Facebook is limiting business pages to two external links a month, and links in comments count too. Once you've used your two, you'll need a paid Meta One subscription to share more. The good news is there are seven free ways to keep sending people to your website, online store or booking page. Set up your page properly, use events and stories, and add a comment-to-message automation before the limit reaches your page.

I share a lot of links. In a normal week I might send people to a digital product, a new blog post, a podcast episode, tickets for my next workshop and a YouTube video. So when the Facebook link limit started rolling out, I knew straight away it was going to affect me.

Facebook business pages now get two external links a month for free. If you rely on Facebook to send people to your website or online store, you'll run out fast. Here's what's changing, what counts, and seven free ways to work around it.

What is the Facebook link limit?

In September, Meta launched a paid subscription for businesses called Meta One, and the link limit came with it. Free Facebook pages can now include links in up to two organic posts or comments a month. The allowance resets on the first of each month and doesn't roll over.

Once your two are used, Facebook shows a pop-up when you try to add another link, offering you a Meta One subscription. You can still post as much as you like. You just can't add an outside link.

It isn't a total surprise. Facebook has held back posts with links for years, and only a tiny share of views on Facebook go to posts with links at all. The limit is rolling out slowly, so if it hasn't reached your page yet, now's the time to get ready.

What counts towards your Facebook link limit?

The limit applies to external links, meaning any link that sends people off Facebook. That includes your website, booking page, online store, product pages and blog posts.

Links in comments count too. So if someone comments "I want to book" and you reply with your booking link, that uses one of your two.

Some links don't count:

• Links to Instagram, WhatsApp, and other Facebook posts or pages

• Supported affiliate links

• Extra links in the comments of a post that already has a link

7 free ways to get around the Facebook link limit

Most of these are set-and-forget. You do them once and they keep working for you.

1. Add a link in your bio

Create one page that lists everything you want people to do. Mine is my link in bio page, with my next workshop, my freebies, the Society waitlist, my online shop, my podcast and my email sign-up. You can build one on your website or use a tool like Linktree.

Then add it to your page. Click About, then the pencil icon, and paste in your link. Start it with www so Facebook knows it's a website.

2. Change your action button

Every Facebook page has a big main button. Switch to your page, click the three dots, choose Action button, and set it to Learn more with your website or link in bio page. Pick whatever action makes sense for your business, as long as it gets people where you do business.

3. Fill in your links section

Your page can show up to 10 links in its links section, each with a short description. Think about the key places you want to send people: a lead magnet like one of your freebies, your most popular products, or your online store.

4. Use your cover image

When someone clicks your cover image, they see its description, and any links in there are clickable. You can even design your cover with "click here" text so it looks like a button. I suspect updating the description will count towards your links, so plan when you change it.

5. Create a Facebook event

Events come with their own ticket link, and you can add more links in the description. They work for more than workshops, too. A Black Friday sale, an open home or a week-long promotion can all be an event.

6. Post Facebook Stories with a link

If your stories flow through from Instagram, you're missing this one. Create a story for Facebook in Meta Business Suite and add a website link. Stories are mostly seen by people who already follow you, so they're great for selling to your existing audience.

7. Set up a comment-to-message automation

Ask people to comment a word on your post, like SHOP or BOOK. Facebook then sends them your link in a private message automatically. You used to need a paid tool like ManyChat for this. Now it's free in Meta Business Suite, under Inbox, then Automations, then Comment to message. Here's my full setup video.

Should you pay for Meta One?

If you want more links, you'll need a Meta One subscription. Be careful, though. The cheapest plan, Essential, doesn't give you any extra Facebook links. You need the Advanced plan at US$49.99 a month, which gets you eight Facebook links and four Instagram links a month.

If that's small change for you, go for it. Personally, I'd rather spend that money on ads. My organic reach on Facebook is pretty low, so paying for a link that hardly anyone sees doesn't make sense to me. Fifty dollars on a well-targeted ad puts your link in front of the people you want to reach.

What I'd do this week

Set up your bio link, action button and links section first. They take about 15 minutes and work for every visitor to your page. Then add a comment-to-message automation so you're ready when the limit reaches you. Save your two real links each month for the posts that bring in money.

Facebook will keep changing the rules. If you'd like to hear about changes like this as they happen, click here to join the Social Smarty Scoop, my free weekly email for business owners doing their own social media.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many links can a Facebook business page post per month?

Free Facebook business pages can include external links in two posts or comments per month. The allowance resets on the first of each month and unused links don't roll over. Paid Meta One plans increase the limit.

Do links in comments count towards the Facebook link limit?

Yes. A link you add in a comment uses one of your two monthly links, including links you reply to people with. The exception is extra links in the comments of a post that already has a link in it.

Do links to Instagram or WhatsApp count towards the limit?

No. Links to Meta's own platforms, including Instagram, WhatsApp and other Facebook posts or pages, are unlimited. Supported affiliate links don't count either.

How do I get around the Facebook link limit for free?

Add a link in your page bio, set your action button to your website, and fill in your page's links section. You can also use your cover image, Facebook events, Facebook Stories and a comment-to-message automation in Meta Business Suite.

Is Meta One worth paying for to get more Facebook links?

It depends on your budget. The Advanced plan costs US$49.99 a month and gives you eight Facebook links a month. For most small businesses, that money will reach more people as a well-targeted Facebook ad.