Show Locked Content to Free Members (With Direct In-App Purchase Prompt)
under review
B
Bas Van Schijndel
We’re in the final stages of launching our platform within your system and are excited about the potential. However, there's one critical feature missing that could significantly impact our conversion and overall user experience in the app.
Current situation
At the moment, content that is locked (ebooks, courses, podcasts, etc.) is completely hidden from free members in the app. As a result, free users only see the limited free content, which creates the impression that the app offers very little — even though there is much more available in our premium offering.
What we need
We would like all available content to be visible in the app, even for free members — with a lock icon clearly indicating restricted access, just like how many modern platforms display premium content. When a free member taps on a locked item, they should be immediately prompted with a clear in-app purchase screen or upgrade prompt. This should work seamlessly both in the app and on the web dashboard.
Why this matters
We are investing heavily in marketing, and most of our users will interact directly via the app. If free users can't see what they're missing, they're unlikely to upgrade. The step from curiosity to conversion becomes much harder when content is hidden. Showing locked content with a clear visual cue and quick in-app upgrade option makes the premium value visible — and increases the likelihood of conversion significantly.
This is not just a UX improvement, it’s a vital sales feature that allows us to present the full scope of what our platform offers.
Amani Saaduddin
under review
L
LV
This was my vision when signing up for the app. I was hugely disappointed when I wasn’t able to show content but lock it. Most apps that I’ve ever downloaded have this functionality. All the users who downloaded our app via the app stores and playstores were lost sales opportunities essentially.
B
Bas Van Schijndel
LVYou're absolutely right, this was actually a feature we did have in our previous app, and it really helped with conversions.
We really miss it in the current version too. Right now, it looks like we have very little to offer free users, while in reality there’s a ton of valuable content behind the scenes. That’s a missed opportunity.
People want to see what’s available quickly and clearly. They’re not going to make a purchase if it feels like there’s nothing to explore. The total value needs to be visible up front.