Content Access & Pricing Control
Master content monetization with Postion's flexible access control system. Learn how to set up free, paid, subscription-only, and hybrid access for your posts.
Understanding Content Access
Postion gives you complete control over who can access your content. Each post can be configured with different access levels, allowing you to create a sophisticated content strategy that balances growth with revenue.
Flexibility is key. You can mix free and paid content to attract new readers while monetizing your most valuable work.
The Four Access Types
Every post you create can have one of four access types:
🆓 Free
Anyone can read the full content. Great for building your audience and SEO.
🔐 Subscription
Only active subscribers can access. Perfect for exclusive member content.
💰 Paid
One-time purchase required. Ideal for standalone premium content.
🎯 Both
Subscribers get free access; non-subscribers can purchase. Maximum flexibility.
Access Type Comparison
| Access Type | Who Can Read | Revenue Model | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Everyone | None (or ads) | Growth content, SEO, samples |
| Subscription | Active subscribers only | Recurring MRR | Exclusive member benefits |
| Paid | Anyone who purchases | One-time sales | Guides, ebooks, premium tutorials |
| Both | Subscribers + purchasers | Mixed revenue | Maximizing reach and revenue |
Setting Up Content Pricing
For Individual Posts
When creating or editing a post, you'll find the Access & Pricing section in the post settings panel.
Open your post in the editor
Click on Settings (gear icon) in the right panel
Scroll to the Access & Pricing section
Select your desired access type
If using "Paid" or "Both", set your price
Configuring Paid Content
When you select Paid or Both access types:
-
Set Your Price: Choose a price point that reflects the value of your content
- Minimum: $1.00
- Recommended range: $5 - $25 for articles
- Higher prices ($50+) for comprehensive guides
-
Currency Settings: Prices are displayed in USD by default, with automatic conversion for international readers
Pricing Tip: Test different price points. Start higher than you think—you can always run discounts, but raising prices is harder.
Free Preview Length
For paid and subscription content, you can control how much readers see before hitting the paywall.
How It Works
- Preview Length: Set the number of characters visible before the "Subscribe" or "Purchase" prompt appears
- Default: 500 characters (approximately 2-3 paragraphs)
- Customizable: Adjust per-post or set a site-wide default
Strategic Preview Settings
| Preview Length | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Short (200-300) | Creates urgency | High-value, in-demand content |
| Medium (500-800) | Balanced approach | Most content types |
| Long (1000+) | Builds trust | New audiences, complex topics |
Pro Tip: For pillar content, use a longer preview to hook readers. For serialized content (Part 2, 3, etc.), shorter previews work better because readers already know the value.
Content Security Features
Postion includes built-in protection for your paid content.
Watermarking
Dynamic watermarks display the reader's identity on premium content:
- Email watermark: Displays subscriber's email
- Name watermark: Shows subscriber's display name
- Custom watermark: Add your branding
Copy Protection
Optional protection against content theft:
- Disable right-click context menu
- Block keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C, etc.)
- Prevent text selection
- Screenshot deterrent overlay
Enabling Security Features
Go to your Site Settings
Navigate to the Security tab
Toggle on the protections you want
Choose to apply site-wide or per-post
Balance is important. Aggressive protection can frustrate legitimate readers. We recommend enabling watermarks for all paid content, but use copy protection selectively.
Purchase & Access Flow
Here's what happens when a reader encounters your monetized content:
For Subscription Content
flowchart LR
A[Reader Opens Post] --> B{Has Active Subscription?}
B -->|Yes| C[Full Access Granted]
B -->|No| D[Show Preview + Paywall]
D --> E[Subscribe Button]
E --> F[Stripe Checkout]
F --> G[Subscription Created]
G --> CFor Paid Content
flowchart LR
A[Reader Opens Post] --> B{Already Purchased?}
B -->|Yes| C[Full Access Granted]
B -->|No| D[Show Preview + Paywall]
D --> E[Purchase Button]
E --> F[Stripe Checkout]
F --> G[Purchase Recorded]
G --> CFor Both Access Type
- Existing subscribers see full content immediately
- Non-subscribers see:
- Preview content
- Option to subscribe (for ongoing access)
- Option to purchase (one-time access to this post)
Managing Purchases
Track and manage content purchases from your dashboard:
Viewing Purchases
- Go to Site Dashboard → Purchases
- See all purchases with:
- Purchase date and time
- Buyer email and name
- Post purchased
- Amount paid
- Payment status
Refund Handling
Refund requests are handled through Stripe:
- Open the transaction in your Stripe Dashboard
- Process a full or partial refund
- Access is automatically revoked
Best Practices
Content Strategy Recommendations
📈 For Growth
- • 70% Free content for SEO & discovery
- • 20% Subscription-only for members
- • 10% Paid for premium one-offs
💵 For Revenue
- • 30% Free to maintain traffic
- • 50% Subscription-only to drive signups
- • 20% Paid for high-value guides
Pricing Psychology
- Anchor with value: Explain what the content is worth before showing the price
- Bundle smartly: Offer subscription as "best value" vs. individual purchases
- Limited-time offers: Create urgency with launch pricing
Related Documentation
- Monetization Strategies: Complete guide to revenue streams
- Subscription Plans: Setting up recurring revenue
- Stripe Connect: Receiving your payouts