Follow gate
A follow gate is an automation step that checks whether the person in a conversation follows the account before delivering the promised content. If they do not follow yet, the automation asks them to follow first, then sends the link or reward once they confirm or the check passes.
Why it matters for creators
Reels and explore put your content in front of people who don't follow you yet — often the majority of a post's reach. A follow gate meets them at the moment they want something from you and makes the trade explicit: follow, and the guide is yours. It converts interest you already earned into an audience you can reach again.
Use it with judgment. A gate works when the content behind it is genuinely worth a follow, and it grates when it's on everything. Many creators gate their best lead magnets and leave everyday replies open.