Create Limited Offer Visibility with Secret Links

Use secret links so users who open them see a reward or add-on.

A secret link adds a backer to a secret group. After that, the backer can see the rewards or add-ons available to that group.

In this article

Before you set up secret access, it helps to understand the key terms used in this feature.

  • Secret group - A user group that backers join through a secret link. Use it to control who can see selected rewards or add-ons.
  • Secret link - A link assigned to one secret group. When a user opens the link and signs in, Gamefound adds them to that group.
  • Limited item visibility - A setting that makes a reward or add-on available only to users who belong to selected groups. These groups can include secret groups and other user groups.

When you create a new project, Gamefound creates one secret group by default. You can use it right away.

Gamefound also adds this group to existing draft projects. For other existing projects, you may need to create a secret group manually.

Create more secret groups when you need separate links for different audiences, offers, or campaigns.

A secret link belongs to a secret group, not to a single reward or add-on.

Here is the basic flow:

  1. You use the built-in Secret group or create a new secret group.
  2. Gamefound creates a unique secret link for that group.
  3. You limit a reward or add-on to one or more user groups.
  4. You share the secret link with selected backers.
  5. The backer opens the link.
  6. Gamefound asks the backer to sign in if they are not signed in.
  7. Gamefound adds the backer to the secret group.
  8. The backer can see the limited reward or add-on.

Note: If you assign the same secret group to several items, one secret link gives access to all those items.

To create separate access for separate offers, create separate secret groups.

Before you start

Before you share a secret link, check if:

  • your project is published.
  • the reward or add-on exists.
  • the reward or add-on is limited to the correct secret group.
  • you copied the link from the correct secret group.

A secret link for an unpublished project opens a 404 page. Gamefound doesn’t add the user to the group.

Use the default secret group

When you create a new project, Gamefound creates one secret group by default. You can use it right away to make a reward or add-on available through a secret link without any additional group setup.

Gamefound also adds the default secret group to existing draft projects. For other existing projects, you may need to create a secret group manually.

Use the default secret group when you need one secret audience for your project. For example, use it for a private reward, a special campaign, or a small invite-only group.

You can’t delete the default secret group.

Create a secret group

Create a new secret group when you need a separate link for a separate audience.

Follow these steps to create a secret group and get a unique link for it.

  1. Open your project in Creator Dashboard.
  2. Go to User groups.
  3. Select Add group.
  4. Select Secret group.
  5. Enter a group name.
  6. Select Create group.

Gamefound creates a unique secret link for the group.

Tip: Use a clear group name. For example, use VIP backers, Reviewers, or Convention offer instead of a vague name like Group 1.

You can copy a secret link from the User groups view.

  1. Open your project in Creator Dashboard.
  2. Go to User groups.
  3. Find the Secret group.
  4. Copy Secret link.
  5. To view the full link, open the action menu for the secret group, then select View details.

You can also copy the secret link from a reward or add-on that is visible to a secret group.

  1. Open the reward or add-on.
  2. Go to Product settings > Availability.
  3. In Groups this product is visible to, find the secret group.
  4. Copy the secret link.

After you copy the link, share it only with the backers who should get access.

Anyone who signs in through the link joins the secret group.

Limit a reward or add-on to a secret group

Use item availability settings to decide which groups can see a reward or add-on.

  1. Open the reward or add-on.
  2. Go to Product settings > Availability.
  3. In Groups this product is visible to, select one or more user groups.
  4. Save your changes.

Users can see the item if they belong to at least one selected group.

The default group is not available in this setting because it includes all users.

Limit visibility for one item or multiple items

When you limit one reward or add-on to selected user groups, it works the same way as managing item visibility through product groups.

Use Availability settings on a reward or add-on when you want to limit visibility for one item.

Use product groups when you want to manage visibility for multiple rewards or add-ons at once.

For more information on visibility, go to Changing product visibility and adding discounts to groups.

What backers see

Backer possible status What happens
Signed in Gamefound adds the backer to the secret group and opens the project page.
Not signed in Gamefound asks the backer to sign in. After sign-in, Gamefound adds the backer to the secret group and opens the project page.
Already in another secret group Gamefound keeps the existing access and can add the backer to another secret group.
Wrong link The backer sees a 404 page.
Project not published The backer sees a 404 page and doesn’t join the group.

Secret group access doesn’t expire.

Manage secret groups

Secret groups use link-based access. You don’t add or remove backers manually.

In User groups, you can:

  • view secret groups
  • copy secret links
  • open group details
  • check how many backers joined a group

You can’t view the member list for a secret group.

You can’t change a group from regular to secret after you create it. You also can’t change a secret group into a regular group.


Check orders from secret groups

Use order filters to find orders connected to secret groups.

Secret groups don’t appear in user filters because their member lists are hidden.

Labels on limited rewards and add-ons

Rewards and add-ons with limited visibility can show a Special label.

If your project uses the Retailer group and an item is limited to that group, Gamefound can show a Retail label instead.

Troubleshooting

A backer can’t see the limited item

Ask the backer to open the secret link and sign in.

Then check the item settings:

  1. Open the reward or add-on.
  2. Go to Product settings > Availability.
  3. Check that the correct secret group is selected.
  4. Save your changes.

If the item is assigned to the wrong group, update the group selection and share the correct link.

The secret link opens a 404 page

A 404 page can appear when the project is not published or the link is wrong.

Check if:

  • the project is published.
  • the link was copied from the correct secret group.
  • the secret group still exists.
  • the link was copied without missing characters.

If the link still opens a 404 page, contact our Support Team.


One secret link gives access to all items assigned to its secret group.

To separate access, create another secret group. Then assign each item to the correct group.

See also:

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