> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.faaaster.io/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How do I show my site to a client before it goes live?

Every site has a **Preview and collaboration link** that gives access to the site even when it's in **private mode**. This link is in the banner shown below the site header as long as the site is in private mode.

> **Private mode** makes the site inaccessible to the public: it can only be reached through the preview URL. It's the door you open to whoever you choose.

## Get the link

1. Open the site from your **Projects**.
2. In the banner below the site header, find **Preview and collaboration link**.
3. Check that the toggle is set to **On**.
4. Copy the link and share it.

![The "Preview and collaboration link" banner, with its toggle and the link to copy.](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/9/d/2/d/9d2d3e0b7134b800/act-bandeau-preview-en_10wobt.png)

The interface reminds you: "Share this link to give access to the site while it is in private mode (preview and collaboration)."

## Private mode

The **Private** toggle, in the site header next to the **Clear cache** button, turns the protection on or off. The interface sums it up as: "Your site is only accessible to the public via the share URL below."

## When private mode can't be turned off

Three cases where the toggle stays locked, with the corresponding message:

- **site on the Dev plan** — "Please subscribe to disable private mode";
- **no custom domain** — "Please connect a custom domain to disable private mode";
- **branch other than live** — "Only the live branch can be public."

With the **Viewer** role, the **Private** and **On / Off** toggles of the preview link can't be changed.

## How long the link stays valid

The link stays valid **indefinitely**, as long as you don't disable it. The **On / Off** toggle next to **Preview and collaboration link** turns it off: anyone you had shared it with then loses access.

> **Good to know**: this link also wakes up a paused site. Opening it triggers the restart automatically, with a loading screen.

## What about search engines?

**A site in private mode can't be indexed**, because it isn't accessible. The preview link carries an access token: a search engine crawler that came across the site's address hits the same closed door as any other visitor. There's nothing to index.

> ⚠️ **The protection goes away with private mode.** Once a domain is connected and a subscription is active, the **Private** toggle unlocks: as soon as it's turned off, the site becomes public — and indexable. If the content isn't ready, leave **Private** on, or use WordPress's **Search engine visibility** setting.

> **Only share the preview link with the people concerned.** Anyone who has it can see the site. The **On / Off** toggle revokes it for everyone at once.

👉 [How do I connect my domain name?](https://help.faaaster.io/en-us/article/connect-a-domain-3t4zf9/) · [How do I collect my client's feedback?](https://help.faaaster.io/en-us/article/tasks-and-annotations-xm8oti/)