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<p>Meta&#8217;s bold decision to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/zuck/videos/1525382954801931/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remove fact-checking</a> on its platform sent ripples through the creator community and beyond.</p>
<p>The move will dramatically reduce censorship on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. While promising newfound freedoms, it also raises concerns about online trust in a digital era where disinformation has become more mainstream, with Google searches for the term steadily rising over the past ten years.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-60416 lazy" data-src="https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fm=pjpg" alt="meta fact checking creator economy impact" width="1600" height="588" srcset="https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=221&amp;w=600 600w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=376&amp;w=1024 1024w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=282&amp;w=768 768w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=564&amp;w=1536 1536w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=753&amp;w=2048 2048w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=217&amp;w=590 590w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=143&amp;w=390 390w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-01.jpg?fm=pjpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /></p>
<p><em><a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&amp;q=disinformation&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a></em></p>
<p>With creators relying on social media as a channel to market their business and connect with an audience, what does Meta’s fact-checking removal mean for the creator economy?</p>
<h2>Opportunities for creators</h2>
<h3>Freedom of expression</h3>
<p>Meta’s decision opens up an environment with fewer restrictions, encouraging creators to explore diverse and unconventional narratives. For example, a creator in the well-being space could promote alternative remedies or approaches that may have previously been flagged.</p>
<p>Allowing creators to share content that challenges dominant ideologies expands the digital discourse with diverse voices and different perspectives, meaning Meta may become a place for innovative conversations.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-60417 lazy" data-src="https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-02.jpg?fm=pjpg" alt="meta fact checking creator economy impact" width="1600" height="1215" srcset="https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-02.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=456&amp;w=600 600w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-02.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=778&amp;w=1024 1024w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-02.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=583&amp;w=768 768w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-02.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=1166&amp;w=1536 1536w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-02.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=1555&amp;w=2048 2048w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-02.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=448&amp;w=590 590w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-02.jpg?fm=pjpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /></p>
<h3>The emergence of alternative narratives</h3>
<p>Creators are often natural storytellers, engaging audiences with personal stories and insights into their business journey.</p>
<p>With fact-checking removed, creators have the opportunity to craft narratives outside mainstream constraints, leading to underrepresented viewpoints and subcultures being more widely heard and potentially shifting the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or popular content.</p>
<h3>Broader monetization opportunities</h3>
<p>Creators already contend with various monetization challenges, from understanding what audiences pay for to coming across as too sales-y. Will Meta’s fact-checking removal change that?</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-60418 lazy" data-src="https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fm=pjpg" alt="meta fact checking removal creator impact" width="1600" height="949" srcset="https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=356&amp;w=600 600w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=607&amp;w=1024 1024w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=456&amp;w=768 768w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=911&amp;w=1536 1536w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=1215&amp;w=2048 2048w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=350&amp;w=590 590w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=231&amp;w=390 390w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-03.jpg?fm=pjpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /><br />
<em>Data taken from our <a href="https://kit.com/reports/creator-economy-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2024 State of the Creator Economy Report</a>.</em></p>
<p>Removing fact-checking on Meta opens up avenues for creators to monetize content that thrives on engagement, even if it challenges traditional norms or taps into niche audiences.</p>
<p>For example, a life coach could share highly partisan or unconventional perspectives that align with an audience previously underserved by the mainstream media, increasing engagement through shares, comments, and debate.</p>
<p>By fostering engagement through provocative or alternative viewpoints, creators can attract a dedicated following willing to invest in exclusive content, workshops, or a premium community.</p>
<p>However, these opportunities come with significant challenges that could reshape how creators operate on Meta’s platforms.</p>
<h2>Risks and impact on creator businesses</h2>
<h3>Erosion of audience trust</h3>
<p>Despite the inclusion of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/business/meta-community-notes-x.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">community notes</a> in Meta’s strategy, the absence of fact-checking could erode audience trust across Instagram, Threads, and Facebook by creating skepticism about the authenticity of content.</p>
<p>For example, who knows whether Creator A is telling the truth or Creator B if there’s no fact-checking?</p>
<p>Creators who rely heavily on Meta for distribution may find it more challenging to maintain credibility, particularly with audiences who prioritize accuracy and accountability.</p>
<p>Without fact-checking, false or misleading content is likely to proliferate, leading to confusion among audiences. For creators, the association with a platform known for misinformation could damage their credibility, even if their content is accurate.</p>
<h3>Dilution of high-quality content</h3>
<p>Creators who produce high-quality, fact-based content may find it harder to compete for visibility.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/journalism-facts/how-why-misinformation-spreads" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Psychological Association</a>, viral misinformation tends to outperform more nuanced or factual posts due to its emotionally charged nature, which can reduce the reach of more thoughtful creators.</p>
<h3>Increased competition for engagement</h3>
<p>Creators already face fierce competition for engagement, with an understanding that they’re often at the mercy of social media algorithms that determine whether or not their content gets seen.</p>
<blockquote><p>“When you’re trying to build your audience on social media, it can feel like two steps forward, one step back, where one day you’re getting more reach, and your content is spreading and even maybe going a little viral. But then that stops.</p>
<p>And yes, you still have some followers, so I suppose you still made progress, but you’re not getting many likes on your posts anymore.</p>
<p>And there’s little you can do to affect that.” &#8211; <a href="https://kit.com/resources/blog/gillian-perkins-case-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gillian Perkins</a>, YouTuber and Entrepreneur</p></blockquote>
<p>With fewer restrictions, Meta may become saturated with sensationalized or controversial material. This creates a highly competitive environment where creators may feel pressured to prioritize engagement over quality or ethical standards, potentially compromising their brand integrity.</p>
<h3>Psychological and emotional toll on wellbeing</h3>
<p>For creators, a platform rife with polarizing or inflammatory content can increase stress and <a href="https://kit.com/resources/blog/creator-burnout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">burnout</a>. Creators may face harassment or hostility from polarized communities, particularly if their content challenges prevailing narratives or norms.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-60419 lazy" data-src="https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-04.jpg?fm=pjpg" alt="meta fact checking removal creator impact" width="1600" height="1625" srcset="https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-04.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=780&amp;w=768 768w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-04.jpg?fit=scale&amp;fm=pjpg&amp;h=599&amp;w=590 590w, https://media.kit.com/post/meta-changes-04.jpg?fm=pjpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px" /><br />
<em>Creators voicing their opinions on <a href="https://www.threads.net/@kit/post/DEz8_NzvbwF?xmt=AQGzxGG9shJRHe8bMMPMBN7iZxxLtEgeqGmhR2QhSaUG4g" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Threads</a>.</em></p>
<h3>Advertising challenges and lack of revenue</h3>
<p>Following Elon Musk’s takeover and rebranding of Twitter to X, the platform faced significant challenges in retaining advertisers due to the company’s shift toward permitting more harmful content.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/05/business/advertisers-x-withdrawal/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a>, only 4% of marketers think X ads provide “brand safety,” meaning confidence that their ads won’t appear alongside extreme or objectionable material.</p>
<p>If misinformation or diverse content becomes prevalent on Meta, creators may be hesitant to associate their brands with the platform, potentially impacting creators’ ability to scale their business.</p>
<h2>Future-proofing your creator business in times of uncertainty</h2>
<p>To navigate the opportunities and risks of Meta’s fact-checking removal, creators need to adopt strategies that prioritize trust, diversification, and adaptability.</p>
<h3>Build trust with audiences</h3>
<p>Transparency and credibility are critical. Creators should clearly cite sources, acknowledge differing viewpoints, and engage in meaningful dialogues with their audiences to build and retain trust and loyalty.</p>
<p>For example, creators can improve transparency in their processes by sharing behind-the-scenes content or providing detailed citations for claims in their social media content.</p>
<h3>Diversify channels and income streams</h3>
<p>Relying solely on Meta to engage with communities, run ads, and showcase your brand is risky in a volatile environment.</p>
<p>Creators will benefit from expanding to direct channels like <a href="https://kit.com/features/email-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">newsletters</a> or subscription platforms to build more sustainable and independent relationships with audiences.</p>
<blockquote><p>“Now that we have a robust email list of people interested in opening our emails. It drives traffic to our website as well. And our blog is monetized so we make money that way too.</p>
<p>It’s nice to have a source of revenue tied directly to the content I create–it’s not dependent on an algorithm. That’s enabled me to create a sustainable business in a way that feels really good to me.” &#8211; <a href="https://kit.com/resources/blog/nisha-vora-case-study" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nisha Vora</a>, New York Times bestselling author</p></blockquote>
<h3>Move to audience-first platforms</h3>
<p>Creator-specific platforms prioritize direct relationships with audiences and allow creators to maintain ownership of their content and community without being at the mercy of algorithms or sudden policy changes.</p>
<p>For example, Kit helps creators take control of their business with email marketing, personalized campaigns, landing pages, and automations.</p>
<p>Meta’s removal of fact-checking signals a transformative moment for creators, offering immense potential and significant risks.</p>
<p>While it empowers creators to push boundaries and engage niche audiences, it underscores the importance of responsible content creation and audience relationship management.</p>
<p>By balancing creative freedom with ethical practices and diversification, creators can position themselves for sustained growth and influence in times of uncertainty.</p>
<h2>It’s time to take control of your business</h2>
<p>Social media is in disarray, and creators need to diversify their online presence by moving to a platform they control.</p>
<p>Use Kit to send email campaigns that engage your audience without any disruption. Our newsletter plan is free for up to 10,000 subscribers.</p>
<p>All it takes is one email to get started. <a href="https://app.kit.com/users/signup?plan=newsletter-free&amp;__cf_chl_tk=Vchyc8Tp_eHD7naxS4e2KtovKFTl5oKfJkn9TAfLuQ0-1737674685-1.0.1.1-_HzTYfCQiPM3Za4fV5HJqx6AmcQLyYi9a884me7xVi4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Join us</a>.</p>


Meta removes fact-checking: what does this mean for the creator economy?

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