On this page7 sections
The short version
| Feature | What the visitor does | What’s behind it | Who uses the term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content locker | Anything: a social step, an offer, a survey or an ad | Any content | Bloggers, marketers, ad networks |
| Social locker | A follow, subscribe, like or join | Any content | Bloggers, marketers |
| Download gate | A follow, repost, like or email | A file | Musicians, producers, DJs |
| Link locker | Usually a social step | A URL | YouTubers, gamers |
| Unlock link | Usually a social step | A file, link or code | Creators in general |
The terms overlap. People use them loosely, so check what a tool actually asks visitors to do.
Content locker
The broadest term. A content locker hides part of a page, a file or a link until the visitor does something. In practice the phrase has two very different meanings.
The first is the general one: any lock, including social steps. The second is ad-based. Here the visitor has to complete an “offer” to get through: fill in a survey, sign up for a trial, install an app or enter personal details. The site owner earns money per completed offer. This model is common for game content and cheap downloads, and it’s where most bad experiences with lockers come from.
So when someone says “content locker”, ask which kind they mean.
Social locker
A social locker asks for a social action instead of an offer. Follow on Instagram, subscribe on YouTube, join a Discord server, like a post. The creator gets an audience, not ad money.
The term started with blog plugins that hid part of an article until the reader liked or shared it. Today it covers any lock built on social steps.
Download gate
A social locker for files, mostly used in music. A producer gives away a free track or sample pack, and the listener follows on SoundCloud or Spotify, reposts the track or leaves an email first. More in what is a download gate.
Link locker and unlock link
A link locker hides a URL rather than a file. Gamers and YouTubers use it for map downloads, mod pages or invite links hosted somewhere else.
Unlock link is the plain, catch-all name: a link that opens after the visitor does the steps. It covers files, URLs and codes. “Sub to unlock” and “follow to unlock” are unlock links with a specific step.
What none of these can do
No locker that uses social steps can confirm the action happened without the visitor signing in to that platform. They check that the visitor opened the platform and came back. Treat any claim of “verified follows” with care.
Where Rekonise fits
Rekonise makes social lockers. Creators call them unlock links. Visitors do social steps (subscribe, follow, join, like, visit a page) or leave an email if the creator added that step. There are no offers, surveys or paid tasks, and visitors never need an account or an app.
Free link pages show one labeled banner ad, separate from the steps. Visitors never have to click it to unlock. Which steps finish most often is in how many steps to ask for.
Questions
What is the difference between a content locker and a social locker?
A social locker asks for a social action like a follow or subscribe. Content locker is broader and is often used for ad-based lockers that make visitors complete offers or surveys.
Is a content locker safe?
It depends on the kind. Social lockers only open a platform like YouTube or Discord. Be careful with lockers that ask you to install apps, take surveys or enter personal details.
Is a download gate the same as a social locker?
Mostly. A download gate is a social locker for a file, usually a track or sample pack, and often includes an email step.
Does Rekonise use offers or surveys?
No. Visitors do social steps like subscribing or following, or leave an email if the creator asks. No offers, surveys or paid tasks.
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Social unlock linksEverything a link can ask for, on one page.Learn more