# Unlock and revoke content with an automation

> Use the Unlock content and Revoke access steps to release protected content on your own schedule and take access away later.
>
> Source: https://docs.bcl.my/automation-unlock-content/

Content that you link to a product opens straight after payment. The **Unlock content** and **Revoke access** steps let an automation decide when. For example, unlock one lesson every few days, or take access away when a trial ends or an order is refunded.

Both steps need the **Protected Content** add-on and a payment trigger.

## Start from a template

Two templates use these steps, under **Automations** → **Templates**:

- **Drip Course Lessons** unlocks lesson 1 after a payment, lesson 2 three days later and lesson 3 four days after that, each with its access email.
- **Bonus Content for Big Orders** unlocks a bonus for orders of RM200 or more.

*(Screenshot: The Drip Course Lessons template card with Use template highlighted)*

Open the template and pick your own content in each **Unlock content** step.

## Unlock content

Use a trigger that fires after payment, such as **Payment Successful**. Then:

1. Click **Add Node** and pick **Unlock content** under **Sales & content**.
2. Double-click the new step to open **Unlock Content Settings**, and type an **Action Name**, such as `Unlock lesson 2`.
3. In **Content**, pick the protected content.
4. Keep **Email the buyer the access link** on to send the link. Turn it off to send the link in your own step with `{unlocked_content_url}`.
5. Click **Save Unlock Content**.

The content's access dates follow its own settings, counted from when the step runs. Put a **Delay** step before it to drip lessons.

## Revoke access

To take access away:

1. Click **Add Node** and pick **Revoke access** under **Sales & content**.
2. Double-click the step to open **Revoke Access Settings**, and type an **Action Name**, such as `Remove on refund`.
3. In **Revoke**, pick **All content from this order**, or **One chosen content** and then the content.
4. Click **Save Revoke Access**.

The buyer is signed out on every device too. Then click **Update Automation** and switch the automation on.

## Common issues

### Do I still need to link content to a product?

Not for content that an automation unlocks. Content linked to a product still opens straight after payment, as before. Use Unlock content when you want your own timing, such as one lesson every few days.

### Which triggers can unlock or revoke content?

Unlock content needs a trigger that fires after payment: Payment Successful, Payment Completed, Status Changed or Order Shipped. Revoke access works with any payment trigger, such as Payment Failed.

### The step says Protected Content add-on not active. What do I do?

Both steps work with protected content, so they need the Protected Content add-on. See Subscribe to or cancel an add-on (/add-ons/).

### What happens to the buyer when I revoke access?

The buyer loses access to the content and is signed out on every device.