---
title: "Restricting Content"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/memberdash/restricting-content/"
description: "Introduction As a LearnDash site owner, you can use MemberDash to control who can access specific content across your site. Whether you want to restrict individ…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "MemberDash"
topics: ["How To", "LearnDash Core", "MemberDash", "Membership Levels", "Restricting Content", "Settings"]
date: "2023-07-11"
last_modified: "2026-06-29"
---

# Restricting Content

## Introduction

As a LearnDash site owner, you can use **MemberDash** to control who can access specific content across your site. Whether you want to restrict individual posts, pages, lessons, or broader sections like categories and menus, **MemberDash** offers flexible tools to tailor content visibility based on membership levels.

## Before You Begin

Make sure:

- The **MemberDash plugin** is installed and active.
- You have created at least **one membership** to apply content restrictions.

## Restricting Individual Content

You can restrict posts, pages, lessons, quizzes, topics, or other custom post types using **two methods**.

### Method 1: Restrict Content via the Page/Post Editor

1. Open the WordPress editor for the post, page, lesson, quiz, or topic you want to restrict.
2. Locate the **Membership Access** box in the right sidebar.
3. Click the switch to **Enable Protection**.
4. Select one or more memberships that should have access to the content.

![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Membership-Access-meta-box-in-post-editor.png)> **Best for:** Protecting individual pieces of content.

### Method 2: Restrict Content via the Protection Rules Panel

1. Navigate to **MemberDash > Protection Rules**.
2. Choose the type of content to protect: 
    - **Page** or **Post**
    - **Custom Post Type** (for LearnDash lessons, topics, or quizzes)
3. Use the drop-down filters: 
    - Filter by date (for posts and pages)
    - Filter by custom post type (e.g., All Lessons)
4. Select one or more pieces of content to protect.
5. Use the **Bulk Action** drop-down to assign one or more memberships to the selected content.

![Applying protection to pages](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Protection-Rules-interface-for-posts_pages.png)6. You can also click **Modify Access** to manually select the membership from a dropdown.

> **Best for:** Applying access rules to multiple posts, pages, or lessons at once.

## Restricting Post Categories

To restrict an entire category of posts:

1. Go to **MemberDash > Protection Rules > Categories**.
2. Select the categories you want to protect.
3. Use the **Bulk Action** drop-down to assign memberships.
4. Alternatively, click **Modify Access** to select memberships individually.

> All posts within the protected category will automatically follow the assigned access rules.

## Restricting Comments & More Tag Content

You can also protect **comments** and content after the WordPress “More” tag:

1. Navigate to **MemberDash > Protection Rules > Custom & More Tags**.
2. Select the items you want to protect.
3. Use the **Bulk Action** menu or the **Modify Access** option to assign memberships.

## Restricting Menu Items

To limit access to specific menu items:

1. Go to **MemberDash > Protection Rules > Menu Items**.
2. Select the menu items to protect.
3. Use **Bulk Action** or **Modify Access** to assign memberships.

## Restricting URLs

You can restrict access to specific URLs on your site:

1. Navigate to **MemberDash > Protection Rules > URL Restrictions**.
2. Enter the URL you want to protect.
3. Select **Protect This URL**.
4. Click **Modify Access** and choose the applicable membership.

![URL Restriction](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/URL-Restriction.png)## Restricting Special Pages

Special pages include archive pages, author listings, and similar dynamic pages:

1. Go to **MemberDash > Protection Rules > Special Pages**.
2. Select the pages to protect.
3. Use **Bulk Action** or **Modify Access** to assign memberships.

## Summary

MemberDash provides powerful, flexible tools to control content visibility across your LearnDash site. Whether you’re protecting individual posts, entire categories, menu items, or special pages, MemberDash’s membership-based access rules help you create tailored learning experiences.

> **Tip:** For the best user journey, plan your content access strategy alongside your membership structure to ensure learners see the right content at the right time.