| Quick answer: Privacy settings let you control who can find and view your gift list. Typically you can keep a list fully private (only those you send the link to can see it), share it by link (not searchable, but viewable by anyone with the link), or make it public and searchable. You can usually also control what givers see, for instance, hiding who purchased what. A free MyRegistry gift list gives you these controls, so your list is as private or open as you want. |
A gift list involves sharing your wishes, which naturally raises a question: who exactly can see this? The answer is up to you. Privacy settings let you decide whether your list is discoverable by anyone, viewable only by people you share a link with, or completely private. Here’s how the controls work and how to choose.
A MyRegistry gift list gives you control over who can find and view your list, as private or as open as you like.
The Three Levels of Visibility
Private / link-only. Your list isn’t searchable; only people you send the link to can see it. The most common choice, and the most controlled.
Shared by link. Anyone with the link can view it, but it won’t turn up in searches, good for sharing widely without being fully public.
Public / searchable. Anyone can find your list by searching your name, useful when you want to be easy to find, such as for a widely-known occasion.
A gift list should be exactly as private as you want it — no more, no less.
Choosing the Right Level
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Only invited people to see it | Private / link-only |
| To share widely but not be searchable | Shared by link |
| Anyone to find you by name | Public / searchable |
| To hide who bought what | Purchase-privacy setting |
Set your list as private as you like — create one free on MyRegistry.
Controlling What Givers See
Privacy isn’t only about who can view the list, it’s also about what they see. A common and useful setting hides purchase information from you, so you keep the surprise of not knowing what you’re getting, while still preventing duplicates behind the scenes. Givers see what’s available; you don’t see who bought what until it arrives.
| Feature | MyRegistry Gift List | Single-store registry |
|---|---|---|
| Add from any store | Yes | No — one retailer |
| Cash & experience funds | Yes | Rarely |
| Group gifting | Yes | Sometimes |
| One link, no duplicates | Yes | No |
| Privacy controls | Yes | Limited |
| Cost | Free | Free |
Privacy and Sharing Work Together
The nice thing is that privacy and easy sharing aren’t opposites. A link-only list is private from the wider world but effortless to share with exactly the people you choose, by email, text, or a private message. You get both: controlled visibility and one-tap sharing to the right audience.
A Real-World Scenario
Rebecca wanted a gift list for her birthday but didn’t love the idea of it being searchable by anyone online. She set hers to link-only: not discoverable in searches, but easy to send to her family and close friends. She also turned on the setting that hid purchases from her, so she kept the surprise. Her list was completely private to the outside world, perfectly shareable with the people she chose, and still surprise-proof.
| Pros • Choose private, link-only, or public • Link-only keeps you unsearchable • Hide purchases to keep the surprise • Private and easy-to-share at once • You control who sees what | Cons • Pick the level deliberately upfront • Public lists are findable by anyone |
| Expert tip: Default to link-only if you want control — it keeps your list unsearchable while staying easy to share with exactly who you choose. Turn on the setting that hides purchases from you if you want to keep the surprise. Privacy and easy sharing aren’t opposites; a good list gives you both. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can see my gift list?
Whoever you allow — keep it private and link-only (only people you send the link to), shared by link (viewable but not searchable), or public and searchable by name.
Can I keep the surprise?
Yes — a purchase-privacy setting hides who bought what from you, while still preventing duplicates behind the scenes.
Is a private list still easy to share?
Yes — a link-only list is unsearchable to the wider world but sends in one tap to exactly the people you choose.
The Bottom Line
Changing Your Mind Later
Privacy isn’t a one-time decision you’re stuck with. You can generally adjust a list’s visibility whenever you like, start it private while you build, open it up when you’re ready to share widely, or tighten it again afterwards. If you begin unsure, default to the most private setting; it’s always easier to open a list up later than to claw back visibility you’ve already given.
Privacy for Different Occasions
The right level often depends on the occasion. A widely-known celebration you’re happy for people to find might suit a shared or public list. Something more personal — a birthday list for close family, a list tied to your home, usually suits link-only, so it reaches exactly who you choose and no one else. There’s no single correct setting; there’s the one that fits how public you want that particular occasion to be.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my privacy settings later?
Generally yes, you can adjust visibility whenever you like. If unsure, start private; it’s easier to open a list up later than to claw back visibility you’ve already shared.
What privacy level should I use?
It depends on the occasion, a widely-known celebration might suit a public or shared list, while a personal one usually suits link-only, reaching exactly who you choose.
Your list should be exactly as private as you want, you control who finds it and what they see. Set your privacy free at MyRegistry.
