What Are Group Buys?
A Group Buy is a special type of purchase on GuardedContent where a creator offers exclusive content at a set price — but the content only unlocks once the funding threshold has been reached.
Think of it like a crowdfunded purchase:
The creator sets a target (e.g. $500 total).
Fans pledge their contribution and payment is collected immediately.
If the target is met within the deadline, the content unlocks for all subscribers and participants.
If the target is not met, all collected payments are refunded and participants are notified.
How to Participate in a Group Buy
Visit a creator's profile or browse the Explore page for active group buys.
Click on the group buy listing.
Review the details:
Content description
Target threshold
Deadline (how long until the group buy closes)
Click Join Group Buy.
Complete the Stripe checkout — your card will be charged.
You'll receive a confirmation that your spot is reserved.
Group Buy Pricing and Thresholds
Each group buy is configured by the creator with the following parameters:
Parameter | Description |
Funding target | The threshold that must be reached for the group buy to succeed |
Deadline | The date and time by which the target must be met |
All pricing is shown inclusive of any applicable fees before you confirm your participation.
Group Buy Status and Completion
You can monitor the status of all your group buys in the Group Buys tab in the sidebar.
Status definitions:
Status | Meaning |
Active | The group buy is open. The target has not yet been met and the deadline hasn't passed. |
Successful | The target was met. Payment collected, content is now unlocked. |
Failed | The deadline passed without meeting the target. No charge was made. |
Pending payout | Target met; payment processing in progress. |
When a group buy succeeds, you will receive an email notification and the content will have a countdown until the post unlocks allowing for a universal viewing experience.
When a group buy fails, your payment will be refunded to the original payment method. You'll also receive an email notification.
Refunds for Incomplete Group Buys
If you participated in a group buy that did not meet its target:
Your card will be refunded
This typically takes 3–5 business days to fully clear, depending on your bank.
You will receive an email confirming the group buy did not proceed.
If a group buy succeeded but you'd like a refund:
Refunds on successful group buy purchases are subject to our general Refund Policy. Because successful group buys involve multiple participants, refunds are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
To request a refund, contact support at [email protected] with your group buy transaction ID.