Facebook tests £9.99/month plan to cap posts with links
Meta runs a paid tier test that limits how many links you can share on Facebook and Instagram, signaling a shift toward monetizing distribution and traffic.
Facebook is running a test that limits how many clickable links users can include in posts, with a paid tier priced at £9.99 per month offering more publishing capacity.
Some users in the United Kingdom and the United States saw notices indicating that basic link sharing is restricted, while subscribing could unlock higher limits. Meta says this is a limited experiment to evaluate whether allowing more link-rich posts adds value for paying subscribers.
Overview
Industry experts describe the move as a step toward monetizing more parts of the platform rather than a simple verification change.
Matt Navarra, a well-known social media consultant, says the change reflects Meta's broader effort to monetize additional features.
Navarra explains that the plan is less about identity verification and more about bundling essential tools behind a paid subscription, including the ability to direct more traffic to external sites.
Meta Verified — the blue verification badge with enhanced support and impersonation protection — already exists, and the company now hints at extending that approach to content distribution.
Previously, Meta rolled out test versions of similar concepts. In this iteration, some users were told they would be limited to two linked posts per month unless they opt into the paid tier. For creators and businesses relying on Facebook for growth, this sends a clear signal that access to posting more links may come with a price tag.
Impact on creators and brands
The change underscores Meta's preference to optimize for its own ecosystem first, raising questions about how much traffic a business can reliably generate from a single platform.
Meanwhile, other platforms are pursuing their own versions of verification and paid access. The European Union has taken action against similar practices on other networks, showing regulators are watching these moves closely.
The current test is limited to a small set of users using professional mode or Pages, tools commonly used by creators and companies to promote content and analyze performance.
Experts say this development highlights the risk of relying too much on a single platform for traffic and growth.
Expert commentary
Expert opinion: Social media consultant Matt Navarra notes that the paid access approach makes monetization explicit and raises concerns about how businesses plan their reach across platforms.
Summary
Meta is testing a paid path to increase or restrict link sharing, signaling a shift toward monetizing distribution rather than mere posting. The change could affect how creators strategize traffic and how brands manage social campaigns. Diversifying across platforms remains a smart long-term approach.
Key takeaway: Meta is experimenting with a paid approach to limit or unlock link sharing, signaling a move to monetize content distribution and highlighting the risk of platform dependence. BBC Coverage
Discover the latest news and current events in Economics as of 19-12-2025. The article titled " Facebook tests £9.99/month plan to cap posts with links " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the Economics field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.
The information in " Facebook tests £9.99/month plan to cap posts with links " helps you make better-informed decisions within the Economics category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.