Once upon a time, a story emerged in Canada's digital realm that combined drama, data, and the ever-scrolling world of Facebook. It all started when Meta, a digital behemoth, restricted news connections. What's the catch? This move did not appear to have piqued the interest of Canadians as much as planned, as the Canadian government slammed Meta.
Picture this: Facebook, the land of posts, likes, and endless scrolling. Despite Meta's grand decision to put news links in a digital timeout, Canadians carried on with their Facebook adventures as if nothing had changed. It was as if they were watching an action-packed movie, totally immersed in their own storylines. Meta's news restriction in Canada became a digital stalemate in the ever-changing digital landscape.
Despite the news link blockage, data from tracking wizards demonstrated that Facebook usage remained consistent. Behind the digital curtain, data wizards from independent tracking organizations such as Similarweb and Data.ai peered. What did they discover? Daily active Facebook users in Canada remained steadfast, without moving an inch. How much time did you spend on the app? Unchanged, like a TV program character that refuses to leave their favorite coffee shop.
Meta, facing the heat from the Canadian government, could only watch as the data rolled in. Their decision to block news links seemed like a valiant knight's effort, but the users' response was more like a shrug—like when a superhero casually dodges a falling building without breaking a sweat.
What was all the commotion about? The Online News Act, enacted in Canada, required platforms such as Meta and Google's parent firm, Alphabet, to enter into agreements with Canadian news publishers. "Unworkable!" shouted Meta and Google. They stated that news was like that one character in a movie who only had 3% of the screen time and nearly no lines—it just didn't add up.
While the battle raged on, Facebook's landscape was transforming. News, once a mighty presence, was slowly fading away. Reports from the Reuters Institute and Pew Research Center told the tale of news consumption dropping dramatically in the digital world. It was like witnessing the story arc of a once-prominent character becoming a background extra.
But there was a twist. Even before Meta's prohibition on news links, Facebook's referrals to popular Canadian news sites were already down. Consider this drop to be a roller coaster ride that begins at the top, peaks, and then takes a spectacular plunge. In July, it was down 35% year on year and 74% since 2020.
But wait, there's more. Meta's transparency reports spilled the beans. It seemed news still held its ground on Facebook, at least in the United States. It was like that character who suddenly became the main protagonist. News websites popped up in the top 20 domains viewed on Facebook in the U.S., and news articles claimed 18 of the top 20 individual links.
As the digital tragedy unfolded, Meta's other platform, Instagram, had a more minor role in the news. It didn't like news links and didn't allow them in individual user posts. It was like a character that wanted not to be in the spotlight.
Fast forward to August—Meta's ban on news links was in full swing, at least in Canada. Meanwhile, Google had its own plan, aiming to block news from search results once the law kicked in. And while all this drama unfolded, the Canadian government accused Meta of serious brinkmanship. It was like watching a thrilling negotiation scene in a movie, with the stakes high and emotions intense.
New characters arose amid all of this. Pascale St-Onge, Canada's Heritage Minister, took the stage and spoke with Facebook and Google. The regulator in charge of enforcing the online journalism rules was preparing for a clash between news companies and internet behemoths. It was like the quiet before the storm, with plans for forced bargaining in 2025.
And so, the saga continued. The battle lines were drawn, with Meta facing criticism and data revealing Canadians' indifference to the news ban. It was a tale of digital drama, where news links fought for attention, users scrolled on undeterred, and the social media landscape continued to shift, just like the plot twists in your favorite binge-worthy series.
Read next: 70% of Brands Are Investing More into Product Placements
Picture this: Facebook, the land of posts, likes, and endless scrolling. Despite Meta's grand decision to put news links in a digital timeout, Canadians carried on with their Facebook adventures as if nothing had changed. It was as if they were watching an action-packed movie, totally immersed in their own storylines. Meta's news restriction in Canada became a digital stalemate in the ever-changing digital landscape.
Despite the news link blockage, data from tracking wizards demonstrated that Facebook usage remained consistent. Behind the digital curtain, data wizards from independent tracking organizations such as Similarweb and Data.ai peered. What did they discover? Daily active Facebook users in Canada remained steadfast, without moving an inch. How much time did you spend on the app? Unchanged, like a TV program character that refuses to leave their favorite coffee shop.
Meta, facing the heat from the Canadian government, could only watch as the data rolled in. Their decision to block news links seemed like a valiant knight's effort, but the users' response was more like a shrug—like when a superhero casually dodges a falling building without breaking a sweat.
What was all the commotion about? The Online News Act, enacted in Canada, required platforms such as Meta and Google's parent firm, Alphabet, to enter into agreements with Canadian news publishers. "Unworkable!" shouted Meta and Google. They stated that news was like that one character in a movie who only had 3% of the screen time and nearly no lines—it just didn't add up.
While the battle raged on, Facebook's landscape was transforming. News, once a mighty presence, was slowly fading away. Reports from the Reuters Institute and Pew Research Center told the tale of news consumption dropping dramatically in the digital world. It was like witnessing the story arc of a once-prominent character becoming a background extra.
But there was a twist. Even before Meta's prohibition on news links, Facebook's referrals to popular Canadian news sites were already down. Consider this drop to be a roller coaster ride that begins at the top, peaks, and then takes a spectacular plunge. In July, it was down 35% year on year and 74% since 2020.
But wait, there's more. Meta's transparency reports spilled the beans. It seemed news still held its ground on Facebook, at least in the United States. It was like that character who suddenly became the main protagonist. News websites popped up in the top 20 domains viewed on Facebook in the U.S., and news articles claimed 18 of the top 20 individual links.
As the digital tragedy unfolded, Meta's other platform, Instagram, had a more minor role in the news. It didn't like news links and didn't allow them in individual user posts. It was like a character that wanted not to be in the spotlight.
Fast forward to August—Meta's ban on news links was in full swing, at least in Canada. Meanwhile, Google had its own plan, aiming to block news from search results once the law kicked in. And while all this drama unfolded, the Canadian government accused Meta of serious brinkmanship. It was like watching a thrilling negotiation scene in a movie, with the stakes high and emotions intense.
New characters arose amid all of this. Pascale St-Onge, Canada's Heritage Minister, took the stage and spoke with Facebook and Google. The regulator in charge of enforcing the online journalism rules was preparing for a clash between news companies and internet behemoths. It was like the quiet before the storm, with plans for forced bargaining in 2025.
And so, the saga continued. The battle lines were drawn, with Meta facing criticism and data revealing Canadians' indifference to the news ban. It was a tale of digital drama, where news links fought for attention, users scrolled on undeterred, and the social media landscape continued to shift, just like the plot twists in your favorite binge-worthy series.
Read next: 70% of Brands Are Investing More into Product Placements
