The concept of a Content Lock format is about blocking a specific part of a website or mobile app content with a particular offer. In other words, desktop or mobile users need to take action to get access to this content. There are a number of different actions users can be asked to proceed with to unlock specific content, such as make a payment, fill in a form to register, watch a video ad, and more.
Locking content that is in demand or unique will usually be enough to get users to take that extra step to unlock the content lock. This is true for mobile devices as well and may require users to sign up for certain offers or take action to view the content they want.
In this section, we list all of the content lock mobile ad networks that reward users with content for ad interactions and more.
Content Lock Guide
Content Locks are gaining in popularity and can be effective when used in the correct scenarios. They are a good option for publishers who have high-quality content that can be locked behind and require some input from the user. These do need to be utilized carefully though, as users are not fond of taking extra steps without a decent reward as payment for their actions.
In websites, for example, eBooks could be locked until an action is completed. On mobile, common rewards include bonus rewards for games and more.
The key to success with content locking is that the content lock is necessary because the content behind it is extremely worthwhile to the user. It is important to integrate content locking slowly and to judge how successful it is before increasing the level of content locks.
Source: OptinMonster
An example of this in action: a user finds a video they want to watch. They land on a page with the high-quality video on it, but the part of the page where the video is supposed to be is blurred out and blocked from view.
Above the area may be something like ‘Click Subscribe’ to watch the video. The video will remain unavailable unless the user subscribes. The end result is that the publisher is paid as soon as a user opts-in to the agreement.
What content can be locked?
On both mobile, iOS and Android devices, and desktop, the following content can be content locked with relative ease:
- Videos and trailers
- Images; things like celebrity images or learning materials
- Written content like eBooks, blog posts, research articles
- iframe applications
- Music files can also be locked behind a user’s action
Content locking is ideal for affiliate marketing – the business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought by the affiliate’s own marketing efforts – this can be locked content that brings the visitors.
Content lock example 2
Source: OptinMonster
Mobile content locking is even easier to have success with due to offers being a literal tap away for users. This can result in high earnings, strong conversions and a full list of statistics to help better improve the next attempt.
Entire mobile apps can be part of the agreement as well. A user might have to download a mobile app of their choosing from a group to then gain access to their video content, for example.
Mobile content lock example
Source: MGCash
Overall, publishers will need to find a healthy balance between content locked and free content to help motivate users to take action. Content Lock Advertising Networks, like the ones listed below, are a good place to start.