular with creators and businesses for promoting content and gathering performance insights. Critics argue that such measures reinforce the notion that Facebook is shifting away from being a reliable traffic engine, nudging creators to rely more on Meta’s ecosystem and services. Overall, the article frames the development as part of a broader trend of subscription-based access to growth features on major social networks.