What is Protected Content?

Protected Content is an add-on that locks your digital products inside BCL. You link a video, file, text or private link to something you sell. When a customer pays, BCL gives them their own access link, and they confirm a one-time code (OTP) before the content opens. A forwarded link is no use to anyone else.

How a buyer gets access

The same flow runs for every piece of content:

1. The customer buys an item on your payment form, or a ticket on your event form, that has protected content linked to it.

2. BCL creates their access as soon as the payment succeeds. The receipt page shows Your Content is Ready! with a button for each piece of content, and BCL emails them Your Protected Content is Now Available.

   

3. The customer opens their link and chooses where to receive a 6-digit code: Email, SMS or WhatsApp.

4. They enter the code and the content opens. The browser stays verified, so they do not need a new code each time.

Customers can also find their content again in the Customer Portal, from the Access Link you share, or from the receipt page.

What you can protect

You choose one Content Type for each piece of content:

Content type	Use it for	Details
Video	Online classes, webinar recordings, members-only videos, pay-per-view live streams	YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook or your own embed code. Protect a video
Text	Instructions, member codes, passwords, a thank-you note	Rich text with the buyer’s name and order number. Protect text content
File	eBooks, PDF guides, templates, ZIP packs	Up to 10 files, 5MB each. Protect files
Redirect URL	A private Telegram or WhatsApp group, a course on another site	The link is only revealed after the code. Send buyers to a private link

Features

Protected Content has these parts:

Feature	What it does	Where to learn more
OTP by email, SMS or WhatsApp	Only the buyer can open their access link	Access control
Access Type	Open straight away, only between two dates, or for a number of days after purchase	Access control
Maximum Devices	Limits how many devices can use one buyer’s access at the same time	Access control
Maximum Downloads	Limits how many times a buyer can download the files	Protect files
Show on Receipt	Puts the content buttons on the receipt page	Access control
Preview	Shows the content page exactly as buyers see it	Create protected content
Link to items and tickets	Payment form items and event tickets grant access when paid	Give buyers access
Grant Buyer Access	Gives access to people who bought before you linked the content	Give buyers access
Customer Access	Lists every buyer, their dates, views and devices; resend or revoke access	Manage who has access
Access Finder link	One link where buyers look up their access with their email or phone	Manage who has access
Video protection	Blocks right-click, copying, dragging and common save and developer shortcuts on video pages	Protect a video
Pay-per-view stream page	A stream player with themes, Watch on TV and live ad breaks	Sell a pay-per-view live stream
API and AI tools	Read content and buyers, change status, title and access by API or MCP	Manage protected content by API

Access links also appear in automation variables and in the payment webhook, so you can send them by WhatsApp or to your own system.

Turn on the add-on

Protected Content is the OTP-Protected Content add-on, which you turn on under Add-ons in the sidebar. Until it is on, the Protected Content menu opens a page about the add-on instead of your content. Once it is on, the menu shows your content list.

Ready to start? See real examples, or go straight to Create protected content.

Common issues

How do I sell content that customers must pay for before they can watch it?

Use the OTP-Protected Content add-on. Create the content under Protected Content, link it to a payment form item or an event ticket, and BCL gives every paid buyer their own access link that opens only after a one-time code.

Can the customer turn off the OTP?

No. The one-time code is always required. It is what stops a buyer from sharing the link with friends, because the code only goes to the buyer's own email, phone or WhatsApp.

Can I use a Google Drive link instead of protected content?

Yes, as a Download Link on the item (see Sell digital products). It needs no add-on, but anyone who gets the link can open it. Protected Content asks for a one-time code first.

Related articles

• Protected Content ideas and recipes
• Create protected content
• Give buyers access to protected content
• Deliver digital products securely