Understanding Account Types: Primary vs Shared
Learn the differences between Primary and Shared account types, how they work together, and which features each account type can access.
Quick Overview: Primary accounts manage subscriptions and billing, while Shared accounts get full creative features without administrative control.
The Key Differences
How Print Credits Work
Important: Primary and Shared accounts share ONE print credit per year. Coordinate together to decide who uses it for their book.
Understanding Shared Credits
- Each subscription includes one print credit annually (worth $90)
- Either account can use it
- Coordinate together on usage
- Credits reset on subscription renewal
- Additional credits can be purchased any time
Credit Management Tips
Check Status:
- View in account settings
- See if used this year
- Track renewal date
- Plan usage together
Best Practices:
- Discuss early in the year
- Alternate years if both need books
- Purchase extras for simultaneous printing
Privacy & Independence
Complete project privacy - Primary and Shared accounts are totally separate. You can't see each other's projects unless explicitly invited as collaborators.
Individual dashboards - Each account has its own progress tracking, writing streaks, and notifications.
Your choice to collaborate - Work together on projects or keep everything private - it's entirely up to you.
Common Use Scenarios
Couples Creating Together
Setup: One partner is primary, other is shared
Benefits:
- Individual autobiographies
- Shared family projects
- Private personal stories
- Annual credit coordination
Parent-Child Stories
Setup: Adult child (primary) documents parent's stories (shared)
Benefits:
- Parent has full autonomy
- Can work independently
- Both can lead projects
- Respectful collaboration
Friend to Friend
Setup: Gifting to someone who wants to write
Benefits:
- Complete independence
- No forced collaboration
- Privacy maintained
- True gift of creativity
Family Documentation
Setup: Family historian (primary) with elder (shared)
Benefits:
- Both can contribute
- Separate perspectives
- Unified family story
- Preserved independently
Access & Continuity
Full Access for Both
When primary subscription is active:
- ✅ Create new projects
- ✅ Add entries and photos
- ✅ Edit all content
- ✅ Invite collaborators
- ✅ Use all features
- ✅ Prepare books for print
Choosing Your Account Type
Most people become primary accounts when they subscribe. You only become a shared account if someone gifts you their shared subscription.
Go Primary if:
You want billing control and the ability to gift a shared subscription.
Shared works if:
Someone's gifted you access and you're happy coordinating on the annual print credit.
Key Takeaways
Both Are Full Accounts
Shared doesn't mean limited - you get the same creative features as primary accounts
One Shared Print Credit
Coordinate together on annual credit usage between both accounts
Complete Independence
Your projects stay private unless you explicitly invite the other account as a collaborator
Linked Billing
Both accounts depend on the primary subscription remaining active
No Cascade Sharing
Only primary accounts can gift a shared subscription to others
Common Questions
Not directly. The shared recipient would need to start their own subscription to become a primary account holder.
You'll need to purchase an additional print credit. Either account can make the purchase.
No, projects are private. The primary must be invited as a collaborator to see your work.
Both accounts become view-only. Your content is safe but you can't add new material.
If you need more assistance with this topic please contact support at support@keepsakeproject.co.
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