Meta is testing a paid subscription that limits how many links users can share on Facebook, raising concerns among creators and businesses about the future of free content distribution.
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| By limiting link sharing without a subscription, Meta is testing whether creators and businesses will pay to maintain visibility and traffic on Facebook. Image: CH |
Tech Desk – December 26, 2025:
Meta is quietly testing a change that could significantly alter how content spreads on Facebook, introducing limits on how many links users can share without paying a monthly subscription. The experiment, currently affecting a small group of users in the United States and the United Kingdom, suggests that even basic platform functions may no longer remain free for long.
Under the test, users who do not subscribe are restricted to sharing only a limited number of links each month. To remove that cap, users must pay $9.99 per month, an amount that translates to roughly 1,221 Bangladeshi taka. Meta has described the move as a limited trial designed to evaluate whether users are willing to pay for expanded link-sharing capabilities and whether additional charges could be introduced in the future.
Link sharing has long been one of Facebook’s core features, particularly for creators, publishers, and businesses that rely on the platform to drive traffic to external websites. Limiting this function marks a notable shift in how Meta views content distribution, signaling that traffic generation itself may now be considered a premium service.
Social media analyst Matt Navarra says the test reflects a broader monetization strategy rather than a short-term experiment. According to him, Meta is gradually moving essential features behind a paywall. What started with paid verification services offering blue ticks, enhanced account support, and protection against impersonation is now extending into fundamental tools that determine reach and visibility.
Navarra revealed that he recently received a notification stating he would be limited to sharing only two links per month without a subscription starting December 16. For creators and business owners who use Facebook as a growth engine, this could have direct financial consequences. He warned that anyone relying on Facebook to drive traffic or revenue may soon be forced to pay for what was once a standard feature.
Meta confirmed that the test is limited to select accounts using “Professional Mode” and those managing Facebook pages. These tools are primarily used by creators and businesses to promote content and analyze performance, meaning the impact is concentrated on users who depend on Facebook for reach rather than casual personal users.
Analysts say the move underscores a growing reality for the creator economy. As advertising growth slows, platforms are increasingly turning to subscriptions to boost revenue. However, this shift also increases the risks of platform dependence. If distribution itself becomes a paid feature, creators may need to rethink their reliance on any single social network.
The test also mirrors broader changes across the social media industry. After acquiring Twitter, now known as X, Elon Musk made verification a paid feature, sparking widespread debate. Meta later introduced its own paid verification service, reinforcing the idea that subscription-based access is becoming the norm rather than the exception.
While Meta insists the link-sharing limits are only a test, the implications are clear. As platforms prioritize profitability, the boundaries of free access continue to shrink. For creators and businesses, the experiment serves as a warning that visibility, traffic, and growth on major platforms may increasingly come at a direct cost.