Social media platforms are tightening restrictions on external links to encourage users to stay within their ecosystems. Meta, for instance, has imposed limits on how many hyperlinks a Facebook Page can post monthly, raising questions about the trade-offs between user experience and platform control. The move reflects a broader industry trend where companies prioritize engagement within their own sites over directing traffic elsewhere. Critics argue such policies could stifle free expression and independent content sharing.
Social media sites aren't the biggest fans of people leaving via hyperlinks. In fact, Meta has made it subscription-worthy for a Facebook Page to post more than two hyperlinks per month. What's the rationale for companies want to keep you on their site?
