Concerns Emerge Among B.C. Promoters Over Facebook’s Link Limitation Experiment
Published 2:00 pm Saturday, January 24, 2026
Event organizers on Vancouver Island are expressing significant apprehension regarding a nascent Meta initiative that may dramatically alter their promotional strategies.
As of early 2026, Meta has begun testing a scheme that restricts select Facebook users to a mere two external link posts each month, unless upgraded to a paid Meta Verified subscription, which is priced from $11.99 monthly.
Though no formal announcement was released to the public, Meta did verify the trial to Victoria News, stating, “This is a limited test that does not include Canada at this time.”
This restriction predominantly targets Facebook pages and personal profiles operating in professional mode.
It is noteworthy that not all link types are subject to these limitations; users can still post unlimited links within comment sections and share links to Meta-owned platforms like Instagram or additional Facebook content.
Despite the limitation affecting only a portion of users in the UK and the U.S., local promoter Margo Smafts became aware of the situation and voiced her concerns in a community Facebook group.
“As a burgeoning promotions company on Vancouver Island/Vancouver, this alteration could profoundly hinder our progress as we strive to establish our presence in the communities we aim to serve,” stated Smafts, co-owner of Lovefest Productions alongside her husband Kevin. “Certainly, this cap would be detrimental to our efforts.”
Furthermore, as of early 2026, Meta’s automated systems are increasingly adept at analyzing images and comments to identify links, further diminishing a post’s visibility.
Smafts emphasizes that this adds another layer of complexity to the intricate landscape of event promotion. “Securing and maintaining a venue in Victoria is already exceedingly challenging. The licensing requirements present monumental hurdles for small independent promoters,” she articulated.
“Compounded with the hesitance of community pages to share our event advertisements, the situation becomes arduous from multiple fronts.”
Pablo Cardenas, a well-established jazz musician and self-promoter, shares his viewpoint, noting that the principal hurdle encountered on social media is the overwhelming influx of information and distractions.
He asserts that link limitations would represent a “significant disadvantage,” given that these links are vital for connecting audiences with essential information.
While he remains cautiously optimistic regarding the potential financial implications should this test be enacted, he does not wholly reject the premise.
“If necessary adjustments lead to greater efficiency overall, then perhaps I would welcome them.”
Cardenas’s marketing approach has evolved through extensive trial and error; he finds that employing robust content, particularly video, alongside email campaigns and paid advertisements, has proved beneficial.
He also values traditional marketing avenues—such as print, television, radio, and networking—given Victoria’s comparatively smaller demographic.
He highlights numerous challenges faced by event promoters in today’s environment. “One notable obstacle is that audiences seem less motivated to attend events regularly, overwhelmed by the myriad entertainment options available online,” he remarked.
Cardenas advocates for enhanced support from local organizations, urging them to facilitate better advertising access for promoters in this challenging milieu. “Venues must collaborate effectively with organizers,” he noted.
“Essential conversations and more constructive practices are imperative. In the meantime, ensuring that each event is of exceptional quality is crucial for sustainability.”
Source link: Summerlandreview.com.
