How to add password protection to a link
Password protect a link in linkembed to stop random clicks from opening it. Works on both embed and redirect links, and takes about 30 seconds to set up.
You want to password protect a link to a deck, demo, or draft so random clicks do not open it. In linkembed you add a gate before the embed or redirect so only people with the password get through.
Password protect a link: before you enable it
Password protection and email protection (allow-listed addresses and magic links) cannot both be on at the same time. Pick one model per link. For teams or invite-only lists, read email protection.
Passwords are stored hashed on the server; visitors enter the password on a form served by linkembed, not on the embedded third-party site.
Enable protection in the dashboard
- Open Links and edit the link you want to protect (embed or redirect).
- Find the access or protection settings and turn on password protection.
- Set a password and save. Use a strong password you can share through a separate channel (email, DM, contract), not in the same place as the public link if you want real control.
After saving, a visitor who opens the public URL sees the password form first. On success, access is remembered with a short-lived cookie so they do not re-type the password on every refresh during that session.
What visitors see
- They load your normal link URL (custom domain or
yourworkspace.linkembed.iopath). - They submit the password once; if it is wrong, they see an error and can try again.
- After access is granted, embed links show your iframe or media as configured; redirect links continue to the destination URL.
If you are new to link types, compare how to embed a page on your own domain and how to create a branded link that loads another website.
Operations and hygiene
- When you rotate the password or disable protection, old sessions should be treated as stale; share the new password with anyone who still needs access.
- Failed attempts can be monitored operationally on the platform side; avoid using trivial passwords on sensitive material.
FAQ
Q: Does password protection hide my link from search engines?
A: The URL can still be discovered if it is posted publicly. The gate stops casual access, not a determined attacker with the URL. Do not rely on obscurity alone for highly sensitive data.
Q: Can I use a custom domain and a password on the same link?
A: Yes. The gate appears on whatever public URL the link uses. Custom domains require a plan that includes them (pricing); passwords work on your public link URLs regardless of embed vs redirect type.
Q: What if I need only certain emails to get in, not a shared password?
A: Switch to email protection for that link so only allow-listed addresses can request access. You cannot combine both modes on one link.
Q: Will the embedded site ask for a second login?
A: Possibly. Your password only controls linkembed’s gate. If the source is a Google Doc or similar, the provider may still require its own sign-in.
Q: Where is this documented in the product help?
A: The Links doc lists password and email options in the field overview.
linkembed includes password protection on links as part of normal link editing. The Free plan supports a limited workspace for trying the product; custom domains and analytics are paid features on Creator and up (pricing).