Facebook is testing a system that charges users for sharing web links, in a move that could prove to be a further blow to news outlets and other publishers.
Meta, the social media platform’s owner, said it is carrying out a “limited test” in which those without a paid Meta Verified subscription, costing at least £9.99 a month, can only post two external links a month.
The test appears to involve a subset of Facebook pages and user profiles on Professional Mode, which includes features used by content creators to monetise their posts.
News organisations are not included in the test. However, the move could hit newsrooms and other media publishers as it may stop their users from sharing their content.
The latest trial is part of a campaign to find ways of encouraging Facebook users to sign up to Meta Verified, which costs from £9.99 up to almost £400 per month per profile depending on the tier. It offers extra account features and security.
It boggles my fucking mind that anyone still uses Meta platforms. They sound like such a trash heap now. Is it a mixture of low expectations and and unwillingness to adopt something new?
I don’t use Facebook and I miss out on a lot. Party invitations are there, school events are there, and Craigslist has been completely supplanted by Marketplace
For most people I’ve talked to it’s usually the “It’s the only way to keep up with (friends family etc)” excuse.
Facebook absolutely sucks. I deleted my account in 2019 but I do understand where people are coming from… It was once a decent(ish) place when I joined around 2007/8, but it’s just not worth the bullshit anymore.
Would be nice if there is ever an alternative to come along (pref open source) that everyone can agree on that isn’t so shitty, but I doubt that’ll happen unless fb burns to the ground first.
Mostly because everyone else is also there, and unwilling to change.
Nice! It’s a good way to stop people from using Facebook as a source. Or… using Facebook.
Facebook content is already posted mostly by bots. I guess question is if those bot owners are willing to pay up ans then FB could cash in a bit on all the AI shite, Russian disinformation, scams, etc.
Being the first social media to change users for sharing content is a bold move. I predict it won’t be a good move.
I guess someone could post a thumbnail of the article’s picture with a QR code leading to the article as a workaround.
For people saying there’s no alternative… Nothing is the alternative. Just get rid of it. Call or text your family once a week to keep in touch. Talk to your neighbours in person.
You know what doesn’t charge for links? Friendica.nyt.com . Piefed.cnn.com . Run a bot in CNN.sports, CNN.markets, CNN.entertainment, etc. go fucking nuts.
If Facebook becomes a subscription service, I will delete my account so fast it will change the Earth’s rotation. I only use Facebook for the messenger for a handful of people anyway.
Then just delete now. Be the change you want to see.
