Meta Tests User Fees for Sharing Links, Potentially Dealing a Blow to News Outlets
Facebook's parent company, Meta, is conducting a limited test where users without a paid subscription could be restricted to sharing only two links to other sites per month.
The Trial's Parameters
This experiment at present includes a selection of Facebook profiles operating in Professional Mode, which is typically utilized by creators and influencers to monetize their posts. Although publishers are excluded from this trial, the long-term implications could be significant.
"Beginning 16 December, certain Facebook profiles without Meta Verified will be limited to sharing two free posts per month."
Stepping Back from News
This action comes after years of Meta strategic withdrawal from news distribution. Media consultants note that after withdrawing from publisher payments and blocking news links in Canada, Meta has made it clear that news is no longer strategic.
Publishers already experienced a massive drop in online traffic following a 2023 decision to show less news in favor of more videos and viral content. Although visits were starting to rebound in 2024, it remained down by approximately half compared to the previous year.
The Push for Subscriptions
This latest trial is seen as part of a broader campaign to persuade people to sign up for Meta Verified. This paid tier costs from £9.99 to nearly £400 monthly and provides additional perks like a blue checkmark and enhanced security.
- Meta's spokesperson stated: "This is a limited test to see if the option to post an greater number of posts with links provides extra benefit for paying users."
- Analysts theorize this move to charge for reach may be connected with Meta's costly investments in other areas, like the virtual reality and AI.
A Potential Silver Lining?
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, traffic from Facebook to some major sites was said to increase by a notable margin in the early months of this year.
Ultimately, this test highlights the continuing struggle between social media platforms seeking new revenue streams and publishers that rely on them for traffic and audience reach.
