Facebook’s wants to turn basic link sharing into a paid feature

Facebook has begun experimenting with charging for one of its most basic features, link sharing. In a new test spotted by users, Meta is limiting how many links certain Facebook accounts can post unless they pay for a subscription.

Users who are part of Facebook’s professional mode or who run Pages can only post two links in regular posts unless they subscribe to Meta Verified. The paid plan starts at $14.99 per month in the US.

This change lands as new research highlights how deeply Facebook is still woven into everyday online habits. It could have a direct impact on creators and businesses that use Facebook to share articles, products, or drive traffic elsewhere on the internet.

Why is Facebook putting limits on link sharing?

Meta confirmed the experiment and told TechCrunch that it is a “limited test” meant to understand whether the ability to post more links adds extra value for Meta Verified subscribers. While Meta states that publishers are not currently included in the test, many creators rely on professional mode profiles and Pages to reach their audiences.

According to social media strategist Matt Navarra, links in comments are still allowed, as well as affiliate links and links to other Meta-owned platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp.

Facebook’s own data may help explain the thinking. In a recent transparency report, Meta said more than 98% of feed views in the US come from posts without links. Posts with links account for a small share of views and are mostly seen from Pages that users already follow.

Navarra told the BBC that the move signals Meta’s broader push to monetize content distribution itself, calling it “the basic ability to send people to other parts of the internet” being placed behind a paywall. “Tests like this underline why building a business that’s overly dependent on any one platform’s goodwill is incredibly risky,” he said.

Such tactics are not new. Platforms like X have previously downplayed linked posts to keep users on their own services longer, and turned the verification checkmark into a monthly subscription. For now, this is still a test. But it adds to growing concerns of a future where even simple actions on social platforms may come with a price.