In a significant move that could reshape how users share content online, Meta has begun testing a new restriction on its flagship platform, Facebook. The experiment places a daily cap on the number of external links that users without a paid subscription can share in their organic posts.
What Does The New Facebook Test Involve?
The core of the test is a strict limitation: free Facebook users are restricted to posting only two external links per day. Once this daily quota is reached, the platform prompts users to purchase a "Meta Verified" subscription to continue sharing links from the wider web. This subscription service starts at $14.99 per month.
Social media strategist Matt Navarra brought this test to public attention after numerous users reported encountering the restriction over the past week. He shared screenshots confirming the change. In a post on Threads, Navarra expressed surprise, writing: "WOW! Facebook is testing limiting the number of links people can share without a Meta Verified subscription."
Key Details and Exceptions to the Rule
Meta has confirmed this is a limited test. The company stated its goal is "to understand whether the ability to publish an increased volume of posts with links adds additional value for Meta Verified subscribers." The test, which began for some users on December 16, primarily affects those using professional mode and individuals managing Facebook Pages.
Importantly, not all sharing is blocked. The test includes several key exceptions:
- Free users can still post affiliate links without limits.
- Users can comment with links freely, as comments are not affected.
- Cross-platform sharing within Meta's ecosystem remains free. This means posting links to Instagram, WhatsApp, or other Facebook posts is unrestricted.
- Publishers are currently excluded from this test.
Potential Impact on Creators and The Web
This strategic move gates a fundamental feature of the open web—sharing external content—behind a monthly paywall. If implemented widely, it would directly impact creators, brands, and small businesses that rely on sharing links to their blogs, websites, or other platforms to drive traffic and reach their audience.
Faced with a two-link limit, these users may be forced to either post content directly on Meta's platforms once they hit the cap or pay for the Meta Verified subscription. This aligns with a broader industry trend where platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have also reduced the reach of posts with external links to keep users engaged on-site.
Meta's own data, from its Q3 transparency report, shows that over 98% of feed views in the US come from posts without links. Only 1.9% of views were on link posts, most of which came from Pages users already followed. This data may have influenced the decision to test limiting what it sees as a low-volume activity.
The report also noted that YouTube, TikTok, and GoFundMe were the most frequently shared link domains. As AI summaries and in-platform content grow, this test adds fuel to the ongoing debate about the future of the link-based web and how social platforms monetize user engagement.
