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Password Protected Links

Learn how to secure your links with password protection in linkutm.

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Overview

Password protection adds an extra layer of security to your links by requiring users to enter a password before accessing the destination URL. This feature is perfect for protecting pre-launch campaigns, internal resources, confidential content, or limiting access to specific audiences.

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Why Use Password Protection?

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Common Use Cases

Pre-Launch Campaigns
  • Protect campaign links before official launch
  • Allow team review without public access
  • Prevent accidental early sharing
Internal Resources
  • Secure employee-only content
  • Protect internal documentation
  • Restrict team-specific materials
Client Previews
  • Share work-in-progress with clients
  • Secure approval process
  • Controlled access to drafts
Exclusive Content
  • VIP access for special customers
  • Premium member content
  • Invite-only events or resources
Testing & QA
  • Secure test links from public
  • Control who accesses staging environments
  • Limit exposure during testing phase
Limited Audience Campaigns
  • Partner-exclusive offers
  • Employee benefits
  • Restricted promotions

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Setting Up Password Protection

  1. Create a new link or edit existing link
  2. Scroll to Advanced Settings or Security Settings
  3. Toggle Password Protection ON
  4. Configure password options:
    • Auto-generate: Let system create secure password
    • Custom password: Enter your own password
  5. Save your link
  1. Navigate to your Links page
  2. Find the link to protect
  3. Click Edit
  4. Enable Password Protection
  5. Set or generate password
  6. Save changes

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Password Options

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Auto-Generated Passwords

Benefits:
  • Cryptographically secure
  • Hard to guess
  • Unique for each link
  • Immediate availability
Example: K7mP9xN2qR5t Best for:
  • Maximum security
  • Short-term access
  • One-time use scenarios

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Custom Passwords

Benefits:
  • Easy to remember
  • Easy to share verbally
  • Can be thematic or branded
  • User-friendly
Example: SummerSale2024 Best for:
  • Team sharing
  • Extended access periods
  • Easy recall needed
Tips for Custom Passwords:
  • Use combination of letters and numbers
  • Avoid common words
  • Make it memorable but not obvious
  • Consider your audience’s technical level

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How Password Protection Works

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User Experience

  1. User clicks your link
  2. Password prompt appears with your branding
  3. User enters password
  4. If correct: Redirected to destination URL
  5. If incorrect: Error message, try again option

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Password Entry Page

The password page includes:
  • Your project/brand name (if configured)
  • Password input field
  • Submit button
  • Optional custom message or instructions
  • Secure, branded interface

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Session Handling

After Successful Entry:
  • User is redirected immediately
  • (Optional) Session cookie may be set
  • Future clicks may not require re-entry (depending on configuration)
Failed Attempts:
  • Clear error messaging
  • Option to try again
  • (Optional) Rate limiting after multiple failures
On your links page, password-protected links are indicated by:
  • 🔒 Lock icon
  • “Password Protected” badge or label
  • Special indicator in link details
  1. Find your protected link
  2. Click Copy Link
  3. Share link AND password separately (recommended)
Security Tip: Send the link and password through different channels (e.g., link via email, password via Slack or SMS).

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Sharing Passwords Securely

Best Practices:
  • Use different communication channels
  • Share password verbally when possible
  • Use temporary passwords
  • Change passwords periodically
  • Limit password distribution
Example Workflow: 
1. Email link: "Here's the preview link: https://brand.link/abc123"
2. Slack message: "Password for the preview: K7mP9x"
3. After review period: Change or remove password

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Changing Passwords

  1. Edit the protected link
  2. In Password Protection settings
  3. Choose Generate New or enter new custom password
  4. Save changes
  5. Notify users of password change
When to Change:
  • After review period ends
  • If password may be compromised
  • When access group changes
  • Regularly for long-term links

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Removing Password Protection

  1. Edit the link
  2. Toggle Password Protection OFF
  3. Save changes
  4. Link is now publicly accessible
Use Case: After campaign launches or when content becomes public.

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Advanced Password Features

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Password Expiration (If Available)

Set passwords to expire automatically:
  • After specific date/time
  • After certain number of uses
  • Combined with link expiration
Example: Preview link password expires on launch date.

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Multiple Passwords (If Available)

Create different passwords for different user groups:
  • Team A: password1
  • Clients: password2
  • VIPs: password3
Benefits:
  • Track which group accessed
  • Revoke access by group
  • Different access levels

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Password Strength Requirements

Enforce strong custom passwords:
  • Minimum 8 characters
  • Mix of letters and numbers
  • Special characters (optional)
  • No common passwords

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Combining with Other Security Features

Ultimate Time-Limited Security:
  1. Enable password protection
  2. Set expiration date/time
  3. Link automatically becomes inactive after date
  4. Perfect for time-sensitive previews
Example: 
Pre-launch landing page
- Password: team2024
- Expires: Launch date at 9 AM
- After expiration: Redirects to public site
Learn about link expiration →

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Password + Click Limits

Limited Access Control:
  1. Enable password protection
  2. Set maximum click limit
  3. Link stops working after X clicks
  4. Useful for exclusive content
Example: 
VIP offer link
- Password: vip500
- Click limit: 500
- After 500 clicks: Link inactive
Learn about click limits →

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Password + Device Targeting

Device-Specific Security:
  1. Enable password protection
  2. Set device-specific URLs
  3. Different destinations for iOS/Android
  4. Same password for all devices
Example: 
App download link
- iOS: App Store with password
- Android: Google Play with password
- Web: Landing page with password
Learn about device targeting →

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Real-World Examples

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Example 1: Pre-Launch Campaign

Scenario: New product launching in 2 weeks

Link Setup:
- Destination: https://brand.com/new-product-landing
- Password Protection: ON
- Password: PreviewTeam24 (shared with team and stakeholders)
- Expiration: Launch date
- After expiration: Redirect to public landing page

Workflow:
1. Week 1-2: Team reviews with password
2. Launch day: Password auto-disabled
3. Public can access freely

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Example 2: Client Approval Process

Scenario: Agency needs client approval on campaign

Link Setup:
- Destination: https://client-campaign.example.com
- Password Protection: ON
- Password: ClientA_Review (auto-generated, secure)
- Folder: Client A - Pending Approval
- Tag: Yellow (Needs Review)
- Notes: "Sent to client for approval on May 1"

Workflow:
1. Create link with password
2. Email link to client
3. Text password separately
4. Client reviews and approves
5. Remove password and launch campaign

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Example 3: Internal Training Materials

Scenario: Employee training resources

Link Setup:
- Destination: https://company.com/training/module1
- Password Protection: ON
- Password: EmployeeTraining2024
- Click Limit: None (unlimited for employees)
- Expiration: End of training period

Workflow:
1. Share link and password in employee handbook
2. Employees access as needed
3. After training period: Archive or remove

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Example 4: Partner Exclusive Offer

Scenario: Special offer for business partners only

Link Setup:
- Destination: https://store.com/partner-discount
- Password Protection: ON
- Password: PartnerDeal2024
- Expiration: End of quarter
- Click Limit: 100 (estimated partner count)

Workflow:
1. Share link at partner event
2. Password announced verbally
3. Limited to 100 uses
4. Expires end of quarter

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Example 5: Event Registration (VIP)

Scenario: VIP early registration for conference

Link Setup:
- Destination: https://events.com/conference-2024/register
- Password Protection: ON
- Password: VIP_Early_Access
- Expiration: 48 hours before public registration
- After expiration: Remove password for public access
- Click Limit: 200 VIP invites

Workflow:
1. Email VIP list with exclusive link
2. 48-hour early access window
3. After 48 hours: Public registration opens (no password)

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Best Practices

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Security

✅ Do:
  • Use strong, unique passwords
  • Share link and password separately
  • Change passwords periodically
  • Remove protection when no longer needed
  • Use auto-generated passwords for high security
❌ Avoid:
  • Using obvious passwords (password123, company name)
  • Sharing link and password in same message
  • Reusing passwords across multiple links
  • Leaving protection enabled indefinitely
  • Posting passwords publicly

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Communication

When Sharing Protected Links:
  1. Clear Instructions 
    Subject: Campaign Preview Link

Please find the preview link below. Password will be sent separately.

Link: https://brand.link/campaign-preview
  2. Separate Password 
    Subject: Password for Campaign Preview

Password: PreviewTeam24

Please keep this confidential.
  3. Provide Context
    • Explain why password is needed
    • Specify who should have access
    • Include expiration information
    • Offer support contact

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Management

Regular Review:
  • Audit password-protected links monthly
  • Remove protection from outdated links
  • Update passwords for long-term links
  • Document password changes
Team Coordination:
  • Centralized password management
  • Clear ownership of protected links
  • Document who has access
  • Use team features for accountability

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Troubleshooting

Problem: Password isn’t working Possible Causes & Solutions:
  1. Incorrect Password
    • Verify password is correct (case-sensitive)
    • Check for extra spaces
    • Confirm you’re sharing latest password
  2. Link Expired
    • Check expiration settings
    • Extend expiration if needed
    • Create new link if expired
  3. Click Limit Reached
    • Check click count
    • Increase or remove limit
    • Create new link if needed
  4. Browser Issues
    • Try incognito/private mode
    • Clear browser cache
    • Try different browser

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Password Not Saving

Problem: Password protection doesn’t activate Solutions:
  • Ensure you clicked “Save” after enabling
  • Refresh the link list
  • Check for error messages
  • Verify you have permission to set passwords
  • Try regenerating password

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Lost Password

Problem: Forgot the password for a link Solutions:
  • Edit the link to view password (if allowed)
  • Generate new password
  • Check team notes or documentation
  • Contact link creator (if team member)
Track password-protected link performance:
  • Access attempts: How many tried to access
  • Successful entries: How many entered correct password
  • Failed attempts: Blocked incorrect entries
  • Standard metrics: Clicks, visitors, geographic data
Insights:
  • How many people have the password
  • If password is being shared widely
  • User engagement with protected content
Learn more about analytics →

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Need Help?

For questions about password protection or link security, contact our support team.