🔗 Share this article

Meta, the company behind Facebook, is conducting a limited test where users without a Meta Verified account could be restricted to sharing only two external web links per month.

Details of the Test

This experiment at present includes a selection of Facebook profiles using Professional Mode features, which is typically utilized by content creators to earn money from their posts. While news organizations are not part of this test, the long-term implications could prove substantial.

"Starting 16 December, certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified will be limited to sharing two free posts per month."

A History of Retreat

This move follows years of Meta strategic withdrawal from hosting news content. Media consultants point out that after ending deals to pay publishers and restricting news sharing in Canada, Meta has signaled strongly that news is no longer strategic.

Media companies previously faced a steep decline in online traffic following a 2023 decision to show less news in favor of more videos and viral content. While traffic had been recovering in 2024, it was still lower by around 50% compared to the previous year.

Driving Verified Sign-ups

This latest trial is seen as part of a broader campaign to persuade people to sign up for Meta Verified. This paid tier ranges in price from £9.99 to almost four hundred pounds monthly and offers extra features like a blue checkmark and improved account protection.

• Meta's spokesperson stated: "This is a limited test to see if the option to post an increased volume of posts with links provides extra benefit for paying users."
• Analysts theorize this shift towards monetization may be connected with Meta's expensive ventures in other areas, like the metaverse and AI.

Could News Benefit Elsewhere?

It is worth noting that in January, Meta announced a shift towards a tailored feed for news and politics. Subsequent analysis indicated this may have led to more news content showing up again for some users.

As one instance, visitors referred by Facebook to some major sites was said to increase significantly in the first part of 2025.

In the end, this test highlights the ongoing tension between giant tech networks seeking new revenue streams and publishers that rely on them for readers and visibility.