Meta’s "Link Tax" is Here: Why your reach is about to tank (and how to fix it)

I’ve been digging into some pretty heavy updates from Meta, and if you’re still "posting and praying" with external links, you’re going to want to sit down for this. The "unlimited link" era is officially getting the axe.

Here’s the real talk on what’s changing right now and how we, as marketers, have to pivot.

The "Two-Link Rule" is live

Meta has started getting aggressive about keeping people on their platforms. They’ve begun throttling the reach of any account that overdoes it with external links.

• The Cap: If you aren't a verified Page or using a specific business tier, you're effectively limited to just two high-reach link posts per month.

• The Penalty: Push it past that, and the algorithm flags you as "low value." This doesn't just hurt that one post; it can tank your entire account’s visibility for weeks.

• The Workaround: For now, links in comments aren't being penalized the same way. The new play? Post a killer visual or a Reel, and drop the "meat" (the link) in the first comment.

They're cutting the cord on Feb 10th

This one is a bit more technical but just as annoying. Starting February 10, 2026, Meta is killing off those external "Like" and "Comment" plugins you see on blogs and news sites.

• What happens: Those buttons will just... disappear or turn into invisible 0x0 pixel elements.

• The Why: They want to stop the "data leak" and force users back into the Meta ecosystem to engage.

The regional "Blackouts" are spreading

If you have an audience in Canada or Australia, things are even more intense.

• In Canada, the block on news links is still going strong with no sign of letting up.

• In Australia, the recent under-16 social media ban has already wiped out over 500k accounts this month alone. It’s a total shift in how content goes viral in those regions.

My Take: Stop being a "Leaky Bucket"

We can't rely on sending people away from FB or IG anymore. Here’s what I’m doing with my own strategy:

1. Save the "Big Links": Only post a direct link for your absolute biggest wins—launches, big announcements, or high-ticket sales.

2. Use Keyword Triggers: Instead of a link, tell people to "Comment 'READY'" and use an automation to DM them the link. It keeps the algorithm happy because it looks like "meaningful conversation".

3. Think "In-Platform": Start building more "zero-click" content where the value is right there in the post, rather than forcing a click.

Are you guys seeing your reach drop when you post links lately, or have you already switched to the "link in bio/comments" method?