Is this the end of memes as we know them on Facebook? Recent updates from Meta are tightening the screws on content creators by launching a crackdown on what it calls unoriginal content. This shift has ignited heated discussions across platforms, particularly Reddit, where users are expressing a mix of sarcasm and genuine concern about the future of meme culture.

One user humorously remarked, “If Facebook accidentally shuts my account for some random reason, I might actually do something useful with my time instead.” Such comments highlight the frustration many feel about the potential for overreach in content moderation.

Memes have become a cornerstone of online communication, allowing users to share humor, commentary, and social critiques in easily digestible formats. However, with Meta's new guidelines, there’s growing anxiety that the platform's crackdown could inadvertently affect meme pages and humor creators. “So many people repost memes. It’s a huge part of online life,” one user pointed out. “They’ll have to be very specific if they don’t want to ruin memes altogether.”

Under the new guidelines, accounts that frequently reuse others’ photos, videos, or text without significant edits or commentary will face two major penalties: demonetization and reduced distribution. According to Meta, the goal is to clean up users’ feeds, give original creators more visibility, and curb the rise of low-effort spam that’s polluting the platform. In the first half of 2025 alone, Meta took action on over 500,000 accounts for spam-like behavior and removed more than 10 million impersonator profiles. “We believe creators should be celebrated for their unique voices and perspectives, not drowned out by copycats and impersonators,” Meta stated.

While the update focuses on reposted content, some observers believe the company is also taking aim at low-quality media, particularly those generated using AI tools. These often combine unrelated clips and robotic voiceovers into fast, clickbait-style content. Although Meta didn't specify AI, it warned against creators simply “stitching together clips” or adding a watermark, urging them instead to focus on authentic storytelling and avoid short, low-effort videos that offer little value.

Best Practices for Content Creators

To mitigate the risk of penalties, Facebook has outlined several best practices for content creators:

1. Post Original Content: Ensure that the content you share is created by you.
2. Enhance External Content: If you use external content, add meaningful enhancements like voiceovers or commentary.
3. Authentic Storytelling: Focus on storytelling rather than posting short, low-value clips.
4. Avoid Watermarks: Steer clear of visible third-party watermarks that could flag your content.
5. Quality Captions: Use high-quality captions with minimal hashtags (no more than five) and limited capitalization.

In addition to these guidelines, Meta has introduced post-level insights via the Professional Dashboard, allowing creators to understand how their content is performing and why it may not be reaching its intended audience.

The reaction among content creators is mixed. While some are adapting by focusing on original content and storytelling, others feel stifled by the new restrictions. "Memes have always thrived on remix culture," says a popular meme creator. "If we can't share and adapt, we lose a vital part of what makes them special."

As content creators navigate this new landscape, many are finding innovative ways to express their creativity while adhering to the guidelines. Workshops, online courses, and community forums are emerging to help creators enhance their skills and adapt to the evolving platform.

As creators adapt to these new guidelines, the future of memes on Facebook hangs in the balance. While the intention behind these changes may be to maintain quality and originality, many users worry that they could stifle the creativity and spontaneity that make memes such a vital part of internet culture.

Will these updates lead to the demise of meme-sharing on Facebook, or will creators find new ways to thrive? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the conversation around memes is far from over.