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Meta is testing a new policy that changes how links are shared on Facebook. The experiment limits the number of links some users can include in posts. Creators without paid verification are the most affected. Under the test, users can post only two links per update. To exceed that limit, they must subscribe to Meta Verified, which starts at $14.99 per month. This shift highlights Meta’s growing focus on monetization. More importantly, Meta’s limiting on Facebook links reflect tighter control over outbound traffic.
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The test applies to users operating in professional mode and Facebook Pages. Professional mode allows personal profiles to function like creator accounts. It also enables wider content discovery across Facebook feeds. Despite these benefits, the new rule introduces friction. Brands and bloggers often rely on frequent link sharing. With fewer links allowed, promotion becomes harder. As a result, Meta’s restrictions on Facebook links may alter how creators structure their posts.
Meta has clarified that some link types are excluded from the restriction. Affiliate links are still permitted without limits. Links shared in comments are also unaffected. In addition, links pointing to Meta-owned platforms remain allowed. These include Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp posts. This approach clearly favours internal content circulation. Consequently, Meta’s limiting of Facebook links keeps users within its ecosystem longer.
Meta’s Limiting Facebook Links: Why Meta Is Testing This Policy
Meta says the experiment aims to understand subscriber value. The company wants to know whether expanded link access attracts more users to Meta Verified. According to Meta, this is a limited test. Publishers are not included at this stage. However, creators and brands feel the impact directly. Many depend on external platforms for traffic growth. In this context, Meta’s decision to limit Facebook links could reduce visibility for independent websites.
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The timing of the test is also significant. Meta’s transparency report shows most feed views come from posts without links. Over 98 per cent of U.S. feed views lacked external links. Linked posts generated far fewer impressions overall. Most of those views came from Pages I followed. Posts shared by friends and groups performed poorly. These insights may have influenced the experiment. Therefore, Meta’s limit on Facebook links aligns with engagement-driven design.
Social platforms increasingly prioritize native content. They want users to remain active within their apps. At the same time, AI summaries have weakened the traditional link-based web. For creators, this trend creates uncertainty. They must adapt content strategies to platform preferences. Ultimately, Meta’s limiting of Facebook links signals another step toward closed social ecosystems.
