Turn any block on your UniLink page into members-only content — protect videos, courses, PDFs, and links so only paying subscribers can access them.
Content gating is one of the most effective ways to convert a casual visitor into a paying subscriber. Instead of asking people to pay before they see anything, you let them discover your page, get interested, then hit a wall on the good stuff. UniLink's membership gating works at the block level, which means you can mix free and paid content on the same page — teasing what's available while protecting the premium material.
What Content Gating Does
Content gating in UniLink works by attaching a membership requirement directly to any individual block on your page. When a visitor who isn't logged in or doesn't hold the required tier lands on your page, they see the block rendered as a blurred overlay with a lock icon and an upgrade prompt. The moment they purchase or already hold the qualifying membership, the blur lifts and the content becomes fully interactive.
Gating operates at the tier level, not just a binary on/off switch. You can have a Basic tier that unlocks your PDF downloads and a Premium tier that additionally unlocks your course modules and community block. Each block can be assigned to one or more tiers, so a Premium member automatically satisfies a Basic-tier gate without needing multiple memberships.
The feature works across all major block types: Video, Course, Community, File/PDF, Links, Text, Image, and custom HTML blocks. This flexibility means you can gate a single high-value link inside a larger free link list, or protect an entire course section while leaving the introduction open.
How to Get Started With Content Gating
- Set up at least one membership tier — Go to Dashboard → Memberships → Tiers and create a paid tier before you can gate anything. Content gating requires an active membership product to attach to.
- Open your page in the editor — Navigate to Dashboard → Sites and click Edit on the page you want to modify.
- Select the block you want to gate — Click any block in the canvas. The block settings panel opens on the right side.
- Toggle "Members only" — In the block settings panel, find the Access section and flip the "Members only" toggle to on. The block border turns gold in the editor to indicate it is gated.
- Choose which tier(s) can access it — A tier selector appears beneath the toggle. Check one or more tiers. If you check multiple tiers, any member holding at least one of them gains access.
- Customize the gate overlay (optional) — Click "Edit gate message" to change the default lock text and upgrade button label shown to non-members.
- Save and publish — Hit Save in the editor, then Publish. The gate is now live. Test it by opening your page in a private browser window where you are not logged in.
How to Use Content Gating Effectively
- Gate your highest-value blocks first — Start with video content, downloadable files, or your course curriculum. These have the clearest perceived value and make the strongest case for upgrading.
- Leave at least one section free — Always keep an introduction, a sample lesson, or a short bio block ungated. Visitors need enough context to decide the membership is worth it.
- Use the Community block as a gated anchor — Gating your community or discussion block creates a social incentive to subscribe — people want to be part of the conversation.
- Add a free teaser before a gated block — Place a short text block describing what's locked. "This PDF contains 47 proven outreach templates" right above a gated PDF download dramatically increases conversions.
- Assign blocks to specific tiers to create upgrade paths — Gate basic content to your entry tier and premium content to your top tier. Members on the lower tier will see a second gate prompting them to upgrade.
- Preview as a non-member before publishing — Use the "Preview as visitor" button in the editor to verify the blur and lock overlay appear exactly as intended.
- Reassign tiers in bulk when restructuring — If you add a new tier mid-stream, use the Memberships → Content Gates dashboard to update multiple blocks at once without reopening the editor.
Key Settings Explained
| Setting | What it controls | Best practice |
|---|---|---|
| Members only toggle | Turns gating on or off for the selected block | Enable only on blocks with clear standalone value — links, files, videos, or course units |
| Tier selector | Which membership tiers unlock this block | Assign to the lowest tier that makes sense; add higher tiers as bonuses |
| Gate overlay message | Headline and CTA text shown to non-members over the blur | Be specific — "Unlock 12 video lessons" beats "Members only" |
| Upgrade button destination | Where the CTA button sends non-members | Send to your membership pricing block on the same page, not an external checkout |
| Gate preview mode | Shows you the page as a non-member without logging out | Always preview before publishing after adding or changing gates |
How to Get the Most Out of Content Gating
The most successful creators using content gating on UniLink think of their page as a sales funnel rather than a static profile. The free content at the top earns trust, and the gated content at the bottom delivers on the promise. Structuring your blocks in this deliberate sequence — free intro, social proof, gated core value, free community teaser, gated community — guides visitors through a clear decision journey without any extra copywriting effort.
Tier-based gating becomes especially powerful once you have two or more membership levels. A visitor who already subscribes to your Basic tier lands on your page and sees most content unlocked, but hits a new gate on your Premium video series. That gate message becomes a targeted upsell directed at someone who already trusts you enough to pay. Conversion rates for tier-to-tier upgrades are typically much higher than cold visitor-to-member conversions.
Keep your gate overlay messages specific and outcome-focused. Vague messages like "Members only content" do not motivate action. Messages like "Unlock the 90-minute masterclass on cold email — included in the Pro plan" answer the visitor's question before they ask it. Use numbers, deliverables, and outcomes in every gate overlay.
Review your gating setup every few months as your content library grows. Blocks that were once premium may become better suited as free samples to attract new members, while newer content takes over as the locked anchor. Treating gating as a living strategy rather than a one-time configuration keeps your conversion rate healthy over time.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Gated block is visible to everyone | Page was not republished after enabling the gate | Click Publish in the editor after saving any gate changes |
| A paying member still sees the lock overlay | Their subscription is on a tier not assigned to that block | Open block settings → Tier selector and confirm the member's tier is checked |
| Gate toggle is greyed out | No active membership tier exists yet | Create at least one paid tier in Dashboard → Memberships → Tiers first |
| Blur overlay looks broken on mobile | Block has a fixed pixel height that conflicts with responsive layout | Switch the block height setting to "Auto" and republish |
Pros
- Works on any block type without extra plugins or third-party tools
- Tier-level granularity lets you build natural upgrade paths
- Mixed free/gated content on one page creates a built-in sales funnel
- Gate overlay message is fully customizable per block
Cons
- Requires at least one paid membership tier to be configured before gating can be enabled
- Gate changes require a manual republish to take effect on the live page
- Bulk tier reassignment is only available from the Memberships dashboard, not inline in the editor
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I gate a single link inside a link list block?
Yes. Each individual link inside a Links block can be toggled as members-only independently, so you can have five free links and one gated link within the same block.
What does a non-member see when they click a gated block?
They see a blurred overlay with a lock icon, your custom gate message, and a button that takes them to the membership checkout or pricing block you specified. They cannot interact with the underlying content.
Do I need separate pages for free and paid members?
No. UniLink's block-level gating lets everything coexist on one page. Free and gated blocks stack together, and each visitor sees the version appropriate for their membership status.
Can I gate content to multiple tiers at once?
Yes. In the tier selector, you can check as many tiers as you want. A member holding any of the checked tiers will have the gate lifted — there is no need for a member to hold all tiers.
What happens to gated blocks if I cancel my membership product?
The blocks remain gated in the editor, but no one can purchase access. Existing members retain access until their billing period ends. You can remove the gate manually by toggling "Members only" off on each block.
Key Takeaways
- Content gating works at the individual block level — you can mix free and gated blocks freely on one page
- Each block can be gated to one or more specific membership tiers, enabling natural upgrade prompts
- The gate overlay message and CTA button text are fully customizable per block
- Always republish your page after making any gate configuration changes
- Specific, outcome-focused gate messages outperform generic "members only" copy every time
Ready to turn your content into a membership business?
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