Managing your audience sometimes means removing access for specific listeners, and doing this through your Kit integration can feel unclear at first. Here's how to block a listener using your Kit integration in Hello Audio.
What You’ll Accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll have:
✅ Set up automatic listener blocking when Kit tags are removed
✅ Created automations for paid membership management in Kit
✅ Configured Hello Audio to sync with Kit tag changes
✅ Learned how to gate specific episodes for paid members only
✅ Tested the blocking process to ensure it works correctly
Instructions
Important Note: This process requires you to have already set up the basic Kit and Hello Audio integration for adding listeners to your private podcast feed. If you haven't done this yet, complete that setup first.
Understanding Tag-Based Blocking
The blocking system works by monitoring specific tags in Kit. When a tag is removed from a contact (due to subscription cancellation, payment failure, etc.), Hello Audio automatically blocks that listener from accessing your private podcast feed.
Step 1: Configure Your Kit Integration for Blocking
In Hello Audio, navigate to Integrations → Kit
Click Edit on your existing integration
Select the sequence you want to monitor (this should be your podcast welcome sequence)
Check the box that says "Block listeners when a certain tag is removed"
Specify the tag name (e.g., "paid member") that, when removed, will trigger the blocking
Save your integration settings
Step 2: Set Up Your Paid Product in Kit
In Kit, go to Earn → Products
Create a new product for your paid membership
Configure your pricing (monthly/yearly options)
Connect your Stripe account for payment processing
Customize checkout options and confirmation settings
Click Publish when ready
Step 3: Create an Automation for New Paid Members
In Kit, navigate to Automate → Visual Automations
Click Create new automation
Set the trigger: "When a product is purchased"
Select your paid membership product
Add action: Tag the contact with your designated tag (e.g., "paid member")
Add action: Add to sequence (your podcast welcome sequence)
Activate the automation
Step 4: Handle Real Subscription Changes
When actual subscription changes occur:
For Failed Payments:
Stripe will handle the payment failure
You can set up Kit automations to remove the tag when payment fails
Hello Audio will automatically block access
For Manual Cancellations:
Remove the "paid member" tag from the contact in Kit
The listener will be immediately blocked from accessing the feed
For Access Restoration:
Simply re-add the "paid member" tag in Kit
Access will be restored within minutes
Strategic Suggestions
Advanced Use Cases:
Tiered Access: Use different tags for different membership levels (basic, premium, VIP)
Grace Periods: Create temporary tags that provide limited access during payment issues
Episode Gating: Gate specific premium episodes for paid members only using the episode settings
Automated Dunning: Set up Kit sequences to attempt payment recovery before removing access
Episode-Level Access Control:
In Hello Audio, go to your feed's Episodes section
Click on any episode you want to gate
Select "Limit this to paid members only"
Choose which tag holders can access this content
Save your settings
Tips & FAQs
Q: How long does it take for a blocked listener to lose access?
A: Typically 2-5 minutes for the sync between Kit and Hello Audio to complete.
Q: Will blocked listeners be notified they've lost access?
A: No, they'll simply find that their unique podcast link no longer works.
Q: Can I block listeners temporarily?
A: Yes, remove and re-add the tag as needed. You can also create time-based automations in Kit.
Q: What happens if someone tries to access blocked content?
A: They'll see an error message in their podcast app when trying to listen to content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Don't delete the contact entirely from Kit - just remove the access tag
Make sure your automation is active - inactive automations won't trigger
Test with a dummy account before implementing with real customers
Ensure your Stripe webhook settings are properly configured for payment failures
Troubleshooting:
If blocking isn't working, check that your integration is properly connected
Verify the tag name matches exactly between Kit and Hello Audio settings
Confirm your Kit automation is active and properly configured
Contact [email protected] if sync issues persist
What Happens Next
Once this system is set up, your paid podcast membership will be fully automated:
New purchases automatically grant access
Manual tag changes instantly update listener permissions
You can focus on creating content while the system handles access management
Pro Tip: You can use this same tag-based system with other payment platforms and membership sites - just sync the tags through Zapier or similar tools to maintain the same automated blocking functionality.
For additional questions about advanced configurations or troubleshooting, reach out to Hello Audio support at [email protected].