Referrer-Based Access & Shareable Article Links

Referrer Access allows you to provide temporary access to a subscription-required article when sharing it through approved social media or external platforms. Readers using the shareable link can access the article without encountering the subscription wall, while the article remains restricted for other website visitors.

How It Works for Editors

Tag the Article

In Continuum, edit any article that requires a subscription and assign it to the Referrer Access group.

Select Approved Referrers

Choose one or more supported referrer platforms, such as Facebook, X/Twitter, Bluesky, or Reddit.

Set an Expiration Date

Specify an Access ends on date in YYYY-MM-DD format. Once this date passes, standard paywall restrictions automatically resume.

Upon saving, a unique, signed Shareable link is generated with a copy button. This link can be posted to social media, newsletters, or partner channels.

Managing & Revoking Access

Publishers can end promotional access at any point.

Automatic Expiration: Access automatically ends when the selected end date is reached.

Instant Invalidation: Untagging the article from Referrer Access immediately disables external access.

Rotate Links: Clearing or modifying the Revoke share links field invalidates existing links and generates a fresh URL on the next save.

Reader Experience & Safeguards

Seamless Reading: When a reader clicks a valid share link, the full article opens directly and grants access for their session.

Unchanged Protection for Other Content: All other subscription content remains fully locked to non-subscribers.

Free Articles: Free/open articles are excluded from gating configurations since they are already accessible.