If you’ve posted a link on Facebook lately and thought, “Why does this feel harder than it used to?” — you’re not wrong.
Facebook is rolling out new link-sharing restrictions, and they’re already changing how creators and businesses show up online. If you’re a Canadian/US small or medium sized business owner, content creator, or marketer in Kelowna (or anywhere, really), this update affects how often you can share links — and how visible those posts actually are.
Let’s talk about what’s going on, why Facebook is doing this, and what you can realistically do about it.
So … What Changed on Facebook?
Meta is currently running a limited test restricting non-Meta Verified Pages and Professional Mode profiles to two organic posts with external links per month. Meta frames this as a way to test added value for Meta Verified subscribers, not an official permanent policy … yet.
The restriction applies to external link posts in the main feed. Other types of links — like links in comments, internal Meta URLs, or to Meta platforms — may not count against the limit.
Meta Verified subscriptions (starting ~US$14.99/mo for individuals with higher tiers for business) would remove or expand this limit.
The part that’s really caught everyone’s attention?
Being limited to just two organic link posts per month if not Meta Verified.
Yes. Two.
People have been sharing screenshots of this update across different countries, with different start dates (December 10th, December 16th, and more). That usually means it’s being rolled out slowly — and it’s probably here to stay.
Why Facebook is doing this? (no big mystery here)
Facebook wants people to stay on Facebook.
Links send users away — to your website, booking page, blog, or shop — and platforms have never loved that. In fact, link posts have had lower reach for years compared to text posts, images, or videos.
That’s why many marketers learned to:
- Post without a link
- Add the link in the first comment instead
Facebook noticed. And now it’s tightening the rules.
How Link Sharing Works Right Now (it’s a bit weird)
- You can still add links in comments on your own posts, and they’re clickable.
- Links added to other people’s posts often aren’t clickable anymore.
- Reach and visibility seem to depend on your account type.
So yes — it’s confusing and frustrating. And yes — Facebook is being Facebook.
Who Is Actually Affected? These changes mainly affect:
- Professional Mode personal profiles
- Business Pages
- Public Pages
Classic personal profiles aren’t affected right now, which is interesting — but most businesses and creators are already using Professional Mode or Pages anyway.
If you’re promoting services, sharing content, or running social media marketing in Canada or the US, this update likely applies to you.
What Types of Links are Being Limited?
Short answer: almost all of them.
- Website links
- Blogs
- Booking links
- Sales pages
- Lead magnets
- YouTube links
The exceptions?
- “Supported affiliate links” (still unclear what qualifies)
- Anything owned by Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)
If Facebook doesn’t benefit from the link, it’s probably not getting much love.
Yes … Meta Verified is Part of this.
This update makes Meta Verified a lot more appealing — on purpose.
Paying for Meta Verified can mean:
- Fewer posting restrictions
- A verified badge
- Better support
But for many businesses, that leads to a bigger question:
Do I really want to pay just to share links?
That’s why many businesses are shifting toward stronger content strategy, SEO, and not relying on a single platform to do all the heavy lifting. This is something Lexabi Communications helps businesses with — building visibility that doesn’t disappear every time an algorithm changes.
What this Means for Business Marketing (in real life)
Facebook isn’t useless — but the old “post a link and hope for clicks” approach is fading fast.
What does still work:
- Sharing helpful or interesting content first
- Nurturing the people that have invested in a like or follow with your business
- Posting things that start conversations
- Using links more intentionally (not in every post)
- Building email lists and SEO traffic you actually own
If links are limited, the focus shifts to trust, engagement, and consistency.
This update is a reminder of something we all learn eventually:
- You don’t own your audience on social media.
- Platforms change. Rules shift. Reach disappears overnight.
Is it still worth being on Facebook as a Small or Medium Sized Business?
Yes, being on Facebook can be worth it for most businesses. Here’s a few reasons why:
Massive user base and reach
- Facebook still has one of the largest global audiences of any social platform, and billions of users remain active monthly.
- If your target customers include older adults (35+), local buyers, or people who use Facebook for community and news, that audience is still engaged there.
Advertising remains a powerful tool
- Facebook’s advertising platform — via Meta Ads Manager — offers sophisticated targeting that can drive traffic, leads, and conversions even if organic link posts are limited.
- Small budgets often go further here than on newer platforms because targeting local or niche audiences is mature and precise
It’s useful for community building, not just traffic
- Tools like Facebook Events, Groups, and Messenger are direct engagement channels, letting you nurture relationships and move people into email lists or direct outreach.
- People still look for local businesses, reviews, and recommendations on Facebook — even if they don’t click external links.
Facebook is still valuable because of its reach, diverse engagement tools, and strong ad platform — but you shouldn’t treat external link posting as the only or primary metric of success. Focus instead on community, native engagement, paid ads, and creative content formats to maintain a presence that drives real business outcomes.
If you want help adjusting your strategy or figuring out what this means for your business specifically, that’s exactly the kind of thing Lexabi Communication works on every day.