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How to Hide Items Before They Go Live

TL;DR

You can hide items before launch by saving them as drafts, setting them to hidden, or scheduling their visibility. This lets you prepare your catalog without making it public.

Author: Tom Kelly 2 min reads

Why Hide Items Before the Auction Starts

Keeping items hidden before launch lets you:

  • Finalize item details without public access
  • Build anticipation for your event
  • Prevent early bidding
  • Control when specific listings are revealed

This approach is especially useful for special packages or big-ticket items.

Step 1: Log In to Your Event Dashboard

  1. Log in to your auction dashboard.
  2. Select the event where you want to manage items.
  3. Go to the Items tab.

Step 2: Add or Edit Your Items

  • Create new items or open existing ones.
  • Fill out item details like title, description, FMV, and bidding settings.
  • Instead of publishing, control visibility with status options.

Step 3: Set the Item to Draft or Hidden

  • Find the “Status” or “Visibility” setting in the item editor.
  • Select Draft or Hidden.
  • Save your changes.

These items remain accessible only to admins and won’t show up on the public auction page.

Step 4: Schedule When Items Become Visible (Optional)

If your platform supports scheduled visibility:

  • Set a start date and time for the item.
  • The system will automatically publish it at the scheduled time.
  • Great for staggered releases or opening day reveals.

Step 5: Publish Items When Ready

  • When your auction is ready to launch, open the item editor.
  • Change the status from Draft/Hidden to Published.
  • Save. The item will now be visible to all bidders.

Step 6: Preview Before Launch

  • Use the Preview feature to see the public view.
  • Confirm that hidden items are not displayed.
  • Verify that published items look correct and are ready to receive bids.

Pro Tips for Item Visibility

  • Keep draft status for incomplete or sponsor-pending items.
  • Use scheduled publishing to unveil premium packages during the event.
  • Double-check your launch settings to avoid early reveals.
  • Assign visibility rules per item if your event includes tiers or sneak peeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide items before my auction starts?

Yes. You can set items to Draft or Hidden so only admins can see them before the event goes live.

Will bidders be able to see hidden items?

No. Hidden or draft items are visible only to admins until published.

Can I schedule when items appear?

Yes. You can schedule visibility so items automatically go live at a specific date and time.

Can I publish only some items before launch?

Yes. You can selectively publish certain items early while keeping others hidden or scheduled.

Can I hide multiple items at once?

Yes. Use bulk actions to change the visibility of multiple items quickly in your dashboard.

Do hidden items affect auction settings or bidding?

No. Bidding and settings remain stored. Once published, the item is immediately live with no re-entry required.

Will scheduled items show in the preview?

No. Scheduled items remain hidden in the public view until their activation time.

Can I revert an item back to hidden after publishing?

Yes. You can switch an item back to Draft or Hidden status at any time.

Is there a way to preview hidden items as an admin?

Yes. Admins can always preview hidden items through the dashboard or preview mode without making them public.

Can I use this for pre-event marketing?

Yes. You can selectively publish teaser items while keeping the rest hidden to build excitement for launch day.

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Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly, TEDx speaker and CEO of CharityAuctions.com, helps nonprofits raise millions through auctions and AI. He hosts The Million Dollar Nonprofit podcast and inspires leaders to live their legacy, not just leave it.

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