On Sketchfab, a private model is "unlisted", which means it won't appear in searches or public galleries, and it won't be indexed by search engines. However, anyone with the model URL can still view and embed a private model.
If you add a password to your private model, no one can view it without entering the password, even if they know the URL. Password-protected models can also be embedded, and a visitor will need to enter the password to load the model.
Password-protected models do not work in the Sketchfab mobile app, or in the Viewer API. Private (unlisted) models will work normally.
To make a model private:
- Upgrade to a monthly or annual Pro (or above) membership
- On your model page, click the Edit Properties button.
- Click the drop-down under "Who can see?" and choose your desired option.
- Type a password (optional)
- Click Save.
You can also make your model private during upload.
Password-protected models may not use the same password as your Sketchfab account.
Comments
34 comments
Hey,
is it possible to undo a model-publication (I have not a PRO, Premium, or Business account)?
Best regards,
Julia
Hi Julia,
I'm afraid it's not possible to un-publish a model. If you need it as a draft, you'll have to delete it and re-upload.
Sorry for any inconvenience!
Hi James,
is it possible to create a separate password for each project/model? (sorry, maybe stupid question, but it's not clear to me).
Thanks, Lars
Hi Lars,
Yes, passwords are set on individual models.
James
Hi there,
I unlocked my profile to pro to make my upload private but got this message now:
Thank you in advance for clarifications.
Best,
Giacomo
Hi Giacomo,
Weird, thanks for the report. We'll get that fixed ASAP!
What happens when you turn off private mode after you've worked on it for a few weeks to finetune it? Do people get notified like when you've uploaded a new model? Will staff see the model as well for instance to judge it for staffpicking? Or does all that only happen when you upload a new model?
I'm afraid not. Your followers will be notified after you publish a model from draft mode (assuming it is not private). If you are still preparing a model and want your followers to be notified (and staff to see it at the top of model feeds), you should keep it in Draft mode until it's ready.
Thank you for clearing that up. I’ll keep models in draft mode in the future.
Were you viewing models in the mobile app (in AR, etc.)? Based on the logs, it looks like that's where the views are coming from.
Yes, I looked through the mobile app and watched in VR. Tell me please, can other users see my models in the mobile application, if the models are "private"?
No, private models do not appear in the mobile app. You must know the URL to visit the page.
Ok, thanks for the explanation. Have a nice day.
i want to show my private model to the user from my website using embedding and user just see the model and do not permit to download the model. is it possible in private model?
@arif694773 Yep, you can embed a private model on your website just like a public model. Anyone can view it, but no one will be able to download it unless you allow it.
Why cant you show clients private models from your own account on the app on an Ipad for example?
@palaeopi Sorry about that! It's a known issue with the mobile app, and we will get it working in a future version.
Is it possible to make models provide by default for my user profile after uploading? This would save the additional step of making the model private every time?
@furnware At the moment, it's not possible to make all your uploads private by default, unless you upload using the Data API:
https://sketchfab.com/developers
IS it not possible to have a private model if you have no more upload credits? I have a pro account. This whole credit thing is so ridiculous. It is making me want to switch to a different site for my models.
Hi @agustayr - Indeed, the Pro account (for example) used to be limited to 20 private models per month. Now it's limited to 20 "view-only" (non-downloadable) models per month, but you're welcome to make any and all of your models private. In other words, private models is now simply a feature of the Pro account, rather than having a limited number of them. We're considering raising the upload limit for Pro accounts.
More info here: https://help.sketchfab.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031770411-Upload-Limits
Is it possible to switch a model from private to public just long enough for a client to view the model in AR and then switch it back afterword? I've tried and the change doesn't save. If not is there any way to view a private model in AR on an iPad?
Hi kashwalton_westrock,
I also answered via email:
Sorry, there's a bug in the properties form. If you delete the password field before switching to public, it should work.
Also, you should be able to view private models on your account when viewing the app, just not password-protected models.
Hi James, I also would like to turn off the password protection to a few uploads. I tried deleting the password before switching to public and the change still doesn't take.
We are working with a Hypervsn unit and would like to download our models to that unit.
Any suggestions?
Hi,
I'll follow up in a private message!
If I prepare private models with a "Pro" account and then I later downgrade my subscription back to "Plus" or "Basic", would my already-set private models stay private?
I.E. Is the "Privacy" behaviour and password protection sufficiently reliable that you could count on it for IP and disclosure purposes in the long term?
If you downgrade from Pro to Plus or Basic, your private models will not become public. However, they will be disabled: https://help.sketchfab.com/hc/en-us/articles/360016172711-Disabled-Models
MainframeStudios - is there a live page I can look at?
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