Why a lot of my content is now gated

On By Elizabeth TaiIn Essays

Readers of my regular blog are probably wondering why a lot of my posts are now gated. Meaning, you need to subscribe to the website (ie give me your email) so that you can access them. I totally understand why some people may think “screw this” and scroll away, but I have many reasons to do what I’m doing.

Gated content are for those who are truly invested in my content

I still share ungated content. You don’t have to subscribe to my blog to read what I write. But the ones behind a “gate” or a subscribe box is for those who want to keep updated with what I write. I create exclusive content for them.

I don’t want to keep newsletter content on just Substack

I am currently mirroring my newsletter content on both Substack and my website. I believe in owning my content, but I also believe in tapping on the platform’s networking abilities. Yes, as I’m not a programming whiz, it’s not automated. I have to copy and paste this. I often publish on the blog first before Substack.

I want to stick it to Google

These days, I don’t really care about Google. I have more or less have given up on the Google SEO train and am relying solely on the power of networking and recommendations, which feels more fulfilling and wroth it. If I do get SEO juice, great. If I don’t, I no longer car. I just do not want to dance to the algorithm anymore.

AI, baby.

Since Google slyly said that it would scrape all content on the web to train its AI apps, I decided to give it the middle finger and put most of my valuable content behind a gate and my archive and most personal writings behind a paywall (coming soon to this website once I get off my butt to set it up). Sure, the protection may be illusory, but if Google or other nefarious corporations want to take it, they’re gonna have to work for it.

I want a sense of privacy

I’ve grown increasingly protective about my personal life and thoughts. I’m especially conscious of those “checking me out” for reasons that I’m not comfortable with. So, having my private and more personal thoughts behind a paywall or subscription form helps to ensure that those who bothered to hand me their email and money are not simply trolls.

Not guaranteed, of course. But again, if they want this content, they’re gonna have to pay or give me their emails to get it.

27 thoughts on “Why a lot of my content is now gated”

  25. I support this! For me, I send my comics through Substack but link to the “making-of” material which is only on my website. It hasn’t really driven any traffic to my website, and it might never, but it still feels wrong to be putting absolutely everything on Substack when one of the draw cards of using that service was supposed to be portability (ie. you can take your mailing list anywhere).

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  27. Pingback: Sweeping tombs, eating food and waving at the dead – Elizabeth Tai

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