Public vs Private - what is the difference?
Most accounts start off as public by default. Content can be easily shared from a Photobucket account whether the account is public or private. Individual sub albums within a public account can now be set to public or private.
You can quickly check the public/private status of your account by logging into the account with your main account password. Once logged in, either click the 'edit' link to the right of your account name in the sub album index panel or the 'account options' link in the upper right hand corner of the page.
From the 'edit' link, there will be a status indicator next to the account name. This will indicate public or private. You can change the current status by clicking the status indicator.
From the 'account options' link, the status can be found in the Album Settings section. You can modify the current status by clicking the 'edit my album settings' link.
Both indicators display the same status. The account status can be changed from either location. Changing the account status will also change the status of all sub albums within the account.
If you choose to have a public Photobucket account, any of your content with tags, titles or descriptions added in the main album or any public sub albums will appear in the public 'search' function. This search displays random images and videos from public albums. People will also be able to view your account if they enter your username into the search feature. They will see the 'read only' version, and will not be able to edit, upload, or delete any of the contents of your account. They will have access to the 'buy prints' and Make Mobile features as well.
If you choose to have a private Photobucket account, your content will only be available to those whom you choose to give access to and you will control the password. If the account level status is set to private, you will not be able to set individual sub albums to public or assign individual guest passwords to specific sub albums.
For further information on setting the public and private status of individual sub albums, please see the following resources.
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