Meta restricts link posting for verified government pages in subscription trial

Meta is limiting the number of links government and nonprofit pages can share on Facebook, a change that is catching some organizations off guard. The company is currently testing whether link sharing should require a Meta One subscription, a move that appears to contradict earlier promises that these specific sectors would remain exempt from the new fee structure.

Daniel Starks, communications manager for Greenville, Texas, reported that the city library's Facebook page received a notice restricting it to two link posts per month. The page, which identifies the library as a government building and holds Meta verification, has already used both allotted links. To post further, the city would need to purchase a Meta One subscription starting at $50 per month. Starks noted that more than half of the city's digital communication relies on directing residents to its website for detailed information.

In response to the restriction, Starks instructed staff to place URLs in the comments section of posts rather than the main body. He also created a graphic to inform followers of the change. Starks described the situation as problematic, stating that paywalling official government information through a basic link function is a significant hurdle for public entities trying to communicate urgent updates.

Small nonprofits are experiencing similar difficulties. Bethany English, co-president of the East Side Pawject in Indianapolis, found that her group could not add a website link to a recent event post because the two monthly links were already used. Her organization, which has just under 1,000 followers, relies on the page to help people find pet food pantries and volunteer. English is considering using dedicated Facebook events or asking board members to share links from their personal profiles, which are not subject to the same limits.

Meta has experimented with paid linking for nearly a year, initially as part of Meta Verified and now as a feature of its AI-focused Meta One plans. The current pricing structure offers eight links for $49.99, 20 links for $149.99, and unlimited links for $499.99. Jeff Bannister, marketing manager at the North Carolina nonprofit SparkPoint, called the $50 price point for eight links excessive, noting that the return on investment for many small groups appears negative.

Confusion persists regarding the rules. Some users can still post links in comments, while others cannot. Meta's help center does not explicitly state that the link restriction is a test. David Diskin, president of California Freethought Day, was quoted varying prices for link tiers earlier this month, days before his organization's main event. The restriction was lifted this week without an official explanation, after his fundraiser had already passed.

A Meta spokesperson said the company is testing whether link sharing should be part of the Meta One subscription and will adjust the experience based on feedback. In an update on October 23, the spokesperson clarified that pages must list 'nonprofit' in the category section of their Facebook profile for the system to recognize them. It is not yet clear why organizations that state their status in other ways or use Meta's fundraising tools are not automatically identified.