> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.podigee.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.podigee.com/documentation/create-and-publish/publishing-and-distribution/restrict-a-podcast-to-invited-listeners.md).

# Restrict a podcast to invited listeners

Restrict a podcast to invited listeners and manage their personal feed URLs and passwords.

Use this task to make a podcast private. Only listeners that you invite can open the podcast website, play the episodes, and subscribe to the feed. Each listener receives a personal feed URL and a sign-in for the website and the player.

## Before you start

* You need the owner, admin, or editor role for the podcast, with permission to edit the podcast.
* Private podcasts are available on Scale and above, or an older plan that includes them.
* You cannot submit a restricted podcast to directories. The **Exports** tab shows **This podcast is private, so you cannot submit it to directories.**
* Have the email addresses of the listeners ready.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Classic view" %}

### Restrict access

1. Open the podcast and select the **General** tab.
2. Under **Access restriction**, select **Only allow registered listeners to access this podcast**.
3. Confirm **Are you sure you want to restrict access to this podcast?**

The tab now shows **Manage listeners** and **Currently there are \[count] listeners.** Podigee marks the feed as blocked for directories, and the public website redirects visitors to the listener sign-in.

To open the podcast again, clear the checkbox and confirm **Allow public access**.

### Invite listeners

1. Select **Manage listeners**.
2. Enter one or more email addresses, separated by commas. Podigee removes duplicates.
3. Add a personal message when you want to.
4. Send the invitations.

Each listener receives an invitation email with a link to set a password. Each listener also receives a welcome email with the personal feed URL and a quick response (QR) code for podcast apps. The roster lists failures per address.

### Manage a listener

The roster shows each listener with the status pending, active, or inactive, and the **Unique feed URL**. Use the actions:

| Action             | Effect                                                                                 |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Resend invite**  | Sends the invitation again.                                                            |
| **Reset password** | Sends a password reset link. The link is valid for 14 days.                            |
| **Deactivate**     | Blocks the feed URL and the sign-in of the listener. The listener stays in the roster. |
| **Reactivate**     | Restores access for a deactivated listener.                                            |
| **Remove**         | Deletes the listener and the personal feed URL.                                        |

### What listeners see

* Listeners sign in on the podcast website with their email and a password of at least 8 characters.
* The personal feed URL is the MP3 feed of the podcast with a personal token. Listeners paste it into their podcast app. Apps that ask for credentials can also use the listener sign-in.
* A password reset link is valid for 14 days. An older link shows **Password reset link expired. Please reset your password again.**
* A deactivated or removed listener cannot open the feed or the website.

Tell listeners not to share the personal feed URL. It identifies them.

### Expected result

The podcast website and the feed answer only to invited listeners. The **General** tab shows the listener count.

### If you cannot complete the task

* The **Access restriction** option is missing: the plan of the podcast owner does not include private podcasts.
* An invitation fails with **Creation not possible: limit reached or listener not unique.**: the address is already invited, or the account is at its listener limit. Remove unused listeners or upgrade the plan.
* A listener cannot play the episodes: check that the status is active and send a password reset.

### Manage listeners with an AI agent

The same actions are available through the Podigee agent tools:

* [Enable or disable feed protection](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/manage-private-feed-access/enable-or-disable-feed-protection.md)
* [Add a private feed listener](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/manage-private-feed-access/add-a-private-feed-listener.md)
* [List private feed listeners](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/manage-private-feed-access/list-private-feed-listeners.md)
* [Activate, deactivate, or delete a listener](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/manage-private-feed-access/activate-deactivate-or-delete-a-listener.md)
* [Send a listener password reset](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/manage-private-feed-access/send-a-listener-password-reset.md)
* [Find the correct private feed URL](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/manage-private-feed-access/find-the-correct-private-feed-url.md)
* [Protect listener data and private URLs](/documentation/start-here/ai-agents/manage-private-feed-access/protect-listener-data-and-private-urls.md)
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Podigee workspace" %}

1. Open the podcast and select **Settings** in the sidebar.
2. Select **Private access**. The page **Manage who can listen.** opens and explains **Private access covers the whole show: every episode and every feed address.**
3. Select **Make private** and confirm with **Make it private**.
4. Select **Invite people**. Enter the **Email addresses** (**Paste a list, or separate addresses with a comma.**). Add a **Personal note** when you want to. Select **Send invitations**.
5. Under **People with access**, open **Actions** on a row and select **Send invitation again**, **Send password reset**, **Deactivate**, **Reactivate**, or **Remove**.
6. To open the podcast again, select **Make public** and confirm with **Make it public**.

What is different:

* The access switch and the listener roster are on one settings page. There is no **General** tab checkbox and no separate **Manage listeners** page.
* The roster shows each listener as **Invited**, **Active**, or **Deactivated**.
* On a plan without private access, the page shows **Private access is not part of this plan** and the link **See plans**.
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

## Next step

[Set up Spotify Open Access](/documentation/create-and-publish/publishing-and-distribution/set-up-spotify-open-access.md) to make a restricted podcast available to your members on Spotify.


---

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