---
title: Keep recordings stream-only
sidebarTitle: Stream-only content
description: >-
  Know which content members can download and which they can only play or read
  on your portal, and choose the right format.
audience: luminary
feature: content-library
type: guide
availability: live
last_verified: '2026-10-13'
keywords:
  - stream only
  - prevent downloads
  - disable download
  - protect content
  - download settings
url: >-
  https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/offerings/content-library/keep-content-stream-only
---

# Keep recordings stream-only

> Know which content members can download and which they can only play or read on your portal, and choose the right format.

## When to use this

- You don't want paid recordings copied and passed around.
- You want written material read on your portal, not saved as a PDF.
- A member asked why they can't download a meditation.

## How it works

What a member can download depends on the type of item, not on a setting:

| Item type               | What members get            | Download button?                                                           |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Audio                   | In-page player              | No                                                                         |
| Video                   | In-page player              | No                                                                         |
| Article                 | The full text on the page   | No                                                                         |
| Image                   | An image viewer             | Yes, Download Image                                                        |
| PDF, Word, Excel or ZIP | A file card                 | Yes, Download PDF, Download Document, Download Spreadsheet or Download ZIP |
| Link                    | A button to the web address | Visit Link                                                                 |

So to keep something stream-only, upload it as audio or video, or write it as an Article.

**Step 1: Pick a stream-only format**

For a recording, upload the audio or video file itself, not a ZIP or a document that contains
it. For written material, choose Article in Add Content instead of uploading a PDF.

**Step 2: Limit who can open it**

Set Visibility to Private for subscribers only, or add a price or form. Private items also have
no Share button.

**Step 3: Check it as a member**

Open the item from your portal in a private window, or with Preview As in [My Portal →
Design](https://portal.bringsoul.life/portal), and confirm there's a player and no download
button.

## Tips

- Writing is often better as an article or an announcement. Members read it right on the page, on any device. For updates and reflections that build up over time, use [announcements](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/audience/announcements) (Community Notes). Later members can scroll back through them.
- Listening on a phone: Chrome keeps playing with the screen off. Safari needs the screen on.
- You can always download your own files from the item page with Quick Actions → Download.

**Warning:** 
No streaming platform can fully stop someone recording their screen or audio. Stream-only makes
casual sharing harder, but it isn't copy protection.

## What your members see

For audio and video, a player on the item page. For articles, the text. For files and images, a download button with the file name next to it.

## Related

- [Write and publish an article](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/offerings/content-library/write-an-article)
- [Build a members-only library](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/offerings/content-library/build-a-members-only-library)
- [Content Library introduction](https://help.bringsoul.life/luminaries/offerings/content-library/introduction)