---
title: "How to gate content or set up a popup signup form for a legacy website"
updated: 2026-01-06
---

# How to gate content or set up a popup signup form for a legacy website

> **Disclaimer**
>
> These instructions apply to the legacy Website Builder, which is only available to publications created before July 15, 2025. The legacy Website Builder is no longer being updated. Please migrate your site to the [new Website Builder](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/34881541755287) for the best use of beehiiv.

The [**Email Capture**](https://app.beehiiv.com/website_builder/settings/email_capture) settings are where you can require users to sign in or subscribe to your publication site in order to read the content. You can find these settings in the Website Builder, as detailed below.

## Email capture types

There are 2 ways that you can capture email addresses from visitors to your publication site: **Gated** and **Popup**. Or, if you prefer not to enable either option, you can select **None**. 

**Gated:** Visitors must sign in or subscribe to your publication site to read the content.   
_Main use case: Ideal for those who are growing their subscriber list as a top priority._  
  
![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcEmeW9dPbfDgX6_5ahO05edQcq84ZMEMA6izRsWV5RV4xW9eIfU3l58hUFba_VwVQ_sbQSE3EOjnDvsoEiMgN7Hka3S2wWhe-TUqRFo0tdzttL5fbvQi5cbSLJjCba34rto6E8BV3ZW8lNj5078zm3Oio?key=bwf7JFUkW2alt8Gxjr1axw)

  

**Popup:** Content remains accessible to everyone, but a popup will encourage visitors to subscribe or sign in to your publication.  

_Main use case: Best for when you want to keep your content available to all, but would still like to expand your email list, offering a balance between accessibility and list growth._  
  
![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXclxuBCup0utmv5W2mq7zAMAXRR-6lJZ2MgaxisrTWL5RerNr1e_JUDkLkxo9nrQGzVkNDzYjPVM8YziguAoWKnhLi6K_vvk7AThUJKAfM0-m3OdXP3u8oKqpYB0rbC1YAcBWjQZOgNskvO3EMnA_VxaweY?key=bwf7JFUkW2alt8Gxjr1axw)

Although both settings are enabled from the same place, we’ll cover how to gate your content first, then go over how to create a popup signup form, so that you can make the choice that best suits your publication’s goals. 

---

## How to gate your publication content

1.  From the left panel **Dashboard**, go to **Website >** [**Builder (Legacy)**](https://app.beehiiv.com/website_builder).  
     
2.  The **Website Builder** will open on the **Styles** tab. Switch to the **Settings** tab, then click on [**Email Capture**](https://app.beehiiv.com/website_builder/settings/email_capture) from the options in the left panel.  
      
    ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdnigQ-_TIpUnYVyLUWhuOFw6z6TEJGPyF1IByITj3gwbzCTkOWOGTj8CqqbeumZXJNRT21apug0vDcF6MhU5Mqf_Pe93WgsrsiNFvJFLYHsP7SScBR69-7Kzt3UKWKMVARitNI5OK9JsYjQmQKN04QUug?key=bwf7JFUkW2alt8Gxjr1axw)
3.  The Email Capture section will open. For the **Email Capture Type**, click into the dropdown menu and select **Gated**.  
      
    ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdhPTq9DyCujAezpiOz76YH-wNJ6OD3xLC29Jsxl0i-7KHjsea3Un9R-IEhqXgkllcykCll4D51ZWL-LvKv1jlQG4XJbEdbYf5OUd2t9dkFp_fd5Jn2EQapToAz95-FNZYnYhMuUV-7EOx4TpVCWoTwIeCt?key=bwf7JFUkW2alt8Gxjr1axw)
4.  Create the message that visitors will see by adding a **Title**, **Message**, and **CTA** for your Gated Content.  
     

> **Pro Tip**
>
> We recommend using the following format for your Gated Content:  
>   
> **Title:** Subscribe to keep reading.  
> **Message:** This content is free, but you must be subscribed to \[X\] newsletter to continue reading.  
> **CTA:** Subscribe.

5.  Changes will be saved automatically, and you’ll receive a quick ‘Saved’ message at the top of your screen.  
      
    ![Social Links Example.03.png](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfCIYb4LbQcVoIgbGRIEf_criucwABBgzT4QDbHdAJEjKdhUIQKBe3cLdnJICxKjlpyNpZFoJR0u-YIWvx1OLzeUSmoXRpVU45s71yXkzx4RfeFRYS_6xz6WjJ9LryXtrA9K1hbEclJI3JSp0hNkUx9WtU3?key=bwf7JFUkW2alt8Gxjr1axw)

---

## How to create a popup signup form

With a popup signup form, visitors will not have to provide their email address to sign in or start reading your content. However, once a visitor scrolls down 50% of the page, a popup will appear and display your Popup Content. They can choose to subscribe, sign in, or continue scrolling and reading while the popup is active. As a reminder, the popup will show to those not logged in every 7 days.

1.  From the left panel Dashboard, go to **Website >** [**Builder (Legacy)**](https://app.beehiiv.com/website_builder).  
     
2.  The **Website Builder** will open on the **Styles** tab. Switch to the **Settings** tab, then click on [**Email Capture**](https://app.beehiiv.com/website_builder/settings/email_capture) from the options in the left panel.  
      
    ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdnigQ-_TIpUnYVyLUWhuOFw6z6TEJGPyF1IByITj3gwbzCTkOWOGTj8CqqbeumZXJNRT21apug0vDcF6MhU5Mqf_Pe93WgsrsiNFvJFLYHsP7SScBR69-7Kzt3UKWKMVARitNI5OK9JsYjQmQKN04QUug?key=bwf7JFUkW2alt8Gxjr1axw)
3.  The Email Capture section will open. For the **Email Capture Type**, click into the dropdown menu and select **Popup.**  
      
    **![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfUi-NEVevaylckJmnmMSIRG3SsDvK6T7Iq5rSygQDN-NK7SKJSai3f5B5feDibCVUssml9Eyv8My7jFQ9V3p0yNKa7dAat7r80inxDiwvRTf16S1fkkNTq479yOxDYozKpyEpyMBx5AGqlLmwQVGkWTepI?key=bwf7JFUkW2alt8Gxjr1axw)**
4.  Create the message that visitors will see by adding a **Title**, **Message**, and **CTA** for your Popup Content.  
     

> **Pro Tip**
>
> We recommend using the following format for your Popup Content:  
>   
> **Title:** Enjoying this post?  
> **Message:** Subscribe to get more content like this delivered to your inbox.  
> **CTA:** Subscribe.

5.  Changes will be saved automatically, and you’ll receive a quick ‘Saved’ message at the top of your screen.  
      
    ![Social Links Example.03.png](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfCIYb4LbQcVoIgbGRIEf_criucwABBgzT4QDbHdAJEjKdhUIQKBe3cLdnJICxKjlpyNpZFoJR0u-YIWvx1OLzeUSmoXRpVU45s71yXkzx4RfeFRYS_6xz6WjJ9LryXtrA9K1hbEclJI3JSp0hNkUx9WtU3?key=bwf7JFUkW2alt8Gxjr1axw)