Does Facebook have an “account retention” or “mandatory maintenance fee”? Some Facebook users have this question when they find themselves being charged by Facebook. However, it can be confirmed that Facebook does not have such fees. This social network has charging modes, but with transparent and clear policies. When you understand correctly, you will be able to answer the question “Why is Facebook charging me?”. In this article, SOC LUA will help you answer the matter directly.
Does Facebook charge?
Does Facebook charge a fee and for whom? We are familiar to Facebook, but we need to clearly distinguish between “using” Facebook and “using Facebook’s paid services”.
Naturally, you create an account, browse newsfeed, inbox, post photos, join community groups,... for free. However, if you participate in advanced activities, there will be costs. These cost-intensive activities include running ads, registering for verification and support packages for individuals or businesses, "donating" to content creators,... This is a common feature on social networks, an value-added with a fee. Therefore, being charged is not because Facebook collects money for using a basic account, but because you are activating one or more value-added services.
Why is Facebook charging me?
Why is Facebook charging me? For businesses and entrepreneurs, Facebook’s core value is advertising. When you want to boost an advertising campaign, you have to pay advertising fees so that your content can reach many people and many, or the right, audience. In other words, Facebook can be a marketing tool for you to “rent” and use for your own purposes.
In addition to advertising, Facebook also has other sources of revenue such as account verification packages, creator support registration, star purchases, as well as Marketplace related costs,...
The core of digital platforms is to provide services with multiple layers of value. Basic activities are free so that anyone can connect and share. Advanced activities are charged, for those who need wider access, better support, support for what they love, get more choices,... If you understand that, you will no longer be confused by the notification of bank's billing, but proactively be aware of where the fee comes from, whether it is worth it or not, and how it serves your goals.
It is also important to note that not all countries or accounts have all the features of charging. Facebook's policies may vary by region, account type, usage history, and Facebook's operating plan over time. Therefore, when you are charged, you need to carefully verify where the cost comes from.
Some cases Facebook charges me?
Running Ads
The first, as mentioned above, is running ads. When you click “Boost Post” on your Page or just below your eligible personal post, the system will guide you through setting up your goal, audience, budget, and duration. If you add a card or wallet (usually an international credit/debit card) and confirm, the campaign will run, and your budget will start to be spent on a daily or total campaign basis. If you have never run ads before, you will find that even a few tests will result in a bill at the end of the period, especially if you forget to turn off the campaign or set a longer duration than intended.
Meta verified
The second case is account verification, also known as Meta Verified. This is a subscription package to verify account identity, receive verified badges, enhance support and some anti-impersonation benefits. If you sign up for a trial during the promotional period or forget to turn off automatic renewal, Facebook may deduct money monthly in the next cycle. Many people forget that they turned on this package when experiencing it and only remember when they receive a bank notification about the payment.
Pay for apps and support content creators
The third case is when you pay in-app and support creators. When you buy stars to give to streamers, subscribe to exclusive content, or make other transactions within the Facebook ecosystem, the money will be recorded immediately. If you have previously linked your payment method to Meta Pay, the payment process in the future will be very fast. However, the fact is that you actively accepted the transaction, not that Facebook deducted money.
Marketplace Activity
When you use Marketplace, you may incur some costs depending on your circumstances. Depending on your region, some types of sales or shipping may incur processing fees, seller fees, or service fees. If you have enabled shipping support or used shipping labels provided by a partner, associated fees may be charged through Meta or the partner and appear in your payments reports.
Using 3rd's parties' services
If you are into technology and applications for digital life or business, you may also know and use third-party services. Many value-added services such as content management tools, measurement software, store-connection applications, or advertising agencies will deduct money directly through their platforms. Users sometimes see the keyword “Facebook” or “Meta” in the transaction description, but this may just be a provider setting to remind you of the payment. However, you may mistakenly think that Facebook is charging you, when in fact you are paying the software or an external marketing partner.
Is it worth paying for Facebook?
Not all fees are wasted if invested in the right place. If you are an individual who needs to verify your identity and need priority support to avoid impersonation, the Meta Verified package is worth considering. You will receive verification benefits, customer support, additional layers of protection, and sometimes some visibility benefits. Of course, the actual value depends on your needs. If you only use Facebook for socializing, this package may not be necessary. However, if you are a creator or personal brander, the value is clear.
With advertising, the question of whether it’s worth it depends on the effectiveness. You need to set specific goals (leads, orders, views, etc.), implement a tracking system, and determine a reasonable operating model. When you have data, you will clearly see how much revenue or conversion value each expense brings. At that point, your “Facebook bill” is an investment for further profits.
Frequently Asked Questions
It could be because the account has reached its payment threshold and the system is collecting the spent amount in advance, or there are other campaigns/ad groups running, or the same Business Manager has enabled the campaign. Check “Billing/Payment”, account spending limits and strict permissions.
Go to Settings -> Payments/Meta Pay -> Transactions to view history
For ads, you need to open Ads Manager -> Billing.
If the transaction is made on the phone, you need to check the subscription in the App Store/Google Play.
