Ever wanted to share content on your WordPress site just with select people, without showing it to everyone? Maybe you’re building a members-only area, or want to keep sensitive pages hidden. Understanding how to create private pages in WordPress can give you greater control over your site and its content.
In this article, you’ll learn step-by-step how to set up a private page, useful tips, and the best scenarios to use this feature.
What Is a Private Page in WordPress and Why Use It?
A private page in WordPress is a page visible only to users with the appropriate permissions, such as administrators and editors. This feature is perfect when you want to keep certain content hidden from the public or specific groups of users. Private pages remain unpublished to regular website visitors, even if they know the exact URL.
Common Reasons for Making WordPress Pages Private
- Internal resources: Share instructional guides, training materials, or meeting notes just within your team.
- Member-exclusive content: Create content accessible only to paying members or subscribers.
- Work in progress: Save drafts, ideas, or incomplete content from public view while you refine them.
- Sensitive information: Restrict details like client data, policy updates, or company announcements to authorized staff.
- Testing: Experiment with new layouts or features without exposing them to the public.
How to Make a WordPress Page Private: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a private page in WordPress is easy, and you don’t need special plugins or coding skills. Here’s how to do it using the built-in options:
1. Set Page (or Post) Visibility to Private
For WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg)
- Open the page or post you wish to make private, or create a new one.
- In the right-hand sidebar, find the “Visibility” option under the ‘Summary’ panel.
- Click on “Public.” A drop-down menu will appear.
- Select “Private.”
- Click “OK” to confirm.
- Publish or Update the page.
For Classic Editor
- Open or create your page/post.
- Look for the “Publish” meta box (usually on the right).
- Find “Visibility: Public” and click “Edit.”
- Choose “Private.”
- Click “OK” and then “Publish” or “Update.”
Result: Your private page will display a “Private:” label in the admin area and is viewable only by logged-in Administrators or Editors.
2. Who Can See a Private WordPress Page?
- Administrators: Full access (can view, edit, publish, and delete).
- Editors: Same access as administrators for pages.
- Authors/Contributors/Subscribers: Cannot see the private page.
This built-in control keeps your content hidden and safe.
Alternative Methods for Enhanced Privacy
Sometimes, you want more refined privacy controls—like restricting content to specific users, roles, or even password-protecting it. Here are some practical alternatives:
1. Password Protection
WordPress allows you to password-protect individual pages and posts.
- Set Visibility to “Password Protected.”
- Enter a password.
- Users must enter this password to view the page.
Great for: Sharing with specific people regardless of their user role.
2. Membership Plugins and User Role Control
If you need granular control (e.g., showing content only to members or custom user roles), membership or access control plugins can help.
- Examples include ARMember, MemberPress, or User Role Editor.
- Let you create user groups, protect pages, and manage permissions.
- Useful for course sites, paid memberships, and online communities.
3. Password Protection Plugins
Plugins like Password Protect WordPress (PPWP) allow for:
- Protecting entire pages or sections.
- Temporary or recurring passwords.
- Setting user groups and advanced rules.
Tip: Always choose reputable plugins for better security and regular updates.
Benefits of Using Private Pages
Here’s why private pages are a powerful WordPress feature:
Enhanced Privacy and Security
- Only authorized users see sensitive data.
- Prevents accidental leaks of drafts or confidential content.
Team Collaboration
- Share unfinished or internal documents securely with editors or admins.
- Collaborate on projects without exposing your work.
Seamless Content Workflow
- Draft, review, and update content in private before going live.
- Use private pages as a staging area.
Member-Only Content
- Gate premium articles, tutorials, downloads, or videos.
- Build a loyal audience by offering exclusive access.
Challenges and Limitations
While private pages are useful, they come with a few limitations:
- Role Restriction: By default, only admins and editors have access. No built-in way to show private content to authors, contributors, subscribers, or custom roles.
- No Frontend Login Experience: Users can’t “request” access or log in from the private page itself.
- SEO Limitations: Search engines won’t index private pages, so content won’t appear in Google or Bing results.
- Clunky for Large Sites: As your team or needs grow, plugins may be needed for more control.
Recommendation: For simple needs, native privacy suffices. For advanced control, explore dedicated plugins.
Best Practices & Practical Tips
To get the most from your private WordPress pages, consider these tips:
1. Name Your Content Clearly
- Add “Private” or “Draft” to titles for easy admin identification.
- Use descriptive labels in your workflow.
2. Regularly Review Permissions
- Remove access for old team members.
- Limit administrator/editor roles to essentials only.
3. Use Plugins Judiciously
- Only add plugins you really need—too many can slow your site.
- Keep plugins updated for security.
4. Communicate with Your Team
- Educate team members about private content guidelines.
- Set up notifications, if possible, for updates to private pages.
5. Test Privacy Controls
- Log in as different user roles to check access restrictions.
- Confirm private pages aren’t linked or discoverable from the public site.
Cost Considerations
The private page feature is built-in and free for any WordPress user. However, related costs might arise if you:
- Use premium plugins for advanced access control, memberships, or content dripping.
- Hire developers to customize privacy functions.
- Opt for managed hosting that includes advanced security or user management tools.
Tip: Evaluate your needs first. For simple privacy, there’s no cost. For advanced features, compare plugin costs and hosting plans before committing.
Summary
Creating a private page in WordPress is straightforward and powerful for protecting sensitive or exclusive content. With just a few clicks, you control who sees what on your site. For basic privacy, use the built-in feature. For more flexible access or detailed permissions, consider reputable plugins.
Keep track of who’s accessing what, regularly update permissions, and test privacy settings to keep your site secure and efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a private page and a password-protected page in WordPress?
A private page is visible only to logged-in administrators and editors. A password-protected page can be accessed by anyone who has the password—no need for a user account.
Can I make a specific page visible only to certain user roles, like members or subscribers?
By default, private pages are limited to admins and editors. To restrict access for other roles like subscribers or custom groups, you’ll need a membership or access control plugin.
Will private pages appear in search engines?
No, private pages are not indexed by search engines. This means they won’t show up in Google results or your site’s public search listings.
How do I share a private page with someone outside my WordPress site?
You can’t, unless you create them as a user with the required role and provide login credentials. Alternatively, set the page to “Password Protected” so they can use a password to view it.
Is it possible to make my entire WordPress site private?
Yes. You can use plugins or settings under “Reading” to require users to log in before viewing any content. This is ideal for intranets, membership-only websites, or under-construction sites.
By understanding and leveraging WordPress’s private page features, you’ll safeguard sensitive information and better control your website’s user experience.