### Facebook's New Monetization Strategy: Charging for Link Sharing In December 2025, Facebook (now under the parent company Meta) initiated a controversial test that could significantly alter how users share external links on the platform. The trial restricts users to sharing only two external links per month unless they subscribe to the paid service, Meta Verified, which costs approximately $14.99 per month. This move has raised concerns among creators and businesses who rely on link sharing for traffic and engagement, potentially reshaping the landscape of social media interaction on Facebook. The test is part of Meta's broader strategy to monetize its platform and encourage users to verify their accounts for enhanced features. ### Structure of the New Link Sharing Policy 1. **Link Sharing Limitations**: - Users without a Meta Verified subscription can only share **two external links per month**. This restriction applies to professional accounts and Pages [https://www.deccanchronicle.com/technology/posting-more-than-two-links-on-facebook-may-soon-cost-users-1924895]. 2. **Subscription Requirement**: - To share more than two links, users must subscribe to **Meta Verified**, which offers additional features and engagement opportunities [https://www.techjuice.pk/meta-may-start-charging-creators-just-for-pasting-a-link]. 3. **Impact on Creators and Businesses**: - The policy is expected to pressure creators and businesses to pay for verification, potentially limiting their organic reach and traffic [https://www.webpronews.com/meta-tests-facebook-link-limits-sparking-creator-backlash]. 4. **Testing Phase**: - This is a **limited test** affecting a select group of users, and the results will help Meta assess the value of link sharing for verified accounts [https://www.techbooky.com/facebook-tests-new-link-sharing-limits-for-pro-accounts]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **User Engagement Metrics**: A report from Meta indicated that linked posts accounted for only **1.9%** of Facebook's total views, a significant drop from **9.8%** in 2022, suggesting that limiting link sharing may not drastically impact overall engagement [https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20251218-facebook-testing-link-posting-limit]. - **Subscription Plans**: The Meta Verified subscription offers different tiers, with the **Standard plan** at $14.99, the **Plus plan** at $49.99, and the **Premium plan** at $149.99, with the **Max plan** providing unlimited link posts [https://www.techtimes.com/articles/313468/20251218/meta-may-putting-facebook-links-behind-paywall-creators.htm]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Facebook's Link Sharing Test The recent testing of link sharing limitations on Facebook could have profound implications for users and content creators. 1. **Monetization Strategy**: Meta's move to monetize link sharing through a subscription model indicates a shift towards prioritizing paid features over organic reach. 2. **Creator Concerns**: Many creators fear that this policy will limit their ability to share content and engage with their audience, potentially leading to a decline in traffic and income. 3. **Future of Social Media**: As Meta continues to experiment with monetization strategies, the landscape of social media may evolve, favoring paid subscriptions over free access to features that were once standard. In summary, while the test aims to enhance the value of Meta Verified subscriptions, it raises significant concerns about accessibility and the future of content sharing on Facebook [https://observatorial.com/news/technology-and-science/1564264/facebook-is-testing-charging-for-sharing-external-links].