What is Gated Content? (Top Examples & Best Practices 2025)

One of the most effective ways to capture leads from your site is through gated content. According to statistics, “Traffic through gated content delivers 23 to 31 percent higher lead‑to‑customer conversion compared to ungated sources.”

In this marketing strategy, users exchange their contact details for valuable resources that the site provides. In today’s digital landscape, businesses need high-quality leads to fuel their site’s growth.

But what exactly is gated content, and why does it matter in 2025?

In this guide, we’ll cover all the whys and hows of gated content strategy in 2025. 

Why Gated Content Matters in 2025

According to Semrush, 17% of marketers and business owners said gated content was their top-performing content in our 2023 State of Content Marketing Report.

• Lead Generation: Captures high-intent leads for sales.
• Data Collection: Helps segment audiences for personalized marketing.
• ROI Boost: Converts casual visitors into potential customers.
• Authority Building: Positions brands as industry experts.

Gated vs. Ungated Content: Key Differences

To help you understand the differences between gated content and ungated content, we are going to judge them based on different aspects of a website: 

KAspect	Gated Content	Ungated Content
Acess	Requires form submission	Freely available
Purpose	Lead generation, data capture	Brand awareness, SEO traffic
Conversion value	High (qualified leads)	Low (broad reach)
Examples	Ebooks, webinars, case studies	Blog posts, infographics, videos

Key Takeaways: Gated Content vs. Ungated Content

What we can deduce from this comparison table is that WordPress gated content is beneficial for high-value, in-depth resources or when lead quality matters more than quantity. Ungated content is great for SEO growth and brand visibility.

6 Types of Gated Content

In this section, we will explore some of the top-rated gated content examples: 

1. Ebooks & Whitepapers

One of the top gated content examples is white papers, eBooks, and reports, which offer unique insights, making them perfect for gating. A white paper explains complex topics, while an eBook provides a more in-depth exploration of broader subjects.

To convert leads, you should ensure your content provides high-value insights that users can’t find elsewhere. 

Best for: B2B lead generation.

2. Webinars & Online Courses

The following gated content is webinars, which let you engage with prospects live through chats or Q&A. Since you’re presenting in real time, attendees are more likely to respond to CTAs. 

You can gate webinars twice: 

• At the start, it requires signups before the event.
• Later, by offering the recording as on-demand content.

Best for: Engaging high-intent leads.

3. Reports & Case Studies

Reports and case studies make excellent gated content because they offer deep, data-driven insights. Businesses and marketers willingly exchange their contact details for well-researched industry reports and survey findings. 

These resources provide:

• They offer good value and position your brand as an authority.
• Boosting trust and conversion rates due to high credibility. 

Best for: Building credibility.

4. Templates & Tools

Templates and tools like checklists and spreadsheets can also be gated because they offer instant, practical value. Users willingly exchange their email for ready-to-use resources that save time or solve problems. 

This type of content converts well because it’s specific, actionable, and positions your brand as a helpful expert.

Best for: Practical lead magnets.

5. Exclusive Content (Articles/Videos)

Exclusive articles and videos create gated content because they offer unique insights users can’t find elsewhere. This works exceptionally well for loyal audiences willing to trade contact details for premium access.

Best for: Loyalty-building.

6. Discounts & Free Trials

Discounts and free trials are powerful gated content. By requiring an email signup, businesses turn casual visitors into leads while offering instant value. This strategy works where users exchange contact details for exclusive savings or product access.

Best for: E-commerce & SaaS.

Gated Content Landing Page Examples

The best gated content landing pages make users want to exchange their email for valuable resources. Below, we’ll showcase some of the high-converting examples from top brands.

1. HubSpot’s Free Marketing Templates

HubSpot’s free marketing templates are an excellent example of free, high-value gating.

Why It Works:

This strategy works as follows:

• Clean, benefit-driven headline:” Free Marketing Plan Template”
• Social proof: “Join thousands using these templates”
• Minimal form fields: Only email + first name required
• Strong CTA: “Get My Free Templates” 

Lesson: Pair a high-value offer with low-friction forms.

2. Analytify’s Newsletter Gated Content 

Analytify delivers high-value WordPress and analytics expertise through gated newsletter content, helping users stay ahead in digital marketing.

By subscribing, you gain access to:

• Pro Tips & Tutorials
• Exclusive Blogs on Analytics
• Early Access to Updates on Analytify features
• Industry Insights 

Why This Works:

• The newsletter signup offers ongoing value (tips, updates) without an immediate paywall, building trust.
• Meanwhile, premium features (add-ons, client licenses) are hinted at, creating upsell opportunities.
• The “Enter Your Email” CTA is simple and non-intrusive.
• Gated content is positioned as a natural next step after free resources (e.g., docs, blogs).

Best For: Attracting high intent customers

2. Shopify’s Free Dropshipping Guide

Shopify’s free dropshipping guide provides insights and value to the user through a free-to-read guide and a strong CTA to start working on it today.

Why It Works:

• Problem-focused hook: “How to Start a Dropshipping Business: 9 Essential Steps (2025)”
• Urgency: “Start Selling With Shopify Today”
• Mobile-optimized: Easy 2-field form on all devices

Lesson: Show a sneak peek of the content to boost trust.

3. Canva’s Social Media Templates

Canva provides instant solutions to user by introducing their pre-made social media templates. This urges the user to a strong CTA to start their free trial or subscribe to Canva Pro today. 

Why It Works:

• Audience-specific: “Free and Premium Social Media Templates”
• Progress bar: “1,200 downloads today” (social proof + urgency)
• One-click Google signup: Reduces friction
• Post-download nurture: Follow-up email with tips

Lesson: Simplify signups with Google/SSO options.

4. TechForce Services White Papers

TechForce Services provides updated and informative white papers on complex tech topics, which are readily available to users. 

Why It Works:

• Audience-specific: Their white papers target clear industry challenges.
• Credible References: Include expert quotes or case studies to build trust.
• Minimal and clean landing page: Clean layout with a bold headline
• Feed into a larger marketing funnel: Shows clear points talked about in the article, and a simple sign-up form.

Lesson: Ideal for B2B brands selling high-ticket services or software.

Best Practices for Creating and Promoting Gated Content

Now that we have learned about the importance of gated content and how it affects your business leads, let’s explore the best practices for creating gating that can help optimize your site and revenue. Here’s how: 

1. Know Your Audience

One of the best practices for effective gated content is to research your target audience and what it needs to see.

Ask yourself:

• What keeps them up at night? (e.g., “Why aren’t my ads converting?”)
• What would they gladly trade their email for? (e.g., “7-Figure Ad Templates”)

Pro Tip: Use surveys or LinkedIn polls to test ideas before creating actual live content.

2. Create High-Value Offers

The next practice is directly related to what your research concluded about your target audience. You need to then ensure your content offers actual value to encourage users to exchange their details.

For instance, generic eBooks with little to no marketing will be ignored. But high-value, strategic content will bring conversions. Examples:

• “Done-for-you” templates (e.g., “Instagram Post Planner”)
• Exclusive data (e.g., “2024 SEO Trends Report”)
• Toolkits (e.g., “Free Google Ads Audit Checklist”)

Pro Tip: Ask yourself: Would YOU hand over your email for this? If not, rethink it.

3. Strong and Persuasive CTA’s

Crafting compelling calls-to-action that focus on the benefits users is an art, and if you learn how to utilize it, you’ll be getting leads in no time. Here are some examples:

Ditch the overused”Download Now.” Instead try:

• “Get My Free [Thing] “
• “Unlock the [Benefit]”
• “Yes, I Want [Result]!”

Why it works: Focuses on what THEY get, not what you want.

Bonus: After they download, send helpful follow-up emails to keep them interested.

4. Keep Forms Short

Focus on asking for only the essential information to minimize friction and improve submission rates. Every extra field the user has to fill out will kill conversions. So instead, we recommend you stick to:

• Email (required)
• Name (optional)

Exception: Unless you’re a B2B brand, add “Company Size” to segment leads.

5. Social Proof = Trust Boost

Displaying testimonials, reviews, or how many others have downloaded the content to increase trust. This trust can do wonders and increase conversions effectively, therefore:

• “Downloaded 12,000+ times”
• “Used by [Big Brand]”
• Testimonials (“This guide saved me 10 hours/month!”)

Pro Tip: Embed logos of companies using your content.

6. Promote Like a Pro

Even the best content flops if no one sees it. So instead, you can try:

• LinkedIn/Twitter threads (“New: 50 Free Canva Templates → [link]”)
• Paid ads (Target “SEO checklist” searches)
• Email series (“PS: My free course closes soon!”)
• SEO optimize (Rank for “best [topic] templates 2024”)

Bonus: Supercharging Your Gated Content with Analytify

You know what’s worse than failed gating? Creating it blindly with no strategy. But that problem is now solved by Analytify.

It’s like having a personal analyst telling you that “This content is crushing it… But that form is scaring people away.” Here’s the deal:

While your gating sits there working hard, Analytify, the best WordPress analytics plugin, tracks every interaction in real time.

Want to know which offers your audience actually cares about? It’ll show you whether that “2024 SEO Trends Report” is outperforming your “Social Media Templates”. This real-time data can help you start creating content that converts instead of second-guessing, which is working in your favor. Traffic sources become crystal clear with the help of an easy-to-understand analytics dashboard. With these insights, you can shift your budget and effort to what’s actually working.

And here’s where it gets even more helpful:

You can A/B test without the headache. Try two versions of your landing page, maybe one with a bold red button saying “Grab My Free Guide” versus a subtle blue one saying “Download Now.” Analytify will tell you which one makes visitors actually click.

And if you’re serious about ROI, you can track how many of those content downloads turn into actual customers with the multiple one-click report download option. No more wondering if your content is worth the effort with Analytify.

So, are you ready to create engaging gated content? Try Analytify free Today to get straight-up data that helps you grow.

Enhance User Experience with LoginPress for Gated Content

Nothing kills a gating strategy faster than a bad login process. You can imagine a visitor finally deciding to download your premium guide, only to get stuck in a confusing sign-up maze.

When frustration kicks in during the process, your conversions are gone.

This is why LoginPress is one of the best login form customizer plugins available on the market.

With over 250,000+ active installations, LoginPress elevates the boring WordPress-themed login form to something much more suited to your brand and aesthetic.

It transforms your WordPress login and registration pages into on-brand experiences that keep users moving smoothly toward your intended gating.

Here’s how it works:

• No more ugly default WordPress login screens: With LoginPress, you can customize every detail (colors, logos, backgrounds) to match your brand.

• Reduce failed logins:  With clear error messages and intuitive forms, you can increase user trust and ultimately, the conversions.

• Boost trust with a polished, secure, and even more enhanced security for top-notch credibility and ranking by using the best Add-ons. 

And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech expert to use LoginPress. It allows you to drag, drop, and edit until your login flow is as smooth as your best-performing gated landing page.

See how easy it is and try LoginPress Today!

Gated Content FAQ’s

Final Thoughts on Gated Content

Gated content isn’t just about collecting emails, but it’s about building relationships with people who want to hear from you.

Now that you’ve got the blueprint of the best practices for gated content, it’s time for you to check on your existing content and test out a new tactic.

Using the best tools like Analytify and LoginPress, you can track and secure your content from spam bots or other types of attacks. 

The best gated content feels like a favor to your audience and is not a transaction. Ready to turn visitors into loyal followers? Start gating smarter today.

For more articles on up-to-date WordPress-related content:

• Top 10 Best WordPress Customization Plugins in 2025 (Beyond Just Themes)
• Top 10 Landing Page Best Practices for More Conversions (2025)
• Can’t Access WordPress Admin? (15 Issues with Solutions)

Which of these content strategies will you implement first? Let us know in the comments below!