Facebook is testing a new restriction that limits how many links some users can share, unless they pay a monthly subscription starting at £9.99.
Notifications sent to a small group of users in the UK and US indicate that, without a subscription, they will be allowed to share only two links per month in Facebook posts. Meta confirmed the move is part of a limited test.
A Meta spokesperson said the trial is designed to assess “whether the ability to publish an increased volume of posts with links adds additional value” for subscribers.
Social media analyst Matt Navarra said the test signals Meta’s broader push to monetise core platform features, beyond verification.
“This isn’t really about verification anymore,” Navarra said. “It’s about putting basic survival features, like sending people to other websites, behind a paywall.”
Meta already offers Meta Verified, a paid subscription that provides a blue tick, enhanced support and impersonation protection on Facebook and Instagram. Navarra believes the company is now extending paid access to content distribution, a critical tool for creators and businesses.
He revealed he received a notification stating that, from 16 December, he would be restricted to two shared links per month without subscribing.
“For creators and businesses, the message is clear,” he said. “If Facebook is part of your growth or traffic strategy, access now comes with a price tag.”
Meta confirmed to TechCrunch that the test applies to a select group of users operating Pages or Professional Mode, tools commonly used by creators and businesses to promote content and track performance.
Navarra warned that the move reinforces a “brutal reality” for publishers and creators relying on Facebook for traffic.
“Facebook is no longer a dependable traffic engine,” he said. “Meta will always optimise for Meta first and this is a reminder of the risks of building a business too dependent on one platform.”
