Email Gate asks users to share their email address before receiving your DM content. Every email is saved to your CreatorFlow Contacts, where you can export them as a CSV and import into any email marketing tool.
How Email Gate Works
- Someone triggers your automation (comments a keyword, replies to a story, etc.)
- CreatorFlow sends a DM asking for their email address
- The user replies with their email
- CreatorFlow validates the email format and saves it to Contacts
- CreatorFlow delivers the actual content (link, message, etc.)
Setting Up Email Gate
- Go to the Automations page and open your automation (or create a new one)
- Scroll to the Pre-DM Options section and toggle Email Gate on
- Save the automation
Where Emails Are Stored
Every email collected through Email Gate is saved to the Contacts page in CreatorFlow. Each contact entry includes:
- Instagram username
- Email address
- Date collected
- Which automation collected it
You can export all contacts as a CSV file and import them into any email marketing tool: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Beehiiv, ActiveCampaign, or others.
The Conversion Trade-Off
Asking for an email is a bigger ask than Follow Gate. Expect 40-50% of users to drop off at this step. That means roughly half of the people who trigger your automation won't provide an email and won't receive the content.
Why it's still worth it:
- You own the email list. Instagram can change its algorithm, restrict your reach, or suspend your account. Your email list is yours forever.
- Email converts better than DMs. You can send sequences, newsletters, and offers directly to their inbox with no algorithm in the way.
- High-intent leads. Someone who gives you their email genuinely wants what you're offering. These are your best potential customers.
When to Use Email Gate
| Use Email Gate | Skip Email Gate |
|---|---|
| You're building an email list for newsletters or launches | Maximizing content delivery is the priority |
| You're offering high-value lead magnets (guides, courses, templates) | The content isn't valuable enough to justify an email ask |
| You want to reach your audience outside of Instagram | You're running a simple giveaway or promotion |
| You sell via email sequences or product launches | You're using Follow Gate or Opening DM instead |