What is SmugMug 'Public plus Password' privacy setting?

Sharing photos online while maintaining control over who can view them is a priority for many photographers and casual users alike. SmugMug offers various privacy settings to help users manage access to their precious memories and professional work. Among these options, the 'Public plus Password' setting stands out as a flexible choice that balances accessibility with protection. Let's explore what this setting means and how you can use it effectively.

Understanding SmugMug Privacy Settings

Before diving into the specific 'Public plus Password' option, it helps to know where this fits in SmugMug's privacy hierarchy. SmugMug provides several privacy levels for galleries and folders:

• Public - Anyone can view
• Unlisted - Only people with the direct link can view
• Public plus Password - Anyone can see the gallery exists, but need a password to view contents
• Unlisted plus Password - Need both the direct link and a password
• Private - Only you and people you specifically invite can view

Each option serves different needs depending on how widely you want to share your photos and how much protection you want to apply.

What Exactly is 'Public plus Password'?

The 'Public plus Password' setting creates a unique situation for your SmugMug content. Here's what it does:

• Makes your gallery or folder visible in search results and listings
• Shows the gallery name and cover image to anyone who visits
• Requires a password to view the actual photos inside

Think of it like a store window display - people walking by can see there's something interesting inside, but they need a key (the password) to enter and browse the merchandise.

How This Setting Works in Practice

When someone finds your 'Public plus Password' protected gallery, they'll see:

1. The gallery title
2. Your cover image (if you've set one)
3. A password prompt that blocks access to the full contents

Only after entering the correct password will they gain access to view the photos within that gallery or folder.

When to Use 'Public plus Password'

This particular privacy setting works well in several scenarios:

Client Photo Delivery

Professional photographers often use this setting when delivering photos to clients. The gallery remains discoverable (clients can find it through your profile), but the contents stay protected until the client enters their password.

Event Photography

For weddings, parties, or corporate events, this setting allows attendees to find the gallery while keeping the photos private from the general public. You can share the password with all event participants.

Family Collections

When sharing family photos, you might want relatives to easily find your galleries but still control access with a simple password that all family members know.

Portfolio Samples

Photographers can use this setting to create teaser galleries that show potential clients they have relevant work, but require engagement (asking for the password) to view the full collection.

How to Set Up 'Public plus Password' Protection

Setting up this privacy option in SmugMug is straightforward:

1. Log in to your SmugMug account
2. Navigate to the gallery or folder you want to protect
3. Click on the settings gear icon
4. Select "Gallery Settings" (or "Folder Settings")
5. Go to the "Privacy & Sharing" tab
6. Choose "Public plus Password" from the dropdown menu
7. Enter your desired password
8. Click "Save Changes"

Once saved, your content will immediately adopt the new privacy settings.

Password Best Practices

When creating passwords for your SmugMug galleries:

• Use something memorable for your intended audience
• Avoid extremely common passwords like "123456" or "password"
• Consider using something relevant to the content (event name, date, etc.)
• Change passwords periodically for long-term galleries

Benefits of Using 'Public plus Password'

This privacy setting offers several advantages compared to other options:

Discoverability with Protection

Unlike fully private or unlisted galleries, 'Public plus Password' galleries can be found through SmugMug search and browsing. This helps people locate your work without allowing unrestricted access.

Simple Sharing

You don't need to send direct links to everyone - just share the password. This works well for larger groups where you don't have everyone's contact information.

Marketing Opportunity

The visible cover image and title serve as teasers that can attract potential clients or viewers, encouraging them to request password access.

Flexible Access Control

You can change the password at any time, effectively revoking access for previous viewers without changing the gallery URL or visibility status.

Limitations to Consider

While 'Public plus Password' is useful, it does have some limitations:

Password Sharing

Once you share a password, you can't control who else receives it. Recipients can forward the password to others, potentially expanding access beyond your intended audience.

Single Password

Each gallery or folder has only one password. You can't assign different passwords to different users for the same content.

Limited Analytics

You won't know exactly who accessed your gallery - only that someone used the password successfully.

Cover Image Exposure

Remember that your cover image is visible to everyone, so choose something appropriate that doesn't reveal sensitive content.

Comparing 'Public plus Password' to Other Privacy Options

Public plus Password vs. Unlisted

The key difference is discoverability. 'Public plus Password' galleries appear in search results and browsing, while Unlisted galleries don't appear anywhere except to those with the direct link.

Public plus Password vs. Unlisted plus Password

Both require a password, but 'Unlisted plus Password' adds an extra layer of security by requiring both the exact URL and the password. This is more secure but less discoverable.

Public plus Password vs. Private

Private galleries require you to specifically invite each viewer using their email address. This gives you more control but requires more work to manage access, especially for larger groups.

Which Setting Should You Choose?

Select 'Public plus Password' when you want:

• Your work to be discoverable but not freely viewable
• A simple way to share with groups without sending individual invites
• The ability to change access by updating a single password
• A balance between visibility and protection

Choose other privacy settings when those specific benefits don't align with your needs.

Tips for Managing 'Public plus Password' Galleries

To get the most from this privacy setting:

• Create descriptive gallery names that help intended viewers find them
• Select appealing cover images that represent the content without revealing private moments
• Keep track of which passwords you've assigned to which galleries
• Periodically review and update passwords for long-term galleries
• Consider using gallery descriptions to provide instructions on requesting the password

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different passwords for different viewers of the same gallery?

No, SmugMug only allows one password per gallery or folder with the 'Public plus Password' setting. If you need different access levels for different people, you might need to create separate galleries or use the Private setting with individual invitations.

Will Google index my 'Public plus Password' galleries?

Yes, search engines can index the gallery name and cover image, but they cannot access the password-protected photos inside. This means your gallery might appear in search results, but the actual photos remain protected.

Can I change a gallery from 'Public plus Password' to another privacy setting?

Yes, you can change the privacy setting of any gallery at any time through the Gallery Settings menu. Be aware that changing to a more restrictive setting might confuse regular visitors who previously had access.

Do viewers need a SmugMug account to access a password-protected gallery?

No, viewers don't need their own SmugMug account to access your password-protected galleries. They simply need the correct password when prompted.

What happens if someone tries to guess my gallery password?

SmugMug doesn't limit password attempts, so theoretically someone could try to guess your password multiple times. This is why it's important to use reasonably secure passwords for sensitive content rather than obvious choices like "password123".

Conclusion

SmugMug's 'Public plus Password' privacy setting offers a practical middle ground between completely open and strictly private sharing. It allows your content to be discoverable while still maintaining control over who can view the full gallery. This option works particularly well for photographers sharing with clients, event participants, or specific communities where you want to balance visibility with protection.

By understanding how this setting works and when to use it, you can make better decisions about protecting your photos while still making them accessible to your intended audience. Whether you're a professional photographer delivering client photos or simply sharing family memories, the 'Public plus Password' option provides a flexible solution that might be just what you need.